PLACES NEAR TAIPEI

NEAR TAIPEI

Tien Mou is a suburb of Taipei where affluent residents of Taipei and foreigners live. It has a couple of large Western-style shopping centers and numerous Western-style restaurants. Kuan Yin Mountain is a 2,000-foot-high peak on the west side of the Tamsui River opposite Taipei. It is the site of a famous Buddhist hotel. Pitan (11 kilometers from Taipei) is a lake noted its deep green water. It is favorite picnic spot. Ta Shee (36 kilometers from Taipei) is a world class resort on 500 acres of land with a country club, luxurious hotel, two swimming pools and other recreational facilities.

Chenghuang is the home of Falian Shrine Square, Chenghuang Temple and Chenghuang Temple Night Market. There are beautiful old trees at Chenghuang Temple. Famous snacks here are Hsinchu meat balls, pork balls, spring rolls, braised pork rice, cuttlefish thick soup, rice noodles, and cow tongue shaped cakes.

Fisherman's Wharf is a multi-purpose leisure fishing port developed by the New Taipei City Government. There are magnificent floating piers and a spacious park, with a bridge in the shape of a boat spanning across the harbor and a wooden path stretching over 300 meters at the waterfront. It is relaxing to lean against the fence enjoying the breeze and sights at the Tamsui River mouth. In the evening, this is the best place to watch the view of the sunset.

Getting There by Public Transport: THSR Taipei Station (or TRA Taipei Station) Taipei MRT Tamsui Station New Taipei City Bus (Red 26) to Fisherman's Wharf stop. By Road: Nat'l Hwy 1 Exit at the Taipei Interchange Prov. Hwy 2B; Address: Guanhai Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Tel: [886]-(2)-2626-7613.

Chiang Kai-shek Home

Chiang Kai-shek Home (Zhongshan North Road in Shilin, a suburb of Taipei) was sealed off from public view for more than two decades after Chiang Kai-shek’s death in 1975. During that time many people wondered about sumptuous interiors, secret tunnels and other things that could be found inside.

Known as Shilin Official Residence, the two-story western style home of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Madame Chiang Kai-shek — Soong Mei-ling, one of the famous Soon sisters — was placed under the care of the city government in 1996 and opened to the public, finally revealing what was inside. Among the items that the public can now see are Madame Chiang’s Cadillac limousine, Chiang Kai-shek's personal Victory Chapel, and the Xinlan Pavilion with inscription by the scholar Yu Youren, where Chiang hosted birthday celebrations for himself. In the early 2000s, it was revealed that the grounds contain a hidden tunnel that connects to the Presidential Office Building in Zhongzheng District, Taipei

Interesting items found within the residence include lots of stuff from the United States, including several Magnavox television sets (popular in the US during the 1960s-80s), Bible-related materials, a large collection of vinyl records and Madame Chiang’s large clothing and accessory collection, including various western-influenced pieces and Chinese-influenced pieces such as qipao. A projector in the small living room, which could with the Banquet Hall to form a small movie theatre, was used entertaining guests. Madame Chiang's Studio is Madame Chiang painted and President Chiang composed poetry to accompany her paintings.

The house was designed by th architect Yang Cho-cheng. In the early days of the Republic of China on Taiwan, the residence was heavily militarized and fortified. Chiang's den was modified later in his life to serve as a bedroom so that he could be cared for when he ill and feeble. He died in this room with his family in April, 1975. Among the famous guests and foreign dignitaries that stayed at the house were U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and Ronald Reagan, when he was Governor of California.

In addition to the main residence, other buildings in the compound include the guesthouse, Ciyun Pavilion, and numerous gardens open to the public. Victory Chapel was completed in 1949, and was used as the place of worship. Besides the president and first lady, General Chang Hsueh-liang, General Ho Ying-chin and their wives as well as Eisenhower and (then VP) Richard Nixon attended services at this chapel. The expansive and elegant garden has a romantic European feel, with rose beds and tree-lined paths, making it a popular place for taking wedding photographs. A long flight of steps offers a panoramic view of Qixing Mountain and is a favorite spot for couples.

Getting There by Public Transport: Take the THSR or train to Taipei Station, transfer Taipei MRT and take the Red Line 2 to Shilin Station. After leaving the station, take a right on Zhongzheng Rd. After crossing the intersection with Zhongshan North Road, marked by a McDonald's and a gas station, continue walking on the right side until you see a park. Cross through the park and over Fulin Rd. to enter the Shilin Official Residence. By Road: Nat'l Hwy 1 Taipei Interchange Sec. 4, Chongqing N. Rd. BaiLing Bridge Zhongzheng Rd. Fulin Rd; Address: No.60, Fulin Rd, Shilin Dist, Taipei City 111, Taiwan (R.O.C.), Tel: [886]-(2)-2881-2512; Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30am to noon (tickets until 11:40am), and 1:30pm to 5:00pm (tickets until 4:40PM). Admission tickets are sold for NT$100 each. Audio tours are available for free, with a deposit of either NT$3,000 or leaving an ID at the front desk.

Beitou Hot Springs Area

Beitou (40 minute subway ride from central Taipei) is a hot spring area with natural, cultural and historical attractions. It was featured in The New York Times online the travel section, ranked as a three-star tourist attraction in the Michelin Green Guide and given a thumbs-up by Fox News. Beitou District encompasses the Beitou Hot Springs, Yangmingshan National Park, and the Guandu scenic area. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Taiwan Folk Arts Museum, and Plum Garden are a few of the many points cultural and historic interest here. Distinctive hot spring hotels, Taiwan's first green library building, and the hot-spring themed MRT train art are other attractions here. In 2011,

The Beitou hot springs region refers to an area covering the Hell Valley, Longfeng, Fenghuang, Hushan Village and Xingyi Road. In a narrow sense, the region mainly refers to an area consisting of Zhongshan Road, Guangming Road, Xinmin Road and Quanyuan Road surrounding the Beitou Hot Springs Waterside Park. The hot springs hotels in this area are larger both in scale and number, and the natural and humanities resources are also the most plentiful here. Beitou began to rise as a hot spring destination in 1896, when a Japanese businessman named Hirada Gengo opened the area's first hot spring hotel Tenguen.

Edward Wong wrote in the New York Times: The northern town of Beitou is renowned for its hot springs resorts, some modeled after those in Japan. Walk up the hill to take a soak at one of the newest of the spas, Villa 32 (32 Zhongshan Road; [886]-(2)-6611-8888; www.villa32.com). It has all the atmosphere of a luxury spa in a uniquely Taiwanese setting, with outdoor pools of different temperatures shielded by wooden awnings and the shade of leafy trees. Rent a room for several hours or spend the morning with other bathers in the outdoor pools, separated by gender.” [Source: Edward Wong, New York Times, December 9, 2008]

Taiwan Folk Arts Museum is housed in what was once Beitou's premier hot spring hotel. Preserved as a city historic site, the museum displays an extensive collection of folk and cultural relics. The museum building is built of wood and infus Beitou Garden Spa is a popular open-air hot spring has six spring pools of various temperature, all fed by the green sulfur springs from Thermal Valley. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is best known for its Roman-style baths, which recall the earlier splendor of the Beitou Hot Springs. The historic museum building and extensive displays inside make this a good place to learn more about Beitou. Thermal Valley (Diregu) was counted among the top-12 scenic sites in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation period. This area is shrouded year-round in the steam from green sulfur springs of a type found only in Beitou and Akita Prefectur The Built in 1930s, this was once the home of scholar and calligrapher Yu Youren. The home is a city historic site and has been preserved in its original Japanese style, with tree-lined courtyard, exhibition area and visitor center.

Getting There: MRT to the New Beitou stop, about 40 minutes from central Taipei. The Xinbeitou MRT Line train is painted in hot spring themed designs.. Inside the Xinbeitou MRT Line train is a wooden hot spring bath with a display introducing the attractions in Beitou.

Xinbeitou Hot Springs Area

Xinbeitou Hot Springs Area (subway ride from central Taipei) features springs fed by water from Dire Valley (Diregu) (Hell Valley) and Longfeng (Longfong) Valley near Xingyi (Singyi) Road. Three distinct types of spring can be found here, including green sulfur, white sulfur, and iron sulfur. Bathing facilities are equally varied, with everything from traditional Japanese-style bathhouses to fashionably modern spas catering to day-trip and overnight visitors. Apart from the springs, there are plenty of other attractions in Xinbeitou to reward repeat visitors.

Due to its convenient transportation links, Xinbeitou is a popular destination for Taipei residents looking for a scenic escape and delicious cuisines just a stone's throw from the city center. Hot springs, old streets, and history join with delicious local cuisine to create Xinbeitou's distinctive visitor appeal. In recent years, upscale hotels have added a new face to this historic mountain getaway just minutes from downtown Taipei. The traditional and modern resort-style restaurants here serve up dishes made with free-range chicken and mountain-grown vegetables.

Spring Types: 1) Acidic sulfur salt springs (green sulfur), with yellowish-white water with strong sulfur smell, suitable for bathing and drinking; 2) acidic hydrochloric acid springs (white sulfur), with slightly greenish water with a sulfur smell and not suitable for drinking; and 3) carbonate springs (iron sulfur), with reddish-brown water, suitable for bathing and drinking.

Getting There by Public Transport: 1.THSR: From Taipei Main Station, take the MRT Danshui Line to Beitou Station. Transfer to the MRT Xinbeitou Branch Line and get off at Xinbeitou Station; 2. Taiwan Railway: From Taipei Main Station, take the MRT Danshui Line to Beitou Station. Transfer to the MRT Xinbeitou Branch Line and get off at Xinbeitou Station; 3. Bus: Take the THSR or Taiwan Railway to Taipei Main Station. In front of the Zhengzhou-side Exit, take the No. 218 bus to Beitou Park; 4. MRT: Take the MRT Danshui Line to Beitou Station. Transfer to the MRT Xinbeitou Branch Line and continue to Xinbeitou Station.

Window on China Amusement Area

Window on China (an hour south of Taipei) features 130 miniature reproductions of Taiwan and mainland China's most famous sights, including the Great Wall of China, Beijing's Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, as well as some famous world landmarks. Window on China also has a classical Chinese garden, restaurants, snack bars, a teahouse and souvenir shops. Nearby is Leofoo Safari Park, Taiwan's only wildlife park; the world's largest reclining Buddha; Sihmen reservoir (famous for its seafood); and Lake Mercy, the temporary resting place of Chiang Kai-shek.

Window on China Theme Park has the tallest water flume ride in Asia. It is 12 stories high, and it is very exciting and scary. In addition, there are many different rides in the amusement park such as "Thunder Rain", "Nile beach", Taiwan's first 360 degree spinning "Rocking Boat, cute "Strawberry Ferry Wheel", "Flying Planes" and "Jumping Stars".

European Castle Amusement Park is a kids' favorite. Rain or shine, kids can enjoy themselves there. It has more than 20 rides such as kids' favorite "Merry-Go-Around", Taiwan's only indoor roller coaster, crazy UFOs, and Bumper Cars. There are many varied and interesting rides in the park.

Window on China Theme Park Window on China Theme Park Window on China Theme Park Getting There by Public Transport: 1. Take the train to Zhongli Railway Station, continue by Hsinchu Bus (bound for Leofoo Village & Window on China Theme Park) to the park; 2. Take the train to Taipei Railway Station, continue by MRT to Songshan Airport Station. Then take the Tailian Bus (bound for Leofoo Village & Window on China Theme Park) to the park. By Road: Nat'l Hwy 3 Exit at the Longtan Interchange County Hwy 113B Prov. Hwy 3 Sec. 1 to 2, Zhongyuan Rd. Kewang Rd. Window on China Theme Park; Address: No.60-2, Henggangxia, Gaoyuan Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan County, Tel: [886]-3-471-7211.

Lin Family Garden

Lin Family Gardens (20 minutes by trains from Taipei in the Panchiao suburb) is the best garden in northern Taiwan and Taiwan's finest example of classical Chinese-style landscaping. The garden features exquisite pavilions, towers, cottages, bridges and ponds. Lin Family Gardens, used to be called "Lin Ben Yuan's Garden" or "Banqiao Resort". Lin Ben Yuan is not a person's name. It represents the meaning of "remembering one's origin" when 2nd generation ancestor, Lin Pingho distributed property among his five sons. Among the five sons, only the 2nd and the 5th sons are Lin Pingho's blood descendents. Thus, the words of "Ben" and "Yuan" are used for commemoration.

The Garden was built during 1888 to 1893 and is accompanied by well-kept modes of Qing Dynasty residences and buildings. The garden scenes are inspired by Chinese traditional gardens as well as gardens styles from the south of Yangtze. Some of the construction materials and technicians used to make the garden came from Changzhou of China. The garden is huge. A 150-year-old "three-section mansion" has been restored and opened to the public. The outer walls are covered with brick ornaments. There is delicate carvings on the doors and columns supporting roof covers above front porch. There are unique windows of different styles. They are rare in Taiwan and fully reflect the beauty of Chinese traditional architecture.

Getting There by Public Transport: THSR Banqiao Station (or TRA Banqiao Station) MRT Fuzhong Station exit at Exit No.3 and walk about 8 min to Lin Family Garde. By Road: Nat'l Hwy 1 Exit at the Wugu Interchange Prov. Hwy 64 Exit at the Banqiao Interchange Sec. 3, Minsheng Rd. Sec. 1, Wenhua Rd. Minquan Rd. Gongguan St.? Lane 1, ZhongZheng Rd. Simen St. Lin Family Garden; Address: No.9, Ximen St, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Tel: [886]-(2)-2965-3061~3.

NEW TAIPEI CITY

New Taipei City(south of Taipei) is a special municipality and the most populous city in Taiwan. Located in northern Taiwan, south of Taipei, it is huge and is more like an urban county than a normal municipal area. The special municipality covers 2,052.57 square kilometers (792.50 square miles); the urban area covers, 1,140 square kilometers (440 square miles). The Special municipality has a population of around four million; the urban area which includes Taipei and Keelung is home to 8.5 million people and has a population density of 7,500 people per square kilometers (19,000 people per square mile).

New Taipei City includes a substantial stretch of Taiwan’s northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin. It is bordered by Keelung to the northeast, Yilan County to the southeast, and Taoyuan to the southwest. It completely surrounds Taipei. Banqiao District is its municipal seat and biggest commercial area. Until 2010, the area that roughly corresponds to the present New Taipei City was known as Taipei County.

The New Taipei City government has established museums of tea culture, pottery and ceramics, and other sites. It is rich in cultural resource and hosts a rich variety of cultural activities. The confluence of the Tamsui, Xindian and Keelung Rivers gave rise to New Taipei City, which expanded gradually inland from the smallish river mouth to achieve its present scope. The landscape is shaped by valleys along the rivers and low mountains.

National Scenic Areas and National Forest Recreation Areas in New Taipei City: 1) Yeliu Geopark, Nanya Longmen Camping Resort, Bitou Cape Park, Longdong Bay , Yanliao Beach Park, Lailai / Yingge Rock, Fugui Cape, Shimen Cave, Sandiaojiao (San Diego) Caoling Historic Trail, Longdong South Ocean Park & Yacht Harbor, North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area, Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area, Neidong National Forest Recreation Area and Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

Amusement Parks, Beaches and Hot Springs in New Taipei City: Formosa Fun Coast, Yunxian Holiday Resort, Yeliu Ocean World, Wulai Hot Springs and Jinshan Hot Spring, Bali Yacht Wharf, New Jinshan Beach, Feicui Bay, Baisha Bay and Fulong Beach.

Scenic areas in New Taipei City: Bali Left Bank, Ping River (Pingsi), Wulai, Tamsui Bitan Scenic Area, Jiufen (Jioufen), Fisherman's Wharf, Great Roots Forestry Hot Spring & Spa Resort, Tamsui River Mangrove Conservation Area and Jinshan Shifen Scenic Area

Museums, Temples and Historical Areas in New Taipei City: Museum of World Religions, Gold Museum, Shisanhang Museum of Archaeology, Wulai Atayal Museum, Teresa Teng Memorial Park, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Juming Museum, Pinglin Tea Museum, Oxford College Qingshui Zushi (Divine Ancestor) Temple in Sanxia, Eighteen Wang Gong Temple, Yin Mountain (Yinshan), Temple Fort San Domingo, Lin Family Garden, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Gold Mines of Discovery in Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen

Mining Towns on New Taipei City

Shuinandong, Jinguashi, and Jiufen (Ruifang District, New Taipei City) are former mining towns that present living records of the history and culture of Taiwan's mining industry. Each town is distinguished by a different mining and has a different character today. Shuinandong is known for its simple charm of; Jinguashi is regarded as a tranquility place; and Jiufun traces of the miners' nightlife. The gold mines are now closed, but towns are now tourist attractions.

Shuei-Jin-Jiou Mining Sites were the heart of Taiwan’s mining productions from the late 1890s until 1987, the year Taiwan Metals Mining Company filed for bankruptcy. As Asia's "Treasure Island,” Taiwan used to produce up to two tonnes of pure gold during the height of its mining days. Originally known as the Jinguashi Settlement, the region was rechristened the Shuei-Jin-Jiou Mining Sites in 2011 to better reflect the three areas the settlement encompasses: Shueinandong (Shui "South Water Cave”), Jinguashi (Jin "Squash Mountain”) and Jioufen (Jiou "Nine Servings”).

Nestled among volcanic mountains that dot the northeastern region, the region nolonger houses any commercial mining operations but some geologists believe the area still holds more than 600 tonnes of gold — worth about $25 billion. The majority of Taiwan gold rushes took place during the early 20th century. Large amounts of gold and copper ores of high grade were found in the area. Japanese troops combed Taiwanese riverbeds for gold nuggets during the isle's colonial period from 1895 to 1945.

Shueinandong is most famous for its mysterious ginger-colored coastline known as "Ying-Yang Sea,” Jinguashi is where the first gold outcrop was discovered and Jioufen was once a sleepy village consisting of only nine households that grew into a mining boom town. . Collectively, they have been nominated for a spot on the World Heritage List. The historic buildings, tunnels and mining tools have been preserved by authorities and are now on display for tourists to see.

Getting There by Public Transport: 1.THSR: From Taipei Main Station take the Taiwan Railway train to Ruifang Station; 2. Taiwan Railway: Take the train to Ruifang Station; 3. Bus: From the Taipei MRT Zhongxiao-Fuxing Station (bus stop in front of Exit 1) take the Keelung Bus No. 1062 (Taipei–Jinguashi Line) to Jiufen and Jinguashi; or from Keelung Train Station (in front of the Zen-Shyang Clinic and Family Mart) take the Keelung Bus (Keelung–Jinguashi Line) to Jiufen and Jinguashi. Tourist Office: Ruifang Railway Station, Tel: [886]-(2)-2497-3813, No. 82, Sec. 3, Mingdeng Rd, Ruifang District, New Taipei City

Shuinandong: Ruined 13-Level Smelter and Golden Waterfall

Shuinandong (15 kilometers east of Keelung) is the home of the abandoned "13-Level Smelter". Established during the Japanese Colonial Era, the smelter was the largest in Asia at the time and was built to treat gold and copper ores The smelter was constructed into a hillside. The tiered structure is known by the name “the Remains of the 13 Levels” but if you look carefully and count the tiers you will find there are actually18 levels. Following World War II and Taiwan’s mining industry declined and the smelter was abandoned after Taiwan Metal Company went out of business after the price of copper crashed and the company could not no longer extract and purify copper economically.

The fortress-like appearance is impressive, but there’s more. The Shuinandong Smelter also boasts one of the world's longest concrete pipeline ventilation systems — more than 1,000 meters long! The toxic emissions from the copper smelter once threatened the health of residents and workers for kilometers around. As a result, the authority constructed three pipelines to carry harmful gases over the mountains and away from the plant and nearby inhabited areas.

Shuinandong is also the home of the Yin Yang Sea, with its yellow and blue waters, and the beautiful Golden Waterfall located off the Jinguashi-Shuinandong Highway. The water and rocks at the falls have a yellowish colour because when the water from rainfalls seeps through the cracks and passes through Jinguashi’s old mines it picks up gold- and yellow-colored pyrite and energite deposits before it comes out. The water has a very high level of acidity and is the source of the Yin-Yang Sea.

The waters of the Yin Yang Sea just off the coast at Liandong Bay have are a mix of yellow and blue. The yellow is from the Golden Waterfall described above while the blue sea. The colors are demarcated by a C-shaped bend that looks like a Yin Yang sign. The highway here links Shuinandong and Jinguashi and then connects from Shuinandong to the Coastal Highway. The road has been featured in a number of television advertisements. The winds can be quite strong here.

Jinguashi

Jinguashi (eight kilometers south of Shuinandong) is a quiet hillside town. Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park is the first eco museum park in Taiwan. The park introduces the mining culture of the Jinguashi-Jiufen area, as well as the physical properties of gold. There is also a restored tunnel here

The Prisoner of War Memorial Park honors Allied prisoners of war (POWs) imprisoned in Taiwan. During World War II, the Japanese built 16 POW camps in Taiwan. The camp in Jinguashi was recently turned into the POW War Memorial Park in respect to the more than 4,350 Allied POWs imprisoned on the island

Between 1942 and 1945, roughly one thousand POWs from Allied nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States were sent to work in Taiwanese gold mines. Other prisoners cam mainly from Southeast Asia, Indonesia and China.

Qitang Old Street is worth a look. In earlier times, the commercial energy of Qitang Street rivaled that of Shuci Road. During the mining days, this stepped street thronged with people. The shops offered every imaginable item. Quanji Temple occupies a central place in the religious life of Jinguashi. The temple has a 25-ton copper statue of Guan Gong that gleams like gold under the sun.

Jiufen

Jiufen (10 kilometers southeast of Keelung, one hour by bus from Taipei) features a fabulous market area with alleys, some of them with cobblestones, lined with tightly-packed stalls selling everything from plastic masks to hanging ducks. The place is filled with Japanese tourists. The multi-level shops were reportedly the inspiration for Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away.”

It is said that long time ago there were only nine families in Jiufen. Before any roads were built, all materials were transported by ships. The custom of all nine families ordering the same items at the same time lead to town’s name — Jiufen (Jioufen) — meaning “nine portions.”

Situated next to mountains and facing the sea, Jiufen was the center of a gold mining area after gold was struck there in 1890. The poor village with only nine families soon attracted prospectors of 4,000 families and became so rich it was called the gold city of Asia and Little Shanghai and Little Hong Kong. When the gold played out Jiufen declined. Later, several movies were shot there and some of them movies won international recognition. “Sad City” won first prize in Venice Film Festival and helped make Jiufen to a tourist attraction based on bringing the old days when the town featured prosperous streets, buildings and mines. Now, there are many unique teahouses in Jiufen. Some of them have the beautiful ocean and mountains views.

Jiufen's four famous historic streets are the main visitor routes in this hillside town. The most interesting shopping area is around Jiufen Old Street, which winds through the heart of the village. There are many tourists on this street. Along it are shops selling famous Jiufen snacks made with yams and various local dishes. Shengping Theater is named after an idiom describing a scene of liveliness and prosperity. During the gold mining heydays, one could here the clip-clop of wooden shoes as moviegoers made their way up and down the stone steps There are guest houses and inns owned by local residents. If you were not in a hurry, you may want to pick a nice inn and stay and check out the stars and go fishing at night with lights.

Getting There by Public Transport: THSR Taipei Station (or TRA Taipei Station) Taipei MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Keelung Bus (bound for Jinguashi) to Jiufen (Jiou By Road: Nat'l Hwy 1 Exit at the Badu Interchange Prov. Hwy 62 Exit at the Ruifang Interchange Prov. Hwy 2D County Hwy 102; Tourist Offices: TRA Ruifang Visitor Center, Ruijin Hwy, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Tel: [886]-(2)-2497-3813; Jiufen Visitor Center, No.89, Qiche Rd, Ruifang Dist, New Taipei City, Tel: [886]-(2)-2406-3270; Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park Information Center, Chailiao Rd, Rueifang Dist, New Taipei City, Tel: [886]-(2)-2497-4143; Jiufen Qingbian Rd. Visitor Center 2F, No.194, Qingbian Rd, Ruifang Dist, New Taipei City.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Taiwan (Republic of China) tourism and government websites, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Japan News, Yomiuri Shimbun, Compton's Encyclopedia and various books and other publications.

Updated in August 2020


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