Traveling to the North of Taiwan has been on our bucket list. The perfect opportunity arose in June when we were returning from China, as we were flying back to Taipei anyway.
Taipei
We’ve visited Taipei several times in the past year and enjoy going back. Each visit, we explore new places. We had lunch with our friend John at the fantastic Din Tai Fung restaurant located at the bottom of the 101 Tower. You like dumplings? The award winning Din Tai Fung restaurant chain is the place to go to. You won’t be disappointed.
During lunch, John suggested we climb Elephant Mountain, a short 183-meter hike nearby. So off we went. It was a warm day so we were sweating like elephants. (I don’t know if elephants sweat, but anyway we felt like that). The view over Taipei was absolutely rewarding.
When heading back into town, we decided to pass by the Wanhua district, Taipei’s oldest district, with a rich history dating back to the early 1700s when it served as a vital trading hub. Although the district lost some of its original importance, it starts to revive now as a captivating blend of ancient heritage and modern vibrancy, offering visitors a unique experience of traditional temples, bustling night markets, and trendy shopping areas. A must see is of course the Longshan temple.
More pictures of Taipei, click on a picture & scroll:
Tamshui
Tamsui, in the north of Taiwan, now a district of New Taipei City, has a long history. It goes back to the 17th century when the Spanish settled here & named the place Santo Domingo. Later they were expelled by the Dutch who thereafter were defeated by Kosinga. Afterwards Tamsui fell under the Qing dynasty. In the 19th Century its harbour was very important, the british even had a consulate here. Now it’s a touristy seaside Town, with the Fort Santo Domingo as important historical building.
More pictures of Tamshui, click on a picture & scroll:
North Coast by bus
As we were in the mood for some slow travel, we hit the road that follows the north coast by local bus,. Our journey culminated at Fuguijiao Lighthouse, standing proudly as the island’s northernmost tip. The coast and the nature along the way were fabulous. Some towns however were a little sleepy.
More pictures of the North Coast, click on a picture & scroll:
Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark, a captivating testament to the earth’s relentless sculpting, boasts a rich history intertwined with geological processes. Millions of years of erosion by wind and waves have transformed this once-submerged terrain into a surreal landscape of rock formations. Among these, the iconic Queen’s Head, a masterpiece of nature’s artistry, continues to awe visitors while serving as a poignant reminder of the region’s dynamic geological evolution.
More pictures of the Yehliu Geopark:
Keelung
If you want to know what the real nowadays Taiwan looks like, Keelung and the nearby Heping Island are your place to go to. The city center is a lively mix of old and new buildings. Keelung is as well an important port of Taiwan. We had a great evening in the Bad Mama bar, chatting with the owner Adam. He is originally from Australia, married to Gemma, a Taiwanese. When Covid started they were on holiday in Keelung and in the end they were stuck here. They couldn’t fly back home because of all the restrictions at that time, so they decided to open a bar in Keelung.
When we were heading back to our hotel a little late in the evening, he warned us. “Just around the corner the midnight fish market has started. You won’t believe what you see.” He was right. The Keelung Kanziding Fish Market had already started and was very busy to go on until sunrise.
More pictures of Keelung & Heping island, click on a picture and scroll:
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