Taiwan Winter Travel: My 'Oh Crap!' Moments & How to Dodge Them
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Hello everyone! We've just arrived in Taipei, and on our first night, we drew a fortune that said our journey would be "neither good nor bad" at a temple (some temples have fortune-telling slips). It felt like foreshadowing the small adventures we had during the following days. Therefore, I wish to record some of the pitfalls we encountered along the way in Taipei, Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, and then to Kenting, so you may avoid them and enjoy your trip even more (although we were overall quite happy too, hahaha!).
UMBRELLAS ARE YOUR BUDDIES WHEN VISITING TAIWAN IN WINTER!
- There is a song saying “come to Taipei to watch the rains in winter.” This isn't an idle rhyme! And don't think it's only Taipei; we encountered rain almost every day we were in central and southern Taiwan, including Taichung and Kenting.
CHECK BEFORE YOU VISIT THE BIRDS OF THE NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM
- Plan to visit the National Palace Museum, looking forward to catching a glimpse at that famous "Cabbage Jade" (a piece of jade resembling Chinese cabbage) and "Meat Rock" (a rock resembling a piece of braised pork), then TAKE NOTE.
- They might be on tour (borrowed for exhibitions elsewhere). We went there but couldn't see them -- they are said to be gone for several months. As for the well-renowned painting, "Spring in Fuchun Mountains," it would be displayed every few years.
- SUGGESTION: It's best to check out the exhibition information on their official website before departure.
TAIPEI ZOO IS LARGER THAN YOU EXPECTED!
- The Taipei Zoo is actually quite vast than we expected!
- Taxi drivers say it only takes two to three hours to tour it sufficiently, but we spent five hours walking and observing slowly.
- So if you love viewing animals leisurely, ensure you leave plenty of time.
WARNING FOR CATONG ROPEWAYS: MONDAYS ARE CLOSED!
- NOTE: The cable cars to Catong (a mountain area where you can enjoy tea and take in beautiful views of the landscape) are closed on Mondays.
BUS STATION FROM JIU FEN TO TAIPEI CAN BE HARD TO LOCATE!
- From Jiu Fen (a famous old street in the mountain, used as scenes for the movie 'A City of Sadness,' inspired by some scenes in 'Spirited Away'), bus station to return to Taipei is difficult to find.
- There, Google maps may not be reliable due to its complex terrain.
- SUGGESTION: When unable to find the way, just ask local shops for the direction.
DINNER AT SHILIN NIGHT MARKET IS UNDER RENOVATION!
- Taipei's famous night market, Shilin Night Market, has its underground floor of tasty food being renovated and may not return until June next year.
- But don't worry -- there are plenty of tasty snacks still available at ground level and nearby streets!
TAOYUE RAILWAYS & TICKETS TO ALI MOUNTAIN FROM TAICHUNG: NOTICE ME
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Planning to travel from Taichung to Ali Mountain (an attraction recognized by Taiwan)? Usually, we take the train from Taichung to Chiayi first.
- REMEMBER: The high-speed trains (such as "self-strengthening 3000") with seat assignments, as well as some trains with designated seats (usually those with seat numbers), ARE NOT allowed to board with an EasyCard (a type of transport card similar to Octopus Card of Hong Kong or Oyster of London). You must buy tickets in advance!
- We accidentally missed using this service because of not knowing this rule and ended up not being able to visit Ali Mountain. Also, the tourist buses “Taiwan is Good" traveling between Chiayi to Ali Mountain have limited schedules, so plan well in advance.
TRAVEL BY HONG KONG AIRLINES: LIMITATIONS ON CHECKING BAGS!
- Taking a flight from Taipei to Hong Kong with Hong Kong Airlines? NOTICE – bags cannot be checked-in more than five hours in advance. We waited around aimlessly in a coffee shop just then.
WARNING TO TRAFFIC IN DURING DOWNPOURS AT SUN MOON LAKE!
- SAFETY WARNING: If visiting Sun Moon Lake amidst rain (a big lake scenic spot), walking along its piers or walkways will require your extra caution! We've found its dock floors/bank boards unusually slippery, making them dangerous with less high railings and gaps. Pay special attention to safety, especially if you're here with kids or the elderly.
SELECTING THE RIGHT TRANSPORT CARD
- Regarding transport cards: Taiwan mainly has two options, EasyCard (易通卡) and iPASS (一卡通). They work in many places, but our personal experience:
- SUGGESTION: An EasyCard may come with fewer restrictions.
- For instance, returning the balance on an iPASS card can only be processed at specific metro station service desks.
- Moreover, if you wish to return your iPASS fare at Taipei airport before leaving Taiwan, it might only be used at 7-Eleven convenience stores and vending machines. It's worth mentioning: No 7-Elevens in the post-customs and security check waiting area at Taipei airport! So your money might be too much to spend!
Actually, we find people in Taiwan very friendly and warm-hearted -- many locals are so eager to help us with directions; quite impressive! Though we encountered small issues, it was indeed a pleasant trip overall. Next time, though, we would avoid winter and instead choose spring — which ought to be even better!
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Haha, spot on! From November to February, Taipei, Keelung, Yilan, and northern Hualien see rainy days over 60% of the time. You're lucky if you catch a sunny day. When a cold snap hits, it's damp and cold, which is really uncomfortable, and unlike temperate regions, there's no indoor heating. I really don't recommend Jiufen; don't be fooled by those picture-perfect influencer shots. Sun Moon Lake and Kenting are great year-round and have relatively stable weather. Alishan is also recommended, but transportation isn't very convenient. It's fantastic if you can book the forest railway from Chiayi for a slow ascent. Renting a car is also an option; the real gem is driving the New Central Cross-Island Highway, as Tataka is the closest point to Yushan.
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So detailed! Actually, I think the sea at Sun Moon Lake and Kenting looks beautiful even on cloudy days.
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Quick question: if the weather forecast says no rain, is there still a chance it might rain?
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Yes, it's possible.
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As long as the 'Red Cliff Rhapsody' is on display, I'm good.
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It feels like what exhibits you get to see is down to luck. They probably rotate them.
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For the TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) journey from Taichung to Chiayi, is it true that you can't use your EasyCard if you're on the Tze-Chiang 3000 or other reserved-seat trains? Regular Tze-Chiang, Chu-Kuang, and local trains should be fine for tapping in with an EasyCard, right?
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I'll update my notes.
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Are there any tourist traps in Kenting?
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Kenting is generally fine, but I'd suggest not going recently. The wind is too strong, making it inconvenient for cycling around the island.
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Is the deck at Sun Moon Lake very slippery, with low railings and large gaps? I'll report this to the public works department.
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I think so, a bit. The day I was there, I actually saw someone slip and hit their head while disembarking. It's very dangerous. It would be great if they could find a way to improve it.
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Looking back now, I realize I fell into so many traps! I could cry.
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Sigh... there are probably even more that weren't recorded.
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For someone (lit. 'sisters,' a friendly term) traveling from Hong Kong, are there any specific things to be aware of?
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Just make sure you have your entry permit ready! Keep it safe, as you'll need it in many places in Taiwan, like for hotels and shopping.
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Actually, no. What's currently on display is Huang Gongwang's 'Nine Pearl Peaks in Verdure'.
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Ah, then it's probably been rotated out again.
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It's not just winter; it rains in Taipei for about half the year.