5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary: Day 3 - Yang Ming Shan + Danshui + Xinbeitou Hotsprings + Ningxia Night Market

5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary - Day 3

Activity 1: Yang Ming Shan National Park

Formally established in 1985, Yang Ming Shan is one of the seven national parks in Taiwan that boasts various mountain formations, cherry blossoms and hot springs during the different seasons, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions. Located within an hour's reach from Taipei city, why not head there to enjoy some sight-seeing and witness the beauty of God's creations.

For more information on Yang Ming Shan National Park, do check out their official website (english): http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/HTML/ENG/INDEX.ASP

Activity 2: Danshui Lover's Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf

Danshui (淡水, or commonly known as "Danshuei"/"Tamshui") is a small fishing city located at the northern tip of Taiwan. Surrounded by peace and transquility, this beautiful paradise is often filled with foreign and local travellers, especially lovey-dovey couples who came to watch the romantic sunset and stroll along the prominent Lover's Bridge. Strongly recommended by my friends, I see no reasons not to visit this particular quainty side of Taipei.

Affectionally named by the former president, Chen Shui Bian, the Lover's Bridge is approximately 196 metres and takes 2-3 minutes to walk from one point to the other. This "cable-stayed" bridge is probably the star attraction of the whole of Danshui, so do not ever say you have been here unless you've walked the bridge.

If you managed to stay till late evening, when the night falls, you will witness a spectrum of colours that lit up the Lover's Bridge. The colours of the bridge change every minute or so, representing the different elements of love (I guess.)

Activity 3: Danshui Old Street and Museum of the Strange

If you are looking for authentic Taiwanese street snacks, old school arcade games or souvenirs to bring home, Danshui Old Street is the place that you want to slot into your itinerary. Located alongside the shore of Northern Taiwan, this charming old street is always bustling with crowds, both young and old who came to chill out amidst the nicely preserved Japanese colonial buildings.

Besides the gastronomic part of this journey, why not drop by the Museum of the Strange which is located near the mouth (from MRT station) of Danshui Old Street? It is hard to miss with its huge signage and quirky entrance. Admission fee is priced at only NT$70 per person.

Activity 4: Xinbeitou Hotsprings

Wash your tiredness away with a relaxing bath at one of Taiwan's favourite hotspring spots - Xin Beitou. Prior to research, we chose Sweetme Hotspring Resort, which is located approximately 3-minute walk from Xin Beitou MRT station. There are a lot other private hotsprings (such as Spring City, Beauty Age Hotel etc) as well, so remember to do your research.

For NT$1100, we have a spacious and private room to ourselves, with two baths providing hot, cold and spring water. The room is also equipped with basic toiletries, towels and hair-dryer etc.

If you are looking for public baths, it is advisable to come during mornings or afternoons, as they close when the skies turn dark. Moreover, if you visit Beitou in the day, do make a trip down to their thermal valley, public library and hotsprings museum as well.

Activity 5: Ningxia Night Market

Besides the famous Shilin Night Market, do give a visit to the minor and less "advertised" ones such as Ningxia night market (寧夏夜市) where nearly 90% of the crowd is made up of its local people. Although not as decorated and crowded with tourists, it does however offers an array of delicious street snacks, souvenirs and classic carnival games. On top of that, Ningxia was one of the cleanest and organized night market I had observed in Taipei.

Danshui Old Street and Museum of the Strange @ Taiwan

If you are looking for authentic Taiwanese street snacks, old school arcade games or souvenirs to bring home, Danshui Old Street is the place that you want to slot into your itinerary. Located alongside the shore of Northern Taiwan, this charming old street is always bustling with crowds, both young and old who came to chill out amidst the nicely preserved Japanese colonial buildings.

Check out my travel journal on Danshui Lover's Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. 

Directions to Danshui Old Street

1. Take the MRT to the terminal station - Danshui. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach from Taipei Main Station. From Danshui MRT, exit at the beach side. Danshui Old Street is located along Gongming St and Zhong Zheng Rd, a 2 - 3 minute walk away from the station.

Quail Eggs (NTS$20 for 4) are probably one of the more under-rated street food, but I do strongly recommend a stick or two of this deliciously cooked eggs, seasoned with a dash of pepper and oyster sauce, doned up as the same method as your traditional Takoyaki.

One should totally try out the Ginger Tea with Black Sugar 黑糖姜母茶 (NT$250 for a pack). Drinking a cup of hot ginger tea truly warms one's body, making it an ideal choice for those feeling cold especially in the winter times.

Besides the gastronomic part of this journey, why not drop by the Museum of the Strange which is located near the mouth (from MRT station) of Danshui Old Street? It is hard to miss with its huge signage and quirky entrance. Admission fee is priced at only NT$70 per person.

And of course, as the name of the museum suggests, do expect to see lots of strange, yet interesting exhibits such as a two-snouted pig, gigantic rabits and some ancient condoms. Although Museum of the Strange is kind of small (it can barely fit 20 people in), one might spend an hour or more, reading and experimenting the different things that it has got to offer.

Holy crap (my balls shrinked for a moment)

Fish with two mouths

An ancient milk bottle. Apparently, my mum said this was still in use during her generation.

How 'bout an ancient piece of condom that looks uncomfortable to put on?

Or a piece of (what looks like an used) female condom? They even have instructions on how to put it on.

Tribal manhood protector.

(from left) Two-headed squirrel and a torture device that draws blood from the head.

Danshui Lover's Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf @ Taiwan

Danshui (淡水, or commonly known as "Danshuei"/"Tamshui") is a small fishing city located at the northern tip of Taiwan. Surrounded by peace and transquility, this beautiful paradise is often filled with foreign and local travellers, especially lovey-dovey couples who came to watch the romantic sunset and stroll along the prominent Lover's Bridge. Strongly recommended by my friends, I see no reasons not to visit this particular quainty side of Taipei.

Directions to Danshui Lover's Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf

1. Take the MRT to the terminal station - Danshui. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach from Taipei Main Station. From Danshui MRT, take Bus Red 26 - a 15 minutes bus ride to terminal station, Fisherman's Wharf.

2. Take a ferry ride from Danshui Ferry Pier to Fisherman's Wharf. It will pass by the island of Bali as well. 

Till now, Danshui still holds its functionality as a harbour for fishing boats, and of course, a popular tourist spot. The best time to visit Danshui is obviously in the evening, when the sun goes down and the stars unveil itself. Do also take note that the sun-set timings in winter (Nov-Feb) is earlier.

More often than not, there are stage performers who bring sparkles of life to Danshui. At the point of visit, there was a Chinese guy rendering some of the best mandarin covers I've ever heard. Pretty impresssive.

Affectionally named by former president, Chen Shui Bian, the Lover's Bridge is approximately 196 metres and takes 2-3 minutes to walk from one point to the other. This "cable-stayed" bridge is probably the star attraction of the whole of Danshui, so do not ever say you have been here unless you've walked the bridge.

Pretty sleek design eh? But again, I didn't expect President Chen to be so filled with "sentimental romance." 

Besides feasting for the eyes, the restaurants along the harbour will satisfy your hunger as well. Here we had a Beef Hotpot (NT$360) at a what-seemed-to-be an atas restaurant called Water Bay. Nothing beats having a good bowl of broth filled with delicious slices of beef on a cold weather.

  

If you managed to stay till late evening, when the night falls, you will witness a spectrum of colours that lit up the Lover's Bridge. The colours of the bridge change every minute or so, representing the different elements of love (I guess.)

The Tamsui Museum of Fishiegoodies 鱼藏文化馆 contains exhibitions on the culture of Danshui and offers tourists to bring back a piece of this fishing town for memories.

 

I strongly recommend you to include Danshui into your itinerary if you're planning a trip to Taiwan, especially with your significant other, but again, one can also enjoy the beautiful sceneries and architectures there as well.