5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary: Day 2 - Jin Gua Shi + Jiufen Old Street + Shifen

5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary - Day 2

For a more updated itinerary for Jiufen, click here.

On the second day of the trip, we will be venturing outside Taipei to visit the Gold Ecological Park at Jinguashi, the bustling Jiufen Old Street as well as the rural beauty of Shifen. Fortunately, these 3 places are easily accessible by taking the Taiwan RailwayAdministrationn (TRA) at Taipei Main Station. Just approach any counters, or if you are familiar with the ticketing system, skip the queue and use the self-service machines. The friendly staff (donned with blue vests) are there if you have any purchasing enquiries. For Jinguashi/Jiufen, buy a ticket heading eastward towards Ruifang Station.

TRA counters in Taipei Main Station

Getting a TRA bento box (NT$100) is recommended if you haven't had breakfast, as the train ride would take approximately 40 minutes. They can be consumed at the train stations, as well as inside the train. Anyway, the bento box which consists of chicken cutlet, vegetables, pickles and braised egg was really good.

Upon reaching Ruifang station, head towards the bus stop which is located just outside Wellcome mart (see picture below) and take a bus heading to Keelung. Again, do not hesitate to ask the bus driver if you are unsure.

Note: Jin Gua Shi is located AFTER Jiufen Old Street.

Activity 1: Gold Ecological Park at Jin Gua Shi

Located within the mountains in the Rueifang District, and once a flourished gold and copper mining town, Jin Gua Shi was named a potential World Heritage site in 2002 for its rich historical, cultural and natural resources. It is opened to public since 2004.

Known as Kinkaseki in Japanese, Jin Gua Shi is used as a prisoners-of-war (POWs) camp during the world war. Although the minerals have been depleted, this nostalgic old town still attracts vistors from all around the world to experience a journey back to its former glory. Take the similar buses back towards Jiufen Old Street.

Activity 2: Jiufen Old Street

Originally housed with only nine families in the 1800s, the villagers would purchased nine pieces of the same item in one reservation (hence the name, meaning nine parts/pieces) as roads were not built yet and materials were brought in mainly by ships. Located only minutes away from Jin Gua Shi (金瓜石), it was not long before someone struck gold at this rural village. Words leaked out and the village was soon swarmed with thousands of prospectors hoping to strike rich. The gold mines eventually exhausted and like its faded counterpart, Jiufen suffered the same fate.

Time passes and today, Jiufen is one of the most popular tourist attraction visited by travellers from all over the world to experience its former glory and well, its current glory of being a prosperous old street which offers nostalgic teahouses and the best Taiwanese cuisine, such as popular yam dishes, glutinous rice balls (粉圆), beef noodles, fish balls, herbal eggs, sun cakes (太陽餅) and the list goes on infinitely.

Activity 3: Shifen

From Ruifang station, purchase a train ticket heading to Shifen. Train ride takes about 15-20 minutes.

Located amidst the mountains of Taiwan, and similar to how Jiufen derives its name, Shifen is a scenic rural town built by ten families a long time ago and is most well-known for the railway tracks and the majestic Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布.

Shifen is also famous for its traditional sky lanterns, which wishes are written on it and sent into the high heavens. The best time to launch the sky lanterns is at dusk or during the sky lantern festival, but you can see people sending their wishes as early as in the morning.

Additional Notes:

If you are visiting Shifen in late autumn or winter season, it is strongly advisable to do so during the morning or afternoons as the entrance to the waterfall closes at about 5pm.

5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary: Day 1 - Maokong Gondola & Taipei Zoo + Zhongxiao + Shilin Night Market

During the late autumn of 2012, we had the chance to visit one of the rising stars in Asia tourism - Taiwan, a scenic island once broken away from mainland China in the late 1940s and now, it is well on its way to become the "Heart of Asia." Its name also made an appearance on Lonely Planet's top destination to visit in the world in 2012, and once I've been there, I knew the reasons why. The claim is rather true, with an immensely rich culture and heritage, visually stunning sceneries, relaxing world-class hot springs and not to forget what it's best known for - shopping haven and night markets lined with throngs of food stalls selling the most amazing local cuisine.

Since then I have gotten a few requests from people I know, as well as my dear readers, to have my Taiwan itinerary put up right on Nomsaurus. About one month before departure, I took a few travel tips from my friend who have been there themselves and did some researching online on the places I want to go, modes of transport to a particular place, the food I want to eat and ectera. The advantage of doing an itinerary is simple: you have at least an idea of what you are going to do, so you wouldn't have to waste precious time on last-minute thinking and planning. Hence, having an itinerary before the trip is definitely a bonus point. So without further ado, I present to you:

5D4N Taiwan Trip Itinerary - Day 1

Note: Of course you do not have to follow exactly as it is set to my personal preference, but I hope that this itinerary would inspire some ideas and pointers for your trip.

Transport from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City

For optimum usage of time, I have booked my flight timings accordingly, such that I arrived in the morning (0600hrs) and depart back home at night (2015hrs). From Taoyuan Airport, there are a few modes of public transport that could take you to Taipei city, such as the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR), buses and taxis (which is not recommended, unless you are in fours, and can afford it). We took the Evergreen bus which heads for Shuanglian MRT and that is where my hotel is located.

Digital Buddy and Youth Travel Card

For more information, please visit http://tour.youthtravel.tw/travel2009/pda/eng/index.php

I highly recommend getting the Youth Travel Card, which is applicable to Taiwan, as well as all international youths, aged 15 to 30. It is free and easy-to-apply, and presenting the card to participating places (eateries, shopping and attractions etc) will gain you discounted prices.

Accommodation

If you're interested, we stayed at 3-star Shin Shih Hotel 新仕商務飯店, a simple yet dedicated to professional and friendly services, as well as the welfare of travellers. It is located at Chung Shan district and merely a 3-minute walk from Shuanglian MRT. Priced at only S$40+/- per night (correct as of Nov 12) for twin sharing, I would recommend Shin Shih for a comfortable and non-fussy stay.

Activity 1: Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo 

Note: Please do click on the links for more information, such as directions and highlights of the area, (will open up in another window.)

Most tourists shunned the idea of heading to the zoo, because they thought it is a waste of time when you could spend it somewhere else instead, moreover all the zoos in the world are pretty much the same, isn't it? Well, consider putting Taipei Zoo (also known as "Muzha Zoo 木柵動物園") in your itinerary. Boasting more than 165 hectares of combined space and, several exhibition houses and observatories, Taipei Zoo is not only a leader in conservation, research, education and recreation, it is also the largest zoo in Asia!

With cable car tickets selling at a range from NT$30 to NT$50 (depending on the number of stops), it is the cheapest I have ever come across. And fret not, the ride is generally smooth and definitely safe. One can even take a peek at the iconic Taipei 101 on a clear day!

Activity 2: Zhongxiao East Road

After a day of sight-seeing, it's high time to grab a proper dinner. We chanced upon Kitchen Pucci 葡吉小廚, located minutes away from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT which serves authentic Shanghai-style cuisine in its modern setting. The food is generally nice, but not exceptionally good. But, do not forget to leave some stomach space for Shilin's delicacies later on!

Besides dining at one of the many restaurants, Zhongxiao District also boasts departmental stores, such as Pacific SOGO, East Metro Mall and Ming Yao Departmental Store, which proves to be a shopping haven for locals and tourists alike.

Activity 3: Shilin Night Market

One of Taiwan's largest and most popular tourist spot and which I guarantee is on 99% of anyone's Taipei itinerary. Besides boasting well-known Taiwanese snacks such as chicken cutlet, oyster omelette and beef noodles (just to name some, or for the adventurous - stinky tofu and pig's blood), it also serves as a late night shopping haven for locals and tourists alike.

Additional notes:

Reasons like jetlag and fatigue, are your greatest enemies on the arrival day. Hence, it is recommended to choose something light, such as sight-seeing with little amount of travelling time.