• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • Driving in Hong KongBuying a car in Hong Kong
        • HKIL - mandarin courses for kidsGive Your Kids a Language Lift
        • Hong Kong People - Brenda HojgaardHK People: 10 minutes with Brenda Hojgaard
        • womens tailor Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Hikes5 things to take on every hike
        • Earth spinning for trivia quiz questions on geography20 Quiz Questions on Geography
        • Waterfall BayWaterfalls in Hong Kong: 5 of our faves!
        • Museums in Hong Kong - Museum of Art12 of the best museums in Hong Kong
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
      • Kids Offers
        • where to buy kids' furniture in Hong Kong - Indigo KidsKids’ bedroom inspo: Beds, rugs, & more!
        • HKIL - mandarin courses for kidsGive Your Kids a Language Lift
        • Family with money for web article on how to teach kids about money5 ways to teach kids about money
        • head lice in Hong KongHead Lice in Children: What You Should Know!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • Revamping a Hong Kong village house
        • where to buy kids' furniture in Hong Kong - Indigo KidsKids’ bedroom inspo: Beds, rugs, & more!
        • Time to spruce up your space?
        • See inside a Shui Hau village house
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • Earth spinning for trivia quiz questions on geography20 Quiz Questions on Geography
        • Son Doong CaveJourney into the world’s largest cave
        • Hong Kong outlying islands, adventure guide to Cheung Chau, Lantau, Peng Chau, Lamma island, Hong KongAdventure guide to HK’s outlying islands
        • Little Tai Hang Hotel & Serviced Apartments windowCheck out this staycation in Tai Hang
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Coffee - for web article on coffee shops that open early in Hong KongCoffee shops that open early in HK
        • There are several supermarket chains in Hong Kong which stock imported brandsWhere to find your fave grocery brands
        • Indian-Restarants-New-Punjab-ClubTop Indian restaurants to try
        • OM Tapas eggTasty tapas restaurant in the heart of HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • glow spa eye treatmentsTips and treatments for beautiful eyes
        • womens tailor Hong KongOur top picks for men’s tailors
        • Shopping in Hong Kong - K11 MuseaThe ultimate guide to shopping in HK
        • Skincare in Hong Kong: So good botanicalsSkincare solution for HK’s climate
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Arm exercises: Up fitness - exercise 43 easy exercises to tone up your arms
        • Divorce: estranged coupleDivorce: how to break up with dignity
        • Dr Lauren Bramley and Partners, kids' health, Hong Kong children's health, medical, Hong Kong Health, paediatrics5 questions you should ask about your kids’ health
        • SugarIs your family eating too much sugar?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
      • Magazine
      • Advertise With Us
        • December – February 2021
        • DEC-FEB 2020 – $36 (USUAL PRICE $48)
        • City Guide 2020-2021
        • City Guide 2020-2021 – $28
      • View all
    Close
Home » Travel » Short Breaks » Travelling to Taiwan from Hong Kong: Tips on places to visit

Travelling to Taiwan from Hong Kong: Tips on places to visit

17 March, 2017 by Brooke Chenoweth 6 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/travelling-to-taiwan-from-hong-kong-tips-on-places-to-visit/

Brooke Chenoweth makes the most of her first – and, by the sounds of things, definitely not her last – taste of Taiwan.

 

Qingshui Cliff
Photographers at sunset on Huehuanshan; photo by Sam Liu
Wu Wen temple outlook
Wu Wen temple outlook
Wu Wen
Mt Shihmen trail
The Lalu teahouse
I always seem to end up on a bike on these trips! Photo by Sam Liu
Ci-En pagoda
Lalu facade
Sun Moon Lake bike track; photo by Sam Liu
Lalu bedroom
The Lalu Teahouse
Silks Place
Silks Place’s jacuzzis on the roof
Silks Place suite
Silks Place outdoor pool
Swallows Grotto
Shakadang Trail
How gorgeous is this view?
Taiwan is one of our closest neighbours, and with dozens of flights there from Hong Kong every day, each one taking less than 90 minutes, I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I’d never visited the place. I rectified that recently with a tour run by Country Holidays, and this island nation won me over pretty quickly.

My tour started in Taipei, and from there we drove three and half hours south to Hualien – the gateway to Taroko National Park. The scenery along this stretch of coast is stunning, the road rising higher and higher above the Pacific Ocean. There are countless spots to stop for photos along the way, including Qingshui Cliffs, but on the day of my trip south we saw nothing but fog and kept driving till we reached Taroko Gorge.

A Gorgeous Gorge
Taroko Gorge runs for 19km through Taroko National Park. It’s an incredibly popular spot with tourists, mainly for its spectacular natural scenery, but also for the easy hiking trails dotted along the gorge. Some of the more challenging hikes require a permit and a certain level of fitness. For those not in possession of either, it is possible to have a driver or taxi take you to the start of each trail, and either meet you somewhere along the way, or at the end. A number of spots are simply worth stopping for a look at the stunning rock formations and waterfalls. There’s an interesting history to the area and it would be worth travelling with a guide to learn more about how some of the hiking trails came to be.

We trekked the Shakadang Trail, a 4.5km trail carved out of the cliffs by hand by local Aborigines in the time of Japanese occupation. It’s a flat trail and easy enough for all levels of hiker. The water running through the Shakadang River below is crystal clear and a stunning blue-green colour, and this trail allows you to get up close and personal with the amazing rock formations and sub-tropical plants that line the gorge.

Swallows Grotto is another easy trail, and equally breathtaking – it includes caves, so hard hats are recommended (they can be borrowed at the entrance). The trail follows a narrow passage of marble and limestone, with vertical walls either side. Over millions of years as the cliffs formed, tiny holes were created in these walls and they’re now home to thousands of swallows, which swoop and call out as they fly through the gorge. It’s a beautiful spot but sadly its proximity to the highway – not to mention the sheer number of tourists – has driven many of the birds away.

 

Silks Place

 

After a day of hiking and driving (followed by more hiking and driving), Silks Place Taroko is a very welcome sight. This five-star hotel offers just about everything a weary traveller could ask for. Fully refurbished in 2010, Silks is a bit of an oasis – it seems to appear out of nowhere, right beside the gorge, and the rooms on that side have full-length windows where you can sit and watch the water stream past, or the birds and butterflies catching the breeze. When the mist descends in the evening, the effect is atmospheric and tranquil.

The hotel’s Wellspring Spa, also with windows overlooking the gorge, offers a selection of massages, perfect after a day’s hiking. Unfortunately, it was fully booked on the night of my stay, so I settled for a bath in spring water with natural salts, provided in every room. I followed this with an incredibly relaxing sleep in the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.

Another highlight of the hotel are its pools, including a heated indoor pool, with a separate kiddies area, and an outdoor rooftop pool, with four individual Jacuzzis. The Jacuzzis are a great place to kick-start the day, watching the swallows, and warming up before heading further up the mountain range.

Time to Climb
From Silks Place we continued inland and across the mountain range, which involved a lot of uphill driving on twisty, narrow roads. We did have to stop for deep breaths of fresh mountain air fairly frequently, but the scenery slowly changing from sub-tropical to alpine, and the ancient, giant cedar trees were good excuses.

We stopped to do some hiking at the base of Mt Shihmen, a 3237m peak with stunning views across the Huehuanshan National Forest and mountain range. Having failed to check the forecast ahead of time I was not expecting it to be five degrees, and was dressed inappropriately for both hiking and the weather. I cannot stress enough how important it is to be prepared when doing this kind of trip! Still, I made it to the top and it was well worth the effort. Having gone from 800m above sea level to that altitude was a struggle though, and if you’re considering doing any kind of serious hiking in the Taiwanese hills, I’d recommend staying further uphill and giving yourself a day or two to acclimatise. And did I mention you should pack warm clothes?

Escaping the fog and the chill that was rapidly seeping into my bones, we headed happily downhill. We stopped for lunch at Cingjing farm, in Ren’ai township. This area is like something out of a movie – with sweeping, Sound of Music-style vistas of the mountains. A few enterprising locals have capitalised on this ambience and built traditional chateaux, complete with European gardens, just in case you want to pretend you’re in the Swiss Alps and not the middle of Taiwan. Cinjing Farm is part tourist spot, part educational centre, with sheep, horses and peacocks on display. It’s a huge hit with kids and a great way to break up the journey. Lunch can be had cheaply at the markets next door.

Lakeside stay
We arrived at Sun Moon Lake by mid-afternoon, and on checking into The Lalu, the day’s driving and hiking suddenly felt very far away. Located on the lake’s Lalu Peninsula, the hotel’s location was once reserved for the holiday house of Chiang Kai Shek – and clearly he knew how to pick a prime spot.

 

Lalu facade

 

The Lalu is a work of art as much as a hotel. Each room has a spectacular view, and the infinity pool on the ground floor looks as if it blends seamlessly into the lake below; the whole complex has a Zen-like vibe.

Determined not to miss out on a massage, I booked ahead at The Lalu Spa and it was well worth it: 75 minutes of sheer bliss in serene surroundings, as night fell over the lake. For the price (HK$1,000), I also got to use the spa facilities, including steam room, Jacuzzi, sauna and baths.

The food at the Oriental Brasserie was excellent – so many options and cuisines. There’s also a traditional teahouse on-site, by the koi pond overlooking the lake, and The Lobby Bar is great for sundowners or snacks. The hotel’s guest rooms are incredibly spacious and well fitted out, as you would expect from a five-star hotel.

One activity worth doing here is cycling – you can hire a bike from one of the many rental places in the town. It’s possible to cycle around the entire lake, a distance of about 30kms, or you can stick to the 6km of bike paths and enjoy great views of the water and the local wildlife. Another way around the lake is by boat; hundreds of small boats ferry tourists around every day.

There are plenty of hiking trails and family-friendly activities in the area too. Kids can try the cable car from Ita Thao pier, the scenic railway from Jiji, the Tan-nan Firefly Ecological Park, and woodwork at Checheng. I settled for a short trek to the top of Ci-En pagoda and was rewarded with permission to ring the giant bell at the top.

The Heart of Asia
Both The Lalu and Sun Moon Lake had a very calming effect on me, and it was with great reluctance that I left them behind for my flight back to Hong Kong. As a first-time visitor to this stunning country, there was something reassuringly familiar about the place. It’s similar to Hong Kong in a lot of ways, but very different in others. I appreciated the expertise and the organisation that came with being on a guided tour – not speaking Mandarin would have made the trip far more stressful if I’d attempted it alone! The proximity to Hong Kong and the number of flights a day make it possible to explore a little pocket of Taiwan over the space of a long weekend, and that’s definitely something worth doing as often as you can.

My tour was organised by Country Holidays Hong Kong. For more information on the 6-day Taiwan Scenic Splendour Tour (or one of the shorter or longer itineraries available), call 2525 9199 or visit countryholidays.com.hk.

Categories: Short Breaks Travel Tags: Hong Kong Travel Asia Taiwan

You May Also Like

Top skiing destinations - Whistler, Canada

Stunning ski stays in Europe and beyond

Where to stay and what to do in Thailand - Merdeka

Quick getaways: Where to go in Thailand

Best places to go shopping in Singapore

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Hong Kong 🇭🇰

expatlivinghk

Open
When it comes to hiking - Hong Kong has it all! 

From easy family-friendly walks and circuits to longer walks and some challenging hikes for the super fit! 

Check out our great guide - link in the bio.
Open
In the mood for a sweet treat? These chewy salted caramel and chocolate cookies are delicious with a cuppa or warmed and crumbled over ice cream.

This recipe makes about 25 cookies.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened (or as an alternative, substitute half of the butter with natural peanut butter)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
6 tablespoons cocoa or cacao
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
1 cup chocolate chips
1 Mars Bar, chopped

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla, then beat well.
4. Combine flour, cocoa (or cacao), baking soda and half of the salt; gradually blend into the creamed mixture.  5.Stir in the chocolate chips and Mars Bar pieces.
6. Drop tablespoon-sized amounts of the mixture onto a lined cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Tip: do not over-bake! The cookies should be soft, they’ll puff up while baking and flatten while cooling.
8. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet onto wire rack.
9. Sprinkle with remaining sea salt flakes.
Enjoy!
Open
If you're looking for a fascinating (albeit a touch morbid) read this weekend - then look no further.

'Women, Crime and The Courts' charts a hundred years of Hong Kong's women who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.  

Gripping stuff!
Open
Pui O Beach - just lovely 📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
Expat Living's Leanda shares a delicious Dukkah-roasted Cauliflower recipe: “A tasty and substantial dish that will keep you full and satisfied without any guilt!"

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cans of 400g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Olive oil
1 tablespoon dukkah spice
A pinch of salt
1 /3 cup pine nuts
1 /2 cup pomegranate seeds
Large handful of fresh mint, roughly chopped
1 avocado (1/2 for dressing & 1/2 for garnish)
1 /2 cup Greek yoghurt
Handful of fresh mint, roughly chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lime. 

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius.

2. Place the cauliflower and chickpeas onto two large baking trays, and drizzle with the oil.

3. Top with dukkah, salt, and toss to combine. Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

4. For the dressing, place the avocado, yoghurt, mint, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Using a hand-held blender or a food processor, blend until smooth and creamy.

5. On the stove, heat the pine nuts in a pan at medium heat until slightly browned.

6. Top the cauliflower and chickpeas with the mint, pomegranate seeds and remaining avocado. Drizzle with the avocado dressing, sprinkle pine nuts and serve!
Open
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Expat Living Team ❤️
Open
🏮 Gong Hei Fat Choy to all our friends celebrating Chinese New Year!
Open
In celebration of Chinese New Year, we are giving ten lucky readers the chance to win a $250 voucher to spend at PizzaExpress!
Open
📷 @colsimphoto
Open
🏮Begin the Year of the Ox the right way by sharing a meal to welcome the new lunar year together – be it at home our out and about! Check out the full listing on our website - link in bio 🏮
Open
Our CNY Sale starts today! Grab a year's subscription for just $68 (usually $192). Visit 👉 expatliving.hk/sale/IG

🎁 If you'd like to buy this as a gift, go to expatliving.hk/sale/gift/IG

You'll get free access to the digital edition on the Magzter app too!

.
#expatlivinghk #ighk #hkexpats #hongkong #hksales
Open
If you're an experienced hiker looking for a new challenge this weekend – how about The Twins.... at night?

📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
Ever wondered what it is like to live in Hung Hom? EL reader Veronica Valdivieso gives us the lowdown. For the full story and Veronica's recommendations see our DEC-FEB issue✨📖
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Hong Kong, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.hk/readerschoice

.
#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
Open
Pieces for your dining room mood board!🪑We are feeling these tones 🤎
Open
Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry😉

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
• 6 digestive biscuits
• 50g butter 
• 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
• 6 Oreo biscuits
• 125g blueberries (1 box)
• 100g milk or whipped cream 
• 5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
For crust:
1. Crush digestive biscuits in a big bowl and add melted butter.
2. Press together at the base of the cake mould.
3. Set aside to cool.

For filling: 
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk or whipped cream on medium speed in a bowl until it is smooth and creamy. 
2. Add crushed Oreos and beat until they mix evenly. 
3. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
4. Freeze for two hours and top with blueberries!🫐
Open
If you’re looking for a place to live in Hong Kong - particularly if you’re moving here and want an easy landing pad - a serviced apartment can be a godsend! @hongkongparkview is like a mini town with everything you need from a Clubhouse with full facilities to a toy shop, clothes and food shop! 🏞🛍
Open
Read our Winter issue on any device for free 👉 expatliving.hk/digital/ig.
Inside: Two inspiring home reno stories, great dining room furniture ideas, insider's guide to Hung Hom Bay and plenty of other great reads, including easy dessert recipes!
Open
How cool is this - Hong Kong-based @ovolohotels is the first hotel group to go entirely vegetarian across its restaurants, bars and food services for a year! 🌱This move is the latest in the group’s series of eco-friendly initiatives, and doesn’t this look delicious!👏🏻
Open
If we’ve learnt anything this last year it’s how much a magical view can do for your mind🌿These are just some of the properties showcased by @knightfrank 🙌🏼 Head to knightfrank.com.hk to see what’s currently available! 🏞
  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2021 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.