Time to continue our travel diary in Taiwan, this time we are going to share with you list of #AnakJajanTAIWAN must visit places or destinations throughout Taiwan.

Last year on November 2015, AnakJajan visited Taiwan, we had so much fun visiting many interesting places in Taiwan thanks to Taiwan Tourism Bureau who have arranged a complete and fun itinerary for us. Other than the famous Taipei 101, Taiwan has so many interesting places to visit for tourist. In this post, AnakJajan are going to share with you the recommended places to visit, to eat and also to stay. Hopefully it could help you for your itinerary planning.

Internet
AnakJajan landed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, for internet connection, you can easily purchase Sim Card near the North Meeting Point (turn right from the exit door), there are several provider vendors that offer Prepaid Sim Card with various plans, to purchase the simcard you will need to show them your passport.

Most providers provide 4G LTE unlimited data, after did some research on internet, AnakJajan found out that Chungwha Telecom is the most popular brand in Taiwan, but AnakJajan opted for Taiwan Mobile, another famous providers in Taiwan. We bought 5 days plan with 50 minutes air-time and unlimited internet usage for NT$ 300, the coverage was great, it worked really well throughout the trip from Taichung to Taipei and also we can share the internet connection to other device via internet tethering easily.

Power Plugs and Sockets
In Taiwan the power sockets used are of type A / B, so remember to always bring power plug adaptors.

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TAICHUNG

Flower Carpet Festival (台中國際花毯節)
The event is also known as Xinshe sea of flowers. It is an annual event during the end of autumn season from late November to early December of each year.

AnakJajan visited Taichung at the end of November 2015, the weather was just lovely, not too hot yet not too cold around 20 celsius.

In this event, you will see and endless colorful flower sea spreading all over extensive land area, we just love the beautiful composition of the blossoming flowers with vibrant color combined with visual arts.

Specially for 2015, the concept of flower carpet festival is to combine landscape of flowers with visual arts, for example the three-dimentional display of flowers, almost every corner has its own unique display or feature that is perfect for selfie or taking pictures. FYI, the event is free of charge.

This place is definitely worth to visit, if you happen to visit Taiwan during the end of November or early December, make sure to visit Taichung Flower Carpet Festival.

Address:
Taichung Flower Carpet Festival
No. 469-13, Sanfeng Rd, Houli District
Taichung City, Taiwan 421

Map:

FYI, if you guys are planning to visit Taiwan during Chinese New Year till March, don’t forget to visit Taichung since it’s the blooming season of Pink Cheery Blossom or Meihua and Taichung is an excellent destination to enjoy it.

Smoke Through The Forest (又見一炊煙)
Still in Taichung, for an unique dining experience, Smoke Through The Forest (又見一炊煙) is a must visit.

Inside this restaurant, you will find a peaceful zen ambiance with Japanese-styled building. The restaurant provides set meals with ingredients fresh from the market or almost like omakase for me personally. There were 8-course of dishes during our visit and the dishes were very creative with unique twist of flavors, we enjoyed it both the food and ambiance very much.

Located in the highlands this restaurant also happens to be a very great spot to enjoy the golden sunset scene of Taichung.

Address:
Smoke Through The Forest (又見一炊煙)
426, Taiwan, Taichung City, Xinshe District
中興里中興嶺街一段107號

Map:

春水堂 Chun Shui Tang
Bubble Tea is a very popular Taiwanese tea-based drink with tapioca pearls in it, it is one of a must have when you’re in Taiwan. When I was in Taichung, I notice there’s a Taichung sticker with bubble tea design on my snapchat, thereafter I found out that bubble tea was invented in Taichung in the 1980s.

Among the famous brands, Chun Shui Tang is one of the most famous chains for bubble tea in Taichung. AnakJajan visited the outlet near our hotel, besides bubble tea they have wide variety of drink selections and also tasty looking food. AnakJajan only had bubble tea and light snacks since we were still very full from our dinner earlier.

Address:
春水堂 Chun Shui Tang
No. 9號, Dadun 19th St, West District
Taichung City, Taiwan 403

Map:

Tempus Hotel Taichung (臺中永豐棧)
For accomodation in Taichung, AnakJajan stayed at Tempus Hotel Taichung (臺中永豐棧). The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, bed was also comfy. We had a great sleep there.

FYI, the hotel is located very near to the bubble tea shop 春水堂 Chun Shui Tang I mentioned above. Next to the hotel there is also a convenient store.

Address:
Tempus Hotel Taichung (臺中永豐棧)
No. 689號, Section 2, Taiwan Blvd, Xitun District
Taichung City, Taiwan 407

Map:

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ALISHAN, CHIAYI

YUYUPAS Tsou Culture Village (YUYUPAS 鄒族文化部落)
To get a cultural experience, YUYUPAS Tsou Culture Village is the right place. Situated at around 1.300 meters above sea level in the mountainous Alishan area and surrounded by extensive tea gardens, the cultural tribe park was made to introduce and preserve Tsou cultural heritage. Inside the area you can find exhibition hall, theater, traditional houses, the house of the princess, restaurant, Shenmu Hall (sacred tree), artifacts, and traditional designed tree huts.

Address:
YUYUPAS Tsou Culture Village (YUYUPAS 鄒族文化部落)
605, Taiwan, 嘉義縣阿里山樂野村四鄰127-2號

Map:

Alishan Forest Recreation Area (阿里山森林遊樂區)
Alishan Forest Recreation Area is a mountain resort that has been one of Taiwan’s top tourist spots. To go to the scenic area, AnakJajan rode Alishan Mountain Railway from Alishan Railway Station, the building of railway station is uniquely made of wood with amazing mountain views.

Alishan Mountain Railway is world renowned and one of the few mountain railways in the world that was originally built to transport timber and now transformed into transportation for tourists through the forest. Don’t forget to take picture with the famous train.

Since the forest recreation area is located around 2.200 meters high above sea level, the temperature inside can get pretty cold with an average annual temperature 10.6 ℃, so we highly recommend you to wear a thick coat or jacket when visiting this place.

Inside the forest, you will find various famous spots such as the 1000 year old Formosan red cypress, sacred tree, Jiemei (Sister) Lakes, the 3 Brothers Giant Cypress Tree, etc. Alishan Forest Recreation Area also happens to be one of the best places to enjoy sakura cherry blossoms or Meihua in Taiwan, every year during spring season.

Address:
Alishan Forest Recreation Area (阿里山森林遊樂區)
605, Taiwan, Chiayi County, Alishan Township, 中正村59號

Map:

Long Yun Leisure Farm (龍雲休閒農場)
For a unique experience, you can try staying in Long Yun Leisure Farm (龍雲休閒農場) in Alishan area. It’s a perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life with its relaxing nature scenery. Long Yun Leisure Farm offers various fun activities for their guest such as pounding mochi, folk arts, fire flies watching, etc.

FYI for my Moslem friends, Long Yun Leisure Farm (龍雲休閒農場) is Halal certified, therefore they only serve Halal dishes.

Address:
Long Yun Leisure Farm (龍雲休閒農場)
Taiwan, 嘉義縣竹崎鄉中和村石桌1號
Map:

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Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup
This is one of popular dishes in Taiwan. It is basically braised beef noodle soup with rich beef broth and tender boneless beef shank. You definitely have to try it when you visit Taiwan, you can find it easily everywhere, even the instant version is also very good!

Since the post will be very very long, we decided to write it in two parts. Click following link to read the second part for more interesting places in Taipei, Tainan, Chiayi and New Taipei City. Let’s Travel!!

More post about Taiwan on link below  https://anakjajan.com/category/location/taiwan-location/

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