Taiwan - CingJing MingSu/Jiu zu wen hua chun

[Dnls_mum]

If you want to go to the Formosan aboriginal village, you must remember to catch the cultural show. It is pretty good. Spend some time walking through the outdoor mock up of the villages. The themepark was not enjoyed by the kids. Not up to Disney or universal standard. They said the roller coaster was not smooth. There were quite a few kiddy rides. I have posted a review of our visit of the Taiwan thread

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=9640&start=2160

In cingjing, we stayed at 5km villa which is highly rated in Tripadvisor. Place was nice and service was good. We enjoyed our stay.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=9640&start=2170

Nothing much to do in sun moon lake in my opinion. We did that at Formosan aboriginal village on the same day. But you can visit Taiwan Times Village and send dome time there, it is between Taichung and Nantou.

Taichung is nice. Remember yo visit Catton King Creativity Park and Fengjia night market.

[hdbtaitai8]

many thanks for the reply. Will definitely look thru ur blog.


btw I am rather confused with the various stations. If anyone can share more will be fine.

Some mentioned rail/some mentioned HRS ?

[susan88]

My family of four stayed in sunnydale minsu (日光青境四季渡假民宿) for one night, we were very well taken care by the minsu host and hostess. We visited sun moon lake in the day, so by the time I reached cingjing, the sky was already darkened. The host and hostess was very thoughtful, they waited near the bus stop in cold winter night to help with our luggages, and served us hot dinner. After check in, they offered to drive us around to buy starbucks coffee and snacks. The next day, the host drove us to the cingjing farm to catch the morning show. After the show, he made an effort to picked the family of four back to the minsu for checkout. We were treated like VIPs during the stay, and we did not have to pay for the extra transport arrangements and small snack/fruit treats. It was a very pleasant experience, we felt very touched and welcome. The minsu has a very nice view down the valley, regret that we stayed for one night only.

BTW, the minsu brought us to eat the famous Urn Chicken (甕仔雞) after check out, it was delicious, the best roast chicken that I have ever eaten. So remember to try the the famous Urn Chicken (甕仔雞) when you are there… yummy!

[susan88]

Hi hdbtaitai8,


There are two types of train system that links the North south of Taiwan. The Taiwan High Speed Rail HSR( 台弯高铁) and Taiwan Rail (台铁).
If you look at the geographical map of Taiwan, there is a row of mountainous spine in the central of Taiwan island that separates east and west coast of Taiwan.

HSR or 高铁 links the Taiwan cities in the western coast only. Starting from Taipei(in the North), Taichung, ending Kaoshiung zuoying (in the south).http://www.thsrc.com.tw/index.html?force=1

Taiwan railway or 台铁provides a round link for all major cities in east coast and west coast of Taiwan. Starting from Taipei, Taichung, Kaoshiung, hualien and back to Taipei. http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index.aspx

So HSR train station ( 台弯高铁站） is different from taiwan rail station (台铁站).

[hdbtaitai8]

Dear Susan and Dnis - many thanks! at least now i got something to fall back . Will read thru the blog and especially the two links of the HSR train station ( 台弯高铁站）rail station (台铁站) so I will not get \"lost\" and not buy the wrong tickets to cingjing.

[susan88]

Hi hdbtaitai8,


Your are welcome! If you intend to go cingjing and sun moon lake by public transport, can visit the following website for bus info: http://www.ntbus.com.tw/

Actually the public transport in Taichung is quite good. I took public buses to tour around Taichung areas. There is a Natural History Museum( http://www.nmns.edu.tw/index_eng.html) in Taichung that is worth a visit. Enjoy planning!

[titank]

Hi Susan,


Any timetable program in which could cover MingSu stay or Farm Stay to travel whole Taiwan? Intend to get a driver which would travel all the way down to 高雄. At the same time would also like to explore some Theme Park.

[susan88]

Hi titank,


I like to go free and easy in Taiwan. My longest holiday record is 8 days in Taiwan, but I only manage to comb thru Kaoshiung and some parts of Tainan. So with my slow coach way of travelling, I really cannot advise how long it will take to cover whole Taiwan.
For example in 7 days Taichung/Taipei, there is Sun Moon Lake, cingjing, Taipei zoo, 小人国 to visit. Then in Dec there is the flower festival (花海）in Xinshe, Natural Science Muesum. These are the only places that I can visit, there are many more places ( Puli 弹珠气水厂， xinshe castle, lavender garden , Miaoli strawberry picking, wuqi fishery port, flying cow ranch etc) that I have missed.
For 8 days in Kaoshiung, there is cijing island, 佛光山， 龙虎塔， 旗山老街, guanziling mud spa。 Then in Dec there is purple butterfly migration in maolin, ciaotou flower festival. I have to skip oyster farm visit, tomato havest picking, Tainan 老街， 国信爷 temple， 爱河，打狗铁道故事馆， 渔人码头，爱河。
Within the 8 days trip to Kaoshiung, and my 7 days trip to Taichung, I can only cover 50% of what I want to see. Very very slow right.....

The only theme park that I visited is 小人国 in Taipei, quite fun and it is not crowded on a weekday visit. I can take as much photos as I want, no photo bomb...haha

I would like to recommend National Palace Muesum in Taipei, you get to see real treasures on display. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek brought the treasures from the forbidden palace when he flees to Taiwan.

As for farmstay minsu, there are some in nantou , on the way to cingjing, You can browse thru the following website to know more.
http://cingjing.com.tw/cjcjha/hotelbest/hotelbest.asp

There is another favorite farm minsu that singaporeans like to visit, The flying cow ranch.http://www.flyingcow.com.tw/

Hope the info above help in your planning.

[Estéema]

Find all your planning info for Taiwan from this website :-


https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sno=0016590

Find all parts of Taiwan’s places of interests, food, accommodation, bus routes, HSR & local MRT, etc. Your best friend to planning for Taiwan trip.

They provide itinerary route maps, so u can hv an overview of all the tourists interests, then select activities based on yr interests & time available.

There are many local eateries & Taiwan local food & 小吃, desserts, etc.

Many of the info are easy to view & pictorial type. Can involve yr kids in planning too!

You can get into the Accommodation section & find a whole list of minsu (民宿) to stay in. You get to see the pics of the rooms.