Travel: Taiwan - Taipei

[Busymom]

Blessed Homemaker:

My gf who was in taiwan for 2 years self drove to cingjing. We did explore the possibilities of self driving too but upon seeking advice from my friend, we decided against it as the road is winding. Also, depending on where you stay, some roads are single-lane and if you are too near the edge, the car might just fall off the cliff. That deterred us from self driving.

This is indeed a concern. Wondering if there are many people who have driven up there on their own?

[lilipitz]

Busymom:

lilipitz:

[quote=\"Busymom\"]Is it advisable to self-drive to cingjing? Traveling with a baby, so thinking self-drive can be more flexible.

Hi, not sure if you're aware. The Taiwanese drive on the right side of the road (i.e. driver's seat is on the left).

Yes, am aware of that. However, we have driven in the States as well as in some of the European countries on the right side of the road. Think this is not a main concern for me. Am more concerned about the condition of the roads at mountainous area.[/quote]I see. sorry can't advise you on that then. We are going in Dec and are hiring pte cabby

[Cheermama]

we had just back fr taiwan last week with 2 kids along. We stayed at minsu in hualian, jiufen and hotel in taipei station & ximending throughout our 10 days’ trip there. Just to share some tips here:


*For those who keen to explore via public transport(train & bus), pls buy the fare card aka 悠游卡 upon arrival in taiwan. It’s very useful & cheaper than paying cash.
*The private cab for Taroko one day tour(some includes 七星潭 as well) is ard TWD2000-2500. However, 2 famous spots eg.sha ka dang & jiu qu dong were closed for construction.
*Pls visit the tourist ctr at every tourist spots for latest events ard the area. Many of the events were only updated in the brochure but not the website
*for those gg to yeh liu geo park, now is the season for 万里蟹. A gd variety of live stocks available along the seafood restaurants by roadside( after alighting fr public bus walking towards the park)
*taking public bus fr jin gua shi 黄金博物馆　to taipei is less crowded compared to taking bus fr jiufen main road.( can leave the luggage at the tourist ctr upon the muzium visit. Stroller for loan is available too)
*If u plan to buy sth fr selected stores with tax rebate for foreigners(>TWD3000), ie.shopping mall or 诚品, do remember to bring along ur passport as u are required to get ur identity verified upon filling in the form with ur invoice at the customer service counter

Do enjoy!

[KiasooLaupa]

Wow! will try the crab at YehLiu in Nov.

btw, can i get the easy card at airport early morning???
i will not drive in taiwan cos taiwan will rain quite often in year-end :xedfingers:

[eskimo]

I’m planning a F&E trip in Dec. Will be at Cingjing for 2 nights. Does anyone know if there is a tour bus agency which can pick up at CJ or Puli and bring us to Sun Moon Lake, then to Taipei? I will have lugguage with me, so I need to find a tour bus that can take me with my lugguage, or is there lugguage holding area at SML?

[2am]

Hello eskimo,


you can try asking the minsu you are staying with. they usually have contact for transport with driver. I believe can do from CJ a day trip to SML then drop you off at taipei at your own timing. But I read that the journey from tapei to CJ is about 5hrs.

[angell]

Hi,


Has anyone been on a Farmstay in Taiwan? Any recommendations please?

TIA.

[Cuppamocha]

Hi, Anyone have contact for a driver that can pick us from Taipei hotel (near to Taipei Main Station) to TaoYuan airport?

The charges quoted by the hotel is about 1400NT. We have 2 young kids and prefer not to take the train.

[Cheermama]

Kiasoolaupa, u can get the fare card at any mrt station & remember to get refund of balance b4 coming bec SG. It’s not available at airport.


Cuppamocha, we had taken direct/express bus (24 seats if not mistaken) fr airport to taipei station. The cost was only TWD380 (TWD125 x 2 adults + TWD65 x 2 kids). My kids(3 & 5 each) slept all the way fr airport to taipei! The bus will firstly stop at taipei station then proceed to their bus terminal which is also nearby.

[Cuppamocha]

Thanks Cheermama for the post.Yes, we are also taking the express bus from Airport to Taipei on arrival.


But I am asking to be driven from the hotel to the airport on my last day. I don’t want to lug the kids and the luggages + and the long list of things the Significant Other intends to buy (shhh… cannot let her see this) to go to the airport. After 6 days, I think I will be very tired.