Page 1 of 34 If you're going to book your online air ticket from Jetstar, try to book the seats on the

emergency exit row (12 & 13). This will give you 100% more leg space. Best month to go is on June or July. Advisable to go during June. Exchange rate at Taoyuan airport is better than Singapore. Look out for counter located at the center of both custom sides. They give the best rate. Reservation For Neijiang Hotel Email: Need to phone for a reservation request Tel: +8862-2381-2147 / +8862-2381-2148 Website: http://www.neijiang-hotel.com.tw/ Address: 112 Reservation For CityInn Hotel () Email: service@gocityinn.com Tel: +8862-2314-8008 Website: http://www.gocityinn.com/ Address: 100 7 Reservation For CityInn Hotel () Email: service2@cityinn.com.tw Tel: +8862-2555-5577 Website: http://www.gocityinn.com/ Address: 103 81 Reservation For Slove Hotel Email: m188080168@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8862-2388-0808 Website: http://www.slovehotel.com.tw/ Address: 72 3F ( 50 ) Reservation For TS Hotel Email: reservation@tshotel.com.tw Tel: +8862-2388-1315 Website: http://www.tshotel.com.tw/ Address: 170~172 () Reservation For Rainbow Hotel Email: rainbow23119193@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8862-2311-9193 Website: http://www.rainbowhoteltaipei.com.tw Address: 36 Reservation For Cosmos Hotel Email: cosmos@cosmos-hotel.com.tw Tel: +8862-2311-8901 Website: http://www.cosmos-hotel.com.tw/ Address: 100 43

Reservation For WonStar Hotel Email: service@wonstar.com.tw 1

Page 2 of 34 Tel: +8862-2382-0889 Website: http://www.wonstar.com.tw Address: 82 Reservation For See You Hotel [Former: OneStar Hotel ()] Email: onestar.taipei@msa.hinet.net Tel: +8862-2388-7269 Website: http://www.taipeionestarhotel.com.tw/ Address: 18 Reservation For Europe Villa @ Cingjing Email: europevilla@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8864-9280-3008 Website: http://www.villa.club.tw/villa/index.htm Address: 35 Reservation For Florence Resort Villa @ Cingjing Email: florance568@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8864-9280-3820 OR +8864-9280-3832 Website: http://www.florance.com.tw/ Address: 8-3 Reservation For Rose Garden @ Cingjing Email: Need to phone for a reservation request Tel: +8869-3753-2828 OR +8869-6300-6075 Website: http://www.roseland.com.tw/ Address: 7 1 2 Reservation For Kindness Hotel @ Kaohsiung Email: http://www.easytravel.com.tw/servicecounter/default.aspx Tel: +8867-968-2715 Website: http://www.easytravel.com.tw/ehotel/default.aspx?n=6956 Address: 800 198 Reservation For Keymans Hotel Email: keymans@ms33.hinet.net Tel: +8862-2311-4811 Website: http://www.keymans.com.tw Address: 1 Reservation For East Dragon Hotel Email: edhtl@east-dragon.com.tw Tel: +8862-2311-6969 Website: http://www.east-dragon.com.tw/Introduction.htm Address: 23

Reservation For Hotel Dion @ Taichung Email: tl.hotel@msa.hinet.net Tel: +8864-2706-5411 Website: http://www.hoteldion.com.tw/home.html 2

Page 3 of 34 Address: 407 2 124 Reservation For Laurel Villa @ Sun Moon Lake Email: laurel.villa@gmail.com Tel: +8864-9285-5551 Website: http://laurelvilla-en.emmm.tw/ Address: 28 () Reservation For Kaohsiung 85 Building Email: sally660420@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8867-200-2448 Website: http://www.5658.com.tw/beaut/index.htm Address: 5 ( 85 ) Reservation For Starry Minsu @ Cingjing Email: hclee0701@yahoo.com.tw Tel: +8869-1971-3201 OR +8864-9280-2242 Website: http://starry.nantou.com.tw/ Address: 96 From Taoyuan Airport to Hotel via Kuo Kuang Bus , buy tickets at the counters located left of customs exit Youth Travel Pass Get it from the Visitor's Counter at the Airport. Just show your passport. Come out from the exit after claiming your luggage & turn right Prepaid Card / Phone Card The phone cards can be bought in convenience store, some bus & train stations. Price as low as NT300 which allow you to make a short oversea call. Some of the cards are designated to offer discount to certain country overseas call. It's better to ask the cashier for looking on the card on offer before purchase. Singapore/Malaysia mobile phone may already be compatible with Taiwan mobile phone network, which GSM 900MHz/1800MHz. Note: you may have to activate your oversea roaming - depend on which service provider your mobile service was at extra cost. Buy a GSM-standard SIM card from a convenience store or cellular phone shop - a much economical option, which gives you a new number for use within Taiwan. You may get these SIM card as low as NT$600 in convenience store such as 7-Eleven. The number usually activated within 24hours. For the application of a new number, you have to fill up a form & provide a photocopy of your passport, in some cases you may need to fax your passport to the service provider, usually in 7-Eleven; their staffs will help you to do so. Public phones in Taiwan are divided primarily into two types, coin & card. Coin phones accept coins in denominations of NT1, NT5 & NT10. When making local calls, it is not necessary to dial the area code; when making long-distance calls, the area code of the party being called must be dialed in first.

Calling Taiwan From Singapore: 3

Page 4 of 34 Dial +886 (Taiwan Country Code) Follow by area code (Taiwan area codes table below) Follow by the number of the party being called Taiwan Cities Area Code Taipei Keelung Taoyuan Chungli Taichung Changhua Fengyuan Chiayi country Tainan Hsiaying Kaohsiung Pingtung Chunan Hualien Lotung Chunghsing-Hsintsun Taitung

2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 37 38 39 49 89

International Direct Dial Calls From Taiwan

Dial Taiwan's international access code, 002 Dial the country code of the country Dial in the area code of the called party Dial in the number of the called party For operator-assisted international calls, please dial "100." For international information, call this free number: 0800080100

Easycard Use till the end of your holiday & they'll refund you the balance. Easycard Images: http://www.easycard.com.tw/product_list.php?id=12&x=2 Face Value of EASYCARD

Page 5 of 34 Each "Adult" or "Student" card costs NT500, comprising NT400 as disposable amount & NT100 as deposit. Each "Concessionaire" card costs NT300, comprising NT200 as disposable amount & NT100 as deposit. Ta Shun Hotel (Do Not Stay At 6th/7th floor)

Ximen Station -> Exit 1 > Near post office

East Dragon /Rainbow Hotel

Ximen Station > Exit 6

CityInn Hotel

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z6

Keymans Hotel

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z6

Slove Hotel

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z8

Neijiang Hotel

Ximen Station > Exit 1

Cosmos Hotel

Taipei Metro Station > Exit M3

WonStar Hotel

Ximen Station > Exit 6 () Houshanpi Station > Exit 1 ()

See You Hotel [Former: OneStar Hotel ()]

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z10

Kindness Hotel Central Park Station > Exit 2

Laurel Villa Alight at Taichung Wurih Station . Transfer to the Nantou Busvia Pulidirectly to Sun Moon Lakeapproximately 2hrs traveling timeOR Take the West bound train to Ershuei Train Station at Nantou. From Ershuei Train Station, transfer to the Jiji line and alight at Shueili Train Station . After which, 5

Page 6 of 34 take the Green Bus Transit from outside Shueili Train Station (Beside the 7-eleven in front of the train station) (approximately 30mins traveling time Hotel Dion @ Taichung Take any buses such as: , , or to Chao Ma Station and walk for 5mins OR Take HSR to Taichung, go to the ground level for FREE shuttle to Chao Ma Station. Chao Ma Station free shuttle is at Gate 6. When you get to Chao Ma Station, walk 2mins backward from traffic flow

Kaohsiung 85 Building (22F & 27F) Take HSR to Zuoying Station > Sanduo Shopping District Station > Exit 2 and keep forward along Shin-Kong Road OR Exit 1 and keep forward along SanDuo Road . Same building as The Splendor Hotel

Starry Minsu From Taipei, board King Bus to Puli Main Station. . Then, transfer to another Nantou Bus .

Kuo-Kuang Highway Bus West Terminal

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z5/Z7

Kuo-Kuang Highway Bus East Terminal

Taipei Metro Station > Exit Z3

85C Cafe (Try Their Desert)

Opp TS Hotel > Next to Convenience Store and also Fei Tian Steamboat

** Their original coffee tastes really nice and its not sweet. Hong Sao Beef Noodle (Taoyuan Jieh Niu Ro Mian)

Ximen Station > Exit 3

Ximenting (Close @ 2230hrs)

Ximen Station > Exit 6

Modern Toilet (Close @ 2200hrs)

Ximen Station > Exit 6 -> There is a lane with lots of Tattoo shops near the Neoprint building (3 storeys with colorful Neon lights in the heart of XMD) > Walk through the lane > Cross the road at the end to a 7-11 store opposite a multi-storey carpark > The restaurant is just in front of the two Ya Rou Bian 6

Page 7 of 34 Ximen Station > Exit 6 > Rainbow lobby > Walk straight into the alley & walk to the end > Will see the signboard Pacific Sogo Dept Store

Zhongxiao Fuxing Station > Exit 4

Jacky Wu's Desert Shop (The Sweet Dynasty) ()

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 4 OR Zhongxiao Fuxing Station > Exit 5

StayReal Mayday Ashin Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 2 > 1st street turn left

Food St

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 2 > Walk To 2nd Traffic Light > Cross The Road >Turn Left On Yanji St Ding Tai Feng

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 3 > Will see a Watsons > Walk straight to the next traffic light, and diagonally across on your right, can see a shopping mall "ATT" > Should be able to spot the red Ding Tai Feng signboard. It's located behind this mall Jay Chou's Shop (Omni) (Omni)

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 2 > When you walked out, you will see a Watsons (Qu Chen Shi) > Turn left to the lane besides it > Keep walking straight & you will pass by 4 small lanes then you will see a sign '161 lane' > Turn left & you will see Jay's Omni Shop > It's on the left side.

Jay Chou's Shop (Phantaci) (Phantaci)

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 2 > Walk pass Breeze & Union Bank & turn > When turn, opps is En Tie Commercial Bank > Located around 7-11 Website: http://www.wretch.cc/album/phantaci Shihlin Night Market (Close @ 0200hrs)

Jiantan Station > Exit 2

[Shopping remember to bargain cos the price might be slightly more ex than XMD or Raohe Night Market] 7

Page 8 of 34 Bangkok Bag Shop (Naraya) (Naraya)

Danshui Station > Same street as NT50 Bag Shop

Guo Yuan Ye

Shihlin Station > Exit 1 > Walk straight out > Across the street > Walk left & walk until the traffic light > Cross the street & take right > Go straight down 5-8mins walk & you'll see the store on your left () Danshui Old Street (Close @ 2200hrs)

Danshui Station > Turn left > Will See Starbucks

[Try which Jay always go and eat after school] Miramar Entertainment Park (NT150) Chippy Monkey Jiannan Rd. Station > Exit 3 > Turn right

Five Dime Jiantan Station > Exit 1 > Transfer free shuttle bus. If the line is too long, take public Bus 267 > Cross the traffic light from Miramar to Grand Victoria Hotel & walk straight

[To return: Jiantan Station, go to the bus shelter just under the Ferris Wheel. There are 2 shuttle buses back] Jiannan Rd. Station > Exit 3 > Turn right > 1st junction turn left and walk straight > 2nd junction turn left

Jioufen (Best To Go On Weekdays)

Taipei Main Station > Cross the road using an overhead bridge from the train station > Take Keelung Bus > The bus stop is in front of a clinic with a blue signboard > The service to Jioufen has a sign that reads > > OR Zhongxiao Fuxing Station > Exit 1 > Take the bus that reads > > (Takes about 1hr 45mins) - NT90 OR Board a railway train to Rueifang Railway Station > Transfer to a Keelung bus outside the station. After alighting from the train > Exit the station & walk to the front of the railway station > The road in front of the station is Mingdeng Road Sec 3. If you are going to Jioufen or Jinguashih , you would need to cross Mingdeng Road Sec 3 to the bus stop just outside the shops & caf > Take the Keelung bus heading to "Jinguashih" for Jioufen. The bus will terminate at Jinguashih. Bus fare: NT22 (To Jiufen/Jinguashih same bus fare). The bus journey uphill takes about 20mins (to Jiufen) Alight at the Old street (Chishan Street) stop along the road bend > You can see the 711 convenience store 8

Page 9 of 34 [For return: Can take a Keelung Bus directly to Taipei > Stops at Raohe St Night Market or Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Stop ( from Ah Xing's stallLi Yi Bing Dian ( ) OR Li Gu Bing Dian ( ) Mochi). Li Yi has opened a new outlet at Taipei Main Station Front Metro Mall] Fisherman's Wharf - NT100 [2 ways] (Close @ 2200hrs)

Danshui Station > Along the river, you can buy the ferry ticket

[(Produced easycard & get discount or transfer bus Red 26 from interchange (Directions on where to board the bus, are given at the station) (To buy Fish Cracker from Ti Hu Master Shop)] Jay Chou's Shop (Mr. J French-Italian Restaurant) (Mr. J ) Taipei City Hall Station > Exit 2 > Free Shuttle Bus to Taipei Medical University or cab. Fare: NT100 OR Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station > Exit 2 > Walk south on Guangfu South Road toward the McDonald's & turn right into Lane 308

Map: http://www.trtc.com.tw/img/ALL/Route2200/092.jpg Website: http://www.mrj-tw.com/ P.S. BuBu (Close @ 2200hrs)

Shipai Station > Exit right > Walk to the traffic lights > Turn right to the bus stop > Take R19 all the way to the end (Tian Mu) > Walk down the road on the Left side where PS Bubu located. (After that, keep walking down on the Left for the Export Outlet shops. Look out for the Budget "Bins" Lots of bargains can be found there. ) [For return: Take bus 601 directly back to Ximenting] Tianmu

Shipai Station > Walk out of Station > Left side to traffic Light > Turn right & keep walking (Lots of Shops & food joints there as well, only empty spot is near the hospital. Lots of shops on TianMu West Road as well (Not Factory outlets). Junction of Tian Mu West Road & Tian Mu North Road . Great place to eat local food, worth a visit (You will see them frying the NiuRo Shien Pin, Chung Pin etc). You will see all the shops when you walk up Zhongshan North Road Section 7 on the right side of the road OR Shipai Station > Exit right > Walk to the traffic lights > Turn right to the bus stop > Turn right across the street take Bus R19 OR Jiantan Station > Take bus 220 to Tianmu

NT50 Bag Shop NT50 (Close On Mon)

Danshui Station > Turn left > First shop on the left when enter to Danshui Old Street along & Gongming Street Lover's Bridge (Best To View On 5pm)

Danshui Station @ Fisherman's Wharf 9

Page 10 of 34 OrangeBear Kun Yang Station > Exit 4 > Inside Senseio Shopping Mall

Shida Night Market

Taipower Building Station > Exit 3

[Selling lots of Sports Stuffs] EZ5 Live House EZ5

Liuzhangli Metro Station

If take cab from Ximen to EZ5 Live House. Fare: NT200 Website: http://www.ez5.com.tw/new Map: http://www.urmap.com.tw/#m=cf_acgahfjbgeedi,bcb_ffabjjbedbbcaf&z=j Raohe St. Night Market (Close @ 0100hrs)

After going to Wu Fen Pu > Walk to Songshan Station > There's a red bridge (See The Sign) > Cross over to the other side OR Taipei Main Station > Take Bus 605 or 276 > Stop at entrance of Raohe [WARNING] DO NOT go in to as it was a black shop (). On the pink & yellow cardboard sheets, it is written " NT399" scribbled in marker ink hanging at entrance opp a Smelly Beancurd shop (Not pushcart) with big signboard. Station Front Metro Mall (Z Zone)

Taipei Metro Station > Towards M5 or M6 > At "Z" zone

Taipei Metro Mall (Y Zone) / Zhongshan Metro Mall (R Zone)

Taipei Station > Towards M1 or M2 > At "Y" zone to Taipei Metro Mall & "R" zone to Zhongshan Metro Mall Map: http://www.trtc.com.tw/img/ALL/Route2200/051.jpg East Metro Underground Mall (Close @ 2200hrs)

Zhongxiao Fuxing Metro Station > Towards Exit 3 / Exit 4 Zhongxiao Dunhua Metro Station > Towards Exit 6 or Exit 8

Map: http://www.trtc.com.tw/img/ALL/Route2200/010.jpg Taipei New World Mall (K Zone)

Taipei Metro Station > Towards M5 or M6 > Exit Z1 to "K" zone

Guang Hua Shang Chang 10

Page 11 of 34 Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station > Exit 4 > Turn Right > Walk to 2nd Junction > Turn Left > Walk for about 2mins Wu Fen Pu (Best To Go On Wed - Sat, DO NOT Go On Mon) (After 4pm) (Open from 1600-0000hrs) Houshanpi Station > Exit 4 > Turn right > Turn right again > Walk straight

[When walk straight all the way to the road junction, it's just on your right! The shop is facing the main road, Will see a shop called "Formosa Chang" (Website: http://www.fmsc.com.tw/), try their Braised Minced Meat Rice ] YongKang Street Daan Station > Board Bus 20/22/38 in the middle of the road Alight at "Yongkang St" stop shortly after passing CKS Memorial Hall

Bus 22 route map: http://yoyonet.biz/egoing/bus/beichi/lanin/022-1.htm Website: http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/articles/0209/0209CoverStoryTW.htm Shinkuchan Shopping Centre Kaohsiung HSR Station > Central Park Station > Exit 2

Yang Ming Shan Park (Flower Season: March May) (Cherry Blossom: Late December January) Board Bus 260 outside Ximen Station > Exit 3. The bus journey takes about 1hr 10mins OR Board Bus Red 5, 260 outside Jiantan or Shihlin Stations . Bus Red 5 serves the route between Jiantan Station & Yang Ming Shan. The bus journey takes about 4550mins from Jiantan / Shihlin Stations OR Board MRT train to Beitou Station & transfer to Bus 230 to Yang Ming Shan Bus Terminal or minibus S9 to Zhuzhihu Terminal. Use stored value Easycard to pay the MRT / bus fares. To go to the inner areas of Yang Ming Shan, board leisure shuttle Bus 108 from the bus terminal. Pay NT60 for unlimited bus rides for the day. Operation hrs: 07001730hrs

Website: http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/ Breeze Center

Zhongxiao Fuxing Station > Exit 5

Nu Ren Wo Zui Da Products

HANDS 2003/05 (Website: http://www.hands.com.tw/index.asp) 39 6 6 (02)8772-1105

11

Page 12 of 34
(02)8772-1100 19 5 ( A4 5 ) (02)2723-6710 12 9 ( 9 ) (02)2563-0081 2 111 8 ( 8 ) (04)2258-6609 (HANDS SELECTION) 4 45 10 (SOGO 10 ) (02)2771-5001 6 77 7 (SOGO 7 ) (02)2838-2729 (02)2723-8050 (02)2563-0080 (04)2258-6606 (02)2771-8007 (02)2838-2728

Keelung Night Market (After 8pm) (Close @ 0200/0300hrs) Taipei Station > Keelung Train Station (appox. 50mins) > Turn right > Walk straight & you can see MacDonald > Turn right > First cross junction turn left (Do Visit Lee-hu Pastry Shop () OR Taipei Station > Keelung Train Station (appox. 50mins) > Turn right > Walk straight & you can see MacDonald > Walk the underpass > Walk Straight

Heavenly Sky Lantern Taipei Station to Rueifang Railway Station . Fare: NT52~NT80. Travel Time: About 40~55mins (Depending on type of train). At Rueifang, transfer to another railway train on the Pingsi Line . Consider purchasing a NT54 day pass at the train platform control booth for unlimited travel on Pingsi Line. Drop off at Shifen/Pingsi Railway Station.

[Get down at Jingtong Railway Station to buy wooden postcard (NT60)]

Gong Guan Night Market

Gongguan Metro Station > Exit 4

Taipei 101 101 Taipei City Hall Metro Station > Exit 2 > Take shelter bus to Taipei 101

Guess Guess Guess To book the seat, you can call +8862-2781-3888 Ext: 535 or email to a_kevin2002@yahoo.com.tw & do leave your name & contact no OR you can visit http://www.wretch.cc/blog/guess3 for recording dates.

Kunyang MRT Station > Exit 2 > Walk to the traffic light to cross the road to take bus Blue 22. Three bus stops away. (NT15) Leofoo Village

Take a MRT train heading Nanshijiao Line . Alight at Jing-an Station . Board TaiLien's E-go (Taiwan United) Bus outside Jing-an Station to Leofoo. Bus fare: NT120 (One-Way). NT240 (Return). Travel Time: About 1hr one-way Stage (Open By Show Luo ) 12

Page 13 of 34

Ximen Metro Station > Exit 6

[ 2 66 (No.66, Sec.2, KaiFong Street,Taipei)] Whale Watching (NT700)

By Train:

Take a train from Taipei Station on the North Link line & get off at Luodong Station . Then take King Bus on the Nan Fang Ao Line & drop off at Wushin Harbor stop & take ship to Gueishan Island

By Bus:

Taipei Station , take a Kuo Kuang bus on the Luodong line; alternatively, from in front of the Taipei Railway Station take a You Air Bus on the Hualien line & get off at Wushin Harbor. Then take ship to Gueishan Island

By Taxi:

Taxis outside the West Exit 4 of Taipei Station will take you to Yilan or Luodong for NT300, but you can ask for a discount to NT250. These taxis wait for 4 passengers before leaving (Which is why the fare is so reasonable) OR Board Capital Star Bus () at Taipei City Hall Station near exit 3 or Kemalan Bus ( ) at Taipei Intercity Bus Terminal. The bus travels via Freeway 5 & 12.9km Shuehshan Tunnel. Travel Time: About 45~50 mins Living Mall

Zhongxiao Fuxing > Exit 5 > Beside Cosmo Bank > Walk Straight, Cross the road, near to the roadside, there's a stall sells Wheel Biscuit (Beside is Landbank ) , Stand in front of Wheel Biscuit stall to wait for Life Bus (Provide free shuttle bus) Dream Mall

Taipei HSR Station to Kaohsiung HSR Station . Transfer to Kaohsiung Bus no.101 and get off at Dream Mall stop. Take Bus No. 2, 14, 36, 70 & get off at Hankyu stop Fei Tian Steamboat (NT330 - NT360) Ximen Metro Station > Exit 1 > Turn left

H Park Hair Dressing

Taipei City Hall Station > Exit 2 > Eslite Bookstore (Opp A4) > Level 6 (Close @ 2100hrs) [Need to book for appointment @ (02)-2722-6188. Recommended: Tiffany Sung (hparktiffany@yahoo.com.tw) (Off: Mon) 13

Page 14 of 34 Elvis Lee (hparkelvis@yahoo.com.tw) (Off: Thurs) Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall > Exit 2 > Turn right (Close @ 2030hrs)

[Need to book for appointment @ (02)-2776-2199. Recommended: Kevin Sun (hparkkevin@yahoo.com.tw) (Off: Thurs) Taylor Wu (hparktaylor@yahoo.com.tw) (Off: Wed) Dick Lau (hparkdick@yahoo.com.tw) (Off: Sun) in 240 26 1F @ Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall] Taiwan Storyland
Taipei Metro Station > Towards M5 or M6 > Exit Z4 OR San Chung Bus , Chongqing Line > Take Bus Blue 10 South 0, East 14151822394920220521221822022123223624624724925 1253257260262265274276299307310527532539604605652 659 can reach

Liouhe Night Market

Kaohsiung HSR Station to Dayuanhuan stop By KRTC get off at Formosa Boulevard Station , Orange Line > Exit 1 Sun Moon Lake

Alight at High Speed Rail Taichung Station & transfer to a Nantou Bus heading to Sun Moon Lake directly. Bus fare: NT200. Travel Time: About 2.25hrs OR Both Kuo Kuang (NT480) & Green Transit Bus (NT500) operate a direct service from Taipei to the Sun Moon Lake

Cruise on a yacht / boat to the various attractions. Tickets for boat tours of Sun Moon Lake are available at Chaowu Wharf , Shueishe Wharf , Yidashao Wharf & Syuanguang Temple Wharf . Duration of Boat Tour: About 1.5hrs. Cost of Boat Tours: NT300 (Adult), NT200 (Children) Website: http://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/EN/02000479.aspx Club Primo Yongchun Station > Exit 1

Taroko Gorge Taipei Station > Hualien Railway Station . Fare: NT287~NT445. Travel Time: About 2.5hrs~3hrs (Depending on type of train). Hire a cab at the front of Hualien Railway Station to tour Taroko Gorge or meet your pre-booked cabbie like what most forumers do. Hualien Railway Station is about 25km from Taroko Gorge OR Take railway train at Taipei Station to Sincheng Railway Station . Only the slower trains will make a stop at Sincheng. Fare: NT263~NT409 (Depending on type

14

Page 15 of 34 of train). Sincheng Railway Station is just 5km from Taroko Gorge. Hire a cab at the front of Sincheng Railway Station to tour Taroko Gorge. Always negotiate on duration & price before boarding cab. Love River Other buses from the front of Kaohsiung Railway Station to Love River: 2, 56, 60, 248 (Fare NT12). Bus 248 terminates at Gushan Ferry Pier OR City Council Station > Exit 1 > Walk along Jhongjheng 4th Rd OR Take 0North Bus, 0-South Bus, No. 14, 25, 56 (run on holiday), 60, 76, 77, 78, 91, 99, 214, 219, 248 get off at Kaohsiung Museum of History stop near the Jhongjheng bridge

Xing Tian Temple

Zhongxiao Xinsheng Metro Station , take Bus no 109, 214, 222, 280, 624, 643, 72 to Minquan-Songjiang Intersection stop - Miniatures Museum Of Taiwan

Taipei Metro Station > Nanjing East Road Station > Take Bus BR10 to Zhongshan Girls' High School

Yi Zhong Shopping District Taipei HSR Station > Taichung HSR Station > In front of Taichung Station Square > Board United Bus () 61/73/83 (4th Bus Stop) OR Taichung Bus () 88 (4th Bus Stop) > Drop off at National Taichung Institute Of Technology

Website: http://hk.geocities.com/jerrypig1/sothink/default.htm Formosa Fun Coast Guandu Metro Station > Exit 1 > Take Red 22 or 13 to Formosa Fun Coast

Website: http://www.fww.com.tw/html/infor/02.htm Hell Valley

Beitou Metro Station > Take Bus Red 21 & will reach Hell Valley

Room 18

Taipei City Hall

Map: http://tw.lifestyle.yahoo.com/biz.html?bizid=ea01a9defae7eaa9 CKS Memorial Hall 15

Page 16 of 34 Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station > Exit 5 Luxy (Clubbing)

Zhongxiao Dunhua Station > Exit 1/2

Map: http://tw.lifestyle.yahoo.com/biz.html?bizid=d7cbc0cf9426ab1f Dahu Wineland Resort (Strawberry Season: December - April)

Take railway train at Taipei Railway Station to Miaoli > In front of the train station > Take Hsinchu Bus to Dahu > As the bus approaches Dahu, tell the driver that you wish to alight at Dahu Farm & Winery Website: http://www.dahufarm.org.tw Jingming 1st Street Board Taichung City Bus 27 (There are other buses) from Taichung Bus Station to Jingming 1st Street (). Alight at Jhongming Primary School stop () along / & walk to the next street. A prominent landmark nearby is Evergreen Laurel Hotel. Bus Fare: NT20. Travel Time: About 15mins. The cab fare is about NT120

Hualien Farglory Ocean Park

Take railway train at Taipei Railway Station to Hualien. Fare: NT287 - NT445. Travel Time: About 2.5hrs~3hrs (Depending on type of train) > Take Taitung direction, Seaside route to Hualien Farglory Ocean Park. Travel Time: About 30~40mins Martyrs Shrine Yuanshan Station > Exit 1 > Cross road to Soccer Stadium side > Walk to ZhongShan North Rd Sec 3 to take buses Red 2, 21, 208, 247 or 287. OR Take buses 247 & 287 from Bo Ai Rd (Ximen Station Exit 3) OR from Hengyang Rd (Ximen Station Exit 4)

Tomita Farm Take TRA train from Miaoli Station to Taoyuan Station . Fare: NT90 NT191. Travel Time: 62 - 87mins (Depending on type of train). Exit Taoyuan Railway Station & use the underpass next to FE21 Dept. Store to go to Taoyuan Bus Station located some 250m away at rear of the railway station . Board a bus heading to Dasi . Fare: NT42. Travel Time: About 45mins

Fengjia Night Market

From Taipei > Taichung

By Express Buses:

16

Page 17 of 34 Kuo-Kuang Highway Bus West Terminal . Fare: NT$245 (to "Chaoma" stop) Travel Time: About 2hrs Alight at "Chaoma" () stop which is nearer to Fengjia night market than Taichung Railway Station (Bus Terminal Stop). From there take a cab to Fengjia Night market. Cab fare: About NT100 By Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR):

From Taipei HSR Station to Taichung HSR Station (in Wurih outskirts of Taichung city). Fare NT560~NT700 (Standard class) NT800~NT1000 (Business class). Fares vary depending travel on Mon~Thurs or Fri~Sun /holidays/eve of public holidays. Travel Time: About 50~60mins. Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR): http://www.thsrc.com.tw Did a search on the internet & it shows the following information:

Taichung HSR Station > Board United Bus () 85 " to Central Taiwan University of Science & Technology " route > Alight at stop no. 14 -- ( ) stop > Board Renyou () Bus 22 at ( 612) bus stop to Fengjia Night Market. By Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) trains:

Taipei HSR Station to Taichung HSR Station (in downtown). Fare: NT241~NT375. Travel Time: About 1hr 49mins~2hrs 58mins (depending on type of train). Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA): http://new.twtraffic.com.tw/TWRail_EN/index.aspx TRA train ticket prices: http://service.tra.gov.tw/tw/ticketprice/excel.aspx

Taichung HSR Station > Fengjia Night Market

Take Taichung Bus 33, 35 Fare: NT23. Travel Time: About 30mins Renyou Bus 22, 25, 37 or 45 Fare: NT26. Travel Time: About 30mins Public bus services in Taichung City & Outskirts: http://english.tccg.gov.tw/living.php? page=living_day&pid=102 Taichung City Bus: http://citybus.tccg.gov.tw Jingming 1st Street: http://www.jingming1st.com.tw Yehliu (NT$50)

From Taipei - Yehliu

Board a Kuo Kuang bus from Taipei Intercity Bus Terminal Counter 19 (Next to Taipei Main Station) to Yehliu -- "Chin Shan Youth Activity Centre" route, a distance of about 54km. Fare: NT102. Travel Time: About 1hr 20mins. 17

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From Yehliu > Keelung

Walk to where you alighted previously & cross the road to the bus stop outside a convenience store. Board a Keelung or Danshui bus to Keelung Railway Station, a distance of about 14km. Fare: NT45. Travel Time: About 40~50mins.

From Keelung > Jiufen

From the staggered bus stop in front of Keelung Railway Station board a Keelung bus to Jiufen a distance of about 14km (passing by Rueifang Railway Station). The bus has LED sign display "Jinguashih" in English / Chinese without a service number. Fare: NT45 (To Jiufen). Travel Time: About 40mins. Note: There is no direct bus from Yehliu to Jinguashih or Jiufen. Lavender Forest Taichung Railway Station > Board Fongyuan bus displaying either -- -- or ---- at Fongyuan bus station in front of Taichung Railway Station. Alight at stop. From there, take a short cab ride to Lavender Cottage at Shin-she () 20 . Total travel time: About 1hr.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery From Kaohsiung Railway Station OR Taipei Railway Station > Jioucyutang Train Station > To get to the bus stop, walk towards the right as you leave the train station & walk down to the underground passageway which leads to the back of the train station. On reaching the other end of the passageway, cross the road to the bus stop which is located slightly to the right. Any bus that passes through the road will take you to Fo Guang Shan. (Fare: NT30)

Map: http://www.fgs.org.tw//english//organization/transportation/Chiuqutangmap.htm Alishan

Board a HSR train from Taipei HSR Station (Taipei Main Station) to Chiayi HSR Station. Fare: NT860 (Standard class). NT1160 (Business class). Travel Time: About 1.5hrs Taiwan High Speed Rail: http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/index.htm

From Chiayi HSR Station > Chiayi TRA Station (In Downtown Chiayi) Shuttle buses link Chiayi HSR Station (In Taibao City ) & Chiayi TRA Station in downtown Chiayi. Fare: NT45. Travel Time: 30mins.

Shuttle Bus: http://www.thsrc.com.tw/download/tw/file/busroute_080125_cha.pdf Chiayi Bus: http://www.cibus.com.tw/brttime.htm From Chiayi TRA Station > Alishan

Uphill By Bus: Buses depart Chiayi Bus Station (Right side of Chiayi Railway Station) at 0610, 0810, 1210 & 1410hrs for Alishan. Fare: NT214. Travel Time: About 2.5hrs. There is an 18

Page 19 of 34 extra bus at 1010hrs on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays and makes a stop at Fenchihu before proceeding to Alishan. Chiayi Bus: http://citybus.cyhg.gov.tw/linemap/b24.htm

Uphill By Forest Rail Trains: Weekdays The only train departs Chiayi Railway Station at 1330hrs for Alishan Station. Saturdays & Sundays Trains depart Chiayi Railway Station at 0900hrs & 1330hrs for Alishan Station. Fare: NT399 (One-Way). Travel Time: About 3.5hrs. Forest Rail Timetable: http://railway.forest.gov.tw/ContentView.aspx?Type=50 Forest Rail Fares: http://railway.forest.gov.tw/ContentView.aspx?Type=53 Alternative: From Taipei > Alishan (By Direct Bus)

Board Kuo Kuang bus from Taipei West Bus Station direct to Alishan. Fare: NT620 (OneWay). NT1120 (Return). Travel Time: About 6hrs 10mins Depart Taipei to Alishan every Fridays & Saturdays only at 2015 & 2045hrs. Depart Alishan to Taipei every Sundays only at 1130 & 1230hrs. Ching Jing Farm From Taipei > Puli

Either by Fong Long (Green Transit) or Kuo Kuang buses:

Fong Long (Green Transit) buses depart from No. 274 Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 3 (Near Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station (Exit 2). Please refer to website for bus departure schedule. The small office to buy bus tickets is located next to OK Mart Convenient Store. Fare: NT400 (One-way)/NT700 (Return). Travel Time: About 4hrs (One-way). Bus Service Hours: 06002200hrs. Fong Long (Green Transit) Bus: http://59.120.204.246/fl_web/system/index.php

Kuo Kuang buses depart Taipei West Bus Station (Near Taipei Main Station) at every hour on the hour from 0600-2100hrs. Fare: NT400 (One-way)/NT720 (Return). Travel Time: About 4hrs (One-way) Kuo Kuang Bus: http://www.kingbus.com.tw Map of Taipei Main Station & Taipei West Bus Station: http://home.trtc.com.tw/INFO92/Lmap.asp?SID=051 From Puli > Chingjing Farm (Final destination Sung-Gang or Tsuei-Fong )

Nantou buses depart Puli at 0600, 0710, 0835, 1020, 1400 & 1635hrs for Chingjing Farm (Via Wu-She ). The final destination signs on the buses indicate heading to SungGang or Tsuei-Fong. Fare to Chingjing Farm: NT106. Travel Time: About 60mins Nantou Bus : http://www.ntbus.com.tw/5-21.htm Taoyuan Bus : http://www.tybus.com.tw/asp/Line.asp?sel=0039 19

Page 20 of 34 Tomita Farm Website: http://www.tomita.com.tw Minsu or Homestay Website: http://www.minsu.com.tw/ Kaohsiung Main Station Location Map: http://www.krtco.com.tw/service/service1.aspx Kaohsiung City Tourism Map : http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/lan/Cht/map/ShowMap.asp?pic=011251_ksmap.jpg Taipei Metro Route Map: http://www.trtc.com.tw/img/all/ebig.jpg

If going to Yehliu () - NT50/Jiufen ()/Gold Waterfall () - NT188/ Golden Falls ( )/Gold Ecological Park ()/Cyuanji Temple ()/Keelung Night Market ( )/Sky Lantern ( )/Sunflower Farm ( )/Tashee Blooming Oasis ( )/Leofoo ()/Jinguashi (), can contact:

Mr. Meeky Yang Cell Phone: +8869-2191-5586 3-4 pax: NT3000 5 pax: NT3500 6 pax: NT4000 Toyota Wish Taxi No: 311-YL Email: meeky589@yahoo.com.tw OR meeky-yang@hotmail.com Mr. Xu (Meeky's friend) Cell Phone: +8869-3392-0845

If going to Hualien () - CingShui Cliff ()/Taroko Gorge ()/Baiyang Trail ( ) - Waterfall Cave (), can contact:

Mr. Looi Lai Fu Cell Phone: +8869-2856-9081 Small car: NT2200 Big car: NT2500 Taxi No for small car: 827-XQ

(Take Taroko Tilting Train to Hualien and Mr. Lu will meet us there. To buy 2 ways train ticket which is 0710hrs or earlier as it'll take 2.5~3hrs journey, book 1~2days in advance or on the day you arrive. Ticket for both ways cost NT802) OR Mr. Lee Cell Phone: +8869-2198-4678 / +8869-2198-4658 7 Seaters: NT1000/person 20

Page 21 of 34 (Take note of the lunch time as he dont take note or remind you. Call him to inform which hotel you stay and hell make arrangement) For airport transfers, can contact:

Mr. Chen Cell Phone:+8869-5839-6838 Pick from airport to hotel: NT600 Email: jazzlife1022@yahoo.com.tw

If going to Taichung (Sun Moon Lake, Fengjia Night Market, Puli Winery), can contact: Mr. Cell Phone: +8869-3350-2799 NT3000 for 3 people

How To Book Online Train Ticket To Hualien? Is it really necessary to book tickets? If youre planning to go to Hualien on a Fri, Sat or Sun, its advisable to book & secure your train tickets in advance. For travel on other days, its still good to book as it will give you peace of mind. However, if you prefer flexibility in your schedule, you may choose to buy your tickets directly from the train station. Booking, payment & collection Train tickets can only be booked two weeks in advance. If you pay by credit card, you can collect the tickets on the day of departure itself, at least 30mins before the train departs. If you pay cash, you must collect the tickets within two days of booking (which means you cant secure your tickets early). Note that the day of booking is considered the first day, so effectively youll need to collect your tickets the next day if you want to pay cash! Here are the steps for booking & payment: 1. Check out the train schedule to determine the train number you want to take. http://163.29.3.96/TWRail_EN/index.aspx

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2. Select Taipei as your origin & Hualien as your destination & select the date of your trip. You can leave Train Types as Express. Click Query & the schedule will load.

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Page 23 of 34 3. If youre touring with Mr. Lu Lai Fu, he usually recommends his customers to book train #1091, departing Taipei at 8am & reaching Hualien at 10.08am. This is a Taroko Express train, which is faster & can be identified by the green mountain logo. Dont worry that the Origin-Dest column doesnt state Taipei To Hualien. This simply means that Taipei is not the first station & Hualien is not the terminal station for that train; they are just two of the stops along the line.

4. Repeat steps 1 & 2 to check the train schedule for the return journey from Hualien to Taipei. Mr. Lu recommended me to book train #1096, departing Hualien at 7.30pm & reaching Taipei at 9.45pm. Again, this is a Taroko Express.

5. Book your train tickets. Take note that this website is open for bookings only from 6am 10pm daily. http://railway.hinet.net/net_eng.htm

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Page 24 of 34 6. Click on Order Tickets Using Train No. & fill in your particulars at the next screen. If youre a Singaporean like me, fill in your entire passport number including letters of the alphabet. Click on Start To Order. Train Code as 1091

7. Youll be prompted for a random numbers check. Warning, this check seems to be problematic & you may need to enter the code several times before its accepted, even if youve keyed in the correct code. Keep trying!

8. After clearing the numbers check, note down the 6-digit booking code given to you. It will be stated that you need to collect the tickets within two days of booking, but you can disregard this timeline if youre paying by credit card.

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9. Repeat steps 5 to 7 to book your tickets for the return trip from Hualien to Taipei. Again, note down the 6-digit booking code. You should have two different booking codes now.

10. Make payment by credit card. Payment is available only from 6am - 11pm daily. As the payment website is in Chinese, you will not be automatically redirected to it after booking from the English website. Just follow this link: https://ticket.chinatrust.com.tw/railway/index.php 25

Page 26 of 34 Check the box to accept the terms & click on the button to start making payment.

11. Fill in the form accordingly. Select the options for (foreigners check here) & (return tickets) if you are paying for a return trip (you will get a 10% discount). At the time of my trip, a ticket costs NT$445 & return tickets cost NT$802. Also input the two sets of booking codes you got earlier. Submit.

12. Verify your trip details. For adults, under , input the number of tickets you are paying for. Submit. 26

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13. Enter your credit card details. Submit. After payment is confirmed, you will be asked to print out the collection slip. Remember to fill up this slip & bring it to the counter to collect your tickets. Tickets must be collected at least 30 minutes before the respective trains depart.

15. If you want to make sure that your payment has been accepted, click on (check payment records) on the left.

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Alternatively, you can also return to the English booking website to check. Click on Inquire booking records. http://railway.hinet.net/net_eng.htm

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Page 29 of 34 If payment has been made, you should see a message along the line of Fare paid over the internet. Repeat the process to verify the payment record for your return trip. Thats all. Trust that this step-by-step guide makes booking your train tickets an easy thing to do. Weather Forecast - http://www.cwb.gov.tw/ Taiwan Railway Administration - http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx (To book online from 6am - 9pm) Highly Recommended Dish Shihlin Night Market () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Raohe Night Market () , , , , , , . Huaxi Night Market () , , , , , , , , Shida Night Market () , , , , , Linjiang St. Tourist Night Market () , , , , , , , , , , , Gong Guan St. Tourist Night Market () , , , Jingmei St. Tourist Night Market () , , , , Danshui Old Street () , (), (), , () , (), , , , , Night Markets Website: http://www.i-city.com.tw

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Universal Traveler Adaptor If you need any maps or brochures, you can go down personally or send them a return envelope with your address & $1 stamp for them to mail to you. Taiwan Visitors Association (Singapore office) 5 Shenton Way, UIC Building, #31-11, Singapore 068808 Office Hours: 0900~1230 / 1330~1700 (Mon~Fri) Tel: +65-6223-6546/7 Fax: +65-6225-4616 E-mail address: tbrocsin@singnet.com.sg

Tips & Informations Travelling In Taiwan Always keep to your right while taking the escalator especially taking Taipei Metro Always Q-up while boarding their MRT Tips to the porters or anyone is not necessary Never ask for a discount if you are not interested in buying that item Just say "No" to any taxi drivers if you are not taking cabs Always ask for the taxi fare before boarding (Some might charge by per trip) Don't act smart (Taiwanese also know English, if possible speak mandarin) Never make fun of Mr. Sun Yat Sun, Mr. Chiang Kai Shek & Mr. Chiang Ching Kuo Never comment on their polities A simple rejection to all porters around airport/ train stations Always keep some small notes or coins (They come useful during your night market tour) If you are dining in fast food restaurant, please clear your own table before you leave Plastic bags are not free. Either you bought it or you bring your own Beware of pickpockets when touring night markets Taiwan usage of voltage is 110v (Need to buy 2pin plug) Water in Taiwan is not purified (If there a need, boil it first or drink from water dispenser) Eating & drinking are strictly not allowed on Taipei Metro

The Prohibitions & Matters For Attention When Using The Hot Spring. 30

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Bathers should thoroughly wash their body before entering the bath(s). Persons with infectious diseases should not enter the bath(s). Persons suffering from chronic disease such as heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, diabetes & other obstructions of the circulatory system should enter the baths in accordance with a doctor's instructions. Persons with dry or hypersensitive skin should avoid hot-spring bathing. Women who are menstruating should not enter the bath(s). It is inadvisable to enter the bath(s) when intoxicated, with an empty stomach, or after a filling meal. Do not take any pet into the bath(s). It is inadvisable to be immersed in the hot spring for more than 15 minutes at a time. It is inadvisable to be immersed in the hot spring above the heart. It is inadvisable to enter a sauna directly after taking a hot spring bath, to avoid causing damage to the corneas. It is inadvisable for pregnant women & elderly persons who have difficulty moving & children under the age of three to enter the bath(s). Persons who are elderly or in poor health should avoid entering the bath(s) alone to avoid accident. After a long-distance hike, excessive fatigue or strenuous exercise, it is advisable to rest awhile before entering the bath(s), to avoid cerebral anemia or heat shock. Anyone suffering any discomfort while bathing should immediately leave the bath & inform the service personnel. Other matters as stipulated by the city or county (metropolitan) authority with due jurisdiction.

Taiwan Festivals & Public Holidays January 1st Jan - New Year's Day / Foundation Day (Public holiday) - Beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and Marks the founding of the Republic of China in 1911. Schools and offices are rest and many of them remaining closed on 2nd and 3rd Jan. January / February 1st-3rd Jan (Lunar) Chinese New Year (Public holiday) - Start of a Chinese year, most important festival in Taiwan. Celebration with family, gatherings, exchange hongbao (lucky money in small envelopes). 6th Jan (Lunar) Qingshui Zushi's birthday - Commemorates the quasi-historic figure from Fujian, revered for his wisdom and munificence. Main ceremonies at Zushih Temple in Sansia, outside Taipei, including the ritual slaying of "God Pigs". 9th Jan (Lunar) Jade Emperor's Birthday - Pays tribute to the chief Taoist deity, the head of celestial government thought to mirror that of Imperial China. Main ceremonies at temples in Dasi, Taichung and Tainan. 31

Page 32 of 34 15 Jan (Lunar) Lantern Festival - End of Chinese New Year festivities. Main activities are the public distribution and display of paper lantern and setting off firework. Launching of paper lantern into the sky was performed in some of the cities, but most famously in Pingsi. February 28 Feb Peace Memorial Day (Public holiday) - Known as "228 Memorial Day", it commemorates the 228 incident, in which massive public protests which started on February 28, 1947 sparked a military crackdown that claimed at least 28,000 lives and ushered in forty years of martial law February / March 3rd Feb (Lunar) Wenchang Dijun's Birthday - Pays respect to the God of Literature or Culture, revered by students and their parents ahead of exams. Offerings of incense and wishes are written on colorful paper placed in glass jars. March 19 Feb (Lunar) Guanyin's Birthday - The Goddess of mercy's birthday, celebrated at Buddhist temples especially in Taipei Longshan Temple. 29 March Youth Day (Public holiday) - Pays tribute to the more than hundred of Sun Yat Sen's revolutionaries who killed in the failed Canton Uprising against the imperial Qing government in 1911. March / April 3rd March (Lunar) Queen Mother of the West's Birthday - Main festivities in Hualien, honors the highest ranking female deity, often portrayed as the wife of Jade Emperor. April 5th Apr Tomb Sweeping Day (Public holiday) - Anniversary of Chiang Kai Shek's death; "grave cake" are offered and paper money is burnt. 15 March (Lunar) Baosheng Dadi's Birthday - The "great Emperor who preserves life". Main celebration is held in north Tainan. April / May Bunun Ear-shooting Festival - Most important celebration of the Bunnun tribe, traditionally a test of archery skills to mark the coming of age of the tribe's males. Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage - The eight-day, seven-night pilgrimage comprises one of the world's biggest religious festivals, with worshippers parading a caravan containing one of the island's most revered Mazu deities around a circuit before returning it to its mother temple in Dajia. 23 March (Lunar) Mazu's Birthday - The other most important folk festivals in Taiwan, celebrating the birthday of Mazu, Godness of the Sea, the island's most popular folk deity. Mazu deities are returned to their "mother temples"on this day to be blessed and increase their spiritual powers. The liveliest celebrations are held at Dajia's Jhenlan Temple, Beigan's Chaotian Temple and Lugang's Tianhou Temple. 32

Page 33 of 34 1st May Labour Day (Public holiday) - Celebrates workers' rights and the eight-hour workday in line with international convention. Donggang Bluefin Tuna Festival - Taiwanese flock to this fishing town to feast on fresh Pacific Bluefin Tuna, revered by the Japanese. December Puyuma Ear-shooting Festival - Celebration of the Puyuma tribe, traditionally a test of archery skills. Rituals held near Jhihben, to the south of Taitung. Tsou Fona Festival - Celebration of the fona Tsou language for the hyacinth bean, symbol of the longevity of the Tsou nation. Festivals include a modified Tsou wedding ceremony which takes place at the 47.5 KM marker of Highway 18. 2009 Holidays Chinese New Year Lantern Festival Tomb Sweeping Day Dragon Festival Ghost Festival Mid-Autumn Festival Double Ninth Day Seasons The season for Sunflower is from early Summer - Autumn (May ~ Oct). Sunflower farms can be found in many areas in Taiwan. Sun & Green is the biggest sunflower theme farm of Northern Taiwan. The farm is open all year round from 0900 - 1800hrs. No admission charge. Sun & Green Taipei Main Station > Jhongli & transfer to the Guanyin-bound Taoyuan Bus. Get off at the TECO Electric stop & take a taxi to the farm.

Lunar Calendar Jan.1 Jan.15 Mar.9 May. 5 Jul.15 Aug.15 Sep.9

Solar Calendar Jan.26 Feb.9 Apr.4 May.28 Sep.3 Oct.3 Oct.26

Website: http://emmm.tw/L3_content.php?L3_id=161 The season for Lavender is generally from early Summer - late Summer (May ~ July) depending on the variety. Best time to see it all in bloom is June. Similarly, lavender farms can be found in many areas in Taiwan including Ta-Shee Blooming Oasis, Tomita Farm, in Taoyuan County, Shin-She Summit Resort in Taichung County, Cingjing Farm in Nantou County. Some rare varieties of lavenders flower in the winter. The season for Cherry Blossom, Azalea, and Camellia etc is generally from December through May. Best time to visit Yang Ming Shan is spring where flowers including White Calla Lilies. Yang Ming Shan National Park holds a flower season every spring. The season for Strawberry Picking is generally from January - February though strawberries are also available before or after this period. The season for Snow @ Mount Hehuan is generally during Winter (February March), when the chill wind whistles over the whitened peaks & flying snowflakes fill the air. Rare 33

Page 34 of 34 periods of sunshine turn the frosty stands of arrow bamboo into a sea of sparkling crystals & visitors who come to see the snow or even ski in it add a bit of bustle to this natural winter wonderland. When you visit Mt. Hehuan you can also take the opportunity to add Wushe & other nearby scenic spots to your itinerary. Wushe, at an elevation of 1,150m, is inhabited largely by members of the Atayal aborigine tribe. It has the reputation of a "cherry blossom capital," & the cherry blossoms that fill the area in January & February provide scenes of extraordinary beauty. As in any high mountainous areas, there are often drastic climatic changes with persistent low temperatures & vast temperature gradients between daytime & night times. For mountain climbers in winter, it is best to equip oneself with mountain boots, warm & rainproof clothing & gears for snowy terrains, such as snow sticks, crampons & iceaxes, to make the trip safe & risk-free. One should also be prepared to walk on muddy paths for about 2 ~ 3km & at certain places, the snowy slope can be quite slippery & wet as well.

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