Archive for the ‘Taiwan’ Category

Hualien City

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Hualien City (花蓮市) is the capital of the Hualien Country, Taiwan. It’s situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range. Hualien City is considered a popular and pleasant travel destination in Taiwan. As of latest measurement Hualien City has a population of 110 thousand people.

Hualien is an easy reach by train and plane from Taipei, especially with it’s own Hualien Airport. Here domestic airlines connect Hualien with all major Taiwanese cities. The city center is small and easy to explore on foot, although some travelers may prefer to rent scooters for about NT$400 ($12 us) a day. Further more does Hualien not have an extensive public transport system, so for trips outside city center it’s recommended making use of the taxi service. Some local Hualien sightseeing include the Chishingtarn Coast Scenic Area, North Shore Park (Bei Bin Park), Hualien Fish Market, Museum of Sculpture, Mei Lun Mountain Park and of course the Tzu Chiang Night Market.

Thousands of travelers each year visit this popular Taiwanese travel destination in order to enjoy the views, scenery and fresh air as well the opportunity to visit the famous Taroko Gorge which is located just a few miles north of the city. For more information please visit the Visitor Information Center for the Hualien area which is located in front of Hualien Station on the right hand side after entrance.

Regulations for visas to Taiwan, Hualien change frequently so it is best to consult Taiwanese embassies for the latest updates. For Americans, no visa is required for stays of up to thirty days. You must present proof that you are planning return or further travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

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Hsinchu City

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Hsinchu City (新竹市) also known as “The Windy City” is a city in the north of Taiwan, which is bordered by Hsinchu Country in the north, Miaoli Country in the south and Taiwan Strait to the west. The city is spread over 3 districts including Xiangshan District, North and East District. As of latest measurement Hsinchu City has a population of 420 thousand people.

With a known history of almost 400 years, Hsinchu is the oldest city in the north of Taiwan. Originally it was inhabited by the tribe Taokas who named the city Chuchang, the present name Hsinchu has been effected since the late 19th century. Nowadays the city is base for high technology industry, it houses over 350 high tech companies like Philips and TSMC, yet it’s also a cultural and historical travel destination with much sightseeing and additional attractions.

Getting around the city is easy, walking or public bus are the most common options together with taxi’s. The bus brings you pretty much within walking distance of any major sightseeing. Travel around and experience the following sightseeing’s; Eighteen Peaks Mountain, Hsinchu Botanical Garden, Green Grass Lake, Hsinchu Zoo, East Gate and the City God Temple. After a long day of traveling, seeing and experiencing Hsinchu City sit down in one of the many local restaurants serving Taiwanese specialty such as Hsinchu Style Ba wan, rice noodles and pork meatballs.

Regulations for visas to Taiwan can change frequently so it is best to consult Taiwanese embassies for the latest updates. For Americans, no visa is required for stays of up to thirty days. You must present proof that you are planning return or further travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

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Taipei

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

The capital city, Taipei, is located north of Taiwan. The mountainous island of Taiwan is quite large, spanning three major climatic zones. Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, is known for its unique combination of business vibe and leisurely beauty. Taipei city itself boasts a population of almost three million but Greater Taipei is populated by about double the city’s population.

The people of Taipei are fighters. They did not settle for the poor quality of life that used to describe the city despite its wealth. The people of Taipei had made demands that led to the improvement of their formerly squalid environs. Though the basic vibe of the city remains as can be seen from night markets, painted umbrellas, and snake soup, the overall effect is more organized. You will now experience the benefits of both a rich culture and a welcoming, dynamic environment. This will make you feel right at home in Taipei without missing out on the exotic. Moving about the city is now comfortable but still immensely exciting.

You can go in and out of Taipei through the Taipei Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (now known as the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport). While inside the city, you can make use of the high-speed railway system or of the bus transport system. Buses are available right at the airport. Once inside the city, be careful of your belongings as you would in any place. However, Taipei is a fairly safe place for both locals and tourists. Still, if you do run into some trouble, you can call the Office of Foreign Affairs, where you can speak with an English-speaking officer. Taipei is a great place to visit at any time of the year as long as you avoid the typhoon season. The city’s climate is semi-tropical.

Regulations for visas to Taiwan can be changed so it is best to consult Taiwanese embassies for the latest updates. For Americans, no visa is required for stays of up to thirty days. You must present proof that you are planning return or further travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.

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