Northern Taiwan Shines

The northern part of Taiwan includes the cities of Taipei, Keelung, and Hsinchu and the three counties of Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu. If you arrive in Taiwan at CKS International Airport in Taoyuan County, it will take you only about one hour by bus to reach Taipei.

Taipei is not only Taiwan’s capital, but also its political, economical, and cultural center. It is the main northern hub for all major destinations in central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. On the top of the list of tourist attractions in Taiwan is the world-famous National Palace Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese treasures, and Taipei Financial Center (Taipei 101), the most visible landmark of Taipei and the tallest building in the world. Taipei also offers a wide range of choices for shopping, entertainment, and fine dining. Among other must-see in the city are Longshan and Xingtian (Singtian) Temples and the many popular night markets, where you can sample Taiwan’s unique snack foods.

Within a one-hour drive from central Taipei, you can go to the mountainous Yangmingshan National Park to see dormant volcanoes, have a hot spring bath, watch butterflies and birds, and view the many flowers in the area. Close to Yangmingshan is Beitou, known for its sulfur hot springs, which is one of the best places in Taiwan to enjoy a relaxing hot-spring bath.

Just beyond the mountains of Yangmingshan you will come to the northern coast where you can explore bizarre coastal rock formations created by wind and sea, like the famous Queen’s Head Rock of Yeliou and many other sculpted rocks that resemble candles, mushrooms, and beancurds. The coast is like an open-air classroom for geology and biology lessons.

If you head south from Taipei’s city center, it will take you less than one hour by car to reach the aboriginal town of Wulai. Here you can soak in hot springs and marvel at the beautiful scenery. Wulai is home to members of the Atayal aboriginal tribe and visitors can watch regular aboriginal dance shows and sample traditional aboriginal fare to learn about this native tribe of Taiwan.

South of Taipei is Taoyuan County, home of Taiwan’s largest international airport -- CKS International Airport. Taoyuan is also the starting point for the scenic Northern Cross-island Highway, which has as one major attraction the ancient trees of Mt. Lala. This area is especially attractive during peach harvest season from June to August. You can take part in the fruit picking and also taste the authentic Hakka cuisine of the area.

South of Taoyuan is Hsinchu, also known as ‘Windy City’ because of the strong winds that sweep the area all year round. Hsinchu is most famous for its high-tech Hsinchu Science Park and also for its glass art that can be seen at the Glass Art Museum.

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