Highlight Photos
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Lungshan Temple entrance, Taipei -
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taipei -
Dihua Street Visitor Center balloons -
Taipei 101, Taiwan view -
Raohe Night Market, Taipei dumplings -
Xucuogang Wetland -
Pickled eggs -
Taiwan Bamboo Partridge in Daxueshan -
Swinhoe Pheasant, Daxueshan -
Mikado Pheasant, Daxueshan -
White-whiskered Laughingthrush Daxueshan -
Taiwan Red-and-white Flying Squirrel -
Lanyu shore -
Buried house in Lanyu -
Trail through cave, Lanyu -
Tatara boats, Lanyu -
Night market food, Lanyu -
Lanyu beautiful shore -
Ring road, Lanyu -
Kenting Beach -
Fairy Cave, Kenting -
Banyan forest, Kenting NF -
Kenting Night Market pancakes -
Dragon and Tiger pagoda, Kaohsiung -
Tainan Confucius Temple -
Temple ceiling, Tainan -
Magistrate Residence, Tainan -
Shennong Street, Tainan -
Anping Fort wall -
Anping Fort cannons -
Anping Tree House, Tainan -
Eryanping Tea Trail -
Dongpu Prairie Trail stairs -
Yellow-throated Marten passing by -
Beautiful Taiwan Vivid Niltava -
Alishan Forest train tracks -
Ancient tree trunk -
Fenqihu Shinto Shrine ruin -
Yuantan Ecological Park waterfall -
Bridge in Yuantan Ecological Park -
Fairy Pitta a Taiwan specialty -
Looking for Pittas -
Xitou hanging bridge -
Spooky forest in Xitou -
Taiwan Barwing in Xitou -
Path intersection Xitou -
Ginkgo Bridge in Xitou -
Taiwan Liocichla in Xitou -
Sun Moon Lake View
Highlights Map
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After India last year we are exploring Asia again this year with Taiwan being our target. We had roughly planned the trip for 2020 and then just as we wanted to finish the details Covid came and no more foreign travel. So this time we can draw on our knowledge and info from last time and create an itinerary that focuses on our interests, nature, history and food. Also we try to alternate between the already hot lowlands and the cooler mountains and even plan a day on an offshore island, Lanyu.
Overall we really enjoy the trip especially the nature part, with more birds and mammals seen than we expected including endemics. Lanyu is also quite special with a different vibe than the mainland and interesting culture. The cities are quite safe and nice also with the night markets and the local food being a major draw for most of them. Also we really like the people, they are friendly without being overbearing and quite helpful with any questions.
To learn more click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and follow our visit to Taiwan or Formosa, the beautiful island, as named by the Portuguese.
- Arriving in Taiwan at a special hotel
Like every trip to Asia our trip to Taiwan starts with a long flight to Taipei where we stay in a luxury hotel enjoying the private lounge and great views - Beautiful Lungshan Temple and area
Our first stop is the impressive historical Lungshan Temple and the surrounding area full of shops and restaurants including a Michelin rated one - Looking for birds in the Wild Duck Natural Park
Our first birding stop of our trip is the Wild Duck Nature Park with multiple interesting birds including our first Taiwan Barbet - Da’an Park, a busy city park
We start the afternoon part of our Taipei visit with Da’an park a major local park where we are planing to look for some rare local birds - The impressive Liberty Square
We end the day exploring the immense Liberty Square and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before walking back to the hotel through multiple parks - The busy Taipei Botanical Garden
We start the day with a visit to the Botanical Garden as we try to escape the heat and find some interesting birds in the busy garden - Lunch on Historic Dihua Street
In the midday heat we visit historic Dihua street and eat some sweet bean ice cream as well as some lunch while peoplewatching and sightseeing - Taipei 101, the highest building in Taiwan
In the evening we visit Taipei 101 at one point the highest building in the world and take the fastest elevator in the world to the fascinating observatory - Raohe night market, our first one
Last stop in Taipei late in the evening is the Raohe Night Market our first night market and a chaotic and tasty experience - Stretching our legs at Xucuogang Wetland
Our first stop outside Taipei is at Xucuogang Wetland where we try and succeed in seeing the rare Chinese Egret as well as many other shorebirds - The dunes of Caota Sand Dunes Geopark
A little known stop the Caota Sand Dunes Geopark is a worthwhile visit with some beautiful dune views and nice trails - A relaxing stop at Jingcheng Lake
The last stop on the coast today is the Jingcheng Lake area with some waterbirds and nice views of the coast - Bunkers and views above Taichung
We approach Taichung via an alternate route that allows us to stop at an old bunker and a special viewpoint of the city before driving into town to our hotel - Exploring Taichung at night
We spend two nights in Taichung eating icecream at one of the famous main street spots but never explore it during the day when we are exploring the mountains - Birding at the lower elevations of Daxueshan
We start our birding day at the lower elevations of Daxueshan finding quite a few endemics including a beautiful Swinhoe Pheasant - Exploring the mid elevations of Daxueshan
After spending some time at the lower elevations it is time to bird at mid elevations for some beautiful endemics before finishing at the top of the road - Finding rare endemic birds at the top of Daxueshan road
We spend a few hours at the top of Daxueshan road find a good mix of high altitude endemics and other rare birds as well as a Muntjac - A stroll through Taichung Park
Before leaving Taichung we visit between two bouts of rain the park that we can see just outside our hotel room observing an unexpected numbers of birds - The huge Buddha of Mt Bagua
Leaving Taichung our first stop is Mount Bagua to see the huge Buddha statue and enjoy a walk in the large complex surrounding it - Can we find Black Spoonbills in Aogu Wetlands?
Last stop today and the major attraction is Aogu Wetlands where we hope to see a couple of lingering Black Spoonbills that overwinter here - Arriving and first steps on Lanyu
Our exotic sidetrip from Taiwan is to Lanyu a small offshore island with a different culture and lots of special birds not found on mainland Taiwan - Exploring Flycatcher Creek from Red Head TH
The major attraction from a birdwatching perspective on Lanyu is the Flycatcher Creek one of the best places to see the beautiful Black Paradise Flycatcher - Short hike to Lover’s Cave
We continue round the island from Flycatcher Creek stopping for a beautiful hike to Lover’s Cave meeting goats and seeing birds and enjoying the nice weather - Jikarahem caves and Tatara boats on the east coast
The last major stop on our scenic first loop of Lanyu are the Jikarahem caves impressive in height if not in length - An afternoon of checking in and snorkeling
In the afternoon we take posession of our rental room before snorkeling at a famous swimming hole with lots of colorful fish - Eating at the Iranmeylek Night Market
In the evening we spend an hour sampling the night market before returning to the accomodation and finding a Lanyu Scops Owl on the way - Magnificent Lanyu Green Grassland Trail
First stop on our last day on Lanyu is Lanyu Green Grassland Trail the only well maintained trail leading to a beautiful viewpoint - Back to the mainland
After a morning of exploration we arrive in the afternoon at the harbor and eat lunch while waiting for the ferry which is surprisingly smooth today - Two nights eating through the Kenting Night Market
While staying in Kenting we make heavy use of the night market both to buy yummy dinner snacks and to buy fruits and additonal snacks for breakfast - The beaches of Kenting
We start the day with a visit to the beaches of Kenting and a short swim in the turbulent ocean while looking for birds and enjoying the weather - Through the caves of Kenting National Forest
We spend the afternoon before the rain exploring the beautiful caves and rock formations of Kenting National Forest Recreation Area - The very windy Longpan Park
We return today to Longpan Park where we rained out yesterday and enjoy the very windy overlook and beautiful views - The surprising Long Luan Lake Nature Center
Last stop in the Kenting area is at Long Luan Lake Nature Center a surprisingly interesting area with few visitors and many birds - The remains of the old walls of Kaohsiung
The first stop in Kaohsiung are the old walls which are reconstructed in various way and the old impressive city gate with some nice views - The colorful Dragon and Tiger pagodas
The major attraction for us in Kaohsiung are the Dragon and Tiger pagodas some very colorful and a bit kitchy pagodas that are quite fun to visit - The bunker of Shoushan Park
The last stop in Kaohsiung is at the top of Shoushan Park where a bunker used to protect the city from invasions - Couple nights at a luxury hotel in Tainan
Returning towards Taipei we spend two nights in Tainan exploring the historical city and walking the expansive downtown area - Stroll to the, under renovations, Chihkan Tower
Today we explore Tainan starting with Chihkan Tower a historical fortress built by the Dutch and later the capital of the island - The surprisingly large Grand Mazu Temple
Right across the road from the Tower is the Grand Mazu Temple an old maze like temple composed from many smaller ones with many deities to pray to - The historical Hayashi Department Store
To escape the heat we visit the Hayashi Department Store and explore the many expensive stores while enjoying the AC - Tainan Confucius Temple, worth to visit
As we explore Tainan we stop to explore one of the few Confucius temples we have seen which is more somber and less decorated than the usual ones - Visiting beautiful temples while exploring Tainan
Betweenn Confucius Temple and the Magistrate Residence we explore the Tainan downtown with beautiful temples and small coffee shops - The imposing Magistrate Residence
Last stop on our stroll through the downtown area is the Magistrate Residence the former center of power of the Japanese occupation - Evening exploration of Shennong Street
After recuperating for a few hours we exit the hotel in the evening to explore famous Shennong Street and to eat dinner at a Michelin rated restaurant - Anping Fort, the former Dutch stronghold
Today we visit Fort Zeelandia renamed to Fort Anping a stronghold for trade and an international business center during the thirty years of Dutch rule - Famous and special Anping Tree House
Last stop in Tainan is the famous Anping Tree House taken over by banyans and the former Tait merchant house both worth visiting if in the area - The worthwhile Jacana Ecological Park
Our first stop after Tainan is at the surprisingly interesting Jacana Ecological Park adding multiple birds to our life list including the Pheasant Tailed Jacana - Eryanping Tea Trail, more difficult than expected
On our way into the mountains we stop to hike the Eryanping Trail a more popular and exhausting trail than we expected with some great views and birds - The fireflies and bentos of Fenqihu
In the evening after a short rest we explore Fenqihu eating one of the famous bento boxes and watching fireflies dance all around us - Hiking Dongpu Prairie Trail
First stop today is Yushan National Park visiting the visitor center and taking a hike on Dongpu Prairie Trail seeing some special birds - A couple hours in the beautiful Alishan forest
Late afternoon we are finally able to visit Alishan forest a magical place after most tourists are gone with old trees and beautiful birds - Beautiful hike around Fenqihu
Before leaving Fenqihu we hike on one of the multitude of trails in the area through bamboo forests and discovering historic sites - Yuantan Ecological Park, a welcome stop
On the way down the mountain we stop at Yuantan for a nice hike to waterfalls and scenic views and also doing some birdwatching - Finding beautiful Fairy Pittas in Huben
One of the birds we really wanted to see is the beautiful Fairy Pitta and the best spot is Huben where we visit and after some searching do find it - Spending our last night near Xitou
Last night outside Taipei is in the mountains near Xitou enjoying cooler weather at an interesting tourist destination - The very popular Xitou Nature Area
Xitou is the last mountain nature area we visit with beautiful views, challenging trails and interesting birds as well as lots of visitors - Sun Moon Lake from Ci’en Pagoda
Our first stop on our Sun Moon Lake tour is the Ci’en Pagoda a relatively new pagoda raised to overlook the famous lake - The frogs of Sun Moon Lake
One of the most famous sights in Sun Moon Lake is the frog statue indicating the level of the lake and a good spot for some nice photos - Last night in Taiwan
Tonight is our last night in Taiwan spent in a Taipei airport hotel after a beautiful trip and before a happily uneventful flight home