Is it the good time to travel there during the Lunar Chinese New Year? I will travel from Taipei to southern city Eg: (Hualian, Tainan, Kenting, Taizhong, Gaoxiong and etc..) What is the weather like? What is the best transport to head South and back North? Is the Taiwan Safe? Any recommendation on Accomodation on the Capital & different citys? I am from Singapore. Thank you to any constribution and suggestion! Merry Christmas.
2006-12-28 14:25:50 · 5 answers · asked by lyoongyin 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Taiwan
Kevin..
I suggest you better dont go during CNY! Before that is fine cos you can go their "Di Hua Street" to buy some goodies but during CNY, the shops etc would be close! No one out at the street..
Anyway, it would be kinda cold about 10-15'C, raining & the cold current might attack lol... You can either take train or bus to other parts of Taiwan! Please do not ever think of taking cab/taxi.. They might cheat your MONEY when they know that you are tourist.. No joke about this! Stay in the hotel ard Xi Men Ding lol.. Budget stay can check out at www.hostelworld.com & find "Taipei Station hostel" or "Happy Family hostel"...
Jacky (Taiwan PR)
2006-12-28 15:50:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jing 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I have lived here for many years and I think it is one of the safest countries I have lived in- except Japan. But, while you'll never get mugged or held up or beat up on the street, theft does occur sometimes. There are many hotels in Taipei. Check the internet. If you are staying in Hsinyi district it'll be very expensive. Zhong Shan north road has some that are ok, as does Lin Sen north road. Travelling around Taiwan is pretty easy, the buses run frequently and the rail system is good. And, barring any accidents, you will be able to take the High Speed Train. When you travel outside of Taipei you should be able to rent a scooter in some towns - Hualien or Taroko - but it will be chilly at that time. You are from Singapore so I imagine you have some Mandarin skills. You'll have no trouble here.
2006-12-29 10:49:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can, extend your stay into the Lantern festival 2 weeks after the New Year. It's excellent time to be there. On West coast, you probably want to go by by bus or train - by now the HSR High Speed railroad should be running (90minutes Taipei to Kaohsiung) but I don't think you're looking to break the the speed records getting places. On the East coast north of Taitung You have the ocean on one side of the road, and mountains on the other. Bus might be the best way.
Weather hardly ever freezes in the mountains; Taipei daytime between 14-22deg (56-70F), and Kaohsiung several degrees warmer.
Taiwan for some reason seems to be the safest country I've ever been in. Number of times I've walked in an alley through a gang of hoods, and they'd just get out of the way...
Recommendations... If you want to spend some money, there's a professional tour of Taiwan, a 5 day round island excursion by Edison for 14,600NT.
http://www.edison.com.tw
Last time there this Dec. I stayed in the KDM hotel. (2 bus stops around the corner, subway across the street, and and the Evergreen airport bus drops you off across the street. The price through Internet was $60/day. BTW, one block away is the main Kwang Hwa computer and electronics market. Oh... and hop on the subway and go to Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world. Also, at the hotel, pick up a free copy of "This Month in Taiwan" magazine for lots of info..... email me if you need more info.
2006-12-29 00:36:06 · answer #3 · answered by luosechi 駱士基 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of Taiwanese families go home for Lunar New Year, the weather should be wet, the best form of transport from North to South would be THSRC-the bullet train, Taiwan is very, very safe, check out the youth hostels on the net, very good value for money, wonderful people, wonderful food and a wonderful country. Happy New Year
2006-12-29 07:26:06 · answer #4 · answered by baiherbo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a good time to travel to Taiwan during Chinese New Year if know people. Join in the fun. Otherwise, it's only a couple days of people celebrating in their own homes and back to work. You'd hardly notice it. For around-the-clock food in case everything is
closed, go for 7-Eleven convenient stores. No sweat.
Travel to south, train, airplane, express line or bus. For the most sight-seeing is train thru the coastal line. You can go to Taipei Main Train Station after New Years to get ticket. Because most people rush to Southern part for holiday, all transportation will be booked already. It's best to travel after 3rd day of New Year Day. Spend a few days in Taipei riding Metro subway for sigh-seeing. Be sure to check for tourist inforomation. This will take up your time for a couple days.
http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/
The weather is cold in Taipei, in the souther warmer for sure.
For the exact temperature.
http://www.weather.com/common/welcomepage/world.html
Taiwan is fairly safe. Do apply common sense though. If you
feel uncomforatble at any time, don't go, don't do and leave quickly.
Accomandation is good in the eastern district near Taipei 101
in Grand Hyatt in the new and world-class financial district -
the best shopping, movie theatre and Eslite Bookstore (multi-level). Or for budget travel near Taipei Main Station, the youth hostel is probably the best. It's clean and you can meet new people.
Check out this site. Has sufficient info for your purpose.
http://www.taipei-house.idv.tw/English/taiwaninfo_e.htm
Have fun!
2006-12-29 01:34:30 · answer #5 · answered by Cappuccino 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋