Where should I visit in Taiwan?

Question

Am going to Taipei for about 8 days. Thinking of visiting Ai Li Shan or Sun Moon Lake, which is better? Are there any nice places in Taipei to go for hot springs.

Answer 1

you can go sun moon lake 1st den go Ah Li shan.. ah li shan real nice & i think worth going.. you can just visit any hot spring near New Bei tou Mrt..

Answer 2

Depending on the season, Sun Moon Lake holds very little appeal for many people. The only think you have to think about with Ali Shan is the traffic. The views are spectacular. As for hot springs in Taipei, there are SO MANY that it would be impossible to know which one is best. It might be better to just ask around when you're here. Many of us foreigners love to hit the hot springs on our days off.There are also great tourist maps of Taipei. They will show you the different kinds of shopping districts, hot spring areas, night markets, food, etc... Don't forget to check out the WTC here. It's pretty cool.

Answer 3

a good itenerary is arrive in taipei- stay near XinBeiTou station at a hot spring hotel there, thats where most of the hotsprings are, but they are all hotels, some of them have amazing decor inside and others you can actually get up on the roof and look at stars but you would have to ask. Then either rent a car or take a train to Sun Moon. Its alright, nice looking but no particularily good hikes there, but there are short easy ones which are Ok, and some so-so boat rides. Good scenery- a nice escape from the city. A big temple does exist there which is worth seeing.

If you have a car you could go around and try and track down a camp site that rents canoes and watch the sunset on the lake.

Then head to AliShan through the scenic mountain roads on the way. Its worth seeing if you have time!
When you get to AliShan you will likely check into a hotel and the whole place will come alive at 4:30 Am as everyone takes the train to the top and watches the sunset. Its beautiful but I could personally have done without the commentary from tour guides over their loudspeakers blabbing on about how great it is and boring facts about the train system in chinese and taiwanese. --Thats why plaques exist.

Alishan is quite good despite the tour guides. Nice scenery and its a great escape from the hot humid lowlands. bring a sweater.

I enjoyed wandering around Kenting national park in the south as well. The limestone caves and rock formations are quite interesting, and some good scenery to be had. The town itself has interesting set up of restaurants and some overdeveloped beaches.

If time/budget permits check out Green island or the Pescadores island group (Penghu) -those are also worth seeing!

some good sites to visit:

hotspring info:
http://www.asia-planet.net/taiwan/h-springs.htm

good general info on specific regions -restaurants/pubs and other things to do inside: (bilingual)
http://www.taiwanfun.com/

check the lonely planet site for more questions/answers:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=19&iCountryId=89

for some other info and reviews check:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Taiwan/TravelGuide-Taiwan.html

(blatent self-promotion) check out the Taichung section there for my minor comments/reviews. LOL.

Answer 4

Personally I would go to Ali-Shan and Tarorko Gorge (Hualien).

Sun Moon lake is a bit of a let down - you get there, it's pretty, you leave.

If you want to go to Ali-Shan, take the traditional train up, it's fantastic (no - I'm not a train spotter). You can notice 4 distinct types of landscape on your way up - starting with rice fields and plantations, moving into tropical forests, bamboo forests and eventually European style forests with giant trees at the top!

The most spectacular views of Taiwan are to be seen at Taroko Gorge! If you're coming to Taiwan, do whatever it takes to see it!

Answer 5

You have enough time to visit Both places . Both are known for their scenic beauty. You can take a guided tour of SML and Pali One Day tour Starting in Taichung.
http://www.taiwantourbus.com.tw/english/tour_detail.php?uid=133
After you return from the tour , move onto Chiayi, spend the night there and take a train or bus to Alishan. Spend the night there , see the sunsrise(Spectacular) and head back to Chiayi. then take a train to Taipei
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-TW&u=http://www.alishan.net.tw/kaofeng/kf-3_e.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAlishan%2BBus%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Recommended Hot Springs in Peitou:
Spring City Resort: Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
http://www.springresort.com.tw

Asia Pacific Resort: Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
http://www.apresort.com.tw

Spa Spring Resort: Tel: [phone] Fax:[phone]
http://www.spaspringresort.com.tw


Sweetme HotSpring Resort : Tel:[phone] Fax: [phone]
http://sweetme.com.tw

You can go for a couple of hours dip in a Public area or a Private room for a small fee, no need to stay there as the Place is quite boring at night and extremely over priced.

Answer 6

sun moon lake

Answer 7

yes , there is a place named BeiTou(北投) has hot spriings in Taipei

i think you should go Hualian(花蓮)
there is beautiful it's famous for its coomb
so extremely fine craftsmanship and amazing