Cathy's Travel Blog: Taiwan 10-07-2011

My last week in Taiwan, I had many reunions and visited many of my relatives. I also went to the Lin Family Mansion and Garden (林家花園) in Banchiao (板橋), Kuantu Temple ((關渡宮) in Kuantu ((關渡), Meihua Lake (梅花湖) in Yilan (宜蘭), Luodong Forestry Culture Park (羅東林業文化園區) in Yilan ((宜蘭), Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) in Nantou (南投), and Paper Dome (紙教堂) in Nantou (南投).

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden is famous for the stone sculpture, wood carving, brick carving, clay sculpture, and color paintings. My friend and I only spent a few minutes in Lin Family Mansion and Garden because it was a raining day.

Kuantu Temple is the oldest in northern Taiwan Ma Zu Temple for more than 340 years of history. The Temple has many carved stone wall, stone pillars, and stone lions. Unfortunately, it was a typhoon day, we only stayed for a few minutes before we heading to Beitou (北投) for hotsprings.

Soaking in the hot springs in Typhoon day was a wonderful experience! Nice and warm!

Meihua Lake, located in De-an Village of Dongshan Township (冬山鄉), was originally named Dapi (大埤) meaning a great lake. In the 1970s, President Chiang Ching Kuo visited the area, including the lake, and was impressed by its beautiful surroundings including the lake's resemblance to a plum flower with five pedals. Hence he named it "Meihua (plum blossom) Lake".

Meihua Lake occupies a wide expanse of land and is bordered by verdant mountains on 3 sides, featuring outstanding scenery. The total lake surface is about 20 hectares. Circling the lake is a trail allowing visitors to stroll tranquilly around while enjoying the picturesque scenery. Cherry and willow trees are planted along the trail, adding more charm to the lake. A small island sits in the middle of the lake with a suspension bridge connecting it to the circular trail, providing an exquisite view.

Meihua Lake is a popular place for locals and visitors.

Luodong Forestry Culture Park is situated at what was originally the Luodong Train Station and timber basin during the Japanese colonial period. After the lumbering at Taiping Mountain ceased in 1982, the area mostly remained unaltered. In 2004, the Forestry Bureau decided to transform the place into a forestry culture park, intending to renovate it to its past glory in order to manifest the historical status of the Taiping Mountain forestry and the development of the Luodong Township.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan and a traditional spot for newlywed couples to take their honeymoon. Nestled at 760 meters, this lake is famous for its clear, sparkling blue water set against a picturesque mountain backdrop.

Sun Moon Lake and its surrounding countryside have been designated one of thirteen National scenic areas in Taiwan. Wen Wu Temple (文武廟) was built after rising water levels from building a dam forced several smaller temples to be removed. Ci En Pagoda (慈恩塔) was built by late President Chiang Kai-shek in 1971 in memory of his mother.

In the middle of the Sun Moon Lake, Lalu (lit. "Lake Island") is the name the Thao tribe, the original inhabitants of the area, gave to this sacred land. The name Lalu was changed to Guanghua (光華 or "Glorious China") during Chiang Kai-shek's rule of Taiwan. After 1999's September 21st earthquake the Taiwanese government, attempting to show greater respect and political awareness towards the Thao, reverted the island's name back to its original Lalu.

Have you ever entered a dome or sit on the chair made of paper? I did.

Paper Dome, a distinctive architecture, made of paper pillars. Paper Dome was constructed by over 300 devoted volunteers after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Japan in 1995. Paper Dome was the bridge among people during the reconstruction of Japanese communities.

On September 21, 1999, the 921 Earthquake traumatized Mid-Taiwan. In 2005, people in Taiwanese reconstructing communities composed a visiting group attending the tenth anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake. While visiting, the leader of the group was informed that Paper Dome would be moved to Taiwan right after its mission was over.

In 2008, Paper Dome ended its long voyage and took root in Nantou. Paper Dome worked as a place for the community to move on and a platform for exchanging the knowledge of community reconstruction, community industries, ecological community, and the overall gentrification during the recovery after the 921 Earthquake. Paper Dome is a very interesting place to visit.

Oh! I almost forgot Taipei 101! Yes. Taipei 101! The most famous building in Taiwan.

Taipei 101 formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants and clubs.

In Summary, I found that Taiwan changed a lot in the past ten years. Taiwan became a clean, polite, mannered, and warmly place.

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR or HSR) is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately 214 mi (345 km) along the west coast of Taiwan from the national capital of Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung. It used to take 6 hours to travel by train from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Now, it only takes 2 hours to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung by Taiwan High Speed Rail.

During my 3 weeks in Taiwan, I traveled by Taiwan High Speed Rail four times. It was very fast and very comfortable. Nice.

Taipei Rapid Transit System (TRTC) is very convenience. TRTC consists of 89 stations and 63.3 miles (101.9 km) of track. An average of over 1.6 million passengers per day ride TRTC.

It is not surprised that a city like Taipei has a rapid transit system to carry 1.6 million passengers per day. I was surprised to find that the station was so clean and the passengers were so mannered. Passengers were following the rule to wait in the waiting lines. They entered into the light rails quietly and sequentially, no rush and no push. It was so clean inside the light rail. Most of time, the priority seats were not occupied. In addition, passengers would willingly give up their seats to the needy people. Honestly, I was so moved and so proud to see the changes. Taipei became a clean and mannered city.

Do you know how many 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan? There are 4,790 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan in 2011 according to Wikipedia. You can find a 7-Eleven store nearly every corner of a street in Taiwan. It is not surprised to see 7-Eleven stores in a highly populated area. However, I was surprised to find that 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan offer many services that no other country can compare.

7-Eleven stores in Taiwan provide a wide scope of services depending on the locations. In addition to selling snacks, food, drinks, tobacco, magazines and other items typically available in a convenience store, a 7-Eleven in Taiwan also provide services such as fax, photo copying, and express mail. Additionally, one can pay parking fees, order tickets, pick up mail orders, pay traffic fines, and pay most utility and service bills at 7-Eleven.

There are two kinds of dogs in Taiwan, pets and homeless dogs.

In Taiwan, people carry their dogs to everywhere, even in the restaurants. Many dogs learned how to ride on the motorcycles with their owners. They would let their dogs sitting in the strollers or they would hold their dogs like holding babies when they took a walk. They love their dogs.

However, there were also many homeless dogs in Taiwan. It was sad to see that many homeless dogs on the streets in every city and township that I visited and I could not do anything about it. Sad!

With these complicated emotions, I am going to say “Good Bye” to Taiwan. I am going home!

Lin Family Mansion and Garden (林家花園)