Taiwan Times Village (Baodao Shidao Cun) was an indoor theme park with shops, antiques, performances, food, and decor from earlier eras (roughly 1940’s-50’s). Sadly, this abandoned themed landmark is now history. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Nantou? ⛰️ Here are some top travel tips for you: Best time to visit: Winter or Autumn when it…
A week ago, my Instagram @foreignersintw was hacked. Someone stole the password, changed the email, and added their own authentication app, so I was unable to log in. Luckily, I was able to contact Meta Support and resolve the issue. Here is the full story. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊 Here are some…
Xitou Monster Village is a Japanese monster-folklore-themed village in the mountains of Nantou, in front of Xitou Nature Education Area. Here you can find lots of restaurants, hotels, and Japanese monster-themed structures. It is almost like a trip to Japan without leaving Taiwan. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Nantou? ⛰️ Here are some top travel…
Bat Cave (Bianfudong) is a large cave along the northern coast in Ruifang District of New Taipei. It was once the largest breeding spot for bats in East Asia. We did not see bats or Batman here; however, it is still a cool spot to visit along the north coast. Nearby are also great spots…
Lushan was definitely one of the coolest places I have ever visited in Taiwan. It has nature, bridges, rivers, hot springs, food, an old street, aboriginal culture, an abandoned ghost town, and proof of nature’s destructive forces at work. Lushan Hot Spring Area is so interesting and awesome. Because it has officially been evacuated per…
Typhoon Podul was the 11th tropical cyclone of the 2025 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in Taiwan and China, before dissipating over the Chinese Mainland. This was a classic Taiwan Typhoon, moving from East to West very quickly, and the strongest Typhoon of the 2025 season so far. In this blog, we will share…
Typhoon Danas was the first named typhoon of the 2025 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in Taiwan and China before dissipating over southeast China. This typhoon had a rare track that impacted the west coast of Taiwan, and is the first recorded Typhoon to make landfall in Chiayi County. In this blog, we will…
From 2020 to 2022, Taiwan had a dearth of powerful Typhoons, a phenomenon some would call Taiwan’s Typhoon Iron Dome. However, the Iron dome was broken by two powerful Typhoon landfalls in 2023, and during Taiwan’s historic 2024 Typhoon Season, the iron dome was completely demolished. 2024 was historic in many ways, such as the…
Taipei is a fantastic city to explore, but carrying around heavy bags can put a damper on your trip. Whether you have time to kill before your flight, need a place to store your bags after hotel check-out, or simply want to explore without extra weight, reliable luggage storage services are available throughout the city….
Katz (or Kazi) Popsmile Popcorn Tourist Factory 卡滋爆米花觀光工廠 is the only tourist popcorn factory in Asia, and offers DIY tours in Bali District of New Taipei. Visitors are invited to try out many different popcorn flavors, make their own popcorn and DIY treats, and learn more about the history of popcorn making in Taiwan. Overall…
Typhoon Usagi was the 25th tropical cyclone of the 2024 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in the Philippines and dumped rain onto Southern Taiwan before dissipating into oblivion. For the first time in recorded history, four tropical cyclones simultaneously existed in the Western Pacific during the month of November. In this blog, we will…
Willie’s Deli is an American-style deli and grocery store in Tianmu, Beitou District, Taipei City. The deli sells American-style beef and pork sandwiches, and the store often sells imported products from the USA and Europe that are much sought-after by foreigners in Taiwan. If you are missing products from the USA or Europe, then this…
Shen Ao Railbike is a short bicycle ride on an old Railway line on the coast of Ruifang, New Taipei. Visitors are seated two people per bicycle car, which has a roof and great views of the ocean scenery nearby. Overall it is a fun adventure for the whole family. Historical Background: Originally the Shen’ao…
Beitou Park is a large park near Xinbeitou MRT Station with a hot spring river running through it. It is a nice place to enjoy natural scenery inside the bustling Beitou hot springs district. The park is also full of history, dating back to the Japanese area, and there are many interesting sites within the…
Penghu Great Bridge (aka Penghu Trans-Oceanic Bridge 澎湖跨海大橋) is one of the most iconic tourist spots in Penghu. Formerly it was the longest bridge in East Asia, and the longest in Taiwan. Currently it is the longest bridge in Penghu, but it is not the longest bridge in Taiwan. Nevertheless it is still a must-see spot in…
The Ketagalan Culture Center is an exhibition hall located in the Beitou District of Taipei City. The museum promotes indigenous culture through various exhibitions and events, and includes a library. The best part is that admission is free. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Beitou. 🏯 Planning your trip to…
Typhoon Kong-Rey was the largest storm to hit Taiwan since 1996, the first Typhoon to make landfall in late October, and the third Typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan in 2024. Its landfall marked the first time in 16 years that three Typhoons have made landfall in Taiwan during one Typhoon season. So far it…
The “Moses Parting Sea” in Penghu is a 50-meter-long gravel path connecting the main island of Penghu to Chi Islet during low tide. This phenomenon has been likened to Moses parting the Red Sea in the Bible and has become one of Penghu’s major tourist attractions. It is definitely a must-visit if you come to…
Beitou’s Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) was once the largest bathhouse in East Asia during the Japanese era, dating back to 1911. However, after its heyday, the bathhouse fell into disrepair. Now it has been renovated into a museum celebrating the hot spring history and culture in Beitou. It is a must-see if you visit Beitou….
Fenggui Cave in Pengu is a basalt column sea cave named because of the whistling sound it makes as the wind passes by. Here there has also been a tower erected so that visitors can enjoy 360-degree views of the sea cave and nearby coastline. It is definitely a must-visit if you come to Penghu….
Serpent Head Mountain is the highest point in Penghu and is one of Taiwan’s top 100 lesser peaks. It is also home to the first western fort built in Taiwan; this was the first spot where the Dutch established a trading post in Taiwan before colonizing the island. It also has a memorial to French…
Puji Temple (普濟寺 aka Lingquan Mountain Puji Temple 靈泉山普濟寺 or Tiezhenyuan, 鐵真院) is a Buddhist temple in Beitou, dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. It is one of the most well-preserved temples, dating back to the Japanese era, and is definitely worth a stop if you visit Beitou. 🏯 Planning your trip to…
Aimen Beach is the longest beach in Penghu and may be the most popular beach in Penghu for water activities (澎湖隘門沙灘及林投公園). Popular activities include jet skiing, surfing, windsurfing, and snorkeling. The beautiful golden sand and clear blue waters are also great places for taking photos. In addition, Lintou Forest Park next to the beach is…
Shili Beach in Penghu (澎湖嵵裡沙灘) is an ideal beach getaway with clear waters and white coral sand. Here popular activities include swimming, kayaking, and SUPing. The best part is usually there are few people here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Penghu. ☀️ Planning your trip to Penghu? 🏄 Here…
Xinbeitou Historic Station (aka New Beitou Station 新北投車站) is an old train station originally built by the Japanese to bring tourists to the Beitou Hot Spring area. Now it has been restored into a museum and gift shop for visitors to enjoy. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 🏯…
