Geology - Taiwan Travel Blog

Xiaoliuqiu Snorkeling Guide 小琉球浮潛指南: The Best Places to Spot Sea Turtles

Byforeignersintw November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

Xiaoliuqiu is perhaps the best place to snorkel in Taiwan because it has one of the highest concentrations of sea turtles in the world. You are pretty much guaranteed to see sea turtles as well as lots of other interesting sea creatures if you follow the advice in this guide. I have visited Xiaoliuqiu over…

Xiaoliuqiu Island (小琉球): The Best Place to Snorkel in Taiwan

Byforeignersintw November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

Xiaoliuqiu (aka Little Liuqiu, Lamay Island, or Lambai Island) is a small island paradise off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Only a short half-hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In addition,…

Lalu Island 拉魯島: Sun Moon Lake’s Sacred Island

Byforeignersintw November 7, 2025November 7, 2025

Lalu Island on Sun Moon Lake is a sacred island to the indigenous people here, who believe that a deer showed their ancestors the way to the lake. Before a dam was built, the island was larger and shaped like a crescent moon. Even though tourists can no longer visit the island, it is one…

Nantou Travel Guide: Taiwan’s Most Stunning Mountain Getaway 南投縣懶人包

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Nantou lies at the heart of Taiwan and is its only landlocked county. It is known for its rugged natural landscapes and mountains, and includes the highest mountain in East Asia. If you come to Taiwan, you should definitely pass through this place and stop by some of the sights we will mention below. 🛥️…

Sun Moon Lake Travel Guide: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lake 日月潭旅游指南

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 7, 2025

Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful scenic area in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Besides the lakeside scenery, one can also enjoy boat rides, Taiwanese street food, gift shops, temples, a gondola, an Aborigine theme park, and more. It is a must-see destination for anyone who is coming on vacation in Taiwan. Here is…

Jiji Railway 集集鐵路支線: Explore Nantou’s Historical Scenic Railway

Byforeignersintw November 1, 2025November 1, 2025

The Jiji Railway Line is a former freight and logging railway built during the Japanese colonial era that has now been converted into a tourist railway. Popular stops along the line include Jiji, Shuili, and Checheng, but there are many hidden gems along the way. It is definitely worth a trip while you are in…

Sun-Link-Sea (Shanlinxi) 杉林溪: Discover Taiwan’s Amazing Forest Resort

Byforeignersintw October 31, 2025November 1, 2025

Sun-Link-Sea (aka Shanlinxi or Sun-Link-Sea Forest Ecological Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區) is an amazing forest wonderland in the high mountains of Nantou County near Alishan. Here you can find one of Taiwan’s most beautiful waterfalls that flows over a giant cave. You can also wander through beautiful forests and gardens here and enjoy nature at a high…

Aowanda 奧萬大: Explore Taiwan’s High Mountain Forest Wonderland

Byforeignersintw October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Aowanda (aka Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area) was an ancient hunting ground for the Atayal Tribe and was an area for Japanese hydroelectric power development. Now it has been converted into a nature preserve with an easy hiking trail for the public to enjoy, and is now famous for its maple trees and cherry blossoms….

Wushe Reservoir 霧社水庫

Byforeignersintw October 27, 2025November 5, 2025

Wushe Reservoir, also known as Wanda Reservoir or Bihu, is formed by the Wushe Dam along the Wushe Creek in Ren’ai Township of Nantou County. The main function of the reservoir is to provide hydroelectric power. The area is a beautiful scenic location that is well worth a visit. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Nantou?…

Wushe Incident Memorial Park 霧社事件紀念公園

Byforeignersintw October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

The Wushe Incident (aka Mushe Incident or Wushe Rebellion) was one of the largest uprisings against the Japanese during their colonial control over Taiwan, as well as one of the last major uprisings. As part of the rebellion, 134 Japanese were killed, and 354 Seediq Indigenous people were killed in retaliation, which all took place…

Ruifang Bat Cave 瑞芳蝙蝠洞: Formerly the Largest Bat Cave in East Asia

Byforeignersintw September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

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 Hot Springs 廬山溫泉: Discover Taiwan’s Post-Apocalyptic Wonderland

Byforeignersintw September 17, 2025September 19, 2025

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…

The Ultimate Foreigner’s Guide for Surviving in Taiwan 外國人在台灣存活指南

Byforeignersintw September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

Whether you are coming to Taiwan for three days or for three years, it can be hard getting used to a new country, and new culture, and a new way of living. To help you out, we have prepared this guide to help you survive and thrive in this amazing country. 🏯 Planning your trip…

The Ultimate Taiwan Butterfly Watching Guide 台灣賞蝴蝶指南

Byforeignersintw August 21, 2025October 31, 2025

Taiwan has over 300 species of butterflies, including over 50 endemic butterfly species. There are also annual butterfly migrations for many species on the island. With so many butterflies everywhere, butterflying (butterfly spotting) has become a major pastime for people on the island. In this blog, we will provide a basic overview of butterfly watching…

Disaster Tourism | Geography | Geology | Typhoons

Remembering Typhoon Podul 楊柳颱風 (2025)

Byforeignersintw August 14, 2025November 25, 2025

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…

Disaster Tourism | Geography | Geology | Taiwan History | Typhoons

Remembering Typhoon Danas 丹妮絲颱風 (2025)

Byforeignersintw August 14, 2025November 25, 2025

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…

What to See and Do in Hualien Besides Taroko Gorge

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025September 30, 2025

Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, there are plenty of other places to check out in Hualien. In this blog, we will share a list of other places to visit in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge. Hualien is the largest…

Taiwan’s East Rift Valley (Huadong Valley) Travel Guide 花東縱谷旅遊指南: The Most Beautiful Places in Taiwan

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Taiwan’s East Rift Valley (aka Huadong Valley 花東縱谷) has some of the most breathtaking scenery in Taiwan. It has towering mountains and vast tracts of flat rice fields. There are also amazing rivers, canyons, and waterfalls to explore. It is also home to Taiwan’s International Balloon Festival. There is something for everyone in this area…

Taroko Gorge: 2025 Current Status (Post-Earthquake) 太魯閣地震後的狀況

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, the visitor’s center is still open, and the road through Taroko is still open three times a day if you have your own vehicle. In this blog, we will take you on a…

Taroko Gorge Travel Guide (太魯閣): Taiwan’s Most Breathtaking Geological Feature

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko Gorge. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko Gorge might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko…

Ultimate Taroko National Park Travel Guide: Explore the Deepest Marble Gorge on Earth 太魯閣國家公園懶人包

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko…

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Taipei 臺北旅遊指南

Byforeignersintw April 30, 2025April 30, 2025

Are you wondering what to do, see, and eat during your trip to Taipei? We have all the answers here in this ultimate travel guide. From the abundant food options, night markets, historical sights, mountains, and natural beauty of the area, there are endless activities and sights to enjoy for any amount of time. About…

Taipei City Hiking Guide: The Best Hikes in Taipei 台灣爬山指南

Byforeignersintw April 29, 2025June 19, 2025

Taipei is full of amazing and beautiful hikes, many of which are easily accessible from the city center via public transportation. The mountains and hills around the Taipei Basin provide amazing views, interesting geological features, and a great way to connect with nature. In this blog, we will list the best hikes we know of…

Taiwan Cycling Guide: The Ultimate Guide to the Bicycle Kingdom 台灣騎自行車指南

Byforeignersintw April 23, 2025June 16, 2025

Taiwan is recognized as a bicycle kingdom and offers stunning routes for cycling enthusiasts, including coastal roads, mountain trails, and breathtaking gorges. Renting bicycles is convenient via services like Youbike, which operates at MRT stations, as well as road bike rentals at shops. Popular cycling routes include Sun Moon Lake and the Taipei Riverside Bikeway,…

Gaomei Wetlands: Complete Guide to Taichung’s Amazing Wildlife Area 高美濕地

Byforeignersintw April 23, 2025June 19, 2025

Gaomei Wetlands in Taichung is one of the best places to see wildlife in Taiwan. Here you can find thousands of intertidal creatures, including crabs, birds, and amphibious fish. The mud flats extend for miles during low tide, creating an intertidal wonderland. There is also a long boardwalk for those who don’t want to get…