Japanese Era - Taiwan Travel Blog

Tianmu Historic Trail 天母古道

Byforeignersintw June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Tianmu Historic Trail (aka water pipe road trail 水管路步道) is a short, fun hike with great views of the surrounding area. The trail was originally built by the Japanese to provide fresh water to residents below, and still includes a large Japanese-era water pipe and water station. Now it is a popular hike for locals…

Shifen Waterfall and Old Street Travel Guide, Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Byforeignersintw April 20, 2026April 21, 2026

Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan’s widest waterfall, is a must-visit scenic spot near Shifen Train Station. Surrounded by restaurants and gardens, it offers stunning views. Shifen Old Street is renowned for sky lanterns and local cuisine, but the practice poses environmental concerns. The area’s history and rich tourism have evolved from its coal mining past.

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pingxi and Shifen 平溪懶人包

Byforeignersintw April 20, 2026April 21, 2026

Pingxi District of New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations along the Pingxi Railway Line (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan’s history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place. 🏯…

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

Byforeignersintw April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

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, rainforests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National…

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

Byforeignersintw April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

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, rainforests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko Gorge might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National…

Huashan 1914 Creative Park 華山1914文化創意產業園區

Byforeignersintw March 21, 2026March 21, 2026

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a former industrial area in Taipei dating back to 1914 that used to produce wine and camphor, and is now an art and exhibition space. Here you can find lots of historical buildings, harking back to the industrial era of Taipei City. Now you can find endless art shows and…

Taiwan National Railway Museum 國家鐵道博物館

Byforeignersintw March 18, 2026March 21, 2026

Taiwan’s National Railway Museum, also known as the Taipei Railway Workshop, is an amazing view into the historical railways of Taiwan, as well as historical buildings, railway cars, maintenance techniques, and the people who worked here in the past. Here you can get an in-depth experience of what it was like to work for Taiwan’s…

Taiwan National Museum of History 國立歷史博物館

Byforeignersintw March 15, 2026March 21, 2026

Taiwan’s National Museum of History in Wanhua District was built over a former Japanese guest house and was later expanded to its current size to include six floors. It was also recently renovated, including a large exhibit on the historical significance of the building itself, but it also includes many artifacts and art exhibits. 🏯…

The Best Places to Eat Near Beitou Hot Springs 北投溫泉美食-英文指南

Byforeignersintw March 14, 2026March 20, 2026

Beitou is one of the best day trips near Taipei and a popular tourist location. As a result, many restaurants have opened in the area, especially around Xinbeitou MRT Station. In this guide, we will tell you how to enjoy food in this area like a local and eat your way through Beitou. Please note…

Nanzhuang Old Street 南庒老街

Byforeignersintw January 12, 2026January 20, 2026

Nanzhuang Old Street is a large tourist street and shopping area in central Miaoli. It is actually three old streets combined into one, and includes a night market too. You can find all kinds of food options here, and authentic Hakka dishes. Nearby, you can also find amazing hiking trails and mountain scenery to enjoy….

Sandiaoling Historic Tunnel 三貂嶺舊隧道

Byforeignersintw January 9, 2026January 9, 2026

The Sandiaoling Historic Tunnel (aka Sandiaoling Eco-Friendly Tunnel, or Sandiaoling Bike Tunnel) is a refurbished railway tunnel dating back to the Japanese Era, connecting Sandiaoling to Mudan in New Taipei. Now the tunnel is open to the public, but a free online reservation is required. People can now either walk or bike through the tunnel…

Qingtiangang Grassland, See Amazing Views and Buffalo Close-Up 擎天崗

Byforeignersintw January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park is a large grassland that lies on top of an old lava terrace. It is famous for the water buffalo that congregate here to graze and is one of the most popular areas in the park. Besides enjoying views of wild water buffalo, there are also many hiking trails and…

Travel Guide to Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan’s Most Vibrant City 高雄旅遊懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Kaohsiung is our favorite city in Taiwan. It has beaches close to the city center, mountains, art spaces, museums, temples, and more. People often don’t realize that Kaohsiung has a lot to offer to tourists. Many of the places down south aren’t represented as well in English as other sites in Taipei, which is why we…

The Complete 2026 Beitou Hot Springs Guide, Soak Like Royalty 北投溫泉英文指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026March 20, 2026

Beitou is Taiwan’s premier hot Spring area (北投溫泉). Originally built by the Japanese on natural hot spring water flowing down from Yangmingshan, this area is now springing with hot spring baths, hotels, museums, hikes, restaurants, and more. It is one of the best day trips near Taipei. In this guide, we will tell you how…

Jiufen Old Street, Taiwan’s Amazing Mountainside Village 九份老街

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Jiufen, located in the Ruifang District of New Taipei City, is a charming hillside town known for its vibrant old street, which many consider the best in Taiwan. Visitors can wander through narrow alleys filled with classic Taiwanese snacks, steep stairways, and historic buildings. From nearly every spot in town, you’ll find sweeping panoramas of…

Tamsui Travel Guide, Taipei’s Amazing Historic Riverside Town 淡水最佳的景點

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Tamsui District of New Taipei is famous for its delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well-known areas in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood. Historical places near here include Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, Tamsui Old Street, Bali Old Street,…

Alishan Forest Railway Travel Guide (阿里山森林鐵路), Taiwan’s Most Scenic Rail Line

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Alishan Forest Railway is one of the most iconic and best-preserved historical mountain railways in the world. Starting at the center of Chiayi City, it passes through tropical forests, and subtropical hills, and rises into the temperate forests in the mountains, originally ending up at Alishan. It is definitely something you should experience while you…

Travel Guide to Yilan 宜蘭懶人包, Beaches, Mountains, Hot Springs, and more

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Yilan is a gem on Taiwan’s northeast coast. It has rugged mountains, waterfalls, a flat coastal plain, a volcanic island, hot springs, and some of the best beaches in Taiwan. In addition, you can find night markets, seafood markets, museums, and much more to explore here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next…

Taipingshan Travel Guide 太平山, Discover Yilan’s Amazing Mountain Scenery

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taipingshan (aka Taipingshan National Forest Recreational Area 太平山國家森林游樂區) is a magical mountain paradise in Datong Township of Yilan County in Taiwan. It has an old Japanese-era logging railroad track which has mostly been abandoned, but part of it has been restored with a working train. In addition, there are hot springs, Taiwan’s largest alpine lake,…

Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山懶人包, Your Complete Travel Guide

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Yangmingshan National Park is a mountainous area in Taipei and New Taipei, known for its volcanic activity, hiking trails, wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, and sulfur vents. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei. ⛰️ Planning your trip to Yangmingshan? 🥾 Here are some top travel tips for you: Best time to visit: All…

Hualien Travel Guide 花蓮懶人包, The Most Beautiful Part of Taiwan

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Hualien is the largest county in Taiwan and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. It includes a breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Ocean, including cliffs thousands of meters high, marble gorges, fertile valleys, and a large section of Taiwan’s central mountain range. Hualien is simply a must-stop location on your trip to…

Yunlin Travel Guide 雲林旅遊懶人包, A Rural Wonderland in Southwest Taiwan

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Yunlin is a rural county in western Taiwan that for many expats is simply a large landmass on their way to another destination. However, there are many worthwhile places to visit here, such as interesting historical sites, natural beauty, and rich culture worth exploring. Below I will list some of the best places in Yunlin…

Dihua Street and Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Amazing Historical Hipster Paradise 迪化街及大稻埕

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Dihua Street is Taipei’s largest and oldest historic street, featuring an array of ancient buildings, traditional shops, art spaces, and restaurants. The street has a compelling history, dating back to a flourishing Chinese settlement in the mid-1800s. Key attractions include the Xiahai City God Temple, numerous traditional shops, and museums. It’s easily accessible via MRT…

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

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

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

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

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…