10D9N Taiwan Travelogue – (Part 4): Day 4 @ 陽明山 Yangmingshan, 小油坑 Xiao You Keng, 冷水坑 Leng Shui Keng, 金寶山 Chin Pao San, 淡水漁人碼頭 Dan Shui Fisherman’s Wharf, 淡水老街 Dan Shui Lao Jie, 士林夜市 Shilin Night Market

More pictures added to this blog! Day 4 and our itinerary is fully packed. Just a look at the title post we wonder how are we going to visit so many places within a day. Well, we actually booked 2 cabs to ferry us around. It cost about NTD $4,500 per cab which is reasonable considering the distance we are going to cover and places we are going to visit.

This is going to be a heavy blog post with many many pictures so bear with us.

陽明山國家公園 Yangmingshan Cao Shan Xing Guan

Cao Shan Xing Guan was originally a hostel built for a visit of the Crown Prince of Japan in the 1920s. In 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan, it became his first Taiwan residence. It was known as the “Caoshan Old Official Residence,” and the “Rear Mountains Official Residence.” It has now been converted into an art and cultural salon.

Our first stop is to visit this museum.

The outer walls are made of bricks which add to the typical Yangmingshan flavor.

Japanese-style building with wooden interior.

89, Hudi Rd., Beitou
(02) 2862-1911, 2862-1933
Exhibition area: 9 am-5 pm
Restaurant: 10 am-11 pm
Ticket: NT$20 (can be deducted from restaurant bill)

陽明山國家公園 Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is one of the nine national parks in Taiwan. The National Park is famous for its cherry blossoms, hot springs, sulfur deposits, fumaroles, venomous snakes, and hiking trails, including Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano, Seven Star Mountain (1,120 m). The park was still under maintenance when we were there and basically there was nothing much to see.

There are beautiful scenery here. But only if you are willing to walk and climb. Yes, only by that you can have a panoramic view of mountains and skylines. With kids around, we did not venture uphill but not forgetting to take pictures before we leave.

This is our cab. Big and comfortable.

Lunch

Our drivers recommended us to this place at Yangmingshan for lunch.

So many items here. We have no idea what to order so we let the staff recommend any authentic dishes they have.

Fresh steamed fishes!

It’s partly self-servicing. We had to take the soup ourselves outside.

Here’s an idea of what we ordered and how their dishes look like.

Food, glorious food. We were so full.

We mentioned before that Taiwanese are very friendly and hospitable. When travelling, it’s a culture and good gesture to reciprocate their kindness as well. Our drivers also joined us to have lunch together!

小油坑 Xiao You Keng | 冷水坑 Leng Shui Keng

Are you ready to see the sight of bubbling water and smouldering fumaroles on Yangmingshan? It’s going to be amazing and oops, you need to stand the smell of sulphur too!

Imagine we get the chance to stand on top of the volcano.

It’s that hot that you can boil an egg.

Leng Shiu Keng is a popular rest spot for visitors hiking or touring Yangmingshan National Park. Over here, there is a visitor centre, small restaurant or café, a formal hot spring building, as well as an outdoor foot-soaking pool which is accessible from the main road. Yes you will be happy to know that all hot springs are free for the public. Have a go at soaking your feet for a hot spring experience.

This is the restaurant or cafe.

You can dine outside and enjoy the scenery.

Not for the faint hearted. If you are willing to climb up and up, you can have a real panoramic view of the mountains!

金寶山 Chin Pao San

Chin Pao San means “Golden Treasure Mountain”. This is a private cemetery located on a mountainside in Jinshan District, New Taipei, Taiwan

As you know this is a private cemetery. So it’s quiet and peaceful here. When we reached, I was drawn to the serene nature. But why are we here?

We are here to visit someone special. Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng’s gravesite is located here.

As we walked nearer, musical chords and such are laid as symbols of her. All round the clock, her songs are played again and again. It pierced the air of the otherwise, quiet 金寶山 Chin Pao San.

Her memorial garden features a life-size statue and a large electronic keyboard. Walk on its keys and it has sound!

淡水漁人碼頭 Dan Shui Fisherman’s Wharf

We delved further out of Taipei City and next stop is the Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, well known for its beautiful sunsets, seafood and boats.

I guessed the most notable feature here is the Lover Bridge which was completed in 2003. At night, the bridge illuminates with a wide variety of colours.

It started to rain. At least we had to walk past the bridge to say we have been here!

淡水老街 Dan Shui Lao Jie

Near to Fisherman Wharf is the 淡水老街 Dan Shui Old Street.

This is a long street with shops selling food and accessories.

So big!

It’s freezing cold tonight but Small M just wanted to try this ice cream.

When it comes to games, expect the kids to be glued at the shop for up to an hour.

士林夜市 Shilin Night Market

The Shilin Night Market in Taipei is one of the largest and  most popular night markets in Taiwan. The night market consists of two major elements: general merchandise and local cuisine. Along the western edge of the market is the food court an underground food paradise.

Shilin Night Market is located in between these 2 MRT stations. As you can see, Jiantan MRT Station is actually nearer to Shilin Night Market. So the next time you come, alight at Jiantan Station.

Big and Small M tried prawning this time. After catching them, the stall owner will BBQ them for you to eat 🙂

Honestly, Shilin Night Market has countless items and stalls to shop. If I were to choose, it’s better to come during the weekdays. Otherwise, I do not favor coming here as I feel that the night markets are more or less the same (selling the same items and food). To get a better shopping and enjoyment experience, I prefer to go to night markets with lesser human traffic.

It’s not going to be easy to navigate Shilin Night Market if you are bringing kids.

We saw a very long queue forming for this so we joined in.

Food …

A shopping haven as well.

This coat is like SGD S$13.

Shoes at SGD S$9.

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