We have an upcoming two-week trip to Taiwan, including visits to the southern cities of Tainan and Chiayi, as well as Alishan National Forest. While we look forward to reconnecting with family upon our return, we also enjoy exploring different parts of the island together. Tourism in Taiwan has changed dramatically since our younger days, with many new accommodations and activities available. Inspired by social media and the internet, this blog is the first of many where I will share the places we plan to visit and the experiences we hope to enjoy during this trip and future annual visits.

Chiayi

• To get to Alishan – https://www.ali-nsa.net/en/traffic/transport – take Taiwan High speed rail to Chiayi – buses/shuttles from the station to the National Forest area –
  • https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ax82JFCdj5y42EX27 – THSR
  • Taiwan Tourist shuttle
    • https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Frontend/Route/Select_p_en?RouteID=R0007
    • https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Frontend/Route/Select_p_en?RouteID=R0008
  • Bus from ChiayiTHSR – Bus 7322 and Bus 7329 – taiwanbus.tw/eBUSPage/Query/QueryResult.aspx?rno=73220&rn=1602130637083
    • both takes 2.5 hours with multiple stops. One leaves from THSR station and one leaves from the old Train station.
  • Alishan Forest Railway – check schedule 2 weeks before riding and buy tickets here
• Food
  • Pin An Tofu Pudding 嘉義品安豆漿豆花 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vpds2mL94RrtfK3A –

Tainan – https://maps.app.goo.gl/2hxMMn8uZDT5hpDv6

• It’s best to stay in the West Central District (中西區), where you’ll find plenty of food options and many attractions to explore.
• Snail Alley – https://maps.app.goo.gl/VTpL2o31foL98gr67
• Shennong Street – 神農街 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/6idnFwDEWt1MFKxz8
• Blueprint Culture & Creative Park – https://maps.app.goo.gl/nb56vYsDmcpbtCjw9
• Hai’an Road Art Street – 海安路藝術街 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/qmKAPQQPTXJ9KRzMA
• Historic Harborside Park Park – 港濱歷史公園 https://maps.app.goo.gl/bUzV64zTDaYUDqah9
• Night markets – To remember which night market is when, there’s a well-known local Tainan saying “大大武花大花花” (Da-Da-Wu-Hua-Da-Hua-Hua). It means Monday, Tuesday and Friday are for 大 (Ta-Tung Night Market), Wednesday is for 武 (Wusheng Night Market), and Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday are for 花 (Garden Night Market).
• Food
  • 修安扁擔豆花 Xiu’an Douhua – https://maps.app.goo.gl/dSU3QYt6yPMGonNP7
  • Chun純薏仁 – Barley sweets – https://maps.app.goo.gl/CLCdYU5dYktcJR826
  • Chicken Kitchen – 廚房有雞花雕雞中華總店 – Cantonese – https://maps.app.goo.gl/o56ozZLcgPJtdPPU6
  • 阿松割包 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/BTvHbMQnCxGZrDyV7
  • Eastern Castle Noodles – 城邊真味鱔魚意麵 – Eel dishes and noodles – https://maps.app.goo.gl/JwCmibX95jsyqqZL6
  • 喵嫂鹹酥雞 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/BXbM8CppQGQMW3j4A
  • Ninao – 蜷尾家 甘味処 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XhNCpbWpjbVzr4W6
  • 溫爸鵝肉（數量有限 完售即收）- https://maps.app.goo.gl/HzXtEuah4TxU6biC7
  • Chicken House (Hai’an) – 炸雞洋行 海安店 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/TsrPqQZxqBz7EWV88
• Notes –
  • https://www.nickkembel.com/things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan/
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUmtfmNKuCc

Taipei eats – https://maps.app.goo.gl/KWfPWHHznowMhUHk8