The journey
Seventeen days. So many little stories.
From an early start in Alishan to a slow evening in Hualien, this trip brought together the things I love: mountains, food, and a little adventure.
We travelled around Taiwan from 6 to 22 November 2023. Rather than squeeze everything into one long list, I’ve broken the trip into four parts. Start with the route below, then follow whichever chapter catches your eye.
01 / The route
The whole trip, at a glance.
Our route through Taiwan, with a little room for the unexpected.
- Day 1Taipei
6 Nov · Arriving in Taiwan
- Day 2Alishan
7 Nov · Sunrise and forest walks
- Day 3Taichung
8 Nov · Between the mountains and the city
- Days 4–6Hehuanshan → Cingjing → Xitou → Sun Moon Lake
9–11 Nov · Mountains, open skies, and lakeside evenings
- Days 7–10Hualien & Taroko
12–15 Nov · The east coast chapter
- Days 11–16Taipei & nearby day trips
16–21 Nov · Jiufen, Shifen, Beitou, and Yangmingshan
- Day 17Heading home
22 Nov · Departure
02 / Explore the map
Places, connected by memories.
A few places that make up this chapter. Pick a place on the map or in the list to explore.
Approximate locations for this design preview. Scroll the page freely; use + / − to zoom the map. Map tiles need an internet connection.
03 / Read the stories
Four chapters. One Taiwan trip.
Alishan
A night in the mountains, forest walks, and a sunrise worth waking up for.
Mountains & lake
Hehuanshan, Cingjing, Xitou, and a gentle finish at Sun Moon Lake.
Hualien
Night-market songs, a day in Taroko, and a leap into the unknown.
Taipei & day trips
Lantern-lit streets, mountain air, hot springs, and something sweet to bring home.
04 / Getting around
How we got around.
We used a driver for the mountain-and-lake part of the trip and a tour for Taroko. Here are the transport details I recorded.
| Part of the trip | What we used | My experience |
|---|---|---|
| Hehuanshan, Cingjing, Xitou → Sun Moon Lake | Private driver | We shared our itinerary with the driver. Local food suggestions were a bonus. |
| Taroko, in 2023 | Klook tour | A convenient way for us to visit the park. |
| Jiufen & Shifen | Public transport / Uber mentioned in my notes | Exact journeys still to be added. |
This is a record of the 2023 trip. Intercity transfer details are still being collected.
05 / On the trail
A few trails worth remembering.
| Walk or hike | What made it memorable | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Alishan forest walks | Sunrise and time among the trees. Exact Tashan route to confirm. | Alishan ↗ |
| Hehuanshan Main Peak | Our hike on Day 4. | Mountains & lake ↗ |
| Xitou nature walks | Short walks before heading to Sun Moon Lake. | Xitou ↗ |
| Qingtiangang & Qixing Mountain | Open grasslands and mountain views. Exact route to confirm. | Yangmingshan ↗ |
Distances, timings, and trail directions will be added after checking the trip records.
06 / Food & little finds
Good food. A little something for home.
Dongdamen after dark
Food, buskers, and the atmosphere of an evening at the night market.
Read the story ↗Something sweet
Chia Te pineapple cakes and Ruyi sun cakes are in my souvenir notes.
See my notes ↗One last thought
Leave room for a little discomfort.
The part that pushed me most was paragliding. I’m scared of heights, so running towards the edge of a hill was a lot! But it became one of those experiences I was glad I said yes to.
A little discomfort here and there can help you grow.
This series holds the stories, practical notes, and small details I want to remember from Taiwan. There’s plenty I’d still go back for.