Last year, my family and I went on a trip to Taiwan. Since it was our first time visiting Taiwan, we joined a tour group. Our flight was scheduled for 7:00 AM on February 9th. On the evening of February 8th, my family and I went to the Tun Aminah bus station to exchange our bus tickets. The travel company had included insurance and bus tickets in the package, so we didn’t need to purchase them separately.
We boarded the YOYO Bus at 5:00 PM, which took us to Kuala Lumpur. We arrived at Kuala Lumpur Airport around 10:00 PM and had dinner at a restaurant there. After dinner, we headed to the arrival hall, where we found vacant seats and charging stations. We took turns watching the luggage to prevent anyone from accidentally taking the wrong bags.
The next morning, we woke up at 5:00 AM and headed to the departure hall to meet our tour leader, Alex. He mentioned that he had led several tours to Taiwan. Once all the group members arrived, we checked in our luggage and proceeded through the security checkpoint. My family and I had breakfast at Burger King before moving on to the terminal, where we waited for our flight.
We flew with AirAsia and landed at Terminal 1 of Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan. Our tour guide, Jason, introduced himself and mentioned that he had worked with Alex several times before. The weather in Taiwan was about 17°C, so we wore thin down jackets when going outdoors to keep warm.
Our first stop was Liu chuan Canal Waterfront in Taichung City, where we stayed for about 15 minutes before having dinner. The food was delicious, although the restaurant was quite crowded. After dinner, we checked into our hotel.
The next day, we visited the Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area. The name “Sun Moon Lake” comes from Lalu Island, which divides the lake into two parts. The eastern part is shaped like a sun, while the western part resembles a crescent moon. To visit Sun Moon Lake, we went to Shuishe Pier, though there are other piers available for access.
Next, we visited the Xiangshan Tourist Service Center. On the bus, Jason introduced us to the Thao people and taught us how to greet them by saying “la lu wan,” which means “hello.” We also learned about Ganoderma lucidum from the tribesmen, who showed us some photos.
After lunch, we went to Wenwu Temple near Sun Moon Lake, where we could pray for various blessings, including love. Later, we visited Feng Chia Night Market, located near Feng Chia University. The night market is very popular, and I bought a pair of high-quality slippers from the brand Mother and Child Crocodile (B&M).
On the third day, after breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and traveled to Hsinchu City and Taipei City. We visited Audit New Village, a popular tourist attraction with long queues even for the restroom. We then explored Leofoo Village Theme Park, which had many thrilling rides.
There were several exciting attractions, including:
- Xiaoao Fei: Asia’s first U-shaped suspended roller coaster.
- Old Oil Well: A giant swing that rotates 360 degrees, offering a high-adrenaline experience.
- Hot Wheels: A ride in the Arabian Palace that rotates 660 degrees—better avoided before meals.
- Grand Canyon Rapids: An artificial rafting river that replicates the Colorado River’s landscape.
After the theme park, we visited Ximending, a lively shopping district in Taipei, before heading to our hotel.
On the fourth day, we visited the Martyrs’ Shrine and watched soldiers perform ceremonial gun spinning. Later, we explored the Dihua Street Business District, Xiahai City God Temple, Yongle Market, and Pier 5 Container Market—all located in the same area. Afterward, we went to Ningxia Night Market to try snacks like sweet potato balls and octopus balls. That evening, we visited Taipei 101, a popular business and tourist attraction.
On the fifth day, we went to Yangmingshan National Park, where we admired the flowers and plants. Then, we visited the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where the first floor featured souvenir shops and the second floor showcased Chiang Kai-shek’s intricately designed beams.
Afterward, we explored Beitou Geothermal Valley, where the sulfur smell was strong, followed by Beitou Meiting, which has natural hot springs. We also took photos outside the Beitou Library.
The next morning, we checked out of the hotel, picked up our luggage, and headed to the airport. After lunch at the airport, we flew back to Kuala Lumpur. Coincidentally, the day we flew back was my 17th birthday, making it my first time celebrating a birthday on AirAsia.
I hope to have the opportunity to travel to Taiwan again!!!
