Taiwan Revisited 2019, Day 3

My trip continued with another visit to Shifen Waterfalls Park and Maokong Gondola ride.

SHIFEN WATERFALLS PARK
Widely regarded as  most scenic waterfalls in Taiwan, Shifen Waterfalls is 40 meters high and its strong cascades create double rainbow . The waterfall can be reached after a 30 minute walk from the Old Street. 

Prior to reaching the waterfalls, one will cross a suspension bridge where a river runs underneath. 

At the end of the bridge, you will reach a park and view deck  built along the waterfall for a relaxing view. 

Food stalls, dining area, comfort rooms are provided for visitors.

refreshing aiyu lemon jelly juice

sweetened cherry tomatoes

Spend an hour at the waterfall park and return to the Old Town for another leisurely walk.

 Catch the train back to Ruifang and try to get the front seat beside the train driver. The view at the front seat is relaxing.

Direction to Shifen Waterfalls Park

1. Take a train from Taipei main station to Ruifang train station (瑞芳車站)
2. walk to underground to the other side and transfer train to the Pingxi Line (平溪線)
3. Ride train to Shifen train station (十分车站): 1 hour travel time.
4. From the station, walk 20-30 minutes to Shifen Waterfalls. There are English signs along the road, so you won't get lost.

MAOKONG GONDOLA CABLECAR RIDE

Maokong is a picturesque village located at the top of a mountain with breathtaking views of Taipei City. You can reach this place via the Maokong gondola cable car ride. Choose the Crystal Cabins which have glass bottom cars to see the green views below.

 Alight at the third stop and stroll along the road, try street food, and enjoy the city view.

Direction to Maokong Gondola
Take the MRT brown line and alight at Taipei Zoo Station; 10 minute walk to the gondola station. Entrance fees: NT$120 each way for adults, NT$50 for children 6-12 and seniors over 65, with each adult allowed up to 2 children under 6 for free. Easycard can be used to pay the entrance fee.

Villa Escudero- A day tour

Villa Escudero Plantations was originally a sugar plantation but converted to coconut plantation. It's a 2.5hour ride by bus from Manila and it is just located after the arc of Tiaong Quezon


The plantation opened its doors as a resort in 1981offering village tours, museum tour, food and accommodations. One can experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.

The reception area is spacious and has this nice lighting in native materials.

After paying the fee at the reception they will give you stubs to the museum, carabao cart and food.. You can start your tour and  proceed first to the church turned museum. Bags and cameras are not allowed inside the museum.  However, smartphone is allowed for calls only and no picture taking or video recording.

A church converted into a museum houses a vast collection of religious artifacts, Chinese porcelain, antique furniture, ethnic clothing and costumes, memorabilia from World War II, clothes of Philippine presidents, butterflies.

After the museum, you will ride a carabao driven cart complete with singing female staff accompanied by a guitar played by a male staff. You will pass some rice fields and coconut trees and arrive at the pathway to the waterfalls where you will have your lunch.

They also have bamboo rafting activity. Labasin lake is about 30ft deep and you need to have a vest when doing the activity.

Two new large swimming pools are also available to adult guests. There is a small pool and water activities for the kids.

The resort is perfect for nature lovers; it is clean and well kept and lots of greeneries.

How to get to Villa Escudero:

Public Ride
Take a bus bound for Lucena at Buendia MRT station. Fare is Php140. Tell the conductor to drop you off Villa Escudero. Cross the main road and ride a tricycle to take you to the resort. Fare is Php50

Private Car
Drive all the way to Sto Tomas Batangas, turn left at the junction , drive all the way towards Quezon, passing SM City Lucena. Slow down upon seeing the Arc to Tiaong , turn left on the marker of the resort. Follow the dirt road to the reception.

Yehliu-Juifen-Shifen Day Tour

We found an English speaking driver  recommended by one of the travel bloggers when she went on a day trip to Yehliu.  We emailed him 3 months before our trip and he was still available on our preferred date.  His tour rate is NTD3500 for the whole day and we confirmed that we're getting his services.

He picked us up at our hotel at 9am and off we go.

1st stop: Yehliu Geological Park – we stayed here more or less 2 hours. Rock formations are impressive. There's a pathway for the disabled to enjoy the scenery. Sadly, throngs of tourists from the mainland photobombed the area. 

mushroom rock formation

famous Queen's head ( right most) from afar

2nd stop  : Nanya Rock Formation – fantastic rock formation and coastline. Luckily , only a couple of tourists. Bus cant park here due to small parking space which is better. We had the area all to ourselves !! spent around 30 minutes

3rd Stop: The abandoned gold mine – we made a quick stop and did not alight from our vehicle. Took few photos from inside the car.

4th stop: Ying Yang Sea – saw a different kind of wave breaker; shaped like a big jackstone

5th stop: Golden Waterfalls – located in Jinguashi . It's an awesome falls just right across the road. The beautiful gold color is a result of the combination of rainfall in this mining area and plenty of heavy metal elements deposited in the riverbed. Happy that there are no bus loads of tourists. 

6th Stop- Japanese mining – just walked a few meters and not much to see.

7^th stop – Juifen- had our lunch here- noodles and 5 kinds of meat balls, taro balls for dessert ; very crowded. Besides the main roads, there are several small alleys and lanes that make up the area. There are a lot of stores selling food, souvenir items. There are also teashops with a view of the sea. You will never go hungry in this place. A warning though, there is a very long line for the comfort room.

Noodles, 5 kinds of meatballs, braised pork rice

taro balls ( sweet sticky rice balls with ice)

tea egg

8^th stop – Cat Village – so many cats; fat and cute; there is a train station here called- Houtong. The cats are so adorable.

a bridge was built so the cats can cross over to the other side

9^th stop – Shifen – watched people releasing  lanterns. Too crowded even if it was raining. 

Drove 40 minutes back to the city and we're at our hotel by 6pm

I am happy to have found a great tour driver. It was an awesome day.

For the name of our driver:
Andy Lin
+886975780915
email: mp5k780915@gmail.com

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