My second day of my Taiwan trip is like revisit the past, a laid back lifestyle. My friend finally arrived and joined me. Our trip will be more fun as we talked a lot of nonsense and laugh at useless things. We or rather "I" decided to travel out of Taipei. "I" because she had no idea that we will travel out of the city as soon as she arrives and left her no choice :)
For my first day you can check my blog: http://mytimetoset.blogspot.sg/2017/03/my-day-1-taipei.html
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| Sky Lantern at Railway |
We started our trip to Pingxi. Pingxi is famous for it's cultural heritage and old streets. A Taiwanese 2011 film "You are the Apple of my Eye" added on it's popularity. It's more than an hour away from Taipei. To reach Pingxi, you have 3 choices. 1st- taxi but its very costly. 2nd- you can take a return bus from Ximending in the morning and will return back before dinner. The bus will stop at Shifen and Jiufen. Fare NTD460 (SGD21/ USD15).
Check my youtube: https://youtu.be/_3RT8fmeok0
3rd- which I strongly advise is by train. So again, we are back here at Taipei Main Station (it's the center, so if you want to book your hotel should be within it's vicinity) for our trip to Ruifang, You should be here at least before 9am. To reach Pingxi, you should travel to Ruifang (45mins) then to Pingxi. There are 2 ways to go there by train (TRA). 1st- Allocated seats which will give you guaranteed seats, and; 2nd- Free seats for local trains and tickets can purchase on the day itself.
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| Taipei Main Station |
For free seating, there are different stations which you can connect to Ruifang but this is the easiest way I believe as per advise by locals. So take the TRA train, and alight at Songshan station (One stop only). Once you alighted from the train, you can see from the screen what time your train to Ruifang will arrive. It is 99.90% on time, so if you want to walk around which we never tried and decided to wait for almost 30 mins. Our train is 10:05 am and we're there from 930am. There will be a lot of trains that will stop, the trick is just board the train at the exact time mention on the screen. Of course, I still ask the driver if it's to Ruifang and he said yes. It will take 45mins to an hour. Fare is NT$59 (US$2/ SG$3).
1st option- Allocated seats is I strongly recommend. Buy the seats online ahead of time. It's fast, convenient and clean. Just 3 stops only and about 30 mins. We took it on our way back and reminds me of Japan Shinkansen train which we took from Osaka to Tokyo. Don't throw your tickets as some will inspect your ticket inside the train and need to show once you exit the station.
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| Raohe Night Market @ Songshan Station |
If you will not stay overnight at Jiufen, it's a lot better if you take the route the other way around we took. As taking local train on the way back will lead you to Songshan station.
Raohe Night Market by train and by MRT (Green Line), both take (Exit 5). It's one of the oldest night market in Taipei and one the most popular must visit. Aside from the foods which you can enjoy your dinner here, try to do some shopping in Wufenpu. Also, try to visit Ciyou Temple which was built during Qing dynasty era by locals.
Going back to Pingxi, we stayed overnight in Jiufen, in which if you have time is more advisable as you will have more time to explore Pingxi and understand more about their culture.
The local trains are normal free seating trains which we normally took. It's raining in Ruifang but weather can't stop us and it's an added "spice" to start our new adventure.
At Ruifang station, we bought the "Pingxi Line- One Day pass" which is only valid on the date of Purchase. NT$100 (US$3.50/ SG$5). Don't forget to ask what time the next train to Pingxi will arrive. The interval is every hour. If you missed it, you need to wait for an hour again for the next one.
As we have our luggage with us, we proceed to our hotel in Jiufen by taxi as it's easier. Taxi NTD250 (US$8.50/ S$12) and leave our luggage there. Going back to Ruifang, we took bus NT$15 or easy card is also accepted.
While waiting for our train to Pingxi, after 2 hours of journey at this cold weather, it's perfect time for a hot drink.
Coffee Lovers like us can try a very cozy coffee shop just outside Ruifang station. Outside can see the colorful Bears statues. 15 minutes before our train arrives, we already walking back to station and proceed to Exit 3. The train arrives earlier, the time shows actually the time the train will depart from the station.
This is the Pingxi map, which i got from internet. We started from the farthest. We have a time limit of an hour every stop and we decided for 3 stops only (Jingtong, Pingxi and Shifen).
We started at Jingtong, it's the farthest and at the end of Pingxi Line. From Ruifang to Pingxi is 30 mins journey. So we just relax and enjoy the ride.
Once you arrived at Jingtong, you will definitely notice the bamboo hanging by coloured strings. You can buy bamboo as well as people will normally go to Jingtong for good fortunes. The bamboo have the prayers and wishes of the people passing through.
Jingtong is an old coal mining town. After the mining ceased operations decades ago, the town became empty. The monument which reminds the history of Jingtong.
Nowadays, Jingtong becomes one of the tourist attractions as it's part of the Pingxi Line.
Jingtong station is one of last four remaining wooden stations.
The reviews for Jingtong is not so good and some thing you can missed. Personally, I like it. If you take bus from Ximending, you will missed this part of Pingxi Line.
If you want to buy local foods to bring back home, do it in Jingtong.
We only have an hour to stay as the train interval is every hour.
Try their local delicacy as well. We had our lunch here but I think i enjoyed the food in Jingtong.
So better have your lunch and buy local delicacy in Jingtong, do the lighting of Sky lanterns here in Pingxi and proceed to Shifen.
As the weather can't stop us for moving around, we would like to thank our shoes for staying with us :)
Shifen is our last stop and the busiest station, I believe. As you alight from the train you will be greeted by colorful sky lanterns at the side of the railway. Just walk further in as its a one whole stretch of sky lanterns waiting for you to write your wishes and release it to the sky hoping that will reach to heaven. Sky Lanterns has different colors, they say that color represents something.
We finally arrived with our last stop in Pingxi Line. Shifen.
Shifen is the busiest so it's better visit it the last. From the time you set foot at the station, you will definitely not missed the sky Lanterns. Calligraphy writing. Though it's raining that day but the atmosphere is so nice as maybe people are happily writing their wishes in their sky lanterns.
Another food trail. You will definitely not be hungry in Taiwan nor full as you want to try more as your stomach can take. Simple foods but mouth watering.
Another "must" visit is the little Niagara at Shifen Waterfalls Park. It's a 2 km walk so prepare guys. You will never get lost as directions are everywhere but yeah, it's a long walk. The scenery is not bad as well on the way to the park.
Once you reach the park and saw the waterfalls then you can tap your shoulder as luckily you decided not to give up with that almost 30 mins of walking. Entrance is free.
On the way out from the waterfalls still have interesting sights to see.
As its almost dark, we decided to take a taxi on the way back to our hotel in Jiufen. Taxi driver ask NTD1,00 but we ask to be discounted at NTD750 (SG$35/US$25) and he give in.
We finally check in our hostel in Jiufen. We decided to stay in a sort of a homestay Jingzhan. It turns out that they have a very cool place. The decorations are so nice and our bed is "regal" after whole day of walking, it is so relaxing that you just want to sleep.
Our day is not over yet as we proceed to Jiufen for our dinner. Jiufen is a mountain town known for it's shop houses, local delicacies and souvenir shops old street. Unfortunately, it rains heavily that night so its very cloudy but it's beautiful. The temple at the mountain and the houses lightens the sky.
Where we stay is just less than 5 mins walk to old street so we decided to walk around. It's just almost 7pm but some of the stalls are about to close already.
As the weather is cold and its rainy this fishball and tofu soup is perfect. Big bowl of NTD70 (SG$3.50/ US$2.50) is just nice for evening appetite.
Afte dinner, we walk around and manage to shop some souvenir items to bring back home. I also tried the almond drink NTD25 (SG$1.30/US$0.90) which is not that bad. We both like walking around as the narrow pathways and red lanterns adds character to the old street.
As the town seems early to sleep, we rest at 9pm and walk up at 7am with a hearty breakfast.
I love my cup of coffee as it imprints "breathing with green".
After breakfast, we headed to the bus stop, took the bus to Ruifang NTD15 fare (SG$0.70 or US$0.50) or easy card is accepted.
We are just lucky as the express train to Taipei main station is reaching. The ticket is just NTD76 (SG$4/US$2.70). It's very much the same as Japan Shinkansen train. Just 3 stops in about 30 mins, we are back in Taipei Main station.
My blog day 3 and 4 Taipei trip to follow, Xie Xie :)
Going back to Pingxi, we stayed overnight in Jiufen, in which if you have time is more advisable as you will have more time to explore Pingxi and understand more about their culture.
At Ruifang station, we bought the "Pingxi Line- One Day pass" which is only valid on the date of Purchase. NT$100 (US$3.50/ SG$5). Don't forget to ask what time the next train to Pingxi will arrive. The interval is every hour. If you missed it, you need to wait for an hour again for the next one.
As we have our luggage with us, we proceed to our hotel in Jiufen by taxi as it's easier. Taxi NTD250 (US$8.50/ S$12) and leave our luggage there. Going back to Ruifang, we took bus NT$15 or easy card is also accepted.
While waiting for our train to Pingxi, after 2 hours of journey at this cold weather, it's perfect time for a hot drink.Coffee Lovers like us can try a very cozy coffee shop just outside Ruifang station. Outside can see the colorful Bears statues. 15 minutes before our train arrives, we already walking back to station and proceed to Exit 3. The train arrives earlier, the time shows actually the time the train will depart from the station.
This is the Pingxi map, which i got from internet. We started from the farthest. We have a time limit of an hour every stop and we decided for 3 stops only (Jingtong, Pingxi and Shifen).
We started at Jingtong, it's the farthest and at the end of Pingxi Line. From Ruifang to Pingxi is 30 mins journey. So we just relax and enjoy the ride.
Once you arrived at Jingtong, you will definitely notice the bamboo hanging by coloured strings. You can buy bamboo as well as people will normally go to Jingtong for good fortunes. The bamboo have the prayers and wishes of the people passing through.
Jingtong is an old coal mining town. After the mining ceased operations decades ago, the town became empty. The monument which reminds the history of Jingtong.
Nowadays, Jingtong becomes one of the tourist attractions as it's part of the Pingxi Line.
Jingtong station is one of last four remaining wooden stations.
The reviews for Jingtong is not so good and some thing you can missed. Personally, I like it. If you take bus from Ximending, you will missed this part of Pingxi Line.
As we loved laid back lifestyles, we enjoyed our short stay here. Seeing how a grandma enjoying her show on TV. The food vendors smiling at your photos, gave me a positive vibes all through out the trip. The foods are fantastic, especially the cherry tomato with ginger is superb!!!
If you want to buy local foods to bring back home, do it in Jingtong.
We only have an hour to stay as the train interval is every hour.
After Jingtong, we alight at Pingxi. It's quiet version of Shifen. If you're interested to lit sky lantern, I advice to do it here as it's peaceful here and a bit cheaper.
Try their local delicacy as well. We had our lunch here but I think i enjoyed the food in Jingtong.So better have your lunch and buy local delicacy in Jingtong, do the lighting of Sky lanterns here in Pingxi and proceed to Shifen.
Shifen is our last stop and the busiest station, I believe. As you alight from the train you will be greeted by colorful sky lanterns at the side of the railway. Just walk further in as its a one whole stretch of sky lanterns waiting for you to write your wishes and release it to the sky hoping that will reach to heaven. Sky Lanterns has different colors, they say that color represents something.
We finally arrived with our last stop in Pingxi Line. Shifen.Shifen is the busiest so it's better visit it the last. From the time you set foot at the station, you will definitely not missed the sky Lanterns. Calligraphy writing. Though it's raining that day but the atmosphere is so nice as maybe people are happily writing their wishes in their sky lanterns.
Once you reach the park and saw the waterfalls then you can tap your shoulder as luckily you decided not to give up with that almost 30 mins of walking. Entrance is free.
On the way out from the waterfalls still have interesting sights to see.
As its almost dark, we decided to take a taxi on the way back to our hotel in Jiufen. Taxi driver ask NTD1,00 but we ask to be discounted at NTD750 (SG$35/US$25) and he give in.
We finally check in our hostel in Jiufen. We decided to stay in a sort of a homestay Jingzhan. It turns out that they have a very cool place. The decorations are so nice and our bed is "regal" after whole day of walking, it is so relaxing that you just want to sleep.
Where we stay is just less than 5 mins walk to old street so we decided to walk around. It's just almost 7pm but some of the stalls are about to close already.
As the weather is cold and its rainy this fishball and tofu soup is perfect. Big bowl of NTD70 (SG$3.50/ US$2.50) is just nice for evening appetite.
Afte dinner, we walk around and manage to shop some souvenir items to bring back home. I also tried the almond drink NTD25 (SG$1.30/US$0.90) which is not that bad. We both like walking around as the narrow pathways and red lanterns adds character to the old street.
As the town seems early to sleep, we rest at 9pm and walk up at 7am with a hearty breakfast.I love my cup of coffee as it imprints "breathing with green".
After breakfast, we headed to the bus stop, took the bus to Ruifang NTD15 fare (SG$0.70 or US$0.50) or easy card is accepted.
My blog day 3 and 4 Taipei trip to follow, Xie Xie :)
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