Taipingshan

Taipingshan in Yilan isn't really suitable for solo travelers like myself who can't drive. Online research showed that only two buses depart for Taipingshan at specific times in the morning, and only two buses return to Yilan at specific times. Therefore, after weighing the cost of a chartered car and the bus journey, I chose to join a one-day tour with KKDay. If the trip goes ahead, you'll receive a contact from the tour guide and an updated voucher the day before. Thanks to Kelly from bus C for reminding us of the meeting time and location, and that we needed to purchase separate admission tickets, as KKDay's prices were indeed cheaper than buying them now. It's really convenient to travel directly from Taipei to Taipingshan without worrying about transportation. Especially since the travel time between each attraction is only 35 to 45 minutes, showing how vast the area is. We were lucky that day and saw a beautiful sea of ​​clouds; Kelly said she's led many tours, but this was only the second time she'd seen it. The tuk-tuk ride was also a unique experience; thankfully, she thoughtfully reminded us that the weather on the mountain is cool, so she suggested bringing a light jacket, otherwise we would have caught a chill. Each attraction was also very special. Thank you Kelly for your thoughtfulness and care.

Two days is ample time for a semi-independent tour, allowing you to visit all the attractions and facilities around Taiping Mountain Villa. Within the villa, you can easily explore Taiping Mountain Villa itself, the Cypress Primitive Trail, the Hemlock Forest Nature Trail, the tuk-tuk rides, and the Maoxing Nostalgic Trail. The only regret is that we didn't have enough time to complete the Jianqing Nostalgic Trail, and we also didn't have time for a hot spring bath at Jiuzhize, so we just boiled eggs and corn to eat on the way back. Regarding accommodation, we stayed at the Xiaonan Pavilion, located on the top floor of the villa, so climbing the stairs was quite strenuous. If you hate climbing stairs, think twice before choosing the Xiaonan Pavilion. However, its 24-hour hot water supply is quite good, with a stable and large flow. The room was a bit humid, so we had to keep the dehumidifier running. The soundproofing wasn't great, but that's understandable; whether you'll be constantly disturbed depends on your luck with your neighbors. Meals were served at the resort's restaurant for all four meals. Lunch and dinner were Chinese-style six dishes and one soup (nutritiously balanced, including vegetables, seafood, and meat). Rice was unlimited and plentiful. Breakfast was a buffet with both Chinese and Western options, offering a good variety. Overall, I was very satisfied. A special mention should be made of the transportation: the mountain road from Jiuzhize to Taiping Mountain Resort is winding. The driver was very skilled and steady, with no noticeable braking or acceleration. However, I still recommend that people prone to motion sickness take medication. Even with a skilled driver, the winding mountain roads can still cause some motion sickness. Overall, the two-day trip is highly recommended. Planning a Friday and Saturday made for a smooth itinerary without any traffic jams, leaving me with many memorable experiences. (Addendum: On the return trip, the tour bus broke down at a red light near Zhongxiao Xinsheng MRT station. Fortunately, we were already back in the city and in a convenient location, so passengers could disembark with their belongings and make their own way home, concluding the trip.)

Since we weren't familiar with Yilan, we simply told the driver what we wanted to buy, and he knew where to take us. On the return trip, we encountered rain and rush hour traffic, but the driver was very patient, making our trip very relaxing and safe. We are very grateful to Leo.