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Singapore Airlines
Arrived at Terminal 2 for flight SQ 872 departing at 0805 hrs. To my surprise, we had to take a shuttle bus to the runway field (area between the runways) instead of using the boarding gate to board the plane (photos below).
Thought only taking budget airline would have such experience. According to my friend previously from CAAS, this kind of boarding is very rare for Singapore Airlines; either there is no boarding gate available or the pre-assigned gate has been occupied by a delayed flight. Well, I called that a bonus as it was a unique experience to board an SQ flight.
Personal Experience: try to take the window seat on the right side of plane; you will get a spectacular view of Taiwan mountain ranges. It really looks like those of Chinese paintings (photos below).
Equally amazing was the suburb area prior to flight landing (photos below).
Brunch was served on the flight; with noodles or rice to choose from (left photo below).
Upon arrival at about 1240 hrs, was really impressed with the renovated Tao Yuan International airport (桃园国际机场); modern and spacious, unlike the old carpeted airport feelings I had 3 years ago (right photo below).
Ubus (統聯客運)
Proceeded to right side of the airport after the security-check where shuttle-buses were available. As on a budget, shuttle buses were so much cheaper than taking a cab to Taipei city. Initially wanted to take shuttle buses to Taipei Main Station then by train to TaiChung (台中), but idea was abandoned since there were transfer buses that go directly to TaiChung railway station. Cost TWD 250 by bus operator Ubus (統聯客運) (left photo below). Seats were comfortable and whole journey was smooth as the bus traveled mostly on highways (right photo below). However upon reaching TaiChung city, traffics were heavy despite it was a Saturday afternoon.
Personal Experience: there is no timing difference in taking transfer bus than shuttle bus/train to TaiChung, except it will be slightly cheaper and hassle free of carrying heavy luggage from point to point.
Zaw Jung Business Hotel (瑞君商务旅馆)
Checked in at Zaw Jung Business Hotel, located just behind TaiChung railway station. Couldn't complain much as hotel cost a total of only TWD 979 per pax for two nights. Room was clean and hotel stuffs were friendly (photos below).
Personal Experience: Do NOT throw toilet paper into the toilet bowls.
Throw them into the wastepaper basket beside it once business is done. This happen to me when the toilet bowl was stuck on the second day, it was so embarrassed as I had to tell the hotel stuff to clear it !!! -_- . Through the conversation, I was told by the hotel stuff that the toilet paper used in Taiwan is "better" so it doesn't dissolve easily, and also flushing system in Taiwan is not that "sophisticated".
Taichung Central Mall (德安购物中心)
Had a quick wash up in the hotel room, after which walked about 5 minutes to Taichung Central Mall for dinner (left photo below). Had this Tainan Dan Zai noodle (担仔面) set for only TWD 100 at the basement food court, not too bad in taste (right photo below).
Feng Jia Night Market (逢甲夜市)
Took a bus ride to Taichung Shin Kong (新光三越) Department Store for some window-shopping, after which took a cab ride to Feng Jia Night Market (逢甲夜市). This night market was so named because 'Feng Jia University' is located there. The streets are simply packed with collage students every night. Not to mention that many snacks stores along the main streets, which is slightly smaller in scale compared to Shilin Night market in Taipei (photos below).
Personal Experience: Try to get CDs or DVDs in Taichung as it would be slightly cheaper compared getting them in Taipei.
Day Two
Had a quick breakfast at one of the café located at Taichung railway station. Initially planned to walk to a tourist bus transport company near the railway station to catch a tour bus to Sun-Moon Lake (日月潭). However along the way, we were approached by a taxi-driver quoting TWD 2000 for a ride round the lake for whole day. Took a long time in negotiating and considering. In the end decided to take up the deal as didn't want to be disappointed since already 'traveled so far to Taichung'.
Puli Winery (埔里酒廠)
First stop, Puli (埔里) winery. According to the descriptions from a tourist pamphlet, Puli winery was established in 1917 and its wine have been served on the tables of the Japanese Emperors and at State Banquets. In addition to spirits, the winery also produces 'Shaosing-flavored' popsicles, rice cakes and stewed meats. Good to see the wine-making process inside the museum.
Peafowl Garden (孔雀园)
The peafowl garden was the next stop. The park was established in 1968, and houses many rare peasants such as white peafowl, golden peasants etc (photos below).
Sun-Moon Lake (日月潭)
Next we visited a picnic area near the lake dam where it has a great view for photo-taking, especially on a clear day (photos below).
Had lunch at one of restaurants near the lake suggested by the taxi-driver, but can't remember what I ate and the price of the meal. After which, we proceeded to the jetty for more photo-taking and souvenirs hunting (photos below).
Across the jetty, there is an alley of shops selling from snacks to souvenirs. Also there are some restaurants located there; definitely better and more choices available than the one recommended by the taxi-driver (photos below).
Syuentzang Temple (玄奘寺)
Next destination was Syuentzang Temple (玄奘寺). This temple was built to worship the Tang Dynasty monk, Syuentzang (玄奘), where his remains (bones) were taken by the Japanese during the Sino-Japanese war from mainland China but the remains were sent back to Taiwan in 1955. The remains were treated as 'National Treasures' by the Taiwanese (photos below).
Great view of the Sun-Moon Lake could be seen clearly from the platform outside this temple (photo below).
Another not-to miss sight is the Ci En pagoda (慈恩塔). This pagoda was built by the late president Chiang Kai-Shek in memory of his mother in 1971 (left photo below). It took me effortlessly to walk up the stairs of 6 storeys, where the lake and surrounding area could be seen from this highest spot of Sun-Moon Lake (right photo below).
The pagoda was built with 9 storeys, but only 6 levels are accessible by visitors (left photo below). There was a huge bronze bell hanging from the roof top inside the pagoda, and visitors are allowed to strike it (right photo below).
Sun Moon Lake Wenwu temple (文武庙)
Wenwu temple (文武庙) was our last itinerary. It is a temple located on the perimeter of Sun Moon Lake (photos below).
As its name applies, this temple worships the God of Wars and God of Literature. Gods of Wars are 'Guang Yu' and 'Yue Fei', while the God of Literature is no other than Confucius (left photo below). Besides Confucius, four other Confucian followers such as 'Mencius' and 'Zeng Zi' are also worship in this temple (right photo below).
Beautiful wind charms decorated along the walkways (left photo below). One interesting observation was the pair of stone lions in front of the temple (right photo below). Each lion is sculpted where its head and forelimbs are rested on a concrete ball; which is very unique even among the many other forms of Chinese lions.
Taichung railway station
After the tour, we alighted at the Taichung railway station (left photo below) to buy the famous 'Taiyang Biscuits' (太阳饼) from a convenient store located inside the station. There were various brands of Taiyang biscuits, but was told that this brand is more 'authentic' (right photo below). This box of 6 pieces cost TWD 120. Do note that the expiry date was only 60 days from the date of manufacture.
Celebrations on last day of Chinese New Year
While in the hotel room, we heard loud explosion that sounded like fireworks. Out of curiosity, I took a look outside and saw a parade of Chinese god altars along the road on this last day of Chinese New Year (15th day). These fireworks simply brought up the festive mood. However felt rather hazardous to light up these low-range fireworks along the road as those sparks were very near to buildings which could potentially cause fire anytime. Here were the clips captured using my camera (videos below).
Saw lots of red paper shreds along the road after the fireworks while searching for dinner (left photo below). Had dinner at the Central Mall (德安购物中心) food court, and this time ordered a bowl of Beef noodles (right photo below).
Went to Starbucks for coffee after dinner, which tasted and cost the same as the outlets back in Singapore.