Taiwan (Mar '07) - Overview

This free-and-easy trip covers nine days from 03 Mar (Sat) to 11 Mar (Sun). The main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, has an area of 35,808 square kilometres, with mountain ranges dominating the eastern two-thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanised population is concentrated. The capital, Taipei, forms along with New Taipei City and Keelung the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Other major cities include Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.


Leisure trip at a glance

Country / Region: Republic of China (Taiwan region)
Period: 03 Mar to 11 Mar 2007
Flight timings:
03 Mar: SQ 872, SIN-TPE, ETD 0805 ETA 1215
11 Mar: SQ 27, TPE-SIN, ETD 0710 ETA 1145
Air tickets: Return Economy Class tickets (25,500 krisflyer miles thru' on-line redemption)
Airport Tax: SGD 114
Accommodations:
Zaw Jung Business hotel – 瑞君商务旅馆 (03 Mar to 05 Mar)
Gau Shan Ching hotel – 高山青大饭店 (05 Mar to 07 Mar)
KDM hotel – 凱統大飯店 (07 Mar to 10 Mar)
Currency exchange rate: TWD 100 = SGD 4.76 (Feb '07 period)


There is no time difference between Singapore and Republic of China (Taiwan) as both are in GMT +8 time zone. Total damage was about SGD 1500 including airport taxes, transport, food & hotel, excluding personal expenses. Was glad that I was able to redeem Krisflyer mileage points for the airfare as I couldn't "tahan" those budget airlines with no food and entertainment for 4 hours.

Been to Taipei once, so this time would like to cover other major attractions outside Taipei city. Very fortunate to follow what was planned in the itinerary; thanks to the weather (no major disaster despite ever-lasting rain), some helpful Taiwanese and extensive travel research. Well, here's the overview of the trip itinerary:

Day 1 – Morning flight SQ 872 to Taipei and transferred to Taichung (台中). Checked in Zaw Jung Business Hotel (瑞君商务旅馆) for subsequent 2 nights. Shopped around Taichung and visited Fengjia night market (逢甲夜市).

Day 2 – Full day trip to Sun-Moon Lake (日月潭).

Day 3 – Took train from Taichung to Chiayi (嘉义). Boarded train to Alishan (阿里山). Stayed overnight at Gao Shan Qing Hotel (高山青大饭店).

Day 4 – Tracking around Alishan in the morning. Took transport back to Chiayi train station and train back to Taipei. Checked in KDM hotel (凱統大飯店) for subsequent 4 nights. Walked around Ximending (西門町) in the evening.

Day 5 – Went to CKS Memorial Hall (中正纪念堂), Longshan temple (龍山寺), Beitou Hotspring (北投溫泉) and Danshui (淡水).

Day 6 – Took train to Hualien (花蓮) for full day trip. Visited Taroko National Park (太魯閣國家公園) and Chisingtan (七星潭). Back to Taipei for supper.

Day 7 – Went to Yehliu Geo-Park (野柳地质公园) and Jiufen (九份).

Day 8 – Visited SYS Memorial Hall (國父紀念館) and final shopping at Taipei 101 and area around it.

Day 9 – Took morning flight SQ 27 back home.



Some interesting facts:

• Most Taiwanese dates are in the format of 'Year-Month-Day'.


• Taiwan still uses the Republic of China calendar, also known as MingGuo calendar (民國紀元). The use of the MingGuo calendar system extends beyond official documents. When used to mark expiration dates on products for export, they can be misunderstood as having an expiration date long time ago. The Republic of China (R.O.C.) is formed after the revolution in 1911 A.D. Therefore 2007 A.D. - 1911 A.D. = 96th year of the Republic.
  
  For easy calculation, always add 11 years to any ROC year.


• The flushing system in most parts of Taiwan is not strong, therefore had to throw those used toilet papers into the waste basket beside the toilet bowls. Only some hotels may indicate such practices.

Some useful links:

• Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications:
  http://www.taiwan.net.tw/
  
  
• Taipei Travel:
  https://www.travel.taipei/
  
  
• Taoyuan International Airport:
  https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/
  
  
• Taiwan Railway:
  https://www.railway.gov.tw/