Originally Posted by
NYCRachel
Hello!
Some thoughts/questions:
- I'm game for almost anything (love exploring cities, scenic spots etc.), but also love some relaxing time along the way as this is vacation
(spa/hot springs reccos are welcome)
- Taroko will be closed for quite some time, so that's a non-starter.
- Taitung and the islands off of Taiwan's mainland look nice, but if I were to include it would likely replace Kenting. Understand it may be too cold for going in the water, but this could be some nice relaxing/scenic time.
- Very apprehensive about a car rental (I hate driving), but maybe between Kaosiung and SML. I'm also open to hiring drivers for a day (seems like it may be about $200 USD/day?) etc. Welcome any advice!
- Any new info/"things to do"/under the radar activities in general that may not be on your standard tourism/travel websites?
Thank you in advance!
Originally Posted by
Virginia Emery
I am not a Taiwan expert:
- I'm planning to go into the water mid-November @ Kenting. Was also looking at Xiaoliuqiu (琉球) instead
- I would do sun-moon lake as a daytrip from Taichung
- From Taichung to Taipei I would do Lukang daytrip via TRA trains
- I would (and have) stay overnight at Alishan
- I would not like to drive in Taiwan (except Hualien to Taroko), but may end up driving from Taichung to SML this time as a daytrip
- Getting to/from Lanyu and Green Island might be a bit hectic during the winter (probably fine in November), as the weather/sea gets pretty rough and causing cancellation. I would avoid Kenting like a plague. Liuchiu is lovely in the winter - water is pretty warm that a spring suit is enough, and with little crowd.
- $200/day for hiring a driver + car seems a bit high, but obviously depends on how long the "day" is and the car. For reference, you can hire a sedan or small SUV for $125/8 hours with a major taxi company with $10-15/hour surcharge.
- I believe most of the hot spring hotels would be happy to let an individual use a dayroom for the same rate.
Originally Posted by
Ilove2fly
Can someone give an update on Taroko Gorge?
Taiwan NPS has a website for the timeline of reopening (in Mandarin):
太魯閣國家公園分期、分區復原開放規劃 (taroko.gov.tw). Their goal seems to be reopening the most popular spots by end of 2024.