Taipei Zoo and night view of Taipei 101

Being in Taipei, I couldn't miss going to the zoo. The place is really huge, and the hot weather makes it difficult to walk around. It took over 2 hours to see everything at the zoo, and many of the animals we couldn't see because they were hiding from the heat.

The zoo has been in existence since 1914, but in the beginning, it was a private zoological garden owned by a Japanese citizen. Now, the total area is 165 hectares, with 90 hectares open to the public, making this zoo one of the largest in Asia. In 1914, the zoo was funded by Japanese citizens and called Maruyama Zoo. After World War II, the ownership of the zoo was passed to Taipei City.

Taipei Zoo displays animals from Taiwan, Australia, Africa, Asian tropical rainforests, deserts, temperate zones, and even domestic animals in the Children's Zoo. There is also an aviary with over 12,000 birds of over 130 species. Other exhibitions include the insectarium, amphibian and reptile house, penguin habitat, koala habitat, nocturnal animal display, and panda exhibition.

In 2008, the zoo received two pandas from China, and the Giant Panda House attracts a lot of visitors. The pandas are the most famous animals here. In 2013, the first panda cub in Taiwan was born.

  

When visiting Taipei, you will definitely want to see Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan. From 2004 to 2010, it was also the tallest building in the world. Inside, you will find a shopping mall with hundreds of fashionable stores, restaurants, and clubs. The building is also home to the fastest elevator in the world. On the 88th and 89th floors, you can observe the world's heaviest and largest wind damper.

The first day I came to Taiwan, I had the chance to see Taipei 101 at night from a restaurant nearby. Luckily, the weather wasn't cloudy or rainy. However, during the few weeks that we have stayed in Taipei, I have rarely seen a clear blue sky. I'm not a fan of the summer weather here with the heat and constant rain. Staying home has become quite boring.

We also climbed a hill to see the night view of Taipei. After the climb, I felt exhausted, but the view was worth it. There were a lot of people walking to those viewing spots. Personally, I wouldn't climb there a second time just to watch the city for a while, but it's a popular place for young people.

Picture source: https://goo.gl/images/PoUC2N

Address:

1. Taipei Zoo: 116台北市文山區新光路二段30號臺北市立動物園
2. Taipei 101: 110台北市信義區信義路五段7號89樓台北101觀景台
3. Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain): 110台北市信義區信義路五段150巷401弄31號象山

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Taipei Travel: Houtong Cat's Village ~ Charming Felines in Taiwanese Mountainous Village

Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村)

There is something for cat lovers to see in Taiwan - the Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村). We had a really great time here. I love cats, and I really miss my pets that I had to leave in Poland. Unfortunately, I can't keep any cats or dogs now, which makes me upset, so it's a happier experience for me to visit this place.

The Houtong Village is surrounded by hills and has a beautiful river. Houtong is a small coal mining town that was built during the Japanese era. The village attracted over 6,000 workers and produced the highest amount of coal in Taiwan. However, in 1990, with the end of the coal industry, many people left this place, and the population of the village dwindled to less than 100 people.

In 2008, a cat lover began to care for abandoned cats in Houtong. After posting pictures online, Houtong once again became a tourist destination. Some people say that the number of cats here is 200+. You can find them sleeping anywhere, on rooftops, in flower pots, and even inside shops. Most of the cats are strays and wild but have become accustomed to people. And don't worry, they are looked after by a volunteer team with veterinary care.

You can find many shops around with food, drinks, and cat-themed souvenirs. Many times you will see signs not to feed or tease the cats, although many people still feed them and play with them when they get the chance. On weekends, Houtong is really full of tourists.

You can also visit the old mine. Ruisan Mine was built in 1940 and was the largest coal mine in Taiwan. The mine is 100 meters underground and 4 kilometers deep. You can ride inside the original diesel car and visit the museum with old photos and mining relics.

According to news in 2019, the number of cats has risen to about 50 more, totaling nearly 300 cats in Houtong. According to locals, it has become a magnet for people wanting to abandon their pets.

The village is just crazy about cats, with everything cat-related. There are cat decorations, music consisting of "meow," and you will find ceramic cats, cat-themed notepads, phone covers, socks, temporary tattoos, fridge magnets, and many more cat-themed items! 

Address: 

224新北市瑞芳區猴硐貓村

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Taipei Travel: The Remains of 13 Levels ~ Exploring Jinguashi Mining Area's Rich History

The Northern Coast of Taiwan is full of interesting places. Today, we are visiting the Remains of the Thirteen Levels (十三層遺址), also known as the Shuinandong Smelter (水湳洞精煉廠). It is located in the Jinguashi mining area in the Ruifang District of New Taipei. This Japanese-era copper smelting refinery is now one of the abandoned places in Taiwan. It's just a short walk from the Golden Waterfall, which is another interesting place to see.

Remains of the Thirteen Levels (水湳洞選煉廠遺址)

In 1905, the mining directory of the Jinguashi mine discovered gold, sulfur, arsenic, and copper ore in the area. That same year, a factory was established here to process gold and copper ore. By 1907, the Jinguashi mine produced 47 metric tons of copper and gained worldwide fame. The development of the Shuiyudong settlement is closely related to gold and copper ores. The employee buildings were built on the hillside opposite the Jiufen River, with the buildings divided into four and six households.

After actively mining the Jinguashi gold mine, the Japanese discovered sulfur-arsenic copper in 1920 and converted the mine into a copper mining and refinery operation. The Shuinandong Smelter was completed in 1933 and operated by war prisoners during the Japanese occupation. The smelter was built on a hillside and actually has 18 levels. It was the largest smelter in Asia at that time. In 1945, it was taken over by the Taiwan Gold and Copper Mining Bureau and converted into Taiwan Metal Mining in 1955.

This area was rich in gold and copper, but production began to decline in the 1970s. After 1987, the business ended, and soon this place became abandoned. In 2007, the site was registered as a historic building. The Remains of the Thirteen Levels is the largest site in the former Jinguashi area, which used to produce 50,000 tons of copper per year.

This place also boasts one of the world's longest concrete pipeline ventilation systems. These pipes are built along the hillside, with each pipe measuring about 1 km long. These large pipes can be easily seen from afar. In the past, it was necessary for copper smelting to discharge a large amount of copper smoke, which is highly toxic. This concrete pipeline ventilation system is a witness to the development of Taiwan's mining industry. In 2008, it was recognized as a cultural landscape.

See also: Golden Waterfall

Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布)

Near this place, you can also see the Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布). Due to abundant rainfall, minerals are washed out of the stones, causing the water to turn yellow and flow into the river and then into the sea. The color of the waterfall existed long before the mining period and is a natural occurrence caused by heavy metals in the ground. The water has a beautiful golden color when the sunlight hits it, but touching it isn't advisable due to its toxicity.

Yin Yang Sea (陰陽海)

The water from this area also flows into the sea, creating a unique landscape called Yin Yang Sea (陰陽海). Located on the Northern Coast, the Yin Yang Sea is truly a special sight. The name was given due to the contrast between the yellowish-brown water and the natural blue color of the sea. Initially, people used to think that the yellow color was a result of pollution from the Taijin Company. However, even after the copper company stopped operating a few years ago, the sea's colors remained the same. Geological studies have helped explain this mysterious color of the sea.

Address:

1. Remains of Thirteen Levels: 224新北市瑞芳區水湳洞選煉廠遺址
2. Golden Waterfall: 224新北市瑞芳區金水公路黃金瀑布

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Taipei Travel: Jiufen ~ Discovering the Charms of Taiwan's Historic Mining Town

Picture source: https://goo.gl/images/5TLYKd

We drove the scooter for a long time today, and it's almost getting dark. Before heading back home, my husband took me to Jiufen, which is one of the most popular places near Taipei.

I had never seen an old street before, but these kinds of places seem very crowded. Sometimes it was difficult to pass by and go to another place on these very narrow streets. I particularly liked the view of the many lanterns hanging up along the streets.

Jiufen village used to be the center of gold mining, with operations starting in 1892. During the Japanese era, Jiufen, Jinguashi, and Wudankeng were the three most important "golden mountains." In 1903-1904, the amount of gold produced in these three areas was comparable to the amount produced in Japan. Jiufen was under the management of Taiyang Mining during the Japanese occupation until the end of the war. Gold mining resumed in 1945 but started to decline after 1957. After gold mining officially ended in 1971, many miners shifted their focus to coal mining.

The name "Jiufen" means "nine portions." Legend has it that nine families lived in this village. Whenever one family went shopping, they would divide what they bought and share it among the nine families since the shops were far away.

Jiufen Old Street (九份老街)

Jiufen Old Street (九份老街) is the most popular street in Jiufen. It used to be called the "dark street" in the past because it was a gathering place for people at night. One of the oldest shops here is a tea house with over 100 years of historical architecture. Another street in the area, called Chigasaki Road, has over 300 stone steps and is lined with many tea houses. On this road, you will also see the Shengping Theatre building, which was the first cinema in Taiwan.

Jiufen Old Street is really small and extremely crowded. You can find a wide variety of food and souvenir shops here, and enjoy the nice view. The streets form a small maze with plenty of shops, and there are many tiny alleys connecting the main roads.

Around the streets, you can see many lanterns, which look the best after dark. The village is located on hills, allowing you to enjoy views of the mountains and the sea. Unfortunately, it's getting dark soon, and since we arrived here by scooter, we have to head home before all those lanterns light up the darkness.

See also: Jinguashi Mining Area

See also: History of Pingxi

 

Address: 

224新北市瑞芳區基山街九份老街

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Taipei Travel: Captivating beauty of Shifen Waterfall - Taiwan's Little Niagara

Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布)

Staying in Taipei just for a few days, we decided to make the most of our time and explore the surrounding areas. Today, we visited Pingxi District to see one of the famous waterfalls, Shifen Waterfall. 

Pingxi is known for its numerous waterfalls, with 36 discovered to date. One of the most popular waterfalls in the area is Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布). Over millions of years, geological processes have shaped the landscape, creating valleys and canyons. The average height of mountains in Pingxi is around 500 meters.

The region has a significant historical connection to mining in Taiwan. The area's sedimentary rock formation contains valuable resources such as coal, oil, and gas. This geological structure formed approximately 3-4 million years ago.

Pingxi is also well-known for its Sky Lantern Festival.

Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) is located in Pingxi District, not Xinyi. The name "Shifen" originates from ten families who played a significant role in the area's development, similar to the naming of Jiufen Village. The trail leading to the waterfall is relatively long and passes through a beautiful bamboo forest.

Shifen Waterfall is approximately 20 meters tall and 40 meters wide, making it the widest waterfall in Taiwan. Its shape has earned it the nickname "Little Niagara of Taiwan." The water pool below the waterfall is also quite deep.

The waterfall is situated in a scenic area along the Keelung River. This area is known for its waterfall valley landscape, thanks to the erosion and cutting terrains nearby, which result in the formation of numerous waterfalls.

While there is no access to the water itself, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the waterfall from different viewing decks at various levels. On sunny days, it's possible to spot rainbows in the splashing water, which has led some people to refer to it as the "Rainbow Pond." Admission to the waterfall is free. From October to May, the visiting hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, with the final entrance to the park at 4:30 pm. From June to September, the hours are extended to 9 am to 6 pm, with the last entrance at 5:30 pm.

See also: History of Pingxi and sky lanterns 

Near the Suspension Bridge that leads to Shifen town, you can also find Yanjingdong Falls. Once you've finished exploring the waterfall, head back to Shifen, where you'll find a variety of food stalls awaiting tired visitors. The town is approximately a 30-minute walk away. The old train station in Shifen was built in 1918 for the transportation of coal.

Address:

226新北市平溪區乾坑10號十分瀑布

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