March 27, 2019

Visiting Yunlin and Tainan - Kapok and Bald Pines


While staying in Yunlin, we accidentally discovered a few places worth visiting. We came across spots with Kapok trees, and one of the nice places to take pictures is the road from Huwei to Xiluo. The road is quite long, and both sides are covered with red Kapok trees. Most of them were already in bloom, so I took the opportunity to capture some photos.

kapok trees, taiwan, yunlin
   
kapok trees, taiwan, yunlin 

We also visited the country road in Beihe, Tainan, which became a beautiful sight with blooming Red Kapok Trees. These trees are also known as Red Cotton Trees because their seeds, when ripe, contain white fibers similar to cotton. The wood of this tree is very soft and not particularly useful.

Kapok trees are widely planted in Southeast Asian countries, and their blooming season is very short, lasting only two weeks. County Highway No. 90 in Tainan is the main spot for viewing these flowers. In 2015, this road was listed as one of the top 15 most magical streets shaded by flowers and trees in the world, attracting many tourists each year. Tainan is also well known for its Lotus Farms, and two years ago we visited Beihe Lotus Park and the nearby lotus fields.

kapok tree, tainan, beihe, taiwan   

kapok tree, tainan, beihe, taiwan

kapok tree, tainan, beihe, taiwan

kapok tree, tainan, beihe, taiwan

kapok tree, tainan, beihe, taiwan

Another place we discovered while driving to Beigang was in the vicinity of Anbei village (安北) in Yuanchang Township. We noticed a few places with bald pine trees. There are several small forests, which are easy to spot during this season due to their changing colors.

Yuanchang is a small township in Yunlin County, and its origins date back to the Ming Dynasty when ancestors came to Taiwan to establish local settlements. The most important surnames in the area are Fu, Huang, Wu, and Su. Yuanchang got its name from a person named Fu Yuan-chang from Fujian, who was honored for his contributions to the community. Agriculture is the main industry here, with peanuts being the primary agricultural product, accounting for 28% of the peanut production on the island. Garlic and rice are also popular crops.


bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

Lastly, we stopped by Gongzhuang 1st Street near Chanjiazhuang (陳家莊), where we also spotted bald pine trees. There are more places to see bald pines in the surrounding countryside, although providing the exact addresses is difficult. I will do my best to explain their locations. Most of these places don't offer many attractions, but they are still worth visiting for the natural beauty they offer.

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

bald pines, taiwan, yunlin

Address:

1. Yunlin Kapok trees: 633雲林縣虎尾鎮145縣道虎尾木棉花道
2. Tainan Kapok Trees: 732台南市白河區玉豐里林初埤白河林初埤木棉花道

March 23, 2019

Taichung Travel: Tai'an Cherry Blossom

Taian Police Station (泰安派出所) 

Travel Date: 2019/03/23

Taichung. Cherry blossom season continues, and this time we visited Taian Police Station in Taichung. Surrounding the police station, you can see Yaezakura cherry trees. There were plenty of trees, and they are currently in full bloom. This police station attracts many tourists during the blooming season. Additionally, you can find some street food stalls around the area. Nearby, you can also see bald cypress trees. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good today, and there were quite a few people, making it a bit challenging to find parking space.

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan 

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

tai'an police station cherry blossom, taichung, taiwan

Address:

421台中市后里區安眉路1號臺中市政府警察局大甲分局泰安派出所

March 19, 2019

Hsinchu & Miaoli Travel: A walk through Nanzhuang and Neiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street (南庄老街)

Some time ago, we visited Nanzhuang Old Street. Nanzhuang Township is the second largest in the Miaoli county and is situated at an elevation of 120-2200 meters above sea level. The majority of the population in Nanzhuang is comprised of Hakka people, with some Saisiya and Atayal aboriginal groups.

The development of Nanzhuang started during the Qing Dynasty, and it was one of the areas for camphor and coal mining during the Japanese era. In 1935, Nanzhuang was severely destroyed by an earthquake. The Japanese then reconstructed the street, creating a landscape of two-story Japanese-style wooden buildings. On Nanzhuang Old Street, you can find an old theater that has been transformed into a restaurant, as well as a post office that was rebuilt after the earthquake. You can also see Naimuqi, which are stone leaders built for the convenience of residents. Nanzhuang is also famous for its osmanthus lanes, osmanthus syrup, Hakka dishes, and egg rolls. On holidays, the street is bustling with people.

You can also visit Yongchang Temple, located next to the Old Street and post office. This temple was built in 1905 and is dedicated to the Three Officials. The temple was initially constructed at a lower level but was destroyed by an earthquake. In the 1950s, it was rebuilt in its current location.

See also newer post about Nanzhuang: HERE

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan
 
Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Nanzhuang Old Street, miaoli, taiwan

Neiwan Old Street (內灣老街) 

When we visited Neiwan Old Street, it was bustling with people and food stalls everywhere. In the past, this street was prosperous due to lumbering and mining activities. However, the town's prosperity declined over time, and the old street does not showcase any distinctive architectural style like the baroque-style buildings found in other old streets. The buildings in Neiwan Old Street have a similar style to other old neighborhoods in Taiwan.

Neiwan Old Street is well-known for its Hakka culture and food. With the decline of mining and forestry, the street's prosperity has diminished. In 1951, the Neiwan Liujia Line was constructed to attract tourists to the town. On Neiwan Old Street, you can find an old theater that has been transformed into a Hakka restaurant, where old movies are also played. The police station in this area also features Japanese architectural style and is the only police station in Taiwan where cars are not permitted to enter. Additionally, in front of the police station, there is a centuries-old osmanthus tree.

Nearby the Old Street, you can also find Guangji Temple (廣濟宮), which has a history of 100 years and is dedicated to the Three Officials.

neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan

neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan

neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan    
neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan

neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan
 
neiwan old street, hsinchu, taiwan  

Address:

1. NanZhuang Old Street: No. 6, 文化路南庄鄉苗栗縣353南庄老街
2. Neiwan Old Street: 312新竹縣橫山鄉中正路內灣老街

March 15, 2019

Visiting ShiBaJian Shan and Hsinchu Park's cherry blossom

Hsinchu Park (新竹公園)

Cherry blossoms were in full bloom, so we also decided to visit Hsinchu Park, where numerous cherry trees are planted. They have different varieties of trees, most of which were already in full bloom. We also noticed some newly planted trees in the area. Due to the holiday, the park was very crowded today.

  cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan

cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan
 
cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan   

cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan
 
cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan

cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan 

Shibajianshan (十八尖山)

We also made a visit to ShibaJian Shan (18 peak mountain) located in the East District of Hsinchu City. ShibaJian Shan has a long history and has been transformed into a forest park. In 1927, during the Japanese rule, this mountain was planned to become a forest park called Dongshan Park. However, during World War II, the park was closed, and fortresses and military tunnels were constructed by the Japanese. After Taiwan's recovery, ShibaJian Shan became a military area with numerous military facilities established by the Ministry of National Defense. Tourists were prohibited from entering, but the natural beauty of the mountain was preserved.

With the development of Hsinchu City, the mountain eventually came under the jurisdiction of the local government. ShibaJian Shan was reopened as a forest park. As the name suggests, ShibaJian Shan has 18 peaks, with the highest peak reaching 131 meters above sea level and the lowest at 50 meters. The mountain stretches for about 7-8 kilometers. Early March marks the flowering season in this mountain park, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms and other types of flowers, such as kapok and osmanthus. The park also provides several resting areas and drinking water facilities.
cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan

cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan 

cherry blossom, hsinchu, taiwan 

Address:

1. Hsinchu Park: 300新竹市東區新竹公園
2. Shibajianshan: 300新竹市東區寶山路145巷38號十八尖山

March 8, 2019

The cow farm and Phra Phrom Temple of Changhua

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of meeting another Polish-Taiwanese couple. Our friendship has been developing well, and we have met up a few times already. The last time we got together was during Lunar New Year in Changhua.

Hejia Ranch (禾家牧場)

We decided to meet at a milk hotpot restaurant located near a cow farm, where they also serve ice creams made from fresh milk. It was my first time seeing a farm in Taiwan with so many cows at once. In Poland, cows are often kept outside in fields, but here in Taiwan, it's not as common. We had visited Chan Chau Ku Ranch in Lunbei once before, where they had a few cows as well.

On that day, the place was relatively empty, with only a few people around. Playing with the cows was quite fun. They weren't afraid of people and would come near to eat the grass we offered. It wasn't easy to pick the grass ourselves, but we could buy some to feed them. It's a great place to visit with kids, as they always enjoy touching and feeding the cows. Changhua County is known as the center of the dairy industry in Taiwan.

Hejia Ranch 禾家牧場, changhua, taiwan   

Hejia Ranch 禾家牧場, changhua, taiwan

amwf couple, polish-taiwanese couple, Hejia Ranch 禾家牧場, changhua, taiwan

amwf couple, polish-taiwanese couple, Hejia Ranch 禾家牧場, changhua, taiwan      

Phra Phrom Temple (彰化四面佛寺)

After our meal, we headed to Phra Phrom Temple, which is the largest of its kind in Taiwan. In Indian mythology, Phra Phrom (Brahma) is one of the three main Gods and is also referred to as the God of Four Faces. Offerings for the God are placed in front of each face, and one needs to walk in the correct direction to receive blessings.

The statue of Phra Phrom is nearly 2.2 meters tall, and it is believed that each side of Phra Phrom offers different blessings. The first side represents prayers for fame and career, the second side for family and marriage, the third side for wealth, and the fourth side for peace and happiness.

The temple itself is quite spacious and covers multiple floors on the mountainside. Visitors can walk up and down to explore the temple and its gardens. The temple is adorned with numerous elephant decorations. In the early 1980s, the popularity of Brahma spread from Thailand to other Asian countries.

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan
 
Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan 

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan 

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan

Phra Phrom Temple, changhua, taiwan 

Address:

1. Hejia Ranch: 500彰化縣彰化市田坑路二段180號禾家牧場
2. Phra Phrom Temple: 500彰化縣彰化市石牌路一段480號彰化四面佛寺