This guest post was written by Stephanie A Long.

Apart from a few dolphins that had been keeping pace, the only thing to see since we had passed Green Island was blue meeting blue on the distant horizon. The sunlight’s warmth and the deck chair’s swaying and rocking had made my eyelids heavy.

I hadn’t realized that I’d drifted to sleep, though, or that the 4 hour journey could already be nearly over. And so, when a light touch to the shoulder woke me, it seemed to me that the wild, jungle-covered cliffs filling the world off to port had magically burst up out of the calm waters.

Orchid Island, also called Lanyu, had been on my travel list for nearly 2 years—and finally, I was there!

This volcanic island, with its turquoise waters and unique native culture, might not be as popular a tourist destination as the much closer Green Island, but that isn’t because it lacks anything in beauty or culture. Because of its remoteness—the island lies about 73 miles off the south-east coast of Taiwan—and the relative difficulty of traveling there, fewer people are able to make the trip. If you do brave the little planes or the ferry ride, though, the trip is well worth it!

Soon after climbing down from the boat, we were met by a driver who brought us back to a local home, partially converted into a hostel. Within an hour, we had our rental scooter, a full tank of gas, and an evening to drive, climb around on the volcanic rock, and explore.

A single coastal road wraps around the island, and it only takes 2-3 hours to circumnavigate this small island. You can take your time to stop and admire the dramatic rock formations along the road, and just enjoy the ride between the deep turquoise waters on one side and the dense, wild mountains on the other.

When it came time for a meal, there wasn’t any shortage of delicious things to eat. If you are looking for a quick snack or drink, there are numerous small, independently owned convenience stores along the island’s main road. You may have to drive 10 to 15 minutes to find a snack or a coffee, but that’s all part of the laid-back island adventure. There aren’t any 7-11s on this island, and that’s part of the charm.

There are a few western-style restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean, and plenty of small restaurants serving local food. Make sure to give the island’s specialty, flying fish, a try while you are there!

The stunning, deep blue waters that surround the island are home to some beautiful coral reefs, and Orchid Island has a reputation as being a great place for snorkeling. For only 400NT per person, we rented wetsuits and snorkels, and had a guide from the local village. Drifting above and through the beautiful world of coral reefs that lies just off the coast is the perfect way to spend a few hours here.

For travelers who like trekking, the climb to Orchid Island’s Taling mountain is popular, and offers great views. The weather station, which is just a short drive up the cross-island road. Although there’s nothing particularly spectacular about the weather station itself, the views along the drive, and once you’ve reached the top, are amazing.

One of the biggest draws to Orchid Island, though, is the chance to see its unique culture. This island is home to the Yami people. Culturally distinct from the rest of Taiwan, the Yami have traditions and customs that more closely resemble those of people in the Philippines.

On your trip around the island, make sure to check out the Lanyu museum, which shows a replica of a traditional Yami underground home, as well as tons of traditional crafts, tools, and art.

 Be sure to also keep an eye out for the beautifully painted, hand-made canoes.  Outside of the museum, the gate from the main road is made up to look like two of these canoes.

After an all-too short weekend there, Orchid Island ranks high on my list of favorite places in Taiwan.  It has beautiful oceans, wild mountains, and a laid-back feel that makes it the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

Travel Tips

•  From the coastal city of Taitung, flights and ferries leave for Orchid Island daily, weather permitting. The flights are run by Daily Air, and cost about $3,000NT round trip. Ferries are only slightly cheaper, at $2,000NT round trip.
•  Bad weather often leaves flights grounded and ferries stuck in the harbor. Be aware that you may be stuck on the island for a day or two more than you had planned, and prepare accordingly. Even when the ferries do run, trip can be quite an adventure. We had calm seas on the way there, but ended up catching the edge of a Typhoon on the way back! I’d recommend the ferry only for people with a strong sense of adventure, and an even stronger stomach.
• Ferries and flights fill up early, especially during holidays. Trains and flights to Taitung are often sold out as well. Book your transportation to Taitung, and to Orchid island, well in advance.
• Not many people on the island speak English. You may have some trouble communicating and booking things if you don’t have someone with you who can speak at least some Mandarin Chinese.
• Renting a scooter is the best way to get around the island. Since the road is windy and often steep, having someone with you who knows how to drive a scooter is a must.

2011 was another great year for travel for a gal like me. After taking on the role of President of Reach To Teach Recruiting earlier this year, I expected that my travel time would go down, but my new position ended up bringing me a lot more travel opportunities than I was anticipating. Here’s a list of the incredible places that I traveled to in 2011.

Shanghai, China

Revisted! Shanghai is one of those cities that never fails to intrigue me. This is a city that I’ve visited for business and for pleasure in the last 18 months. No matter what I’m doing while in Shanghai, whether it’s business or pleasure, this gorgeous Asian city never fails to delight me.

Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

John and I kicked off the Chinese New Year with a trip to Kota Kinabalu. We got caught in a heavy rainstorm while driving to the Tip of Borneo and almost got swept away by a flash flood, we visited Mt Kinabau and Poring Hot Springs, met an orangoutang named Jackie, and visited the islands in and around Kota Kinabalu proper.

Seoul, South Korea

I went to Korea twice this year. Once in February and once in August. Both trips were work-related, but I couldn’t have asked for more different trips. My February trip was a solo trip, so I had the rare pleasure of exploring the city on my own. That opportunity doesn’t come along very often in my marriage, so I made the most of it by checking out the changing of the guards at Gyeongbokgung Palace, wandering through Insa-dong, being drawn into a live broadcast for Doko cookies, and walking straight into a massive parade in downtown Seoul.

On the other hand, my August trip to South Korea was both work- and family-related. John’s mother and son joined us in Taipei this summer and we flew to South Korea with them and enjoyed a three-day weekend with them before getting down to business. Caleb seemed to enjoy Korea, although he doesn’t look very happy in this photo. He’s like his Dad. He doesn’t like having his picture taken.

Hualien, Taiwan

Although I live in Taiwan, Hualien is one city that we’ve never spent much time in. John and I planned an impromptu long weekend trip in Hualien with another couple that we spend time with here in Taiwan. We rented bicycles for the weekend and explored this laid-back East Coast city in full. We found a great barbecue restaurant and stumbled upon a quiet little beach behind an army base on the outskirts of town. Taiwan is full of hidden treasures and this weekend proved to be surprise after surprise.

Hong Kong

John and I took his mother and son to Hong Kong this July and spent four days wandering around the city. We shopped and ate and shopped some more. We spent most evenings on the pier watching both the people and the neon lights lighting up the sky at regular intervals. I enjoyed our tram ride to Victoria Peak, but my favorite part of the trip was stumbling upon a local beer festival.

London,England

My first trip to Europe – Can you believe it! – has been in the making since 2006. This was a really special trip for me because I got to spend it with my two best friends, Claire Breen and Andrew Morgan. Claire and I have traveled together many times before, but this was my first big trip with Drew and his first big trip out of North America. We made sure we hit all the hot spots in London upon our arrival.

Brighton, England

I’ve always wanted to visit Brighton after watching Fat Boy Slim play live on Brighton Beach on TV. As luck would have it, Claire moved there in early 2011, so her home in Brighton was our home base for our European vacation.

Poole, England

Another highlight of our European vacation was Ben and Gemma Hughes’ wedding on October 1, 2011 in Sandbanks, a small piece of land that projects out into the English Channel at Poole in Dorset, England. Dubbed as Britain’s “Palm Beach”, this beautiful piece of land is ranked fourth in the world for having the highest land value. The area has some of the most exclusive homesteads in England, while its waters are widely used for water sports, yachting and sailing.



Paris, France

Our trip to Paris started off with a very special visit to Maison Guerlain, where we got a private tour of the original apartments and learned first-hand about the history of this famous Parisienne perfumer. We rented a charming little apartment in Le Montparnasse and spent our evenings picnicking under the Eiffel Tower in the warm September weather. I wasn’t expecting to like Paris as much as I did, but I would gladly take six months off to rent a little apartment here to get to know the city better.

Amsterdam, Holland

The freedom of life in Amsterdam was an unforgettable experience and I am already anxious to go back and explore more of this fascinating country.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is destination that I have been itching to go to, but never dreamed that it would happen this year. Last summer while I was home in Canada, I met Aleks, a young Danish man from Copenhagen that accompanied us to Beach Club in Montreal to see Tiesto. We became friends and he ended up inviting Drew, Claire and I to Copenhagen. I don’t think he expected us to take him up on his offer, but we ended up descending on his home and stayed with him for five days. Aleks was an incredibly gracious host and he spent his time showing us around his hometown. There are too many highlights to mention in just this post, but our trip to Christiana and our bicycle adventures around the city stand out in my mind as being the perfect way to end our trip.

This guest blog is by Ava Apollo.

In the Xin Yi district of Taipei, home to the famous 101 skyscaper, immaculate residential mid-rises owned by the powerful and rich Taipei elite sit quietly amidst the buzz of one of the busiest intersections in the city. At any given time, one can catch a glimpse of young adult females in the windows of these flats and penthouses, cleaning and then re-cleaning windows, walking dogs, rearing children of their employers, cooking and serving food, and generally leading the life of an indentured servant.

It is rare to see a housekeeper taking a walk, or out relaxing and enjoying the day.  Even rarer still is it to see one doing anything but working within the confines of the household in which she is employed.

Xin Yi

In late November of this year, multiple news outlets reported the charging of Taiwanese director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City, Jacqueline Liu (劉姍姍), for the mistreatment of her Filipina housekeepers.  She reportedly plead guilty to charges of overworking, underpaying, and mistreating her housekeepers, which was in violation of their employment contracts.

Liu was forced to pay said housekeepers over USD$80,000 in restitution for forcing them to work 16-18-hour days 6 ½ days per week.  The housekeepers were found to have been victims of what is considered a severe human trafficking case under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.  They will be issued visas and allowed to remain in the U.S. for the purpose of finding work.  As for Lui, she will be detained in prison until her sentencing, though she maintains that she does not feel she did anything wrong.

As a previous resident of Taipei, I can understand why Lui feels that she acted lawfully – as it pertains to how things are done in Taiwan, at least.  It is a common practice to overwork and underpay migrant house workers, who are usually young women from the Philippines or Indonesia.

Under Taiwanese law, blue collar migrant workers enter into a contract with their employers and cannot freely change employers without being in violation of said contract and thereby risking deportation.  Therefore, migrant workers are under pressure to please their employers, many of whom impose arbitrary pay cuts and require ridiculously long hours of overtime, and often do not give their employees holidays off.

In Hong Kong, it is common to see maids gather on days off. This is something I never saw in Taipei

As a foreigner in Taiwan, it seemed like a pretty special treat to be able to hire a housekeeper to stop by our flat and only charge about $200-$300 NT per hour (about USD$6-$10) for cleaning services (which, by the way, is much much higher than a normal contractual wage in Taipei for a full-time housekeeper).  This was a great deal cheaper than anything I could have found in the states.

Though I never employed a housekeeper myself, I did pay my downstairs neighbor’s housekeeper, Nana, a little bit of extra money to handle garbage duties for me (which is a real pain in Taiwan).

Given that I was usually home when she stopped by, I used to ask her about her day, which eventually turned into talking about her life and her family back home.  She was from Indonesia and had lived in Taipei for nearly five years.  She was married and had come abroad in order to make enough money to return home and build a house with her husband, who worked at a factory in South Korea.  Even though the money she made seemed like peanuts compared to what I made as an English tutor, it was more than she could have hoped to make in a lifetime in Indonesia where she was from.  In order to provide for her family, she felt compelled work in Taiwan, sending every penny of her earnings back home each pay period and never buying anything for herself.

It had been five years since she had seen her husband or any members of her family.  This broke my heart.

Nana’s story is not uncommon in Taipei.  Migrant workers just like her leave their families at home in order to make enough money to provide them with a better life in the future.  Many of these women even leave young children behind, and end up serving as nannies for the children of their employers – something I can imagine must be extremely emotionally difficult.

Amazingly, they almost always smile and appear to be happy

Over time, Nana and I developed some semblance of a friendship.  She confided to me that she had originally been brought to Taiwan by a family other than the one she was currently employed by.  She had fled after being verbally and sometimes physically abused by her former employer.  Though she now worked almost every waking moment, she liked this new employer who allowed her to use her limited free time to make extra money on the side, and gave her small bonuses during the holidays.

However, she lived in fear of deportation nearly every day.  She almost never left the building, save for the rare occasions when she took the risk of leaving the flat in order to wire her earnings back home.

This was a risky situation, as the employer also ran the risk of being fined for employing her as an undocumented worker. I suppose by extension, I was running the same risk by paying her to help with the trash.

She would eventually head home when the time was right.  She would tell the airport officials that she didn’t have the money to pay the fine for overstaying her visa – a crime punishable by being barred from ever returning to Taipei.  This would work out just fine for her, as she had no plans of returning, anyway.

Her situation was such a stark juxtaposition to that of my English-teaching peers, though they were both technically migrant workers.  Both parties had come to Taiwan in hopes of making some cash in order to have a better life. English speakers could make a great living as English teachers, able to get pretty good hourly wages in schools and bushibans (English cram-schools) with the ability to put plenty away for travel and savings.  The funny thing is most of the housekeepers from the Philippines were native English-speakers as well, but would never have been given the chance to teach.  They were simply from the wrong region of the world to have a shot at that opportunity.

When I was getting ready to return home, Nana cried and insisted on helping me pack.  It was an unlikely friendship that really put a face to cheap labor that was so distant from me previously.  It was something I had only read about, but now had seen first-hand for myself.  When it comes down to it, Nana chose to come to Taiwan because she wanted a chance to make money to support her family.  I wonder if she still would have come had she known how difficult it was going to be, which is something I never got a chance to ask her.

I hope she's home now

I hope that now, she’s back with her husband in Indonesia, living in a house she built with her earnings, rearing a family, most likely with local maids of her own.

So, what do you think?  Do there need to be changes to the way that migrant workers are treated, or does the opportunity to make a better life for themselves outweigh the drawbacks? 

Chris Norton is a successful Internet entrepreneur and a lover of the Chinese language. He also happens to be the author of a terrific new e-book called Study Chinese in Taiwan. Find out what initially drew Chris to Taiwan, why he recommends studying Chinese in Taiwan and how the plans for his new website and e-book developed after his arrival in Taiwan. 

MSW: Hi Chris. Thanks so much for joining us today. Why don’t we start the interview today with you telling us a little about yourself? Why did you decide to come to Taiwan?

CN: I’m a 10-year veteran internet entrepreneur and avid Mandarin Chinese language student (Mandarin students can check out my new site, Study Chinese in Taiwan, for helpful Mandarin study tips!)

Originally it was my passion for becoming fluent in Mandarin that brought me to Taiwan to study Chinese, but in the end it was the yummy food, world’s most friendly people, affordability of living in Taiwan and fantastic Asia-travel opportunities that made me stay.

MSW: How do you like your courses so far at National Taiwan Normal University? What are some of the things that you really enjoy/dislike about studying in Taiwan?

CN: Studying Mandarin Chinese at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU)’s Mandarin Training Center has been amazing! I’ve heard a couple horror stories of Mandarin students ending up with awful, cranky old teachers. After studying Chinese for four semesters at NTNU, I have yet to encounter a single one. The four Mandarin teachers I’ve had over my four semesters at NTNU have all been extremely friendly, very helpful and very professional.

NTNU’s facilities are great (if a little old in places – but so are most of the buildings in Taiwan), and being the largest Mandarin school in Taiwan means they can offer Mandarin students additional classes like Taiwanese which I’m starting this semester.

My only ‘dislike’, and it’s not necessarily a fault of NTNU’s, is that having the largest student body means it’s easy for Mandarin students to converse only with other foreigners outside of class. The school could do more to encourage language exchange with local Taiwanese which is absolutely essential to developing fluency in Mandarin.

MSW: You’ve recently developed a fairly new website called Study Chinese in Taiwan. What makes your site special compared to all of the other language sites out there?

CN: That’s right! The goal of the Study Chinese in Taiwan website is to provide all the vital information Mandarin students need to know to make the move to Taiwan and further their Mandarin studies.

Serious Mandarin language students will need to spend time in a native Mandarin-speaking environment in order to become fluent, and, right now, I’m convinced Taiwan is the best place in the world to study Mandarin.

The difference between our Study Chinese in Taiwan website and other Mandarin language sites is that ours is specific to studying Mandarin in Taiwan and provides critical info on Taiwan-specific issues such as how to get a Taiwan student visa, choosing where in Taiwan to study, etc.

We also have some exciting features planned such as a Taiwan Mandarin school directory and review system. I get asked frequently about Taiwan Mandarin schools so this sort of resources seems quite in demand!

MSW: You’ve also just published a Study Chinese in Taiwan ebook, and I hear that it’s doing quite well. Can you tell us a little about how you did that and what kind of content readers can expect to receive if they buy your ebook?

CN: The Study Chinese in Taiwan ebook is really a one stop shop for everything a Mandarin student coming to Taiwan would need to know. Topics covered include:

• Getting a Taiwan student visa
• Healthcare in Taiwan
• Choosing where in Taiwan to live
• Finding housing and dealing with landlords
• How to get a cell phone in Taiwan
• Where to buy groceries and furniture in Taiwan
• Taiwanese food
• Mandarin study tips (including some from NTNU’s top Mandarin teachers)
• And more!

The ebook can be purchased on our website at Study Chinese in Taiwan ebook

I’ve been in Taiwan a little more than a year now, so most of the challenges I encountered upon first arriving in Taiwan are still fresh in my mind. Knowing the information could be useful to others, I wrote it all down over the course of a couple months and packaged it into the ebook.

The reception of the ebook by the Mandarin learning community has been fantastic! In fact, the ebook’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/studychineseintaiwan1 reached over 500 likes shortly after its first month

MSW: What are some tips or advice that you would give to anyone planning on coming to Taiwan to study Chinese?

CN: Just do it! (Sorry, Nike.) 3 months of Mandarin study in Taiwan is easily the equivalent of a year or two of Mandarin study at a university in North America. If you’re serious about becoming fluent in Mandarin, buy your ticket and start planning!

A few other critical tips:

1. Taipei is easily the best place in Taiwan to study Mandarin right now. For those concerned about budget and the expense of living in Taipei (Taiwan’s most expensive city), Tainan and Kaohsiung are also okay choices.
2. To get the most out of your time in Taiwan, get as many local Taiwanese language exchange partners as possible and minimize time spent with foreigners outside of class.
3. Check with your local Taiwanese embassy or cultural office in your home country for scholarship information prior to coming to Taiwan. Depending on what country you’re coming from, getting scholarships equivalent to $800USD/month are not too difficult to come by.

MSW: You’re also an Internet entrepreneur. Why don’t you tell us a little about your online businesses?

CN: That’s right! In addition to the Study Chinese in Taiwan website and ebook, I also own and manage Website On-Demand, Alcaris Inc and Simple Project Reports.

The first two are website development and internet marketing companies based out of Toronto, Canada and are focused specifically on the Small Business and Non-Profit markets. Our Website On-Demand service is especially unique as we offer professional designed, search engine friendly websites on affordable monthly payment plans.

The last one is an online project management and reporting system for general contractors and construction companies.

MSW: Has living in Taiwan allowed you to become more involved in your online activities?

CN: Absolutely! The time difference between Taiwan and Canada has given me a bit of freedom from the daily grind of managing an internet marketing company back in Toronto. Consequently, I’ve been able to focus more of my time on trying out new web technologies, exploring new business ideas, experimenting with new search engine marketing techniques, etc which I believe has actually made me better at my work!

Anyone that has questions about Taiwan or studying Mandarin is welcome to give me a shout using one of the links below:

• Blog: http://www.chrisnorton.ca
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/christopher.norton
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chrisnorton

‘Twas a few weeks before Christmas and at a bar in Taipei… the Taipei Players were performing a Cabaret!

The Taipei Players Present: It’s a Cabaret Christmas

• Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011
• Time: 8-10pm
• Where: Loop Music Bar, 83 Bade Road, Section 3, B1, Taipei, Taiwan
• Doors open at 6pm. The show starts at 8pm!!

Come on out to hear a musical review of Christmas songs and short skits performed by the Taipei Players and many special guests! We’ll have some of our Taipei Players veterans, performers from Taipei’s very own burlesque troupe, the Rock in Hose, as well as a few members from our favourite reggae band, High Tide!Yours truly, Ms. Carrie Kellenberger will also be appearing in this performance, so don’t miss out!

There are no pre-sale tickets. We’re charging $350NT at the door. The cost of your entrance includes two drinks! All proceeds from the event will be donated to charity. Come on out for a great night of singing, celebrating, and being merry!

*** ALSO, as if $350 didn’t already get you enough special treats, there’s more!

For those folks who would like to continue on with the festivities over at the Polar Bear Ice Skating World, you can get a $50 discount on your entry fee for “Fried Ice III: Attack of the Crease” when you show your Taipei Players stamp!

Information about the charities that you will be supporting with your ticket purchase:

The Garden of Hope helps disadvantaged girls and young women, especially victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, in Taipei.

Spark Circus helps disadvantaged children in refugee camps, migrant schools, hospitals and orphanages along the Thai Burmese border.

Bookhouse tutors poor children, mostly aboriginee, to help them get better grades, find confidence and most importantly, learn to love and be loved.

YMCA Taiwan -  Their motto: We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. A great organization that helps in areas of education, health, and community services.

This guest post was written by Stephanie Long.

Snow, the weather report said. The faces in the van were a mix of startled excitement, and worry. We hadn’t been expecting snow on the mountain at this time of year, and didn’t have the equipment for it.

Snow Mountain rises to an altitude of 3,886m (12,749ft), making it Taiwan’s second-highest mountain. Well-traveled, popular trails lead to the top, but it’s still a fairly challenging, multi-day trip to reach the peak. For anyone interested in hiking, it’s a destination that can’t be missed.  I had been wanting to climb Snow Mountain since before arriving in Taiwan, and now I was finally on my way there.

As our van weaved its way southward from Taipei towards Shei-Pa National Park, we wondered: Would we go all the way to Snow Mountain only to have to turn back before reaching the peak?

We reached Wuling farm, at the base of Snow Mountain, around dusk. It was a short hike to the first cabin, Qika. With the moon nearly full, we soon realized that our headlamps and flashlights were actually more of a hindrance than a help. Within an hour, we’d made our way through the eerily beautiful, moonlit forest, and were settling in for the night.

The next day’s hike took us from Qika cabin to the East Peak, and finally, to 369 cabin.  With our heavy packs and all of our food, it made for an exhausting day!  From the East Peak, we could see 369 cabin, and the snow  up on the main peak.

Flickr Photo by Prince Roy

Sit back, breathe a sigh of release, and relax into the steamy heated goodness that nature has to offer in Taiwan’s hot springs.

Taiwan’s location atop two of the earth’s major tectonic plates has blessed the island with mountainous terrain and an active volcano that have given rise to more than 130 natural hot springs scattered all over the island. Owing to its high concentration and variety of natural springs, Taiwan is ranked as one of the top hot spring destinations in the world. Hot springs, cold springs, mud springs, saltwater springs; springs that vary in color from milky-white, blue, and green to clear and muddy, and springs that vary in mineral content from sulfur to sodium and iron can all be found on this tiny island. Moreover, hot spring locations throughout Taiwan are acclaimed for their healing and restorative benefits, which may offer relief from a number of ailments that include arthritis, chronic dermatitis, muscle soreness, stress, and chronic fatigue.

It’s no wonder that Taiwan has such an ardent and active hot spring culture, and with such a large number of bathhouses and lavish spa resorts, Taiwan is quickly gaining an international reputation for being an ideal Asian destination for relaxing and recharging both the mind and body.

The History of the Hot Springs

Taiwan’s hot spring culture didn’t really get underway until the Japanese established colonial rule in Taiwan in 1895. Less than a year later, Taiwan’s first hot spring hotel, Tenguan, popped up just outside of Taipei in Beitou Hot Spring Valley. The hotel was not only an instant hit with Japanese soldiers, but it also blazoned the trail for dozens of other hot spring resorts that were soon to come.

The 70s and 80s saw a brief decline in the popularity of spas and resorts, but a large-scale promotional effort sponsored by the government in 1999 renewed interest in Taiwan’s hot spring culture once again. Over the past ten years, hot spring resorts and spas have been constructed all over the island, thereby becoming firmly ensconced in Taiwanese culture.

Today, no trip to Taipei is complete without visiting at least one of its two major hot spring destinations: Beitou Hot Spring Valley and Yangmingshan. Both areas, which claim roughly ten fountainheads between them, are accessible either by car or public transit and can be reached within 30 minutes.

Hot Springs in Northern Taiwan

(Make sure you come back and check for updated information as I will be adding new hot spring locations to this page regularly.)

Beitou Hot Spring Valley

Yangmingshan Hot Springs

Top 5 Wild Hot Springs in Northern Taiwan

5 Tips for Hot Springing It in Taiwan

1. Room rates are cheaper in Taipei.
2. Expect to pay between $5 to $20US for a soak.
3. Most locations will have public pools where you can bath by the hour or by the day.
4. Ask to see the facilities first.
5. It’s all right to check the temperature of the water before you pay.

Rules for bathing in Taiwan’s hot springs

1. Take a shower before entering the hot springs.
2. Test the temperature of the water before you get in.
3. Don’t bath in the hot springs 30 minutes before eating or 1 hour after eating.
4. Drink plenty of water before and after soaking in the hot springs.
5. Don’t soak for too long. 30 minutes is long enough.
6. People with heart problems or women who are pregnant shouldn’t soak in the hot springs.
7. Women who are on their menstrual period shouldn’t bath in hot springs.
8. Wear a swimming cap if you see other bathers with caps on.
9. If you’re in a resort that separates male and female bathers, you’re expected to soak naked.
10. Don’t show a lot of physical affection in public pools.

Calla Hot Springs, Yangmingshan

Yang Ming Mountain has remained a first choice getaway for city residents for decades. Fondly referred to be locals as the Imperial Garden of Taipei, Yang Ming Mountain, enclosed in Yangmingshan National Park, offers an entirely different kind of bathing experience from the sulfur hot springs in nearby Beitou. Spring waters in Yangminshan, ranging from 60-70°C, are clear, odorlesss, and are touted to be extremely effective in healing skin diseases, goat, and muscular pains.

Jin Shan, just one of several popular hot spring destinations in the area, is located on the northern side of the mountain. If you can imagine bathing partway up a mountain in an outdoor hot spring that is surrounded by towering mountains on every side, you might have some idea for what you’re in for with a visit to Jin Shan.

The rugged area is known for its scenic hiking trails, and many people come here to get attuned with nature before ending the day with a nice, long soak in the hot springs at Calla Young Garden Hot Spring Resort in Jin Shan Village. The resort offers unlimited soaking in a number of outdoor pools that range in temperature. The most impressive feature of Calla Young Garden Resort is its outdoor public pools, which provide a sweeping panorama of the prolific natural scenery. After you’re done soaking, proceed to the main dining area to enjoy a sumptuous Taiwanese meal that is included in the price of your bathing ticket.

A little further down the mountainside in Jin Shan Village, an inexpensive mountain hot spring experience awaits you at Jin Shan Hot Springs. You can soak for as long as you want in their steaming hot spring waters in either a private hot spring room or the public pool for US$20 and US$5 respectively. Jin Shan Village is a good hour’s drive away from central Taipei, but it’s well worth the journey. You can expect to pay around US$15 each way in cab fares.

When the chill winter weather arrives in Taiwan between the months of October and April, hot springs become packed with enthusiasts in search of the warmth and relief that comes from bathing in Taiwan’s heated groundwater. So don’t forget to sit back and indulge in a heaven-sent natural resource when you visit this green island in the Pacific.

TRAVEL TIPS – Yangmingshan Hot Springs

Jin Shan (Yang Ming Shan)

Calla Young Garden Resort

No. 33-3, Linkou Jhonghe Village, Jinshan Township, Taipei County, 20841  TELEPHONE: [02] 2408-0001

• Rooms from $157US per night
• Outdoor public hot spring pool and private hot spring rooms
• NT$800 includes all day soak and meal

Jin Shan Hot Springs

No.1, Ching Nian Rd, Jin Shan Township, Taipei County. TELEPHONE:  [02] 2498-1191, fax: 2498-3621

• Private hot spring rooms US$20 per session and public pool US$5 per person (unlimited).

Flickr photo by Tydence

An aboriginal legend of the Ketagalan tribe claims that a witch once lived in the northern outskirts of Taipei in the foothills of a volcano. She made her home next to a pond whose piping-hot waters permeated the air with sulfurous fumes and swirling white smoke.

This area, which is situated right in the backyard of Taiwan’s northern capital city of Taipei is known today as Hell Valley or Geothermal Valley, is the hub of Beitou’s hot spring culture. Overlooked by traditional Japanese style inns and luxurious hotels and resorts, Hell Valley’s boiling pond, eerie smoke-filled air, and lush vegetation looks as if it comes straight out of a fairy tale. As every fairy tale is wont to do, there is a message within the scalding hot and extremely acidic waters of that sulfurous pond: Jumping in most certainly means death.

Often teeming with locals and visitors alike, Beitou owes its ever-growing popularity to a natural abundance of hot springs and a tourist infrastructure that includes five-star resorts, cheap public pools, fine restaurants, and traditional Japanese beer halls and tea gardens. Very few cities in the world can boast of a backyard full of world-class geothermal hot springs that have been shaped into a spa connoisseur’s idea of heaven.

Resorts such as the ritzy Spring City Resort are designed for hedonistic pleasure with activities to occupy guests every second of the day. Each room comes equipped with its own hot spring bath, while those who are searching for more of a communal bathing experience are sure to find something on the resort’s extensive grounds, which include warm sulfur hot springs, swimming pools, an extensive health club, fountains, cafes, and areas for children to play in.

Discerning travelers also revel in the opulent private hot spring rooms of Villa 32, Taiwan’s quintessential spa playground. Devoted to providing a top-notch spa experience through its many prestigious services, Villa 32 embraces nature through three types of hot springs, serene waterfalls, and rock gardens, and its guests are treated to lavishly decorated rooms with every kind of modern amenity you can think of.

Nominated by Conde Naste Traveller as one of the most popular new hotels in the world in 2006, and lauded in 2007 as one of the best new hotels in the world by Australian Gourmet Traveler, Villa 32 promises an unmitigated excursion into the land of luxury spas in Taiwan. The rate for a private hot springs suite starts at $180US for three hours.

With all of these blue-ribbon wonders, is there anything left for the frugal-minded? Budget travelers need look no further than the Public Hot Springs for a cheap outdoor bathing option in Beitou. Located within walking distance of Xinbeitou MRT station, the Public Hot Springs offer six piping hot pools filled with milky-white water. The waters top out around 60 degrees Celcius and for a mere US$1.25, a long, lazy day of soaking should be your top priority here.

Finally, if you’ve finished soaking and you’d like to absorb a little local history, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the history of Beitou’s spas and bathhouses in the Hot Springs Bathhouse Museum. The museum, which was built in 1913 during Japanese occupation, was once the original spa used by Japanese soldiers, including Japan’s kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Flickr Photo by Shenghung Lin

TRAVEL TIPS – Directions to Beitou Hot Spring Valley

MRT:

• Take the MRT to Xinbeitou Station. From there, you can walk or get a free shuttle to any number of spring resorts in the area.
• Take the red line to Beitou MRT station. Then catch the shuttle bus or bus #25.

Bus:

• # 6, 9, 216, 218, 223, 230, and 266 to Xinbeitou

Spring City Resort

No.18, You Ya Rd, Hsin Peitou, Taipei – TELEPHONE: [02] 2897-2345, [02] 2897-5555

• Rooms from US$225 and up
• Spring Suites from US$396
• Private hot springs US$20/person per hour

Villa 32

No 32, Zhongshan Rd, Hsin Peitou, Taipei – TELEPHONE: [02] 6611-8888, fax: [02] 6611-5000,

• Western-styled double from US$529
• Japanese-styled double from US$826
• Private hot spring rooms from US$60 to US$90 for 2 guests for 90 minutes

Taiwan hosted it’s biggest LGBT Pride Parade ever on Saturday, October 29th. Over 30,000 visitors from countries all over Asia came out to show their support for Taiwan’s ninth annual LGBT parade.

The event, which was started in 2001, drew a couple of hundred people during its first year.  Back then, there was only one LGBT parade in Taiwan. This year, parades took place in Taipei, Taichung, Kaoshiung and Hualien.

Homosexuality is legal in Taiwan and it has been illegal to discriminate against sexual orientation  since 2007. Nevertheless, a strong social taboo still exists, and a number of parade-goers still wear masks.

LGBT Pride Parade Taipei 2011

Here are some of my favorite images from the day:

For more of my images from that day, and for images from previous Pride Parades in Taipei, please visit my LGBT Pride Parade Taipei Flickr set. (That’s me snapping furiously away under the Pride flag at the beginning of the event.)