Stranger Taiwan

Kinmen, an offshore small island, used to be the most non-peaceful place in Taiwan Strait. Situating 150 kilometers away from the main island, it was the frontline of Taiwan against its 3-kilometer-away giant rival, China. It’s hardly difficult to imagine how a troublesome life the inhabitants had lived. From 1958 till 1979, China cast more than 470 thousands of cannonballs to this bean-like island. Fortunately it survived and sometimes returned an eye for an eye. The cannonball fragments have become the material of the most popular souvenir from Kinmen – a kitchen knife. Now it is recognized as a national park and known for its military sites, quiet villages, old-style architectures, and wild beach. 

As the top-ranking university in Taiwan, NTU was named Taihoku Imperial University when founded in Japanese colonial era in 1928 and changed to the current name after the retrocession in 1945. The major campus locating in Gongguan (MRT station: Gongguan) has many public-recorded historical sites, such as the campus security room at the main gate, the building of University History Gallery, the building of Liberal Arts College, etc. In addition, other famous spots, for example, Royal Palm Blvd., Fu Bell, Fu Szu-nien Memorial Garden, are also worthy of a visit.

Taiwanese loves hot springs and bathing in one is a very popular family or social activity. It is said that there are 130 hot springs around the island and, for the fever to them, those townships who have this nature treasure become a tourist spot and people have built many luxury hotels and facilities there for enjoying the bathing pleasure. Among them, Jiaosi is one of the most attractive hot spring towns locating in the northern region and it takes less than 1 hour to reach there departing from Taipei 101 building.

Every lake has a legend. It is said that two dragons stole sun and moon for fun. Suddenly, the world was covered by endless darkness; crops perished, animals died, and people starved and freezed. A brave couple volunteered to rescued sun and moon. With sacred weapons, finally, they killed the dragons and the dead body of the dragon playing sun turned into a lake with solar shape, while the other one turned into a curved lake like moon. That’s the story which the aboriginal tribe believed in as the origin of Sun Moon Lake.

Capping the island, Yehliu is well known for its curious shapes of rocks carved by sea and wind erosion. Those rocks shaped in shoes, hives, or gingers become a living geological textbook and attract tourists pouring into this spectacular cape on weekends. Among all, the most famous shape is the “Queen’s head”, which has been standing since four thousand years ago. As people love to make photos with it shoulder to shoulder, unfortunately, its neck gets thinner and thinner. I bet it will have the same doom with that of Marie Antoinette some day.

Who says gold can have eternal glitter? Jioufen, a township locating in northeastern Taiwan, had grown rapidly since the early 20 century because of its abundant gold mines. During the Japanese colonial period, hundred thousands of people gathered there working in cannels for pieces of shinning stuff and bringing prosperity to the small township. That was the “gold age” of Jioufen. The streets, however, faded dramatically when the land produced less and less gold after the 60s. It sounds like the same fate of Potosí in Latin America, where contributed countless silver to its lord land under the Spanish rule in 16 century.

No matter for a foreigner or a Taiwanese, Democracy Memorial Hall is one of the must-go places during one’s very first time to Taipei.  It is as huge as Daan Forest Park, as spectacular as Taipei 101 building, and as meaningful as National Palace Museum.

Having talked much about temples, I'd like to write something different — a chapel.  The Luce Memorial Chapel is the centural landmark of Tunghai University in Taichung.  It was donated by Mr. Henry R. Luce, the founder of Time Magazine, and named in honor of his father Mr. Henry W. Luce, an American missionary in China in the late 19 century.

Among all the Mazu temples in Taiwan, the Chaotien Temple plays a very significant role, as many temples' Mazu are "spiritually" divided from the Goddess Mazu there.  It is believed that the "spirit division" is as powerful as the original, but she has to come back to the mother temple once a year to maintain her power.  In addition, the Chaotien Temple has six Goddess Mazus with different personalities, and the six are regarded as "sisters" while their individual spirit divisions are regarded as "daughters".  What a big family!  No wonder that the temple is always crowded of worshippers coming from all the branch temples during the birthmonth of Mazu.

The Chaotien Temple locates in Beigang, a small littoral town in central Taiwan.  It was built in 1700, when Taiwan had become a part of Ching Dynasty's territory just for 16 years.  Due to many incredible stories showing she could work miracles, the Goddess Mazu in the Chaotien temple has been worshiped by more and more people and the followers celebrate her birthday as well as the European celebrate Carnival.  Before talking about the activities during the celebration, I'd like to speak of something about Mazu to help the readers get more ideas about her.

The Paiyun Lodge locates in the elevation of 3,402m and is the only accommodation house for those who attempt to go to the five highest peaks of the Jade Mountain.  I can't remember how I overcame the last mile to the lodge, which was supposed to be the most difficult section on the way there.  The steep rugged path stretched up like continuous "Z" letters.  The path was paved with stones and trunks, and it seemed that the zigzag road never came to an end.  Not until I reached the Paiyun Lodge did I realize that it was worth to be trained hard during the previous 3 months because I didn't feel tired at all after 6-hour trekking.

Among the hundreds mountains in Taiwan, the Jade Mountain (widely known as Yushan) is the highest peak.  There is usually snow capping its head and reflecting brightness as shiny as a jade.  Some people said it is a must-go to be a Taiwanese.  Huh, that would be a good way to tell the people's real national identity.  Forget the politics, I don’t think one will regret going to the Jade Mountain for whatever reason.

Tsaoling Historical Trail begins in Gongliao, Taipei, stretches over a mountain saddle, and ends in Dali, Yilan.  The total length of the trail is approx 7 km and it normally takes 3 to 4 hours to go through it.  Along the trail, there are many historic relics and attractive scenery, so that it gradually becomes a popular hiking route and a famous spot for tourists.