According to an article from CNN, Taichung was found by locals to be Taiwan’s most livable city. Many Taiwanese prefer it to Taipei for its milder weather and laid back vibe. It’s regarded as an arts and cultural hub of Taiwan with its many interesting museums, art installations, and design boutiques.
There are many things to love about Taipei like its night markets and many museums. But beyond its attractions, what makes Taipei so alluring for me, is the city itself. With conveniences like a cheap but incredibly efficient metro system, and its plethora of well-maintained public parks, it’s a city that clearly puts its people first.
One of the things I loved most about Kaohsiung is its vibe. It may be a big cosmopolitan city but it’s more laid back than its counterparts in the north. Kaohsiung is also known for being one of the country’s most bicycle-friendly cities, boasting numerous designated bike paths running through the city’s many parks.
Truth be told, Tainan isn’t as much fun as Taipei. It isn’t as naturally beautiful as Hualien or as laid-back as Kaohsiung, but it has a character all its own that makes it interesting and unique. I like to think of it as the eldest sibling in the family, the one with all the stories to tell and the one you could learn the most from.
There’s a character to this preserved mountain town that’s unlike any we experienced in Taiwan. It’s a character you can appreciate in its architecture, its tight alleyways, and of course, in its food. If you’re looking to visit Shifen and Jiufen on your next trip to Taipei, then I hope this guide can help you plan your trip.
Just a day after our tour of Taroko Gorge and we were already talking about coming back. There’s so much natural beauty to be found here that the two days we spent in Hualien felt hardly enough. But as breathtaking as Hualien is, it wasn’t just its natural beauty that resonated with us. We fell in love with the atmosphere too, and its vibe.
As beautiful as the Philippines is, many destinations offer mostly sand and surf. But not Bohol. Apart from its many white sand beaches and world-class dive sites, Bohol is known for unique attractions that you can’t find anywhere else in the Philippines. Curiosities like the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier come foremost to mind.
Chiang Rai is regarded as the northernmost “large city” in Thailand, though it isn’t actually that big. It’s much smaller and less developed as a tourist destination than neighboring Chiang Mai. It’s perhaps best known for Wat Rong Khun, a striking all-white structure that serves as both a Buddhist temple and an art exhibition.
Many travel bloggers have come to Manila and fallen in love with my city and its people, so much so that some of them are actually considering moving here. And they all said the same thing – when you’re here, you’re family.
Batad is a remote village of around 1,500 people in Ifugao province. It’s said to be home to the best and most well-preserved rice terraces in the Cordillera region. These terraces are between 2,000-6,000 years old and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.