All the posts of our Taipei 2013 trip have been posted and with all the photos uploaded too. To make it easier for those of you who wants to look at the places we visited/ went to, below are the links for each day.
Day 1 in Taipei 2013 Yangmingshan
Day 2 in Taipei 2013 Tamshui
Day 3 in Taipei 2013 Ximending
Day 4 in Taipei 2013 Ximending
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (I) Overview
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (II) Shifen
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (III) Jingtong
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (IV) Houtong
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (V) Shuinadong
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (VI) Jinguashi
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (VII) Jiufen
Day 6 in Taipei 2013 Jiufen
Day 7 in Taipei 2013
Day 8 in Taipei 2013 Ximending
Day 9 in Taipei 2013 Home
Thank you very much for your patience. Hope you will enjoy reading my posts on our Taipei trip.
Showing posts with label Shifen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shifen. Show all posts
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Monday, 10 June 2013
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (I) - Overview
Today is a really packed schedule. We went to several places. Thank goodness, we decided to hire a taxi for the day and the weather was also really nice, cool and cloudy. Otherwise, we won't be able to hit as many places as we planned to visit. Our taxi driver, Mr Cai came to pick us up at 8am. We went to Shifen (十分), Jingtong (菁桐), Houtong (㺅硐), Shuinadong (水湳洞), Jinguashi (金瓜石) and finally, we ended at Jiufen (九份) where we stayed at a Home Stay or Minsu, as they call it in Taiwan.
As there are many photos for Day 5, I would be posting each place we visited as a separate post. :) The next post is on Shifen (十分).
As there are many photos for Day 5, I would be posting each place we visited as a separate post. :) The next post is on Shifen (十分).
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (II) - Shifen (十分)
Our taxi driver, Mr Cai came to pick us up from Taipei Hero House at 8am. As we have several places to visit in one day, we had to start out early. By 9.20am, we arrived at our first destination, Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) in Shifen (十分). As it was still very early, there were very few visitors around. :) We could take photos to our hearts' content.
On the way to Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布), we also saw Yen Jing Dong Falls (眼鏡洞瀑布) which is upstream to Shifen Waterfall. It is called Yen Jing Dong Falls because the water rushes over a rock cliff between two hollows so it looks like a nose and a pair of glasses.
After admiring Nature's handiwork, we went on to Shifen Old Street (十分老街) which is very unique because residences and shops are lined closely on both side of the train tracks. We also wanted to let off a sky lantern (放天燈). We bought a sky lantern which allows us to wish for blessings in the following areas - studies (Marieann and Juliane), work (me), health (whole family), and happiness (whole family). We wrote auspicious words on each coloured-side of our sky lantern (each colour represents an specific area of blessings). It was really fun. The shop lady helped us to take photos of our sky lantern and us and also when we let if off into the sky. It was a sight to see our sky lantern soaring high into the sky and disappearing from our sight. I believe the heavens have heard our wishes. :)
Just a little further down the Old Street is the Shifen Train Station (十分車站). We were lucky to see a train pulling into the station. It was really interesting for the girls to see a real train. We bought a couple of souvenirs from the shop at the Shifen Train Station. :)
Another unique feature in Shifen is the Jing-An Suspension Bridge. It was built in 1947 for coal transportation from the mines. It was later reconstructed, after the mines closed in 1962, to serve as a suspension bridge between two villages. The bridge's old-fashioned appearance was retained with additional decor.
As it was still early, only 10.45am, we actually went to Jingtong (菁桐) first before returning to Shifen Old Street for lunch. The food was simple but satisfying. After lunch, we set off for Houtong (㺅硐).
The next post is on Jingtong (菁桐).
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| Suspension bridge on the way to Shifen Waterfall and overlooks Yen Jing Dong Falls |
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| Us on the suspension bridge |
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| One of three curious and playful kittens at Shifen Waterfall |
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| We bought our sky lantern from this shop. A few other shops selling sky lanterns too. |
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| Auspicious words wishing for good health |
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| Auspicious words wishing for good exam results |
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| Auspicious words for happiness |
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| Auspicious words for career/ work |
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| Getting ready to let off our sky lantern |
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| Off it goes! |
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| Bringing our wishes to the heavens |
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| Photo of us on the train tracks |
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| A train just passed through the Shifen Old Street |
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| Mini Sky lantern souvenirs :) |
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| Another train pullling into the Shifen Train Station |
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| The Happy Station souvenir shop which made us very happy with our purchases |
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| My purchases :) |
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| One of the shops at Shifen Old Street |
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| Order form for old-fashioned Taiwanese food |
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| One of several cats spotted at Shifen Old Street :) |
Day 5 in Taipei 2013 (IV) - Houtong (猴硐)
After lunch, we went to Houtong (猴硐).
We stopped at Houtong Railway Station for a while for the girls to collect the stamps as well as to get (more) souvenirs. :) Apparently, this station, which was opened in 1920, is also one of the very few stations that sell Edmondson railway tickets in Taiwan.
Just opposite the Houtong Rail Station is the Vision Hall (願景館) which used to be the coal
dressing plant’s warehouse. It showcases everything about the coal
mining industry by displaying text and images of Houtong.
We walked a little distance to see the Coal Transportation Bridge (運煤橋) which runs across the Keelung River was built in 1920 to transport coal between the Rueisan Coal Mine and the Houtong Quarry. Its current look today was created when it was rebuilt in 1965.
Houtong is supposedly the highlight for the girls because there is a Cat
Village (貓村) here. The girls love cats. :) There are plenty
of cats for the girls to look at.
We went a further distance to visit the Ruisan Main Mine (瑞三煤礦), the Commemoration House of Miners, as well as the Dormitory of Miners. There were very few tourists and visitors around, either they don't know about them or they are too lazy to walk further in. :P
By the time we left Houtong for Jinguashi, it was close to 3pm. The next post is on Shuinadong (水湳洞) and Jinguashi (金瓜石).
We stopped at Houtong Railway Station for a while for the girls to collect the stamps as well as to get (more) souvenirs. :) Apparently, this station, which was opened in 1920, is also one of the very few stations that sell Edmondson railway tickets in Taiwan.
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| Souvenirs bought at Houtong Railway Station |
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| Edmondson railway tickets |
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| We followed this cat into the tourist information centre to get some shade :) |
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| Coal Transportation Bridge |
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| On the Coal Transportation Bridge |
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| The Keelung River flowing under the Coal Transportation Bridge |
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| The abandoned Coal Preparation Plant (built in 1920) |
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| More cats on the way back from the Coal Transportation Bridge |
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| Cool cat on a motorcycle |
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| Ruisan Main Mine |
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| Inside the mine |
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| The Commemoration House of Miners |
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| Dormitory of Miners |
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| The Keelung River |
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