Hello Forumosans,
I’m planning for my three week trip to Taiwan in July. So far, my plans go as follows:
Week One: Taipei + surroundings
Week Two: West coast cities (Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung; each for two nights)
Week Three: Kenting, Sun Moon Lake, Hualien + surroundings
I’m wondering if, mid-way between Kenting and Sun Moon Lake, I should take a detour to see Maolin.
Normally, the trip from Kenting to Sun Moon Lake would be around 320km. Including Maolin, it would be 385km.
However, the trip to Maolin would be through the sometimes treacherous mountain roads, so I’m wondering if it’s worth the time to go see it.
Also, this is my first trip to Taiwan. Does it seem like my entire plan is good? Would you add anything?
Thanks for your help in advance! It is much appreciated!
–Schlomo
First I’m not understanding the order of your trip. Taichung and sun Moon Lake are relatively close to each other so they should be done together instead of going Taichung/Tainan/Kaohsiung. And kending, sun Moon Lake and Haulien are almost as far apart as possible in Taiwan. Is this trip done on moto, car or bus/train?
Second - I live in Kaohsiung and I think the larger non-Taipei cities are nice to live in but I can’t recommend spending 2 in of the 3 cities that you listed. Instead bus in from one destination and stay overnight and then bus out to the next destination. For example visit Sun Moon lake and then get the bus to Taichung. Stay overnight and do a little sightseeing and take a bus to Tainan the next day. Stay overnight and then take the bus to Maolin the next day. Even though Kaohsiung/tainan/Taichung are nice cities to live in they are what they are. for the most part a concrete jungle of functional but drab buildings. And there are some nice sights to see in town but nothing compared to Maolin, Alishan, hwy 9/11 on the east coast or several other areas in Taiwan.
I would also add that the east coast of Taiwan is really nice. You could do 2-3 days in Taroko (using Haulien as a base or stay in Taroko) and then take 2-3 days traveling down hwy 9 or hwy 11 to taitung. The only problem is that I can’t recommend one or two places that were better than the others since everything is nice (maybe others on the board have a favorite spot).
I did go to Maolin yesterday and I didn’t think anything was really treacherous. The to maolin is on the flat land before the mountain and then there are about 10km’s of road that goes up into the mountains. This part is treacherous but I wouldn’t consider dangerous unless you’re not being careful. I thought it was perfect although it rained for several hours. But that makes the most dramatic photos.
Hmm… that’s probably a better idea.
Originally, I was thinking about traveling the west coast by high speed rail, then renting a car in Kaohsiung for week three. But I think these plans might be better:
Week One: Taipei + surroundings
Week Two: Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Maolin, Alishan, Kaohsiung (briefly)
Week Three: Kenting, Taidong, Green Island, Hualien, Takoro
The only problem is transportation between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake, Sun Moon Lake to Tainan, Tainan and Maolin/Alishan. Renting a car would mean we’d have to find parking in the cities (is that much of a problem?) Do you recommend bus or train for this, or would it make most sense to rent a car?
Maolin sounds very nice.
It’s not easy to find parking but it’s not impossible unless you are planning on using your car multiple times/day. I think you could easily find public transport (buses) for Taichung-SunMoonLake-Tainan since it’s a popular spot on the tourist map. In Maolin you’re going to want a car/scooter though. I’ll be honest though I think you can altogether skip the cities and instead concentrate your time on the better destinations.
For the east coast you can look at some places on hwy 9/11 at the following website. The website focuses on where you can camp but it includes a lot of interesting B&B’s and resorts that allow camping. taiwancamping.net/p/camp-location.html
What is your interest in Maolin? The butterfly season is over and much of the area is damaged.However, if you are heading down to Kenting from Kaohsiung it could make a nice detour. Head to Meinong and then take the new bridge across to Maolin. Quite fast. Heading down take the 185 to Sandimen and then continue to Kenting.
I also suggest a trip up to Dasyueshan Forest Recreation Area near Taichung or Taipingshan in Ilan for some great high mountain scenery, hiking, in well maintained parks with little villages that look like mountain retreats (unlike Alishan). Also Tatajia at Yushan. When in Taipei visit Wulai and Neidong Forest Recreation Area.
Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.
I think I’ll re-plan some of my trip so I see more of the east coast/mountains instead of the west coast cities.
I originally planned in terms of transportation; weeks one and two would be using public transport (local metro + bus, as well as high speed rail between cities).
Then in week three we’d use a car.
Now that I’m considering going in a zig-zag pattern in the second week (Taichung → Sun Moon Lake → Tainan → Maolin → Alishan → Kenting; maybe I should skip Kaohsiung entirely) I will have to use bus, at least until Tainan (when it might make sense to get a car). Are buses normally reliable and comfortable to ride? (I get nauseous pretty easily.)
Thanks for your help… it’s so tricky to decide where to go, because I don’t know where the best places of Taiwan are. 
It’s best to have a car for the mountains, as the bus will bring you to spots A>B>C in the mountains but you can’t stop off and have a look at random stuff you are passing by or explore certain areas properly. Taiwan’s villages and towns aren’t much to look at in general. Even sun moon lake is a bit hard to get around without a car in my opinion.
The roads in Taiwan are generally quite well maintained and mapped but every now and then you may come across a road that has been damaged by typhoons and you need to be aware of the weather forecast, especially heavy rain.
Muchaman’s idea of going to Taipingshan is a good one, that’s a beautiful old logging area in Ilan near Taipei, spend a night on the mountain there at least, you won’t regret it.