Our job at MyTaiwanTour is to curate, create & otherwise facilitate your Taiwan experience. But when it comes down to it, the folks who really make a difference in making sure our guests have the best experience possible are our hardworking guides. So we asked them to describe in their own words what places, events and experiences they’re most looking forward to for 2018.   

(Image: Ting Lee)

1. Chishang, Taitung 

Where am I looking forward to visit in 2018? Hmm…, definitely Chishang township in Taitung county. I miss the time I rode my bike along the rice fields, sitting by the rice farm, enjoying the dancing rice all around me, and letting the breeze gently blow on my face. Chihshang is the place that comes up in my dream. My dreamland. And for sure, I want to have a bowl of premium rice in Chihshang. Farmers there do know how to grow the best rice. (Read more : Pedaling Along -The Green, Smart Way to Move About and Get to Know Taiwan)

Guide: Ting Lee

(Image: MyTaiwanTour)

2.Orchid Island/Lanyu

For me, Lanyu, also called Orchid Island is going to be a must visit spot in 2018. Each time I have guided guests through Taitung county we’ve all enjoyed the natural beauty of the county’s Pacific ocean seascape, yet I’ve generally told such guests that their exploration of the area is not complete without a visit to Orchid Island, which is quite a magical island, part of Taiwan yet also very different in culture and landscape. My hope is to bring more guests there to experience the island in 2018. （Read more: Journey to Another World – Orchid Island)

Guide: Jett Lai

(Image: National Center for Traditional Arts)

3. National Center for Traditional Arts, Yilan

In 2018, I am really looking forward to heading back to National Center for Traditional Arts with my family. Since the reopening of the center in 1st Jan 2017, they have added a lot of DIY activities that my child would love. Now it’s a perfect place to spend quality time with my child and a terrific place to broaden their horizons.

Guide: Steven Chang

(Image: MyTaiwanTour)

4. Zhuilu Old Trail, Hualien

Where do I want to go in 2018? I’ve already got a place on my must-visit list! The Zhuilu Old Trail (錐麓古道) is a 100+ year old hiking trail in Taroko Gorge. The old trail was built in the early 19th century by the Japanese army that used it to suppress the local aborigines, members of the Truku tribe who still live in the area.  The hike takes about six hours, and was only recently reopened to the public. The trail goes by a cliff that is 750 meters in height and provides breathtaking canyon scenery of Liwu creek. (Read more: Gorge Soaring – The Views of Eagles along Taroko Gorge’s Trails )

Guide: Chiachien / Jessica LinGuide

(Image: MyTaiwanTour)

5. Sha Po Dan River, Hualien 

In 2018, I’m planning to return to Hualien to go river tracing. Last time I went to Sha Po Dan River on a half day excursion. It was a really amazing experience, to be surrounded by nature while hiking through a river. There was even a spot for diving at the top of the river. I am planning to spend more time there in 2018 for sure. (Read more : Coastal Hualien – Taiwan’s “Secret” Backyard Garden)

(Image: Taiwan Tourism Bureau)

 6.Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields, Tainan 

Another place that I want to visit again is Tainan City, which became my favorite city in Taiwan after I spent one month there during a work exchange. I went to a lot of places I’d never been to, including a very unique spot called the  Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields  a very unique, unearthly landscape that I hope to explore again. (Read more: The Southwest Coast – Step Back into the Days and Ways of Taiwan’s Past)

Guide: Ted Chen

(Image: Taitung County Government)

7. Tiehua village, Taitung

I want to go to Tiehua village in Taitung for a weekend to enjoy the good music! Many aborigines live there, they are born to be singers! Sitting under the sky full of stars, drinking a cup of cocktail with the music is definitely the best thing to do in life! What’s more, you can do a treasure hunting in the market, a lot of handmade stuffs by the aborigines are waiting for you to take home!

Guide: Summer

(Image: MyTaiwanTour)

8. Penghu

In 2018, I am looking forward to going back to my hometown, Penghu. Penghu is an Archipelago composed of 90 islands and Penghu county is steeped in history and culture. There is a small French obelisk, perhaps the only one in Taiwan, a hidden historical treasure, and the first “Fort San Antonio/Domingo” (now in Tamsui, just out of Taipei) was actually originally built in Penghu. Aside from history, Penghu is rich in natural wonders and famous for environmental conservation & wildlife protection. There are Green Turtle Protection Center in Wan-an (望安) Island, wetlands, protected beaches and islands for terns and other sea birds. Basalt columns sculpted by nature are a dominant part of the geological landscape on the Penghu Islands. Those who love water sports/activities like sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. It’s got beautiful white sandy beach, magnificent ocean views, bright warm sunshine, pleasant sea breeze, delicious seafood, and an international fireworks festival as well. It’s really an undiscovered gem of Taiwan. As a Penghu native, I warmly invite you to experience this beautiful archipelago with me in 2018! (Read more : The Penghu Pearls – Islands Close to Taiwan’s Heart, Yet a World Away)

Guide: Laura Chao

(Image: MyTaiwanTour)

8.  Xiao Liuqiu

In 2018, I’m really looking forward to heading back to Xiao Liuqiu to snorkel with sea turtles, explore temples and just chill out in general on this barely discovered gem in Pingtung county. I went there once in 2017, and really fell in love with the place. I might even do some scuba diving there next time around. (Read more: three days in Xiao Liuqiu (not enough)) 

MyTaiwanTour Editor-in-chief: Joshua Samuel Brown

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Additional Reading

♦ Circle Taiwan With a Bike – A New Trend for Japanese
♦ 'Cruise' Around the Island by Train
♦ HsinPu Persimmons, Golden Pearls of Wisdom

Original content can be found at the website of Taiwan Scene.

♦ Taiwan’s Best Travel Spots for 2018

This article is reproduced under the permission of Taiwan Scene and terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License (“CCPL”). It presents the opinion or perspective of the original author / organization, which does not represent the standpoint of CommonWealth magazine.

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About Taiwan Scene

Taiwan Scene is the online journal of MyTaiwanTour.

We publish stories introducing readers to the culture, scenery and travel possibilities of our homeland, articles to help travelers make the most of their time in Taiwan, and occasional interviews with movers and shakers from Taiwan’s ever-expanding creative scene.

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