Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall And Shilin Night Market

Previously:
Qingjing Farm, Taiwan

Today is our last day in Taipei, we just leisurely walked around Chiang Kai Shek and spend a good night at Shilin Night Market.  However, the weather wasn't be on our side.  Sprinkling nearly all day.  But we still can tried a few more Taiwanese cuisine and snacks.  Only covered a very little of Shilin Market, next time will definitely come back here again.



Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Taiwanese style lunch at one of the mall basement opposite our hotel

Taiwanese Douhua - silky soft tofu served with sugar syrup and topped with peanut and red bean

Shilin Night Market

Lu rou fan topped with floss pork

It is like a steamed glutinous flour with Chinese style stew minced pork, mushroom egg (top left on the menu)

At the Touyuan International Airport Lounge - unlimited lu rou fan (I have to maximize eating this dish before departing from Taipei - I will definitely miss this dish so much)

Thank you all to read my Taiwan posts.  Will see you again soon in my next journey.  You guys are rock!!  Octie Appetie...

Qingjing Farm, Taiwan

Previously:
Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

From Sun Moon Lake, we took a bus to Cingjing Farm in Ren'ai township.  There is no direct bus from there, we need to make a short transit at Puli.  It was a little bit hard for us who speaks no mandarin.  In Puli station, it was none English sign and the people in there also speak very little English.  We were watching the group that look more likely going to farm (youngsters with backpack, it is just stereotype though) and pay attention on the bus number as well. 

We stay at Mone Garden Inn, the bus stop is right in front of the hotel.  Once you pass the Cingjing Farm, is another 5 minutes away from there, you can let the bus driver knows, just in case you do not know where to get off.

The dummy part was the shower.  It is located next to the bath tub but the floor is leveled and the drainer which at the other far end (underneath sink) was somehow blocked.  So the water didn't go anywhere.

The look of him is priceless

This hotel is very homey with a spacious and clean room.  You can also borrow DVD to watch in your own room for free of charge.  However, the best part from all (not me but my son) was a bunch of cats on the house.  Apparently, the owner is a fan of cats, they have nearly 10 of them.  They are very kind and playful.  At certain time, the owner will feed them and they all are gathered around the main reception area. 

Feeding time

Cingjing Farm

The hotel provide us with shuttle bus to go to Cingjing Farm (only 100TWD).  But on the way back, we didn't bother to use the shuttle bus as they have certain time only and we catch taxi back to hotel (200TWD).  Taxis in here do not use the meter, normally it will cost 200TWD for one way. 

It was a very very beautiful and enchanted farm.  You feel like you were on top of the world, watching the clouds below you.  With a cold breeze and hilly mountain scenery plus the peak is surrounded with lush green land and sheeps.  Don't have any words that can perfectly define this place.  Just absolutely loving it.

I'm on top of the world!!



Some snacks

Fresh fruits

Cingjing Guest House (for lunch)

We headed to Cingjing Guest House to have lunch there.  They are famous with their steak.  It is actually a hotel as well, but we didn't stay here as this place is full with group tours and over crowded.  By then we arrived there, it was around 2pm and lunch time is nearly over, but the waitress still kindly served us and we have the whole dining area for our own.


Tenderloin 390TWD - including unlimited salad bar



Lamb cut - 490TWD including unlimited salad bar

All made from paper/carton

 

Mone Garden Inn, Cingjing

No. 219-1, Renhe Rd, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County

Tel: +886 4 9280 3810

 

Cingjing Guest House (for lunch)

546, Taiwan, Nantou County, Ren’ai Township

Tel: +886 4 9280 2748

 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Taiwan:
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall And Shilin Night Market

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

Previously:
Din Tai Fung And Mango Shaved Ice, Yongkang Street

Today, we headed to Sun Moon Lake for a night.  This is the largest lake in Taiwan, famous for its clear blue water set against pile of mountains.  It is better to avoid weekends, if you want to see less crowds and get the best hotel room rates.  We chose to stay for one night as morning is the best time in the lake, where tourists are still not around yet and the panoramic clear water and mountain is best viewed in the morning. 

The easiest way to get to this place if you go on your own (not tour) is by catching the high-speed train from Taipei Main Station to Taichung High Speed Rail Station (about 50 minutes journey).  Exit 5 that will take you straight into the bus station - Nantou Bus (Downstairs).  There is some English information provided, enough to guide us. 

Once we arrived at Sun Moon Lake, it was late afternoon and we didn't want to travel like tourists.  But just ultimately enjoying this lake town.  Tried their local delicacies, a bowl of lu rou fan and another cold shaved mango ice would definitely enough to make our afternoon.  Do not have to be from Yongkang street, in this small street out of nowhere, we still can get equally good mango shaved ice. 

Lu rou fan

Mango shaved ice

Sun Moon Lake

Full and clear view of the lake from our bedroom window

Clockwise from top left: Spicy beef noodle soup, pork chop with rice, dan dan noodle

We had dinner in one random restaurant here in this lake town.  Not far from our hotel, less than 5 minutes walk.  We turned left from the hotel entrance, passing Starbucks and turn left on the first alley, keep walking down for about 1 minute and this restaurant is on your right.  I gave the direction in very detail, because I highly recommended this place while you were here.  The food was incredibly yummy and homey and cheapey.  Absolutely a happy tummy.

Morning view, calm water, clear mountain and nice breeze

Peaceful and beautiful morning

Breakfast by the gorgeous backdrop

Spahome Hotel
No. 95號, Zhongshan Rd, Yuchi Township, Nantou County

Tel: +886 4 9285 5166

 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Taiwan:
Qingjing Farm, Taiwan