Yes, it’s fairly grim, but checking out cemeteries while travelling is oddly compelling.
The room I’m staying in happens to have a great view of The Top, Penang’s tallest building. Apparently that building puts on an annual fireworks show for Chinese New Year.
Here’s something you should definitely do if you’re going somewhere: double-check to make sure that it’s open.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Of course I do that. I’m not a moron.”
There’s a place called Cijin Island in Kaohsiung that’s a very quick ferry ride away from the city, and it makes for a perfect day tip (or even a semi-day-trip — it’s so quick and easy to get there that you really don’t have to carve out a full day).
There’s not a whole lot to do at Lotus Pond — a big man-made body of water surrounded by colourful temples and pagodas — other than marvel at all of the pretty buildings, but it’s still absolutely worth a visit.
Why? Well, I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking. It’s an impressive place to walk around.
If you’re a tourist in Tainan, Anping Fort is one of those places that you have to see. Don’t even fight it; just go.
The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung is free, so I sort of figured there wouldn’t be too much to see. I couldn’t have been more wrong; it’s a huge museum with a very impressive, varied collection of art. If you’re in Taichung, it’s a must-visit.
If you want a breathtaking view of Taipei, you’ve gotta do the Xiangshan Trail (also known as Elephant Mountain).
Bonus: it’s right in the middle of the city and easily accessible via the subway, so it’s a very low-effort hike to get to.
Though I think the Keelung night market is a compelling enough reason to visit Keelung on its own (the fact that it’s so easy to get here from Taipei makes this a no-brainer), you might want to do some other stuff while you’re here. I mean, you’re here already, you may as well.
Or you could just eat. That works too.
But if you want to walk off some of that food, there are a few interesting things around the city that you could check out.
There’s a place near Taipei called the Houtong Cat Village, and it’s basically exactly what it sounds like. Do you want to see a whole bunch of cats? Because they’ve got a whole bunch of cats.