Taiwan trip day 7 ( exploring the Pingxi line 平溪線 )
Due to the early night the night before, we managed to get sufficient rest. So a selfie couple pic before we set off. Decided on a vintage looking dress for myself to fit the theme of today... But kinda regret after that cause after looking at the photos, I think it made me looked pregnant.. Zzzz
Since we still have about 10 min before 930am , and after my pestering, Mr Cheong agreed to check out the breakfast served by the hotel with me. Since it was about to end, there were limited dishes and servings and I only manage to get the below
But it was enough for the 2 of us. We were full by the end of the meal. After the breakfast we proceeded to ximending station to take BanNan line to Taipei main station (1stop away from xmd)
We have decided that next time given a choice we would prefer to stay around taipei main station instead of xmd to save on transport, we find that our 忧游卡runs out very quickly and requires top up every alternate day
From Taipei main station which is linked to taipei tra station, we got our tickets to ruifang 瑞芳 (NT59)
瑞芳
At 瑞芳 station, we bought our unlimited rides tickets for the pingxi Line. Each ticket costs NT52
We ran from the ticket counter to on board the train as the train was about to depart the very next min. We didn't want to miss it and have to wait for another 30 min for the next train....
We decided to start off with the stop furthest away - jingtong 菁桐
There weren't any seats for us even though it was a weekday. I could imagine how crowded the train would be like on weekends....
During the train ride, you will be able to see many breathtaking views. Look at the clear water of the stream ...
Instead of taking pics of the beautiful scenery, Mr Cheong took pics of me instead. Zzz .. But I would say I like the feel of this pic...I looked blissful here didn't i ?
Took a couple selfie with Mr Cheong on the train
菁桐 Jing Tong
First glimpse of Jing Tong : a very nostalgic feel
Didn't have a Chance to take a pic of the beautifully drawn train, before boarding so I took it upon alighting
Like the other stops which we would be visiting later, the moment, you alight, you will be greeted by shops whichsell an array of souvenirs- miniature sky lantern, wooden postcards, etc
The traditional postbox of Taiwan which you can really post letters or the wooden postcards which u have bought at the shop.
We love the concept of the Taiwan tourism board on the signage. It reads from JingTong (菁桐）to bliss (幸福)
Pointing to the word 'bliss' Mr Cheong and I hope that we can continue to feel blissful 50-100 yrs down the road :)
The signages at Jing Tong was colourfully decorated which reminded me of the one at Lavender cottage. I also like the font that they used.
The wooden postcards which I have previously mentioned, come in all shapes and sizes. And on them were very meaningful words
Besides the wooden postcards, and mini sky lanterns, other interesting souvenirs include some cute greeting cards which weren't expensive at all. However, I did not buy any cause I have no use for them
But I really like them so I will keep them as pictures instead.
We also saw the statues of the train master of olden days- a popular character of the pingxi line
At jingtong stop, is also where you will get to see these bamboos hanging at almost any where possible. You can purchase the bamboo ( there are many shops selling them so you will definitely not muses it ) write your wishes on the bamboo and hang it there. It is believed that by doing so, your dreams will come true.
At Jingtong, we also came across a few shops having some small game machines. Unlike the usual one you get to see at the night markets, the game machines here were once a popular entertainment for kids of the early 80s which is our generation! Mr Cheong decided to have a taste of it. Can't really remember the cost (NT10- NT50) but it comes with 3 balls, you have to balance the lever and try to get the ball from the start to the ending point, along the way there will either be some obstacles or holes which there is a high chance that your ball will drop.
After the game, the hungry Mr Cheong decided to get some food
Can't exactly remember what it is called but the taste to me was average. Perhaps I'm not some one who appreciate our local 五香 too.
We decided not to walk any further and headed back to the station for the next stop since it started drizzling.
Pingxi 平溪
Our next stop : pingxi
The moment we alighted from the train, we were greeted by this cat who was occupying the table where there are tourist chops for you to stamp on your notebook. ( tourist chops are very popular in Taiwan, I really think that Taiwan tourism board is very creative and meticulous. Singapore tourism
should really learn from them)
should really learn from them)
Back to this cat, do not try to go near it! It has just a min ago scratched a lady. Fierce isn't it ?
Again like there is a row of shops selling souvenirs
And we took a couple selfie along the pingxi old street. Our couple selfie would definitely look better if I have bought the selfie monopod earlier.. Now most of our couple selfie blocked the whole background zzz.
Inside the 八仙洞 there is a wishing well right infront of the goddess of mercy statue. Mr Cheong thought that he was still in Rome at the Trevie fountain. Why I said so? Cause he threw the coin backwards over his shoulder when making a wish... Zzzzz
Mr Cheong need to use the washroom again, so instead of going around with him to the station where the washroom is, I stayed around the area and more selfie on my own hoping to capture more of the surrounding with me in the photo
The signages at pingxi are less colourful as those we have seen earlier at Jing Tong but still a class of its own
Saw 車輪餅 and decided to buy one as I was still thinking of the ones that we had at ningxia night market the night before. The one at ningxia were really nice and the one I had bought at pingxi is no where comparable.
They didn't have yam so we bought 2 red bean ones..The paste in the 車輪餅 is quite little which is like the amt given in singapore. The taste of the red bean paste wasn't that good too.
We went to the 八仙洞 where I got Mr Cheong to pose in front of it. We are not the kind who will visit temples or such but since we change upon it, why not just explore??
There is actually nothing much at 八仙洞 and it is ok if you would like to give it a miss. It is just a small caves with few short tunnels and some holes.
But at the end of each of the small tunnels, there is a 'hole' which some benches are placed. Some of the slightly bigger 'holes' has tables in there as well. If you take a quite look at the benches there, it is catered for 8 pax. I guess it was because the locals there believe that 八仙 (the 8 immortals) live in the cave thats why they have the benches and tables there for them
From what I found out, it seems that why the locals feel that the cave is blessed is cause there is something 'magical' about the cave. It was said that the cave remains cold in summer and warm during winter. So it is actually a good place away from the harsh weather and the locals think that 八仙 has been blessing them this way.
If you walked further upslope, you would be greeted by a temple which oversees the pingxi vicinity. The scenery was breathtaking
We decided to proceed down slop to go back to the station. this time instead of taking the previous route, we choose the other way down. We passed by the bomb shelters which were said to be used during the WW2
Before reaching the station, we have to bypass Pingxi old street which I decided to get a cup of warm Almond drink from a very traditionally decorated shop
Almond drink is kind of popular in Taiwan and you can almost see shops selling it wherever you go. I wonder why it isnt that popular in Singapore though.
From the namecard, it seems like the shop is actually known for their tea noodles
We skipped 2 stops and went to our final stop along the Pingxi Line as we heard there there is nothing much around the other stops and decided to give it a missed.
Shifen 十分
Among the 3 stops we explored today, I think I like Shifen 十分 the most perhaps due to its blissful image.
The moment we alighted at the station, we could see almost all visitors taking out their cameras/phones or whatever gadgets they have with them and started shooting. We were no exceptions.
Everyone seems to be like a dog with two tails, especially couples as it seems like everyone is here in search of bliss and happiness.
Mr Cheong decided to strike a pose with the signage which states 十分幸福 which means extremely happy or extremely blissful
Unfortunately, the happiness shop wasnt open that day.
After a short walk from the station, we saw a shop selling one of my favourite food- the sweet potatoes and Mr Cheong decided to get some for me.
The fried sweet potatoes was kinda served in a unique way, The aunty added some plum powder onto the sweet potatoes.
When you arrived at Shifen there is something which you must really do and that is to fly the sky lantern. Shifen is very well known for this. It is believed that if you write your wishes on the sky lantern and set it free, what ever you have written on the lantern will come true,
So fly our lantern! We are glad that unlike some others whose lantern dropped soon after they set it off, ours flew high until we could not see it (The weather was wet that day/...)
Next we took a long walk to
十分风景区
It was really a very long walk which took us more than 30 min by foot. There are cab waiting to be booked.. so you can actually booked a cab to the Shifen waterfall instead of walking there.
On the way there, we took photos along the way with the streams and rapids.
Finally we reached Shifen waterfall. The entrance fee for Shifen waterfall is NT100 of which a small portion (if i remember correctly is NT30 - but everything at the stall is more than NT30 though) can be used to redeem for some coffee and tea at the stall there.
Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) is the most renowned cascade
style waterfall in Taiwan.
Having seen the real Niagara Falls, we felt that this is nothing compared to it. Though we would say it is much better than the other waterfalls we have seen around.
In the waterfall garden, there is also a small section which you can find many hanging wishes. I love this sight which is quite popular in Taiwan and hope that we actually have something like this in Singapore
We decided to leave after about 15min, there isnt much to see actually except the waterfall unless you want to relax and have a cuppa there.
After another long walk back, Mr Cheong is hungry again and he ordered noodles for himself. I wasnt hungry after the sweet potatoes so I did not eat anything.
I find that the furniture of the shop was quite unique. It reminds me of the schools' furniture in the 1950s?
We took the our last photo in Shifen together at the hanging bridge
By the time we reached Taipei, the sun has set and we decided to proceed to
Shida night market (師大夜市/师大夜市)
How to Get There?:
By Mrt:
Take the Red/Green Line to Taipower Building Station (台電大樓).
After leaving Exit 3, make a right turn, then make another quick right to reach
Shi-Da Road (師大路). The market is located along both Shi-Da road and in
the alleys off both sides.
It was unlucky for us, the moment we came out of Taipower building station, it was raining heavily :(
We bought a umbrella and continued our journey, praying hard that the night market would still be available. To our dismay, there were only a few stalls which were opened. We chanced upon 芋包芋 and decided to try.
We bought a umbrella and continued our journey, praying hard that the night market would still be available. To our dismay, there were only a few stalls which were opened. We chanced upon 芋包芋 and decided to try.
We bought the combo which consist of 3 flavours, YAM, egg yolk, and pineapple for NT50
We especially love the one with egg yolk
It was yummy!!!! TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH IT
Since it was raining rather heavily and many stalls were closed we decided to have some food at those permanent stores instead. Mr Cheong decided to go for 滷味. This is the very first time we are having 滷味 in Taiwan
金甌滷味大王
I almost got a shock when the lady served us such a big plate of 滷味. I didnt expect Mr Cheong to order so much. But still we managed to finish it. I think that the 滷味 is very nice!
We were too full to continue our food hunt, so we decided to end the day and went back to the hotel for an early night.
Read about my Taiwan 2014 travelogue:
Read about my Minsu/Hotel reviews for this trip
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