New Taipei

Although it rained for most of the trip, making the climb more difficult and risky, our leader was incredibly attentive and taught us many helpful climbing techniques. In the end, it was absolutely worth the experience, as Yushan is one of Taiwan’s most remarkable hiking trails.

Although the journey was long and bumpy, I really appreciate the tour guide, Qiang Qiang, for taking us hiking for two days and driving us back to Taipei for several hours! The hike wasn't too difficult, and this itinerary is very friendly for hiking beginners who like to explore nature. Although we didn't see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the scenery along the way was worth remembering. Immersed in the mountains surrounding Smangus, a Tayal tribe village located deep in the mountains has its own culture and way of life, which is the purity and tranquility that cannot be seen in the city. The children of Xinguang Elementary School riding bicycles on the only small road left a deep impression on me. The grandma at Yaya Homestay kept urging us to eat well because it was cold in the mountains, as if she was treating her own grandchildren, and she actively offered more food. This human touch makes people feel warm. I would want to go back again, and it's worth recommending!

The Carriage House is very special, and the kids loved it! The horses are well cared for, and horseback riding was a lot of fun. There's a lot of nature around the accommodation, and the kids had a great time catching insects. The staff were also very friendly and made the children feel very valued :)

The store for the Shifen Sky Lantern experience is very easy to spot. The service offered is beyond my expectation and provides excellent value for money. It was a great experience, especially when traveling alone, as the owner of the store offers a complimentary photoshoot and video shoot. A very nice experience indeed.

Our Shifen sky lantern experience was unforgettable! We came with wishes written on our lantern and left with tons of happy memories (and a lot of photos 😄). The staff were super friendly, energetic, and patient—they made sure our lantern was ready, guided us through every step, and became our personal photographers for the moment. They didn’t just sell us a lantern; they helped create a beautiful memory that we’ll bring home from Taiwan. Thank you for making our Shifen visit extra special! 🎈✨

Located in the Shiding mountains, "Shiding Hsu Family Noodles" is a highly popular family-friendly attraction in northern Taiwan. It combines traditional craftsmanship with fun experiences, allowing children to try the "shake, pull, release" noodle-making process firsthand and experience the spirit of traditional artisans. In addition, the most popular activity is undoubtedly the flowing noodle experience, where you can watch the noodles slide down the cold spring water, which is both cool and full of surprises! Finally, kneading your own fragrant scallion pancakes is a deep cultural journey that caters to sight, touch, and taste. It's perfect for a family to take a half-day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city on the weekend.

Upon entering, guests are provided with comfortable slippers and water. The esthetician briefly introduces the treatment options but does not engage in aggressive sales tactics, maintaining a polite and gentle demeanor. This was my first time here for a blackhead removal treatment. Since I hadn't cleaned my pores in a long time, the process was a bit painful, but after it was done, my skin felt incredibly clean.

I really love the local vibe of this shop. I enjoyed sipping tea while wearing beautiful traditional clothes. The staff were incredibly lovely, friendly, and always smiling. They took great care of me. There were also cute cats, and the desserts were delicious, with a lovely tea aroma. The tea itself tasted wonderful. I wasn't feeling well, but after a few sips of tea, I felt much better. The shop's atmosphere is warm, clean, and very comforting. I definitely want to go back again! 💖🫶🏻🍵😍🥰

Yesterday, I visited Jiufen after a long time. The only difference this time was that I had booked a Qipao experience. I searched online and found "CHIPAO Jiufen Qipao Rental." Reservations are required in advance! On the day of the experience, the shop environment was small, simple, and clear. The owner, a kind lady, first let us choose our favorite Qipao styles. Let me just say... those who have trouble making decisions are in luck, haha! The owner gave us advice on the Qipaos and quickly and accurately picked out beautiful Qipaos from the rack based on her professional judgment! I still recommend that friends who want to try this do some research beforehand so you don't spend too much time choosing a Qipao. Although the rental period for this Qipao shop is very long (return by 7:00 PM at the latest!), you should spend your time taking beautiful photos! After choosing our outfits, the owner styled our hair into simple updos to match our Qipaos. The online description mentioned simple long hair updos. Although it said "simple," I personally think it was anything but simple. The owner meticulously styled beautiful updos, allowing all the girls to have wonderful memories in Jiufen. After styling our hair, the owner recommended small accessories nearby for us to wear. You can choose them yourself or politely ask the owner for suggestions. Of course, everyone can also bring their own before the experience day. Once the clothes were ready, it was time to choose suitable embroidered shoes. The shop provides black invisible socks, which you can keep! I recommend not choosing embroidered shoes that are too tight, as you'll be climbing some stairs in Jiufen Old Street, and tight shoes might make your feet uncomfortable. The owner also recommended some great photo spots for reference. As June begins, the weather is gradually getting hotter. The shop also provides small bags for the furry shawls, in case you get heatstroke, haha. The weather can be hot, but you must look beautiful! Before leaving the shop to go sightseeing, the shop offers temporary storage for your belongings. You can also switch to a small bag provided by the shop to match your Qipao. Since you haven't paid a storage fee to the shop, be sure to keep your valuables with you. Finally, thank you to the owner for giving us such wonderful memories and service, and thank you, Jiufen, for being so beautiful and amazing!