Jiufen and Pinxi are relatively near Taipei. Jiufen the nearer of the two is only about 40 minutes by private car. A DIY is a viable option, but we want a worry free tour and so we opted to simply book a tour via My Taiwan Tours. Click on this link to their website ~ MY TAIWAN TOUR.
Our Jiufen and Pinxi Tour is an eight (8) hours day tour which includes: hotel pick up and drop off (via a 9 seater sedan), a local guide and a sky lantern crash course :P
Our ride for today
Arrangement via My Taiwan Tour was fast and easy. They contacted me 2-3 days before our schedule, which assured me everything will go as planned.
Lucy our guide was at our hotel doorsteps early to pick us up. She is energetic and bubbly. Her enthusiasm is contagious, enough to make us feel excited of our day's itinerary. It was clear that she loves Taiwan and she is proud to show-off its beauty!
Jinguashi
Our first stop ~ Jinguashi is a mining village, which was famous for its vast gold mine exploited during the Japanese colonization of Taiwan.
Here is a view of an abandoned mining refinery called Thirteen Ruins
We tried their Peanut Ice Cream Roll and Taro Balls
From Jiufen we travelled to SHIFEN, PINXI ~
the Lantern Capital of Taiwan.
Our HANDMADE Sky Lantern with our Family Wishes:
GOOD HEALTH and LONGLIFE, HAPPINESS and PROSPERITY, PEACE ON EARTH, LOTS OF LOVE (and my youngest son's personal wish "MORE FOOD" ~ I think there is no need to explain)!
The highlight of our day ~ seeing our sky lantern FLY!
Thanks for a great write up .will definitely go back to Taiwan again
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope this post has been helpful!
DeleteCool Taiwan trip!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHappy to share our Taiwan trip. I hope I was able to inspire you somehow.
DeleteI want to fly sky lanterns, too! Sana we can visit Taiwan rin habang visa-free pa sya. :)
ReplyDeleteI heard visa free is extended until 2020.
DeleteSuch a nice place to visit with the family! And, it's a good decision for you to avail of full package tour for a hassle free tour.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I chose to avail tour package too for convenience especially if you have kids in tow. I hope we can visit Taiwan habang free-visa pa.
ReplyDeleteIt was a tad more expensive though, but it was okay as we've achieved our goal - experience Taiwan.
DeleteAnsaya naman ng Family vacay na ito! Never been to Taiwan sana makavisit din kami jan :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun . My boys liked the Lantern making activity the most.
DeleteI want to go to Taiwan with my whole family as well and try that sky lantern! Mukang masarap yung taro balls :)
ReplyDeleteI personally think our taro balls version (ginataang bilo-bilo) is a lot better though.
DeleteI love the view of Golden Waterfalls and Yin-Yang Sea! It looks like your family had a blast in Taiwan. I haven't been there but I wish to visit too.
ReplyDeleteThe view really isn't that much. The do looked good though on photo.
DeleteI've been reading so much about Taiwan lately. I have to admit, I didn't consider going there before, pero now, nakita ko ang ganda pala talaga!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts too. Now I am actually thinking of coming back to see places and attractions we missed last time.
DeleteI wanna go to Taiwan too. Is it kid-friendly? :)
ReplyDeleteTaiwan is akin to Japan in terms of order and safety. Yes it is good for kids, especially if you want time off gadget and more time to explore the outdoors. Do bring your bugs spray though.
DeleteMy dream is to go to Taiwan! Apart from the sceneries, there's so much food that you can visit, and explore the country through your palette!
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you mean.
DeleteI was there for the sights, but my boys were there for the chow 😋
I wasn't able to try the taro balls when I was there. I hope we can go back real soon to Taiwan, there are a lot places to explore pa.
ReplyDeleteCommon mistake in travel is staying in the city. There are actually more to a country outside the capital.
DeleteParang ang sarap ng peanut ice cream rollll!
ReplyDeleteIt was good. I find the garnishing (i think it is parsley) in my icecream odd tasting.
DeleteThanks for sharing My Taiwan Tour. I can use this when we visit Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that. I hope you get some kind of inspiration from our experience.
Deletethis is such a memorable and happy famtrip. How I wish we could travel out of country :)
ReplyDeleteI wish everyone could travel abroad and experience first hand other culture. There so many things to see...
DeleteThis is our next travel goal. Mas na-excite ako tuloy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am excited for you too. Best pasalubong tip: nougats and pineapple cake/tarts. I bought through Klook for pick up at the airport. So convenient.
Delete