Taoyuan

Gloria Outlets is Taiwan's first US-style outdoor outlet. After you leave the HSR Taoyuan Station, you will cross an overpass to enter a new world. By the end of its third day in business, Gloria Outlets, more than one million people had already visited. Although it is advertised as a western shopping environment, the swarms of people darting around make it less relaxing than a normal shopping experience might be in the US! Nevertheless, the whole mall has been divided into four stages of completion and is expected to be formally completed in 2019 with a presence of 260 brands. Today, there is already Levi's, Nike, Timberland, Coach, CK, Armani, Tod's and other apparel brands, as well as Samsonite, Mothercare and other brands. Because this is Taiwan's first American-style outdoor outlet, the brand representation is far from complete, and the price is not pretty, but still many curious people have been attracted anyway. But if what you are looking for is a cheap department store, the end of the winter season is the best time to shop in Taiwan.

Although there are still few brands with open doors at Gloria Outlets, there are many dining options for those needing a refueling after all that shopping. Japanese ramen, American fast food or Taiwanese street food, and much more is up for grabs. For foreign travelers, even if the shops cannot capture their attention, but at least for those who are taking the High Speed Rail Taoyuan airport ready to fly home from Taoyuan Airport, Gloria Outlets provides a comfortable setting and wide range of choice for anyone with a rumbling stomach!

Daxi Old Street (大溪老街) is home to a large number of old houses built during the Japanese colonial period, making it one of the most representative attractions in Daxi Town. Due to its excellent water quality, this area is known for producing a local delicacy called "dried tofu" (dougan). One highly recommended spot is "Lao Abao's Braised Dried Tofu," where you can find generous portions of tofu soaked in flavorful braising sauce. It's common to encounter long queues, especially on weekends, due to its popularity.

Other popular snacks in the area include moonlight cakes, peanut candy, and tofu pudding, making Daxi Old Street (大溪老街) an ideal destination for indulging in local treats.

The architecture along the old street combines Western Baroque and Eastern Fujian styles, creating a unique and eclectic appearance. Nearby attractions such as Daxi Bridge, the Lee Teng-fang's Ancient Residence, and the Daxi Wood Art Eco-Museum can be included as part of a comprehensive itinerary.

Daxi Old Street (大溪老街) is often crowded with visitors on weekends, making parking a significant challenge. It is advisable to research parking options in advance or, starting in 2023, utilize the "Yuemei Parking Lot" on the right bank of the Dahan River, which offers free shuttle service into the old town area on weekends.

As one of major ports that also function as tourist fish markets in northern Taiwan, Yongan Fish Port used to be a rather small port but is now able to shelter almost one hundred fishing rafts after the deepening project. The building that houses the tourist fish market is inspired by the shape of a lobster, where the two spiral staircases on the sides resemble the two pincers of the lobster. When stepping into the market, you will find all kinds of stuff from fresh catches to processed seafood products. The market itself is divided into three sections: fresh daily catches, dried products, and prepared food — there is always something for everyone!

There is also an arch bridge across the harbor with the total length of 120m, and the viewing platforms at the top of the bridge allows visitors to watch the sunset over the ocean or the boats sailing in and out. The bridge is then lit up in rainbow colors from dusk until dawn, adding an air of romance to the landscape with sunset and ocean as a backdrop.

Window on China theme park is the first theme park in Asia to feature majestic displays of miniature world-known architectures as its main theme. Also, it is the first family theme park in Taiwan. In recent years, besides making efforts on the amusements, Window on China theme park also got the certificate of being the environmental education field. Therefore, visitors do not only enjoy the amusements, but also learn the knowledge during the playing hours. The Global Voyager Mini Train connects two major parts in the whole theme park. Based upon the characteristics of the service, there are four topics in Window on China theme park including Mini World, Amusement Park, Water Park and the Playhouse.

Mini World: The 133 miniature landmarks within the park are classified as Mini Taiwan, Mini China, Mini Asia, Mini Europe and Mini America. Amusement Park: More than 20 amusements made in Europe and the United States are suitable for parents and kids have fun together. Water Park: The Water Park includes Nile Beach, Thunderstorm, Family Castle Water Mania, and Baby Captain. The Playhouse: There are 3 different shows in the park. One is the breath-taking Taiwanese acrobatics and face changing live show. Another is magic tricks and hilarious acts Funny Clowns. And everyone’s favorite Window on China mascots, Lucky and Funny’s adventure.

In other countries, a reservoir is normally for water storage but not a tourism attraction. Foreigner would hardly be interested to come over and have a look on these places. However, it is a bit different in Taiwan. Lots of Taiwanese would camp for a night next to Wushantou Dam (烏山頭水庫) in Tainan. Fishing above Sun Moon Lake Dam (日月潭水庫) is popular among fanatics of this hobby as well. Such fashion of doing recreation activities around dams is originated from Shimen Reservoir. This reservoir, which is constructed in Taoyuan has put in service and supplied water to northern Taiwan for more than a half century. In autumn and winter, wide variety of birds are attracted here for the around flourishing forest. Along Maple Wood Pathway (楓林步道), about 3,000 maple trees were planted more than 30 years ago. Every autumn, lots of tourists are attracted to this pathway for its fame and the maple. Because this majestic reservoir is in a height of more than 100 meters, whenever it has to discharge the surging flood after being struck by typhoon, many people come here just to watch the scene. If coming with family, you could consider to take a boat trip around the lake and end the day with a nice meal at nearby seafood restaurant. Shaguo yutou (砂鍋魚頭, fish head casserole) and hongshaoyu (紅燒魚, braised fish in red sauce) here are famous for a story: due to construction project, plenty workers decided to reside here. Later, one of them opened a restaurant featured at fresh fish from reservoir. This restaurant has become famous and blew up a trend of fish dishes around here. Nevertheless, because Taiwan would be hit by typhoon three to four times annually, plentiful rainwater brings sand and mud, resulting in gradual deposition at bottom of reservoir. Currently, its capacity remains only half as scheduled. If the situation keeps deteriorating, the dam would face risk of collapsing.

In Taiwan, if you notice a male forget to zip up his trousers in public area, you could remind him by whispering, “you forgot to shut your Shimen Reservoir” as a polite notification. This phrase was based on a story: during quiz section of a beauty contest, the host asked a contestant with question “what will you do if you find someone forget to zip his trousers?”, and the beauty resolved the challenge wisely and humorously with this reply. Since then, this slang has spread over Taiwan.

lala Mountain is located at the intersection of Fuxing District in Taoyuan City and Wulai District in New Taipei City, reaching an elevation of 2,031 meters. It is a well-known ecotourism destination in northern Taiwan. The original name "Lala" in the Atayal language means "beautiful" and "to gaze." The area's natural scenery attracts numerous nature lovers, making it an important site for exploring Taiwan's ecological diversity.

Lala Mountain is renowned for its rich cypress forests and ecological resources, featuring expansive natural broadleaf and mixed conifer-broadleaf forests. Notably, it is home to many ancient trees with ages ranging from 500 to 3,000 years, forming a precious natural heritage and a vital ecosystem. The Giant Tree Trail, in particular, is a 3.7-kilometer path that winds through the largest red cypress forest in Taiwan, where visitors can admire 24 magnificent red cypress trees. The trail is relatively flat, making it suitable for visitors of all ages—whether families on outings or solo adventurers can easily enjoy it.

In addition to the Giant Tree Trail, other attractions in Lala Mountain should not be missed. The Balin Ecological Ancient Trail offers a charming pathway, perfect for those who love wandering in nature. Additionally, En’ai Farm attracts many visitors during the cherry blossom and honey peach seasons, where they can taste seasonal fruits. For photography enthusiasts or those who appreciate beautiful landscapes, the Xiaowulai Sky Trail, suspended next to the Wind Moving Stone, provides a great vantage point for enjoying stunning views, especially on clear days when the scenery resembles a painted canvas.

The best way to reach Lala Mountain is by driving, which usually takes about 2 to 3 hours. If you do not have a private vehicle, you can take a train to Taoyuan and then transfer to a bus. A recommended itinerary would be to visit the Daxi Old Tea Factory or the Xiaowulai Sky Trail on the first day and further explore the Giant Tree Trail and the Sacred Trees with Cloud Sea the next day. During your visit, it's essential to respect Lala Mountain's nature reserve and strive to maintain the environment's original state, avoiding the impacts of overdevelopment.

The Republic of Chocolate, located in Bade District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, is a chocolate-themed tourist factory that belongs to Hong Ya Foods. The facility reopened in 2023 after two years of renovations, featuring a design that employs vibrant orange and cream colors to create a space filled with a chic, artistic atmosphere. Inside, it houses Southeast Asia's first chocolate museum, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of chocolate and cocoa, making it a popular choice for family outings.

At the Republic of Chocolate, visitors can stroll through a cocoa forest, showcasing the northernmost cocoa trees in Taiwan, providing an opportunity to witness the growth of cocoa trees firsthand. The Healing Base displays the development history of Hong Ya Foods and offers information about a variety of well-known snacks, evoking fond memories of childhood treats. Additionally, the Delicious Workshop provides a multi-sensory experience, allowing guests to gain a deeper insight into the chocolate-making process and participate in DIY classes to create their own unique chocolate products.

Notably, a giant staircase, resembling melting chocolate, has been designed to attract visitors for photo opportunities. The Cocoa Tree House elegantly addresses the intriguing question, “How does cocoa turn into chocolate?” The Delicious Healing Island is a mysterious area showcasing the snack processing journey, aspiring to become a hotspot for social media influencers, where people can immerse themselves in a spectacular space that is hard to leave.

On the day of its opening, the Republic of Chocolate invited brand ambassador Lulu Huang to participate in a photo-taking event, attracting considerable media attention. The overall design of the facility not only integrates educational significance but also offers entertainment. Every corner showcases the charm of chocolate, whether sharing delightful treats with family or engaging in DIY workshops with friends, the Republic of Chocolate provides a variety of options for every visitor to experience the unique magic of chocolate.

You might have heard of a list of the 100 iconic peaks soaring over 3,000 meters in Taiwan, and many local enthusiasts spend their whole lives trying to climb over every one of them. However, not every one of us is physically capable of going out on a serious hike, which is why there is another list of the 100 mountains for everyone regardless of age, and Dongyangshan at the height of 1,212 meters happens to be one of them.

In springtime, you will be welcomed by an array of cherry blossoms along the way. The forest itself supports a rich and diverse community of plants and animals, and it is also a popular birdwatching spot. The walking trail is very well-established and suits visitors of all sorts, especially families traveling with the elderly and the little ones. Along the way, there are many wooden chairs and pavilions for you to sit for a while and catch your breath. As many different kinds of plants and flowers can be found in the Dongyangshan Forest Recreation Area, the surrounding landscapes change throughout the four seasons. If you are coming as a large group, the management encourage you to get in touch with them in advance and a tour guide will be accordingly arranged, who will give you an insightful look into the forest and its vibrant ecology.

The spot is currently under renovation.

Cihu (慈湖) is known for being the final resting place of former President of the Republic of China, Mr. Chiang Kai-shek. The entire Cihu (慈湖) area is divided into ""Front Cihu (慈湖)"" and ""Back Cihu (慈湖),"" which are the main attractions here. In addition to the Cihu (慈湖) Memorial Sculpture Park, there are also group visits to the mausoleum available by reservation on specific holidays, as well as the fascinating changing of the guard ceremony performed by the military, featuring intricate rifle drills that attract visitors from both domestic and international locations.

The former is the official mausoleum of Mr. Chiang Kai-shek, known as the ""President Chiang Mausoleum."" The stream connecting Front Cihu (慈湖) and Back Cihu (慈湖) is surrounded by lush natural scenery, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely mountain route.

There are two nature trails in the park, namely the ""Touliao Ecological Trail"" and the ""Cihu (慈湖) Trail."" Walking along these trails, visitors will be greeted by the picturesque countryside and lake views, with the added bonus of being able to gaze at the only volcano in the Taoyuan area, Mount Caoling. The trail distances are not long, taking only about 20 minutes. Lastly, it is highly recommended to visit the Cihu (慈湖) Visitor Center first to gather travel information about the area. The center also features exhibitions and video introductions showcasing various artifacts from the Chiang era, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of this landmark!