Day trip from Taipei: Yangmingshan and North Coast

Day trip from Taipei: Yangmingshan and North Coast 369 246 Sheetal Khatri

Day trip from Taipei: Yangmingshan and North Coast

(Day 2)

Yangmingshan National Park

It is hard to choose where to go outside Taipei as there are many scenic spots that you can’t miss. So, we located some of the most prominent areas in the north of Taiwan, splitting first half of the day for Yangmingshan and the other half for some unique coastal spots.

Taiwan tourism offers several day tours to its north coast via shuttle buses from Taipei. We preferred hiring a car and discovering the path on our own. This way we could get past the crowds adding flexibility to stay longer wherever we wanted to. Considering swift sunsets in Taiwan, it is ideal to start everyday early morning. Here is the list of our top picks enroute in a day trip to Yangmingshan and north coast of Taiwan.

Beitou Thermal Valley

Traced in the foothills of mighty Yangmingshan national park, Beitou thermal valley is also known as ‘Hell valley’ amongst locals. Taiwan has an abundance of volcanic hot springs throughout its landmass. People really enjoy a relaxing dip in geothermal pools of water which are also therapeutic in nature. Beitou is also developed as Taiwan’s first hot spring resort area from the Japanese era. At present there are numerous hotels and resorts surrounding the thermal valley featuring public/private hot-spring baths, extremely popular during winters.

Beitou Thermal valley
Beitou Thermal valley

The thermal valley is only a short walk away from resort area, there are signboards for directions near the parking. It is absolutely free of cost and a ‘must visit’ spot. We made a quick stop here early morning on our way to Yangmingshan. You will be amazed to look at the striking emerald green color of this hot spring. A subtle haze of year-round sulphuric fog rising up adds on to its splendor. The temperature of water is between 80°c-100°c tagging Beitou as the hottest spring sources in Datunshan. Try some hot spring boiled eggs for breakfast here, if you get hungry.

Yangmingshan National Park

Streams at Yangmingshan

Yangmingshan National park spans above northern Taipei city and is easily accessible from downtown. The park is rich in interesting flora and fauna, hot-springs, milk lakes, wildlife and lush nature trails as a result of which it has been attracting hikers from all over the world.

The most beloved spots at Yangmingshan are:

  • Qingtiangang Grassland Trails
  • Yangming Park, Flower Clock
  • Xiaoyoukeng
  • Zhuzihu
  • Lengshuikeng
  • Menghuan Pond
  • Liuhuanggu Sulfur Lake
  • Jinbaoli Trail

Our Route

We entered via Dongsheng road which adjoins Yangjing road diverging through the center of the park. This route gave us pleasant city views from certain elevated lookouts and has lesser coils while driving. Also, this road connects to Jinshan district from where various coastal spots can be accessed. The spots closer on this route are:

City and ocean view from Yangmingshan

Yangmingshan Fountain & Flower Clock

Flower clock

The very first stop you will find near the visitor center and main bus station that contains Chinese style garden, streams, fountains and ponds. The slopes are decorated with pretty blossoms of native cherry, plum, camellia, peach, and azaleas during flower festival from December-April.

The flower clock is a large garden artwork nearby the western entrance to the park. Follow the signboards just past the flower clock for ‘Datun Falls’.

Zhu Zihu

Calla lillies

A picturesque local farming village set like a hidden gem in mountains is also home to Calla lilies that bloom every year by end of March. It was originally a lava impeded lake (known as Bamboo lake) formed by its neighboring volcanoes and has distinctive geology.

Hot Springs

Hot Geyser

We randomly caught sight of a geyser on our way out. There was a bridge that connects to a foot path to have a closer look. The hot springs Yangmingshan are mostly open air and underdeveloped for proper tourism.

Challenges & Travel Tips

Driving could be a challenge here due to narrow-curvy roads, which can be tiring and it slows you down. Accessing some falls and lakes require certain amounts of walking and hiking. There are limited number of restaurants (with limited opening hours) and street food stalls, so pack some food and drinks with you.

It will be idyllic to spend an entire day discovering Yangmingshan during flower festival in February and March. On our visit, November weather was all sunny, cloudy and cool but no flower blooms to see. So, we opted for a route that would cover some decent points of attractions within few hours letting us move on to coastal spots for rest of the day. You can also give it a skip as there are only partial things to see at this time.

The Northern Coastline

The Northern Coastline

The northern coast alongside Jinshan district takes us to some unique geological formations. Start off with Shuiwei port at Mysterious coast to view some wave eroded rocks with giant holes. This site is also the closest to view Twin Candlestick islets via a short pathway. You can see the fishing harbor close by and few individuals fishing near the rocks.

Yehliu Geopark

Yeliu geopark

Yehliu Geopark can be termed as one of the premier ecology reserve and marine park in the north of Taiwan. Yehliu cape, on its shoreline with majestic Pacific views, features fascinating mushroom rocks and wind-swept limestone formations. Interestingly, these formations have names like, ‘sea candles’, ‘fairy shoe’ and ‘queen’s head’. It is both a museum and a scenic attraction well-groomed for visitors.

Tickets: You can find the latest prices here: http://www.ylgeopark.org.tw

Yeliu geopark fish market

This place has a set of lane where freshly fried fish and local snacks are sold. We almost had dinner trying fried fish samples while walking till the end of this lane. Just outside the ticketing entrance you will find a huge collection of fruit stalls and seafood restaurants. This is an amazing stopover to pick your meals on the go.

Attractions Nearby

Taiwan North

The northern tip has many more beautiful spots to see on a day trip from Taipei. Certainly, these are impossible to be added in the same day along with Yangmingshan and Yehliu. We would recommend a separate day trip from Taipei, that may allow spending ample time on the below coastal lookouts.

  • Dawulun beach
  • Heping Island park
  • Eagle rock
  • Shenao elephant trunk rock
  • Golden waterfalls
  • Jiufen old street

Explore More

Kenting to Taitung

Kenting To Taitung: Day Tripping on the Black Coast

Kenting To Taitung: Day Tripping on the Black Coast 369 227 Sheetal Khatri

Our jaunt towards eastern coast of Taiwan featuring the veiled charms, Taitung, Hualien and Yilan for its countryside. The scenery along way changes dramatically compared to the west here and you will find tempted to stopover at many places in between just to admire mother nature.

read more
Melbourne Australia

The Taste of Melbourne

The Taste of Melbourne 860 573 Sheetal Khatri

Things to do in Melbourne and surrounds, this coastal capital city of Victoria from city’s center to its outskirts, embraces historical architectures, parks, memorials, cuisines and a lot to savor.

read more

Taiwan Countryside and Quaint Surrounds of Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan Countryside and Quaint Surrounds of Sun Moon Lake 369 246 Sheetal Khatri

Things to do around Sun Moon Lake. The central mountain ranges of Nantou are home to stunning landscapes, sheltered with woodland and numerous walk trails, it has an aura of enchantment. You will love waking up to chirpy bird songs, elegant sunrises, foggy ambiances that create mood of fairylands.

read more
Korean Skin Care

Korean Cosmetics:What to Know Before Buying?

Korean Cosmetics:What to Know Before Buying? 360 246 Sheetal Khatri

Here’s what we learnt about the 10 steps of Korean skincare regime and also, the factors to determine which products shall we buy.

read more

Top Attractions of Singapore

Top Attractions of Singapore 369 246 Sheetal Khatri

Wonderful Things to do in Singapore, a 4-5 day itinerary, family friendly attractions, world class food and shopping destinations.

read more
North Island

New Zealand’s North Island Gems You Shouldn’t Miss

New Zealand’s North Island Gems You Shouldn’t Miss 1024 823 Sheetal Khatri

4 day self drive itinerary & tips to discover unique attractions of New Zealand’s North Island. Hidden Gems|Things to do|Food to try|Where to stay|Best Geothermal regions|Shopping

read more
New Zealand

New Zealand: Full Travel Guide|Itinerary|Tips

New Zealand: Full Travel Guide|Itinerary|Tips 1024 683 Sheetal Khatri

Full guide, basic information about New Zealand travel in low season. 17D planner for both islands. Unique things to see and do. Weather, Transport, Parking, Cost, food & Stay, Mindful Shopping.

read more

Day 12: Travel Guide for Mount Cook National Park

Day 12: Travel Guide for Mount Cook National Park 1024 683 Sheetal Khatri

Full Travel Guide for activities and things to do in Mount Cook National Park. The Most beautiful tracks, hikes, food and stay options of the region.

read more
South Island

Self Driving South Island: Things Not to Miss

Self Driving South Island: Things Not to Miss 1024 683 Sheetal Khatri

Full travel guide & self drive itinerary to explore hidden gems of New Zealand’s South Island. Top attractions and activities, food & stay recommendations.

read more
Summary
Day trip from Taipei: Yangmingshan and North Coast
Article Name
Day trip from Taipei: Yangmingshan and North Coast
Description
A day drive itinerary to explore some marvellous features of Yangmingshan National Park along with some iconic coastal landscapes in the northern tip of Taiwan.
Sheetal Khatri
planetunfold.com
Planet Unfold
http://vuv.rtj.mybluehost.me/website_ca77c7f9/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Final-logo-1.png

Leave a Reply