Taiwan Trails and Tales
@taiwantrailsandtales.com
I’m a British woman living and working in Taiwan, my partner’s homeland, and I’m here to spam your feed with all things mountains, trails, #hiking and #Taiwan.
www.taiwantrailsandtales.com
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www.taiwantrailsandtales.com
⛰️🥾🏕️
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Community trail modifications.
December 2, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Community trail modifications.
A series of errors and non-ideal happenings led to us spending almost an hour waiting in this rural bus stop. The sound of water flowing through the drain and mist-muted lights was much more relaxing than I could have imagined.
November 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
A series of errors and non-ideal happenings led to us spending almost an hour waiting in this rural bus stop. The sound of water flowing through the drain and mist-muted lights was much more relaxing than I could have imagined.
I agree. It is definitely a distinctive place. However, on the day I visited, the somber atmosphere was spoiled because the giant golden Buddha was having his belly rubbed (I mean polished).
It’s a slightly different vibe, but have you visited Zhaiming Temple (齋明寺) in Taoyuan? It’s very pretty.
It’s a slightly different vibe, but have you visited Zhaiming Temple (齋明寺) in Taoyuan? It’s very pretty.
November 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I agree. It is definitely a distinctive place. However, on the day I visited, the somber atmosphere was spoiled because the giant golden Buddha was having his belly rubbed (I mean polished).
It’s a slightly different vibe, but have you visited Zhaiming Temple (齋明寺) in Taoyuan? It’s very pretty.
It’s a slightly different vibe, but have you visited Zhaiming Temple (齋明寺) in Taoyuan? It’s very pretty.
Picturesque tidying implements.
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Picturesque tidying implements.
In addition to the neat stairway, it also has more than its fair share of sculptures, statues and temply things.
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 AM
In addition to the neat stairway, it also has more than its fair share of sculptures, statues and temply things.
I’d been drawn to it by the promise of this “thread of sky” feature — a path that cuts straight through a narrow gap between rocks. There’s this one point where you can’t see the exit and it’s really quite claustrophobic.
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I’d been drawn to it by the promise of this “thread of sky” feature — a path that cuts straight through a narrow gap between rocks. There’s this one point where you can’t see the exit and it’s really quite claustrophobic.
Alishan being its usual beautiful self today. (Photo taken on the Shuishan Sacred Tree trail, which has had similarly dramatic light both times I’ve walked it.)
November 18, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Alishan being its usual beautiful self today. (Photo taken on the Shuishan Sacred Tree trail, which has had similarly dramatic light both times I’ve walked it.)
Shop dogs of Fenqihu.
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Shop dogs of Fenqihu.
A short (but still steep) Sunday afternoon hike in Ruifang District with a waterfall (the famed Golden Waterfall to be precise) and an abandoned rope/railway.
November 16, 2025 at 10:42 AM
A short (but still steep) Sunday afternoon hike in Ruifang District with a waterfall (the famed Golden Waterfall to be precise) and an abandoned rope/railway.
And we had a quick gander at some of the beautifully detailed artwork in and around the temple complex before heading off for a walk nearby.
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
And we had a quick gander at some of the beautifully detailed artwork in and around the temple complex before heading off for a walk nearby.
In the morning, we ate breakfast as the sun crept upwards to crest the nearby hills.
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
In the morning, we ate breakfast as the sun crept upwards to crest the nearby hills.
The lower price rooms (NT$1,300) for a twin feel like something from a low-budget Wes Anderson copycat.
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The lower price rooms (NT$1,300) for a twin feel like something from a low-budget Wes Anderson copycat.
After dinner (the temple provides vegetarian meals), we went for a night hike, passing several other temples, then descending up dark steps into the noisy forest. We saw an owl, lots of critters, about five or six flying squirrels (although there were many more in the trees) and several fireflies.
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
After dinner (the temple provides vegetarian meals), we went for a night hike, passing several other temples, then descending up dark steps into the noisy forest. We saw an owl, lots of critters, about five or six flying squirrels (although there were many more in the trees) and several fireflies.
Last night, we returned to Quanhua Temple in Miaoli. It’s one of several temples in Taiwan that offer accommodation for pilgrims and travellers.
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Last night, we returned to Quanhua Temple in Miaoli. It’s one of several temples in Taiwan that offer accommodation for pilgrims and travellers.
Lots of critters on Qixing Mountain yesterday.
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Lots of critters on Qixing Mountain yesterday.
Pavement snake 🐍
November 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Pavement snake 🐍
Huye the tiger god’s canine friend is getting in on the incense action.
October 29, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Huye the tiger god’s canine friend is getting in on the incense action.
Lovely sunset from Scissors Rock tonight.
October 13, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Lovely sunset from Scissors Rock tonight.
Baby bunny hanging out at FamilyMart.
October 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Baby bunny hanging out at FamilyMart.
Snake in a tree. 🐍
A red banded snake (紅斑蛇) to be precise.
A red banded snake (紅斑蛇) to be precise.
October 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Snake in a tree. 🐍
A red banded snake (紅斑蛇) to be precise.
A red banded snake (紅斑蛇) to be precise.
Some cracking paintwork on display here.
September 20, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Some cracking paintwork on display here.
Ever wondered how building materials are transported up steep hills? These workers have a ropeway for carrying heavy stuff and seem to be living in dormitories on a nearby rise while their job is underway.
September 18, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Ever wondered how building materials are transported up steep hills? These workers have a ropeway for carrying heavy stuff and seem to be living in dormitories on a nearby rise while their job is underway.
And the water, when it shows up on the scene is well worth the effort.
September 16, 2025 at 1:24 AM
And the water, when it shows up on the scene is well worth the effort.
The climb (and descent) to the river offers views that are both coastal and ruggedly mountainous in nature.
September 16, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The climb (and descent) to the river offers views that are both coastal and ruggedly mountainous in nature.
Moon shadow.
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September 5, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Moon shadow.
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