A.S.I.A - American Student Investigates Asia

roundtaiwanround:

Shuinandong Smelter

You can find many remains of mining industry in Shuinandong, Jinguashi and Jiufen area. Shuinandong Smelter (水湳洞精鍊廠) is one of them. Shuinandong Smelter was built during Japanese Colonial Era and was also called Mine Selection Plant which was a place for mine selection. Due to its construction appearance, people mostly call it “Remains of the thirteen levels” (十三層遺址).

After Taiwan restoration, the “Mining Bureau of Gold and Copper” was established by Taiwan government. The gold mine gradually exhausted as international copper price soared. Afterward, the “Mining Bureau of Gold and Copper” was reorganized to “Taiwan Metal Company”. However, the international copper price declined as time went by. The Mine Selection Plant eventually closed because Taiwan Metal Company cannot afford huge operation cost. Then, it became the well-known “Remains of the thirteen levels”

Some people said it is a super-realism remains. It looks like a fuzzy zone between past and present. As you visit here, “Remains of the thirteen levels” itself will tell you the history of prosperity and decline.

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Shuinandong, Ruifang District, New Taipei City 224, Taiwan (ROC)

Tel:
N/A

Official Website:
http://www.ntpcsjj.tw/SJJ/index.do

roundtaiwanround:

Golden Waterfall

Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布) is located near the Gold Ecological Park (黃金博物園區) in Jinguashi. Because it rains a lot in this mining area and abundant heavy metal elements deposited in the riverbed, this waterfall looks so “gold”.. By the way, here is also a popular spot for wedding photography. Another famous scenic spot, Ying Yang Sea (陰陽海), can also be seen at the nearby Changren community (長仁社區). After visiting Gold Ecological Park, why not just take a few minutes to have some nice photos here?

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Ruifang District, New Taipei City 224, Taiwan (ROC)

Tel:
N/A

Northeastern Taiwan Travel Information: 
http://www.roundtaiwanround.com/post/27549999249/northeastern-taiwan 

roundtaiwanround:

Zhushan Sky Ladder

In order to make tourists easier to reach Taiji Canyon (太極峽谷), the government built a sky ladder suspension bridge on 2 precipices crossing a river. Zhushan Sky Ladder (竹山天梯) used to be one of the only 2 suspension bridges with ladder in the world. The length is 136 meters with 208 steps and the difference of height is around 20 meters.

From the entrance to Taiji Canyon, you walk through bamboo forest, climb thousands stairs, crouch through hole in the rock, cross Earth God Temple, and you will reach Green Dragon Waterfall (青龍瀑布). 

The water which comes from the waterfall flows across Taiji Canyon. There are many waterfalls on the giant rock along the canyon. One of these looks really like a human face, with eyebrows, nose, cheek, and even with tears.

Opening Hours:
07:30~16:00

Entrance Fee:
TWD50

Address:
Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Notice:
There are around 1000 steps from entrance to Taiji Canyon. Make sure you have enough energy to counter it.

Nantou Travel Information:

roundtaiwanround:

Daan Sea of Bamboo 

Daan Sea of Bamboo (大鞍竹海) is located in Zhushan Township, Nantou. In Chinese, Zhushan means bamboo mountain. Bamboos cover the whole mountain area. Once you stand on the top point, tens of thousands of bamboos under your feet swing along with the breeze.

Before Ang Lee (李安), an Academy Award for Best Director winner, chose Sichuan (四川) to shoot a fighting scene in a bamboo forest for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, Daan Sea of Bamboo was his first choice.

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Dalin Ln., Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Nantou Travel Information:

roundtaiwanround:

Moncoeur

Millions tourists have come to Lavender Cottage to see lovely purple lavenders since it was founded in 2001. On Valentine’s Day, Christmas Eve, or even just weekends, couples love to visit their garden to enjoy the romantic atmosphere. After years, people started to ask the hosts whether they could hold wedding in Lavender Cottage. However, the garden doesn’t have enough space and the facilities are not suitable. The hosts of the garden felt sorry that they were not able to provide a good place to hold a perfect wedding. Since then, they prepared to build a new garden special for wedding. Finally, the hosts spent 200 million New Taiwan dollars to complete Moncoeur (心之芳庭), the new wedding garden, in 2009.

“Mon coeur” in French means “my heart”. From the hosts’ hearts, they promise every visitor to have an unforgettable memory after visiting Moncoeur. Besides supporting wedding, the hosts also dedicate their life to furnish their garden by different elements. Wooden doors, flowers, lanterns, brick houses, colorful mailbox, and chocolates make here a great place for photography. 

Opening Hours:
11:00~21:30 (weekdays)
09:30~21:30 (weekends & holidays)

Entrance Fee:
TWD200 (include TWD100 voucher)
Free (after 18:30)

Address:
No.1, Fangting Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 406, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
+886422398900

Official Website:
http://www.moncoeur.com.tw/

Taichung Travel Information:
http://www.roundtaiwanround.com/post/15824696709/taichung

roundtaiwanround:

Sean Chang

Folklore, local arts, old streets, and Taiwan.

I am Sean Chang from roundTAIWANround. My major was sociology and graduated from National Taiwan University. I love Taiwan natural scenery and know the local custom and history, especially natural paths, historic remains, old streets, and handicraft. I spend most of my free time to explore different spots and new attractions to find real Taiwan.

Come to central Taiwan, and I would love to walk around with you and introduce the most fascinating cultural and historical stories to you.

Contact
Email -
Sean.Chang@roundtaiwanround.com
Phone -
+886932620560

roundtaiwanround:

Pine Garden

The Pine Garden (松園別館) , which was built in 1943, used to be the military office during the Japanese occupation era. The reminiscent atmosphere of dense pinewood and old Japanese building impress every visitor while visiting.

Located at the highest point in Hualien City, Pine Garden was regarded as a key center as well as recreational retreat for ranking military officials because they could dominate the ship on the sea and airplanes at South Airport with ease. It was said that the site was where the Japanese air fighter were bestowed with Heavenly Emperor wine on the eve of their suicide missions. After World War II, the place is served as a vacation resort of American Army. Now, it was renovated by government into a cultural center, exhibiting various kinds of art piece and handicraft. If you would like to experience different culture besides aborigines in Hualien, pay a visit on Pine Garden and you would never regret.

Opening hour:
Pine Gargen: 09:00 ~ 18:00
Pine Gargen Exhibition Room: 09:00 ~ 17:00

Entrance fee:
Free

Tel:
+88638356510

Address:
No.65, Songyuan St. , Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Official Website:
|http://tour-hualien.hl.gov.tw/en/Attraction/Information.aspx?id=139&type=2#content