Taiwan is a beautiful island! It is beautiful because of its many natural resources and scenic places.

"Mountainous array, Soaring forests, Natural setting, Cultural essence, all this has formed the beauty of Taiwan in its primitive way," pointed out the Tourism Bureau, Rep. of China.*1

Taiwan is known for its towering mountains, and is reputable as a "Mountainous Island". The island is spotted with numerous mountains over 3,000 meters. It is also home to Northeast Asia's highest mountain, Jade Mountain, which is nearly 4,000 meter in height.

Besides mountains, beautiful coastal scenes are also part of Taiwan's great natural asset. Starting from the northern tip of the island is the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Sccenic Area and Northeast Coast National Scenic Area that features various sorts of coastal geography... Traveling all the way down from here, one will first arrive at the scenic East Coast National Scenic Area and East Rift Valley National Scenic Area, and then the Tapeng Bay National Scenic Area blessed with sunshine and tropical touch.*2 .....
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References

*1. Reviewjournal.com. 'Touring Taiwan Attractions,' "A search of 'Washington Business and Technology Institute' on the Communitylink of Reviewjournal.com," (October 17, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: LVRJ.
*2. Ibid.

The sky is beautiful!

It is not far away from Taipei. Yangmingshan, the Grass Mountain, is a scenic place with a beautiful park.

Grass Mountain (Yangmingshan) Conceived and choreographed by Artistic Director Shih Gee-Tze*1

This, the newest of Acme Physical Dance Theatre抯 National Park series reveals a handful of the mysteries surrounding Yangmingshan or "Grass Mountain". This park is significant for many reasons. The most immediate of these is in its function as a natural sanctuary to the residents of Taipei City. Its close physical proximity acts as a huge garden for city dwellers to escape their busy and stressful lives. Indeed, historically, it has served this function since the beginning of Japanese rule (1895.)

Grass Mountain is also unique in its geological makeup. Volcanoes and fuming crevices steam and fume through a barren tortured landscape, while a stone抯 throw away,butterflies dance among masses of vibrant trees, shrubs and greenery. Owing to this layered nature of Yangmingshan park, choreographer Shih Gee-Tze has chosen to present the multiple aspects of meaning through 4 separate acts: 揃lossoming,� 揜ed Mountain,� 揘ight Scenery,� and 揗ountain Living.� *2
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References

*1. Google. 'A profile of Grass Mountain,' "A search of 'Grass Mountain - Taipei' on the Google.com," (August 16, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.

Washington Business and Technology Institute - Chen Shui-bien

... 072805-8683. Green Lake ---a beautiful place in Taiwan.

Through the courtesy of "Online The China Post", it is our pleasure to post the ...

communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/lvrj_ProcServ/ dbpage=page&GID=01101010550976144152582945&... - 43k - Cached - Similar pages

Through the courtesy of "Online The China Post", it is our pleasure to post the following report:

Family fun at Green Lake*1
By Jaya Hiranandani Special to The China Post

One of the highlights of living in Taipei is the city's ability to surprise and delight you with adventure and discovery at every nook and corner. Colorful temples set apart from a background of plain, drab buildings; snaking rivers and bubbling streams crisscrossing sprawling streets; enormous parks forming islands of green in congested neighborhoods; crowded apartment buildings filled with friendly faces -- all result in a love-hate relationship between the city and its people.

At times, the busy-ness of life gets too much to handle and the "hate" emotion becomes dominant. Though the best solution seems a hop on the next plane off the island or a short trip down South, this is not always possible. Fortunately the city presents the antidotes to its own problems, as it is scattered with peaceful havens sure to take your mind off the torments of urban life.

Situated mid-stream of Hsin Tien river is one such place -- the green lake, once renowned as one of the twelve most beautiful tourist landscapes of Taiwan. Also known as Bitan or Chi Pi Lake, this popular recreation spot is located in the north of Hsintien city, just a stone's throw from the Hsintien MRT station.

The water at Bitan is green and smooth. Sheer cliffs loom over the tranquil lake and on a clear day, the calm surface is glazed with the reflection of white, puffy clouds. A 200 meter long suspended bridge stretches like a rainbow across the river, linking the east and west banks.

On the weekends, the banks of Green Lake are thronged with crowds eager to have a fun-filled day. The surface of the water is dotted with dainty swan-shaped pedal boats, which operate everyday late into the night. At NT$300 per hour, they prove to be good value for money. Apart from getting some exercise, one can also venture down the river and explore the stunning beauty that lies ahead.

Apparently, boating isn't the only preferred activity. Dutiful dog owners can be seen walking their canine friends of all shapes and sizes. Adults and children of all ages enjoy cycling on the cemented paths along the east bank. Toddlers squeal with delight as they gyrate on various rides, blow bubbles or simply run on the grassy banks.

Zealous fish catchers sit dead-still holding their fishing rods amongst the flurry of activities around them. Singing enthusiasts exhibit their vocal skills at the karaoke stalls. People looking for some harmless fun spend hours at the scores of game stalls that have mushroomed on the east side of the river.

Hungry visitors relish the culinary delights offered by various restaurants, cafes, shops and roadside stalls. Tea lovers sip tea, including the famous Pouchong tea of Hsintien, at a large teahouse overlooking the river. In short there is something for everyone here.

No trip to the Green Lake can be complete without having a leisurely meal at one of the river front eateries. From hot pot to stinky tofu, from Italian cuisine to a local Taiwanese affair -- there are a range of options to choose from.

After exploring the area, we settled for the "Riverside Bistro" -- an Italian restaurant situated at the east bank amongst a row of others. The ambience was relaxing and the service was good. Our seat offered a stunning view of the riverbank, as we were lucky enough to get a corner table at the crowded place.

Having a delicious, aromatic meal while overlooking the pristine water, with egrets venturing into the now almost-deserted waters, and a few swan boats zigzagging their way around, was a treat for the senses and arguably the best part of my day trip.

Though not a place where one can escape the crowds (at least on weekends), a visit to the Green Lake can nonetheless prove to be a fun-filled family outing. A candlelight dinner at one of the restaurants on the riverbank can even make for a delightful romantic date. Since the boat quay and the shops are open late into the night, this is an ideal place to visit on a day when you get up too late to visit other tourist spots of the city.*2 [2005/4/21]

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References

*1. The China Post. 'A profile of Green Lake,' "A search of 'Green Lake - Taiwan' on the Google.com," (June 6, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.

Wulai ---one of northern Taiwan's most popular tourist destinations
By William C. Pao and The China Post

Wulai is located in the mountains about 25 kilometers south of Taipei City. For centuries the mountain township was a settlement of the Atayal aboriginal tribe, one of the 12 aboriginal tribes of Taiwan. Today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Taiwan. Restaurants, recreational parks, aboriginal souvenir shops and hot spring resorts in the area draw large crowds of local and overseas tourists every day, especially during weekends.

Historical records and tribal folklore suggest that the Atayal began to migrate northward from their ancestral home of Pinsebukan -- roughly today's Renai Township, Nantou County -- after it became overcrowded. They began to settle in what is Wulai today -- a large area along Nanshih River in northern Taiwan -- during the reign of Emperor Dao Guang of the Cing Dynasty, in the first half of the 1800s.

At one point the Atayal migrated further north to what is today Sindian City, Taipei County. They retreated to the Wulai and Jhongjhih areas after an increasing number of the Han mainland Chinese occupied Sindian. The Atayal since then established nine related tribes in Wulai.

During the Japanese occupation, Wulai was designated as an aboriginal village under Taipei County and was divided into five sub-tribes -- Wulai, Tongbi, Nasiao, Ayu and Limaoan -- each headed by a tribal head. In 1946, the year after Taiwan restoration, Wulai was officially designated a township, with an area of 321 square kilometers, under Taipei County, and was divided into five villages -- Wulai, Sinsian, Jhongjhih, Siaoyi and Fushan -- which have remained till this day. The Township Office of Wulai was also established.

Tourist and scenic spots in Greater Wulai include Neidong (Inner Cave) Recreation Park and Wuchongsi Fall, both in Sinsian Village. Yet Wulai Village is definitely the best-known tourist attraction at Wulai. During weekends, Highway 9A leading up to Wulai Village sees heavy traffic volume, with crowds of local and international visitors -- notably from Japan -- packing the streets of the village.

Taking a walk along the Old Street of the village is a must for first-time visitors to Wulai. It is pretty much a narrow alleyway full of gift shops, food vendors and hot spring hotels. Atayal-themed souvenir stores selling items such as clothes, crafts, decorations and woodcarving objects are frequented by multitudes of shoppers looking for something to take home to remember their visits to Wulai. Renowned traditional Taiwanese and Atayal foods and snacks -- including stir-fried rice noodles, meatball soup and "muaji," or sticky rice dumplings -- can be found at food vendors and restaurants, where visitors may take a break from all the walking they have done and grab a bite to eat.

Wulai is also home to plenty of hot springs. In fact, the name "Wulai" was derived from the Atayal word of "Urai," which means hot spring. The place has become a major destination for hot spring lovers in Taiwan, with dozens of large and small hot spring facilities offering visitors a place to stay overnight or take one-hour hot spring baths.

The Old Street leads to Lansheng Bridge over the Nanshih River. After crossing the bridge one will come to a flight of stairs that lead to one of the most famous Wulai attractions -- the Wulai tramway, a 1.6-kilometer rail linking Lansheng Bridge and the Wulai waterfall. The trams are light vehicles that were once manually operated. They were used to carry timber and occasionally to transport tourists. Thanks to booming tourism, the trams officially began to carry passengers in 1963. Today, Wulai trams are among the dwindling few of such vehicles left in Taiwan.

For those who wish to walk to the waterfall, they may do so on a hiking trail that runs parallel to the railway.

The platform in front of the Yun Sian Park sky tram station is one of the two best spots for viewing the Wulai waterfall. The other spot is inside the sky tram. Restaurants, souvenir shops and many Atayal statues are in the sky tram station area. One of the best-known statues is that of an Atayal warrior, reminding visitors of the fighting spirit of the tribe. Visitors looking for a great hiking experience in the mountains must visit the mountain resort of Yun Sian.

Wulai is about 17 kilometers south of Sindian. Those interested in visiting Wulai should take Route 9A, which branches off from Route 9, the Taipei-Yilan Highway. The winding road running in the mountains will take visitors all the way up to Wulai Village. Several bus companies operate routes to Wulai. The Taiwan Tour Bus program operated by the Tourism Bureau has a Wulai line that leaves from Songshan Airport, Taipei Railway Station and major hotels in Taipei.
[2004/11/11]

Ali Shan De Guniang
The Girl From Ali Mountain

Melody - Taiwan folk song

The following are pronounced in Mandarin (Chinese)[Notes from the Editor's of this website at http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti]:*2

Gao shan qing,
Jian shui lan.
Ali Shan de guniang mei ru shui ya,
Ali Shan de shaonian zhuang ru shan.
Gao shan chang qing,
Jian shui chang lan.
Guniang he na shaonian yong bu fen na,
Bi shui chang weizhe qing shan zhuan.

Tr. Ed Peaslee 1999

Green is the high mountain
Blue is the mountain stream
The girl of Ali Mountain is pretty as the water
The youth of Ali Mountain is strong as the mountain
Mountain forever green
Water forever blue
The girl and that youth never will be parted -
like the blue water flows around the green mountain*3

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References

*1. Ali Mountain (Ah Li Sun) is a very beautiful mountain in Taiwan.
*2. Google Answers. 'About Ali Mountain,' "A search about 'Ali Mountain' on the Google.com," (June 1, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*3. Ibid.

Taiwan is beautiful for its mountains, rivers, lakes, among others. One of the most scenic places in Taiwan is the Sun Moon Lake. It's our pleasure to receive a good information in searching "Sun Mon Lake" from the Google.com on May 4, 2005:

Surrounded by green mountains, Sun Moon Lake is the pearl of Central Taiwan.　Sun Moon Lake is the largest natural lake in Taiwan.　The Eastern part of the lake is round like the sun, while the Western part is shaped like a crescent moon - hence the name "Sun Moon Lake".*1

In the middle of the lake (between the "sun" and the "moon") is an island which has long been a sacred place for the Shao people.　This island (Lalu) is off-limits to visitors.　Only the Shao people can go there to worship their ancestors.　(There is a ferry that passes by it, departing every hour from 9:00 to 4:00).　But the beauty of Sun Moon Lake is not Lalu.　The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is found in the surrounding mountains.　From the lake, tier upon tier of countless peaks can be seen rising up into the sky.　The nearby mountains appear dark with vegetation.　The mountains that echo farther and farther away appear less and less distinct until they fade into the sky.

The lake has not always looked the way it does now.　At one time Lalu was a much larger island, a pearl separating the "Sun Lake" from the "Moon Lake".　But in the construction of a hydroelectric power plant, the Japanese in 1934 deepened the lake by directing water from the adjacent lakes at Puli and Yuchih.　The depth changed from 6 meters to 27 meters.　The surface area of the lake changed from 1.8 sq miles to nearly 3 sq. miles (4.55 sq kms to 7.73 sq. kms).　The big pearl became a little pearl.　The Shao people were moved from their beloved Lalu to the upper Sun Moon Village.

Seven trails are available for hiking.　Even if you choose to stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake, you might not have enough time to hike more than three of them.　If this is the case, we suggest that you choose the Hanbi Trail, the Dachuhu Lake Trail, and the Tzuen Pagoda Trail.　Here, in clockwise rotation, is an overview of the trails and other attractions at the lake:

Mt. Maolan Trail:

If you have the time, we highly recommend this trail.　The trail begins across the street from the Taiwan Bus Station.　It is less than 3 miles (4.6 km) long and is divided into two parts.　The first part of the trail takes you to the Tea Research and Extension Station, Yuchih branch.　It is a little over 2 miles and climbs more than 300 feet.　Along this trail you can see the Assam black tea farm.　They will set up a Tea Culture Exhibition Hall near their Sri Lanka style tea factory next year.

The second part of the trail takes you to the Weather Forecast Station.　This is a shorter trail (less than a mile) but steeper.　It climbs more than 500 feet.　This trail takes you into a forest of indigenous conifer trees (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay).

Hanbi Trail:

The Hanbi Palace used to be a restricted area where our famous president Chiang Kai-Shek stayed when he visited Sun Moon Lake.　Now things are much different.　The palace has been turned into the Lalu Hotel and the trail to the pier he loved is open to the public.　The red brick trail is less than a mile long (1.5 km).　It gives you a beautiful view of the lake.

Wenwu Temple:

This temple was built in 1938, combining two temples that had to be relocated when the dam was constructed.　It was rebuilt in 1969 into the style that we see today.　People come here to worship Confucius (the god of letters) and the martial gods Guangong and Yuehfei.　The pair of lions in front of the temple are the largest ones in Taiwan.

Peacock Garden:

There are more than 200 peacocks and other precious gallinaceans in this free park.　The Butterfly Museum has many butterfly specimens on display.　There's a Butterfly Field House to breed the indigenous butterflies at the Youth Activity Center near Sun Moon Village.

Songpolun Trail:

This trail is only 2,000 feet (600 m) long.　It used to be an ancient path that people took to go back and forth from Puli.　Salt porters with picul sticks on their shoulders used to carry salt along this trail.　The Songpolun Trail is biologically rich with primitive plants, insects and birds.　A fish farm can be found at the end by the lake.

Dachuhu Trail:

Dachuhu is a waterfowl sanctuary where you can see Black-Crowned Night Herons and Little Egrets.　The trail is only 300 feet (80 m) long.　There is an inlet where the water of the Chuoshui River pours into Sun Moon Lake.　A spout of water shoots up 30 feet (10m) when the lake is full.

Shueiwatou Trail:

This is a short trail - less than a third of a mile (500 m).　It leads to a nice fishing place and a statue of 9 frogs piled on top of each other.　In fact the name of the trail comes from this statue.

Sun Moon Village (Idashao):

The Shao People have the smallest population among the ten aboriginal tribes in Taiwan.　Though the population is growing, they are only about 400 today.　You can look at their wooden sculptures and handcrafts in this aboriginal village.　You won't want to miss the chance to try their fresh seafood dishes here or on Shuishe pier.
Thao people Sun Moon Village

Totingai Trail:

This is the first place the Shao people settled in Sun Moon Lake some 400 years ago.　Along this short (2,000 feet, 600 m) trail is information about this tribe.　The trail is also rich in vegetation including bamboo, trees and ferns.

Hsuankuang Temple and Hsuan Tsang Temple:

If you have read the 揓ourney to the West� or have seen its animation, you would not forget that the protagonist was led by a monkey, a pig and an ugly general.　In real life, Master Hsuan Tsang (605-664) did not have such a magical escort.　He was a Chinese Buddhist scholar, translator, and author of 揃uddhist Records of the Western World�.　Between the years 629 and 645 he made a pilgrimage to India in search of authentic scriptures.　Pious, learned, and fluent in Sanskrit, he later translated the texts that he brought back with him.　Part of his relics were kept in the Hsuankuang Temple.　Later (1965) they were moved to the newly constructed Hsuan Tsang Temple.

Xuan Guang Temple
Hsuan Tsang Temple
Tzuen Pagoda Trail:

Tzuen Ta, the pagoda of filial virtue was built in commemoration of Madam Wang, the mother of Chiang Kai-Shek.　It is on the top of the Mt. Sabalan.　(An interesting fact: the mountain is at an elevation of 954 meters, so the pagoda was built 46 meters high in order to reach the elevation of 1000 meters!)　The trail gives us a great view of the lake.　It's less than a half mile (570 m) long and features a variety of ferns.　Fireflies can be seen on summer nights.

Swimming in the lake is normally prohibited for safety reasons.　But every September there is a mass cross-lake swimming event organized by the local county government and the Adult Swimming Association.　If you are interested in this activity, you can obtain further information from the Sun Moon Lake Tourism Bureau or the Nantou County Government.　(Click the links at the bottom).　But be forewarned: the distance across the lake is 3,000 meters (more than 1.8 miles!).

Jump into the lake Water Canals Swim across the lake Swimming Pool

Sun Moon Lake is easy to get to.　It is one of many wonders along the Central Cross-Island Highway.　Other attractions include the Flame Peaks at Tasotun, the 9-21 Earthquake Museum at Nantou City (a modern multimedia museum dedicated to teaching visitors about earthquakes - especially the deadly quake of September 21, 1999), the 4 W's at Puli (Water, Wine, Women and Weather), the sheep at Chingjing Farm, and of course the great Taroko National Park.

The Flame Peaks 9-21 Quake Museum Wine Museum Chingjing Farm

If you want to learn more about Puli and other scenic spots in Nantou County, a 19-minute Windows Video made by The Lalu can be viewed online.　It shows much of the scenery of Nantou.　Please click "Video: The Scenery of Nantou" to see it.

The Enchanting Town of Puli Lofty Mountains and Sweet Water
Video： The Scenery of Nantou
Sun Moon Lake Tourism Bureau*2
Nantou County Government Service Center

Taiwan has lots of beautiful places to visit. For more information, please check: www. traveltaiwan.com*3

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References

*1. Google. 'Sun Mon Lake,' "A search of Sun Mon Lake on the Google. com," (May 4, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.
*3. Reid, Rory; Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. "Resume the booming tourism for our Silver State through educational and cultural cooperation and development with foreign countires,' "Newsbrief of WBTI," (July 9, 2003), pp. 1-3.