Taiwan Blog Episode 5: Finding Yehliu Geopark and Jiufen Old Street in Taiwan
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
It's my Day 2 in Taiwan, y'all!
From Ximen, it was a two-hour ride to Tamsui, and that was a long travel time, but the good thing the view from the train car was something I enjoyed. Along with my unexpected travel buddies, Jewel and Sheila, we got to take some pictures inside the train.
We hadn't had our breakfast, so upon reaching Tamsui, the first thing we did was to check out some food stalls and convenience stores near the train station.
After the train ride, we needed to ride a bus for an hour, I think, to reach Yehli, where we could find the geopark.
The coastal view from the bus ride was superb. The sea was looking blue and divine. That long bus ride was worth it in exchange for all the sights I got to see. It was like having a bus tour of the provincial area of Taiwan.
Yehliu Geopark
There's no denying the wonders I witness at Yehliu Geopark. All the sweat, confusion, and doubt vanished when we saw the magnificent rock formations that looked like mushrooms and the vast blue sea.
We tried our best to explore the place and get the best out of the little time we had there. Photo opportunities were something that was never missed among Filipinos.
There was an area of the geopark that had souvenir stores. I got dried seafood and a ref magnet. Some of the store owners spoke Tagalog words and accepted Philippine currency either cash or via GCash.
Jiufen Old Street
It was another adventure finding our next stop, Jiufen Old Street. We were not sure what bus number we were supposed to hop on; it was all instinct and confidence in our understanding of the Tiktok travel video, which was always referenced by my travel buddies.
The Jiufen Old Street was literally a maze old street turned into a market. There were a lot of interesting stores. Food, souvenirs, a tea house, and restaurants were just a few of the shops I remember. The place had that Studio Ghibli vibe, and I liked it as a fan of their animated movies.
I made sure I got the free Taro balls as one of the complimentary items of the Fun Pass I bought via Klook app.
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| Use my code: 4FUKBM |
Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Sheifen Falls and the Lantern festival. The travel time consumed most of our time. I had this thought, I should go back to Taiwan since I missed a lot of attractions I wanted to visit. I don't know when I would get to explore Taiwan, but I hope to visit it again.
My expenses:
Food souvenirs P1300.00
Food P400
Total is P1300.00
It was dawn and Taoyuan International Airport was practically closed. Only the passengers and a few employees were present when I got inside the airport. My struggle was that there were few options of people to ask for queries. Sometimes, I tend to ask a lot of questions.
The wall decor at the airport was entertaining enough to preoccupy me as I trudged on the long pathwalk. There were paintings in frames and murals. It was nice to see them the second time. There were a lot of Filipinos going to Taiwan. I was amazed but not surprised. The Philippines' proximity to Taiwan made it easier for us, Filipinos, to travel to Taiwan without the hassle of a long and rigorous visa processing.
Filipino travelers can enter Taiwan visa-free until July 2026 and can stay up to fourteen (14) days. Just make sure you complete an online immigration arrival card at https://twac.immigration.gov.tw on the website of the National Immigration Agency within three days before arriving in Taiwan.
More info: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China(Taiwan)-Visa-Exempt Entry
My first agenda upon arriving at Taoyuan airport was to wash my face and brush my teeth, so I needed to find a bathroom. I felt uncomfortable not washing my face and brushing my teeth. I must say the bathroom at the airport was clean and fresh. It was commendable.
I was a little confused about where to exit since there were not a lot of airport staff to ask, but there was one who saw me and directed me to the right exit. That was nice of her!
Enjoying an almost empty of people airport was something I got to experience at Taoyuan International Airport. No noise, no people. It was just silence and bright lights and nice structures.
Before my flight, I purchased a Taiwan Fun Pass (Unlimited 3-Day Pass) via Klook app. It cost me P3,994.00. The fun pass card was available at the airport, and the pick-up time was four (4) or five (5) in the morning. I wasn't able to use the pass to the fullest because of the places I missed visiting, but I think I got its worth in all the train rides I had.
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| Use my code: 4FUKBM |
From the airport, I had to take a bus to the Ximen Wow Hostel in Ximending City. I think the bus fare was 150 Taiwanese dollars or 300 Philippine pesos. The bus travel time was about an hour. It was like a tour around the city. I saw a lot of signs written in Taiwanese.
I met two (2) Filipinos during the bus ride. They helped me with the directions to my hostel since I didn't have mobile data. Thank you, Kabayans!
Upon arriving at the hostel, I also met two (2) Filipinas this time, and they became my travel buddies during my Taiwan trip. Since any of us didn't have breakfast, we decided to try the famous milk tea of Taiwan and dumplings, which was not a wise choice for me. But the boba milk tea was really, really good because I threw up a lot when I got back to the hostel. I wasn't feeling really well.
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Jewel, Sheila, and I went to our first destination via train. We had to study the route of the trains to be able to use them efficiently. The signs were mostly in Taiwanese, which was why it was difficult to understand.
- Riding Maokong Gondola was like me suspended in the air. It was a scary yet fun experience.
- Taipei Zoo was a child-friendly attraction. I got to see a panda, but only from its back. It might be a resting period for them. I liked that the zoo had water sprinklers to beat the heat.
- Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the world. It was so high, and I think my ears suffered a little from the air pressure while riding the elevator. The view from the building was breathtaking.
My expenses:Taiwan Fun Pass P3,994.00Bus fare P 300.00Food P200.00Food P1000.00
Total is P5,494.00
It was my first day in Taiwan and I had no sleep. It was unfortunate. I should learn from this experience, hopefully. But it was a good day one (1) in Taiwan.
For those who are unfamiliar with MIBF, it stands for Manila International Book Fair and is an annual event that many Filipino readers and writers eagerly anticipate. As a reader and writer, I have always been excited to participate in this event, especially if I have the budget (haha).
And this year has been, so far, my best experience of MIBF. And good news for those who know me: I stepped out of my comfort zone, or at least I tried, even if only for an hour, and I want to praise God for that!
With the help of PaperKat Books and Ms. Kath, I was able to book an hour of meet-the-writer and a book signing event during the MIBF 2025.
Initially, I only planned to consign my latest book, The Restless Mind, and hope for the best of its sales. I am scared to be on the frontline of the meet-the-writer and a book-signing event. But then, there was this desire to try the book signing activity. I took the risk. I thought I had nothing to lose, and it was not like I was going to do something bad or illegal.
"I am just gonna put myself out there, and be a little vulnerable in the eyes of spectators." I thought to myself.
So, yes, I did! I had the book signing and meet-the-writer activity with PaperKat Books. I am really grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and I am so glad I got to experience MIBF 2025 as a writer and a reader.
Special shout-out to the readers who took a chance on my book, The Restless Mind, during my book signing: Ram, Grace, Zu, LJ, and Thine!💙 If you bought my book at MIBF 2025, and I was not able to sign it for you, I hope I get to see you at other events. SLMT 💙
I am looking forward to experiencing more of this event.
I am joyful that I did this. It was beyond my comfort zone, but God did it again! He helped me get through 🙏🙌
The Restless Mind, my latest book, is participating this year. The book event will run from September 10-14, 2025, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Ms. Kath Eustaquio-Derla and PaperKat Books helped me to make this opportunity possible.
I also have a Meet the author schedule at Booth #2-122, 2nd Floor Function Hall, SMX Convention Center Manila. So if you want to meet me or get your copies signed, please feel free to drop by. Other freebies are waiting for you. I hope I get to see you guys and gals!
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