Tips on traveling I haven’t found anywhere else..

Little Liou Qiou (Xiao Liu Qiu)

This is a good website with a boat schedule: http://liuqiu.pthg.gov.tw/

Can I take scooter to the island?

è Yes, you can and it’s much more convenient than rent it on the island. It costs 100NT/one way. You can buy ticket just before boarding. Scooter is very convenient and good way how to travel around island.

Can I camp on the island?

è Yes, there is one campground – very nice facility, 400NT/person. I think it’s not worth if you don’t mind to find your own random spot somewhere. Just go around the coast and you will find some, no worries. 

Where is the nicest spot for “playing on the beach?”

è Beach nearby Vase rock. Vase rock is close to the harbor.

Vase Rock, Xiao Liu Qiu

Where to eat?

è Ask local people and they will suggest you some inexpensive local restaurant. ( You can use words like:便宜的餐廳, 在這裡?-> Pián yi de cān ting, zài nail?-> Where is a cheap restaurant?) However, these local restaurants don’t have menu in English (for fried rice, which is usually one of cheapest and good meals, say: 炒飯->chǎofàn; for noodles:..麵->Miàn) Most other spots are more expensive than mainland Taiwan.

What to bring?

è If you are coming during other season than winter, bring sun-block cream.

East Coast

I want to visit hot springs somewhere on East Coast- Where should I go?

è On our way along East Coast we came across small hot-springs village “JinLun Hot Springs”. This place is not very well known by travelers, but if you’re looking for not-too-touristic place, with quiet loveable environment, than Jin Lun hot-springs are better choice. To reach this village, just follow road #9, few km after Taimali, you will come to JinLun.

Where should I stay?

Yitianwu Springs Hotel - nice place we staed in JinLun 

è  JinLun Hot Springs: Just go around the village a bit, towards the expensive Spa hotel, but don’t stop, go further and after the bus stop, turn rightà you will find loveable hotel with extremely helpful and kind people. This small family hotel, built in Japanese style is one really nice spot in the middle of nowhere.. It’s completely new, cheap, has pool outside and private hot-springs; provide coffee for free and cook dinner or breakfast for you. This was one of the best accommodations for value and price we found. We almost cried when we were leaving.. Definitely recommended to everyone!

Run for visa-exempt entry (Taiwan)

One of the cheapest ways to run away from Taiwan and come back to get another 30/90 days visa- is low-cost airline Cebu Pacific: http://www.cebupacificair.com. Return flight from Taipei to Manila can cost you from around 4000NT. If you decided to fly to Manila, there is only one flight there every day – at 1.25am and only one flight back (Manila-Taipei) at 22:40pm. No other flights for these destinations from Cebu Pacific.

Manila Airport

I decided to fly there and back in one day- yes, you can do it (you can come back to Taiwan within one day). Manila is however not recommended if you’re going to issue a new visa, Hong Kong is better- more efficient I would say. If you consider price of ticket very much, don’t forget to plus 500NT as you will be charged on Manila airport for “Airport fee”, once you fly back to Taiwan. 

If you decide to stay on the airport in Manila (as I did, as it was very humid and polluted outside), bring your laptop. There are several Wi-Fi spots, claiming being for free (I didn’t check it). If you didn’t manage to change pesos before arrival to Manila, don’t need to worry as you can easily change them on the airport, even 100NT. The cheapest meal you can get on Manila airport is in 7-11 (ready-prepared hot rice, some snacks, fried stuff, etc). There is even airport chapel with masses everyday (weekdays at 11am as I remember)

Cheap bus ticket from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (Taipei) to Tainan/ Taichung/Kaohsiung

In case you come to Taoyuan airport, entering Taiwan, in the middle of night and you try to look for the way to get home/to the destination on the south, I have one tip for you:

è Go to the arrival hall and find elevator – go to B1 (or B2- not sure now) and come to UBUS (bus)stand. Sometimes there is no personnel and taxi and other drivers would try to persuade you to give you a lift for ridiculous price. Don’t let them fool you! You can take UBUS to Tainan for 300NT (Kaohsiung 400NT)- whole journey from airport to your destination. ( Some people might not know about this particular bus, for example police woman who was trying to help me)

If you’re foreigner, try to ask locals around you about this bus- just ask who is going to Tainan/ Kaohsiung and follow them.. Usually it departs at 3am. First you need to take local bus (or transport car) from airport and then change it to distant bus on the spot driver shows you.  

Camping in Kenting

Where to camp in Kenting?

For staying in camping site you can pay from 100-500NT/night, there are many sites on the way- some visible, some a bit hidden. Some provide you tent, some not.  If you’re broke and brave enough, you can camp on the beach and pack your stuff early morning. Why brave? The stray dogs barking on our tent seemed to me as threat. J

Where not to camp?

Use your common sense. Perhaps to be too “bothering” and visible is not good idea.

Is it safe to left my stuff (tent, bags, etc.) in campsite?

As I said- use common sense.. from my experience it’s pretty safe but don’t leave your money or valuables around.

What not to forget when camping?

From my experience, light! As you can end up building a tent in dark.