Northern Taiwan Adventure: A Review of Yehliu, Jiufen, and Pingxi Private Tour

If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, you might just find that escaping the energy of Taipei for a day to check out the north is, well, pretty appealing. I took a private tour to Yehliu, Jiufen, and Pingxi not too long ago, and I think I have some insight to share that will guide your trip and help you find enjoyment as well. The trip aims to show off a selection of landscapes, eat street food, and find ancient mining settlements. From peculiar rock formations to charming old streets and a sky lantern experience, let me paint a picture for you regarding whether it’s something you’ll appreciate too!

Yehliu Geopark: Rocking Out with Mother Nature

So, first off, the Yehliu Geopark. This is where Mother Nature shows off quite a spectacular gallery of stone figures. Honestly, it’s like walking on another planet, or visiting a big outside art exhibit crafted over millions of years. Now, these sandstone formations? Very strange, and shaped by the forces of sea and wind; this has resulted in unique, distinctive sculptures that kinda prompt the mind to dream. The Queen’s Head is, I believe, the highlight—but be equipped for a little wait in a queue for your photo opportunity! Still, it’s just fun to wander around the park, see what unusual shapes you’ll find, and basically enjoy the artistic display. Just make sure that you are careful as you walk on surfaces which might just be slippery.

One tip for Yehliu? Do, you know, visit earlier during the day! It avoids the heavy midday crowds, plus the sun won’t be quite as punishing, either. That coastal breeze helps, certainly, but the sun may be strong. Plus, seeing those rock formations in the early light can be quite picturesque. That said, do note the tour guides often are quite knowledgeable when it comes to spotting details about the area.

Jiufen Old Street: A Taste of Taiwan’s Past

After Yehliu, the tour rolls along, it seems, and heads up the mountain toward Jiufen Old Street. Trust me, Jiufen is, well, super unique and pretty fascinating to be around, specifically due to its gold mining heritage. Now, what makes this area particularly unique is all of its little laneways winding around. Each one offers something very different. You might find everything you want from craft stores with handmade products to food booths. It’s extremely dynamic, you could say.

In that context, for must-try goodies? Have a go at taro balls (it’s kind of a local fave), and sample the savory treats too, such as fried squid. They make a seriously good snack. Apart from the snacks, just, well, absorb all the great views of the ocean! Jiufen faces the water, it’s almost, very dreamlike for its vantage position! Bring along your camera (if that is something you like), you’ll not lack anything to record at Jiufen, that is the feeling I got when touring.

Pingxi: Sky Lanterns and Wishes

As evening rolls around, so too the tour generally moves on to Pingxi. A simple place where you can, it seems, release your hopes to heaven through a sky lantern, so to speak! Pingxi’s primary road doubles as a railway. Watch when visiting! You could make it an important photo. The central activity is the act of crafting the lantern and writing the desired wishes or dreams, next watch as the paper crafts leave for the night.

Honestly, it is that simple. After scribbling down some personal thoughts on the exterior (I could scribble whatever I hoped to come), everyone watched as those, you know, lifted right off. At that moment you realize the reason that this is on everybody’s Taiwan wishlist!

So too, you could walk by the Pingxi branch of the railway (if interested). And learn all about what part it all played during the old times of Coal, really a must for train spotters.

The Private Tour Experience: Is it Worth It?

The private tour component means that you are in, basically, a comfy vehicle that will drive right from one of the must-see destinations to another. So too, I discovered I could tweak the route, for something extra like I desired at the time. And honestly? It’s something that could appeal more to families or maybe groups that wish a travel time suited just for them, it is almost, not always simple by transit or public transit that day, you know.

Regarding whether I liked the idea or didn’t? Well, it felt better than if that included some very large and very tight big-bus atmosphere. Plus the guide can tell all that which would probably remain an enigma, or unknown even, to someone, perhaps who is seeing Taiwan for the very first moment in life.

Some Further Thoughts: What to Note

You know, just a few bits which might or might not come handy whilst you plan:

• Clothes which are adaptable Since Taiwan temperatures do get high. Don clothing that provides layers!
• Foot attire which works! All that walk, will result in that you just can’t ignore the impact on one’s feet, no doubt.
• Keep hydrated, basically. Grab any H2O that is up to sale, do not expect taps which provide water to always come up during walks, if that’s what you expect.
• Some dollars is, definitely, recommended. So many great snack bars don’t exactly support plastics. And you won’t wish to go without these tasty options.

Basically, what it should be? You won’t simply glance upon popular attractions. Also the area is all so simple if you just enjoy whatever pace, do see and get it for how magnificent all locations tend to, usually, make somebody feel in person.