Flickr poll names “Top 5 Viral Attractions in Taiwan 2014,” with Tainan Crystal Chapel taking the crown

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Where are the hottest and most beautiful attractions in Taiwan this year? Let the world’s largest photo-sharing platform, Flickr, tell you. Recently, Flickr selected the top five viral hotspots in Taiwan, with Tainan’s “Crystal Chapel,” which became an instant favorite for wedding photography, taking the top spot. Here are the five viral attractions—have you been to them all?

▲ The pure white Crystal Chapel sparkles under sunlight, its romantic scenery making it a top choice for wedding photos. (Photo provided by Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan National Scenic Area Administration)

1st Place: Tainan Crystal Chapel

The Crystal Chapel is the first government-designed attraction in Taiwan themed around “wedding photography.” Its structure is modeled after Guam’s St. Laguna Chapel, also known as the Crystal Chapel. Under the blue sky, it feels like stepping onto a secluded island.

The Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan National Scenic Area Administration, responsible for the design, has also transformed the area around the chapel into a “wedding paradise.” Centered around the Beimen Visitor Center, the site includes Beimen Old Street, the historic Dihyuan Factory complex, and salt fields, attracting many couples to take wedding photos here. It has also become a popular weekend leisure destination for travelers.

▲ The Hakka Roundhouse, built in the style of Fujian’s tulou, is a key architectural landmark promoting Hakka culture. (Photo from Miaoli County official website)

2nd Place: Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse (also known as Houlong Tulou)

The Hakka Roundhouse is modeled after Yongding Tulou’s “Zhencheng Building” in Fujian, China. Its exterior uses modern ceramic tiles, reducing the traditional “earthy” feel of Hakka tulou and giving it a contemporary look. Inside, facilities include the Hakka Music Hall, Hakka Opera Hall, and Urban Cultural Exchange Exhibition, offering a range of Hakka-themed experiences. After its completion, many netizens joked that it resembles an enlarged version of Fu Jen Catholic University’s Zhongmei Hall.

▲ The National Taichung Theater, hailed as the “Ninth Greatest Landmark in the World,” quickly became a must-visit photo spot for Taichung residents after its opening. (Photo by reporter Chen Mingren)）

3rd Place: National Taichung Theater

Completed just last November, the National Taichung Theater was designed by world-renowned architect Toyo Ito. Its flowing curved walls, known as the “Sound Cave,” use a globally unique structural technique, making it one of the most challenging buildings to construct. International media has also ranked it as the “Ninth Greatest Landmark in the World.”

▲ The concept of tube houses, long popular abroad, has now been introduced to Taiwan, attracting many travelers to camp and experience it. (Photo provided by Tainan City Tourism Bureau)

4th Place: Tainan Ganglin Tube Houses

The “Zuozhen Moon World Eco-Park,” formerly the Ganglin Branch of Zuozhen Elementary School, has been transformed by the Tainan City Tourism Bureau into a venue for eco-education and scout training. Drawing inspiration from domestic and international examples, five large concrete tubes with a diameter of two meters were used to create five “tube houses,” encouraging more people to step outdoors, connect with nature, and enjoy Tainan’s unique eco-tourism.

▲ The Taitung Boran Highway, made famous by a Takeshi Kaneshiro commercial, has seen a continuous stream of visitors in recent years. With its stunning scenery, it’s also nicknamed the “Road to Heaven.” (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)）

5th Place: Taitung Boran Highway

The Boran Highway became famous after being featured in a long-haul flight advertisement for EVA Air starring Takeshi Kaneshiro. The road, flanked by rice paddies, stretches toward distant mountains. The iconic “Tea-Giving Tree” stands by the roadside, offering a resting spot for visitors. Untouched by concrete structures, the road’s natural beauty has earned it the nickname “Road to Heaven.”

Additionally, Flickr noted that based on their observations, the most popular subject for photographers worldwide is “outdoor scenes,” while travel-related photos are the most frequently uploaded. London, UK, was identified as the city most often tagged in photos by photographers globally.