During the "Ji Hai Golden Pig" Lunar New Year, enjoy a stress-free "chartered tour" to explore all of Taiwan’s famous attractions.

Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert

The days of family reunions are approaching – from reunion dinners on New Year’s Eve to festive walks during the Spring Festival, visiting in-laws, and more. Besides these, where can you go for a family adventure during the 2019 Lunar New Year? With a full nine-day holiday, don’t just stay home – make the most of this precious time together and plan a Spring Festival trip around Taiwan. Don’t worry about the planning – we’ll introduce you to recommended destinations for your Lunar New Year getaway.

Located in a small alley off Highway 27 on the Beiyi Road, Shiding Thousand Island Lake is just a 40-minute drive from Taipei City and has recently become a popular hidden gem on Taipei’s outskirts. The beautiful mountain scenery paired with the crystal-clear lake, along with the terraced tea fields of Bagua Tea Garden, adds a splash of color and makes Shiding Thousand Island Lake even more unique.

However, due to the large number of visitors to Shiding Thousand Island Lake and the narrow surrounding roads with limited parking, those planning to drive here during the Lunar New Year should pay extra attention to traffic updates.

Lunar New Year Trip – Thousand Island Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

After undergoing long renovations, Yilan’s Qingshui Geothermal Park finally reopened in mid-November this year. It’s the perfect place to bring kids during the Lunar New Year, as the whole family can soak in hot springs together, and even cook eggs and corn in bamboo baskets right in the hot spring water. Kids will be fascinated and have a blast, while adults can unwind and forget their worries.

■ Opening Hours: Closed on New Year’s Eve, open 09:00–17:00 on other days.

Recommended Reading:

Lunar New Year Trip – Qingshui Geothermal. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Tainan’s Sicao Green Tunnel preserves precious wetland ecological scenery. Put on a life jacket and a straw hat, hop on a bamboo raft, and begin your tunnel journey. Along the way, you’ll spot fiddler crabs and mudskippers living in the wetlands, plus professional guides to explain it all.
The trees on both sides form arch-like shapes, and when combined with sunlight and water reflections, the lush green tunnel becomes a photogenic paradise. When traveling to Tainan for the Lunar New Year, don’t forget to visit this must-see “Amazon of Taiwan” green tunnel, aside from indulging in local food and exploring historical sites.

Lunar New Year Trip – Sicao Green Tunnel. (Photo / Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)

The Beimen Coastal Route features many must-visit spots, among which the Jingzijiao Tile-Pan Salt Fields are the oldest salt pans. They are not only rich in historical and cultural significance but also offer a romantic orange-red sunset in the evening. Nearby, Taiwan’s largest crystal church has attracted couples and newlyweds for photo ops in recent years. If you have time, stop by to experience its dreamy, romantic atmosphere.

If you enjoy cycling, check out the Luluedmen Creek Bridge – a cycling bridge that connects to Taijiang National Park. Along the way, you’ll also see green tunnels. For a Lunar New Year trip with kids, take a stroll here to enjoy the scenery or cycle together as a family for a relaxing day out.

Lunar New Year Trip – Beimen Salt Fields. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Worried about not being able to travel to Europe during the Lunar New Year? The architecture, collections, and ambiance of the Chi Mei Museum will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a European world. From the entrance, you’ll see a fountain of Apollo riding a chariot, and along the walkways, statues of Greek mythological figures stand on both sides – the overall atmosphere feels just like Europe.

Although photography is not allowed inside the Chi Mei Museum, both outdoor and indoor exhibits are well worth spending half a day exploring. Just note that the museum is closed on New Year’s Eve during the Spring Festival.

■ Official Website: Chi Mei Museum

Lunar New Year Trip – Chi Mei Museum Fountain. (Photo / Chi Mei Museum Official Website)

Established during the Japanese colonial period, Lín Department Store (HAYASHI) still retains its oldest style and architectural design. With five floors and a rooftop garden, the store is well planned, with each floor highlighting Japanese and creative culture. Its old-fashioned elevator, the first in Tainan, remains one of its biggest draws to this day.

The shrine on the rooftop of Lín Department Store is also quite interesting – it’s the only remaining rooftop shrine in a Taiwanese shop, known as the “Suuguang Shrine.” During your Lunar New Year trip, visit Lín Department Store to experience this fusion of deep Japanese history and cultural creativity.

■ Official Website: Lín Department Store

Lunar New Year Trip – Lín Department Store. (Photo / Lín Department Store Official Website)

While the south has its “Taiwan version of the Amazon,” central Taiwan boasts what’s called the “Taiwan version of a bamboo grove path.” Nestled in the mountains, the Wugayan Bamboo Grove offers scenery similar to Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Path. Towering bamboo on both sides shelters the sky, making you feel like you’ve entered a mystical space. This natural bamboo tunnel offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city – a truly enjoyable experience.

Like a giant patchwork quilt, the Forget-Worry Valley shifts from yellow-green to golden hues before the rice harvest. Due to varying shades across the fields, the layers are more natural and splendid. Depending on the season, farmers plant various flowers such as cosmos, rapeseed, and tulips, offering colorful scenery year-round. The fragrant floral scents along the small paths make the Forget-Worry Valley a delight any time of year – you might even spot flowers you’ve never seen before during your Lunar New Year visit.

Wuling Farm is a great spot for flower viewing in central Taiwan. Starting from January, you can enjoy plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and peach blossoms. With an altitude of over 1,750 meters, the farm also offers breathtaking views of sunrises and sea of clouds. A visit to Wuling Farm is a perfect way to relax and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.

In recent years, the Qijiawan Stream has been actively restoring the Formosan landlocked salmon population. October and November are the best times to observe the fish returning home. During the Lunar New Year, you may also have the chance to admire cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and hydrangeas, enjoying the romantic beauty of falling petals.

A well-known attraction in Changhua – the Giant Buddha Skywalk, currently the longest skywalk in Taiwan, features a white pathway where lush green trees can be seen from both sides and beneath your feet. Along the way, you can stroll from the Giant Buddha to the Changhua Living Aesthetics Museum, baseball stadium, and more. Surrounded by flowers, plants, and the sounds of insects and birds, you can immerse yourself in nature’s ecology. This Lunar New Year, why not bring the kids here for a fulfilling holiday?

The Zhuiyu Ancient Trail is a remnant of the old Hohuan Crossing Trail and the only historical site within Taroko National Park. After restoration, the currently open section stretches 10.3 kilometers and is made of hard marble, forming the Zhuiyu Cliff, also known as the “Taiwan Skywalk.” The spectacular landscape it creates attracts visitors to stay and admire it. Though somewhat challenging, it’s a great Lunar New Year destination for a spring walk and a bit of a personal challenge.

The Zhuocang Trail in Hualien is just about a 10-minute drive from downtown Hualien, and the entire trail is only 3,950 meters long. Though it has some slopes, it is easy and pleasant to walk. In summer, you can hear cicadas chirping all around, and occasionally spot wild monkeys in the mountains stopping to look at passersby.

Along the trail, you can see... [Text appears truncated or contains placeholder characters]

Hualien’s Danongdafu boasts thousands of hectares of flatland forest scenery, with nearly 20 species and over a million common low-altitude trees in the park. It has two cycling paths — North Loop and South Loop — making it a great place for autumn foliage viewing and, during the Lunar New Year, offering vast fields of colorful flowers to enjoy. Spend the holiday here with family, breathe the fresh air of the Huatung Valley, and make a great start to the new year.

If you’ve managed to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday to faraway Taitung, make sure to make the most of it. Among the grand coastal scenery of eastern Taiwan, Little Yehliu and Sanxiantai are must-visit spots in Taitung. If you’re worried about crowds and traffic, our tip is to go in a different direction from the crowds—explore Taitung’s hidden gems before hitting the main attractions—so you can fully enjoy your Lunar New Year holiday.

After exploring Taitung’s coastal route, how about checking out the Huatung Valley route — Luye & Chihshang? Visit Luye Ranch to see the cows and drink the freshest milk, then take in the view of the Huatung Valley from Luye Highland, and finally walk along the “Emerald Paradise Road” — Beinan Boulevard, and see if you can still catch the faint scent of Takeshi Kaneshiro in the air.

Recommended Reading:

Authorized Repost from [Tripbaa Quba] | Original Article: [How to Travel Light and Easy During Lunar New Year – Charter a Vehicle to Explore All Festive Attractions]