I am back from my 7-day trip (12-18 Nov). Thks local destination experts and all forumers for help!
Here is my report, with comments on Shangrila Farm, cabbie Cheng GuangFa and Stone Minsu which have received some complains recently.
Day 1:
Arrived at 5:40pm. Took freego bus directly to XMD Neijiang Hotel. (A: NT140, C: NT70). Checked in to hotel (value for $, accepts card, friendly receptionist, I settled bill daily, 2-bedder @NT1480, 4-bedder @NT2380; add NT200 for the 2-bedder room for Fri-Sun). Had dinner (beef noodles) at 老董牛肉面, disappointed as I went to this award-winning eatery with high expectation. Bought stored value MRT card悠游卡. Took MRT to Taipei station to collect the train tickets which I have booked online the day before. I couldn’t get the 9:40am tickets (it’s a Sat, so I supposed demand is high) I want from Hualien, settled for 7:35am tickets.
Day 2:
Had sandwiches and packet drinks the hotel provides for breakfast. Left some luggage behind before boarding MRT to Taipei station to catch 8:30am 自强train to Luodong. Arrived at 10am. Bought some titbits (牛舌柄，金枣) from the shop at the train station. Took cab (fixed price of NT300/cab) to Shangrila Leisure Farm. I’ve paid my deposit when a former gave feedback that the fruit farm has been destroyed by typhoon recently. Decided to go ahead and I didn’t regret it. It is a place to rest and relax. So it doesn’t really matter too much if there are fruits to pluck. Anyway, most part of the farm has been restored. There was only some minor work left. We took the 2 trails, (easy), enjoyed the view, butterflies and see-saw rides along the way. Kids enjoyed making big bubbles in the farm compound. Meals (breakfast+dinner which u can swop to lunch) were better than expected. At night, there was some dumpling making, top spinning activities. Flying of big lantern 天灯which carried our wishes was fun.
Day 3:
After breakfast in the resort, took cab to catch 8:29am train to Hualien. Arrived at 9:35am. Cabbie Chen GuangFa received us at the station. I have read some feedback saying that his service level has dropped and he put different group of guests together w/o seeking their permission. I was observing him throughout the day and my conclusion is he is a good guide. He cares a lot about his reputation on the web and is conscious in making sure that his guests are comfortable and eats at places which serve unique food at good price. He bought us extra dish of kampong chicken for lunch (A: NT250, C: FOC). He volunteered to change the train tickets for Taipei to our ideal time slot, provided good narration at various stops in Taroko Gorge, suggested places to take photos, took care of our safety, entertained kids, bargained for dinner (same price as lunch) and fireworks.
In Taroko, Water curtain cave 水帘洞is a must-try. Bring ponchos, torch lights, leave your shoes outside the cave before entering the cave.
We enjoyed the fireworks (Mdm Liu of the minsu recorded and cut into CD for us) which we played within the compound of Stone Minsu, 10 mins of fun at NT1,200. We watched the 8:10pm Ami Aboriginal performance which is good. Requested Mdm Liu to bring us for wanton扁食, nice. She treated us to 烤地瓜. We bought some muah chee too.
Stone Minsu has also received some complain in this forum recently, which I read just before I left. Decided to stick to my reservation. From the interaction we have with Mdm Liu, we found that she’s sincere and hospitable. My guess is that there could be some misunderstanding between her and the guests which had lead to the unhappiness.
Day 4:
Breakfast at minsu is nice, choice of toasted bread with pizza toppings or burger. Took 9:40am train back to Taipei. Arrived at noon. After leaving bags at hotel, we had lunch at Xinye restaurant 欣叶 @ZhongShan station, food is ok, but pricey, paid NT5200+ for 11 pax. Went to join the crowd for JJ 林俊杰签唱会at Taipei station. Applied to Youth Traveller’s Card for 2 kids to enjoy discount at places like Miramar Ferris Wheel, Taipei 101. Also gets free gift from DingTaiFeng鼎泰丰. Proceeded to Wufenpu, had dinner at 胡须张鲁肉饭.
Day 5:
Took train to CKS Memorial Hall. There was some protest within the compound. Proceeded to Beitou 北投hotspring, had lunch at 1 of the noodle house near 新北投MRT. Note that they have sessions of 2.5 hours with breaks. Each session is supposed to accommodate 50 pax. The timing seems to be a bit off from what I got from the web, we joined the 1:30pm session. You need to wear swim wear and bun up hair for ladies. There are both cold and hot spring pools. Nice. Beware of the hottest pool, at 42 degree.
Made a trip to the museum next door, followed by Hell Valley 地热谷(not to be missed) before taking MRT to Danshui 淡水. Had noddles 阿忠面线at XMD for supper. Very good and cheap (NT40 or NT55).
Day 6:
Took MRT to Shilin for Shilin President Residence. There was a chrysanthemum exhibition outside the compound, beautiful. Unfortunately, the residence was closed for renovation till 17 Nov 09. Took cab to National Palace Museum, spent 3 hours there (must leave big bags at entrance), browsing the various (impressive) exhibits. Must-see is the 翠玉白菜. Lunch at the dim-sum restaurant is costly. An unexpected highlight of the trip is meeting Mr International contestants from various countries. The teenagers were trilled taking pix with them.
Took cab to Martyr’s Shrine to see the change of guards at 3pm, a nice 20-min session.
Took cab to Miramar for Ferris Wheel. If you dare, choose the transparent cars. Had dinner at the food court, another pleasant surprise, food is reasonably-priced and good.
Took free shuttle to Jiantan MRT for Shilin NM. Saw Singapore Superstar finalist 何维健 performing.
Last Day:
Took MRT to SYS Memorial Hall to watch 9am change of guard, not as impressive as the one at Martyr’s Shrine as it’s indoor. Walked for 15 min to Taipei 101. It was good as it provided lots of photo-taking opportunity with the world’s tallest building in the background. Went to the 88th and 89th floor of Taipei 101 as the 91st floor is closed. A bit hazy, perhaps view in later part of the day would be better. Took cab to DingTaiFeng at Zhongxiao for lunch, again, happy with the quality, price, service is nice too. Walked to Eslite诚品, bought some books. Took MRT back to hotel to pick up luggage. Took cab to Taipei station with intention of taking GuoGuang bus to airport, but found MPV cabbies who charged only NT700. We took that to airport after our last minute shopping at the underground mall.
We returned to Singapore, HAPPY!
7-day trip rpt (Shangrila Farm, cabbie ChengGF, Stone Minsu)
Hi Mrslye,
you mention mr chen put different group of guests together. Then u all split cost?
7-day trip rpt (Shangrila Farm, cabbie ChengGF, Stone Minsu)
Thanks for your review. Why do we need to leave our shoes outside the water curtain cave? Is that the requirement?
Hi,
Abt Mr Chen putting together groups for day trip:
It%26#39;s not my experience. It%26#39;s what I read from a fellow forumer who said they were grouped with others w/o them knowing. The forumer also commented that cabbie Chen was not providing good svc. I read that before I left and was wondering if I should proceed with my reservation of svc with Chen or should I go with cabbie Lu.
In the end, I still proceeded with Chen, no regrets at all. Good svc, caring guide.
I asked him abt travellers sharing his Toyota Wish, he said he is open to that and has done so. What he will do is he will check with the guests if they are OK. If all parties are OK, cost is split, ie guests gain.
Abt leaving shoes outside water curtain cave:
As you walk deeper into the pitch dark cave, you will reach the mini waterfall, your footwear will get wet. If you don%26#39;t mind or are wearing water-proof footwear, you can wear shoes into the cave. It%26#39;s really not a requirement from anyone.
Hi mrslye,
Is towel %26amp; toiletries providing at the hot spring?
Thanks!:)
Hi,
This particular hotspring I visited is the Beitou public outdoor pool.
Addr: 6 Chungshan Rd, next to the Hotspring museum.
Walk 15 mins leisurely along Chungshan Rd from Xinbeitou MRT station. Admission is NT40.
You have to bring own towels and toiletries. Imaging what would you do at those public swimming pools in Singapore.
I chose this as it allows swim wear, some of the hotspring at the resorts/hotels that I%26#39;ve checked observe naked rule.
May I know how to book a room in Shangrila Leisure farm ? thanks
Shangrila Leisure Farm online reservation: https://www.ezhotel.com.tw/shangrilas/
Thanks mrslye for sharing...
So despite the minor restoration work, is Shangrila Farm and Yilan still worth the visit?
What is the name of the hot spring you went at Beitou? How cold the the cold spring? Thanks!!
Hi,
Abt Shangrila Leisure Farm: I would it depends on what u were looking for: if u are ok with those activities mentioned in my post above, then it%26#39;s a place to rest and relax.
If the group is looking forward to day with more activities/actions, then I consider other day-trip like to Leofoo Themepark which is just an hour+ trip away from Taipei. I will check that out during my next trip.
Abt the hotspring, we went to the public hotspring next to the hotspring museum. They have 冷泉(20deg) ，温泉 (40-42deg)，热泉(%26gt;42deg). Despite being winter, we enjoyed the outdoor pools very much, soaking in cold and hot springs. The trick we learnt from other people there to stay comfortable in cold spring is: the moment u r in the cold water, stay VERY STILL, and hope people around you do the same, don%26#39;t create any movement in the water. It worked wonderfully!
hi,
how did u get to Shangrila Farm?
