Taiwanese Adventures: A Vegetarian’s Delight and Island Exploration

Taiwan blew me away!

April 15, 20263 min readtravel

Taiwanese Adventures: A Vegetarian’s Delight and Island Exploration — Taiwan blew me away! (Trip Report and Images)

Get ready for an epic adventure because Taiwan is calling, and it's an absolute dream for vegetarians and explorers alike! From the moment you touch down, you'll feel the positive energy of this island, a place that’s practically bursting with opportunities for fun and discovery. Don't worry about a language barrier; most menus have English, and the friendly locals are always happy to help you navigate. Plus, with 7-Elevens and FamilyMarts on every corner, you’re always stocked up on snacks and essentials for your daily escapades. Grab an iPass or EasyCard to make zipping around on public transport a breeze – it’s the key to unlocking all the amazing places you’ll want to see!

Prepare to put your best foot forward because Taiwan is a walker's paradise! Averaging around 20,000 steps a day is the norm here, and trust us, you'll want to explore every inch of it. The night markets are where the real magic happens, each with its own unique vibe. Shilin is vast and exciting, while Ningxia and Raohe offer a more straightforward, delicious culinary journey. Even as a vegetarian, you’ll find plenty of tasty options to fuel your explorations. Remember to listen to your body; adjusting your plans is part of the adventure, ensuring you have a fantastic time without feeling overwhelmed.

The itinerary is packed with so much goodness, from the serene beauty of Yangmingshan National Park, with its stunning loops and visitor center, to the breathtaking heights of Alishan. Imagine hiking among Giant Trees and soaking in a sunrise that paints the sky with vibrant colors – pure bliss! Then, get ready for the charm of Jiufen and Shifen, where lanterns glow and the views are simply spectacular. While the crowds can be a bit much at peak times, planning smart will let you experience the enchantment without the rush. This trip is all about embracing the unexpected and finding your own main character moments.

Ultimately, Taiwan offers an adventure that’s both exhilarating and deeply rewarding. It's a place that encourages you to dream big, explore boldly, and create unforgettable memories with your friends or as a solo adventurer. The blend of natural wonders, vibrant city life, and delicious food makes it an unstoppable destination. So, pack your bags, bring your positive energy, and get ready to discover the sunshine and endless possibilities that Taiwan has in store for you!

From travel

So, finally made a trip to Taipei from India. My 9th foreign country and a really beautiful one. I hope this report is of good use to anyone who wants to explore this island.
Day 1: Arrived at night. Hopped on the Airport express metro and came to my hostel. I was stunned at how calm and almost dead silent the Datong District was at night around just 8 PM. Good place for a hostel. No nearby sounds or stuff. Grabbed dinner at QSquare mall and was dead from near 17 hrs travel.

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Source: travel
Published: April 15, 2026

Taiwan Adventure: Two Weeks of Scenery, Food, and Nature Await
Kaohsiung → East Coast → Taipei | 16–31 Oct - Taiwan Hi all, I’m planning a 2-week trip to Taiwan from 16–31 October and would love feedback on my route. The main goal is to travel south → east coast → north (Taipei) with a focus on scenery, food, and nature. **Planned Route** Kaohsiung → (South Taiwan stop) → Taitung → East Coast Highway 11 → Hualien → Taipei ITINERARY **Days 1–3: Kaohsiung** Pier-2 Art Center Lotus Pond Cijin Island sunset Night markets (Liuhe / Ruifeng) **Days 4–5: South Taiwan (CURRENTLY FLEXIBLE)** I’ve eliminated Kenting and I’m debating alternatives. **\*Option A: Xiaoliuqiu (current preferred choice)\*** Snorkelling with sea turtles Scooter island loop Beaches + caves Relaxed island vibe **\*Option B: Tainan extra time\*** More food + cultural exploration Slower-paced city days **\^\^Open to other suggestions here\^\^** **Days 6–7: Taitung** Luye Highlands Chishang rice fields (Brown Avenue) Sanxiantai coastal area **Days 8–10: East Coast Road Trip** Route: Taitung → Hualien via Highway 11 Dulan surf town Donghe coastline Shitiping rock formations Cliff viewpoints + hidden beaches Indigenous villages along the coast **Days 11–12: Hualien** Taroko Gorge (if open) Qingshui Cliffs Qixingtan Beach sunset **Days 13–15: Taipei** Jiufen Old Street Shifen waterfalls + lanterns Elephant Mountain sunset Night markets (Shilin / Raohe) Taipei 101 \*\*Day 16:\*\* Departure to HK \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Would really appreciate advice on: South Taiwan stop Is Xiaoliuqiu worth it vs Kenting in October? Any better alternative stops between Kaohsiung and Taitung? East Coast travel Scooter vs car rental for Highway 11? Any MUST-STOP hidden gems between Taitung and Hualien? General pacing Is this route too rushed anywhere? Any places worth adding an extra night? Thanks in advance 🙏 submitted by /u/Time-Presentation914 [link] [comments]
Xi'an Adventures: 11 Days Exploring Beyond the Tourist Trail
Hello everyone! This is a small snippet of my solo trip to Xi'an, in China. I spent a good 11 days in the city, and therefore really had time to explore small alleys, streets, and places apart from the famous touristy areas. Here, I would just like to give a rough itinerary and choronological flow of how I spent my 11 days in Xi'an. I would like to mention that because I am entirely fluent in Mandarin, I was able to travel freely by myself and go to places without guides. Therefore, I could really explore out of tourist area places, and used all forms of local transportation with ease (the QR bicycles, metro, high-speed trains, buses, etc.) Feel free to ask any questions and I'm happy to answer them! 1) Muslim Quarters in Xi'an This place is really cool, as you get to see for yourself Chinese muslims and how they get to practice their religion, once you get past the touristy shops touting their "old wares" (which actually, aren't old at all). I got to visit even during prayer time and could even partake in it, although out of respect, I did not publish the photos here. 2) Local Xi'an Cuisine They call it 泡馍 (pao mo) which is a really dense bread, broken into bits, then cooked in broth and lamb or beef, soaking up all the goodness. It is supremely tasty and as if tradition in North-West China, portions are massive. There are a lot more food I've had in Xi'an, but this I've chosen to post because I think anyone coming shouldn't miss it. 3) Visiting the Terracotta Army and First Emperor's Tomb Site You have to see it for yourself to understand how massive it actually is. It's grandeur, and the intention behind it, shows the staggering and frightening power of the First Emperor of China to be able to do this in ancient times. His mausoleum is massive and basically he built himself a small miniature city. It takes more than 4 hours on foot to just walk the circumference of his mausoleum site. 4) Visits to Small Boutique Stores These photos are littered in this post, as I really took time to explore different places. 5) Climbing up Huashan by Foot Entirely (But Took The Cable Car Down) I completed all five peaks in a single day under 9 hours (usually it takes 13 hours) - I only preprared six bananas, and 4 litres of water with me. I do not recommend people to do this if you do not have the fitness. By the end of the fifth peak, my legs had barely any strength left since I didn't go into any pit-stop inns along the way. However, I spent time to enjoy each peak before moving on to the next peak! It is staggeringly beautiful, and I went during spring time so the weather was so perfect, at low 10 - 15 degree celcius! 6) Went to Local Boutique Tea Houses + Biang Biang Noodles Possibly the best showcase of chinese hospitality, where I spent hours chatting with the owners and staff in the tea houses, getting to drink really top quality tea in whole, and eating the famous Biang Biang noodles in Xi'an. TL:DR ---> This trip was really memorable, and Xi'an is a beautiful place, especially if you look and travel beyond the usual tourist spots for a complete experience. I'm happy to answer any questions you guys might have :)! submitted by /u/_SmilingElephant [link] [comments]
30 Days, Endless Adventures: Falling in Love with China
I spent 30 days in China travelling around some of the major tourist spots, and it’s now one of my favourite countries I’ve ever been to. What I enjoyed most Diversity - since it’s such a vast country, the scenery and landscapes can change drastically between regions. Food - some of the best food I’ve had on my travels. A special mention for the spicy food in Chongqing and Chengdu. For cheap meals, noodles will run you around $2 from a local restaurant. Cost - tying into the above, it can be a very cheap country to travel if you so choose. Cheap hostels/hotels, and cheap eats (particularly noodles) can be found in any city you’d be going to. Tips/Advice - Alipay is an absolute must, but you can get by without WeChat if you are unable to get it working - Dali/Lijiang/Yunnan are very commercialised and touristy, so keep that in mind if you plan to visit. Beautiful, perhaps, but artificial. - Sometimes flights cost the same as long distance trains, and will save a considerable amount of time. - Try the street food! Probably the most hygienic looking street food stalls I’ve saw in any country I’ve been too. - The cuisine is entirely different in each region of the country, so there are soooo many different foods to try. That said, if there’s a regional food you really enjoy, have it whilst you can! Picture details 1: Chongqing (Twin River Bridge) 2: Huashan Mountain 3: Zhangjiajie 4: Zhangjiajie 5: Huashan Mountain 6: Chongqing (Hongyadong Folk Scenic Area) 7: Wanza Mien (my favourite meal in China) 8: Xi’an (Muslim Wuarter) 9: Great Wall (Mutianyu) 10: Biang Biang Mien 11: Paomo 12: Xi’an (Drum Tower) 13: Beijing (Qianmen Street Scenic Area) 14: Chengdu (Panda Research Base) submitted by /u/clfhw [link] [comments]