Hiking has always been one of my favorite ways to access Mother Nature and her sacred landscapes. I’m more of a leisurely stroller than serious mountain climber. Below you’ll find articles that are based on or include some form of hiking.
One of the great secrets of Taiwan that few visitors are aware of is the remains of Taroko Gorge‘s Wenshan Hot Spring (文山溫泉, also sometimes spelled Wunshan Hot Spring or Taroko National Park Hot Springs), located in Xiulin township, Hualien County. The awe-inspiring scenery, hidden location within a famous national park, and relative inaccessibility of …
Read moreWenshan Hot Spring: Taroko Gorge’s Spectacular Secret
Jiufen (Jioufen), a mountaintop former gold mining town on the northeast coast of Taiwan, is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. Visitors flock to Jiufen Old Street because it encapsulates the best of Taiwan in one small package: rich history, atmospheric lanes and teahouses, breathtaking views, and distinctly Taiwanese snacks at every …
Read moreJiufen Old Street: A Fulfilling Day Trip from Taipei
Temple lovers, hiking fans, and anyone looking to get a little off-the-beaten-path in Busan, you have to add Seokbulsa Temple (Seokbul Temple, more correctly, since “–sa” means “temple”) to your Busan bucket list. This is no ordinary Korean temple; Seokbulsa is built into the sides of sandstone cliffs on Geumjeongsan (Mt. Geumjeong), the highest mountain …
Read moreSeokbulsa Temple: A Rewarding Temple Hike in Busan, South Korea
Taichung is located on the central west coast and is Taiwan’s second largest city. 10 years ago, it was somewhere that most travelers skipped, but nowadays is an increasingly popular stop on people’s Taiwan travel itinerary. While I was compiling my list of top things to do in Taichung, my article quickly became WAY too …
So you’re heading on a Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo? With only one day, you may need a bit of luck to get a clear view of the elusive mountain. But not all hope is lost, as there are many other great things to do in Mt. Fuji area, whether you get clear views …
Lion’s Head Mountain (also known as Shitoushan or 獅頭山) is one of the most underrated attractions in Taiwan. Whether you enjoy hiking, are interested in Taiwan’s Buddhist and folk religious culture, want to spend a night in a temple, or simply want to get off the beaten track in Taiwan, Lion’s Head Mountain should be …
Read moreVisiting Lion’s Head Mountain and Nanzhuang, Taiwan
Miaoli is a mountainous county in northern central Taiwan, between Hsinchu and Taichung. Foreign tourists seldom include it on their travel itinerary for Taiwan because none of the things to do in Miaoli ever make it onto “must-do in Taiwan” lists (although I put three Miaoli attractions on my list of best things to do …
Read moreMiaoli Taiwan: Hakka Culture & Off-the-Beaten-Track Travels
Taiwan’s oolong teas are so good that they have been described as the “champagne of tea.” In recent decades, Alishan High Mountain tea has stood out from the crowd as the most sought after of Taiwan’s impressive array of teas. In fact, my (Taiwanese) father-in-law, an avid tea drinker, turns his nose up at anything …
Alishan (Mt. Ali) is one of Taiwan’s top scenic attractions, along with Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge. The Alishan National Scenic Area is renowned for its famed Alishan sunrises over seas of clouds, small gauge Alishan Forest Railway, and Taiwan’s most sought after teas (here’s my full post on Alishan High Mountain tea). Below …
Read moreAlishan, Taiwan: Best Sunrise Spots, Hiking Trails and Tea Farms
Pilgrimage is act of devotion. In many religions, these sacred walks are prescribed, even considered a must in one’s lifetime, and followers from all of world’s major faiths make holy pilgrimages. For most, non-believers are accepted or even welcome. Pilgrimage travel can be a meaningful, moving experience in which travelers can enrich their understanding of …
Read morePilgrimage Travel: Inspiring Sacred Walks around the World
