Taiwan - Massage / Sauna / Places To Visit (Compiled)

[steveng]

how much does the kawayu hot spring cost?

[lovehandle]

very cheap 100NT!

 

but u cannot do much since it s a public area, if u really enjoy looking at birds, yes, u r in for a treat...

[abang]

This old uncle went there last year on a shoe-string budget for 14 days.

I had been there some 20 years ago and wanted to do a no-frill trip.

 

 

The midnight flight arrived at Taipei at 6 am and yes, a bus trip downtown is TWD 125 (cash only)

Upon arrival at Taipei Station, buy the You-You card.. ...EZ link for bus and subway..

 

I did most of the slights of Taipei, Hualien, Taichung (aquarium and of course, home town of A*mei), Kaohsiung and Taichung.  This is my reply to your queries:

 

1. Taipei

- Beitou - Not sure what they have there? Is it worth to go?

Yes, you must do at least one hot spring ... it is accessible by their MRT...

 

- Wulai - Not sure what they have there? Is it worth to go?

Yes, outdoor hot springs... easy to navigate around...

A visit to the tribal museum  (FREE) is a must

 

- Jiufen - Not sure what they have there? Is it worth to go?

You have to combine this with a visit to Yeliu..

Take a bus  to Yeliu (TWD 96) around 8 am for that hour journey.

Walk around the area and have a look at the limestones..for an hour max..

The souvenir shops are worth a look

 

Take bus to Jiu Fen (pass Rui Fang Railway)..

Have lunch there and spent your afternoon browsing around..

Take the afternoon tea there

 

Take bus back to Rui Fang and board the train to Taipei (1 hour).

 

- XiMenDing - Food

Capital of night life - Hong Lou and everything .. very Bugis Street..

MRT - one stop from Taipei station

 

- DanShui Street - Lovers Bridge and Sunset

Try to go there from 4 pm.. walk around the older settlement .....

take the ferry and enjoy the sunset there..

Accessible by MRT too

 

- Shilin Night Market - Food

Yes, go on a empty stomach and feast yourself death to deep-fried and unhealthy but delicious food

MRT accessible..walk 5 mins..just follow the crowd

 

- Wufenpu - wholesale garment market

Quite a disappointment for me..more woman's clothes

 

 

- Pingsi - Sky Lanterns 

Just a ulu site.. think Bukit Timah Railway track...

 

 

2. Nantou 

- Sun Moon Lake 

Bus from Taichung is TWD 199 can use their You-you card (EZ link equivalent)...

Expensive but worth it.. imagine singing 高山青。。。..

 

3. Taichung

- Taroko National Park - Rock - Is it worth to go?

This is near Hua Lien...

Take the 9 15 train from Taipei and reach Hua Lien by 2 pm latest..

Hua Lien is like Malacca, simple and basic... only one big shopping mall in the middle..

The trip to the Gorge is about TWD 250 and it includes the bus journey only.

There are about 6 to 7 stops along the way.

You can alight and spent an hour at each stop..take pictures there...

 

4. Kaohsiung - Not sure what they have there? Worth to go?

My favourite place.. MRT is very new and the Meili-dao station is so beautiful

Take the MRT to the last west station and experience a guided-bus trip (TWD 50) to Hamas..

The old Japanese colony...

 

Enjoy your self...

 

 

 

[zzzzzzzz]

I thought the hot spring cost 200TWD?

[lovehandle]

ooops ya 200NT, but as long u need to dine there, it s provided free if you spent at least 400NT on their food, so it doesnt matter how much is the "onsen"

http://www.kawayu-spa.com.tw/price01.htm

 

 

to me, really nothing fanciful about the kawayu, but i liked the ice pool which i can endure n dipped the longest....other spas have it too

 

Abang, to go up to kaoshiung , it s not cheap(compared to the price of speed train in china) - just to see the MRTs and see how new it s?

 

to me, taiwan is just like malaysia's streets and old buildings as well as the same scenic feel of mountains and forest like sarawak , etc kota kinabalu........minus the difference in language (chinese and malay are 2nd language to some of us , haha) and services is slightly better and shopping/food options are definitely MORE

- this is my frank opinion and really nothing special

 but its sauna 's  SEXCITING (not the kawayu spa!)

 

- DanShui Street - Lovers Bridge : forget it man, clark quay have it all

 

 

- Shilin Night Market - like what abang said:

Yes, go on a empty stomach and feast yourself death: but their oyster and mee sua stuff sucks big time...try the other food instead...

go to all the nite mkt near to univ/schools like Gong guan(for its famous deep fried chicken bigger than your face) near to univ... cheaper, and the shops around them are younger and better choice

Nite mkts are very packed ohhh

 

 

 

- Wufenpu - wholesale garment market: can skipp pls

 

- Pingsi - Sky Lanterns , i did it at Jing tong (also the rail way track concept and to hang up your well wishes onto a bamboo thingy)

 

 

 

2. Nantou 

- Sun Moon Lake : nothing fanciful too

 

3. Taichung

- Taroko National Park - Rock - appeared good but all the way there? not for limited time person

[ivanguy]

Hi Guys, looking for the guy who sent me the detailed taipei itinery on bw PM some days ago. travelling there in oct.

the PM was lost after the issue on the BW service.

hope to get a re-send soon

thanks

[Guest guest]

ooops ya 200NT, but as long u need to dine there, it s provided free if you spent at least 400NT on their food, so it doesnt matter how much is the "onsen"

http://www.kawayu-spa.com.tw/price01.htm

 

 

to me, really nothing fanciful about the kawayu, but i liked the ice pool which i can endure n dipped the longest....other spas have it too

 

Abang, to go up to kaoshiung , it s not cheap(compared to the price of speed train in china) - just to see the MRTs and see how new it s?

 

to me, taiwan is just like malaysia's streets and old buildings as well as the same scenic feel of mountains and forest like sarawak , etc kota kinabalu........minus the difference in language (chinese and malay are 2nd language to some of us , haha) and services is slightly better and shopping/food options are definitely MORE

- this is my frank opinion and really nothing special

 but its sauna 's  SEXCITING (not the kawayu spa!)

 

- DanShui Street - Lovers Bridge : forget it man, clark quay have it all

 

 

- Shilin Night Market - like what abang said:

Yes, go on a empty stomach and feast yourself death: but their oyster and mee sua stuff sucks big time...try the other food instead...

go to all the nite mkt near to univ/schools like Gong guan(for its famous deep fried chicken bigger than your face) near to univ... cheaper, and the shops around them are younger and better choice

Nite mkts are very packed ohhh

 

 

 

- Wufenpu - wholesale garment market: can skipp pls

 

- Pingsi - Sky Lanterns , i did it at Jing tong (also the rail way track concept and to hang up your well wishes onto a bamboo thingy)

 

 

 

2. Nantou 

- Sun Moon Lake : nothing fanciful too

 

3. Taichung

- Taroko National Park - Rock - appeared good but all the way there? not for limited time person

Taroko National Park is actually at HuaLian, not Tai Chung. TaiChung has better food compared to taipei. Cheaper and more variety.

[lovehandle]

yes at hualien, i copied and pasted from Ah bang, yes indeed...the taroko gorge is the one and only thing i find it slightly fascinating from the photos (in terms of nature exploration) but eventually didnt go cos i can not imagine i have to travel to and fro for at least 8hrs (just to see that marbled thingy and that is it, bt. timah and sentosa or one of our pulaus may have more to see)

 

by the way, dont find the ye liu's that queen's head anything special too

 

totally NOTHING aMEIzing in taipei & suburbs, maybe watching a-Mei s singing on youtube is much more ameizingly taiwan...

 

Then why did i go? for the world-renowned Aniki as well as to ride on the ridiculously-cheap scoot airticket pricing (w food and luggage, some took budget by opting out for food and lugg) of just about less than S$300(inclding all taxes)
have to support our SIA subsidiary right?

 

 

Oh ya, i heard of penghu and saw some photos, is it really that nice? any one of you taiwan fans went?

 

Is it true that it s pristinely beautiful like:

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en-GB&biw=1366&bih=567&tbm=isch&tbnid=pKv9aT6zqDfORM:&imgrefurl=http://www.keer2012.tw/&docid=frKg9csB6hb-UM&imgurl=http://www.keer2012.tw/sites/default/files/imagecache/Frontpage_910x280/penghu.jpg&w=591&h=280&ei=UVnzUeQejq2sB_S7gdAB&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=281&page=2&tbnh=135&tbnw=270&start=20&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:29,s:0,i:173&tx=145&ty=105

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en-GB&biw=1366&bih=567&tbm=isch&tbnid=TLUw3Jc4jG1mPM:&imgrefurl=http://www.at0086.com/Peghuliedao/&docid=p_lZO5AF-w-UyM&imgurl=http://www.at0086.com/UserFiles/penghuliedao(1).jpg&w=350&h=246&ei=UVnzUeQejq2sB_S7gdAB&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=141&page=2&tbnh=135&tbnw=207&start=20&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:31,s:0,i:179&tx=103&ty=48

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en-GB&biw=1366&bih=567&tbm=isch&tbnid=WJO3PhAzucpHVM:&imgrefurl=http://www.pieway.com/facts/the-10-most-amazing-secret-islands-in-the-world/attachment/penghu-islands-%25E2%2580%2593-taiwan-2/&docid=yPR5XajchFScIM&imgurl=http://www.pieway.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Penghu-Islands-%2525E2%252580%252593-Taiwan.jpg&w=588&h=442&ei=UVnzUeQejq2sB_S7gdAB&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=142&tbnw=177&start=20&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:34,s:0,i:188&tx=103&ty=90

 

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-GB&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=567&q=penghu+taiwan&oq=penghu&gs_l=img.1.2.0l10.1003.2719.0.5402.6.6.0.0.0.0.172.733.2j4.6.0....0...1ac.1.22.img..0.6.733.s9myDoLHm9w

 

what else can we do there?

[Guest goingtotpe]

Since So many people been to taiwan before. What airlines did you guys take and which will you recommend?

Currently direct flights includes

 

International Airlines

1. Singapore Airlines

2. China Airlines

3. Eva Air

4. Transasia Airlines

 

Budget

1. Jetstar Asia

2. Tiger Air

3. Scoot

 

1 stop transit:

1. Cathay Pacific

2. Malaysia Airlines

 

 

[Enelym1978]

Since So many people been to taiwan before. What airlines did you guys take and which will you recommend?

Currently direct flights includes

 

International Airlines

1. Singapore Airlines

2. China Airlines

3. Eva Air

4. Transasia Airlines

 

Budget

1. Jetstar Asia

2. Tiger Air

3. Scoot

 

1 stop transit:

1. Cathay Pacific

2. Malaysia Airlines

 

Not sure what you want us to recommend here...?

 

Are you willing to pay full price and fly direct with a regular airline, or you want to save and fly budget (with all the possible issues that can arise, if unlucky) or pay less as well and do a stop-over but then wasting time waiting for connecting flight in HKG or KUL). Another thing to consider is also flight schedules. Are you willing to land late at night and not be able to enjoy that day? You paid less but then you need to pay a hotel night which is kinda useless... Rather than arriving in the morning, enjoy a full day on site. Same for the return flight: leaving super early is cheap, but again, why sleep there the last night then? Or fly in the evening and have that entire day again to do some last minute shopping, visits?

It's all a matter of personal choices and preferences...

 

I mean, I'm sure you've flown at least once with a budget airline and a regular airline, right?

[lovehandle]

I felt the same too....it s either a personal preference or a price issue(to many)

 

All the flights are the same! same feel on the seat, the same magazines in front of u, the same look on the air stewardess teaching  u the same safety guide over and over again, even food are similar ...is there a need to even compare?

 

My gut feel is : it s about price yet do not wish to be affected by a delay or lousy service?

Stop being wishy washy and go ahead to book

 

I often hear people asking and checking out whether ABC hotel is better or XYZ hotel, regarding flight-this is the first time i hear such lovely question...

 

Share with us your final choice and analyse the reason for finally choosing which airline pls- u have to enlighten us on what makes you ponder so much as if you are to write a thesis/project on it

 

Anyway, i know someone for the forum, he liked EVA, but strangely EVA seldom comes to my mind when i fly to china/america/bkk/taipei or whichever ctry, i guess this is really a personal preference.....

 

 

Not sure what you want us to recommend here...?

 

 

It's all a matter of personal choices and preferences...

 

I mean, I'm sure you've flown at least once with a budget airline and a regular airline, right?

 

 

Since So many people been to taiwan before. What airlines did you guys take and which will you recommend?

Currently direct flights includes

 

International Airlines

1. Singapore Airlines

2. China Airlines

3. Eva Air

4. Transasia Airlines

 

Budget

1. Jetstar Asia

2. Tiger Air

3. Scoot

 

1 stop transit:

1. Cathay Pacific

2. Malaysia Airlines

[scorpiox]

Anybody going from 25oct to 4 nov?? I'm taking EVAair..

[lovehandle]

wow! your that image attached....not to be trifled with?

 

Yes, EVA fan , arent you goin to share the ticket price(incld tax)?

 

 

Actually u should share where u r going and staying at....so that others can join u in some activities...

[scorpiox]

I haven't plan yet.. But my first few days will be in taipei and of cos Taiwan Pride day..

[lovehandle]

seemed like everyone is going to that event!!!

 

if one day, Singapore has a PRIDE event, will anyone of u join? this question is more for tightly closeted people like me ...

[Enelym1978]

Anybody going from 25oct to 4 nov?? I'm taking EVAair..

I'll be there october 25-28. Haven't booked a ticket yet. Still waiting....

[calvin87]

I'll be there october 25-28. Haven't booked a ticket yet. Still waiting....

What is the ticket range that you looking?

And the event on Saturday or Sunday?

[zzzzzzzz]

I am flying Cathay as they usually have good fares at 460 to TPE. Short connection time. Good luggage allowance. Plus don't mind the short transit when I can have some good food and shopping at the airport.

[watevermightbe]

I am flying Cathay as they usually have good fares at 460 to TPE. Short connection time. Good luggage allowance. Plus don't mind the short transit when I can have some good food and shopping at the airport.

 

7h35min in total for Singapore to Hong Kong to Taipei? additional 3 hours more. Returning flights are all leaving TPE around noon and reach Singapore about evening.

 

Malaysia Airlines for transit flights is as equally bad. transit timing is about 1 to 1.5hrs.

 

if you compare these 2 companies, I would rather take cathay as the planes are actually bigger. (boeing 777 series and Airbus A330) dual aisle compared to Malaysia Airlines (Boeing 737-800 = single aisle plane). 

 

If you want me to choose, I will not take either one cos I would rather take budget and upgrade to preferred seats. Less hassle.

[zzzzzzzz]

450 for travel on christmas and back on new year day with the option of stopping over in hk for a few more days

[Guest lonelyglobe]

will be there for a week from 16 aug onwards, any guys traveling this period?

[Kian T]

In Taiwan the whole August....

[Guest Seek10]

Is it difficult to find massage parlour that goes "all the way" in HE? Or we need to rely on outcall?

[passby]

Anyone around during 2nd and 3rd week of October ?

[outernet]

Anyone around during 2nd and 3rd week of October ?

Me. during the pride parade wk. Anything?

[isaac1983]

Anyone around during 2nd and 3rd week of October ?

[isaac1983]

I will be there from 18-26

[Enelym1978]

Finally managed to book my tickets with JetStar, October 25-28. $400 including 15kg bags.

 

Wanted to fly Cathay but the cheapest was $670....  

[passby]

I be flying back on 17... Lol...

Missing all the fun and action...

[TYRtan]

^_^ 25 Oct till 3 Nov

[Guest CP]

Finally managed to book my tickets with JetStar, October 25-28. $400 including 15kg bags.

Wanted to fly Cathay but the cheapest was $670....

Hmmm... Cathay has offer for DBS card holders. Only $458, all inclusive.

[Enelym1978]

Hmmm... Cathay has offer for DBS card holders. Only $458, all inclusive.

 

Yeah just saw.... and UOB has the same offer but at $470 all in. I never think about checking their travel deals as they usually don't earn me miles haha. Oh well.... next time I'll look.

[passby]

Yeah just saw.... and UOB has the same offer but at $470 all in. I never think about checking their travel deals as they usually don't earn me miles haha. Oh well.... next time I'll look.

You are a high yield traveller that airlines sought after... Not your style to scrimp on fare... Lol...

Edited August 14, 2013 by passby

[Enelym1978]

You are a high yield traveller that airlines sought after... Not your style to scrimp on fare... Lol...

 

LOL< not really! But sometimes, when the price difference is not too big, I'd rather pay a bit more to get a less restricted fare and earn miles on the flight. I don't care when it's a short trip to Malaysia or Indonesia or even Thailand but for destinations like Taiwan, I appreciate the mileage

[torque]

LOL< not really! But sometimes, when the price difference is not too big, I'd rather pay a bit more to get a less restricted fare and earn miles on the flight. I don't care when it's a short trip to Malaysia or Indonesia or even Thailand but for destinations like Taiwan, I appreciate the mileage

I don't know about you but I'm glad that I now have the option of EVA, other than SQ, for accruing Star Alliance miles to TPE

[bishonen76]

[name=Enelym1978" post="629400" timestamp="1376300089]Finally managed to book my tickets with JetStar, October 25-28. $400 including 15kg bags.

 

Wanted to fly Cathay but the cheapest was $670....  

SQ promotion 589

Finally managed to book my tickets with JetStar, October 25-28. $400 including 15kg bags.

 

Wanted to fly Cathay but the cheapest was $670....  

SQ got promotion . 589 nett. I am flying off 25 till 29 Oct

[Enelym1978]

I don't know about you but I'm glad that I now have the option of EVA, other than SQ, for accruing Star Alliance miles to TPE

 

EVA has great great service on board but their flight times are not too sexy...

 

Landing in Taipei at 5:45PM

Leaving Taipei at 7:40AM

 

You lose a day both ways... the arriving is fine, you still have the evening but I like to maximize my trips, especially when it's just an extended weekend

[azimuth]

Wow. Looks like everyone is going to the Pride. Gonna miss the fun here back home.

[Enelym1978]

Wow. Looks like everyone is going to the Pride. Gonna miss the fun here back home.

 

Go book your ticket then!

[watevermightbe]

I am going Taiwan and  return a week before pride. Anyway, I am suppose to travel on Transasia Airways back to Singapore. However, yesterday I received a call from them stating that they are going to seize the operations to Singapore. I was change to China Airlines for my returning instead. Flight timing returning from TPE will be changed from 1855 to 1605.

[zzzzzzzz]

wow, did u purchase insurance?

[Guest elcachondo]

anyone wanna join me to aniki gym party tomorrow or on Sunday?

travelling alone in taiwan and kinda shy to go alone

im handsome french guy 181 70kil fit

can send pics or video cam

come on guys lets go together

[torque]

EVA has great great service on board but their flight times are not too sexy...

 

Landing in Taipei at 5:45PM

Leaving Taipei at 7:40AM

 

You lose a day both ways... the arriving is fine, you still have the evening but I like to maximize my trips, especially when it's just an extended weekend

 

You have a point there. I would like to try the EVA lounge too (looks better than the silverkris one).

[watevermightbe]

wow, did u purchase insurance?

 

Not yet. But they change the ticket for me without additional cost.

[Guest nick]

Went to Aniki, it was a wow and wild experience altogether.....imagine in a room packed with over 50 naked horny guy all covered with full face mask, it was so action packed that at any time, there was at least 5 couples fucking each other in the centre, at the corner of the room with the rest doing hand job or blow job for each other....perhaps we should have that here as well the stupid mask party here are rather boring when they just issued the top a facial mask to cover the mouth, save cost???

You just get horny by watching this exciting live show but the only concern is hygiene issues as you can see tissue paper, used condom with blood stain all over the place during the 2 hours event, maybe constantly they should have staff to go in and clean. By the way, their website was not updated, i don't see any gym, there was no massage services or private room for rental as advertised. Admission of 800 TWD (35 SGD) was more expensive than any of the sauna here.  

[watevermightbe]

Hi Guys,

 

I would like some recommendations on Taiwan
.

I am traveling to Taiwan from 11 to 20 October. 11 to 14 I will be Taipei. and 18 to 20 will be in TaiChung.

 

I am still contemplating on where to visit between 14 to 18.

 

I am intending to visit Alishan between that period. It is recommended to stay in Chaiyi for a night and head up to the mountain in the wee hours for Sunrise? I will be travelling alone so hiring a private taxi is not cost effective.

 

Is there any other places that is worth visiting on the west coast of Taiwan?

[Jordan20]

Can try zuoying / Kaohsiung

[Guest Kama]

I was in Taipei two weeks ago and decided to try YF spa after I found out that my fav masseur at Royal had already enlisted in the army. Chose Alan and was satisfied with his looks. Tall, v well built and although his massage skills were just so-so (quite way off the standards at Royal), this was well compensated by his BIG gun. Wow, believe it or not, it's the biggest I have ever seen and tasted, so it was quite a treat . If you are into size, you cannot go wrong with Alan.

[watevermightbe]

Can try zuoying / Kaohsiung

 

I been there last year. Seriously what is good in Kaohsiung? I have plans to visit Kending. is it worth going ? I was thinking since it is October and I have found some information online that it is not recommended to go as the cold winds will be quite strong. No one gets into the water as well.

[Enelym1978]

Unless you have some locals showing you around, I found Kaoshiung a bit boring....