Before returning to Taipei, we spent two weeks in southern Taiwan, where we spent the holiday season.
Kenting
Kenting is the region in the far south of Taiwan, and the weather is particularly mild. It is in this region that we spent Christmas, with our feet in the sea.
We particularly appreciated renting a scooter to ride on the coast and enjoy its landscapes.
In addition to its beautiful beaches, Kenting is also the cradle of a national park in the mountains, where it is possible to hike to discover its rock formations and lush vegetation.
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan. It is a modern city and an economic center, which has beautiful places to visit.
In the heart of the city, we find the imposing lotus lake, around which we can find pagodas, temples and statues.
One of the most beautiful places in Kaohsiung is on the outskirts of the city, it is the Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan. Built in 1967, it has become over the years the largest Buddhist monastery in the world.
In addition to the presence of imposing temples, there is a huge museum on the history of Buddhism, many prayer places, accommodation for people on pilgrimage, as well as many statues.
Visiting Fo Guang Shan was therefore a highlight of our Taiwanese trip.
Tainan
Finally, Tainan is the ancient capital of Taiwan. It is a city where it is more difficult to get around because the bus network is complicated to understand.
In Tainan, we were able to go back to key places in the city, such as the Proventia and Zeelandia forts, or the Anping Tree House, where trees have grown amid the remains of an old warehouse.
We were also able to discover Taijiang National Park with its beautiful landscapes and its many temples.
To learn more about southern Taiwan, you can watch the following video: