November 22, 2016

Yilan, Taiwan: National Center for Traditional Arts; things to do

National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan

Daily 9am-6pm.  This complex showcases the culture and history of Taiwan.  An open-air stage presents both puppet shows (puppet shows actually originated in  China) and Chinese opera.

Chinese opera at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
Chinese opera at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


Chinese opera at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
Chinese opera at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


The beautifully appointed Wen-Chang Temple is popular with students, who make offerings to the gods of academic success, and with others who come to approach the gods of opera and crafts.

Wen-Chang Temple at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
Wen-Chang Temple at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


dragon detail t Wen-Chang Temple at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
dragon detail t Wen-Chang Temple at National Center for Traditional Arts
in Yilan, Taiwan


A reconstructed old street is lined with an assortment of traditional shops.  One makes and purveys traditional wood spinning tops, another offers blue indigo-dyed fabrics, and another is filled with colorful candy treats.  Special exhibits are displayed in an expansive Exhibition Hall.
fluffy dog on old street at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
fluffy dog on old street at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


hand-painted old spinning tops on old street at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
hand-painted old spinning tops on old street at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan

see spinning top competition in Taiwan


drying indigo fabric at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
drying indigo fabric at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


traditional candy shop at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
traditional candy shop at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan


recycled teapot at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan
recycled teapot at National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, Taiwan




More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

   
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 18, 2016

Yilan, Taiwan : Chun; restaurant review

Chun  

With a mish-mash decor that includes old movie posters displayed on brick walls, cheerful Chun serves a variety of traditional Taiwanese dishes.

interior of Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan
interior of Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan


The most popular item is minced pork in soy sauce over rice, and it was indeed my own favorite from a parade of dishes.

minced pork over rice at Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan
minced pork over rice at Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan


array of dishes at Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan
array of dishes at Chun restaurant in Yilan, Taiwan


I also enjoyed watching the ice cream game known as “baboo”—a word brings to mind a honking horn.  Our guide, Jerry Chen, told us he played it as a child.  You put a TD10 coin (about 30 cents U.S.) in the slot, spin the wheel, and receive the number of scoops it lands on—in the  case depicted in the video--two--and so he gets one scoop of pineapple and one of sour plum.  


Guide Jerry Chen explains how the Taiwanese ice cream game known as “baboo” works.







   
images and video ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 16, 2016

Taichung, Taiwan: Miyahara; things to do

Miyahara  

No.20, Zhongshan Rd., Central Dist. 

Located near the train station, th magnificent little shopping complex and emporium Miyahara is set within a fabulous old building that was originally an optical shop.  A popular ice cream shop that is reputed to have the best ice cream in town operates at one end and seems always to have a long line.

outside ice cream shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
outside ice cream shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


spectacular sundae at ice cream shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
spectacular sundae at ice cream shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


 Another shop offers a large selection of teas.

tea shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
tea shop at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


But Miyahara--specializing in pineapple cakes and other goodies such as seed candies and chocolate-dipped dried fruits--is the main attraction and piece de resistance.  The ceiling is high, the butterflies-and-flowers packaging is exquisite, and the prices are reasonable.  It is the perfect place to select gifts and souvenirs to take home.  

interior at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
interior at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


candy display at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
candy display at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


display with orchids at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
display with orchids at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan


pineapple cakes at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan
pineapple cakes at Miyahara in Taichung, Taiwan





More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.


   
images and video ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 10, 2016

Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan: Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area; hotel review + restaurant review,

Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan

23 Zhongzheng Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County.  211 rooms.  Full-service spa; bicycle rentals.  Buffet breakfast; 4 restaurants, 2 bars. 

Situated on the north end of Sun Moon Lake, the aesthetically pleasing Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel nicely integrates nature into the surroundings.  Large and colorful orchid arrangements are found throughout the serene premises,

orchids at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
orchids at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


as are large windows revealing views of the ever-changing lake.

view of lake from Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
view of lake from Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


Each guest room has floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony, as well as a deep marble bathtub that fills quickly with soothing natural hot-springs water.  
 
guest room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
guest room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel

  
guest room bathtub at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
guest room bathtub at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


My room, number 821, had a view of 

Wenwu Temple.


view of Wenwu Temple from guest room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
view of Wenwu Temple from guest room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


Amenities include comfortable flip-flop slippers to keep (mine were a delicious shade of pink that I am wearing right now) and a matching cotton yukata pajama set to borrow.  By request, a pillow cart offers a choice of 28 different styles.  A recreation center provides a series of hot springs pools, including a children’s pool and men’s and women’s nude pools, as well as exercise equipment, an indoor children’s play area, and a pet room.

children's play room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
children's play room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


Organized hotel activities include hiking, rock-climbing, bicycle and boat tours, and evening entertainment.  The breakfast room features a wall of windows open to a tree-filtered view of the lake.

breakfast room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
breakfast room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


The food selection is extensive and tasty, and seating is available both inside and out on an expansive deck with heat-lamps.

mochi muffins in breakfast room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
mochi muffins in breakfast room at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel


The Jade Luminous restaurant offers cutting-edge Chinese cuisine--for example, one dish included the entire scallop, which I had never seen before.

menu at Jade Luminous restaurant at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
menu at Jade Luminous restaurant at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel

  
scallops at Jade Luminous restaurant at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel
scallops at Jade Luminous restaurant at Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake hotel




More things to do in Taipei.

More things to do in Taiwan.

More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

   
images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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