Taipei, Elephant Mountain 象山

playground by the mountain

entrance

great view

Location: google map, take MRT red line to Xiangshan Station. The start of the trail is still a little ways from the MRT Station. (5~10 min walk)

Pros: Easy to get to, beautiful view
Cons: mostly all steps! If you can do steps, don't come here!

My 1st and 2nd grader had no problem walking this, but my 4 yr old started complaining within 5 minutes. I ended up waiting at the mid level with him on the bench while grandpa took the other two up more. lol!! There are lots of steep steps, so I would caution older folks to think twice about walking this trail! Other than that, it's definitely worth going up there to get a great view of Taipei.

Hsinchu, 18 Peak Mountain 十八尖山

map of the area

parking lot

water station

random work out spots

Location: google map ( you will see lots of signs there once in the vicinity)
Pros: close to the city, easy to park, easy for kids, stroller friendly

Cons: for kids that are either young enough to sit in a stroller, or old enough to walk a lot

If you want to take a nice walk away from the city without driving too far, this is the place for you! What I love about this place is that you can either choose the trails with steps, or the ones without (meaning it is stroller friendly)! My 1st and 2nd grader had no problem walking here, but I think my 4 year old would not like it too much ;). There are also some shops by the parking lot that sell bakes sweet potatoes for $20 or so, pretty tasty!

Taipei, Rao He Night Market 饒河夜市

3 games for $100

more games

Location: google map, MRT station green line to Songshan

Pros: great food, games

Cons: it's a night market, cleanliness and restrooms are not readily available.

We actually don't like to take our boys to the night market because it's usually pretty crowded and nasty. But once in a blue moon we would still want them to have the quintessential taiwanese experience of just walking and eating on repeat. So we take them to Rao He Jie - when they get tired of walking and being squished by the crowd, we bribe them with games!!! 

Taichung, Elama X子餐廳

a sand pit outside and lots of snail sculptures

all in chinese

Only in Taichung....this place is HUGE

get your own plates/bowls/utencils

Location: google map location Fuhueiyuan Rd. #6. 府會園道6號

Pros: clean, nice layout, kid friendly, big selection of food

Cons: serving size is SO small, and not very good, no English menu

This restaurant is HUGE! But I think a lot of restaurants in Taichung are probably this size. We got there at around 11am on a Saturday and got a table for 7 without a reservation. (I had called in advance but reservations were all taken, but it seems like you can get seated pretty easily if you go in person) The food was okay, but it's pretty expensive for what it is (plus you have to get your own water/plates/bowls). They have sandwiches, pasta, pizza, risotto, and some other random things. They also have themed private rooms upstairs with minimum purchase ($2000+ per room). 

Taichung, Lu Di Ice Monster 路地 氷の怪物

chocolate flavor - a very dark chocolate that was really good!

milk flavored 

Location: google map Wenxin Rd. Sec 2 #21 (upstairs by the seafood restaurant)
Pros: unique & cute
Cons: pretty expensive for what it is

We were eating lunch at a restaurant nearby so we decided to walk over here for a treat. It was very "snowflake ice" like, and you can pick the flavor of the ice cream with a selection of two "toppings" for NT$200. Great to try it once, I doubt we would ever go back again.

Sun Moon Lake, The Lalu Hotel 涵碧樓

Two bedroom suite

the master bedroom with patio

the third "bed" for my 4 yr old

view from our patio

the hotel library with books/CDs/DVDs you can check out

outside hallway at night

Location: google map

Pros: outstanding service, beautiful architecture, great food, convenient location

Cons: very expensive....& swimming pool was NOT heated. 

For a family of five, sleeping arrangements at a hotel is always tricky. Luckily we were able to stay at the Lalu all together in the 2 bedroom suite. There were two queen/king size beds, and they put together two chaises for us to make the third bed. Although the nightly rate is pretty outrageous, you DO feel like your money is not wasted here. They also provide free shuttle bus from the hotel to the Main Pier (Shui She Ma Tou).  We had dinner at their chinese restaurant and it was delicious. 

Hsinchu County, Neiwan Old Street and Lavender Forest 內灣老街 & 薰衣草森林

Neiwan Old Street

by the restaurant

Add caption

great view!

Location: 

Neiwan train station: you can take the Neiman Line all the way to the end, all the eateries and shops are right outside of the train station. For more train information, click here.

Lavender Forest: (opens at 10am on weekends) Right outside of the train station, there are cabs hanging out that will take you up to Lavender Forest for around $250~$300 (I forgot the exact price) one way. (takes about 20 mins)You can ask them for a card, and give them a call when you want to leave and they will come pick you up.

Pros: Taking the train to the old street was fun with the kids. The view at Lavender Forest was simply breathtaking. The restaurant is not so bad either. It is clean and well-maintained. Stroller-friendly.

Cons: After visiting many "old streets" in Taiwan, this one is no different. 

We drove from Zhubei to Zhuzong Station, parked our car there, and took the train all the way to Neiwan Station. The whole train ride will take a good 40 mins or so. The kids got a little restless at the end, but they enjoyed being on the train. We took a pretty early train and timed it so we can be at Lavender Forest right when it opens to avoid crowds. We strolled around, had lunch at the restaurant there around 11am, and headed back down to Neiwan Old street around 12pm. *Heading back to the city from Neiwan Station - when we were heading back around 2pm, there was a lot more people on the train and I could see that there is definitely a possibility of not having seats on the train! So head to the station a bit earlier for your train to be in line would be wise. Having no seats with kids for 40 mins would NOT be fun! :)