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Angkor Wat Tour: 2-Day Itinerary
Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most iconic sites and main reason visitors travel to Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a huge complex full of thousands of temples and structures. Booking an Angkor Wat tour is the best way to experience one of Southeast Asia’s best UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many visitors will take a day trip to Angkor Wat and explore the small circuit and end the day with a sunset view on top of Phnom Bakheng Temple. I recommend a 2-day Angkor Wat Tour to get the most out of your trip for a more complete Angkor Wat Experience. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Angkor Archaeological Site: Plain and Simple visiting Angkor Wat Complex is a must for any traveler. Angkor Wat is exactly what you think it is, Ancient Ruins, giant trees, and a sense of exploration. Top Things to do in Angkor Wat: Visit Angkor Wat and see the sunrise over the temple. Go to Ta Prohm also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple”. Walk around Bayon Temple. To fully explore Angkor Wat and see temples on the small and big circuit, I highly recommend this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour. A Brief History on Angkor Wat The Angkor Complex was originally built in the early 12th century. Angkor Wat was commissioned by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu Temple that was dedicated to the God Vishnu. Later on, Angkor Wat became primarily Buddhist. Today, you can see signs of both Hindu and Buddhist religions throughout the temples of Angkor. Like much of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge, Angkor Wat was abandoned for some time. Many of the religious relics were damaged during this time period and thieves stole a lot of artifacts. Today, while exploring Angkor Wat, you can see the conservation and restoration of many temples from several countries to include France, India, the United States, Germany, Japan, and China. Angkor Wat Tours If planning on visiting Angkor Wat, you might be wondering whether to explore the ruins independently or if it’s worth joining a guided tour. After debating myself I am glad I went with the guided tour. An Angkor Wat tour offers many advantages. An expert guide will provide historical insights and answer any questions, the guides know the best times to visit temples to limit overcrowding, and take you to the must-see temples at Angkor Wat. Our tour also included hotel pickup/drop-off, water, and wet towels to cool off after exploring the temples in the hot and humid rainforest. Here are a few of the Angkor Wat Tours that are highly rated on Viator and/or Get Your Guide. ✅ 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit and Banteay Srei Tour (This is the one we did and highly recommend it) ✅ 1-Day Amazing Angkor Wat Tour with Sunset & Interesting Major Temples ✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: SMall-Group Sunrise Tour ✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Why I Recommend a 2-Day Tour When I moved to Asia back in 2019, Angkor Wat was a dream of mine to visit. Finally, 6 years later, I got a chance to travel to Cambodia, specifically to explore Angkor Wat. There are a ton of day trips to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap. Although worth it, you only see some of the main temples on the small circuit. I wanted to explore as much of Angkor Wat as possible, so I decided to book this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour. A 2-Day tour of Angkor Wat covers all the main temples that a day tour to Angkor Wat does but you also get a chance to wake up at sunrise to see Angkor Wat, see temples that fall on the Big Circuit and see Banteay Srei. In my personal opinion, I came all the way to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, I really wanted to see as much of the temple ruins as I could. The 2-Day tour was not rushed, the guide was extremely knowledgeable, and I definitely got my money’s worth. If you only have a day to visit Angkor Wat, you won’t be disappointed, I just feel like 2 days is the perfect amount of time since the ruins covers a vast area. Here is the tour I booked and Highly recommend: 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit, and Banteay Srei Tour. Visiting Angkor Wat Solo Although I do recommend booking a tour of Angkor Wat, it can be done solo. In fact, I saw plenty of solo travelers exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat. If you are visiting Angkor Wat on your own, it does allow for more flexibility and control of your budget. I saw people that took tuk-tuks from Siem Reap that dropped them off at temples around Angkor Wat, you can easily hire a private driver. If you follow my Angkor Wat itinerary below, you won’t miss out on any of the famous temples we visited on our tour. It might just take a little more planning and research on your end. Admission and Hours To visit Angkor Wat, you do need to pay for a ticket. The ticket also known as an Angkor Pass must be present on you during your time at the Angkor Complex. Tickets for Angkor Wat can be purchased at the Angkor Enterprise. You can purchase tickets online, via the app on their website, or at the site. If taking an Angkor Wat tour, the tour guide will drive you to the Angkor Enterprise at the start of the day. Admission 1 Day: $372 Days: $627 Days: $72 Hours Angkor Wat is open daily, 365 days a year. Angkor Wat is open from 5:00 to 18:00 2-Day Angkor Wat Itinerary The Angkor Complex is a huge series of temples located just outside of Siem Reap. The most famous temple in Angkor is Angkor Wat. Wat, meaning Temple in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. With hundreds if not thousands of temples and structures at Angkor Wat, it is impossible to cover the entire complex. Most visitors spend a day at Angkor Wat but I did the 2-Day Angkor Wat tour. Here is my detailed Angkor Wat itinerary. I hope I can convince you to join a 2-Day Angkor Wat tour. Day 1: Angkor Wat Itinerary: Small Circuit Day 1 of our Angkor Wat itinerary. Our guide picked us up from our lovely hotel, the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. We picked up our 3-Day pass at the Angkor Enterprise just outside of Siem Reap. We then made our way to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat Angkor Wat, the main temple and grandest of them all at Angkor Complex. Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat is a huge temple that covers about 200 hectares to include the moat. Angkor Wat was built to symbolize Mount Meru which is a sacred mountain in the Hindu religion. According to the site, Angkor Wat has some of the best examples of Khmer art that depict scenes from the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the procession of Syavarman II. We visited Angkor Wat twice on our 2-Day tour. We started the tour here first because it was during the off season and not crowded and then we came back to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Banteay Kdei Banteay Kdei otherwise known as the “Citadel of Chambers” is a smaller temple complex in between Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. There is a small parking area here, the first thing you’ll notice is the Banteay Kdei East Gate. The East Gate has four faces that are well preserved. Once you pass through the gate, you will walk through the smaller temple complex. Here you can see carved walls, ruined structures, and large trees growing out of some of the ruins. Ta Prohm Ta Prohm, also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple,” is an iconic temple in that was built in the late 12th century. Other then being a part of the setting of the movie Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm is famous because of the large trees and massive tree roots protruding from the temple ruins. Ta Nei Temple Ta Nei Temple was another ruined temple located on the small circuit. We had this temple to ourselves. Ta Nei Temple is not restored, seeing it in its current state really makes you appreciate the restoration going on, but it also feels more adventurous. The Victory Gate The Victory Gate is one of the five grand entrances to the Ancient City. You can drive or walk through the Victory Gate, a road goes through it. On the inner side of the gate there is a large moat and on each side of the bridge are the Gods and Demons playing tug-of-war holding a Naga. Naga is the powerful serpent deity. Naga is the symbol of water, fertility, protection, and connection between the world of humans and the spiritual realm. You will see Naga all throughout Angkor Wat. Bayon Temple After Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, Bayon Temple was my favorite. Not only did this temple have macaques running around (I love seeing monkeys in the wild) but this temple was a huge complex that was well preserved. Bayon Temple is known for its towers with stone faces. In total there are around 200 faces carved in the towers symbolizing Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist God of virtue of compassion. Again we had Bayon Temple to ourselves since visiting Angkor Wat in May is considered low season. We explored the temple thoroughly, walked around the towers and the hallway networks. Bayon Temple is a must visit and needs to be included in any Angkor Wat itinerary. Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples Both Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples are within walking distance from Bayon Temple and are relatively close to one another. Baphuon Temple is a pyramid like structure where you can climb to the top of and get great views of nearby temples and the surround jungle. Keep in mine, the stairs can be steep and narrow. If you are on a guided tour of Angkor Wat, have them point out the Giant Reclining Buddha etched in on the outer walls of the temple. Phimeanakas is a smaller pyramid temple that was built in the 10th century. It is located at the old Royal Palace. Terrace of the Elephants The second to last stop on our Angkor Wat tour, was the Terrace of the Elephants. The Terrace of the Elephants is not a temple like the rest. In fact, it is a 350-meter long platform that was used by King Jayavarman VII and other kings as a stage to view royal processions, parades, and ceremonies. If you walk around, you will noticed detailed carvings of elephants, other animals, and figures all over the walls. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng Our last stop on the Angkor tour was to catch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng. This is the most popular sunset viewing platform at Angkor Wat and one of the oldest temple in the archaeological park. It’s about a 20-minute hike to Phnom Bakheng. You have to come early, because it can get really busy. We were there about 2-hours early, so we waited around a lot. Our experience wasn’t great here. A brief evening shower dumped on us as we waited and the sunset wasn’t that spectacular. In my mind we would have clear visuals on Angkor Wat. Instead you are looking at a tower of Phnom Bakheng with the jungle in the background. I am sure you get a beautiful sunset here and there, but I don’t think it’s anything out of this world. So in my opinion or if
Guide to Visiting Siem Reap: The Gateway to Angkor Wat
Planning a trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat? Then visiting Siem Reap is a must! After all, it is considered the gateway to Angkor Wat. Siem Reap is an interesting city that blends history, culture, religion, and adventure. Angkor Wat is the number one attraction but there is so much more to see in Siem Reap. My guide to Siem Reap covers getting here, things to do, places to eat, and so much more! **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Where is Siem Reap Siem Reap is a city in northwestern Cambodia. Siem reap is located by Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap is located about 320 kilometers or about 200 miles from Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. Siem Reap is less then 6 km away from Angkor Wat, making it a very popular tourist destination. Flying into Siem Reap If you are visiting Siem Reap, outside of driving from Bangkok or Phnom Penh, the most convenient and popular way to get here is through the air. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is a new and modern airport that is about 45 km from Siem Reap. There are taxis at the airport, I recommend setting up a airport pickup and transfer through your hotel. Flights that fly to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport include: AirAsiaBangkok AirwaysCambodia Angkor AirChina Eastern AirlinesLao AirlinesSingapore AirlinesSky Angkor AirlinesThai Smile AirwaysVietnam Airlines You can obtain a Cambodia E-Visa at the airport, but I recommend doing the Cambodia Visa in advance. You can apply for an E-Visa through the following Kingdom of Cambodia website. Getting Around Siem Reap I felt Siem Reap was very walkable especially if you are staying around the city center. But if you want to explore more of Siem Reap and see sights that aren’t easily walkable, then there are other means of transportation. This is for getting around Siem Reap, not necessarily transportation to Angkor Wat. That is covered in my 2-day Angkor Wat itinerary post. Grab does operate in Cambodia and worked well. For those that don’t know, Grab is a ride-hailing app, like Uber. We used Grab a few times and ended up taking Tuk-tuks. Grab gave us the option between cars or Tuk-tuks, which was kind of fun. We used Grab to get to the Killing Fields in northern Siem Reap and a few places around town. For travelers that want to explore on their own, you can rent a motorbike or hop on an E-Bike. Places to Stay in Siem Reap As you’d expect, there is a wide range of sleeping options in Siem Reap, from high end resorts to backpacker hostels. Even for mid-range and luxury accommodations, you are not spending that much compared to other places in the world. We booked an amazing hotel through Agoda. Based on price, location, breakfast, and amenities, we booked at the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. We had our own suite with a pool view and practically had the hotel to ourselves. The staff was helpful, breakfast was fantastic, the pool was relaxing, what more can you ask for in a hotel? Again, we booked three nights at the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort, for the price it was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at. Things to do Siem Reap is not just a gateway to Angkor Wat, it is a must-visit destination that will surprise all types of travelers. When visiting Siem Reap, outside of Angkor Wat, you can visit the Angkor National Museum, experience the craziness of Pub Street, eat interesting street food, and browse the many markets. If you are looking for things to do in Siem Reap, I have a list of some of my must do and see places, below. Angkor National Museum The Angkor National Museum has an extensive collection of items and wealth of information from the ancient Khmer Empire. The museum covers the history of Angkor Wat, so it’s worth stopping by here before going to Angkor Wat. For admission, hours, and a list of exhibits, check out the Angkor National Museum website. Killing Fields Siem Reap When visiting Siem Reap, I do recommend going to the Killing Fields to learn and see the atrocities that took place here during the Khmer Rouge. Located halfway between downtown Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, the Killing Fields in Siem Reap are a museum and memorial to the victims that were effected or lost their lives during the Cambodia genocide. The museum includes some graphic illustrations and descriptions of what took place here. There is a well on site where upwards to 60 bodies were recovered from. Interested in more Dark Tourism sites around the world, I have a Dark Tourism post. Made in Cambodia Market A surprising find we stumbled upon while walking around Siem Reap was the Made in Cambodia Market. Jill absolutely loves the Made in Cambodia Market. All vendors here sell local products like jewelry and handicrafts. It’s a small area, but the the quality of the products sold by the vendors was very good, much better then stuff you find in the Old Market. Old Market The Siem Reap Old Market is right by Pub Street and well worth checking out. The Old Market is covered and features vendors selling produce, meats, food, and cheap souvenirs. To me, the Old Market was a bit disappointing, I found the souvenirs to be cheap and the few times I went, there was no food worth trying. That being said, it was still fun to wander around and look at everything the vendors were selling. Pub Street Pub Street in Siem Reap is the heart of the city’s nightlife. Of Course, this is where all the tourists hang out. Pub Street is packed with bars and restaurants serving everything from local cuisine to international dishes. At night, Pub Street can get pretty crowded and sometimes wild. It’s not really my cup of tea, but it was fun to walk around Pub Street and people watch. Wat Preah Prom Rath While visiting Siem Reap, I recommend paying a visit to at least one temple. My favorite was Wat Preah Prom Rath. Not only was it easy to get to from my hotel, but it was absolutely beautiful. Wat Preah Prom Rath is a Buddhist temple just north of the Old Market. It’s known for it’s colorful murals, stucco towers, and a reclining buddha. Visiting Angkor Wat Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of Siem Reap and the main reason visitors come to Siem Reap in the first place. If you are traveling in Cambodia, plain and simple, Angkor Wat needs to be included in your Cambodia travel itinerary. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument and it consists of over 1,000 temples and structures. Angkor Wat is an easy drive from Siem Reap. You can get here on your own, hire a tuk-tuk driver, or go on a guided tour. I went on this 2-Day Angkor Wat tour, booked through Viator, and I highly recommend it. Angkor Wat is to big, you simply can’t see it all in one day. The two day tour includes the small and big circuit of Angkor Wat to include the beautiful Banteay Srei Temple. When you book an Angkor Wat tour, the guide will pick you up from the hotel and provide you with valuable information along the tour. Angkor Wat was definitely one of the prettiest places I’ve visited, it’s unmatched. Everything you think of when you hear about Angkor Wat is true. The ancient ruins covered in huge tree roots deep in the Cambodian jungle. It is a must when visiting Siem Reap. Recommended Places to Eat Siem Reap has a vibrant food scene along with a lot of interesting food dishes that are rare in other parts of the world. We tried a few Khmer dishes at several different restaurants. We even tried bugs from a street food vendor. Pub Street does have a lot of restaurants but we branched off of the famous Pub Street and tried restaurants that were a block or two away from the crazy tourist street. We also had a fabulous dinner at our hotel, La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. Below are a few of the restaurants and street vendors we dined at along with the dishes we tried during our stay in Siem Reap. La Riviere d’Angkor Resort To get acclimated to the food in Cambodia, we decided to try the restaurant at our hotel, La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. We tried their Amok, which was like a green curry with coconut cream and lemon grass. It was delicious and I think my favorite dish during our stay in Siem Reap. We also tried their Mango & Sticky Rice with Coconut Sauce (Pictured Above). It set the bar high, no other place compared. Khmer Taste Restaurant Khmer Taste Restaurant was recommended to us by a passerby. He claimed he’s been a chef his whole life and told us to go here, so we did! This is a huge restaurant with a large menu, everything from salads and Khmer cuisine to Western dishes and desserts. I was in the mood to try something unique that I’ve never had before. As an appetizer, I ordered the Roast Frog. To be honest, it was good. Frog really does taste like chicken, the texture was more fish like though. I also ordered Lok Lak, which is a Pepper Beef dish. It came with a bed of rice and an egg. It was good, I could tell, the beef was pretty cheap though. It paired nicely with a local cold Angkor Beer. Overall, Khmer Taste Restaurant is a good place for those that want to try Cambodian food. I wouldn’t expect high quality, but for the cheap prices, everything was satisfying. The Red Angkor Restaurant If you are looking for a huge menu with good food and cheap prices, I think The Red Angkor Restaurant is your best bet. I was actually looking for places that sold the famous snake on a stick in Siem Reap and found this. I did order the snake as an appetizer. It’s more for that photo opportunity which sounds bad but it didn’t taste like much of anything and there was hardly any meat. I did get the Lok Lak here just to compare it to other restaurants and really enjoyed it. It was ground meat with rice and a fried egg. The Red Angkor Restaurant also serves bizarre foods like Steamed Crocodile Tail, Crocodile Head, and Crocodile Feet, which is crazy to me. Fried Bugs at a Local Street Vendor At the intersection of Preah Sangreach Tep Vong Street and Taphul Road, we found a street food vendor selling all sorts of fried bugs from huge grasshoppers to beetles. I ordered a mix of a few kinds of bugs they fry which included grasshopper, crickets, and what I think is a June beetle. They fry the insects fresh with seasoning. Honestly, the bugs were very good, I actually ate the entire bag. Both the flavor and texture was nice. Tips and Helpful Information Visa and Entry: Most nationalities can get a Visa on arrival when visiting Cambodia but I recommend filling out the visa application online through the Kingdom of Cambodia E-Visa website. Best Time to Visit Siem Reap: The cooler and dry season is November through February. March through May (When we visited) is hot but fewer crowds. The wet season in Cambodia is June through October. Money: The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel. Oddly enough, the U.S. Dollar was widely accepted. Tipping in Cambodia is not required. Transportation: Tuk-tuks were a convenient way to get around Siem Reap. I recommend downloading the Grab
12 Must-Eat Food in Taiwan you Have to Try When Visiting
If you are planning a trip to Taiwan then you better come hungry! In my opinion, Taiwan has the best street food and night markets in the world. Taiwan is a paradise for food lovers, like me! That is why I created this post on must-eat food in Taiwan. From bite sized food at the bustling night markets in Taipei to a unique twist of your classic hot dog in Kaohsiung, we’ll explore some of the top food dishes in Taiwan and some of my favorite foods you just can’t miss when visiting Taiwan. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Must-Eat Food in Taiwan I’ve traveled to Taiwan several times now and have explored a good portion of the island from Taipei to Kaohsiung. One of the driving factors that keeps me coming to Taiwan is the food! Taiwanese food is absolutely incredible and the night markets in Taiwan are in my opinion, the best in the world. From food that is common at night markets to Indigenous food in the mountains, here is a list of must-eat food in Taiwan that you can’t miss when visiting. Bubble Tea Not really a food per se, but it’s an iconic Taiwanese beverage that you have to try when visiting Taiwan. Bubble Tea or Boba Tea is a must try drink that combines delicious tea flavors with tapioca pearls. Bubble Tea can be found on almost every street corner throughout Taiwan. It originates in Taichung, starting in the 1980’s at the original Bubble Tea store, Chun Shui Tang. Bubble Tea comes in so many varieties now a days. You can find your classic black milk tea, fruit tea flavors, and so much more. Pineapple Cake Looking for a sweet treat or perhaps a souvenir to bring back to the office or family and friends? Taiwan’s pineapple cake is the perfect pastry to indulge by yourself or share with others! The pineapple cake usually comes in bite sized pieces. It’s square or rectangular in shape with a buttery crust and pineapple jam or fresh pineapple filling. Pineapple cakes are found throughout Taiwan. You can even find pineapple cakes at Taoyuan Airport, which makes for a great gift. After all, the treat symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Peanut Ice Cream Roll I first tried a Peanut Ice Cream Roll in Jiufen along the old street and instantly fell in love with this sweet and savory dessert. The Peanut Ice Cream Roll is a popular Taiwanese dessert that starts with a thin flour crepe with scoops of ice cream, usually taro or vanilla. The crepe and ice cream is then topped with crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro. The Peanut Ice Cream Roll is a popular dessert found in touristy areas and night markets throughout Taiwan. The surprising bursts of flavor make the Peanut Ice Cream Roll one of my favorite desserts in Taiwan. Who knew that cilantro, ice cream, and crushed peanuts would taste so good! Gua Bao Considered one of Taiwan’s top street food, Gua Bao is a steamed bun filled with tender, braised pork belly, mustard greens, crushed peanuts, and fresh cilantro. Gua Bao is a popular Taipei night market food but can also be found in restaurants and being sold by local vendors. I’ve had Gua Bao at night markets in Taipei and food stalls in Taichung and it’s always one of my top rated food items in Taiwan and I consider it a top must-eat food in Taiwan. Pepper Cakes One of my favorite go-to and must-eat food in Taiwan is the Pepper Cake and specifically the Pepper Cakes at Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake near Taipei Main Station. Pepper Cakes are the perfect on the go meal. It’s a flaky bun that is filled with marinated meat that is mixed with scallions, white pepper powder, and other ingredients. The pepper cakes are cooked in a cylindrical clay oven and come out pipping hot. I know it’s hard to resist but watch out before biting into the pepper cake. I’ve tried pepper cakes around Taiwan at random stands and at Night Markets, but I think the ones at Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake are the best! Stinky Tofu Probably one of the most famous and talked about street foods in Taiwan is Stinky Tofu. Stinky Tofu is known for it’s well stinky aroma and acquired taste. Sometimes walking around Taiwan, you’ll get a bad city smell, turn the corner and turns out it’s a food vendor selling stinky tofu. That is the kind of smell it puts out. Stinky Tofu is fermented tofu and is considered a delicacy and can be found at night markets around Taiwan or even specialty food vendors. Often times, stinky tofu is fried and served with pickled cabbage and some type of sauce. Despite the bad smell, stinky tofu isn’t that bad taste wise and is a beloved local favorite and must try food for any adventurous food lover looking for an authentic Taiwanese culinary experience. I’d say, stinky tofu is not for everyone but it’s worth trying. It’s generally cheap and easy to come by in Taiwan. Beef Noodle Soup One of the top must eat food in Taiwan has to be Beef Noodle Soup. Beef noodle soup consists of slow braised broth with tender chunks of beef and hardy noodles. It’s an iconic Taiwan comfort food that is a must try! You can find great beef noodle soup restaurants all over Taiwan, even Taoyuan Airport has quite a few places has beef noodle soup on the menu. When visiting Taipei, try the Beef Noodle Soup at Lian Pin Beef Noodles, it’s close to Taipei Main Station. Scallion Pancakes Scallion Pancakes are a popular street food in Taiwan that can be found at night markets. Scallion Pancakes are a savory snack with a fried and crispy layer of dough. The scallions are added and cooked with the dough. At Night Markets, the scallion pancakes are often filled with egg or some time of meat. When you bite into the scallion pancake, you get a crunchy texture with a savory flavor of fried dough and filling. It’s truly one of the best street foods in Taiwan. Taiwanese Hot Dog The Taiwanese Hot Dog, otherwise known as Small Sausage in a Big Sausage is one of the more popular local foods in Taiwan that you simply can’t miss out on eating. This iconic night market food consists of a sweet and juicy grilled sausage and the bun is made of sticky rice. You wouldn’t think that a sausage wrapped in rice as the bun would be good, but it’s actually delicious and a must eat food in Taiwan. The sausage is usually topped with garlic, sometimes way to much garlic. It’s also served with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and various sauces. Taiwanese Hot Dogs are found throughout night markets in Taiwan. This twist on your traditional hot dog needs to be added to your Taiwan food bucket list. Taiwanese Tea Egg A recent favorite of mine and a snack I can’t go a day without when visiting Taiwan, is the Taiwanese Tea Egg. The Taiwanese tea eggs can be found at festivals, tourist attractions, and convenience stores. They don’t look all that appealing sitting in the pot but do yourself a favor and try them! It took me a few visits to Taiwan before trying the tea eggs. Like many, I couldn’t get past the cracked eggs just sitting in the brown liquid. Until I visited the Philippines and tried Balut. Although nothing alike, not even close, it took me to eat balut to finally try the tea eggs and to my surprise I am addicted to them now. The brown liquid is actually a blend of black tea, soy sauce, and other spices. The eggs are cracked in order to allow the marinade to soak into the egg. It tastes like a boiled egg with a sweet taste. It’s an amazing snack and I eat them daily when in Taiwan. Indigenous Food If you really want to explore all the must eat food in Taiwan, I suggest trying indigenous Taiwanese food. It’s a little harder to come by, both times I’ve had indigenous food I was in a national park, Yangmingshan and Taroko National Parks. Both times included bamboo rice, wild boar meat, and millet wine. Banana rice is also popular amongst indigenous dishes in Taiwan. Hot Pot Hot Pot in Taiwan is a must try dining experience and a highlight of any food tour itinerary. Hot Pot is found everywhere in Taiwan, just look for signs at restaurants that say Hot Pot. Most of them, at least ones I’ve visited are buffet style. Taiwanese hot pot contains bowls of hot broth at the table where you can fill it with fresh vegetables, bite sized meats, tofu, and so much more. I’ve had everything from shark skin to chicken testicles. Hot Pot is best shared with a group of people, it is more of a social event and you can spend hours at a hot pot restaurant trying the various food items and broths. Hot Pot is a must try food experience, make sure you add it to your Taiwan food itinerary. Conclusion In my opinion, Taiwan is a paradise for food lovers and one of my favorite foodie destinations. From eating delicious beef noodle soup and snacking on Gua Bao to the bold aroma and flavors of stinky tofu, I highly recommend trying these must eat food dishes in Taiwan. I always recommend visiting the Night Markets in Taiwan, you can find most of these recommended dishes and so much more. If you have other must-eat food in Taiwan that you recommend or think I should try, leave a comment and I’ll follow up! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Recommended Day Trips from Taipei: Nature, Culture, & Getaways
Taipei is one of my favorite cities. I’ve spent days, if not weeks here but I also love exploring easy to get to destinations from Taipei. It’s the perfect launchpad for exploring northern Taiwan and other parts of the country. Some of Taiwan’s most scenic locations, historic towns, and natural parks are just a short trip away. This post outlines my favorite and most recommended day trips from Taipei that are definitely worth your time and effort. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Day Trips from Taipei: Taipei is an incredible city with an abundance of things to do and attractions. I think Taipei deserves a minimum of two days to visit. But if you are extending your stay in Taipei or just want to see more of Taiwan, there are many great day trips from Taipei that are worth your time. Top Day Trips from Taipei: Yangmingshan National Park Jiufen Yehliu Geopark Considering a day trip from Taipei? I recommend booking a day trip through Viator, Klook, or Get Your Guide, you can browse the many fun and exciting tours and activities. Day Trips from Taipei Taipei is an incredible city and deserves time to explore. But if you want to see more of what Taiwan has to offer without spending to much time and hassle, there are many great day trips from Taipei that are both easy and offer a new experience. My list of day trips from Taipei here includes a nice mix of other cities, national parks, and fun experiences. Yangmingshan National Park One of the closest day trips from Taipei is Yangmingshan National Park. This volcanic area is a must when visiting Taipei and is so easy to get to. There are a few popular hiking trails like Qingtiangang and Xiaoyoukeng that really showcase this national parks beauty and geothermal activity. The Qingtiangang Grasslands were one of my favorite areas of Yangmingshan National Park and it was here where I saw the wild water buffalo. If you are looking to hike in Taiwan, visit hot springs, spot wild water buffalo, and see beautiful nature, then Yangmingshan National Park is definitely the place for you! Getting to Yangmingshan National Park from Taipei If relying on Public Transit to access Yangmingshan National Park from Taipei, then taking the local bus is the most affordable and easiest option. From Taipei Main Station, take the City Bus 260 to Yangmingshan Bus Terminal. You can check the Taipei eBus website for routes and times. Jiufen One of the most popular day trips from Taipei is Jiufen. When visiting Jiufen, you get a slice of all things Taiwan in one small town. Jiufen offers a blend of history, culture, scenic beauty, and delicious food! Jiufen is known for its narrow alley ways, traditional teahouses, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. While exploring Jiufen, make sure to walk Jiufen Old Street, sample food at the vendors, and take a break at one of the teahouses. You can’t miss a photo opportunity of Amei Teahouse. For more information about Jiufen and things to do, I have a dedicated post: Day Trip to Jiufen. Getting to Jiufen from TaipeiFrom Taipei Main Station, take the local train on the Yilan Line to Ruifang Station. When exiting Ruifang Station, head to the bus stop and hop on the Local Bus 788 or 1062 to Jiufen. The day we visited Jiufen, we opted to take a taxi to and from Ruifang Station. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive. Houtong Cat Village If you are a cat lover as much as we are, then I highly recommend visiting Houtong Cat Village. A day trip to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei can be combined with a trip to Jiufen. Houtong Cat Village is a charming destination that got its start as a coal mining town but has since become a tourist attraction due to the abundance of cats that live here. Not only are adorable cats found throughout Houtong but there are a lot of cat themed sculptures, cafes, and souvenir shops. Getting to Houtong Cat Village from TaipeiTake the Pingxi Line from Taipei Main Station. Yehliu Geopark Located along northern Taiwan’s stunning coast is Yehliu Geopark. Known for its unique rock formations like the iconic Queen’s Head or Fairy’s Shoe, this natural wonder is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. There are a few hiking paths at Yehliu Geopark, but the main attraction is walking along the coast meandering through the rock formations. Keep an eye out for fossils. Getting to Yehliu Geopark from TaipeiFrom Taipei Main Station go to the Kuo-Kuan Bus Taipei Terminal and look for the Bus #1815 headed toward Dharma Drum Mountain. Get off at Yehliu Bus Station. Keelung City Visiting Keelung as a day trip from Taipei is an easy way to experience the beautiful coast of Northern Taiwan not to mention there is a lot to do in Keelung. Keelung is known for its famous Night Market, it’s often regarded as one of the best night markets in Taiwan. Other things to do in Keelung include seeing the unique geology and coastal views at Heping Island Geopark, having fun riding the Shen’ao Rail Bike, and taking the Keelung Tower to Zhongzheng Park. Getting to Keelung from Taipei There are a few ways to get to Keelung from Taipei, I recommend either the bus or train. If taking the bus, at Taipei Main Station head to Taipei East Gate 3 and wait at the bus stop for Bus #1813. Bus #1813 goes directly to Keelung from Taipei. The bus journey to Keelung is about 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. If taking the train there are multiple trains that go to Keelung from Taipei Main Station. These leave roughly every 15 to 20 minutes. The train ride from Taipei to Keelung is around 45 minutes. Pinglin Taiwan’s tea capital, Pinglin is just an hour away from Taipei. A day trip to Pinglin is perfect for those that want to explore Taiwan’s tea culture. I recommend booking a Pinglin Tea Plantation tour. This is the best way to arrive in Pinglin, learn about the tea culture, and enjoy a tea brewing ceremony. The tour also stops at an observation deck for views of the Thousand Island Lake, beautiful! Taichung A day trip from Taipei to Taichung is definitely doable, but I recommend starting the day off early as there is a lot to see in Taichung. We stayed in Taichung over the course of a weekend and still didn’t get to see everything we wanted to. But traveling to Taichung from Taipei is only an hour train ride on the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR). Once in Taichung, most attractions are within walking distance from the city center. I recommend going to Jianguo Public Market, visiting the National Museum of Natural Science, and going to Chun Shui Tang, the birthplace of Bubble Tea. One of Taichung’s most popular tourist destinations is Rainbow Village. It’s a quick and easy stop from Taichung’s HSR Station. Taroko National Park One of the most beautiful places in Taiwan is Taroko National Park. Known for it’s stunning marble gorges, mountain forests, and turquoise rivers, Taroko Gorge is a top-rated natural attraction that is a must-see! I highly recommend staying in Hualien and spending a few days in the Taroko Gorge area, but if that is not an option, a day trip from Taipei is possible. A local tour is one of the best ways to explore Taroko Gorge. A tour includes transportation and a guide. Here are guided tours to Taroko Gorge from Taipei: Shared Full Day Tour of Taroko National Park from TaipeiPrivate Tour Taroko Gorge from Taipei Conclusion There are an abundance of top-rated attractions and must-see destinations just outside Taipei that make for the perfect day trip. From the small alley ways to explore at Jiufen to the natural wonders of Yehliu Geopark, these destinations are ideal if you are looking to maximize your Taipei itinerary. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Taichung Travel Guide: What to See, Do, & Eat for a First Time Visit
Welcome to my Taichung Travel Guide – this guide is especially helpful for those that are spending a quick weekend in Taichung. Or if you are just visiting for the first time and want to hit the main attractions, eat great food, and explore this colorful and vibrant city! Taichung is not only the birthplace of Bubble Tea but it is also known for its pleasant weather, artistic neighborhoods, delicious night markets, fascinating museums. From walking around the iconic Rainbow Village to trying Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang, Taichung offers a nice mix of city atmosphere, relaxing spaces, rich culture, and amazing food. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Taichung: Taichung is a vibrant city with plenty of things to do and see. Taichung is the birthplace of bubble tea and is known as a foodie city. Top Things to do in Taichung: Visit the National Museum of Natural Science. Rainbow Village. Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang. Consider taking a Sightseeing Walking Tour With a Local Guide to see the main highlights and learn about Taichung along the way. Where is Taichung Taichung is located in the central part of Taiwan on the western side of the island between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taichung is about 170 km (105 miles) south of Taipei. Getting to Taichung Taiwan is well connected and getting to Taichung is easy. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) between Taipei and Kaohsiung stops at Taichung. From here, you can walk to Xinwuri Station and take the local train to Taichung Station, located in the city. There is also an airport in Taichung, Taichung International Airport that has both domestic and international flights. You can read more about flying into Taichung and taking the HSR below. Taichung International Airport Taichung International Airport is situated about 20 km from downtown Taichung. The airport serves as a hub for both domestic and international flights. For international flights to and from Taichung, there are destinations to places like Incheon, Macau, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Okinawa. Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) All HSR trains that travel between Taipei and Kaohsiung make a stop in Taichung. From Taipei or Kaohsiung, the HSR travel time is about 50 minutes to an hour. The HSR runs frequent, about every 10 – 15 minutes. You can buy tickets at the train stations or even convenience stores. When purchasing a HSR ticket, you can either do a reserved seat or non-reserved. Both times we took the HSR, the reserved seats were already booked and the non-reserved carts were full, so we had to stand the entire time. When you get to Taichung HSR, walk toward Xiwuri Station to take the train to Taichung Main Station. Just note, around the Taichung Station in town, there are a lot of homeless people that camp around the station. They are harmless. Where to Stay in Taichung Taichung offers a wide variety of places to stay from budget hostels and mid-range hotels to places you can truly splurge on. A lot of it to, just depends on the area of Taichung you are staying in. Based on price, proximity to the Taichung Station, and activities in the area, I stayed two nights at the Old School Hotel in the East District of Taichung. Old School Hotel A 5 – 10 minute walk from Taichung Station is the Old School Hotel (Central Land Hotel). Not only is it close to the station but it is within walking distance to many major attractions like the Jianguo Public Market, Miyahara, and some of the huge malls in Taichung. We chose to stay here because of the location, distance to the train station, budget, and of course decent online reviews. So, for my Taichung Travel Guide, I highly recommend the Old School Hotel. Staff was friendly, the rooms were big, the hotel was clean, there was a few convenience stores around, and 12 Bubble Tea shops between the hotel and train station, we counted! I booked a couple nights at the Old School Hotel (Central Land Hotel) using the Agoda app, it’s also listed on Booking.com. Old School HotelAddress: No. 65 Dazhi Rd, East District, Taichung City, Taiwan 401Coordinates: 24.1339683, 120.6850337Website: Official Hotel Website What to do in Taichung If you are looking for things to do in Taichung for a quick weekend getaway or simply for a day, trust me, you won’t be bored! Taichung offers a nice mix of tourist attractions, relaxing parks, and night markets. Below is a list of some of the things we did in Taichung over the course of a weekend. Explore the Jianguo Public Retail Market I absolutely love starting my day off in a local market. It doesn’t get better then walking through aisles full of fresh produce, seafood caught hours ago, and chunks of meat hanging out in the open. Taichung has many markets scattered throughout the city, but Jianguo Public Market is a must visit! This is the largest market in Taichung, you could spend a few hours here exploring. It’s more of a fresh market though and not a food market. Sure, there are some food items that can be purchased and side restaurants, but this is where locals go to buy their produce, meats, spices, and other culinary delights. Address: No. 500, Jiancheng Rd, East District, Taichung City, Taiwan 401Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 am – 12:00. Closed Mondays Visit the National Museum of Natural Science If you are traveling to Taichung with kids or it’s a rainy day in the city, then I highly recommend visiting the National Museum of Natural Science. I love Natural Science Museums, so I visited on a sunny day and thoroughly enjoyed the museum. You could spend an entire day here, but I was short on time, so I spent probably around 3 hours at the museum. The museum covers a lot of exhibits from local archaeological finds to dinosaurs. For kids, there are a lot of hands and interactive displays. It’s a great place for the whole family to come together, learn, and have fun! Address: No. 1, Guanqian Rd, North District, Taichung City Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am – 17:00. Closed MondaysAdmission: General Admission is NT$100Website: National Museum of Natural Science National Taiwan Museum of Comics I feel like this doesn’t make your average Taichung Travel Guide, but I recommend adding a brief stop at the National Taiwan Museum of Comics to your Taichung itinerary. It’s a unique attraction that is free and doesn’t take to much time. Build within the historic Taichung Prison Officers Quarters, the museum is comprised of several Japanese colonial-era buildings. Within the buildings you can find comics and art. For me, the giant Banyan Tree on the grounds was the most impressive site. Based on the visible roots, you can see where a house used to be. Address: No. 33, Linsen Road, West District, Taichung CityHours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 18:00. Closed Mondays Walk the Liuchuan Riverside Walk I think the Liuchuan Riverside Walk is a newer addition in Taichung. It was constructed to clean up the river system and create an environment that people can enjoy and relax at both during the day and night. The riverwalk is only about 300 meters long but it’s a nice stroll. Apparently at night it is lit up and especially around holidays and special occasions. Relax at one of the Parks I was surprised at how green Taichung was. There were so many parks, riverwalks, and greenspaces, scattered throughout the city. Many of the parks I visited were pretty busy and active. Whether it’s people jogging on the trails or taking paddle boats around the city ponds. Some of the parks and greenspaces I recommend visiting in Taichung include Yogquan Park, Taichung Park, Shin Sei Green Waterway, and the Calligraphy Greenway. If you are wandering around Taichung and need a place to rest and relax, find a park and enjoy! Rainbow Village Prior to visiting Taichung, I was doing my research and read that the Rainbow Village in Taichung is the most popular attraction. Rainbow Village is in the Nantun District, not far from the HSR Station. We took an Uber to the Rainbow Village from the station and jumped in a taxi on the way back. Price wise it was the same, NT$272. What’s so special about Rainbow Village? It’s a small yet vibrant cluster of houses and structures that are painted with colorful murals depicting people, animals, designs, and local Taichung art. Rainbow Village was started by a former soldier, Huang Yung-Fu. He first painted his home and due to its popularity, his artwork spread to a few nearby homes. Rainbow Village is a fun and quirky. It was much smaller then I expected. Sure, it’s great for photos and Instagram but I don’t think it is worth going out of your way for. If you have time to spare before or after the train station, by all means, go! Address: Zhanqu 1st Rd, Wuri District, Taichung CityHours: Daily from 8:00 am – 18:00Fee: Free Get a Taiwanese Foot Massage At the end of a long day on your feet while traveling, what better way to finish your night then a cheap yet professional foot massage. We get foot massages every night when we visit Taiwan. It’s so cheap and so necessary after a long day. You can find massage parlors everywhere in Taichung, simply look one up nearest to you and go. One we went to that I really recommend is called, 金角養生館. Address below. Address: No. 32 Section 4, Fuxing Rd, East District, Taichung CityHours: 11:00 am – 24:00 The Birthplace of Bubble Tea Taichung is renowned as being the birthplace of bubble tea. Taichung definitely lives up to being the capital city of Bubble Tea as it seemed that every other storefront sold Bubble Tea. I mentioned earlier, just a 5-10 minute walk from the train station to our hotel, there were 12 Bubble Tea shops. Of course, they sold everything from fruit tea to milk tea. Chun Shui Tang Original Store Every Taichung Travel Guide will say that you have to go to Chun Shui Tang, the Bubble Tea shop that started it all. I highly agree, and we did. We went to the original Chun Shui Tang and waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Chun Shui Tang began in 1983 and the founder, Liu Han-Chieh served cold tea with tapioca pearls which ultimately led to the first bubble tea. When visiting Chun Shui Tang, you kind of have to try the Pearl Milk Tea, this is their claim to fame. On a hot day, it was fantastic. Although I prefer the fruit tea over milk tea, it was still really good. The food here was delicious as well. Treat yourself to a nice meal and bubble tea! Chun Shui Tang has multiple locations around Taichung, the original store’s address is below. Chun Shui Tang has exploded all over Taiwan and can even be found at Taoyuan International Airport. Address: No. 30, Siwei St, West District, Taichung CityHours: 8:00 am – 22:00 Where to Eat in Taichung Taichung is a great city for foodies. You have the morning markets, great restaurants, small sit down eateries, and incredible night markets! My recommendation is to check out a morning market, grab lunch at a restaurant, and sample bite sized dishes at the night markets for dinner. Below is a listing of some of the recommended places to eat in Taichung City from Night Markets to Vegetarian sit down places. Zhongxiao Road Night Market Zhongxiao Road Night Market was about a 10 minute walk from the Old School Hotel we were staying at. Since
Touring the Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei: Taiwan’s Tea Capital
About an hour drive from Taipei you’ll find yourself in Pinglin District, Taiwan’s tea capital. Surrounded by lush hills, breathtaking scenery, and Shihding Ciandao Lake (Thousand Island Lake), Pinglin is one of the best day trips from Taipei. Pinglin District is known for its Tea Plantations and high quality Baozhong tea, which is a type of oolong tea. Tours of Pinglin Tea Plantation offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s tea culture, participate in a tea ceremony and sample tea, visit the Pinglin Tea Museum, and take pictures at a tea plantation. If you are a tea lover or like me, just interested in the experience and seeing more of Taiwan, I highly recommend booking a Tea Plantation tour from Taipei. I wrote this post to tell you about our day trip to the Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Planation and what is included in the tour. You can decide if it’s the right tour for your Taiwan adventure! **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Booking a Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour in Taiwan If you want to visit Pinglin and experience Taiwan’s tea culture then I highly recommend booking a tour online prior to your trip to Taipei through Viator or Get Your Guide. I recommend a tour because the guide drives to all the sites, tastings and entrances are included, and you get a lot more out of it as opposed to doing it yourself. I felt our guide on the Pinglin Tea Plantation tour was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot! Here are two recommended tours from Taipei to the Pinglin Tea Plantation. Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei From Taipei: Pinglin Tea Culture and Maokong Guided Tour About the Tour: Stops, Tea Shops, and Much More! We booked this tour: Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei. The Pinglin Tea Tour included a tour guide, vehicle, tea tastings, stops along the way, and entrance prices. After taking the tour, I highly recommend the Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour. I outlined the Pinglin Tea Tour itinerary below with some information regarding the stops and attractions included with this specific tour. Thousand Island Lake Views The first stop along the Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour was an overlook of Feitsui Reservoir, otherwise known as The Thousand Island Lake. There were a few tea plantations and terraced fields at the lookout locations. This stop was great to see the tea leaves and take photos among the tea bushes. Tea Plantations: Bagua Tea Garden Bagua Tea Garden is another quick stop before making it to Pinglin Old Street. Here you get more fascinating views of the Thousand Island Lake and get a chance to see tea bushes up close and learn a little bit more about the growing and harvesting processes. Pinglin Old Street and Sampling Tea Personally, I’d consider the Pinglin Old Street and tea tasting to be the main event of the Pinglin Tea Plantation tour. At one of the tea houses here, we got to sit with an actual tea master where he guided us through the proper ways to brew the tea, steep tea, serve, and even drink the tea. I guess I’ve been doing it all wrong! The Tea House we visited on the tour was called Xuan Zi Ju House. In case you want to visit Pinglin on your own without a tour, you can come here and still do a tea tasting and sample the various stages of tea. Here, we tried the Baozhong Oolong Tea, which is famous in the area. We also sampled Honey Scented Black Tea and traditional Oolong Tea. Here is how little I knew about tea prior to this tour. I thought different tea comes from different tea plants. But I learned that they all come from the same plant and the difference is the oxidation levels that occur during the process. The tea master had three pots on the table and we each had our own tea cup. He would freshly brew the tea, steep it, and serve it to each of us around the table. The drinking process was fun, as he poured the tea in a smaller cup and we flipped it into the proper tea cup. The smaller cup was warm and he had us rub it on our faces. Not sure if it was a joke or if that is what they do to stay young. Either way it felt nice! We got to hang out at Xua Zi Ju Tea House for about an hour sampling the tea and learning about the process. I bought some tea to take home to share with friends and family. Here, you don’t have to feel obligated to buy anything, but the tea is really good and makes a nice gift or if you love the teas you tried, then treat yourself! They also sell this peanut sugar candy that paired nicely with the tea that I brought back home. Pinglin Tea Museum The last stop on our tour was the Pinglin Tea Museum. The museum is located across the river from the Pinglin Old Street. According to the museum, it is the premier government-run tea museum in all of Taiwan and is a must for tea lovers. The museum does have many exhibits from harvesting tools and equipment and displays of the tea making process to historical tea sets and displays showing the history of tea in the Northern Taiwan area. Conclusion A tour from Taipei to Pinglin is the perfect way to explore Taiwanese tea culture and see beautiful nature just outside the city. I highly recommend booking a Pinglin Tea Plantation tour to fully experience, understand, and enjoy the famous Baozhong tea that comes from the Pinglin area. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
My Honest China Airlines Review: What it’s Like Flying Economy
China Airlines, not to be confused with Air China is the flagship carrier of Taiwan. China Airlines is a 4-Star Airline according to Skytrax and offers a blend of modern comfort, great service, and connections all over the world. China Airlines flies all around Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania. China Airlines has become my go to carrier lately. I’ve flown them around Asia, to Australia and New Zealand, to Germany, and the United States and have had nothing but positive experiences. Of course, I fly economy and want to write this honest China Airlines review based on my experiences with the airlines. Hopefully this post is helpful if you are debating whether or not to fly with China Airlines. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! ** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Summary About China Airlines: China Airlines is the national carrier of Taiwan and its hub is Taoyuan International Airport. China Airlines is a certified 4-Star Airline. Why Fly China Airlines: Modern and a fuel efficient fleet Comfort and Amenities Good Customer Service In need of travel accessories for the long flight or layover? I shop on Amazon, from phone holders to travel bags, you can find everything here. China Airlines Hub: Taoyuan International Airport Taoyuan International Airport is the main hub and largest airport in Taiwan. Taoyuan opened in 1979 and is the main hub airport for major airlines like China Airlines, EVA Airlines, and Starlux Airlines. Taoyuan Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. China Airlines primarily flies out of Terminal 1 but there are some flights that use Terminal 2. Curious how to spent a layover at Taoyuan International Airport? I have a dedicated post on What to do at Taoyuan International Airport During a Layover. TWAC: Taiwan Arrival Card Taiwan now requires all foreign visitors to electronically fill out a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC). The TWAC can be filled out through the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan) website. Your airline should notify you of this and in some cases even provide you with a link 3 days before arrival. If they do not, just visit the TWAC website and fill out the required fields at least 3 days before your trip to Taiwan. It’s free, you just enter in your Passport information, length of stay, and any other required fields. The immigration officers then will have access to the data you fill out during the TWAC process once your passport is scanned. You’ll also receive an email with a QR Code, but I have not needed to show it so far. Here is the website used to submit your TWAC: TWAC Taiwan Arrival Card About China Airlines China Airlines is the national carrier of Taiwan and its headquarters are located at Taoyuan International Airport. Again, not to be confused with Air China, which is a major Chinese airline headquartered in Beijing, China. According to the airline website, China Airlines was founded in 1959. Today China Airlines is one of Asia’s most popular airlines with over 1,400 flights a week to over 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. China Airlines is a SkyTeam Airline Alliance member which allows passengers global connectivity and access to partner airline networks and benefits. China Airlines has a relatively new fleet that includes Boeing 777s and the Airbus A350s. For shorter flights like from Okinawa to Taiwan, I’ve flown Air China’s Airbus A321neo. Longer flights, I’ve flown Air China’s Airbus A350-900 to Brisbane, Australia. I’ve also flown with the Boeing 777-300ER to Taipei from LAX. I’ve also flown their Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 737-800. China Airlines is a 4-Star Airline On Skytrax, China Airline is a certified 4-Star Airline. This is something I really pay attention to when choosing which airlines to fly. I typically only pick 4 and 5 star certified airlines based on safety, quality, and service. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 China Airlines Dynasty Flyer Program China Airlines has a mileage program known as the Dynasty Flyer Program. You can earn Dynasty Miles, which can be used for flights, upgrades, and other services. There are status levels of you can reach, each level offers increased benefits. Dynasty, Gold, Emerald, and Paragon. You can learn more about the Membership Tiers and Benefits on the China Airlines website. Signing up for the Dynasty Flyer Program is completely free. Once you login to the China Airlines website, simply sign up. Once in your own dashboard, you can redeem miles, view your activity, check total points, and so much more! China Airlines Review My China Airlines review is based on my personal experience flying with the carrier. I’ve flown with China Airlines around the world and always sit in economy, because of budget. So this review is solely based on my experience flying in economy with China Airlines. I’ll go over some of the basics like check-in experiences, thoughts on food, comfort, and what it’s like flying with China Airlines on short and long flights. For specific questions regarding the airline or to learn more about China Airlines, I recommend visiting their website. Check-in You should already have your flight booked through the China Airlines website. About 48 hours prior to departure, you will receive an online check-in email. I recommend checking in online, it makes things easier the day of the actual flight. All your information is already logged in and ready to go! Like any international trip, I arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure. I’ve checked in at the China Airlines counter in many cities and countries around the world, from Kaohsiung to Brisbane. Honestly, I’ve never had an issue with check in through China Airlines. The staff is always professional and polite. Short Flights I fly often between Naha, Okinawa and Taipei, Taiwan. The flight is anywhere from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours. I’d say I am always impressed with China Airlines efficiency and the fact that they are always on time. For shorter flights, the aircraft is usually an Airbus A330-300 or a Boeing 737-800. Even short flights, the aircraft is spacious and the seats are large with plentiful leg room. Even though the flight is short, you even get a meal onboard the flight. It’s smaller but I enjoy it. I’ll talk more on food later in the post. International Long Haul Flights I’ve flown with China Airlines from Taipei to Germany, Taipei to Australia, and Taipei to the United States. The Taipei to Europe and Taipei to the United States are especially long, about 14 hours. On the long haul flights with China Airlines, I’ve flown their Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER. I really don’t have a preference between the Airbus or Boeing as they are both exciting to fly with. I always try and book the aisle seat. It just gives me that freedom to get up whenever I want without bothering the passenger next to me. The seats on the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER are wide and comfortable. I usually have enough leg room as I store my carry on in the overhead bins. Long flights with China Airlines are comfortable, I’ve never encountered any issues. The flight attendants come around often and outside of meal services they offer water and other beverages. One of my only complaints about China Airlines on their long flights are the bathrooms. The bathrooms are cramped and do not get cleaned as regularly as other airlines do. Seating and Entertainment Seating and entertainment for my China Airlines review will be primarily for the long haul flights. Some of the shorter flights do have a small tv but it’s barely even worth turning on. For the longer flights, you can view the in-flight entertainment on the China Airlines website. There is a wide range of movies both old and new, tv shows, games, and music right in front of you. I think for Economy, the tv has a 10″ screen. Each seat has a USB port so you can charge all your devices. The seats are spacious. As spacious as it can be for an economy seat with an airline. The seats have adjustable headrests, a literature pocket, personal tv screen, and USB ports. For long flights, you will get a blanket and pillow. If you need one regardless of a long or short flight, you can always ask the flight attendant for a pillow or blanket and they will gladly provide you with one. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Food & Beverages I might be one of the only people that actually likes airplane food. It’s fun, gives me something to look forward to, and honestly airplane food isn’t that bad. Since this is a China Airlines review, I think their food is just ok. Honestly, I find the short flights between Okinawa and Taipei have more authentic Taiwanese food then their long haul flights. The Okinawa to Taipei flights serve small meals, even though it’s only an hour flight. The food comes in a small box with a drink and small snack. The food on this route usually represents Taiwan well. Many of the meals use traditional spices and flavors. My last meal even had a Taiwanese Tea Egg, which I love. On the long flights, the meals are pretty standard, no different then any other airline. You get two options for dinner, usually chicken or beef with rice, a roll, fruits/vegetables, and a small dish that is always different. For breakfast, there is usually a western option with eggs and chicken sausage. There is also a Taiwanese option that comes with meat and rice. Customer Service The China Airlines customer service continues to amaze me. China Airlines customer support is always helpful, timely, and clear to understand. On the China Airlines website, go to Contact Us, usually, I go to Service Hotline and call one of the telephone number listed in my Region/Country. Here the Region/Country, number, and office hours are listed. Each time, I’ve contacted China Airlines customer support, whether it be for questions or concerns regarding my Dynasty Flyer Program or changing an international flight, they’ve helped me out and show professionalism. Mandarin Airlines I recently had the opportunity to fly with Mandarin Airlines, which is a Taiwanese regional carrier and the parent company is China Airlines. I flew Mandarin Airlines from Manila, Philippines to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Being a subsidiary of China Airlines, Mandarin Airlines is recognized by Skytrax as a 4-Star airline. Mandarin Airlines offers short-haul domestic and international flights. Questions About China Airlines Is China Airlines Safe? Yes, China Airlines is safe. Thy have significantly improved their safety over the last few decades. They are rated a 4-Star Airline by Skytrax. Is there Wi-Fi on board China Airlines? China Airlines does offer Wi-Fi services. I never use it, so I can’t go into to much detail. I recommend reviewing China Airlines Wi-Fi Onboard page. Who is China Airlines Partnered With? China Airlines is part of SkyTeam and some of the other partner airlines include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Airlines, Korea Air, KLM, Vietnam Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Is China Airlines a member of Star Alliance? No, China Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance. Who is the National Carrier of Taiwan?China Airlines is the National Carrier of Taiwan. Don’t Forget These Travel Accessories For those long flights around the world, there are a few accessories that I use that have made flying so much more pleasant. Here are a few of my recommended travel accessories. ✅ Universal Phone Holder (Handsfree phone mount. It
What to do at Taoyuan International Airport During a Layover
Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the main airport and gateway to Taiwan, plus it is one of the best airports for travelers coming to Asia. Taoyuan International Airport is known for its efficiency, amenities, atmosphere, and excellent connectivity. I’ve visited Taiwan seven times now and have traveled through Taoyuan International Airport at least a dozen times now and it remains my favorite airport in terms of spending layovers, things to do, and overall flight connections. Whether you have a short to long layover at Taoyuan International Airport or are beginning your Taiwan adventure, this post is all about Taoyuan International Airport and how to traverse through the airport or spend your time wisely during your layover. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! About Taoyuan International Airport Taoyuan International Airport sometimes abbreviated to TPE is the main hub and largest airport in Taiwan. It is located in the city of Taoyuan about 40 kilometers to the west of Taipei City. The airport opened in 1979 and is the primary airport for international travel to and from Taiwan, it’s also a popular connecting airport to the United States, Australia, and other countries in Asia. Taoyuan is the hub airport for major airlines like China Airlines, EVA Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and the low cost airline, Tigerair. Currently, there are two terminals at Taoyuan Internal Airport, Terminal 1 & Terminal 2. If you are traveling into Taipei from the airport, there is a convenient MRT that goes directly to Taipei Main Station. TWAC: Taiwan Arrival Card Taiwan now requires all foreign visitors to electronically fill out a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC). The TWAC can be filled out through the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan) website. Your airline should notify you of this and in some cases even provide you with a link 3 days before arrival. If they do not, just visit the TWAC website and fill out the required fields at least 3 days before your trip to Taiwan. It’s free, you just enter in your Passport information, length of stay, and any other required fields. The immigration officers then will have access to the data you fill out during the TWAC process once your passport is scanned. You’ll also receive an email with a QR Code, but I have not needed to show it so far. Here is the website used to submit your TWAC: TWAC Taiwan Arrival Card What to do at Taoyuan International Airport During a Layover I’ve traveled to Taiwan seven times now and have either been or connected through Taoyuan International Airport a dozen times. I’ve had short layovers here, long layovers, and have even spent the night at the airport a couple of times. I’ve spent a lot of time at airports throughout the world and TPE is my favorite airport, I even prefer it over Changi Airport in Singapore. I find Taoyuan Airport to be very clean to include the bathrooms, there is a variety of great food stalls, the shops are fun to browse, and the themed gates are both fun and informative. If you have a layover at Taoyuan International Airport, here are my recommended activities to try, foods to eat, and places to rest and relax. Shopping I am not much of a shopper but TPE does have some decent shops that even I enjoy. Of course you can find your duty-free stores selling alcohol and international treats. Taiwan’s airport also has local shops selling goods and souvenirs from Taiwan. Try Beef Noodle Soup If you can’t leave the airport but want to try an iconic Taiwanese dish, then head to one of the many restaurants or vendors at the airport that make Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup. Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup is a dish that combines braised beef with wheat noodles and a savory broth. I recommend trying Lao Dong Beef Noodles at Terminal 2 or Royal Heritage Beef Noodles in Terminal 2. Bubble Tea What’s a visit to Taiwan without trying bubble tea. After all, Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea and you can find great teas at Taoyuan International Airport. Speaking of Birthplace of Bubble Tea, Chun Shui Tang has a location at the airport in Terminal 2. The original store is in Taichung but there is a branch at the airport. Make sure to try the signature Pearl Milk Tea. Mazu Village is probably my favorite Bubble Tea store at Taoyuan Airport. Mazu Village has a variety of tea flavors. They also make wheel cakes with fillings that are absolutely delicious. Check out the Themed Gates One of my favorite features at Taoyuan International Airport is the themed boarding gates and lounge areas. Most of the themed gates are located in Terminal 2. Many of the gates are Taiwanese Culture themed. Each theme represents a specific place in Taiwan like Taroko National Park or a specific activity in Taiwan like the Pingxi Lantern Festival. Some themes are even focused on animals found in Taiwan. Not only do the gates have artistic traits and images but detailed descriptions about the particular theme. Exercise What better way to spend a long layover at an airport then exercise! I mean you spend so much time sitting around whether it be at your gate, on the plane, or just waiting around. Near Gate D1 in Terminal 2 there is a Gym Area called Sports Park with a few weight and cardio machines. Relax and Unwind TPE has so many places scattered throughout the airport to take a rest or even sneak in a well deserved nap. The Wooderful Land Waiting Room is amongst my favorite places in the airport to relax. This room is tucked away in a forest like atmosphere. There is the Landscape Lounge with comfortable seats, chair massage areas, and other rest lounge areas, some are in what seems to be hidden spots making it the perfect place to catch up on some sleep after a long travel day. Read and Learn at the Library Want to escape people and find somewhere that is peaceful and quiet at the airport? Head over to the Mind Garden Airport Library at Terminal 2. Here, there are places to sit, desks for laptops, and tons of free books to read in a variety of languages. The library is open 24/7 and is a great place to escape the crowds. Whether you want to browse the net, read a book, or just want to charge your phone in peace, the Mind Garden Library is the perfect place. Get a Taiwanese Massage at the Massage Center One of my most recommended things to do in Taipei is to get a foot massage. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave the airport to find a decent massage center. There is actually a massage center near the food court in Terminal 2 on the 4th floor. Not only does the Massage Center offer foot massages, but you can schedule a full body massage, half body massage, and lower body massage. For the food massage, you can get a 30 minute, 45 minute, and 60 minute massage. Catch Some Sleep at a Capsule Hotel If you have an overnight layover at Taoyuan International Airport, instead of sleeping on the ground or a random chair somewhere why not experience a stay at a capsule hotel and get a comfortable nights rest. Outside the gate on the 5th floor of TPE there is a capsule hotel called CHO Stay Capsule Hotel. I’ve stayed at CHO Stay Capsule Hotel a few times now and it’s a treat! The experience is unique, the hotel is clean, beds are comfortable, privacy is great, and the bathrooms have showers. You can book a night at the CHO Stay Capsule Hotel through Agoda. Take the Metro to Taipei City If you have a long layover at Taoyuan Airport, I’d say at least 6 hours or more, I recommend taking the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station and bum around Taipei for a little bit. The trip from Terminal 2 to Taipei Main Station is between 35 – 45 minutes. Keep that in mind when returning. If you need help planning your itinerary for Taipei or looking for specific sites during your layover, I have a post on Things to do in Taipei. Additional Information Regarding Taoyuan Airport If you are planning your layover at Taoyuan International Airport or have questions about anything, feel free to reach out in my contact form or drop a comment in this post. Here are some additional tips and information that I came up with that will help you have a smoother layover or transit through Taoyuan International Airport. ✅ TPE has amazing water fill stations scattered throughout the airport. They can fill your water bottle up with either cold or hot water. The water at the airport is completely safe to drink. ✅ The bathrooms are clean and in Terminal 2 near the boarding gates, they are even themed, each one being unique. ✅ Tired of carrying change or don’t want to hang on to that international currency that will do you no good unless you plan on visiting Taiwan again? There are donation boxes around the airport, you can drop your spare change in. Don’t Forget These Travel Accessories For those long flights around the world, there are a few accessories that I use that have made flying so much more pleasant. Here are a few of my recommended travel accessories. ✅ Universal Phone Holder (Handsfree phone mount. It can attach to the tray.) ✅ Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (The AirPods have been my best purchase in a few years. It drowns out sound and the sound quality is excellent.) ✅ Multi-Pocket Sling Bag (A Sling Bag is a game changer for me. I keep all the smaller items that I use during the flight in here and put my backpack in the overhead bin.) ✅ Airplane Bluetooth Adapter (This product is useful for flights that don’t have built in Bluetooth for the entertainment. You can connect your wireless earbuds.) ✅ Cable Organizer (Storage Bag for cords and chargers) Conclusion With its blend of efficiency, atmosphere, and cultural charm, Taoyuan International Airport has earned its place as my favorite airport in the world. From the beautifully themed lounges at the gates to the comfortable CHO Stay Capsule Hotel it’s no question why I love Taiwan’s main airport. I hope this post sums up the perfect way to spend a layover at Taoyuan International Airport. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇹🇼 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Battle of Okinawa: WWII Sites Around Okinawa to Visit
When you think of Okinawa, you probably think of beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and its unique culture. Today, Okinawa is a peaceful sub-tropical island that was once involved in one of the most intense battles of WWII. For visitors that love history or have a deep fascinations and passion about WWII, there are many WWII Sites Around Okinawa that are a must visit, some easier to explore then others. I am by no means an expert when it comes to Okinawa’s WWII history, there are others in Okinawa that are far more qualified to talk about the history and sites around Okinawa. But I love exploring all things Okinawa, which includes its WWII history. Whether you are visiting Okinawa for the first time or just want to get out and explore, here are some of the main WWII sites around Okinawa that are a must visit. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Brief Introduction to the Battle of Okinawa The Battle of Okinawa was a major WWII battle that took place between April and June of 1945. The Battle of Okinawa was one of the most pivotal yet bloodiest battles in the Pacific. The Battle of Okinawa was one of the final battles in the Pacific. If Okinawa was captured, then the U.S. troops would secure the airbases and have better success storming mainland Japan. The land assault was launched on April 1, 1945 when soldiers landed on the Kerama Islands just off the coast of the main island of Okinawa. After taking the Kerama Islands, U.S. troops landed on the beaches of Okinawa facing little to no resistance by the Japanese Army. This was all part of the plan as the Japanese Imperial Army was waiting in Southern Okinawa where present day Shuri Castle is. The Japanese Army had several strongholds set up as defenses between the northern beaches and Shuri Castle, one being Hacksaw Ridge. The Japanese Army used the landscape and terrain to their advantage as the U.S. troops slowly progressed toward the south. Shuri Castle eventually was overrun by U.S. forces and fell on June 1. By June 6, the airfield in Naha was under control of the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Defense website, The Battle of Okinawa was officially declared over on June 22, 1945. More then 12,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and around 90,000 Japanese soldiers. Sadly, more then 150,000 civilians also lost their lives. WWII Sites to Visit Around Okinawa The Battle of Okinawa, fought in 1945, is considered to be one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific. Today, visitors to Okinawa can explore a range of historic sites related to the war. From memorials to battlefields, here are a few of the WWII sites around Okinawa that played a significant role in the war and are easy to visit. Visiting these WWII sites are perfect for those touring Okinawa with limited time or just want to explore a couple of the main sites around Okinawa that are related to the war. Hacksaw Ridge One of the more famous WWII Sites Around Okinawa has to be Hacksaw Ridge. Hacksaw ridge, officially, Maeda Escarpment is a ridge with dramatic cliffs that was the setting for one of the most intense battles. Hacksaw Ridge became famous because of the 2016 movie, Hacksaw Ridge. The movie told the story of Desmond Doss, a combat medic who refused to carry any weapons because of his beliefs but he was responsible for saving the lives of 75 soldiers. The Maeda Escarpment was a defense line for the Japanese military to protect the 32nd Army Headquarters located at Shuri. Hacksaw Ridge is a 400 ft cliff that plateau’s on top. The United States approached Hacksaw Ridge on April 26 and an intense battle unfolded for 11 days. The Japanese were defending the escarpment, meanwhile the U.S. forces pushed forward up Hacksaw Ridge. Fighting was mainly in close quarters. The U.S. troops successfully gained control of Hacksaw Ridge on May 6, 1945. In total, about 2,500 American soldiers were killed at Hacksaw Ridge. Address: 2 Chome- 53 Nakama, Urasoe, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.2468072, 127.7297201 The Battle at Kakazu Ridge One Ridge after another. The Battle at Kakazu Ridge was one of the bloodiest during the Battle of Okinawa. Kakazu Ridge was one of the ridges where Japanese forces were set up to protect Shuri in the south. According to signage at Kakazu Ridge, this area was littered with mines set by Japanese forces. Japanese Forces heavily attacked the U.S. Forces here with heavy weapons to include anti-tank guns and mortars. On April 19, U.S. Forces lost twenty-two tanks. Both sides suffered huge loses in terms of injuries and causalities. Many civilians lost their lives during the battle as well. When visiting Kakazu Ridge today, there are many memorials, remnants of the battle, bunkers, and even a Tochka (pictured above). A Tochka is a Russian word and is used to describe thick concrete blocks with gun ports. Address: 1 Chome-5-7-3 Kakazu, Ginowan, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.2583568, 127.7355609 Peace Memorial Park and Museum The Peace Memorial Park and Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum in Southern Okinawa is a must see site when visiting Okinawa. Whether you are touring the WWII sites around Okinawa or just visiting Okinawa as a tourist I highly recommend visiting the Peace Memorial Park. The Peace Memorial Park isn’t just an attraction in Southern Okinawa. There is a Memorial Museum, the Cornerstone of Peace, and memorials from Prefectures around Japan. The Cornerstone of Peace is a somber reminder of all the lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa. These granite walls list all the names of the lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa. The museum is well worth visiting. The museum was full of information related to the Battle of Okinawa. I stated this in my Battle Site Tour Post, but the museum was nicely done as it did not point fingers or blame any ides. It provided first hand accounts from people affected by the war. There were amazing displays and tragic stories. Address: 444 Mabuni, Itoman, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.0949888, 127.7236577 Ie Shima Ie Shima is a small island located off the coast of the Motobu Peninsula of Okinawa. U.S. forces, in particular the U.S. Army’s 77th division, landed on the shores of Ie Shima on April 16, 1945. Heavy fighting between U.S. troops and Japanese forces took place here until it was secured by the U.S. forces on April 21, 1945. A famous journalist and War Correspondent, Ernie Pyle was shot and killed on Ie Shima on April 18, 1945. Ernie Pyle was a beloved and very respected War Correspondent during WWII. He covered battles in in both Europe and Asia and was known for covering stories of ordinary soldiers fighting on the front lines. As a tribute to Ernie Pyle, the 77th Infantry Division placed a monument on the site of where he was shot and killed. This monument is still there today. On the monument, there is a plaque that says: “At This Spot The 77th Infantry Division Lost a Buddy, Ernie Pyle.” There are other sites around Ie Shima that are related to the Battle of Okinawa. One of the more famous buildings is the Municipal Pawnshop which is located in the middle of town. The plaque at the Municipal Pawnshop states: “During World War II, a fierce battle took place on Ie Shima and around 1,500 local villagers and 2,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives. Almost all buildings were destroyed. The pawnshop was damaged but maintained its original shape. The featured photo of this post is of the Municipal Pawnshop on Ie Shima. Address: Kawahira, Ie, Kunigami District, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.7108868, 127.7954151 Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters Not far from Naha and a must visit if interested in the WWII sites around Okinawa is the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters served as the underground command center for the Japanese Navy. Rear Admiral Ota Minoru was the Commanding Officer. The Underground Headquarters is a network of tunnels and rooms located about 20 meters deep. There are about 450 meters of tunnels. During the Battle of Okinawa, the headquarters was able to house around 4,000 soldiers. Rear Admiral Ota Minoru and six other officers committed suicide in the Underground Headquarters on June 13, 1945. Today, visitors can explore the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. I recommend visiting the small museum first prior to entering the tunnels. The entrance to the tunnels involves going down 105 stairs. You can freely walk around the tunnels, see the operations rooms, living quarters, and signal rooms. The Officer’s Room which you walk through is covered in holes that were caused by the detonation of a had-grenade. Address: 236 Tomigusuku, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.186248, 127.6763201 Tomori Stone Lion One of my favorite WWII sites in Okinawa is the Tomori Stone Lion. Although not as significant as some of the other sites, the iconic photo of the soldiers at the base of the statue whether staged or real is a venerated site. The Tomori Stone Lion, technically a Shisa, dates back to 1689 and still stands today. The statue was placed here by local villagers to protect the town from evil spirits. The Shisa survived the Battle of Okinawa with only a few bullet holes to show, which still can be seen today. Type in the Tomori Stone Lion in Google Images, you will see the iconic photo where troops are at the base of the statue looking through binoculars. I thought it would be fun to recreate the photo by myself. Address: 22 Tomori, Yaese, Shimajiri District, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.1335766, 127.7217049 Memorial Monument of Lieutenant General Buckner Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. was the highest-ranking United States military officer killed during WWII. Lieutenant General Buckner was the commanding general of the 10th Army. He was killed three days before the Japanese surrendered in Okinawa. He was visiting a forward observation post, here he was killed by enemy artillery fire. Today, there is a Memorial Monument of Lieutenant General Buckner placed at the location where he was killed. At this same location, there is a memorial for Claudius M. Easley, Brigadier General, who also lost his life during the Battle of Okinawa on June 19, 1945. There is another memorial for Edwin T. May, Colonel of the 383rd Inf. Regt. who also died at this location on June 5, 1945. There is a set of stairs that lead to the memorials on top of a hill. There is a small pull off for vehicles to park. Address: 615 Maezato, Itoman, OkinawaCoordinates: 26.1146274, 127.6802595 Caves of Okinawa I took a Tunnel Rats Tour in Okinawa that explored various caves around Okinawa related to the Battle of Okinawa. Many of the caves around Okinawa are open to the public and accessible while others are blocked off or dangerous and entering is not advised, so please use common sense and do your research before entering any cave in Okinawa. During the Tunnel Rat Tour I took, we visited the Shimuku Gama Cave otherwise known as “Happy Cave.” The second cave was Garabigama in the Shimajiri District in Southern Okinawa. Todoroki Cavern is another cave I personally explored on my own. According to a sign posted at Todoroki Cavern, locals fled to this cave during air raids in March of 1945. Around June 15th, around 20 Japanese Imperial Forces arrived at the cave and placed themselves at the entrance, of course this mix of Japanese Forces and civilians did not bode well. On June 18th U.S. forces threw drums of gasoline and explosives into the cave in a “clearing operation.” killing and injuring many of the civilians. On June 25th, around 500-600 civilians
Okinawa Food Guide: Discovering the Island’s Must Try Dishes
Okinawa isn’t just an island known for stunning beaches and its vibrant culture, it’s also a foodie paradise with it’s own unique dishes. From delicious Okinawa Soba to American influenced taco rice and fresh fruits you won’t find anywhere else in Japan, Okinawa deserves to be one of Japan’s top food destinations. My Okinawa food guide will take you through all the must try dishes, local specialties, and some of my recommended places to eat in Okinawa. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! What Separates Okinawan Cuisine from Mainland Japan? I’ve traveled all throughout Japan and think Okinawa is so underrated when it comes to food. Afterall, you can find all your typical Japanese dishes like Okonomiyaki, Ramen, and Tonkatsu in Okinawa. Okinawa’s history involves strong trading with China, has been influenced by Southeast Asian countries, and has a lot of United States inspired dishes. Think: Chinese inspired stir-fried dishes, spices from Southeast Asia, and a fusion of Japanese-American dishes like Taco Rice. Mainland Japan eats a lot of chicken and seafood, whereas in Okinawa, Pork is King! It’s evident in many Okinawan dishes like tebichi (pork feet) and rafute (pork belly). Since Okinawa is a subtropical climate, many ingredients grow well here that are not common in Japanese cooking like goya (bitter melon) and beni-imo (purple sweet potato). There you have it! In Okinawa, I can find all my favorite mainland dishes but here I can also have tacos for lunch, order goya chanpuru as an appetizer, and eat pig feet as a main course. Okinawa Food Dishes You Have to Try! Whenever you visit Okinawa, make eating out a priority. The food in Okinawa is unique and absolutely delicious. I made this Okinawa food guide to first explain some of the dishes that are unique to Okinawa but secondly because I have a deep love for the cuisine here and want to share all the must-eats when visiting Okinawa, so you don’t miss out! Okinawa Soba Perhaps the most recognizable dish that every Okinawan loves is Okinawa Soba. You can’t walk but 5 minutes without seeing a small Okinawa Soba shop. Unlike soba in mainland Japan that is made of buckwheat noodles, Okinawa Soba features a thick wheat noodle that is served in a pork-based broth. The soba is then topped with meat slices or chunks, green onion, and various other toppings. On the table, you will find pickled ginger and Koregusu, which is a chili sauce made of awamori (local rice spirit) and chilis. You can freely add these toppings to your soba to your liking. There are several types of Soba. You’ll see traditional Okinawan Soba which is topped with slices of pork belly. My favorite is Soki Soba which includes pork ribs. There is also Tebichi Soba or tofu Soba. For starters, I’d try the traditional Okinawa Soba. Here are 3 Soba Restaurants Worth Trying: ✅ Jaagaru Soba98-1 Yoshihara, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0105 ✅ Soba Pan1 Chome-4-29 Takahara, Okinawa, 904-2171 ✅ Tetsukono Soba760 Gushiken, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0201 Taco Rice One dish you wouldn’t expect to find anywhere in the world but it exists in Okinawa and is delicious is Taco Rice. Taco Rice is a fusion dish that blends Japanese Rice with Tex-Mex. You start off with a layer of rice and top it off with your favorite taco mix ins like ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Traditionally, there are places like King Tacos that serve it old fashioned with just rice and taco toppings. As taco rice gains in popularity, some restaurants, like Kijimuna have added their own twist the taco rice like adding an omelet on top or teriyaki chicken. When visiting Okinawa, Taco Rice is a must try food dish. It’s cheap, filling, and surprisingly delicious. Here are 3 Taco Rice Restaurants Worth Trying: ✅ KijimunaMultiple Locations6092-1 Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411 Rycom and Parco City Malls ✅ Rice Bowl Factory348-1 Kouri, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0406 ✅ Coco Demo Tacos94 Misaki, Kitanakagusuku, Nakagami District, Okinawa 901-2321 Burgers, that’s right! Burgers! What if I were to tell you I’ve had the best burgers of my life in Okinawa. Most people wouldn’t believe me. After all burgers are an American thing therefore the best are in the USA. Well, the Japanese like to take one thing and perfect it. Just so happened that in Okinawa, they perfected the American Hamburger. They use the freshest ingredients here, locally baked buns, and mouthwatering meat. Just because you are visiting Okinawa and want to try local Okinawan cuisine, don’t pass up a decent burger joint, it just might be the best burger you’ve ever had! Here are 3 Hamburger Restaurants Worth Trying: ✅ Burger Wolf2 Chome-56-3 Awase, Okinawa, 904-2172 ✅ Sandbox Burgers1-20 Miyagi, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa 904-0113 ✅ Burger Revolution2 Chome-1-1 Tomari, Naha, Okinawa 900-0012 Umibudo (Sea Grapes) Umibudo otherwise known as sea grapes are an Okinawan specialty and can be found thorough out the island. Sea grapes are sometimes referred to as “Green Caviar,” and resemble tiny grapes. I love the texture of the sea grapes as they pop in your mouth releasing a salty and ocean flavor. Sea grapes are usually come chilled and are served with soy sauce or ponzu sauce. Many Izakaya’s in Okinawa will have sea grapes on the menu. They can also be purchased at most markets and grocery stores. Tebichi When visiting Okinawa, you have to try Tebichi. Tebichi is a dish that is made from pig’s feet. Tebichi is so tender, you can pull it apart with chopsticks. It can be eaten as is or added to soups like Soba. Tebichi Soba is wonderful! I think a lot of visitors are put off by the appearance of tebichi or the texture. The pork foot is bony and full of gelatinous meat. But it’s so rich in flavor, I absolutely love it! Don’t be discouraged by the look of tebichi, it’s a flavorful Okinawan dish that is a must try. Goya Champuru Besides Okinawa Soba, nothing else represents Okinawan cooking better then Goya Champuru. Goya is a bitter melon and Champuru is Okinawan for “Something Mixed.” Goya Champuru is a dish that is made at almost any Izakaya, Shokudo, and restaurant in Okinawa and it is prepared and cooked differently at every place. The typical ingredients you’ll see in Goya Champuru include the goya, tofu, eggs, a meat (usually pork), topped with bonito flakes and soy sauce. This savory and bitter dish will surely catch your attention. Like me, you might not like it as much at first but over time you’ll find yourself craving it. Okinawa Tempura Tempura is a dish that is found all throughout Japan and is just as popular as Sushi and Ramen. So why am I talking about Tempura in an Okinawa specific post? Well, Okinawa has their own style of tempura that is both unique and delicious. Mainland Japan likes their tempura light and crispy, meanwhile Okinawans love their tempura thick and fluffy. Common tempura dishes in Okinawa include fish, squid, crab, pumpkin, and mixed vegetable (my favorite)! You can find Okinawa Tempura all around Okinawa but hands down, the best tempura in Okinawa can be found on Ojima Island, about 30 minutes from Naha Airport. There is one restaurant in particular that is my favorite and loved by both locals and tourists. That restaurant is called, Oshiro. It’s takeout, you order the tempura you want on a list and the number of pieces you want. Hand the staff your ticket, pay, and wait. Your tempura will be freshly made and you can sit at the restaurant and eat or enjoy tempura on the nearby seawall. My recommendation is come closer to when they open, especially if you want to try the mixed vegetable tempura. Bizarre Food Dishes in Okinawa I am a big fan of trying everything at least once. How else are you going to know if you like a certain dish or not. In general, you don’t find to many bizarre foods in Japan. Sure you can if you look hard enough. None the less here are some of the more interesting foods in Okinawa that I’ve tried, actually enjoyed, and highly recommend trying! Irabu (Sea Snake) Soup Irabu is an Okinawan soup that is made with sea snake. The particular sea snake used in Irabu is the Black-Banded Sea Krait, the one you see all the time while snorkeling or diving in Okinawa. The snake is dried and smoked before being prepared and added to the soup. The soup consists of a broth, maybe chunks of pork, konbu (type of kelp) and a piece of the sea snake. In my Interesting Food Around the World post I have additional information on Irabu Soup in Okinawa. There are a couple places in Okinawa to eat Irabu, I tried the soup when visiting Kudaka Island. Basashi (Raw Horse Meat) Basashi or raw horse meat is a Japanese delicacy. Not specific to Okinawa but it can be found in a lot of restaurants, particularly at Izakaya’s. Basashi is usually served as sashimi and is thinly sliced. It can be enjoyed with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, or other sauces. Torisashi (Raw Chicken) The only place in the world I would trust to eat raw chicken is in Japan. In Japanese, raw chicken is known as Torisashi. Although Torisashi can be found in both mainland Japan and Okinawa, I am including it in my Okinawa food guide, because it is in many Izakaya’s menus here and is worth trying. Torisashi is usually served in the form of sashimi and can be lightly seared on the outside. The few times I’ve eaten it, I have enjoyed it and recommend trying it at least once if you see it on the local menu. Yagi Sashi (Raw Goat) Yagi Sashi is actually a raw meat dish that hails from Okinawa and has deep cultural roots. Yagi means goat and Sashi means sashimi. That’s right, raw goat! At Izakaya’s and specialty restaurants the raw goat is served thinly sliced and chilled usually with a dollop of ginger and soy sauce. The Yagi Sashi has a gamey taste and seems like you either love it or hate it. I am on the “Love it” side of the spectrum and love the gamey flavor. Okinawa Snacks and Desserts With a blend of tropical flavors and traditional Japanese sweets, Okinawa has some of the best desserts in Japan. From beni-imo snacks and fun chinsuko flavors to refreshing shaved ice and local ice cream flavors, here are some of the snacks and desserts in Okinawa that you have to try! Shaved Ice During the summer, Okinawa gets really hot and humid. Sometimes it is unbearable. Because of the extreme heat and humidity, a lot of places sell a dessert called kakigori or shaved ice. I’ve never been a fan of shaved ice in the United States but the few times I’ve had it in Okinawa during the summer months, I find it really refreshing. Kakigori is a dessert that is made of real fine shaved ice with flavoring. In Okinawa, a lot of the flavors mimic fresh fruit like Mango. Not for me, but locals love the Okinawan Zenzai shaved ice. This style of shaved ice is topped with sweet red beans, mochi, and brown sugar syrup. I’ll just stick to the Mango or Dragon Fruit shaved ice. Blue Seal Ice Cream Blue Seal Ice Cream is an Okinawan brand of ice cream that is known for it’s local and traditional flavors. On a hot Okinawa summer day, who doesn’t love a nice bowl or cone of ice cream? Thankfully, Blue Seal is everywhere here, even at Naha Airport.