A mountain escape and city nights in Taiwan

After five years apart, I reunited with my family in Vietnam. We decided to travel together to Taiwan, a place we have visited before but this time with fresh eyes. From hiking in Alishan National Forest to tasting our way through Shilin night market, every day felt worth remembering.

We landed in Taipei and spent the night in a small suite hotel with three rooms for the five of us: me, my parents, my sister, and my brother-in-law. The next morning, after breakfast, we took the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to Chiayi City, picked up a rental car, and began the scenic drive toward Alishan.

The road climbed through tea fields and mountain villages under a bright, gentle sky that made the mountains look freshly painted. We stopped at a local restaurant up a hill for a simple meal, then continued on zig-zagging roads, likely near Ruifeng Scenic Area. As the sky dimmed, the drive turned thrilling.

Respect to my brother-in-law who handled the nearly four-hour journey like a pro. By the time we reached the village with our Airbnb, we were relieved. My mom got carsick from the winding roads and was just as glad to step outside.

Our Meishan Airbnb was cozy, with a warm and polite host, welcoming staff, and a four-legged “assistant” shibui, who mostly guarded the entrance by napping in different strategic spots. Dinner was simple and delicious, and we slept early to catch the morning in Alishan.

At 6 a.m., we reached the park entrance which was already busy. My sister said sakura season is even more crowded. In Southeast Asia, early sunrises and late sunsets make the days feel longer, which is perfect for exploring.

We parked near an area with a white dog as our “security guard” and boarded the forest train. Alishan is huge and we covered only a third before our legs gave up. Wooden trails led us through ancient cedar trees, mossy slopes, and shifting light filtering through the canopy. The air was crisp and clear, like it could rinse your thoughts clean. I loved it.

We ended our hike at a small café near the Giant Tree Cluster Trail, where steaming noodles and hot tea revived us. There were a lot of stray cats hanging around, and they were super cute.

Afterwards, we returned to our Airbnb to rest.

The next morning, we sampled oolong at our AirBnB – they serve tea tasting, a must-try in Taiwan, and stocked up on pineapple cakes. Back in Chiayi, we returned the car and took the high-speed rail back to Taipei.

That night, we explored Shilin night market. After years in Canada, I still get excited over Southeast Asian street food that is affordable and endless. We started with Taiwanese sausages and sticky rice, then fried rice and spicy stinky tofu. Taiwanese stinky tofu is less pungent than Hong Kong’s, slightly sweet and still flavourful, which is my preference.

Outside the food court, stalls lined the streets with snacks, drinks, and fruit. One sold giant Taiwanese avocados, nearly the size of my head! Nearby, a white duck stood in the middle of the walkway like it owned the market. What’s up, ducky?

Then came my highlight, Tea21. This bubble tea shop lived up to its reviews with high-quality tea, fresh milk, and perfect sweetness. The next day, we tried BLIKE which was good, but Tea21 stayed my favourite – I’m craving the tea again as I write this.

We ended the trip with lunch at a traditional Taiwanese tea house. Sitting with my family and sipping tea, I felt that mix of joy and gratitude that comes from shared moments after years apart.

If Taiwan is on your list, go. Hike Alishan, eat your way through Shilin, and do not leave without trying the tea and pineapple cake!