Beitou

There are two distinct sides to Beitou. The original Beitou located around Beitou MRT Station and Xin Beitou (New Beitou), the area around Xin Beitou MRT Station and Qinshui Park that was developed as a hot spring resort during the Japanese era (1895-1945) when Taiwan was part of its colony.  Beitou has evolved today to include over thirty resorts. The hot springs have improved to include aroma therapy, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and excellent cuisine. The mineral waters stream from the numerous geothermal vents that occur naturally in the region and are famous for their health benefits.

Geothermal Valley (地熱谷), also called Hell Valley, is also another place worth visiting. It is one of the most famous spots in Beitou, a natural sulfur hot spring where water temperatures can reach 100°C. Watching the wind blow the steam around can be quite entrancing.




Here is time lapse like clip I shot of the rising steam. These shots were handheld, so a bit shaky.

Hell Valley


To see more of my photos of Taiwan, please visit http://imagesbykenny.com/

To learn more about interesting places and sights to visit in Taiwan, check out my list of Places to see in Taiwan

Yangminshan Park

It's been a few years since I've been to Yangmingshan, so it was I made use of the lovely day last Sunday to go there again.

Yangmingshan National Park  (陽明山國家公園) consists of a few peaks  located to the northeast of Taipei.The original name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain), a reference to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after the philosopher Wang Yang-ming.

F/18, Shutter 2.5s, focal length 55mm

Juansi Waterfall by Yamingshan

There are several ways to get to Yang Ming Shan.  I took bus 230 from the Beitou MRT. The trip from Taipei Main Station takes about forty minutes.

Once at the park, there there is a shuttle bus you can take around the park (unlimited rides all for NT$60) times during its operating hours —7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There are  stops at various locations around the park, but you may have to wait 15 or 20 minutes between buses. Or if you prefer walking, the well connected trails throughout the entire park consist of basalt pavers which make for mostly easy hiking. Although they do get slippery in places.

Canon 7D, Canon 17-55, F/3.5, 1/100s, ISO 640.

Canon 7D, Canon 17-55, F/3.5, 1/100s, ISO 640.

To see more of my photos of Taiwan, please visit http://imagesbykenny.com/

To learn more about interesting places and sights to visit in Taiwan, check out my list of Places to see in Taiwan