By Eric Lambert
Whether you're celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary, honeymooning, or going out on a first date, romance is a part of every healthy relationship. Expressed in an infinite number of ways, romance in Taiwan for some might be candlelight dinners and sunsets by the sea. For others, perhaps stargazing atop a mountain or bathing in a hot spring is preferred. Whatever your romantic dreams may be, there are numerous special spots in northern Taiwan bound to fulfill them. Here is a peek at some of the area's best romantic getaways.
YANGMINGSHAN
On the north side of Taipei City lies the 110-square-kilometer Yangmingshan National Park. This area was the site of volcanic activity ages ago, but is now characterized by mountains of tall, waving grasses interspersed with vibrant flora and fauna that take turns bringing bright new colors with each season. Hiking hills and valleys, bathing in hot springs, and picnicking in the colorful meadows and gardens are all popular activities in the park. The park is perhaps most vibrant, however, during the Yangmingshan Flower Festival.
Each year from February through March over 2,000 cherry trees blossom, and countless azaleas and rhododendrons bloom, in an impressive Yangmingshan welcome to spring. The best area of the park to view the flowers is landscaped Yangming Park, where several well-tended gardens make a perfect place to take a romantic walk or have a picnic among the blossoms. During the festival be sure to visit the popular Flower Clock here, a beautiful arrangement of flowers which spans seven meters and displays the time.
Several well-tended gardens at Yangming Park make a perfect place to take a romantic walk or have a picnic among the blossoms
Visiting the national park in other seasons can be just as rewarding. Home to a great diversity of plants, flowers of some type can be seen in bloom during any visit, and in the fall red-tasseled silvergrass carpets the mountainsides. The Butterfly Corridor in the Erziping recreation area is an easy, shaded trail visited by members of many butterfly species, as well as human couples, on hot summer days. More adventurous romantics can try the one-hour hike to the top of Mt. Qixing, the highest peak of Yangmingshan, for a sunset and some stargazing. It starts near the Xiaoyoukeng fumaroles. Be sure it's a clear day, and don't forget a flashlight.
Admission to Yangmingshan National Park is free. There are numerous public bus routes that serve the area; details can be found on the park's website (www.ymsnp.gov.tw). Perhaps the best way to visit Yangmingshan by public transport is to take the MRT to Jiantan Station, then take bus 260 or R5 up to the Yangmingshan terminal by Yangming Park and transfer to small bus 108, which serves most of the interesting spots in the area. Taking a taxi from MRT Xinbeitou or Shilin stations is also a good option, which will allow you to check out some other nice places that are not on the bus routes.
A number of cozy cafés are situated in the southern part of the park in the Pingdengli area. The small cafés are uniquely decorated, creating picturesque scenes. A case in point is the Montmartre Café, originally used as a film set and later transformed by photographer Alex Lai into a quaint and homey cafe. Sitting on a lush hillside next to a mountain stream, Montmartre Café is popular not only for its food and drinks, but also as a set for wedding photos. Finding other cafés in the area is not a problem, as brown signs on the Jingshan Road point you in the direction of many good establishments.
Montmartre Café (蒙馬特影像咖啡館)
Add: 13, Lane 131, Jingshan Rd., Taipei City (台北市菁山路131巷13號)
Tel: +886-2-2862-4347
NORTH COAST
If sandy beaches, coastal trails, and sunsets on the boardwalk fit your romantic dreams, a trip to the north coast is a must. Between the towns of Jinshan on the east and Danshui on the west, the north coast meanders along, serving up scenic ocean views and countless opportunities for couples to enjoy time together. Moreover, easy access from Taipei means a trip to the north coast can be done in a day or enjoyed over a weekend.
Shitoushan Park, on the outskirts of the coastal hot-spring town of Jinshan, is a great place to walk, picnic, and even soak in some hot springs. Romantic walks can be taken on the paved trails that lead to the top of the 70-meter-high Shitou Mountain. Along the shady paths, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding coast and the romantically symbolic Twin Candlestick Islets rock formation sitting 500 meters out to sea. In addition, the park has great gardens for picnicking as well as free-access hot-springs pools to dip your feet or bathe in. *The park has no hot-spring pools, although there are some not far away, to the east.
Following the coast west from Jinshan will soon bring you to the Shimen Arch, an interesting rock arch that attracts many passing by. The peculiar arch is positioned as if it were a gate to the sea, and is a popular spot for going on short walks and taking photos.
At the northern tip of Taiwan, nestled between Linshanbi and Fugui Cape, is one of the area's top beaches, Baishawan or “White Sand Bay.” The sandy stretch of beach is great for swimming and spending a summer day, while moonlit walks on the shore with someone special can be priceless. Just northwest of the beach is a wonderful trail that leads out to the Linshanbi cape. The cape is the result of lava flows from Yangmingshan's volcanic period, from two million to about 750,000 years ago, and has evolved into a fascinating landscape with spectacular views.
The sandy stretch of Baishawan beach is great for swimming and spending a summer day, while moonlit walks on the shore with someone special can be priceless
Near Baishawan along the coastal highway are numerous ocean-view cafés. While each has an individual theme, an underlying European influence is prevalent. Mediterranean-style color schemes and Italian and Spanish names adorn the photogenic buildings, inviting couples to relax inside or on a shady deck overlooking the ocean.
Featuring a lush garden entrance, the Summertime Café offers comfortable tables and a summer-cottage atmosphere. It has a variety of interesting hot-pot flavors in addition to many choices of tea, coffee, and fruit shakes. With more than a dozen cafés along this 500-meter stretch of road, choosing one that's right for you can be a fun task.
Summertime Café (那年夏天)
Add: 45-13 Beishizi, Houcuo Village, Sanzhi Township, Taipei County (台北縣三芝鄉後厝村北勢子45-13號)
Tel: +886-2-2636-6717
DANSHUI
Since development began less than a decade ago, Fisherman's Wharf in the port town of Danshui has become a romantic hotspot for folks in the Taipei area. Located at the mouth of the Danshui River, the little fishing harbor here has earned a reputation for slow walks and beautiful sunsets. Couples stroll hand in hand over Lovers’ Bridge, which opened on Valentine's Day in 2003 and spans the harbor. A lovely raised boardwalk at the end of the bridge provides great views of the sun setting over the Taiwan Strait as well as of Lovers’ Bridge lit up at night. On the main level of the boardwalk are a number of cafés and restaurants featuring live music and excellent views of river and sea.
A lovely raised boardwalk provides great views of the sun setting over the Taiwan Strait as well as of Lovers’ Bridge lit up at night
Arriving or departing the Fisherman's Wharf can be a fun adventure on the Blue Highway, the name for Danshui River's ferry boats. A NT$50 ticket will ferry you between three destinations, Danshui, Fisherman's Wharf, and Bali, on the opposite side of the river from Danshui. The trip takes about 30 minutes and boats leave about every 20 minutes.
Perhaps the most accessible romantic destination on the north coast is the old section of Danshui, accessed via the northernmost stop of the MRT Danshui Line, with Danshui Old Street at its core. A charming riverside boardwalk comes to life during weekend and holidays as vendors sell local snacks and run carnival games where stuffed animals can be won. During the daytime, many couples rent bikes and explore the Danshui estuary along the town's popular riverside bike path. Many of the town’s attractions can be easily reached by bicycle, such as Danshui Old Street, and Fort San Domingo as well as numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Getting around the north coast can be done by taxi or bus. Both Danshui and the city of Keelung are easily reached from Taipei by MRT or train, and buses head out along the north coast from each. Stop in at the tourist information center at MRT Danshui Station or near Keelung’s railway station for more information.
BEITOU
What better way to stoke your passions than with a private hot-spring bath and gourmet dinner? Bordering the southwestern part of Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei City's Beitou District is renowned for its classy hot-spring hotels and lush green hills. Most of the hot-spring hotels are located just a short walk from MRT Xinbeitou Station, and a few of these cater especially to couples.
Combining modern design, luxurious comforts, and fine dining, the stylish Double One Hotel plans to contend with Taipei's most romantic hotels when it opens in the early summer of 2010. Part of the local Leader Hotel group, the Double One is to place emphasis on providing superlative service and facilities for that perfect evening with someone special.
Each of the 23 rooms will include a private hot-spring tub, a steam room, a flat-screen swivel TV, and a range of other amenities. In the top-level rooms bathrooms are also to come equipped with a sauna, with the hot-spring tub located on a private veranda overlooking the foothills of Yangmingshan. Other rooms will be fitted with refreshing outdoor showers, and some will have additional space for in-room spa treatments.
Service is meant to be of the upmost importance at the Double One Hotel, letting you and your loved one focus on each other. For one thing, all meals can be served in your room, making for the most intimate type of romantic dinner and movie date. In addition, spa treatments can be scheduled in your room or the dedicated spa rooms. Prices will start at around NT$6,000 per night, which will include a 30-minute spa massage and breakfast. Rooms will also be available for 90-minute periods with afternoon tea for about NT$1,700.
Double One Hotel (倆人旅店)
Add: 11 Youya Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City (台北市北投區幽雅路11號)
Tel: +886-2-2897-3611
Veering from both the traditional Japanese-style hotels and the sleek modern design seen in the Double One, the Seasons Hotel is decorated like an 18th-century European palace. Throughout the hotel crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings, wood and gold accents grace the walls, and beautiful polished marble is used.
This recent addition to Beitou's long list of outstanding hot-spring hotels boasts 30 rooms with beds and 31 private bathing rooms. All of the elegantly decorated rooms feature a marvelous marble tub for bathing, a TV, and a small sofa. A 90-minute stay with afternoon tea costs NT$1,700 on the weekends, while a weekend overnight stay with a kaiseki *please explain what this is dinner and breakfast goes for NT$6,300.
The house specialty at the Seasons Hotel restaurant is a ten-course kaiseki meal. The artfully presented dishes are served in traditional order and feature plenty of seafood. The hotel restaurant also offers Taiwanese food and a 24-hour beverage counter with juice, coffee, and tea free for guests. After enjoying dinner, don’t forget to take the elevator to the eighth floor to scope out the splendid rooftop views.
Seasons Hotel (四季飯店-北投溫泉館)
Add: 26 Zhongshan Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City (台北市北投區中山路26號)
Tel: +886-2-2555-4288
DOWNTOWN TAIPEI
If you simply haven't got the time to get out of the city proper but still want to add some romance to your relationship, there are many couples activities to do right in central Taipei. Catch a movie in the city’s most luxurious and cozy theater, the Ta Chien Cinema in the Westin Taipei hotel. Snuggle up on a plush loveseat and order food and drinks from a café-style menu as you watch the latest romantic films with your date.
Ta Chien Cinema (大千電影院)
Add: 133 Nanjing E. Rd., Sec. 3, Taipei City (inside Westin Taipei hotel) (台北市南京東路三段133號)
Tel: +886-2-8770-6555
Website: www.westin.com.tw
Looking for an after-dinner plan? Take a ride on the exciting ferris wheel at Miramar Entertainment Park in the Dazhi area. This huge wheel measures 70 meters in diameter and ensures 17 minutes of quality time – a single turn – with your partner as you gaze upon the Taipei skyline.
Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園)
Add: 20 Jingye 3rd Rd., Taipei City (台北市敬業三路20號)
Website: www.miramar.com.tw
If 70 meters doesn't get you high enough, opt for an ascent of the tallest building in Taiwan, Taipei 101. Taking in a sunset from the observatory on the 89th floor is a thrill, followed by the show of lights as the city switches on for the night. A pair of restaurants located on the 85th floor provide an excellent dining option. So the next time you’re looking for a way to make that date extra special, rest assured that romance does indeed await you in northern Taiwan.
ENGLISH & CHINESE
Baishawan 白沙灣
Bali 八里
Beitou 北投
Blue Highway 藍色公路
Butterfly Corridor 蝴蝶走廊
Danshui 淡水
Danshui Old Street 淡水老街
Danshui River 淡水河
Erziping 二子坪
Fisherman's Wharf 漁人碼頭
Flower Clock 花鐘
Fort San Domingo 紅毛城
Fugui Cape 富貴角
Jinshan 金山
Jingshan Road 菁山路
Linshanbi 麟山鼻
Lovers’ Bridge 情人橋
Mt. Qixing 七星山
Pingdengli 平等里
Shimen Arch 石門洞
Shitoushan Park 獅頭山公園
Twin Candlestick Islets 燭台雙嶼
Yangming Park 陽明公園
Yangmingshan Flower Festival 陽明山花季
Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園
Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑
