Tour Guide with Stories is a collection of travel recommendations across Taiwan, shaped by personal moments, submitted by people who have lived there, and curated by Natasha Tseng.
Each place holds a memory, a connection, a story worth sharing. Want to add yours?
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A Serendipitous Discovery
Best Teacher Ever
Market Traditions
The Magical Valley
My Favorite Apple Tea
Worth the Wait
It Grew on Me
The Jetty of Secrets
The Magical Valley
Taoyuan Valley Trail
Border of Gongliao District (New Taipei City) & Toucheng Town (Yilan County)
View on Google Maps
Ju-Fang Hsu
Nature, New Taipei, Yilan
I stumbled upon this place by accident when searching for an interesting site to see. To be honest, I was not expecting much but was intrigued by some photos online.
That morning, my mom and I drove up the mountain under a cloudy sky. She was worried it might rain and make the drive back dangerous, but I was eager to go, so I reassured her that the fog would clear soon. When we arrived, there were barely any cars around, so we parked on the side of the road and made our way to the entrance of the hiking trail.
I still remember how exhausting the hike felt. We climbed and climbed; seeing all the tall trees surrounding us and blocking the view, I really thought that I chose the wrong place to visit. My sweat was raining down my face in the hot summer air, but at the same time, the crisp mountain breeze felt like a quiet encouragement to keep going.
The clouds started to thicken, swallowing what little sunlight remained. My mom grew increasingly worried about the fog. Then came the rumble of thunder, and the sky completely darkened. She suggested turning back, but I insisted we push forward. So we did, for another hour.
The tall trees that were surrounding us gradually became smaller and smaller until there were no trees around us but grass. I was amazed that there’s such big prairie on such high altitude. I knew our destination was close. We finally took our last step on the trail and a cold refreshing wind blew right through us, as if congratulating us for reaching our goal.
And then, the most breathtaking sight unfolded before our eyes.
The heavy fog started lifting as if they knew we were here, slowly unveiling the rolling prairie. Beyond the cliffs, mist rose from the valley below, looking like steam coming from a magical factory down there. My mom and I stood there in silence, letting the wind brush past our hair as the sun peeked through the clouds, and I could see a little of that blue sky again. All our worries and exhaustion went away instantly. ✺
Taoyuan Valley Trail is a scenic hiking route along the northeastern coast of Taiwan, offering breathtaking views of rolling grasslands, rugged cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its ever-changing mist and open landscapes, it’s a favorite for those who enjoy scenic nature.