It’s been awhile since i came back from Taiwan and i have always been procrastinating for the longest time to do up the travelogue (where got time…) while the photo folder just sits on my desktop since forever. I figured out if i don’t start, it will probably never happen so here i am, on the train furiously typing on my macbook before i lose the momentum.
This is also the reason why i bought my macbook at the start of the year - for sudden inspiration and to do work on the go at times like this. This is my first macbook (yes, i have no idea why people still thinks that i have been using a macbook my whole life) I read a blog article sometime back about maximising use of time on the go and it really inspired me (something along the lines on why waste time scrolling FB or playing games on the go when you can do something more productive) next thing i did was to research for a really affordable and light laptop that i can bring around and i ended up getting my very first macbook. So much for wanting “something affordable”, LOL But hey, i have been updating my blog more regularly all these while right? Guess it really paid off :)
Oh gosh, i’m digressing so much. Trust me, i can go on and on about my macbook, LOL #applefan
Back to my Taiwan travelogue, i’m guessing i don’t have the time to write a very detailed blog post, compared to last time in school where i had all the time in the world but still, i’m going to write my travelogue in chronological order, covering the places i went and a bit of extra details if i can think of any just in case you guys are using my travelogue as reference for your itinerary. Prior to the trip, i did some intensive research and decided to venture out of the “typical” taipei which i did in 2012. I even went to Taiwan Tourism Board at Raffles place to ask for recommendations and advice (not forgetting freebies), bought some attractions vouchers from KKday in advance, and collaborated with Orange Hotel for accommodation. I will definitely share more along the way as i write this travelogue.
It was not the easiest itinerary to plan because of all the traveling from places to places and i can’t really read Chinese. I have only been to Taiwan once and did not really venture out of Taipei so there wasn't much planning to do. This time is much different, directions were confusing and at the same time, i was searching for the shortest and cheapest option...
It was not the easiest itinerary to plan because of all the traveling from places to places and i can’t really read Chinese. I have only been to Taiwan once and did not really venture out of Taipei so there wasn't much planning to do. This time is much different, directions were confusing and at the same time, i was searching for the shortest and cheapest option...
7D6N: Cingjing - Sun Moon Lake - Tai Chung - Taipei

Bought the tickets from Jetstar almost 6 months ahead due to some promotion so it cost me about $280 per pax with 20kg check in baggage allowance. It was a “buy first think later” moment because we all know how Taiwan airfare can fluctuates. Decided on the midnight flight (1.15am) because it would mean we would reach early the next day (6am) and not spend the whole day traveling, wasting time.
 Flight time was 4 hours and 45 mins in total.
Link to purchase - https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/product/2697?cid=3695
But before that, exchanged my sim card voucher which i bought from KKday, really fast and super convenient. Just pick from the choices available (3, 5 or 7 days etc) from the website. Upon landing at Tao Yuan airport, head to the designated counter, in my case terminal 1, counter 1 and exchange your print-out voucher for the sim card. Just ask around if you are lost. Got the 7 day unlimited data card for $22 since i will be in Taiwan for a week. 
On top of the SIM card voucher, I also bought the High Speed Rail (HSR) ticket from KKday. Basically it's cheaper over the counter (20% cheaper), time saving since HSR is the fastest way and also much more convenient. What I really like about KKday is that you get to plan your travel way ahead even before you are at your destination. This way, you are very clear on your itinerary on the things you need to do or where to head to.
Really very useful i would say.
Getting to CingJing is not exactly easy or straight forward. I had a hard time figuring out how to get there. So basically from Tao Yuan airport, you head down to the basement to purchase bus tickets to Tao Yuan HSR (it's not linked to the airport) then board the HSR to Taichung HSR station. From there, you can purchase the Nantou bus tickets which brings you to Cingjing. The entire journey will take you about 3 hours or so, which explains why I took a midnight flight. 
You can also purchase the train bento sets to consume on the train. These train rides can be pretty long despite being the fastest mode of transport to travel from city to city. The bento sets usually contain one meat with a couple of sides and an egg, quite delicious and affordable! I got mine from 7 eleven but the nicest one i ate was from this Japanese bento counter at the station which i got on the return trip back to taichung. Let me try to dig up the photo and post.
Nantou bus tickets can purchased at the basement of Taichung HSR station and it will cost about NT262/pax. On a side note, at the ticketing area, you will be approached by cab drivers who will ask if you would want to share the car with other tourists to save time. Of course, it will definitely be faster but you can also expect to pay more. Can't really remember how much but I think it's about NT450 per person, but we saved half the traveling time.
 Quite worth it.
Arrived at our accommodation - Spring Ground Resort. There are several popular ones among Singaporeans like Misty Villa and Starry, and Spring ground was also one of them. Paid NT2160 (SGD97) for 1 night. Take note that weather can get really cold since Cingjing is quite high up in the mountains so do prepare your thicker clothing, especially if you are joining the sunrise tour the next early morning. Just be prepared for the chill weather...
The basic room has everything you need and one good thing about Spring Resort is that they will drive you up to Green grass land, the main attraction in Cingjing where it's literally a big piece of grassland and you get to interact with quite a number of free roaming sheep. One benefit of staying in Spring Resort is that you can just let the reception counter know that you wish to head up to GGL and they will fetch you there in their private car, and at the end, give them a call when you want to return so they can come and fetch you all the way back, the hosts are super nice!
What people usually do at GGL is to take a stroll, enjoy the scenery, buy some dry food and feed the sheep. Not forgetting to take awesome photos along the way. I think we spent about 2 hours walking the designated route, and ending up at another garden, grabbed dinner along the way and headed back to the minsu to rest after a long day.


There is nothing much to do at Cingjing, really. Just relax and enjoy the place. 
Oh ya, there are some food stalls along the way at GGL. Do try their authentic taiwan sausage, their bamboo shoot rice or get a bowl of warm soup to warm yourself since the weather can get really cold up there at GGL.
 The people in Taiwan are generally very nice and friendly! We had a little chat with a stall auntie and she kindly gave us a bowl of warm soup on top of the food items that we ordered because it was really cold that afternoon, so kind :)
On the side note, Spring ground resort is just located beside the famous Old England (老英格蘭) where it’s said to be one of the most luxurious and expensive minsu in Taiwan. (Did a quick check on Agoda and it cost on average $550 a night!) What tourists usually do to gain access to this mansion is to go for their afternoon tea set (about NT450/SGD$20) between 11.30am to 4pm. The exterior itself is already very grand, cannot imagine the inside...
There is also not much things to do in the evening or at night and there is only one area where you can get food and drinks (they have the famous bubble tea stall up there though) so it’s either you da pao food back for dinner and ask if your minsu serves dinner. Usually it’s steamboat but Spring Ground Resort dining area was still under renovation at that point of time… That's pretty much the first day of my trip in Taiwan.
The real highlight of going to Cingjing is the Hehuanshan Sunrise tour (合歡山觀日出) happening the next morning, which I will cover in Day 2 post. Most people that head to Cingjing will go for the sunrise tour and your minsu reception will definitely ask if you will want to join. To be honest, this sunrise tour was the highlight of my entire Taiwan trip!
The real highlight of going to Cingjing is the Hehuanshan Sunrise tour (合歡山觀日出) happening the next morning, which I will cover in Day 2 post. Most people that head to Cingjing will go for the sunrise tour and your minsu reception will definitely ask if you will want to join. To be honest, this sunrise tour was the highlight of my entire Taiwan trip!
Till the next post,
