Let’s continue travel to Taiwan , Matsu

Lienchiang County Executive Liu Li-chun has just welcomed a visiting delegation from the mainland. Although he has reservations about ROC elected representatives smuggling themselves into mainland China, he admits that with the initiative shown by them the three small links “are starting to taste sweeter and sweeter.”

“Matsu doesn’t steal the spotlight like Kinmen,” Liu notes. “We understand that our population is small, our economic resources limited, and our transportation problems intractable, so we are willing to take a longer view and allow considerations about the three small links to return to the issue of building infrastructure for the offshore islands.” If suddenly the nation really wanted to make Matsu the transfer point for all people and goods across the Taiwan Strait, he fears that the island couldn’t bear it. But Matsu could become a logistical base. The more than 10,000 Taiwanese businessmen in Fuzhou and Mawei could send their children to attend schools built specially for them in Matsu, which would in turn uplift education and culture on the island.

With regard to cross-strait trade, Liu Li-chu says that Matsu ought to model itself on a little convenience store, rather than a huge department store. “The good thing about getting rid of the business tax and customs tariffs is that the two sides will be able to do small-scale trading here, allowing Matsu to become a free-trade zone in the Taiwan Strait. This would provide a tremendous boost to the island’s economy. In this way, the establishment of the full-fledged three links wouldn’t threaten the island’s economy.

While the three small links is no panacea for Matsu’s long-term development problems, the policy is benefiting the island right now: “One-third of all ROC money given to Taiwan’s outer islands goes to Matsu despite its lack of population and area. Although Matsu lags far behind Kinmen and Penghu in terms of infrastructure, if the ROC allows gambling there, as is being considered, then this, in conjunction with the three small links, will definitely help.

“The consensus in Matsu is that improving transportation and encouraging tourism of the best kind is the way for the island to go,” says Tsao Yi-hsiung, a Lienchiang County legislator. With Matsu getting a lot of attention right now, it might as well “grab the short term gain in order to obtain the most long-term benefits.”

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Let’s travel to taiwan’s island – Matsu..continue….

Matsu legislator Chao Erh-chung, who first suggested that the “three small links” be included in the “Offshore Islands Development Act” last year, worries that Matsu is at a disadvantage vis-a-vis Kinmen, because Matsu’s population and land area are low and those who travel to Taiwan from the island are mostly government employees. The ability of the private sector in Matsu to push development of the three links is limited, he says, noting that it was quite an accomplishment just to bring about the maiden voyage. “We are relying on ourselves and going slowly, one step at a time.”

Chao says that thus far Matsu’s biggest related achievement was signing what is known as the “Matsu-Mawei Pact” with the private “Mawei, Fuzhou Economic and Cultural Exchange Center.”
“The central government has only established a legal mechanism for the three small links, but they haven’t been actively pressing for cooperation between the two sides. So you can talk about ‘links’ until you’re blue in the face, but the two sides aren’t really going to be connected. We’ve just got to go ahead and develop the links ourselves and come to an understanding with the other side about how to deal with all those devils in the details.” Chao notes that the mainland has gone from refusing, to not rejecting, and now to cooperating. The Matsu group has already worked out with the mainland authorities such issues as those involving docking rights, what types of people are permitted to go, and permit procedures, as well as overcoming the mainland’s previous insistence that groups must come and leave as a group, and on the same boat.

The central government, balancing various considerations, has displayed caution, but the three small links do provide a development opportunity for Matsu of a kind that only comes along once a century or so. It may be the only economic bright spot for the island in the years after the ROC and PRC both join the WTO, so it’s no wonder that the people must take a proactive approach so as to make the most of it.

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Let’s see the trade and travel progress in Matsu, taiwan

The first opening under the three small links was to allow religious pilgrims to go to Fujian Province directly from the mainland. On January 2, the first group left to much fanfare, with expectations that these new ties would bring all kinds of exchanges and economic opportunities. But in the three months since, there haven’t been huge flotillas of boats coming and going. In fact, when you ask people on Matsu streets about the “three small links,” they often quip in a deadpan style: “What links?” It’s clear that the links are more important to politicians than they are to the people.

Wu Mao-sheng, as a member of the water police, has an up-close perspective on these issues.

“Customs, quarantines and other procedures related to importing goods from the mainland deter many people. As a result, smuggling hasn’t decreased with the advent of the three small links. The difference is that now the water police are getting tougher on the petty smugglers, so the risks of punishment have increased. Meanwhile, because there are no regularly scheduled boats for passengers, people continue to smuggle themselves across as well.” He notes that as of the end of March, only one boat has legally traveled from Matsu to the mainland (apart from the boats accommodating special large groups). Yet two boats have been caught trying to smuggle people across.

Wu explains that those leaving for the mainland are going for business, or otherwise they’ve bought property or have a wife there and need to make regular trips. With more vigilant patrols by the water police but without regularly scheduled legal journeys, people have been grumbling.

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Come on, let’s travel to Taiwan’s island, Matsu

The Taiwanese are no strangers to the island of Matsu, but not many have actually set foot there. What’s interesting is that when you go to see for yourself, you find a place unlike anywhere in Taiwan proper. It’s like being in another country, but one that is comfortably familiar, where impressions of the present merge with memories of the past. Visiting Matsu, you seem to step into a realm already half known through your dreams, on a journey of learning and experience.

“Matsu’s only a small place, but it has a complex web of natural, historical and cultural characteristics, and shows a variety of distinct faces.” So we were informed by national legislator Tsao Erh-chung before setting out on our trip. By the end, we knew how right Tsao was: Matsu is mesmerisingly lovely.

The five principle islands that make up Matsu are spread well apart, but their scenery is very similar. The coastal terrain is rugged and rocky, with spurs of eroded granite jutting into the sea. It takes only around an hour to drive around the main island, passing a succession of inlets, each of which looks different in the light according to the angle of sun. One moment you’re following the curve of the hills, amid the glow reflected from the sea, and the next you’re in a misty, secluded cove. The scenery along the coast is a feast for the eyes.

Peihai Tunnel in Nankan Rural Township

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Come on..let’s talk about travel through Car Rental in Taiwan

Visitors with international licenses may drive a car in Taiwan. However, for those who are not familiar with the road conditions, it is recommended to rent a car with driver.

Cars can be rented at service counters in major airports, train stations and downtown locations. Some of international hotels also provide car rental service which is convenient to visitors who need just airport pick-up or a journey in a few hours.

Some car rental companies allow customers to return cars at more than just one outlets with additional service charge applied. Most car rental companies offer favorable rental packages, but most rental fees do not include insurance, so it is best to make sure of the company’s particular policy before taking a car out.

In Taiwan, cars are driving to the right; drivers and passenger in the front must fasten seatbelts. For car-rental traveling, visitors are advised to familiarize with Taiwan’s driving regulations. After obtaining legally effective drivers’ license, an adventure in Taiwan is ready ahead of you.

http://www.thb.gov.tw/english/left-licences.htm
Replacing Drivers’ Licence

Freeway Services

　

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Now, let’s travel through train in Taiwan

The island-wide railway network including western line, eastern line, north line and south line, provides a lot of convenience to the passengers, and there are several classes for choice—economic class, Fu-shing class, Jue-kuan class and Tsi-chiang class.

Tourists can have their own choice according to their traveling time, consuming ability and the purpose of taking this vehicle;Besides this, there are some small trains at slower speed for some routes, such as lines of A-li, Gigi, Ping-shi, and Nei-wan.

Tourists who visit Taiwan for the first time, by taking these routes, are expected to enjoy a very interesting and impressive experience, since they have the chance to see all the beautiful sceneries during the whole journey.

It is especially difficult to get the train tickets during continual holidays, and therefore, reserving tickets 14 days before departure by phone or through website service is strongly recommended.

Time Table Information

Order Tickets on NET

Service Hot Line of Each Station

Taiwan Railway Administration

http://www.railway.gov.tw/e_index.htm

Taipei Railway Station West Service Desk Toll Free Service Hot Line
TEL: 081-231919

We’ll see soon !

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Let’s travel to hotspring, Yang Ming Shan.

Hot springs can be found at Tahuangtsui and Matsao; fumaroles belching steam and lined with startling yellow crystal sulphur formations are the features of Tayukeng and Hsiaoyukeng. Volcanic hollows, where steam and corrosive gases have worn away the earth’s surface until it has become weak and caved in, can be seen at Tayukeng, Hsiaoyukeng|, Matsao, and Szuhuangping. The hollow areas are surrounded by a desert of yellow sulphur and broken rocks, and support no plant life.

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Let’s travel to Matsu, Taiwan

If the 21st century will have its own legends, then it’s going to find them in Matsu!
Matsu is named after the Taoist deity Matsu. Legend has it that during the reign of the Song emperor Taizu (960-975) a spiritually wise girl named Lin Moniang jumped into the sea to save her father. She drowned, and her body floated to a Fujianese island, which was later named Matsu in her honor.

Despite its renown for this reason, Matsu was long an impoverished island reliant on fishing. But when the Nationalists fled to Taiwan and Matsu and Kinmen became the front lines of the ROC’s defense, it took on tremendous political significance. At the same time, the large number of troops stationed there and their buying power also provided the island with substantial business opportunities.

In the year 2000, Liang Chieh-teh, a maker of documentary films, shot a nature film about terns on Matsu, and he accidentally discovered some Chinese crested terns there. The species had only been sighted five times before, and many assumed it was extinct or described it as a “legendary bird.” The news put Matsu on the world’s ecological map.

In January of this year, when discussions about the “three small links” to mainland China were grabbing headlines around the world, Matsu, due to its unique conditions, beat out Kinmen to become the first place in the ROC with direct travel, mail and trade links with mainland China.

Yet unlike the people of Kinmen, who were chomping at the bit to push development under these ties as fast as they could, the residents of Matsu showed a willingness to take it slow. Matsu’s special qualities have often attracted people’s attention. Can the island, which is undergoing tremendous changes, really act as a bridge of peace across the strait and serve as a source for our modern day legends?

At the end of March this year, a trade group from Matsu set off from Fu-ao, an ROC open port under the “three small links,” and sailed directly to the port of Mawei in Fujian Province on the mainland. There the group attended a “business welcome meeting” put on by the mainland authorities in Fuzhou and participated in various friendship activities.

This was the third group of private citizens from Taiwan to travel to the mainland directly from a Matsu port since the “three small links” were initiated.

The next evening, the ROC armed forces in Matsu held air defense exercises. As the sun sank into the ocean, flares were sent skyward in the area around Peikan, and Nankan shook with the sound of big guns, whose blasts gave a neon glow to the sky. Yet, if not for the troops in battle array, one could have easily come to the mistaken conclusion that these were fireworks set off to beckon back home the business delegation that had left a few days previously.

Matsu, which has long been accustomed to combat readiness, has become adept at navigating the mix of peace and hostility that characterizes cross-strait relations. Chang Peng-chu, the ROC political warfare director for the Matsu area, points out that when the clear days of summer arrive in June, the high command will order the forces on Matsu to conduct open battle exercises. This will send several messages: On the one hand, with visitors present, it will show that the era of Matsu being an off-limits military area is over.

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Let’s travel to taiwan Yangmingshan National Park

Chutzu Lake Vegetable Farm is situated in the Hutien Valley between Tatun Mountain, Chihsing Mountain, and Little Kuanyin Mountain. About 600 meters (1,969 feets) above sea level, this area has a relatively moderate climate and is thus well-suited to growing high-altitude vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, green peppers, and other summer vegetables. During the Japanese occupation period, Chutzuhu was chosen as a site for experimental rice cultivation, which is today’s Penglai rice. But since 1971, cultivation of Arum lilies has replaced rice as the main crop. Increasingly, farmers there are shifting to more profitable flowers and potted plants, including azaleas and camellias, as well as pine, plum, and cherry trees. The road along which these are sold is also a great place for sightseeing.

How to go there :
The Taiwan Bus Co.’s Yangchin Line leaves for Chutzu Lake from the Kungpao Building on Kungyuan Rd at Taipei City downtown. Take the left fork off the highway at the MP station to the farms. Alternatively, take the the MRT Tamsui Line or buses 216, 217, 218, 266 or 269 to New Peitou Station and then take bus 230 to the Huanan Hotel in Peitou. The No.9 minibus leaves for Chutzu Lake from the hotel.

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Welcome to Taroko National Park and come on…let’s see Rana Marina..a cute spesis

Most of Taroko National Park is undisturbed, and its wildlfe is diverse. So far, l44 species of birds have already been recorded in the park, including l4 species unique to Taiwan, such as Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Formosan BIue Magpie, and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. At least l4 species of amphibians are found along the rivers and on the medium-altitude mountain slopes. Researchers have also identified 251 species of butterfiles.

In addition, 34 species of large mammals, including the black bear, Formosan Macaque, serow, wild boar, and Sambar Deer, are found in abundance in the many undisturbed natural areas. 32 species of reptiles and 18 species of fish are also found in the park area.

Of particular interest to researchers are the Formosan Macaqne and Formosan Serow (mammals); Cryptobranchus japonieus(amphibian);Takydromus hsuehshanensis (Saurian); Trimeresurus gracilis (snake);Freshwater Trout; Troides aeacus (Atrophaneure),and Minois nagasawae (butterflies).

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