🚌 Getting There: Easy and Scenic

We booked a combo ticket with round-trip shuttle service from Taipei Main Station. The ride was smooth and scenic, passing through lush countryside before arriving at the park gates by mid-morning. E-vouchers made entry seamless, no lines, just smiles.

🌍 Four Worlds, One Park

Leofoo Village is divided into four immersive zones:

• 🕌 Arabian Kingdom: We soared on the Flying Carpet and wandered through golden domes and desert-themed alleys.
• 🌴 South Pacific: Tropical vibes met splashy fun with the Big Canyon Rapids and tribal performances.
• 🤠 Wild West: Wooden facades, saloon-style eateries, and the Screaming Condor coaster gave us a taste of frontier thrills.
• 🦁 African Safari: This was a highlight—open-range enclosures let us see zebras, giraffes, and meerkats up close. A mini train ride through the safari added charm and comfort.

🎠 Rides and Attractions: From Mild to Wild

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a gentle explorer, Leofoo has something for everyone:

• Screaming Condor: Taiwan’s tallest inverted shuttle coaster, definitely for the brave!
• Flying Carpet & Sultan’s Adventure: Family-friendly rides with magical themes.
• Bird Show: A delightful surprise, colorful parrots and trained birds performing tricks.

🍔 Food and Fun

We grabbed lunch at the Wild West zone with burgers, fries, and bubble tea with a view of the coaster loops. Snack stalls dotted every corner, offering popcorn, soft serve, and themed treats like Halloween pumpkin buckets.

📸 Tips and Highlights

• Weekdays are quieter, perfect for relaxed exploration.
• Catch the live shows—they’re scheduled throughout the day and add cultural flair.
• Stay hydrated—the park is vast, and walking between zones takes time.
• Use the park map app to locate rides and rest areas easily.

🌅 Final Thoughts: A Classic Taiwanese Escape

Leofoo Village may show its age in places, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a nostalgic, family-friendly destination that blends amusement park thrills with safari wonder. For us, it was a joyful day of laughter, discovery, and shared memories.

🏯 First Impressions: A Palace in the City

As we approached the hotel, its iconic red columns and golden roof shimmered against the afternoon sky. The Grand Hotel’s palatial façade, inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, immediately set the tone for a stay that felt regal yet welcoming.

Inside, the lobby greeted us with soaring ceilings, intricate wood carvings, and a soft scent of sandalwood. Staff in elegant cheongsam uniforms offered warm smiles and efficient service with ceremonial welcome.

🛏️ Our Room: Serenity with a View

We stayed in one of the classic rooms with a balcony view of the city. The interiors blended antique furnishings with modern comforts, silk cushions, carved wooden panels, and a marble-tiled bath. At night, Taipei’s skyline twinkled below, while the quiet of the hilltop location offered deep rest.

🍱 Dining: A Feast of Flavors

The Grand Hotel is renowned for its culinary offerings, and we made it a point to try the Golden Dragon Restaurant, known for its Cantonese cuisine. Highlights included:

• 🥢 Crispy roast duck with plum sauce
• 🥬 Stir-fried seasonal vegetables with garlic
• 🍵 Jasmine tea served in porcelain cups

Breakfast at the Garden Restaurant was equally delightful, with a buffet that spanned Taiwanese, Western, and Japanese selections.

🏮 Cultural Touches and Hidden Passages

Beyond the grandeur, the hotel holds secrets. We joined a guided tour of the secret underground tunnel, originally built for security during Taiwan’s political past. The tunnel now serves as a fascinating glimpse into Cold War-era design and strategy.

Throughout the hotel, calligraphy scrolls, antique vases, and historical photographs reminded us that this was once a guesthouse for foreign dignitaries and heads of state.

🌆 Reflections: More Than a Stay

Our visit to the Grand Hotel Taipei was not just about luxury, it was about connection. Connection to Taiwan’s cultural roots, to stories etched in architecture, and to moments of quiet reflection above the bustle of the city.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of design, or simply seeking a memorable stay, the Grand Hotel offers a rare blend of elegance and depth.

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As we approached the tower, its sleek green-glass façade shimmered under the morning sun. The structure’s tiered design, inspired by traditional pagodas and bamboo segments, gave it a graceful rhythm that stood out against the city skyline. It was once the tallest building in the world, and even today, it commands awe.

Inside, the lobby welcomed us with polished stone, elegant lighting, and high-end boutiques. But the real thrill began when we boarded the high-speed elevator—one of the fastest in the world. In just 37 seconds, we soared to the 89th-floor observatory, ears popping and hearts racing.

The view from the top was nothing short of spectacular. Taipei stretched out in every direction, mountains to the north, rivers winding through the city, and neighborhoods bustling with life. We spotted landmarks like Elephant Mountain, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the sprawling Taipei City Hall.

Interactive displays and telescopes helped us explore the city from above, while the Damper Baby mascots introduced us to the building’s engineering marvel: a massive tuned mass damper that stabilizes the tower during typhoons and earthquakes. It was a reminder that beauty and strength go hand in hand.

We also visited the 91st-floor outdoor observatory, where the wind whispered stories of the city’s growth and transformation. The experience was both exhilarating and humbling, standing so high above the ground, yet feeling deeply connected to the people and culture below.

Before leaving, we browsed the souvenir shop and enjoyed a local snack at the food court. Taipei 101 wasn’t just a sightseeing stop, it was a celebration of Taiwan’s spirit: innovative, elegant, and proudly rooted in tradition.

Our visit to Taipei 101 reminded us that travel is about perspective, seeing the world from new heights, and appreciating the stories that rise with it.

As we entered the park, we were struck by its vastness and symmetry. The wide plaza, flanked by the National Theater and National Concert Hall, created a sense of balance and openness. The buildings, with their traditional Chinese rooflines and bold red columns, stood as cultural beacons in the city’s skyline.

At the far end of the plaza, the Memorial Hall rose in white marble, topped with a blue octagonal roof symbolizing the number eight, a sign of abundance and good fortune in Chinese culture. A grand staircase led us to the main entrance, where two guards stood in solemn silence, part of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony that draws visitors daily.

Inside the hall, we found a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek seated in dignity, surrounded by inscriptions of his ideals: Ethics, Democracy, and Science. The atmosphere was quiet and respectful, inviting reflection on Taiwan’s political journey and the complex legacy of its leadership.

Beyond the memorial, we wandered through the surrounding gardens, lush with manicured hedges, koi ponds, and shaded walkways. Locals practiced tai chi, children played near fountains, and couples strolled hand in hand. It was a space where history and daily life coexisted in harmony.

We also explored the exhibition halls below, which featured photographs, documents, and personal artifacts from Chiang Kai-shek’s life. The displays offered insight into Taiwan’s transformation during the 20th century, from wartime struggles to democratic development.

As the sun began to set, the plaza glowed with soft light, and the Memorial Hall stood serene against the evening sky. Our visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park was more than a historical tour, it was a moment of connection with Taiwan’s identity, resilience, and hope.

As we approached the museum, its elegant architecture greeted us with a blend of tradition and modernity. The green-tiled roofs and white stone walls echoed the grandeur of ancient palaces, while the surrounding gardens offered a peaceful welcome.

Inside, we were immediately drawn into a world of exquisite detail. The museum houses over 700,000 artifacts, many of which were once part of the imperial collection in Beijing’s Forbidden City. From jade carvings and bronze vessels to calligraphy scrolls and silk paintings, each gallery revealed the artistry and philosophy of China’s dynastic eras.

One of the most iconic pieces we saw was the Jadeite Cabbage, a delicate sculpture that mimics the texture and color of a real vegetable, complete with a hidden locust and katydid. It was a symbol of purity and fertility, and its craftsmanship left us in awe.

We also admired the Meat-Shaped Stone, a piece of banded jasper carved to resemble braised pork belly. It was humorous, unexpected, and a testament to the playful side of imperial taste.

Beyond the famous pieces, we explored galleries dedicated to Confucian texts, Tang dynasty ceramics, and Song dynasty landscape paintings. Each room was a quiet sanctuary of learning and reflection.

The museum’s layout encouraged slow exploration. Multimedia guides and bilingual signage helped us understand the historical context and artistic techniques behind each artifact. We appreciated how the museum balanced scholarly depth with accessibility.

Before leaving, we stepped out onto the terrace overlooking the lush hills. The view was serene, and the experience left us with a deeper appreciation for the continuity of culture and the beauty of preservation.

Our visit to the National Palace Museum wasn’t just about seeing ancient treasures, it was about connecting with the spirit of a civilization that values wisdom, beauty, and memory. In Taipei, history isn’t just preserved, it’s celebrated.

We arrived early, greeted by the salty breeze and the sight of golden sandstone stretching toward the Pacific. The landscape was unlike anything we had seen; smooth curves, jagged edges, and whimsical shapes that seemed to defy logic. It was as if nature had sculpted each rock with intention and artistry.

The most iconic formation, the Queen’s Head, stood proudly among the crowd. Its slender neck and regal silhouette made it a favorite for photos and admiration. We paused to take in its elegance, knowing that erosion continues to shape it year by year, a reminder of nature’s quiet power.

As we wandered deeper into the park, we discovered formations named for their resemblance to everyday objects: Fairy Shoe, Candle Rock, Sea Candles, and Ginger Rocks. Each one sparked curiosity and conversation. The textures were fascinating, some smooth like polished wood, others pitted like coral.

The walking paths guided us along the coastline, offering panoramic views of the ocean and distant fishing boats. Interpretive signs shared geological insights, helping us understand how tectonic uplift and marine erosion created this surreal landscape over millions of years.

We also noticed how the park blended science with storytelling. Local legends and poetic names gave personality to the rocks, turning geology into folklore. It was a place where learning felt like adventure.

Before leaving, we sat on a bench overlooking the sea. The waves rolled in rhythm, the rocks stood silent, and the sky stretched wide above us. Yehliu Geopark wasn’t just a destination, it was a moment of awe, reflection, and connection with the Earth’s artistry.