If it weren’t for my determination to visit all 368 towns and townships of Taiwan, I probably would have never made my way to Xianxi along the coastal route. Riding my scooter, I felt the desolation of the journey, yet at certain turns, I would stumble upon cultural scenes rarely found elsewhere. I think it is precisely these fleeting, precious moments that keep me going.
When traveling in Taiwan, I have a particular fondness for small rural villages near major towns—places that are peaceful yet rich in local life. Puxin, located next to Yuanlin, is exactly that kind of place. In Puxin, you can explore historic houses, taste freshly harvested grapes, and soak in the warm afternoon sun. These simple yet fulfilling moments are what I cherish the most.
Every summer, I find myself drawn to the mountains. When the city becomes hot and stuffy, the cool, refreshing air of mountain towns instantly revitalizes me. Among them, Puli is my top choice for a summer retreat. But Puli is more than just a beautiful town with a stable climate—it’s also a place where locals are dedicated to preserving traditional crafts and culture. Its richness and depth always make me want to stay a few extra days.
如果到彰化的時間只夠玩一個鄉鎮，我肯定毫不猶豫大推鹿港！
這座曾經繁華一時的港口小鎮，像是一座活生生的歷史博物館，光是走進老街，就像穿越過去。
Gongguan Township in Miaoli County is predominantly a Hakka community, with agriculture serving as its economic backbone. It is renowned for its specialty agricultural products, such as pickled mustard greens and red dates. Thanks to its high-quality clay, Gongguan emerged as a major hub for the ceramics industry during the Japanese colonial period. Numerous ceramic factories once lined the area, and its pottery products were celebrated throughout Taiwan. However, as industries shifted, traditional ceramics gradually declined. Today, Gongguan actively integrates traditional pottery into modern life, striving to showcase its innovative spirit and carry forward the cultural legacy rooted in its rich pottery heritage.
From April to May each year, white tung blossoms light up treetops across Taiwan, creating a picturesque scene known as "May Snow." In mountain areas where ecological restoration has been successful, visitors can also enjoy the enchanting spectacle of fireflies dancing in the night. With its rich network of forest trails and diverse ecological landscapes, Dongshi Forest Garden is my top choice in Taichung for flower viewing and firefly watching.
The season of golden trumpet trees is approaching! The blooming period of these beautiful trees is short, lasting only about three weeks on average. Often, they bloom just as the cherry blossoms are still lingering. However, once it rains, the blossoms quickly fall. Every year, from late February to early March, I enjoy visiting the Chiayi and Changhua regions to admire the golden sea of flowers in full bloom during early spring!
梅花、梅花幾月開？一月開不開？
Yuanli Township is situated in the southwestern region of Miaoli, bordered to the north by Tongxiao, to the west by the Taiwan Strait, to the east by Huoyan Mountain, and to the south by the Da'an River. It is one of the earliest developed areas in Miaoli. Known as the "Granary of Miaoli," Yuanli is renowned for its abundant agricultural resources. The cultivation of rice and rush grass, along with innovative craftsmanship, gives Yuanli a unique charm that sets it apart from other towns.
Perhaps because I had spent some leisurely time in other towns in Yunlin, when I arrived in Huwei, the second-largest town in the region, it felt as though time sped up, and I had to quicken my pace to keep up with everyone.
以農業為主的虎尾，曾因製糖業的興盛而得到「糖都」的稱號，也因布袋戲國寶黃海岱與次子黃俊雄的推廣，讓虎尾有了「布袋戲的故鄉」的美名。