Recently I have been enjoying fishing in Taiwan, and been trying out new fishing spots around Taipei. In England the most common style of fishing is carp fishing, but that doesn’t seem to be so popular in Taiwan. I have been struggling to find a decent spot to just relax by a pool and use the way that I have been taught in England to catch fish. The Taiwanese way of fishing seems so alien to me.

One of my favorite places I discovered recently is just past Sanchong city. It’s in a lovely spot, and actually the only place I have managed to catch a carp.

View Fishing Pool in a larger map

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A lovely place to spend the day.

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My first carp in Taiwan! Not a monster, but big enough.

I recently discovered a blog for fishing in Taiwan called Taiwan Angler which I found really useful. The guy who runs it sent me a great email with some pools out near Hsimen reservoir. It’s so strange to think I have been in Taiwan for 10 years, and had never really heard about this place just a couple of hours ride from Taipei. I decided to set off really early on a Saturday morning at 4.30am and arrived at the reservoir just as the sun was coming up. It’s a huge place, with awesome scenery. Unfortunately there were signs all around the reservoir saying finishing prohibited!! haha. It’s certainly worth a return visit in the summer when it’s a little warmer. Apparently you can take boats out on the lake, and there are walking trails all around.

Sunrise over the lake near the reservoir

A little chilly, but a great view

Although most of the road takes you around the outside, it’s not actually possible to get down to the water’s edge. There is however, one area with some fishing boats around. I was there a little too early though, so not much going on.

A couple of local guys did say it was ok to fish there, but as there were 'No Fishing' signs literally everywhere I decided not to risk it.

There were some smaller pools nearby which seem really deep and calm. However, after 5 hours of fishing there I could not even get a bite! Too cold maybe?

Small pool near Hsimen Reservoir

View Fishing pools near Hsimen reservoir in a larger map

On my way back to Taipei I drove over a bridge with a slow flowing river below. I parked up my scooter again and spent another 3 hours trying there. I managed to catch a few small fish, but nothing spectacular.

Another place on the way back to Taipei

I am still trying out new places, so if anyone has more suggestions or tips on fishing in Taiwan, the please leave comments below.

Chinese New Year 2011

Chinese New Year begins according to the Chinese calendar which consists of both Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Because the track of the new moon changes from year to year, Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February. Below is a chart that shows the beginning day of Chinese New Year and the animal sign for that year.

If you are planning of taking a trip during Chinese New Year it is advisable to book well in advance, as many flights and hotels get booked up pretty early.

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Visa Information

Citizens of 31 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and most other EU members and Switzerland, may enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 30 days (90 days for citizens of Japan and the United Kingdom) provided that their passports do not expire within six months. Residents of Hong Kong and Macau who hold valid SAR passports should apply for an entry permit, which can be done on arrival or online before departure if they were born in their repective territories or have been to Taiwan previously after 1983. From July 2008, holders of mainland Chinese passports may visit Taiwan for tourism if they join an approved guided tour. For further information consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Visa exemption

Note : Visa-free visitors are required to hold formal passport (with validity of at least six months, except citizens of Japan for at least three months) and return ticket, and should have no criminal record.

• Citizens of following countries do not require visas to visit Taiwan for less than 90 days (which starts from the next day of arrival, extension not possible).
  • Holders of normal passports
    • Ireland
    • Japan
    • United Kingdom (British citizens)
  • Holders of diplomatic or official passports

• Citizens of following countries do not require visas to visit Taiwan less than 30 days (which starts from the next day of arrival, extension not possible).

* : Excluding holders from Macau, if such Portuguese passports were issued on or before 1999
** : If validity of passport is less than six months, can obtain visa on arrival. See below.

• Citizens of following countries do not require visas to visit Taiwan less than 30 days (which starts from the next day of arrival, extension not possible) for permanent residents of Canada or the United States.

• Citizens of United States can obtain visas to visit Taiwan less than 30 days (which starts from the next day of arrival, extension not possible). Fee is NT$1,800 (NT$4,400 for citizens of United States). Visitor must hold two photos.

• Permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau (with PRC nationality) can obtain a preapproved Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area, or an Entry Permit on arrival for visiting Taiwan for less than 30 days. If the visitor is not born in Hong Kong and Macau, he must have a record of a previously having visited Taiwan for an Entry Permit on arrival. This permit can be applied by using a HKSAR passport, MSAR passport, British National (Overseas) passport or Portuguese passport issued in Macau before 1999. British citizens can use the full visa-free visit programme to enter Taiwan.
• Only full British citizens can enter Taiwan without a visa and BN(O) passport holders (who also hold PRC nationality) can enter Taiwan using Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area. A visa is required for all other British passport holders.

Information taken from Wikipedia

You can find a list of all the hikes that I’ve done and any extra information that  might be useful here.  Each link leads to the page for that hike and has details on the trail, how to get there, what you need, maps etc……  If there’s any more info, please feel free to contact me.

Bai Yue – 百岳

The Bai Yue are the top one hundred mountains in Taiwan.  They’re all over 3000m above sea level and Yushan 玉山, just shy of 4000m, is the tallest.  Permits are needed to climb most, particularly the more difficult ones and they usually need to be applied for in advance.  Barking deer, a Tainan Westerner run hiking company, are excellent and can help with applications and/or guided hikes.  There are some of the Baiyue are just an hour long walk up from a road and are very easy to do.

Jiaming Lake – 嘉明湖

The Sixiu – 四秀

Overnight Trips

Taiwan is fantastic for hiking and camping in the mountains. While everyone else sweats it out in Taipei, you can take in some cool mountain air and escape the heat and pollution of the city.   Sometimes you need to apply for a permit and  for smaller mountains that is a simple case of turning up at the local police station and telling them what you’re going to do.  After that you’re pretty much free to hit the trail and whack your tent down wherever you like.

Songluo Lake – 松羅湖

Jialuo Lake – 加羅湖

Syaroko Historic Trail – 霞喀羅古道

Jiaming Lake – 嘉明湖

The Sixiu – 四秀

Day Trips

Most of the hikes that I do are day trips from Taipei.  Transport can be problematic and usually I ride my bike to the trailheads, however, where pblic transport is availavle I’ve tried to give details.

Two excellent books are available in English, Taipei day trips 1 and 2.  Book 1 can still be found in Eslite, Caves and Page One but book can only be bought from the community centre directly as some of the trails listed have changed/disappeared.

The Four Beasts and others – 四獸山

Jiuwufeng – 九五峯

Zhuzishan and Alibang Waterfall – 竹子山與阿里磅瀑布

Shidi Guan Yin Mountain 石底觀音山

Silong Waterfall – 四龍瀑布

Ba Dao Er Mountain – 拔刀爾山

Stinkyhead mountain – 臭頭山 (and others)

Xinshan – 新山

Huang Di Dian – 皇帝殿

Fengtoujian – 峰頭尖

North ChaTian Mountain – 北插天山

Sileng Wild Springs – 四稜溫泉

Wuliaojian – 五寮尖

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