Avoiding Temples! 6-Day Taiwan Trip for Singaporean Families

Last November, I received an inquiry from the Chen family of four in Singapore. They were planning their first trip to Taiwan with their eight-year-old daughter Xiaoyu and ten-year-old son Xiaozhe, and they had a specific request. They wanted a deep exploration of Taiwan, explicitly avoiding all temples. This preference was emphasized in bold, enlarged red text, which certainly made an impression.

It brought to mind a previous experience planning an itinerary for a French couple who were determined to visit every single temple in Taiwan. In contrast, this family wanted to steer clear of them entirely. Interestingly, their reason wasn't religious. Their two children had a sort of aversion to temples, finding them too quiet and reminiscent of museums, leading to an urge to shout after a while.

Crafting a Temple-Free Taiwan Family Itinerary

From the nuances in their email, I could sense their anticipation. The first trip is always special, a blend of excitement and a touch of nervousness. During our call, they explained they weren't looking for a superficial, rushed tour but wanted to genuinely experience the local atmosphere of Taiwan, while also being mindful of not tiring the children with an overly packed schedule.

It reminded me of my own early experiences planning family trips. The challenge of balancing individual preferences with a smooth, unhurried flow is indeed there. Seeing their email filled with expectant words, I was determined to create a memorable first Taiwan adventure for them.

Taipei 101, Taipei Zoo, and the Maokong Gondola were ideal for the children to enjoy freely. The young parents could unwind in Yangmingshan National Park, and the nearby New Taipei City and Keelung offered opportunities to explore mining history, coastal erosion formations, and maritime culture.

The itinerary was set, all that remained was their arrival.

Discovering Taiwan's Nature and Cities as a Family

Their first day in Taipei held surprises. At the Taipei Zoo, Xiaozhe was captivated by the pangolin enclosure, while Xiaoyu kept asking about the moon-shaped marking on the Formosan black bear's chest. And Mr. Chen, an engineer usually focused on circuit boards, spent a good thirty minutes observing the butterflies, using his phone to capture their flight patterns.

In the afternoon at Yangmingshan, mist suddenly enveloped Sulfur Valley. Xiaoyu counted the geothermal vents, remarking that they resembled the bubbling broth of hotpot. At the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Mrs. Chen, her professional instincts kicking in, was intrigued by the bathhouse's drainage system, almost wanting to find the blueprints for study. The two children, meanwhile, showed considerable interest in the displayed traditional yukata, with Xiaozhe even considering buying one as pajamas.

The rain in Jiufen was fleeting. On the old street's stone steps, Mr. Chen rediscovered the marble soda of his childhood, while Xiaoyu became quite fond of Ah Po Taro Balls, enjoying three servings. In Jinguashi, the gold panning experience captivated the entire family, and Mrs. Chen jokingly suggested turning any found gold into a necklace. In front of Shifen Waterfall, Xiaozhe suddenly fell silent, counting the layers of color in the rainbow, his concentration surprising his parents.

The sea breeze at Yehliu carried a salty tang, and the Queen's Head rock formation was crowded with tourists taking pictures. The resourceful Mr. Chen led his family to the other side, discovering a nearly deserted area of mushroom rocks. Xiaoyu found her 'secret base' there - a rock that looked remarkably like a cat. For lunch at Guihou Fishing Harbor, Xiaozhe, who typically avoided seafood, surprisingly asked to try steamed lobster and even learned to say "zu hao chi"(very delicious) in Taiwanese.

The rain in Keelung prompted some adjustments to the plan but led to unexpected delights. While taking shelter in Keelung Tower, the family watched cargo ships entering and leaving the harbor through the misty rain-streaked windows. The two children identified the colors of the buildings along the port.

On their final day in Taipei, at the old herbal medicine shops in Herb Alley, the owner showed them how to make scented sachets using Chinese medicinal herbs. Mrs. Chen diligently noted the properties of each herb, mentioning she would try brewing them for her family back in Singapore.

The changing of the guard ceremony at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall held Xiaozhe's attention. And at Chun Shui Tang, Xiaoyu enjoyed the complimentary bubble tea promotion.

In the evening at Dadaocheng, Mr. Chen became quite interested in the red brick walls of the old buildings, taking over a hundred detailed photographs. And when they ascended the Taipei 101 Observatory, the whole family spontaneously looked down 382 meters to locate the places they had visited in the preceding days.

After returning to Singapore, Mrs. Chen emailed to say that the most unexpected highlight of the trip was discovering her husband's talent for photography, and that the two children had developed a daily habit of writing in their travel journals. Xiaoyu's journal was filled with ticket stubs and pressed leaves, while Xiaozhe drew numerous amusing cartoons, even depicting the Queen's Head rock as a teacher wearing a crown.

Interestingly, their only accidental encounter with a temple was in Dadaocheng, but a traditional opera performance was taking place in front. The lively sounds of gongs and drums completely dispelled the children's impression of temples being "too quiet." Mrs. Chen playfully wrote at the end of her letter, "Looks like next time we might get the kids' permission to visit a temple."

Every family has their own travel rhythm, and restrictions are not a problem for us at Asia Odyssey Travel. Just as this family avoided all temples yet explored a more diverse facet of Taiwan, from geological wonders to port culture, from old street stories to modern architecture.

But let's not assume too much. Perhaps their next trip will be specifically to experience temples!