--- title: 6 Must-Have Experiences For A Glimpse Of Historical Taiwan description: You’re in luck—all of these destinations are part of the Maya Travel Blowout Trip Package for Taiwan this February! --- [Maya Stories ](https://www.maya.ph/stories) # [6 Must-Have Experiences For A Glimpse Of Historical Taiwan](https://www.maya.ph/stories/travel-historical-taiwan-tours) Written by [Chesca](https://www.maya.ph/stories/author/chesca) | Feb 23, 2018 1:00:00 AM There’s more to Taiwan than [night markets](https://www.maya.ph/stories/eat-taiwan-10-must-try-street-food) and [themed restaurants](https://www.maya.ph/stories/travel-themed-restaurants-taiwan/). The natural and cultural forces that shaped the country have left various landmarks across its territory, many of which are now open to the public. Here are a few activities you can try at some of the most significant historical locations in Taiwan! ## **1. Explore the winding alleyways of Jiufen** Jiufen was an isolated mountain village that developed into a mining town in 1893, when the Japanese [discovered gold deposits](https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/jiufen-%E4%B9%9D%E4%BB%BD) in the surrounding mountains. [The mines were decommissioned after World War II](https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/jiufen-%E4%B9%9D%E4%BB%BD) but elements of Japanese influence still remain in the local culture and architecture. **What to do: **Explore the winding, *Spirited Away*-style walkways (particularly along **Jiufen Old Street**) lined with restaurants, food stalls, souvenir shops, tea shops, and other tourist-friendly establishments. **Tip for first-time visitors:** If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, pause on the steps for a few moments to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean! ##  2. Drive along the length of the** Northeast Coast National Scenic Area** The Northeast Coast National Scenic Area was established in 1984 by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan to cultivate and preserve the coastal elements of the area. It encompasses a total of [17,421 hectares over both land and sea](https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002106&id=2712) and [stretches along Taiwan’s northeastern coast](https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002106&id=2712), from Nanya District in New Taipei City to the Su-ao Township. **What to do:** This area is riddled with many beautiful reefs, capes, coves, beaches, and rock formations, no visit is the same. Don’t miss the golden striped sandstone of the **Nanya Rock Formations** and the [unusual yellow-and-blue waters](https://www.rtaiwanr.com/jiufen/ying-yang-sea) of the **Yin Yang Sea**. **Tip for first-time visitors: **Book a tour online or hire a local tour guide to direct you to the most beautiful and noteworthy spots! ## **3. Take a stroll (and lots of photos) at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall** The blindingly white octagonal building of the memorial hall is the jewel of the 25-hectare National Park of the same name. It was built in 1980 to honor [the late Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek](https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall-%E4%B8%AD%E6%AD%A3%E7%B4%80%E5%BF%B5%E5%A0%82), the founder of the new Republic of China in Taiwan and former president of Mainland China. **What to do:** Visit the **Chiang Kai-Shek Exhibition Hall**, which is filled with some of his personal effects, paintings and other artwork depicting scenes from his life, and even his 1955 GM-manufactured bulletproof Cadillac. Afterward, head up to the **Bronze Statue Hall** on the 4th floor, which houses a larger-than-life statue of the man himself and inscriptions of his teachings on the walls. **Tip for first-time visitors:** When you’re tired of being indoors, feel free to fill your ‘Gram feed with perfect photos from the outdoor gardens and Liberty courtyard! ##  **4. Catch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at the Martyrs’ Shrine** This monument known as the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine was built to honor Kuomintang soldiers who fought against the the Communist Party of China during [the Chinese Civil War](https://guidetotaipei.com/article/overview-of-chinese-civil-war). The main sanctuary, which houses the spirit tablets of the dead soldiers, was modeled after [the Taihe Dian Imperial Palace in Beijing](https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=1795) as a mark of respect. **What to do:** Watch the famed **Changing of the Guards ceremony** at the front entrance. The shrine is guarded by [active military personnel from the Republic of China](https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/martyrs-shrine-%E5%BF%A0%E7%83%88%E7%A5%A0) in full military dress, complete with rifles. They change shift in perfect, near-clockwork formation, so it’s always something to see! **Tip for first-time visitors:** Be at the entrance at least 15 minutes before the start of every hour to catch the entire thing. ## **5. View the “meat-shaped stone” and other strange Chinese art at the National Palace Museum** This museum houses the largest collection of Chinese art in the world, with more than [608,985 cultural relics](https://www.npm.gov.tw/en/Article.aspx?sNo=03001513). Most of them were originally [housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing](http://www.traveller.com.au/taiwans-national-palace-museum-preserves-2000-years-of-historical-treasures-that-survived-a-perilous-journey-gojpfx)and brought to Taiwan in the wake of World War II. Because of the limited space, a few handpicked pieces are permanently kept on display, while the others are rotated between storage and other branches across Taiwan. **What to do:** Two of the most popular pieces in the collection are food-inspired—the **meat-shaped stone** and the **Jadeite Cabbage with Insects**. The former is a piece of jasper shaped like the popular Taiwanese meat dish, and the latter is a carved jade shaped like a cabbage. **Tip for first-time visitors:** Review the [levels of the museum](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/taiwan/taipei/attractions/national-palace-museum/a/poi-sig/375619/357551), and the list of [new events and exhibits](https://www.npm.gov.tw/en/Article.aspx?sNo=03000060) before you go to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things to see. ## **6. Shop for *****pasalubong***** at the Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center** The Handicraft Promotion Center was established as a non-profit enterprise to [promote Taiwanese handicrafts.](https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=3315) It’s housed in a four-story white building located near the National Taiwan University College of Medicine. **What to do:** Visit from [9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ](https://www.travel.taipei/en/shop/details/588)on any day (save holidays like the Lunar New Year) to shop for clothing, ceramics, calligraphy, foodstuffs, and other authentic Taiwanese goods and souvenirs. **Tip for first-time visitors:** Skip the overpriced souvenir shops at the museums and go on a shopping spree here instead! **You’re in luck—all of these destinations are part of the Maya Travel Blowout Trip Package for Taiwan this February!** Day 1: Coastal Tour (4 Hours) - **Jiufen** - **Northeast Coast National Scenic Area** Day 2: Taipei Tour (4 Hours) - **Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall** - Martyrs’ Shrine - National Palace Museum - Traditional Chinese Temple (*To Be Announced*) - Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center [Join the #TravelBlowout2018 now](https://www.maya.ph/stories/win-expense-paid-trip-dream-destinations-travel-blowout-promo) for a chance to win these free tours and an all-expenses paid trip to Taiwan this 2018! ## **Want to win a FREE trip to Taiwan? ****Download the Maya app now!** ## [View full post](https://www.maya.ph/stories/travel-historical-taiwan-tours) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chesca" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-28T08:37:34.672Z", "datePublished" : "2018-02-23T01:00:00Z", "headline" : "6 Must-Have Experiences For A Glimpse Of Historical Taiwan", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://2x0mhs45f3mi3gi37x7pg0pm-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Jioufen-Town.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.maya.ph/stories/travel-historical-taiwan-tours", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Maya Stories" } } ```