Wandering Fel

When I took sabbatical from my work two years ago, I enjoyed my non-working days so much studying Mandarin in Taipei (well, I come back with only 20 bucks in my bank account but oh well...). One thing that I enjoy the most when it's summer time in Taiwan is the blue sky. Oh my gawd, the blue sky is simply superb. Here are the list of best spots to view blue sky in Taiwan:

2. Hehuanshan

There is nowhere better to feel closer to the blue sky other than from the mountain, right? If you agree, you should not miss the beauty of the blue sky viewed from the top of Hehuanshan, a high mountain in the central Taiwan. The peak of Hehuanshan is best viewed on the way from Cingjing Farm to Taroko Gorge. It is situated within the Taroko Gorge National Park. The weather can be pretty cold up there so it is recommended to bring jacket whenever you visit Hehuanshan.

3. Xincuozai

Situated in the laid back area of Chiayi, Xincuozai offers a beautiful blue sky on top of the salt fields. The little town of Xincuozai is used to be defined by its salt. Although nowadays Taiwan has entered into automation era, the local government has preserved the culture of salt harvesting here at Xincuozai. You can still see the salt fields here in Xincuozai. 

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4. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

This place gave me a surprise actually. I have never expected Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall to be so beautiful under the blue sky. Hahaha. CKS Memorial Hall is a must visit place for everyone who visit Taipei for the first time. You can watch the guard changing ceremony on the level 4 of CKS Memorial Hall. The view from the top is also nice to look upon. During the spring, you can visit the small garden nearby to see sakura trees. They are so lovely!

5. Qingshui Cliff 

Qingshui Cliff is best viewed on the way from Taroko Gorge to the city of Hualien. There are stops along the mountain path which allow driver to park their small car (I don't think it's feasible to park bus there). Blue sky, blue sea, I guess I can't ask for more. #ultimatesatisfaction

A few steps down the road, we saw something white, something salty, oh yeah we are coming oh salty fields. Sometimes my journey makes me think that I am in some kind of game when my mission is to acquire Salt. For whatever purpose. If I am in Suikoden games, I probably need to acquire Salt to recruit somebody or to sell it off as a good commodity. Oh boy, I miss those times. Those games. Those no-day-spent-worrying-about-money days. #spoiltkid #doesnotlastlong

Okay back to reality, while the left side of the road shows a stretch of white salty fields, the right side shows a completely different scenery. A green grass field under the wonderful blue sky. 

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Welcome to the salt fields! Okay since this was a cultural trip, let's dive a bit into the historical background of Zhounan Salt Fields in Chiayi. Zhounan Salt Fields was historically built by a Japanese tycoon, Nozaki Bukichiro in the year 1899. However, due to whatever reason, the salt fields were abandoned by the salt field workers in the year 2001. Chiayi Country Government has been working hard together with Cultural Association to restore the salt field industry and as a result of their hard work, the salt fields were re-opened in the year 2008 as part of cultural and tourism agenda. 

"True love can be like salt and pepper, a little sprinkle goes a long way." 

- D. Smith

The reason why Xincuozai is called a cultural salt village is because there is a salt field which used to be abandoned and now reopened for both business and cultural purpose located in Xincuozai area. You need to walk from the train station to the salt field for a few minutes though. There are a lot of art streets spotted on the way from Xincuozai train station to the salt field. 

The Taiwanese are seriously able to turn anything into arts. The vibe that I am getting from walking around in Xincuozai is similar to those artsy vibe which I experience while walking along Pier-2 Art Centre in Kaohsiung. 

Oh my gawd, looks at those blue sky. It is so amazing I just can't put it into words. Another random art pieces are spotted under the blue sky. Cranes and a few colorful boxes with the Chinese characters of Zhounan Salt Field, which is our destination for the day in Xincuozai. Great, we are going to the right direction after all. 

Few steps down the road, we spotted an elaborated windmill. Whoever makes this must have a high moment of artsy inspiration. 

When we passed by the small harbor, we knew that we have come near to the salt fields. A pretty looking serene afternoon over at Xincuozai here. I started to sound like a weather news-caster. But the weather was really good that day. Let's explore the salt field in the next post! ^^

"Birds eye view, awake the starts cause they are all around you. 

Wide eyes will always brighten the blue."

- To The Sky by Owl City