Free Tour in English: Taipei's Hidden Hiking Trail with Nature, Temples, and Tea Tasting
Hey there!:) I am Shiheng from Taipei...an enthusiastic road cyclist, an amateur violinist, a data analyst (SQL/GA4 geek) during the week, and of course, your English/Spanish/Chinese tour guide in Taipei! I started the journey as a part-time tour guide outside regular office hours since 2017. Right after studying in Spain, Denmark, and Slovenia for my master's degree and joining free walking tours in 20 European countries myself, I felt that walking tour is a great way to share my knowledge about the history, nature, and culture of Taiwan with foreign travelers like you, and also for me to learn more about your own culture. This is exactly why although I do NOT make a living out of walking tours - unlike most tour guides you meet in touristy countries - I still obtained the official tour guide license and spend my weekends with travelers from all around the world. It's simply my passion! I speak native Chinese (Mandarin) and Taiwanese, kind of master English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and also know a bit of German and Catalan. As I have worked and studied in several countries in Europe and Asia, my friends are mostly from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. So, if you happen to be from these regions, I am pretty sure that you will understand the Taiwanese culture more easily from the stories I prepare for you. So far, I have accompanied 2,000+ international travelers from 40+ countries to explore Taipei/New Taipei/Keelung, and I look forward to seeing you as well 😀 Are you a foodie, nature lover, or culture explorer? If so, I am exactly your ideal go-to person! Book a tour with me or send me a private message to personalize your itinerary (especially if you are passionate about hiking, cycling, and food)! 🚴🏻♂️
Pickup
Outside exit 1 of Dahu Park Station (Brown Line) you can find me wearing camouflage hat and sign showing "GuruWalk"
Description
🚩 Who is this tour recommended for?
- Nature lovers or first-timers in Taiwan who want to enjoy casual hiking and see panoramic views of the city
- People who have already visited the main attractions in Taipei City and are eager to explore less touristy spots not well-known among international travelers
Thinking about hiking in Taiwan but don’t want to exhaust yourself? Here’s the perfect itinerary for you! 😎
Although Taipei is often associated with the image of a modern city (think Taipei 101), it’s surprisingly home to more than 100 hiking trails! 🤔Within the capital city, there's even a 92km hiking path popular among local hikers called the Taipei Grand Trail. You can check out the YouTube clip by National Geographic Taiwan below (spoken in English) before booking this tour.
📷 TAIPEI GRAND TRAIL: Unveiling the Secrets (National Geographic - English)
- Learn more: https://youtu.be/JcqqrzU8gKg?si=lYTdZMTKMxU55UEK (YouTube)
On this tour, I’ll take you to Section 4 of the Taipei Grand Trail for a taste of this famous hiking route. We’ll explore some of the steepest paths in Neihu, a neighborhood with a unique blend of nature and culture, and visit one of the largest temples in Taipei. In addition to enjoying panoramic views of the city and connecting with nature, I’ll share historical and religious fun facts that only locals know, as I’ve been living in this neighborhood for more than 20 years. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to shop for local agricultural products or savor Taiwanese oolong tea and traditional tofu pudding (douhua)! 🍵🍮
🌳This tour includes the following stops:
- Meet up at Exit 1 of MRT Dahu Park Station (Brown Line)
- A walk through the park along the Dagouxi River
- Yuanjue Waterfall, perhaps the most accessible waterfall in Taipei
- Yuanjue Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Neihu
- Bishan Temple, a Taoist temple and the largest in this neighborhood
- Baishihu Suspension Bridge
- Tea time at a local bakery (tea house)
We’ll take the local bus back to MRT Neihu Station (Brown Line).
❗Insider Tips:
- Although this is NOT a super challenging hike, if you rarely exercise or never go hiking, please reconsider your physical condition before making a reservation
- Wear suitable walking shoes; sneakers or trainers will be fine!
Bring your EasyCard or coins for the local bus (a single trip costs TW$15) - While offering walking tours is just my hobby (and yes, I am one of the few licensed Spanish tour guides in Taiwan), your tips will be highly appreciated! 😄 There’s no fixed amount for tipping, but for reference, the minimum hourly rate according to Taiwanese law is around €6/hour or TWD 183/hour (and 80% of Taiwanese earn much more than this)
🌊 Additional Information:
- This tour requires a minimum of 2 travelers for a confirmed departure. If the minimum is not met, I’ll provide information for you to explore Taipei on your own
- If the weather is bad and it’s unsafe to hike, I’ll recommend alternative tourist sites for you to explore. For me, the safety of travelers is always the top priority! 🫶