Taipei have an endless number of things to see and do but it’s fair to say that the city’s famous tourist attractions is the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail. Although, the trail going up was not easy, as well as getting the iconic shot for insta but everything is so worth it. So, make sure to add this adventure on your visit to Taipei. ❤
P.S. This mountain trail is steep so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. This trail has handrails, signages and benches for taking breaks and lights to guide your way at night. YES, you can also hike here even at night so worry no more.
🌸Important tips to consider before going here🌸
🔸️You should bring a friend or someone who would take your photo while standing on the rock and help you get and off on the rock. But it you’re a solo traveler and hiking alone, you should brace yourself to ask some help from fellow tourist who are waiting in line to take your photo and help you get into the top of the rock. Just don’t be shy, everyone is friendly and would mostly like to say yes to your request.
🔸️Have patience. Getting to the giant rocks for photo-op takes awhile because there are a lot of tourist waiting in line.
Mandarin's House is located in Southern Macau Peninsula. A historic residential complex, used to be the residence and ancestral family home of the well-known Chinese philosopher and philanthropist, Zheng Guanying.
Zheng Guanying is the famous author of (Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity) or also known as (Golden Age Prophecy). His works has influenced many country great leader including Sun Yat-sen and Chairman Mao in their decision making as the prophecy has provided them various transformation ideas and concepts to China back in those days.
This place was built in 1869, by Zheng Guanying’s Father, with over 4,000 square meters, 60 rooms, and two main court. This house is one of the largest family houses in Macau Peninsula. The house was severely damaged because of fire accident and it took them 8 years to fix it.
The Mandarin’s House was built with an influence of Cantonese style houses, but you can see its fusion of both east and western architectural elements, that makes this house more unique along with the significant historical presence of the house. The house was long abandoned until it was purchased by a businessman developer from Zheng Guanying’s descendants.
In 2001 the Macau government successfully took over the property and the renovation work starts in 2002. The restoration process was a bit challenging for the government because majority of the house were severely damage due to vandalism. The government tried their best to recover the house to its original form as much as possible. The Mandarin House was finally opened to the public in 2010 with free admission. Today, The Mandarin House is one of two 19th-century Chinese-style residence in Macau and in 2005, the Mandarin’s House was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, as a part of Historic Centre of Macau.
HOW TO GO HERE:
English address: 10 Travessa de Antonio da Silva, Macau
Chinese address: 澳門龍頭左巷10號
Telephone: (+853) 2896 8820
Opening Hours: 10:00am until 06:00pm (Entrance closed at 05:30pm) Closed every Wednesday except for Public Holiday. Admission Fee: FREE
There are various routes on how to get here, you can even travel on foot from Senado Square going to The Mandarin’s House. Clear road signs are available to guide you accordingly so no worries on getting lost or you may take public bus 18 or 28B to stop at the junction near the Mandarin House. The Mandarin House is located along the R. da Barra and R. do Padre Antonio roads with many other attractions along the road like cathedrals, cafes etc. I would suggest those who are able to travel on foot to take this route from Senado Square and stop at each attractions along the way. But, if you are staying at Hou Kong Hotel like me and my friends. You can either take a walk or take the bus. Since we only had few hours to spend before our flight back to Manila, so we decided to took the bus route, from Hou Kong Hotel take a minute walk towards to Ponte 14 bus stop and take either Bus #2, 5, 6, 11 and align at Templo Ama (Ama Temple) bus stop. Then follow my video and 15 minutes later you will be arriving at the Mandarin’s House.
House Tour Machiyado Visit and Stay (女性専用宿泊施設) - Women Only - Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefectures, Japan
I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for an all-girls type of accommodation. It's clean and quite considering they are located in the residential part of the town. My only problem staying here is that, it was freaking cold. I never had a good sleep. I think the caretaker turnoff the heater, so I was freezing the whole night. One more thing, other review's I read online while looking for a place to stay in Gujo. They said the hosts were accommodating and helpful, well not on my case but they were nice. So, do not assume you will get the same treatment with other guest. Another than that, I'm good and would love to stay here again.
Location wise? A bit far from the bus station, but manageable. Also confusing because they have other guesthouse at the other side. So when I get here, there was no one to welcome me. Maybe because I got there an hour ahead with their check-in time?! Glad I can I speak basic Japanese so I asked the lady who was passing by then, if she can used her mobile phone to call the host. And she did. PS: The location directed on Google. Maps is the address of their neighbour beside their other guesthouse. I thought at first it was it, but got confused because there was an old man lying on the floor. When I asked him about the guesthouse he said I got the wrong house.
So, yeah! There you have it, hope this post helps you plan your trip to Gujo Hachiman.
Gujo Hachiman : Water City of Japan / Fake Food Capital / Hachiman Castle
Located within the middle of Gifu Prefecture, this charming riverside town of Gujo Hachiman, is less than 2 hours away from the city of Nagoya.
During summer you will see many locals washing their laundry in water or taking a dip in the water especially the children while fishermen come to fish for “ayu”.
Walking throughout town you will see many canals that was originally created for fire prevention, but also had the secondary usage, as washing stations for vegetables. In other canals, you can see koi fish swimming freely in a crystal-clear water.
Gujo Hachiman is also home of Japan’s well-preserved historic streets. Back in the day, these streets here were home to several artisans. Some of them still operate their businesses in this district, up to this day.
Gujo Hachiman offers visitors a rare opportunity to see, and be part of, a traditional way of life that has changed little over many years ago. Visitors to this small town may find the use of English somewhat limited, but can always expect a warm welcome from the local wherever they may go in town.
Gujo Hachiman is also known as the fake food Capital of japan. — Yes, you heard me right. They are the leading producer and manufacturer of food replicas in the country.
In Sample Kobo workshop, they have lesson, offer to visitors, wherein you can learn how to make your own food samples. You can also see the samples up close for yourself, and even touch them.
If there is one place you need to know about Gujo, it’s a must that you visit Gujo Hachiman City Museum, located in the center of town. You just need to pay a minimal admission fee and make your way past explanations about Gujo’s waterways, culture, rich history and many more.
The Gujo Hachiman Castle was built in the late 16th century by a local feudal lord, on the top of a hill. The castle was destroyed in the early Meiji Period, it was rebuilt in 1933 using mostly wood rather than concrete. Today this castle is one of the most beloved symbols of Gujo Hachiman. From the town centre, you can either taxi a cab going up here or walk. There is no access provided by public transportation go to up here. Please note that the walking course leading up to the castle is narrow and steep. And it takes about 30 minutes to get here from the town centre on foot.
*How to get to Gujo Hachiman
From Nagoya - by Train
*From Nagoya to Mino-Oota, by JR limited express "Hida" on Takayama Line, about 40-50 minutes.
*From Mino-Oota to Gujo-Hachiman, by local train on Nagaragawa Railway, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
*From Gujo-Hachiman station, about 1.5 km to the central town. About 25 minutes on foot or take a cab.
*From Nagoya - By highway bus (Japan Guide)
*Gifu Bus operates two round trip buses per day between Meitetsu Bus Center (next to JR Nagoya Station) and Gujo (Jokamachi Plaza bus terminal in the town center). The one way trip takes 80 minutes and costs 2260 yen. *Nohi Bus, Meitetsu and JR Tokai Bus operate almost hourly buses between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center) and Takayama, which stop along the way at "Gujo-Hachiman Inter", a bus stop which is located along the expressway outside of the town center. The one way trip between Nagoya and Gujo takes 90 minutes and costs 2200 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 4000 yen and is valid for four days. *Gifu Bus also operates multiple round trips between Gifu (Meitetsu and JR Gifu Stations) and Gujo, all of which stop in the town center. The one way trip takes about 75 minutes and costs 1550 yen. Gifu can be reached from Nagoya Station by JR or Meitetsu trains in less than 30 minutes and for around 500 yen.
Bored with your kain, tulog, cellphone routine while at home during this time of ECQ? Try our very own #UnggoyUnggoyChallenge. LOL Bitaw, this is just for fun, pero kung BASHER ka, next video ka nalang. LOL
SHIRAGAWAGO Dreams!!!
For so many years of dreaming and planning to visit this magnificent place on earth, I finally tick Shirakawago off on my bucket list few weeks ago, on my birthday week. I had to keep on pinching myself because I still believe I was here, I only get to see this village on the internet and there I was, stoked on its beauty.
Shirakawago is a popular sightseeing destinations in Central Japan located in Ono District, in Gifu prefectures. A UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its traditional landscape and Japanese architecture style thatched roof houses called the Gassho-zukuri. It resembles two hands in a prayer position. Amazingly, these houses were built without nails or brackets. The whole complex joinery, ropes, and strips of hazel wood hold the beams together. They are sturdy enough to withstand winter storms and earthquakes.
This entire village made me never forget about every spot, it could have been nicer if I was able to see them full covered with snow, but unfortunately when I got here, snows were already melting. But nonetheless, Shirakawago is still enchanting and worth a visit. I considered myself really lucky because I get to be here two times, and on my second day, I get to have the village almost all to myself. There was no flocking tourists and I felt incredible calm and relaxed, listening the water running through the creeks, the singing of the birds, and the warm winter blow of the wind on my face. It was really quiet and peaceful and made me felt detached from the hustle of the world physically and mentally.
Shirakawago can be visit all year round, each seasons has different charms that would leave each visitors stoke by its beauty.
If you happen to come on this village, always start at their Observatory deck located on top of the hillside that offers a panoramic view of the entire village. You can either follow a trail and walk up there or take a shuttle bus from the station for JPY200 fare.
There are a lot of old farmhouses on this village converted into shops, museums, restaurants, and inns where you can spend the night. There are also a few heritage houses like Kanda, Wada and Nagase that open their doors to visitors willing to explore the historic buildings. If you only have few hours to stay explore this village I suggest you opt to visit Kanda House, as it is the best preserved houses in the Shirakawago.
As you cross the bridge and stroll through the historic architecture of the village, you’ll pass by Myozenji Temple built about 230 years ago. It also features the iconic thatched roof which makes it stand out from other tile-roofed Japanese temples.
As cliché as it may sound, I left a piece of my heart in Shirakawa-go. This is probably my favourite Japan adventure to date. Never been so happy being here in Shirakawago. There was no shortage of beautiful gassho-zukuri houses with incredible views and cannot wait to go back. HOW TO GET HERE:
Shirakawa-go is easily accessible from Nagoya, Takayama or Kanazawa via bus. Make sure to get “The Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket”, it’s a bus pass available exclusively to foreign travellers, which provides unlimited use of designated buses in the Chubu Region as well as airport access. There are three versions: two 3-day passes and a 5-day pass with a variety of coverage areas. This pass would saves you a lot as getting to one place to another from this region can really be expensive. Booked mine at KKDay as it is a bit cheaper than KLOOK.
Once you have your Shoryudo Pass your good to go. I’d also like to recommend going to this village on your own, because joining tour groups would not be as fulfilling as DIY, normally tour groups are always on the run, and would only allocated 2 hours per locations. Spend at least half of your day here in Shirakawago to truly immerse the culture and history of this village has to offer.
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