Taiwan: West Coast of Taiwan - Tongxiao township outskirts and villages

Tongxiao (通霄鎮) is an urban township in southern Miaoli County, Taiwan. It is surrounded by the Taiwan Strait on the east and mountains on the west.

Area: 107.8486 km²
Population: 39,962 people (April,2006)

We decided to explore west coast of Taiwan due to several reasons. One of them - very less coverage in all Taiwan guides - usually the east coast are considered as gorgeous and beautiful, also south - where the resorts of Kenting are located. Lonely Planet even suggests to stay away from it as nothing interesting there.

Road to the west coast will bring you through numerous rice fields and villages.

West coast has less mountains, and the coastal area has much more plains. Above is typical village in Tongxiao outskirts. They all will look similar there.

You will need cross railroad which goes just along the coastal line in order to get access to the coast directly.

Older houses slowly disappears in western coastal area giving up their land for newer style housing . West coast villages have a mix of new and older houses.

Typical small farm road in Tongxiao. 3 main things you will see there - temples, small houses and rice fields.

Local woman works in a rice field in windy march Saturday.

Those typical to Taiwan mirrors are generously installed for your safe driving even in those rice fields. I am saying and always will say, that Taiwan is very convenient place to live.