Taiwan

Area around Tianhou temple in Lugang, Changhua county

While in Lugang (鹿港），in northwestern Changhua county, it would be a mistake not to visit a vibrant and old spirited place near Tianhou temple, on ZhongShan (中山）street. It's worth to come at evening (not night though) time, then for those, who are more interested in "everything around", rather than temple itself, an interest choice for a food will be offered.

Tienhou temple itself of course it the one of the most bright spots in the area at the evening:

In the Qing Dynasty, general Shi Lang built the first temple of Goddess of Sea in Taiwan. However, as sooner or later you will discover in Taiwan - 7Eleven or Family mart presence in any historical towns and just immediately after such temples are very normal:
 

Anyway, Taiwan is really so convenient place to live - I had recently saw some polls from foreign expats showing that everyone says same, such things is easy to forgive. You should give up something to get something.

You won't miss also entrance to the area, it's crowded with a people and at evening looks like this:

Just after the entrance night market starts:

 This place is almost 100 % associated to dishes related to ousters and special kind of shrimps called, monkey shrimps. Below woman is selling this kind of food, you see 螳螂蝦 一口蟹 溪蝦 蚵嗲 蚵仔酥 - so, different kind of shrimps, ousters and crabs. Tienhou nightmarket is sea and river food paradise, eo expect all food to be prepared of this. 

 Another popular show around there is like this below, selling religion items, immediately to be used for praying in a temple:

If you have motorbike, parking is not an issue, but for a car - you will need park somewhere outside more far away.

Most interesting in my opinion is the food offerings just left to the temple. I took the video, while wandering near those restaurants:

 I suggested try out his restaurant - and order all food with ousters - it's really special and such kind can be found seems only here.
 

 Ousters cooked with egg, one of popular dish here.

Everyone is concentrated and working hard.

Omelet - in menu look for 蚵仔煎 - ouster omelet. 

This offering is similar to the one above - again shrimps and ousters. 

 

蚵嗲 - Ouster cocktail

Ousters served with noodles. 

And this is how the it looks like. That's the hero of Tianhou nightmarket. Here all is about and around ouster....

 .... in soup finally, if eggs and noodles are not what you want.

 They look more terrible than taste - river shrimps.

 蝦猴 - Monkey Shrimps!

Religion is same business as everything else, right?

 Moving apart the temple streets become more dark, and there are less shops.

 Souvenirs for you， dear 外國人. 

 What's particulary interesting - historical japanese era buildings, seen everywhere in a district.

 And we are saying buy to Tianhou temple leaving it behind.

Chi-tou scenic area near Lugu township, in Nantou County

For Taichungers, good place for a fast escape from a noisy city is Chi-Tou scenic area, near Lugu (鹿谷鄉), which belongs to Nantou county. It is one of seven National Taiwan University's experimental forests, and are built mostly by students hands. It's all about walking over mountain trails like this:

If you like the feeling, then it's your's. Of course, as it is with all such locations in Taiwan, it is better to come weekdays, otherwise, those trails will be overcrowded same as in city, and place will lose it's beauty. So, as official government website for area says:

The air is fresh, and there are no undesired noises. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely and carefree walk in the quiet, secluded forest, experiencing the tranquil, dark green, natural environment.  

...it will be truth weekdays only, IMHO. Anyway, we were visiting the place Monday, mostly 老人家 (as I call them), from Mainland China were sneaking over the trails. As you might imagine, travelers from Mainland China differs from local 老人 mostly by noise created - they are much louder.

Taiwan fir, China fir, red cypress - those are everywhere, but for me personally, I like this feeling of bamboo jungle:

Different areas of the forest are connected by wooden or concrete footpaths and bridges:

During the winter, water in those small rivers almost disappears. 

Time after time you can take a rest at such shelters. You will want, especially, if your interests in your facebook profile does not mentions "hiking". 

Those trees were planted here in 1950's, and according to the signs, they were testing a distances - will it be OK, if distance between trees are that short? Well, for me they look pretty well, so experiment should be successful. 

Once you spend some time in Taiwan, you'll quickly become familiar with a local phenomena I call "blue small trucks". Their exceptionally outrageous driving and almost 100 % presence over the island are proven also here in Chi-Tou.  

Some of the trails are covered by wooden chippings, they smell great, walking through them is really a pleasure - add the fresh mountain air, and you will get the picture.

Another "important" point for the area is university bridge and pond. 

The bamboo-arched bridge crosses over the blue waters of the pond.



There is a restaurant as well, however, I suggest a more special one, just down the road in Lugu - will
be introduced below.



You can't lost here, as signs are everywhere, you can grab a map at the entrance of the area. Eating is important. Right? So, I suggest this restaurant down the road - you will see the signs everywhere on a road:

As you can see they say 30年老店 - 30 nian lao dian, it's 30 years old.



This corner seat offers best view, but it's quite hot there, especially at summer.



You can choose to sit inside...



Or outside. Note the table on the right - that's a coffee - restaurant owner growths his own coffee. Below are some of the dishes you can get here:



Fish soup and bamboo...



Another fish dish



MuEr (木耳） - this restaurant kindly offered it as bonus. Taste is really like a sashimi!



Egg cake

 

View Larger Map That's where the LuGu and Chi-Tou are - for those seeking locations.