Originally Posted by
Elevation
This is awesome! Did you make it out to check out any of the small towns on the eastern shore? There is some cool anthropology on the island left over from when Han Chinese people settled the island and ed indigenous cultures. I am changing fleets and will be spending a lot more time in Taiwan.
Also, if I want to get out and hike in the mountains to the east of Taipei, do you have any recommendations?
Sorry, just saw this reply.
I live in Taipei now. My ex is from the east coast of Taiwan so I have spent a lot of time over there. It's really nice, but not really practical for day trips from Taipei. It is possible to do a day trip to Taroko Gorge, but you'd really only be scratching the surface if done from Taipei:
https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en
The places I have written about in the first post are mostly east of Taipei, but I am guessing you mean the higher mountains more to the southeast. To be honest the easiest way to get in that direction is to rent a car. The new Freeway 5 or the old highway 9 cross from Taipei to the east coast. Since highway 9 is older there are more established scenic spots off of it:
https://gdaytaiwan.wordpress.com/tag/highway-9/
Shoot me a PM when you come, if I'm around and the weather is cooperating it's always good to get out for a hike.