Free tour

Free Tour in English: Taipei's Hidden Hiking Trail with Nature, Temples, and Tea Tasting

5.00

Excellent (79 ratings)

Taipei

Duration: 4 hours

Languages: English and Spanish

Guru: Shiheng

Registered on 09 May 2018

Hi/Hola/Xin chào!😀 I am Shiheng from Taipei...a data programmer (SQL/Python geek), an amateur triathlete, a hobby violinist, and your English/Spanish/Chinese tour guide in Taipei! Having studied, lived, and worked in 7 countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, I am now back to the lovely island state where I call home...Taiwan!😊 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 European and Asian countries, 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)! 🚴🏻‍♂️

Free booking and cancellation

Pay-what-you-wish tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour 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! 🫶

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Dahu Pk, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114

Outside exit 1 of Dahu Park Station (Brown Line) you can find me wearing camouflage hat and sign showing "GuruWalk"

Outside visit

Dagouxi Waterfront Park

Outside visit

Cataratas Yuanjue

Perhaps the most accessible waterfall in Taipei City! This is where the locals in Neihu always come to appreciate the nature and learn about the geology of Taipei

Free entry

Yuanjue Temple

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).