Jiaoxi (礁溪) has something for everyone!
Into nature? Jiaoxi has some great waterfall hikes!
Want to just relax? Jiaoxi is known for its hotsprings.
More into cultural experiences? Go to Jiiaoxi’s public square where families of all ages gather to splash and soak their feet in the public foot baths! Or take it a step farther and go soak with the locals in the free public hot springs located in this same park (just remember they are gender separated for reason)
Or maybe food is you’re thing! Jiaoxi is famous in Taiwan for its produce, especially kumquats, tomatoes and spring onions. You can buy them fresh or try local specialties inspired by them like candied kumquat or spring onion fried bread. We even saw a stand selling tomato and spring onion flavored ice-cream. There’s also an ice-cream tortilla roll made with shaved peanuts and cilantro that is very popular!
Then again maybe you’re all about the wild and unusual. Jiaoxi’s got you covered. How about paying to have your feet eaten by fish (and not just tiny fish, go here for the big mouthed 5″ long fish!). There’s also the Chili Hunter store! It sells ice-cream that packs 1.5 million+ scovilles (Our spell check doesn’t recognize scovilles but suggests “evilest” instead. Ha!). We highly suggest getting the delicious non-spicy mango ice-cream, to cut the burn!
Looking for family friendly excursions? Jiaoxi has family style hot springs, complete with a kids play areas. One of our favorites spots has a HUGE super fast water-slide sure to impress kids, teens and adults with a youthful spirit! Meanwhile, parents, children and grandparents alike can enjoy the water massage machines. And Jiaoxi’s Wufengchi Waterfall hike is a particularly good one for families. It’s not too steep, in fact there are surprisingly few stairs for a Taiwan hike! And from the trail head to the falls is just a twenty minute walk along a winding paved stone path.
Finally if you’re looking for some souvenirs, Jiaoxi can help with that too. My favorite Taiwanese snacks and dried food store is in Jiaoxi. They actually dry all of their fruit themselves. And the proprietor is incredibly friendly and speaks great English! I love their dried pineapple, hawthorn, and tea-infused plums! And they make a soft peanut brittle that I buy for myself every time I go to Jiaoxi. Meanwhile, the Chili Hunter store is our go to for for all our guy friends who like spicy food. We have friends who offered to pay us if we bring more spicy mushroom sauce the next time we go back to the States.
Ready to go but need some details?! See our next posts for the where’s and how’s!
https://yesyoucan.info/2018/08/23/jiaoxi-the-details/