Repost of the Day: Among the Lanes of Lukang
August 16th, 2020
We’re starting our time in Taiwan with a walk through a town called Lukang, near Taichung on Taiwan’s west coast.
We spent a week in Taiwan in December, 2013. Overall, Taiwan was full of subtlety and quiet discoveries. The cityscapes felt dated (think 1970s) but in a sentimental way that reminded me of a simpler time. The people were lovely ~ curious about where we were going and so open to striking up a conversation on the train or bus, or in the coffee shop. In our travels, we’ve found that in island nations (Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Maldives, Cuba, Philippines and New Zealand among them) we often meet the most welcoming people. I’m not sure why, but maybe curiosity about visitors is more pronounced in cultures that are geographically isolated.
Enjoy Lukang!
More tomorrow from Taiwan,
Kelly
Repost of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
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Lukang, Taiwan
Hidden away along the west coast of Taiwan is a town called Lukang. Much of Lukang has the everyday hustle and bustle of motorbikes and street stalls, but among this is a sleepy little neighborhood that’s altogether different. Lukang’s Historic Preservation Area reaches back in time with narrow brick lanes and beautiful little doorways that feel untouched since the last century.
Exploring the area by foot allows time to linger among the evident history and charm, and walk through some of Lukang’s well-preserved temples. Longshan was a favorite with its calm, open spaces and old impeccably groomed trees in the courtyard.
Old Market Street and Nine Turns Lane hold the discovery of antiques, crafts, artists at work and doorways to homes within the district. Sometimes colorful, sometimes old and worn, each doorway has its own personality along with a healthy dose of intrigue as to what might be found on the other side. Knock, knock!
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This old quarter is surprising and gives an idea of the older times.
Your remark about the island people is interesting and worth reflecting on. Personally every time I visit an island, within a larger country, I feel like I am in a world apart, functioning according to its own dynamics. Probably their inhabitants feel more in charge of this space that they control better than elsewhere, hence a different attitude towards outsiders.
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Yes! Interesting that you’ve felt this dynamic too. Going to Sri Lanka and Taiwan got me thinking about it. I haven’t written about it before so it’s great to compare thoughts. Agreed that better control and more autonomy may be part of the reason. Thanks Lookoom!
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I’m a lover of doors too. It must be the intrigue and fascination with what happens behind them.
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Yes! So much intrigue, especially when the doors are so beautiful. The same was true in Morocco where amazing riads were behind the smallest, most modest doorways!
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Lukang seems to be a place made for walking, with those narrow brick paved lanes winding between temples and houses. Am just guessing, but street food is usually great in such locales, maybe we will find out in future 😌
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Yes, such a quaint neighborhood for walking. And I do have some photos of the street food… maybe I’ll add them to the night market post coming up. Thanks for that idea, Deb! 🙂
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Always, food is such a big motivation for travel, at least for me 🙂
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Yes! Such a great way to connect with culture and people!
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I love your pictures of Taiwan, they look like out of a movie, especially the ones from Lukang.
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I would love this! What a charming place. Your photos tell me it’s just the kind of place I would seek out. I hope Taiwan is the place we go to next. We have (local) friends there who we met on our Galapagos cruise years ago and have since seen in Vancouver, plus the daughter of a close friend is living there teaching English – so lots of good guides “on the ground”.
Alison
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I thought you might like this little neighborhood! It’s very charming and old fashioned. I wish we could have walked through it again in the morning and evening when more residents were around. In any case, sounds like Taiwan is in your future, especially with some good connections there! I think you’ll find it quiet, lovely and under-rated … some of the best of travel!! 🙂 Thanks Alison.
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I love the temple! 🌞
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Me too! It was so beautiful and quiet. 🙂
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