✧ Series Note – Taiwandering 2019 ✧
A third visit, a shared adventure—full of inspiration and discovery.
Thank you for reading and supporting my stories. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: November 1–4, 2019
Day 2: Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola to Zhinan Temple
On our second day in Taiwan, we grabbed a quick breakfast—coffee and bread from 7-Eleven—before hopping on the Taipei MRT. From Taipei Main Station, we took the Red Line to Daan, then transferred to the Brown Line to reach Taipei Zoo Station, the gateway to our day’s adventure.
A short walk from the station brought us to Maokong Gondola Station, where we boarded a Crystal Cabin (with glass floors!) toward Zhinan Temple Station. The gondola ride offered sweeping views of Taipei and the lush mountains—a scenic escape from the city’s buzz.
The Maokong Gondola spans four stops: Taipei Zoo, Taipei Zoo South, Zhinan Temple, and Maokong. Each stop unveils something new—from leafy trails to serene temples. It’s one of Taipei’s most picturesque excursions, especially for travelers who love nature.
We shared the glass-bottomed cabin with a cheerful couple, and as the gondola lifted us above the treetops, Taipei’s skyline danced beneath a blanket of greenery. The ascent itself felt like a prelude to peace.
Exploring Zhinan Temple: A Serene Morning in Taipei
Nestled in the hills of Houshan, Zhinan Temple is a Taoist retreat dedicated to Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. The temple radiates calm and wisdom, perched quietly above the city as if watching Taipei breathe.
Interestingly, we hadn’t planned for Zhinan Temple. Taipei Zoo was the original destination. Curiosity—sparked by the cable car—became the decision-maker. Sometimes, you discover the best travel moments without planning.
The peaceful aura encouraged slowing down—no rush, no noise, just mist, trees, and tradition. Sometimes, travel leads you beyond carefully mapped itineraries. Sometimes it begins with a simple yes—like stepping into a gondola with no destination in mind, trusting the moment instead of the map.
Somewhere between moving forward and letting go, the journey quietly takes you exactly where you need to be. That day, I didn’t choose the destination—the journey chose me.
Editor’s Note: Originally part of a longer 2019 entry, this story has been gently revisited and retold.
