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Hsinchu

Hsinchu (新竹; Xīnzhú) is a city in the north-western part of Taiwan.

Understand
With a history of almost 400 years, Hsinchu is the oldest city in northern Taiwan. It was originally inhabited by an aboriginal tribe called Taokas who called the city 'Chuchien', and the present name, Hsinchu, was adopted at the end of the 19th century, during the reign of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Guangxu. It was also during the later Qing Dynasty that the city was expanded and the city's walls constructed, of which only the Eastern Gate remains.

During the Japanese colonial era (1895 to 1945), Hsinchu was the main administrative center between Taipei and Taichung, and it was during this period that glass production (for which Hsinchu later became famous) was introduced to the city. Production used to be limited to medical equipment, but with the founding of the island's largest glass company in 1954, production was expanded, though still limited to mostly industrial glass. Craft items were added to the list of products in the 1960s, and soon Hsinchu gained recognition as a center of excellence for decorative glass products.

In 1980, the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park (more often called simply 'The Science Park') was founded. The park has been very successful, and hosts companies like TSMC, AU Optronics, UMC and numerous other semiconductor manufacturers. The establishment of the park was a major boost to the economy of the area and as a result, Hsinchu, despite its relatively small population (around 350,000), has some surprisingly high standard hotels and shopping complexes. The average wage of the citizens of Hsinchu is now the highest in Taiwan, surpassing even that of the capital, Taipei.

Hsinchu is a very pleasant city, though definitely not a tourist destination, and most overseas visitors travel here only to attend conferences or business meetings. However, with its abundance of hotels and good transportation links, the city is perhaps the best location to explore the beautiful mountain areas of Hsinchu County.

Due to the constant gusts of wind that blow in from the Taiwan Strait, Hsinchu is often referred to as the Windy City. While the wind keeps the city relatively pollution free, it also makes it a very cold place in the winter, especially around the time of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year celebrations.

By car
Hsinchu is on the main Taipei - Kaohsiung rail and freeway routes, and it takes about one hour and ten minutes to reach the city from Taipei.

Take highway number 1 or 3. There are two toll gates between Taipei and Hsinchu. Books of 9+1 tickets can be bought at the gates with yellow sign at NT$40 each. Tickets can also be bought at post offices for a little less then NT$40. Tickets holders can use gates with a blue sign.

The speed limit on Highway number one is in general 100 km/h and on number 3 110 km/h. Speed cameras are active and there are regular speed traps.

By plane
The nearest airport is Taoyuan International Airport, which is about a thirty minute drive in the dead of night with no traffic and a speeding taxi driver. Safest to allow around an hour from Science Park or a little longer from down-town.

By bus
From Taipei
 * The How-Tai Bus Company (豪泰客運) (NT$110) run a fast, bus company with efficient and very comfortable (extra wide seats with personal video screens) service from Taipei to Hsinchu. In Taipei, the red buses depart every fifteen minutes from bay 22 at the Taipei Bus Terminal (See: Taipei 'Get in'). From Hsinchu, the buses depart from next to the Hsinchu Railway Station (when exiting the station, the bus stop is a two-minute walk to the left, just past the Hsinchu Bus Station), and makes a stop at the National Tsing Hua University bus station en-route to the freeway. If your ticket is not collected before departure, hang on to it. It will need to be given to the driver when getting off. The journey takes between 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

From Taoyuan Taiwan Airport
 * There are no direct buses from Taoyuan Taiwan Airport (Taipei International Airport) to Hsinchu, but the U-bus company offers a link, with passengers changing buses at the 'Jhongli Transit Station'.

From Taichung
 * Taichung Bus (台中客運) and Guoguang Bus (國光客運) connect Hsinchu to Taichung.

By train

 * The TRA (or regular train) station is in the city centre and is a major stop on the main line between Taipei and Kaohsiung/Taichung. It costs from NT$114 to NT$180 for an adult and takes approximately one to two hours to get there from Taipei main station, depending upon the type of train you take.  is located along Zhonghua Rd.
 * The has a Hsinchu stop located in the neighbouring city of Chupei (竹北; zhúbĕi) and is approximately 30 minutes by taxi from the city centre. A local train line (Liujia Line) runs between Hsinchu and Liujia TRA stations (Liujia being located less than 100 m from the THSR station). The THSR also offers a free shuttle service from the station to Hsinchu approximately every 20 minutes. The journey from Taipei takes approximately 30 minutes.

Get around

 * Hsinchu is large enough for a local bus service, which connects the suburbs with the downtown area, though not large enough for taxis to cruise. You'll need to go to the station or a department store to pick one up from a taxi rank - or call, if you can speak Chinese.

Parks and scenic sites

 * The medians of Wenhua, Xinyi and Sanmin roads have been converted into linear parks. These stretches of green are great for taking a leisurely stroll on a sultry summer day or escaping from the office during lunch break. The parks along Wenhua and Xinyi streets are especially pleasant--and quite romantic at night--as they have incorporated the city's historic moat into their design.

Museums and galleries

 * Space, warehouses 3, 4 and 5 Hsinchu Railway Station - a space for art workshops and exhibitions. Also includes a humanistic recreation area with restaurant.
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping
 * The Residence of Hsin Chih-Ping

Malls

 * Big City (Big City遠東巨城購物中心) - 229 Zhongyang Rd
 * Far Eastern Hsinchu Store (新竹大遠百) - 323 Xida Rd
 * Crystal City Shopping Plaza (晶品城購物廣場) - 18 Linsen Rd
 * TAROKO SQUARE (大魯閣湳雅廣場) - 91-2 Nanya St

Specialist stores

 * Xinfuzhen Trading Co. (新復珍商行) - 6 Beimen St - *sells pastries*
 * Hai Rui Meatballs (海瑞貢丸) - multiple locations - *fish balls restaurant*
 * Nanxing Rice Noodles (南興米粉) - multiple locations - *rice noodles*

English books

 * Eslite Bookstore, corner of Minquan and Zhongyang Roads. The best selection of English titles in Hsinchu.

Eat
Hsinchu is a typical Taiwanese city containing thousands of restaurants.

Local specialties
Local dishes popular with domestic tourists include rice noodles (米粉; mĭfēn), meatballs served in a broth soup (貢丸湯; gòngwántāng) and stuffed meatball (肉圓; ròuyuán). There are numerous small booths selling these inexpensive delicacies in the area around the Chenghuang Temple, both fresh and uncooked.

 * Double Star Tianbula (雙星甜不辣) - 42 Datong Rd
 * Feilong Meat Balls (飛龍肉圓) - 104 Ximen St
 * Fuye Crispy Red Bean Cake (富爺脆皮紅豆餅) - 3 Dongshan St
 * Golden Fortune Seafood (金運海鮮) - 10 Dongda Rd, Section 4, Lane 204
 * Miaokou Duck Rice (廟口鴨香飯) - 142 Zhongshan Rd
 * Shijia Fish Balls (石家魚丸) - 27-28-29 Xingxue St
 * Shiji Fish Balls (石記魚丸) - 44 Xingxue St
 * Zhushanyi Noodles (竹山意麵) - 13 Aiwen St

International cuisine
Because of Hsinchu's relatively large expat community, there are also many restaurants that offer international cuisine.

 * Buono Bella Italian Restaurant (波諾義大利料理) - 525 Nanda Rd
 * Shengbodian (勝博殿) - multiple locations - Japanese tonkatsu
 * Uomachi Japanese Donburi (魚町日式丼飯) - 170 Dongda Rd, Section 2 - Japanese donburi

Night markets
The night market at the end of GuangFu Road (Garden Street), otherwise rather disappointing, has a very popular shop selling food from Singapore. It is located close to the entrance of the night market. The curries and fried noodles start from around NT$60. The night market here is one of the few places to find real homemade American-style cookies but the vendor is not always there. If you really have a craving you can order them and have them delivered by calling 0973200868.

There's a night market on NanDa Road behind the train station every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow the crowds, you can't miss it.

Drink
Most restaurants, pubs, and even high-class hotels carry a paltry selection of beer, consisting mainly of Heineken, Kirin, Taiwan Beer and one of a variety of mass-marketed, mass-produced American beers (Budweiser, Coors, etc.) In some bars also the German Erdinger is available.

Bars
Hsinchu has no shortage of bars. Here are some of the most well-known ones:

 * Coach PUB (黃包車PUB) - 33-39 Minzu Rd
 * BAR SPEAKEASY - 587 Jingguo Rd

Cafes

 * Flying tree house CAFE (飛行樹屋咖啡) - 17 Guangfu Rd, Section 2, Lane 18

Stay safe
Hsinchu is one of the safest cities you'll probably ever visit and street crime is extremely rare. However, in case of an emergency, English speaking police officers can be contacted at the main foreign affairs police department: Tel+886 3 524-2103. Otherwise, like elsewhere in Taiwan, emergency numbers are:
 * Police: 110
 * Ambulance, Fire brigade: 119

Dialling code
The area dialling code for Hsinchu is 03. From overseas, dial +886 3 XXXXXXX.

Hospital

 * Hsin-chu Hospital (新竹醫院) - 25, Lane 442, Jinguo Road, Sec. 1. Tel:+886 3 532-6151.
 * Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu (馬偕醫院新竹分院) - 690, Guangfu Rd, Sec. 2. Tel:+886 3 611-9595.
 * Cathay General Hospital, Hsinchu (國泰綜合醫院新竹分院) - 678, Zhonghua Road, Sec. 2. Tel:+886 3 527-8999.

Cope
Visa applications and extensions can be made at the Foreign Affairs Police Bureau, 1 Chungshan Road. Tel:+886 3 522-4168

Go next

 * Shih-tou Shan (Lion's Head Mountain) is a mountainous area on the borders of Hsinchu County and Miaoli County famous for its Buddhist temples and scenery.
 * Shei-pa National Park (雪霸國家公園) spans mountains and rivers offering some great hiking, climbing and relaxation.
 * Located near Hsinchu City is the Little Ding-Dong Science Park (小叮噹科學遊樂區). It is the only outdoor science theme park in Taiwan.
 * Chi'ding Resort Beach, half an hour south of Hsinchu along route 61, has a basic beach. Closed during typhoons. This area has a very flat beach area great for skim boarding. The resort has jetskis, windsurfers and kite boarding.

title: Hsinchu


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Hsinchu County

Hsinchu County (新竹縣) is in the northern region of Taiwan.

Overview
Hsinchu County contains 13 settlements:

Understand
Before the arrival of the Han Chinese, the Hsinchu area was home to Taokas plains aborigines, the Saisiyat, and the Atayal. The population of Hsinchu County is now mostly Hakka people (73% as of 2017). There is also a population of about 20,000 indigineous people, mainly from the Atayal and Saisiyat tribes. As a result of its large Hakka population, Hsinchu County is a stronghold for the KMT in presidential elections, though the DPP has made inroads among the younger generation.

Talk
As in most of Taiwan, the most widely-spoken language is Mandarin Chinese. According to the 2010 national census, the languages spoken at home in Hsinchu County are:

Get in
Hsinchu County is connected to the Taiwan High-speed Rail network via, in Chupei City.

By rail
Hsinchu county is connected to other parts of Taiwan by the TRA network. This is also a useful way to get between townships. Stations in Hsinchu County are:

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Hsinchu County


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Hsipaw

Hsipaw (Thibaw) is a town in Shan State in Eastern Myanmar.

By rail

Every day, a train makes it laborious way up from Mandalay, via steep hills and a breathtaking gorge, to Hsipaw (and onward to Lashio). One of the 'must do' railway journeys of the world, the railway line between Pyin U Lwin and Hsipaw is a masterpiece of British engineering, designed primarily to bring trade (and thus control) to the Northern Shan State, an important ally of the British after the conquest of Upper Burma. The highlight of this journey is the. A massive steel bridge stretching over a deep gorge. You get the best view of the bridge when sitting on the left side (Mandalay -> Hsipaw) or on the right, if travelling the other way around. The journey takes 11½ hr and costs ~4,000 kyat as of Jun 2019 in Upper class or a bit less in Lower class. However, Upper class is well worth the extra money, because you get very comfy seats, which are really helpful, because the train ride is really bumpy. Many travel the Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo) to Hsipaw section one way and return by road. The train departs Mandalay at 04:00 in the morning and arrives (according to schedule) at 14:40. Trains from Hsipaw to Mandalay depart at 09:30 and arrive 21:15 in Mandalay. Lashio is 4 hr from Hsipaw by train.

By pickup
Pickups leave early in the morning from Mandalay (6 hr, 500 kyat) or Pyin oo Lwin (4 hr, 300 kyat) for Hsipaw. It is a long and uncomfortable ride and not recommended unless you can get a seat in the front.

By bus
From Mandalay to Hsipaw (5,000 kyat non air-con), buses depart from Pyi Gyi Myat Shin Bus station. Ye Shin Express has two buses at 05:00 and 14:00. Duhtawadi leaves at 14:00. It takes about 5-6 hr. From Hsipaw to Mandalay leaves at 05:30 (6,500 kyat air-con, 4,000 kyat no air-con). The reliability of the buses seems to vary—ask around which is better.

For buses out of Hsipaw, the ticket offices for the two companies are on Namtu Rd across from Mr Food and, for the express bus, at the Shan Market. Buy your ticket on the previous day (your hotel will arrange one at no cost) and try for a seat towards the front of the bus and preferably not on the seat that folds into the aisle (the aisles are blocked for the journey). A bus journey to Lashio (800 kyat) takes two hours and buses leave early in the morning. Both bus companies will pick you up from your hotel, sometimes an hour before the bus leaves (buses leave at about 06:00), so you may find it better to walk to the bus yourself.

In Pyn Oo Lwin the bus ticket to Hsipaw costs 4,500 kyat and leaves from the Samya Restaurant (2 km north Mandalay-Lashio Rd, ask at hotel and reserve in advance.)

By shared taxi
Depending on availability (shared taxis run with at least three passengers). Between Mandalay and Hsipaw is 13,000 kyat and between Pyin Oo Lwin and Hsipaw about 9,000 kyat. 4 hours.

By private car
Approximate cost about US$100 for the round trip.

Get around
It is easy to get around walking or on a rented bicycle (500 kyat/day) or motorbike. Trishaws are available if you don't want to walk and taxis can be found on the Lashio Rd. Guest houses should be able to provide maps of the local area.

Do
Lying in a valley, Hsipaw is a good place for easy day hikes. There are few restrictions on moving around and, unlike in the Inle Lake region, you don't need to hire a guide. Mr Charles organises half day boat trips and hikes to Shan Villages and nearby waterfalls, a good way to meet other tourists.

There are multiple agency offering guided tours like Mr. Bike or Ko Pee. Trekking options range from day hikes to multi-day treks, staying overnight a local home stays or tree houses. A popular and rewarding 2-day, 1-night trek leaves around 08:00, includes 7-8 hr of trekking through beautiful corn and rice fields before reaching a Shan/Palaung village where you will stay with a local family. Authentic local vegetarian food is included and you have the chance to experience traditional life with hardly any electricity. Bottled water and other drinks might be available to buy. The trek is rather strenuous as it will be very hot and involves hills (though this is not the Himalaya). A 2-day, 1-night trek costs around 35,000 kyat.

A 3-day, 2-night trek to Namshan is offered though tourist might not be allowed to go there due to armed conflicts (closed as of Oct 2014). Research beforehand and get permits in advance if needed.

Except for the usual trekking gear (good shoes, a hat, small backpack) no special equipment is needed.

Buy
Unless you're interested in Shan headdresses and clothes, there is not much to buy in Hsipaw.

Books can be bought at the shop run by Mr Book. It is always interesting to chat with him, and he can also arrange tours, but he may not be as forthcoming as before, possibly because of the dominance of Mr Charles in the Hsipaw tourist industry. Mr Charles also runs a book exchange in the lobby across the front desk where you can either buy a book or exchange one for another for a small fee.

Eat
Hsipaw has lots of food being cooked outdoors but few restaurants. On Namtu Road, across the bridge and toward the turn off for Mr Charles Guest House, several open air places serving freshly deep fried veggies in a batter (sort of like an Indian pakora or Japanese tempura). Very delicious. The market has several stalls that serve snacks (go well before mid-day) and Shan noodles, the main dish in the Northern Shan State, noodles in a sweet and spicy broth packed with meat and vegetables.

Maureen, an Australian woman married to a Shan, runs a café by the Dokhtawady River. Good coffee and conversation is available.

Sleep
There are only a handful of choices for accommodation in Hsipaw. They are all decent and clean. The cheapest, Nam Khae Mao, also has the best facilities, yet for some reason the backpackers flock to Mr. Charles, where the staff are unhelpful and the facilities lacking. Mr. Kid's is probably the friendliest of the bunch and the closest to the railway station. If you arrive via night bus, employees from a few of the guest houses will meet you upon arrival to persuade you to accompany them to their guesthouse.

Stay healthy
There's a small local government run in Hsipaw. It has the most basic medicine and an English-speaking doctor. However, for bigger emergency it's best not to rely on this hospital.

Connect
There are no international dial facilities in Hsipaw. Several stores and call booths offer local and domestic phone service. The office of the telephone utility is by the Shan Palace, but is rarely open and is unlikely to offer international direct dial calls.

Go next

 * Lashio – A trading town replete with modern Chinese hotels, Lashio is the last stop on the way to China.
 * Kyaukme – A small and pleasant town on the road from Pyin U Lwin to Hsipaw, Kyaukme is an excellent base for trips to Shan villages.
 * Namshan – About 80 km up in the mountains is the Golden Palaung village of Namshan, the furthest one can get in the mountains and spend the night without an organised tour or guide. The easiest way to get there is to hire a bike and ride pillion (around 15,000 kyat for a two-day trip) or hire a pickup (30,000 kyat) from Hsipaw. Mr Book can help organise transport and reports suggest that Mr Charles organises tours to Namshan from his guesthouse. In Namshan there is no official place to stay but a couple of places let you sleep on the floor (blankets and sheets provided). As of July 2019, access seemed to be restricted.

title: Hsipaw


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Huacachina

Huacachina is a village in southern Peru, an hour away from the Pacific coast. The town is a collection of resorts and restaurants around a blue-green laguna surrounded by huge sand dunes. An antique image of the town is featured on Peru's 50 soles bill.

Its interest to tourists is three-fold: the novelty and beauty of a dry desert with huge sand dunes, the opportunity to sand board, and riding in four-wheel-drive dune buggies that run up and down the dunes at break-neck speeds. The village depends entirely on tourism, and most visitors are foreign tourists.

Understand
Legend says that every year a mermaid living in the laguna takes one man. The inability of some Peruvians to swim seems a more likely explanation of the yearly drownings. Other people speculate that the cause of the frequent drownings is that swimmers' muscles cramp when the warm water on the top of the oasis mixes with cooler water below.

The lake was created by natural seepage from the underground aquifers, but the nearby well-drilling limited the supply considerably. To compensate for the loss, and (probably mainly) preserve the oasis as a destination for tourists, local business groups began pumping water into the lake in 2015.

Get in
Getting to Ica is possible from Lima, as most bus companies including Cruz del Sur and Soyuz have frequent trips along the route.

Public buses travel from Lima to Ica or Cusco to Ica. Once in Ica, find a local taxi to take you to the oasis of Huacachina.

This oasis is a few kilometers from the bustling city of Ica. There are no municipal bus routes to Huacachina, but it is very easy to find taxis during the day (S/10 (soles) one way) and at night (S/12-14 one way). Choose a registered licensed taxi at all times in Ica; they should have an official rooftop sign and driver's documents on the dashboard.

Get around
The town is extremely small, and visitors can walk from one end to another within a few minutes.

Taxis are used to travel from Huacachina to sites in Ica, and moto-taxis can be used within Ica to affordably travel to locations that are too far too walk. Most taxis charge S/2½-3 for trips from one location in the city to another. Most taxi-motos charge S/1.50, making it a very cheap way to get around.

See

 * Tours of the bodegas and wineries: in Ica there are many different bodegas and wineries that produce pisco and sweet red wine. These bodegas range from the small family-run artesanal bodegas to huge industrial bodegas that supply the entire country with pisco and export to Europe and the US. Perhaps the best artesenal bodega is Catador and the best industrial bodegas are probably Tacama and Vista Alegre. If you are travelling with Peru Hop, a free visit to Catador bodega is included.
 * Watch the sunset from the rim of the dunes. Amazing colours and views. You although can walk up for the sunrise but be careful as no marked paths for walking up.
 * There are two museums in Ica.

Do
There is a tourist fee for visiting the lagoon or walking to the top of the dunes. This costs S/3.60 per day (November 2023). (Unless you go very early in the day and there is no control yet.)

 * The Lagoon: At the lagoon you can hire paddle boats or row boats. It's also possible to swim in the lagoon.
 * Walking to the top of the dunes: Soak up the views at top of the sand dunes for a rewarding, yet exhausting experience. It will take up to an hour, depending on fitness (and which dune you pick!) The views of the lagoon and village are spectacular, as are views of the rolling sand dunes on the horizon. Take a camera, plenty of water and a scarf or something to protect eyes and camera equipment from the windswept sand at the top. It is particularly beautiful at sunset.

The following activities are best done as part of an organized tour. There are many reputable agencies in Huacachina.

 * Sandboarding: It's the "hot" version of snowboarding. On the streets you can rent a board for a few soles. Wax (cera) is essential for velocity, so ask for a piece to go with your board. Due to differences between sand grains and snow, snowboarders may be disappointed with the pace of sandboarding and the increased difficulty of maneuvering the board. Most non-athletic tourists eventually end up riding the sandboard like a sled, face-down on their stomach. This allows for a very simple, and very rapid (sometimes dangerously so) descent of the dunes.
 * Dune buggy rides: Considered by many to be the most exciting activity in Huacachina, fans of adventure sports and rollercoasters will find that taking a dune buggy ride is an essential component of a trip to southern Peru. Rides are offered by most hotels and hostels, usually for around S/50 (price for dune buggying and 6 steep slopes of sandboarding with Peru Hop - May 2019), although in the low season this price may be negotiable (street vendors are prepared for dune buggying + sandboarding for around S/25). Most dune buggy tours are two hours long, which includes approximately one hour of sand boarding (check the number of slopes prior to booking). The late-afternoon tour, usually starting at 16:00 or 16:30, is probably the best time of day to take a tour as the sun is bright enough to illuminate the landscape but no longer bright enough to cause sunburn, and sometimes drivers will take passengers to look-out points to observe the beautiful desert sunset.
 * All-terrain vehicles: Quads, (called cuatrimotor in Spanish) are a type of four-wheeled all terrain vehicle that resembles a tiny jeep but is the size of a golf cart. Desert Nights hostal rents these vehicles, and offers tours. They cost US$40 per hour.
 * Swimming pools: Bring your swimming suit because many hotels and hostels in the area have swimming pools.

Buy
Near the entrance to the Huacachina promenade are kiosks that sell souvenirs, jewelry, t-shirts and other touristy knicknacks. Others sell tasty jams made from fruits in the area (such as mangos, figs, or guanabana) and some liqueurs from Ica such as pisco and wine. Apart from these small shops, there are only tiny convenience stores. Virtually all items are more expensive than when purchased in Ica.

The only ATM in the town is at the Wild Rover hostel (Interbank), it charges a S/19 fee for foreign cards. The maximum amount you can take out is S/400. It frequently is out of cash. Ica, a few kilometers away, has a number of ATM machines, and money-changers who will convert your dollars into soles and vice versa in exchange for a small commission.

Eat
Huacachina's many restaurants are overpriced compared to typical Peruvian prices.

 * The Casa de Avinoam, a restaurant in the Carolas del Sur Hostal, has delicious thin-crust pizzas. Pizza prices range from about US$6 for a personal pizza to $15 for a large family-sized pizza.
 * The restaurant at Desert Nights Youth Hostal is quite popular too.
 * For those craving tasty ethnic food, head to Bamboo Cafe, in a small lot in between Carola del Sur and Hosteria Suiza. They serve a flavorful Thai curry, decent falafel (popular with the Israeli and Arab travellers), and other ethnic and Peruvian dishes. The Bamboo Cafe is also a great retreat for those who have been travelling for months and are in need of a bacon butty with brown sauce, marmite or a full English breakfast.

In Ica, there are quite a few decent restaurants.

Drink
Like just about everything else, the alcohol is overpriced in Huacachina.

Most of the larger hotels have their own bars, including Casa de Arena and Huacachinero. One of the only bars that is not associated with a hotel is Da Silva House, beside the Casa de Arena hostel. Cocktails here cost between US$3 and $5, and the owner prepared many types of mixed drinks and cocktails.

Many visitors to Huacachina decide to visit the wineries and pisco bodegas in Ica. These wineries grow their own grapes, crush them, and convert them to wine or pisco. They will show you their vineyards, their fermentation machines and wine-making process, and then give you a small sample of their products. You are of course encouraged to then purchase the wines and piscos. Many of these tours are free (the bodegas make their money from wine sales), but your taxi driver or tour guide will charge you to take you around to various bodegas.

During late February and early March is the grape harvest when grapes are crushed by foot. Visitors are encouraged to take off their sandals and shoes, wash their feet, and then help crush the grapes. While perhaps not the most hygienic method of alcohol preparation, this is a very popular activity.

Bodegas are split into two categories: artesenal and industrial. Artesenal bodegas are small, family-run operations that only produce a small amount of wine or pisco. Industrial bodegas produce large quantity of product that is intended for national distribution or international exportation.

Sleep

 * Casa de Arena, extremely popular backpacker resort with swimming pool, restaurant, bar and small dance club. Rooms are plain, the service impersonal, and like most 'party hostels', it's noisy. Great buggy and sandboarding tours that net discounts on room prices. Dorm rooms are S/20 per person for the 18-person dorm room and S/25 soles per person for the small 4-person dorm rooms. A shared 2- or 3-person room is S/25 pppn. Bathrooms are shared. Private rooms with private bathrooms are also available, and tend to cost between S/30 and 35 per person. No internet. Also, service is really bad, the disco plays until 03:00, and the walls are paper thin.
 * Carola Lodge, also known as Casa de Arena II, is also a popular budget option. Owned by the same businessman as Casa de Arena, this hostel is larger but quieter. It has a small wading pool rather than a full swimming pool, and it doesn't have a discoteque. However, it does have a restaurant that has great thin-crust pizza and plays music and videos.
 * Desert Nights is a good budget option. It is a hostel that is near the entrance to Huacachina and is owned by an American-Peruvian couple. It is well-liked because it is clean and affordable. It has a restaurant with tasty food. However it lacks a discoteque and swimming pool. This is the only Hostelling-International youth hostel in the area. The Wi-Fi is very good. However, the male waiters are aggressive about hitting on women travellers, even coming in the dorm rooms to 'chat'.
 * Las Dunas Hotel is a very upscale hotel in a quiet neighborhood about seven minutes ride from Huacachina. It has huge swimming pools, large lawns, and llamas and alpacas that roam around the grounds. It is the most expensive hotel in the area.
 * Hotel Mossone is an upscale and expensive hotel in an old colonial hacienda in Huacachina, with views of the oasis. Prices here are decidedly geared towards foreign tourists, as room prices range from US$80 to $150. The hotel features its own swimming pool and restaurant. It is probably not the best option for backpackers or young people who might find the social scene there to be lacking.
 * Hostal Salvatierra is a backpacker hostel that has seen better days, although it remains a bargain for tourists looking to save money. Private rooms often cost as little as S/20 per person, although the rooms are old and grungy. The hotel has its own pool Like most resorts and backpacker hostels, they offer dunebuggy tours and wine bodega tours.
 * Hotel El Huacachinerois a popular budget hotel that is similar to, but more upscale than, the Casa de Arena hostal. The facilities, rooms, and swimming pool are nicer. The price is slightly more expensive. Huacachinero doesn´t have a discoteque, and often is less crowded than the Casa de Arena. The hotel restaurant is reputed to be one of the best in Huacachina.

Go next
Taxis leave Huacachina at all hours of the day and night. If you plan on leaving the area in order to go to Lima, ask the driver to take you to the bus station for Soyuz (S/32 for the "VIP" bus) or Cruz del Sur (more expensive but nicer). If you are going to Arequipa, options are Cruz del Sur and Cial (the budget option).

Peru Hop offers direct buses daily between Huacachina and Lima, Nasca, Arequipa or Paracas rather than into the nearby city of Ica.

title: Huacachina


text:
Hua Hin

Hua Hin (หัวหิน) is a seaside resort city of about 50,000 residents (2012) in Thailand. Three or four hours south of Bangkok (195 km), it is popular with middle-aged and older foreign visitors, as a weekend getaway spot for Bangkok Thais, and as an expat retirement home.

Understand

Popularised as a resort in the early 1920s by King Prajadhipok, Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royal family and is a quiet and relaxing seaside resort ideal for family vacation. Until 1934, it was known as Samore Riang (สมอเรียง), or 'rows of rocks'.

The fishing village was turned into a royal resort and consequently became popular among Siam's nobility and upper classes. In 1928, Prajadhipok built his Klai Kangwon ('far from worries') Palace. As of 2020, Klai Kangwon is a little-used summer residence of the king and is not open for visitors, although the outer palace grounds are open for walkers and joggers from 16:00 to 19:00 daily (wear shoes, have sleeved shirts that cover at least your upper arms and bring your passport).

The six kilometre-long beach is pretty and relatively clean, more so than Pattaya's, and the cleanliness of the sea is rated "fair". Most of the beach can completely disappear along certain parts of the coast during high tide. Besides just sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming, visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood, and nearby national parks. The town is clean, friendly, and laid-back, making it ideal for families and couples.

Tourist information can be found from the corner of Petchkasem Rd and Damnerkasem Rd (Soi 76), quite close to the railway station.

There is also a tourist information centre near the clock tower in the centre of town, which is right next to a Starbucks for those of you requiring a caffeine fix. This is also where many minivans stop to offload and pick up passengers, even though it is not the official bus station, and consequently is an easy place to find a motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk.

The town of Hua Hin cannot be called scenic. Aside from the beach, the grounds of posh hotels, and the several blocks west of the Hilton Hotel, there is no place to stroll in Hua Hin. The town lacks a central square or focal point. Like most Thai towns, Hua Hin is a nightmare for pedestrians and impossible for those with physical disabilities, the blind, and wheelchair users. Signage and other obstacles impede sidewalks, where there are sidewalks, every few metres. Phetkasem Road, which divides the town into two halves, is a virtual racetrack, with few concessions like crosswalks for those on foot or bicycle lanes for cyclists.

Orientation

Hua Hin has no real "centre". A nondescript clock tower on Phetkasem Road serves as a de facto transportation hub, where minivans from the north arrive and minivans to the south depart. The tower is just north of Soi 61.

Phetkasem Road bisects the town, leading to Cha-am in the north and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the south. Roads perpendicular to Phetkasem on the inland side are even-numbered sois. Those on the sea-side are odd-numbered. The numbers do not match up across Phetkasem. For example, Soi 61 leads to the central seaside area around the Hilton Hotel. The same street on the other side of Phetkasem is Soi 76. It leads to the railway station. At the northeast corner of the Soi 61/Soi 76 intersection you will find the tourist information centre. Behind it is the central police station. Across the street from the police station is a post office. Continuing down Soi 61 to the beach is the office of the Tourist Police.

Climate
Hua Hin has a tropical climate with high humidity and occasional rain. It is typically pleasant however, and can be enjoyed year round. Generally, the best time of the year to visit Hua Hin is in the cool season from November to February, but for those who like it hot, then the hot season is from March to May (when the temperature can well exceed ). The rainy season (although it doesn't rain every day) is from June to October with September being the rainiest of all. The rain in Thailand usually comes in short sharp bursts. It doesn't usually drizzle for long periods of time.

Environment
The quality of the waters of the Gulf of Thailand off central Hua Hin were rated "fair" in 2015 by the Pollution Control Department. But, the report noted that "... the main tourism areas, namely Cha–Am Beach... and Hua Hin Beach... should be consistently monitored, since enterococci (fecal) bacteria levels exceeded the standard...."

One of the first things a visitor to Hua Hin notices is the blizzard of signage. Evidently anyone can put up a sign. Hotels and other commercial enterprises design their signs to look like official signage. They and every other type of sign imaginable degrade the environment and contribute to its ugliness. Town officials do not enforce existing sign ordinances.

Signage is Thai nightmare, however Thais do not object. Every sign poster is actually approved  by the local authority and a fee is paid per day.

By train
Arriving by train is convenient, but often slower compared to buses. There's up to ten daily departures from Bangkok with a journey time of about four hours. Almost all trains heading south from Bangkok stops in Hua Hin. Ticket price is around 100 baht for express trains and 50 bath for slower ordinary trains.

By bus
The main (BKS) bus station is south of the centre of town on Phetkasem Rd just south of Soi 96. This is some three kilometres south of town centre. A tuk-tuk there costs ~180 baht, motorcycle taxi from the Hilton Hotel area, 60 baht. This bus station is for conventional buses which go to Ubon, Korat, Chiang Mai (850 baht), Surat Thani, Phuket, and points further south. The government bus company (BKS) ticket office is open daily from 06:00-24:00.

Coaches from Hua Hin to Pattaya and Suvarnabhumi Airport operated by the Roong Reuang Coach Company depart from the Roong Reuang Coach Terminal (March 2020). The terminal is seven kilometres north of town centre, near the Hua Hin Airport on the sea side of Phetkasem Road.

Local, non-air conditioned buses to Pranburi (25 km) depart from the road adjacent to the fresh market in town center. BKS buses go to the BKS Station near Soi 96 on Phetkasem. Stop the bus at any point prior to this if you want to get off. The clock tower on the left (coming from Bangkok) is the effective town "centre" (keep your eyes open as it is easy to miss).

 * The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya leaves Roong Reuang Coach Terminal daily at 11:00, stopping to pick-up passengers in Cha-am in front of the Government Savings Bank at 11:30. Drop off in Pattaya at the Pattaya Bus Station on N Pattaya Road. Duration is 4-5 hr. Tickets may be purchased at the Bell Travel website.}}
 * The bus from Hua Hin to Pattaya leaves Roong Reuang Coach Terminal daily at 11:00, stopping to pick-up passengers in Cha-am in front of the Government Savings Bank at 11:30. Drop off in Pattaya at the Pattaya Bus Station on N Pattaya Road. Duration is 4-5 hr. Tickets may be purchased at the Bell Travel website.}}

By mini-van
Cha-am; Phetchaburi; Mahachai: Ticket windows 1-2-3-4-5-7-10-11 Bangkok (Southern Bus Station-Pinklao): 1-2-3-5-10 Bangkok (Mo Chit 2 Bus Station): 2-7-11 Bangkok (Ekkamai Bus Station): 4 Nakhon Pathom: 8 Kanchanaburi: 9 You are not obliged to ride to the final destination. Those going to Bangkok can ask to get off at a BTS (Skytrain) or MRT (Metro) station en route.
 * Go to the ticket window indicated for travel to the following destinations:
 * Go to the ticket window indicated for travel to the following destinations:

By taxi
Taxi service from Hua Hin to Bangkok (a distance of about 200 km) is widely advertised and available. Price after negotiation should be around 2,000 baht. Limousine service, available at Bangkok Airport, is more expensive.

Taxis are bookable via agents around town. Many can be found along Phetkasem Rd, especially around Market Village or downtown. Taxis to or from Pattaya are around 3,000 baht.

By ferry
By 02/2023 the ferry is not operational after being suspended because of Covid.
 * As of late 2020 the ferry service has been permanently cancelled.
 * There are no ferries direct from Hua Hin, Lomprayah offer a bus service to the ferry at Chompon 270km south of Hua Hin.

Get around
Most visitors rely on the regular green songthaews that run up and down Phetkasem Road all day at about 10-minute intervals. Fare is 10 baht. Their northern terminus is the fresh market in town centre; in the south they turn about in Khao Takiap. Songthaews service Phetkasem north of the central market, but with less frequency.

There are many motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks, fewer car taxis. Negotiate prices beforehand. You will not get a tuk-tuk for less than 100 baht over any distance (unless you are lucky) if you are a Western tourist. Settle on a price before hiring. You may also be able to find samlors (rickshaws) in town centre. Alternatively, you can use Grab for car taxi and motorcycle taxi. Motorcycle rentals are readily available, for 150-200 baht per day, seasonally variable. Hua Hin is flat, and bicycling is a good way to get around. Rentals are available, also from hotels, but are not as prevalent as motorbikes (you can rent bicycles at the entrance of the Hua Hin beach.

See

There is only one, long beach: Hua Hin Beach (ชายหาดหัวหิน Hat Hua Hin). This runs from the Hilton Hotel six kilometres south to a headland where a Buddhist temple clings to the rocks. Fine white sand, resort hotels and many water sports opportunities lend the resort its distinctive ambiance. At the south end of town, the hill of Khao Takiab interrupts the beach. On the other side is a lovely swimming beach with a view of Khao Takiab's south face. Just a little further on, Suan Son Beach is owned by the Thai army but is open to the public. Notable for the tropical sea pines lining the shore.

Parts of the beach closer to the town may have greenish water, in this case continue walking down the beach where the water appears cleaner. There is an ample supply of deck chairs along the beach, although many places charge around 100 baht for their hire. Deck chairs that are part of a beachside cafe may be free, on the assumption that you will buy food or drink.

Some entrances to the beach are controlled by hotels—what looks like a road to the beach on a map might really be a hotel's private driveway.

Nature

 * Some attractions in the park:

Golf
Hua Hin and its surroundings are a golfer's paradise with at least seven courses within a 30 min drive. There are also two brand new golf courses under construction. Most courses offer transportation to and from the course. The town hosted its first Asian tour event in 2009 at the Black Mountain course, while other first class courses in easy reach include Majestic Creek, Royal Hua Hin, Banyan, Palm Hills, Lake View, and Springfield. There are several driving ranges.

Massage
Thai massage shops aim mostly at extracting money from your wallet. Claims for its holistic health benefits by enhancing physical, emotional, and spiritual states are mostly hogwash. The majority of massage places are fairly dumpy except at the high end, do not have soothing background music, nor the scent of Asian incense. The exceptions are high-end and expensive.

There are over 200 massage shops in Hua Hin. Most have identical prices. Most hotels in Hua Hin offer massage services. On Petchkasem Road next to the Golden Palace and the Royal Palace one can be massaged by good, professional blind masseuses. This is a royal sponsored project, although little English is spoken.

Massage prices in the tourist area near the Hilton Hotel average about 300 baht per hour. Massage shops in the town proper are cheaper for equivalent massage, as low as 200 baht per hour.

Spas
Spas in Hua Hin offer treatment suited to a range of budgets. Treatments includes both traditional remedies and modern techniques. Facilities at spas in Hua Hin may also include a Jacuzzi and steam bath.

Many spas in Hua Hin also offer traditional Thai healing treatments. There is also alternative treatment such as Reiki. Resorts offer many detox programs. The most popular treatments are chi organ massage, karsai genital detox massage, deeper skin detox, and herbal skin detox.

Other

 * Elephant camps and trekking can be found just west of town.
 * Fishing and eco-cruises can be done both at sea and inland.
 * Fitness and martial arts can be practiced either in gymnasiums around town or in the top hotels.
 * Karting can be enjoyed at the karting track near the airport. The 700 m circuit has a banked curve for speed, floodlighting, beer garden, and catering.
 * Kite-boarding is a popular in Hua Hin. There are several schools giving lessons and tuition with equipment for hire. Conditions are good from Jan-May as thermals blow in the afternoon at 14-20 knots. The water is shallow, can be choppy and has a beach break. Hua Hin has very good kite boarding conditions with shallow, warm waters. There is a northerly east wind from October–January with wind ranging from 15–25 knots. From February–May Hua Hin has a southerly thermal wind that gusts to 15–20 knots in the afternoon. There are good conditions for kite surfing in both of these seasons.
 * Pony rides on Hua Hin beach
 * Walking and cycling are popular in Hua Hin thanks to the mostly flat terrain and clean gulf air.
 * Water sports in Hua Hin include swimming, banana boat rides, water skiing, jet-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, para-sailing, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba-diving.
 * Water sports in Hua Hin include swimming, banana boat rides, water skiing, jet-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, para-sailing, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba-diving.

Thai cooking
A few Thai cooking schools have sprung up in Hua Hin where tourists can learn the art of serving up their favourite Thai dishes such as pad Thai (Thai-style fried noodles), tom yum kung, Panang curry with beef and chicken and cashews. Courses vary in length from just a single day to a few. Courses are available at most of the large hotels. Ask around.

Buy
Shop at the night markets. Things that you can buy range from T-shirts to antiques. A T-shirt will cost you around 300 baht. It is also a great place for contemporary art handicrafts, hand-woven printed cotton, silk fabric, silk weaving, embroidery, baskets, pottery, wood carvings, gemstones, and jewellery (including sapphires and rubies). Haggling is mandatory to get the best prices possible.

Hua Hin's night market is in the middle of Hua Hin. It is tourist-oriented. For local handicrafts, the Hua Hin Bazaar, about 100 m west of the beach, should be your first stop.

Only on Tuesdays is the Pae Market near the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club. It's a good place to get the feel of a traditional Thai market.

French connection

Souvenirs
Souvenirs from Hua Hin include accessories from coconut shells, printed fabric in traditional Thai patterns, brooms, utensils made of sisal fibre, bamboo woven products, as well as fresh and preserved food.

One of Hua Hin's most renowned local products is pha phim khommaphat or printed cotton, a typical product of Hua Hin which is sold by the metre. The finished khommaphat print is colourful and can be turned into shirts, handkerchiefs, wraps, even toy elephants or fish, as well as decorative pieces such as pillows, bags, fans.

A large variety of other cotton products are also obtainable, such as place mats, tablecloths, and pillowcases.

Eat
There are plenty of eating options around Hua Hin. Those close to the beach and at Khao Takiap are touristy, while some good local options can be found on Phetkasem Rd along the way to Khao Takiap. Hua Hin is known for its seafood which can be found in abundance at the night market, restaurants, and hotel restaurants. Naresdamri Road is a fine place for great inexpensive restaurants while serving up romantic sea views. Some hotels offer buffets consisting of open cooking stations, including seafood BBQ, and also offer live entertainment like traditional Thai music and dancing.

Surprisingly, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2021, Soi 94 has bloomed into a happening street with many restaurants and bars of all types.

This area is the site of the Hua Hin Fishing Harbour and in the early morning, seafood can be purchased (its provenance is unknown as the Gulf of Thailand is increasingly fished out).

Moreover, there are numerous dining spots serving Western, Indian, and Japanese food.

Three Hua Hin Italian restaurants, Andreas, Da Mario, and La Grappa, were named in the 2020 edition of the Guidebook to Italian Cuisine, having passed rigorous testing by Italy's tourism bureau. They use 100% Italian ingredients and recipes.

For cheap eats, check out the night market or the Grand Market. Budget tourists having problems with the local fare will be happy to know that at the Tesco in the posh Market Village mall, there's street-style Thai food with modern fast food hygiene and air-conditioning: 25-70 baht, and good coffee for 10 baht.

Alcohol
As of February 2019, bars close at 02:00 in Hua Hin. Subject to change depending on the mood of the government.

Raucous nightlife can be found in the little quarter just inland from the Hilton Hotel. The warren of small streets around Dechanuchit Rd and Soi Bintabaht teems with bars, restaurants, and massage parlours. This area is heavily frequented by tourists.

A second street with lots of beer bars and hostesses is Soi 80, on the west side of Rte 4. It's mostly patronised by resident expats.

Budget
Hua Hin is relatively expensive for accommodation, with few options below 400 baht. The best area for budget rooms seems to be around the corner from the Hilton Hotel, on the street parallel to the water.

Mid-range

Splurge

Renting a house for a long stay
If you're staying for a month or more, then Hua Hin has great options. The price for renting a nice villa with private pool can be as low as 20,000 baht. Houses have modern furniture and are ready to move into. Best way to find a house is to go to realty agencies around the Hilton Hotel. They pick you up from your hotel and show options for your budget and taste. Best strategy is to contact by them email a week before, so they will make a selection beforehand.

Cope
It would seem that if you are not Thai, you are viewed by the Thai police as a walking ATM. Should a cop be short of beer money and see you not wearing a helmet while on a motorbike, you are likely to be stopped and shaken down for cash. The police box at the SE corner of Soi 61 and Phetkasem Road seems to be where they send officers who are short of cash. The cop on duty will often signal farang to the roadside for some infraction, often trumped up, or for a sobriety test. Most of the time, you will pay cash on the spot, 200 baht and up, to be allowed to go on your way. Another danger spot is Phetkasem Road between Sois 67 and 69. There is a pedestrian bridge across the road there that affords the cops some shade, plus a Family Mart so that they are never short of cold drinks. At this spot they stop all vehicles, usually in late morning, to check for driver's licenses or proof of rental or passports or whatever else they need to have you pay on the spot. The good news is that this roadblock does not operate when it is too hot, rainy, on weekends or at hours requiring the payment of overtime.

Immigration

Postal

Medical and dental
Perhaps due to the population of aged foreigners, there are two large private hospitals in Hua Hin, both on Phetkasem Road. Medical and dental clinics are not hard to find on the main road also.

Reading matter
There are a number of English-language publications, offering a variety of styles, as well as information and entertainment. Long-time visitors to the town will have been familiar with the free monthly Hua Hin Observer magazine found around the town, but in Jan 2010, this became an on-line-only publication. Another monthly publication is the Hua Hin Today newspaper which can be a little dry for tourists, as it contains plenty of local government and local dignitaries news along with details of the latest infrastructure projects and housing developments. Its on-line presence is more of a portal for international news and selling property than a local site.

There are a number of other printed publications and Internet sites relating to Hua Hin, but they are mostly concerned with selling or renting property, or promoting another local business. There are also a couple of non-English language publications with a small distribution.

Surveillance
Thailand is rapidly becoming a surveillance state. CCTV cameras are being installed at a rapid pace. To send a package, purchase a bus ticket, SIM card, or hotel room you will need to produce a passport. As of October 2019 coffee shops are required to keep a log of all web browsing done on their premises for 90 days.

Go next

 * Amphawa
 * Bangkok
 * Cha-am
 * Chumphon - ferry to Ko Tao
 * Damnoen Saduak
 * Kaeng Krachan National Park - Thailand's largest national park is just west of Hua Hin
 * Kanchanaburi
 * Ko Samui
 * Ko Tao – for diving
 * Pattaya – via 2 hr ferry, short cut to Trat's Ko Chang
 * Phetchaburi - an hour away by train (13-43 baht depending on train type). A good option is to take the 11:46 train and return in the evening (several trains, the first at 16:11).
 * Samut Songkhram
 * Surat Thani
 * Wildlife Rescue Centre and Elephant Refuge

title: Hua Hin


text:
Huahine

Huahine is an island in French Polynesia.

Regions
Huahine consists of two island - Huahine Nui (Big Huahine) in the North and Huahine Iti (Small Huahine) in the South.

By plane
Air Tahiti operates flights to Huahine from
 * Papeete: 3 to 4 flights per day, flight time 40 min (2009: 11,000 F (francs))
 * Bora Bora: daily, flight time 25 min (2009: 8000 F)
 * Moorea: daily except W and Su, flight time 35 min (2009: 13,000 F)
 * Raiatea: daily except Su, flight time 15 min (2009: 6,000 F)

The airport is on Motu Maeva. Taxis are waiting at the airport at each arrival. Driving time to the main village of Fare is 15 min.

title: Huahine


text:
Hualien

Hualien (花蓮 Huālián) is a city of 100,000 people (2022) in Taiwan near the spectacular Taroko Gorge.

Understand
Located on a strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range, Hualien is considered one of the most pleasant cities in Taiwan. Many tourists visit the city to enjoy the scenery and fresh air and also to tour the famous Taroko Gorge, which is a few kilometers north of the city.

It has a large population (12,500 in 2022) of indigenous people. Due to this large indigenous population, Hualien has traditionally been a KMT stronghold, though the DPP has made inroads among the younger generation.

By train

During peak travel season, train tickets are sometimes are hard to get. It is recommended to book your trip early to ensure your seat. There is also the option to take a bus to Luodong and switch to the local train to Hualien. Combined tickets for bus and train can be bought at the Kamalan counter at Taipei bus station and the Capital bus counter at City Hall Station. The trip costs around NT$220 and buses and trains are frequent, so there is no need to book in advance.

Get around
The city center is small and easy to navigate on foot, although scooters are available for rent several places around town for about NT$400 a day. Pony rental near chin yen hotel (across from the train station) is the only rental agency that will rent scooters to foreigners. Getting around by scooter is the best way to see the gorge.

Hualien is a small city without an extensive public transport system, and so it is worth considering taking taxis to areas outside the city center. Hualien station is at least a 30-minute walk from the center of town.

Do
The activities in and around Hualien include mountain hiking, beaches, hot springs, river tracing, whale and dolphin watching and a lot of other wild places. Ask around with the local travel companies.

Parks and nature

 * Beibin Seashore Park, Nanbin Seashore Park and Meilun Seashore Park. A scenic area of palm trees and landscaped greenery that runs the full length of the city's foreshore. The views over the Pacific Ocean are especially spectacular at sunrise.
 * Beibin Seashore Park, Nanbin Seashore Park and Meilun Seashore Park. A scenic area of palm trees and landscaped greenery that runs the full length of the city's foreshore. The views over the Pacific Ocean are especially spectacular at sunrise.

Buy
The Hualien region was the main source of jade for the Maritime jade route (circa 2000 BCE to circa 500 CE), the stone is still mined there, and many shops in the city sell jade products.
 * Woven cloth. Hualien is a good place to pick up hand woven cloth in traditional aboriginal designs.
 * Stone Hualien's stone market is near the old bus station on Mingyi Road, and they sell everything from jewelery to tea-pots all carved out of stone.

Dishes

 * Zhu tung fan (竹筒飯) — rice steamed in a bamboo tube is a specialty of the local aborigines.
 * Muaji (麻薯) — in Japan also known as Mochi, are glutinous rice filled (or sometimes covered) with various flavors, such as peanut, sweet red and green bean paste, sweet sesame paste, coconut or fruit.
 * Wonton (餛飩) — Hualien's wontons are very famous throughout Taiwan

Budget

 * Laguardia. Good breakfast cafe across from the big post office near the train station on Chung Shan Rd. Amazing Hamburgers. Try the bacon cheese beef burger or the cod burger.

Drink
Hualien has an abundance of tea houses, cafes and bars, and also many stores specializing in locally produced tea.

Mid-range

 * Ching Yeh Hotel, 83 Kuolien-1 Road, Tel:833-0186. Near the train station. From NT$1,300.

Connect

 * Area code: The Hualien dialing code is 03. For calls made from overseas, dial: +886 3 XXXXXXX

Go next

 * Taroko Gorge – An impressive 19-km-long canyon, and the name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe residing in the area.
 * RueiSuei – Famous for its Hot Springs and the Siouguluan River Basin.
 * Hehuan Mountain – A fantastic journey through the wonders of Taroko Gorge and past, ending in a treeless, absolutely different ecosystem.
 * River Valleys – The might of typhoons and heavy rains have, over millions of years, carved out of the soft bedrock magnificent river valleys. If you find a river valley (Mugua RIver, for example) and follow it and hike along some tributaries, you are in for a wonderful adventure. No gift shops or 7-Elevens here, just the wonders of Taiwan.
 * Tongmen – South of Hualien City, between Jian and Liyu Lake, lies Taroko's little brother.
 * Highway 11 – Rent a scooter and hit the road. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.

title: Hualien


text:
Hualien County

Hualien County is on the east coast of Taiwan.

Tourist Information Site
The county has an official multilingual guide site.

Regions
There are 13 townships and settlements in Hualien, each with its own character and charm:

Cities

 * – Touristic centre of the Hualien County and base for exploring the nearby Taroko Gorge.
 * (光復)
 * (Rueisuei) – Ruisui is most famous for its hot springs; however, there are tons other things to do as well, see below.
 * – The final village inside of Taroko Gorge most tourists will encounter.
 * – Mostly a farming area, with a historic hiking trail nearby, the Walami trail, once used by the Japanese to keep on eye on Aboriginal villages in the mountains. Many sections have been wiped out, but you can do the first part as a day trip.
 * – Mostly a farming area, with a historic hiking trail nearby, the Walami trail, once used by the Japanese to keep on eye on Aboriginal villages in the mountains. Many sections have been wiped out, but you can do the first part as a day trip.

Other destinations

 * – An impressive canyon, long. The name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe residing in the area.
 * – The highest mountain of Taiwan, is in Nantou County, and is also the name of the related national park in Hualien County.

Get in
Go to the Taipei Train Station (not to be confused with Taipei Main Station, the MRT station). Take the Ziqiang Train to Hualien, which is about a 3-hr trip from Taipei.

There are also cheap 50-min flights to and from Hualien from Songshan Airport, which is easily accessible from the MRT.

By bus
The bus station heading south to Taitung is to the left as you come out of the Hualien Train Station. Buses travel down the scenic Highway 11, and usually transfer in Jing Pu, near Big Harbor and the famous Big Red Bridge. Try the homemade dumplings at the noodle shop in Jing Pu while you're waiting.

By train
Trains travel down the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area and are perhaps the most convenient way to travel from Taitung to Hualien. Spend a few days slowly making your way down this area. The sightseeing is the best in Taiwan for those that love nature and beauty.

Do

 * Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.
 * Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.
 * Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.
 * Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.
 * Rent a scooter and hit the road on Highway 11. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien County can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.

Go next

 * Sun Moon Lake – A beautiful lake nestled among tall mountains, just a few kilometres south of Puli and the main reason why many people come to Puli, a picturesque and relaxed town in Nantou County. This lake is one of Taiwan's most popular resorts.
 * Hehuan Mountain – A beautiful mountain range and decent hiking spot half way towards Taroko Gorge.

title: Hualien County


text:
Huambo

Huambo is a city in Central Angola, and capital of the Huambo Province. It is one of the largest provincial cities in Angola, comparable in size with Lubango and Lobito/Benguela. Once called Nova Lisboa, it was designed in 1912 to be the new capital of Angola, and the beauty of that era is still apparent. Angola's civil war took a massive toll on Huambo and its surrounding areas, leaving most buildings in the city full of bullet holes. Reconstruction efforts have changed the face of the city, and the economy is booming as businesses reinvest.

Understand

Huambo sits in the center of the traditional area of the Ovimbundu people (who speak Umbundu). During previous centuries the Ovimbundu were organized into several independent kingdoms. The Portuguese came into contact with these kingdoms in the 1500s, and the Ovimbundu soon proved themselves to be capable traders, creating trade networks from the Portuguese port town of Benguela all the way into modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga province) and Zambia. At the beginning of the 1900s, the Portuguese turned from economic to military interests, and soon conquered the Central Highlands. It was in the immediate aftermath of this conquest that Huambo city was built.

Portuguese General Norton de Matos resided at the Quibala fortress while he laid plans for the new city of Huambo, established in 1912. The current layout of the city bears the marks of his Portuguese-style organization, with a monumental rotunda surrounded by government edifices, a beautiful central garden areas, and a commercial division with a clear grid street plan. These areas were devastated during the civil war, but the current government has rehabilitated the area very quickly, giving it an Angolan flair on top of the Portuguese design.

The old Portuguese center of the city is now surrounded by Angolan "bairros" which swelled during the war years with refugees from the surrounding countryside. The bairros are crowded and disorganized, and most roads are still packed dirt. With every month that passes, the municipal administration builds more roads, connects more houses to city electricity, and repairs more of the city... but there is still a lot of work to do.

By plane
TAAG operates flights from Luanda to Huambo (and vice versa) at least once a day. A one-way ticket costs in the range of US$160. Flights also arrive on a much reduced schedule from Lubango, Ondjiva, and occasionally other cities.

The Huambo airport, Aeroporto Albano Machado, lies 3.5 km south of the city center. Motorcycle taxis will be waiting to take you anywhere you want to go, but don't let yourself be overcharged. 200 kwanzas should get you anywhere in the main city area.

By train
Passenger trains on the CFB (Caminho de Ferro Benguela) arrive from Kuito twice a week, and probably from Benguela too. The train schedule constantly changes as the last repair work is still being done on the railway, so check schedules and availability once you've arrived in the country.

is about 1.5 km northeast of the city centre.

By bus

 * Huambo Expresso: buses to Luanda (08:00, 18:00; 18:30, 20:00, 21:30, 22:30, 12 000 Kz, 10-11 hr as of June 2024) and all other major cities.
 * AngoReal sends about 3 buses each morning from Luanda (Rocha Pinto) to Huambo and vice versa - they leave when they fill up, starting about 05:30. Tickets cost 3000 kwanzas, and can be bought immediately before departure.
 * Interprovincial "taxis" also provide a more flexible public transportation option, though considerably more dangerous. Many blue-and-white vans and Land Cruiser taxis run the route between Luanda and Huambo, and between every other city destination you might want. You just have to ask locally until you find the location where they load up.  Vehicles can be found leaving at all times of day or night. Passage typically costs 4000 kwanzas, though the price may rise if you are carrying lots of baggage, if night is falling, or if there are more passengers than taxi space.  Be warned, though: taxi drivers are not known for their safety consciousness nor the mechanical reliability of their vehicles!
 * Interprovincial "taxis" also provide a more flexible public transportation option, though considerably more dangerous. Many blue-and-white vans and Land Cruiser taxis run the route between Luanda and Huambo, and between every other city destination you might want. You just have to ask locally until you find the location where they load up.  Vehicles can be found leaving at all times of day or night. Passage typically costs 4000 kwanzas, though the price may rise if you are carrying lots of baggage, if night is falling, or if there are more passengers than taxi space.  Be warned, though: taxi drivers are not known for their safety consciousness nor the mechanical reliability of their vehicles!

By car
If you have your own vehicle, you can get to Huambo on the main highways in the following (roughly estimated) time frames:
 * From Luanda, 8 hr
 * From Lobito or Benguela, 4½ hr
 * From Lubango, 6 hr
 * From Kuito, 2 hr
 * From Menongue, 4½ hr

Get around
The city center is small enough to be explored by foot.

Otherwise, the easiest way to get around Huambo is on motorcycle taxis. They wait at every corner, or you can flag one down as he drives by. Tell the driver where you want to go, and he'll tell you a price. Prices should be standard depending on the distance (usually 100, 200, or 300 kwanzas), but you, as a visitor, won't know what's fair. So try to bargain your way as low as they'll go, then you know you're getting a fair(er) price.

Be aware that motorcycle drivers are not necessarily safe. Many accidents occur. Ensure that the motorcycle you choose looks in decently good repair and has two good quality helmets. Don't climb on a motorcycle taxi without wearing a helmet.

Blue and white taxi vans are another option, useful if you need to cross from one side of the city to another. They run predetermined routes, and can sometimes be slow because they wait for the taxi to fill up. Listen for a taxi calling your destination. It should cost 100 kwanzas to get to that destination. You can get off earlier on the route, but you'll still pay 100 kwanzas.

Because of the dangers inherent in all forms of public transportation in Angola, it may be better to just plan to walk most of the places you're going. The center of the city is not large, and the climate is usually pleasant (except when it's raining). A 30-minute stroll will get you from the Cidade Alta (uptown) to the Cidade Baixa (downtown).

If driving, be very careful of motorcycles, which will appear suddenly on every side of you. They aren't careful, so you have to be. Many left turns are prohibited, even if not clearly signposted, but you may be able to argue your way out of a traffic ticket by highlighting the lack of signage.

Eat
If you're ready for a drink or a bite to eat, the immediate environs of the Jardim da Cultura provide several options. Otherwise, head eastward. First, you'll encounter several metals statues from the Portuguese era.

title: Huambo


text:
Huancavelica

Huancavelica is a city in the Southern Sierra region of Peru.

Understand
Huancavelica is the capital of the department of Huancavelica. The population is about 37,000, altitude 3,680 m. Huancavelica is surrounded by about 4000 m high mountains that give a fantastic panorama. Around the plaza, many colonial buildings dominate the view.

The Tourist Office is very helpful, Jr. Victoria Garma 444 (next to the marked hall), Tele-fax 064-752938.

Get in
There are daily trains from Huancayo, leaving Huancayo at 06:00 and 13:00 during the week, and 14:00 and 18:00 Sundays. The journey takes about 5 hours.

From Huancayo, there are buses too for around S/15. Shared taxis are taken from around the bus station and cost S/30, and take 2-3 hours. The road is paved so the trip competes with the train for comfort now.

From Ayacucho (note: dirt roads may be impassible in the rainy season)
 * 1) The direct way via colectivo to Julcamarca, a second colectivo to Lircay, and a third colectivo to Huancavelica (all dirt roads).  With luck and an early start, you could make it through in one day.  Basic accommodation is available in Julcamarca and Lircay, if necessary.
 * 2) Via Rumichaca and St. Ines. Take a morning bus along the main road from Ayacucho to the coast until Rumichaca (paved and in good condition), and then catch a bus to Huancavelica (departure 10:30, dirt road). The landscape is unique and impressive, most of it is between 4000 and 5000 m above sea level.
 * 3) Take the morning bus to Huancayo, get off at Izuchaca (8-10 hours) where the dirt road becomes paved, and then catch onward local transport to Huancavelica (~1 hour).

To Ayacucho Do the above in reverse.
 * 1) Colectivos to Lircay, Julcamarca, and the Ayacucho.  An early start is required if you are going to get through in one day.
 * 2) Via Rumichaca: The bus leaves at 04:30 (!) from Plaza Tumpac Amaru del Barrio de Yananaco to Rumichaca (dirt road, very impressive landscape, 6 hr). The bus company San Juan Bautista at Plaza Tupac Amaru sells tickets. From Rumichaca, take one of buses that go from the coast to Ayacucho (paved road).  Most of these do not pass through Rumichaca until mid-afternoon.
 * 3) Take local transport to Izuchaca, and catch the Huancayo to Ayacucho bus from there around 08:00 or so.

Get around
Not a problem. Distances are small, just walk. If you need a taxi, don't pay more than S/3 in the city.

See

 * Most of the churches are open between 17:00 and 19:00. They are worth a visit.

Do

 * Thermal bath with water temperatures between 18 and 22°C. The basins are refilled every day in the early morning hours. So, the earlier you come, the warmer the water.

Go next

 * Santa Barbara is a very old mining village, founded just after the conquista. It was abandoned in the late 1980s. You still can see the mining plants and tunnels as they were. The church gives an impression of the former richness. Take a taxi (ask the driver to wait, otherwise you have to walk back) or make a day trip by feet. It is on the other side of the mountain with the remarkable antennas on the top.

title: Huancavelica


text:
Huancayo

Huancayo is the capital of the department of Junin in Southern Sierra region of Peru.

Understand
The population is about 500,000, altitude 3300 m. Huancayo lies on the lower end of the broad Mantaro Valley. The surrounding mountains reach up to ~3,600 m. En route from Lima, the road ascends as high as ~4818 m.

In Peru, there is not only Cusco, Arequipa and Puno to visit, but also charming, smaller towns such as the ones encountered in the region of Junin. These towns represent another aspect of the Peruvian culture and its traditions, giving tourists another angle from which to experience this diverse country. In Huancayo and its surroundings, there are many activities on offer and many not so touristy cultural sites to visit. When Pizzaro settled the first capital of Peru in Jauja, his first impression of the region was that it looked like Switzerland. The everlasting valley of Mantaro is very green in the wetter parts of the year, but dries out quite a bit at other times. Its agriculture is flourishing and is full of wandering cows, pigs, donkeys and lambs.

The region is full of pre-Inca ruins, from the Huanca civilization. You should go and visit Tunanmarca, a Huanca ruin that has more than 3000 houses! Or go trekking on the Huaytapallana glacier for a day. It is a pleasant and relatively safe place for visitors to practice their Spanish, meet down-to-earth Peruvians, and try delicious local food at reasonable prices. Ruins, museums, trekking and fishing are on the menu.

By bus
Many bus companies offer services from and to Lima. Cruz del Sur is a good one. The trip takes about 8 hours in dry season, depending on traffic. Buses from Huancavelica, a five hour trip, are also available.

By train
The Ferrocarril Central Andino the train line joining Lima to Huancayo, is the second highest railway in the world and the highest in South America. The journey on board the Train of the Andes through the heart of Peru is simply breathtaking. It is an 11-hour experience where the train reaches an altitude of 4781 m (15,681 ft), goes through 69 tunnels and 58 bridges and makes 6 zigzags. In 1999, the company was privatized, in 2005, Ferrocarril Central Andino renovated their passenger wagons. Unfortunately for time-limited travellers, it only runs once every two months.

By plane
LC Perú offer two flights per day to and from Jauja, flying from "Jorge Chavez" airport in Lima to the "Francisco Carlé" airport in Jauja (20 minutes from Huancayo). To be safe, LC Perú will take you to their main agency in Huancayo.

If you are not taking LC Perú, there are many taxi drivers and colectivos waiting at any time. They can take you to Huancayo for S/.20 to S/.60.

Other
During the day, there are always colectivos to and from Jauja. Colectivos to and from Lima are also available for under $15. In Lima, have a taxi driver take you to the Yerbadero. In Huancayo, ask your taxi driver to take you to colectivos to Lima. These will be found a bit out of the city center on Real Street. Lonely Planet also talks about a company called Comite 12 that has a station right around the Municipalidad.

Get around
Taxis - transport in the city is around S/3 soles. Trips to more distant parts of the city can range up to S/6.

Nicolás Carhuaz Chipana, Nicolás Taxi, in the city of Huancayo, is a very friendly, patient, knowledgeable and helpful taxi driver (however, he doesn't speak much English) who will take you on self-designed excursions to the Mantaro Valley, and isn't afraid to drive off the beaten path! Telephone: +51 964736038. E-mail: Nico_20_75@hotmail.com

Buses - buses and colectivos within the city generally cost less than S/1. Routes generally follow the main streets, but can be variable, so ask around for specifics.

See

 * Feria dominical - The very interesting "Feria de Huancavelica" Sunday market on Huancavelica Street. There is a large section with local artisans working in a wide variety of media, as well as all manner of foodstuffs, from guinea pigs to tropical fruits, raw and prepared.  Also all sorts of more "conventional" goods.
 * Cerrito de la Libertad Take a taxi or walk to this view point over the whole city, which also boasts a small zoo and several restaurants.
 * Torre-Torre Sandstone needles, the impressive effect of erosion, are less than a kilometer past El Cerrito de la Libertad. A taxi can get you close, but the last bit has to be done on foot. Torre Torre offeres better views of the city and valley than El Cerrito.
 * Visit the market area behind the railway station to Lima.
 * La Inmaculada A church where you can often find local musicians that wait to be hired for weddings or whatever, some of whom play on real cow horns. Generally only open for mass and special ceremonies.
 * Parque de la Identidad Huanca (Wanka) A famous park in the city that is widely loved for its strange and artistic design that is popular with children. It is a celebration of the Huanca culture and includes statue of local heroes, many labeled plants, and a gift shop with local crafts.
 * Museo Salesiano - Located on the second floor of the Colegio Salesiano (school), the museum costs S/5. It has an extensive collection of Peruvian animals and artifacts, but next to no labeling or information on them.
 * Cross on the hill - visible from the city, it is possible to walk up to the cross on the hill in about 2 hours for a view of the city and valley. Just follow Prolongacion Trujillo through eucaliptus-ringed fields, heading left when you can't go straight.

Do

 * Traditional Crafts Classes - Gourd carving, weaving, wood carving, cooking, dance, musical instruments, etc., offered by Incas del Peru (incasdelperu.org) They also have Spanish classes. 15-hour minimum; homestays available
 * Volunteer - Several organizations exist including Mosoq Ayllu (volunteering-in-peru.com) and Incas del Peru. Both offer homestays and require a 1 week minimum commitment.
 * Day trip through craft villages - offered by multiple tourist agencies in the valley for different prices, but in the end all the agencies send their clients to the same bus. The tour is well guided in Spanish and goes to San Jeronimo, Ingenio, and several other villages.
 * Huaytapallana Glacier - A full day excursion requiring a guide, the glacier is well worth the trouble. The tourist kiosk in Huanmamarca Plaza (under the giant golden hat) offers a trip for S/45 per person that passes spectacular turquois lakes. Agencies in Plaza de la Constitution advertise between S/.40-S/.50 but the “local price” is S/.35 - just tell them S/.35 and they don’t negotiate, they just say “yes”. Incas del Peru (Av. Giraldez) offers overnight trips as well.  The glacier is at about 5000 m above sea level, so acclimatization is highly recommended prior to climbing as the trek is steep and rigorous in places.
 * Laguna de Paca (Lake) - A decent-sized lake surrounded by hills, Laguna de Paca offers boat rides and restaurants in a peaceful setting. Take a bus to Jauja, and transfer to a colectivo (shared taxi) heading to Laguna de Paca. The boats and restaurants are a bit before the village of Paca, and it is an easy walk between them.  Warning: the road does not go all the way around the lake.
 * Laguna de Nahuinpuquio/Arwuaturo Ruins - The Huanca (Wanka) ruins are on top of a hill, and the small lake is below (5-10 min walk). There is often a guide at the ruins willing to explain the history for a small tip. At the lake are restaurants and boats for rent. Take a bus to Chupaca, then a colectivo (shared taxi) to the lake (drivers are generally willing to drop you at the ruins too if you ask). If no taxis are available to take you back, it is a 2km walk down to the village of Ahuac where there are many more taxis than at the lake.
 * Virgen de Concepcion - Above the town of Concepcion is a giant white virgin statue. For S/2 you can climb inside her and pop out of her head for 360° views of the Mantaro Valley.
 * Horseback riding - offered at Divertilandia and other locations in the valley.
 * Central Jungle - Take a bus 4 hours to La Merced to experience the central jungle (makes a good weekend trip, but can be done in a day if you're short on time). Buses leave from the multi-company terminal on Av. Ferrocarril.

Buy
Handicrafts:
 * Silver jewelry in San Jeronimo
 * Weavings in Hualhuas
 * Carved gourds in Cochas Chicas/Cochas Grandes

Crafts are also available at the Feria Dominical (Sundays on Av. Huancavelica) or Casa Artesanal (in front of the central plaza) or Mercado Artesanal (behind Plaza Huanmamarca).

Eat
It is a pity that this region is unknown to tourists, everything is great and especially its local food. By not visiting the region of Junin, people miss a lot of Peru's culture and tradition. If you are a culinary addict, you have to jump on the Ferrocarril Central (it would give you a good first glance of the good local food)and run to a restaurant in Conception or Jauja!

Everyone who visits the region of Junin has to go and eat a trout in the village of Ingenio, home to farms where these fish are raised. Every restaurant has its own recipes and ways of preparing this local product. You have to try the cebiche de trucha or trucha a la huancaina!

For the bravest (some would say cold-hearted if one saw the live animals cowering in the Sunday market) the most noteworthy dish that could end your starvation is the picante de cuy or cuy chactado (guinea pig). It is found in every restaurant and every tourist simply has to try it before they leave the region, it is an experience!

Another typical local dish would be the papa a la Huancaina (potatoes in a delicious and a touch spicy yellow sauce) with a plate of Pachamanca (a way of cooking the food over heated stones, similar to roasting, served with different meats and vegetables); they are delicious.

For vegetarians, there are several restaurants in the 7th and 8th blocks of Jr. Arequipa, most of which have very cheap 'menus' (S/3.50-5, which includes a soup, a main, usually a drink - most often tea - and sometimes even a small dessert). Particularly good is "El Pobre", which also has a breakfast menu and very friendly owners. It is also popular with locals: always a good sign.

"La Cabaña" has very slow and disorganized service and overly loud Peruvian folkloric music.

Club & discoteques

 * La Noche, Jr. San Antonio 241 - Huancayo
 * Taj Mahal, Av Huancavelica - Huancayo

Bar

 * El Tayta, Av Huancavelica #859 - Huancayo

Sleep

 * La Casa de la Abuela, Pasaje de San Jose 162, dorms for S/20 per person or double room for S/25 per person. Its5 in a rather outlying location that is very difficult for many cab drivers to find. Be sure to get the map that the hotel gives out and to tell the cabdriver the place is located near UPLA. On the plus side, this hotel is clean, quiet and inexpensive, the breakfast is pretty decent, and they'll pick you up from the hotel for free. On the minus side, besides the remote location, the hotel is run in a rather chaotic hippie way, with no staff to be found before 08:00 or 09:00, the showers are lukewarm at best, and the rooms are very poorly thought out with respect to storage space. This hotel has the same ownership as "La Cabaña" and pushes that restaurant/bar pretty hard; but the restaurant is even more disorganized than the hotel! Telephone: +51 64-22 33 03, +51 64-23 43 83. E-mail: incasdelperu@gmail.com.
 * There are several hotels on the city square with rates well under 100 soles per night. Except during festivals, there's probably no need for reservations.
 * There are several hotels on the city square with rates well under 100 soles per night. Except during festivals, there's probably no need for reservations.
 * There are several hotels on the city square with rates well under 100 soles per night. Except during festivals, there's probably no need for reservations.

Go next

 * Huarivilca, or Warivilca. A temple ruin from the Wari era. Take a colectivo or a taxi to the village Huari. You will find the museum (service in the morning and in the afternoon) in the plaza. You can get there explanations in English. After the museum, the guide will show you the ruins, too.
 * The trains to Huancavelica leave Huancayo at 06:00 and 13:00 during the week and 14:00 and 18:00 Sundays. The journey takes about 5 hours. The station is at the crossing of Av. Ferrocarril and Av. Junin. Probably, you will see the old station building first. Beware, it's out of order. The new one is on the other side of the rails and is not very easy to find. Services can be disrupted while the track is upgraded to standard gauge so check at the station.
 * Go to Ingenio (1 hr 15 min, S/2.20) and try the delicious trout menus. You can also catch your own fish and visit the local fish farm where they raise the trout.
 * Climb the statue of the Virgin of Concepcion in Concepcion (25.4 m).
 * go to Tarma (3 hr, S/10). Really nicer than Huancayo, small town, nice trips around.

title: Huancayo