Window on China
A first trip to Window on China reminds visitors of the famous novel Gulliver's Travels. What really catches their eye is not little people but the astonishing accuracy of the 1:25th scale replicas of some of the world's most famous buildings.
Located in Lungtan (..) near Shihmen Dam some 50 kilometers south of Taipei, Window on China is a marvelous miniature world that was originally designed to provide an overview of traditional Chinese buildings in mainland China and Taiwan, as well as to illustrate modern Taiwanese architecture. Window on China was established 11 years ago when theme parks were not very popular yet and tourist sites were just developing in Taiwan. The chairman of the park, C. H. Chu, recalls when he began thinking of doing something special for tourism in Taiwan. He started researching theme parks around the world. As his model, he chose the Madurodam in the Netherlands, a 'Lilliputian' world illustrating the daily activities of Netherlanders. Then he began to carry out his dream.
From the beginning there were difficulties. Obtaining the original blueprints and construction diagrams of the buildings from mainland China proved frustrating. Chu set up a research group to gather data from Taiwan, Japan, and elsewhere, but not all the members of the group had the appropriate academic or architectural training; many had construction experience only. Strict attention to detail as well as intense trial and experimentation went into the creation of the faithful miniature replicas--down to the accuracy of the living trees, shrubs, and tiny figures.
The original park area had two main parts: Mini Taiwan and Mini China. Replicas of Taiwanese architecture depict the entire history of the island from its early colonial period to the present. Buildings such as Fort San Domingo, Lung Shan Temple, the Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen memorial halls, and Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, represent the many faces of Taiwan. The replicas in Mini China include the Great Wall, famous parts of the Forbidden City, Lungmen Caves, and the Temple of Heaven. It covers just about all of the most important sights of the mainland.
About two years ago, Chu decided to expand Window on China to include landmarks from around the world. The resulting new area is named Mini Kingdom and contains more than 50 sets of miniature landscapes located in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. Here visitors have the opportunity to see the Parthenon, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Statue of Liberty, and the pyramids without applying for multiple visas. Aside from the replicas, traditional folk performances such as lion and aboriginal dances, acrobatic and Chinese music performances display the variety of Chinese folk arts. At Window on China, you can visit Fantasy Land, which is touted as "the most well planned international amusement park in Southeast Asia." The restaurants at Window on China provide satisfying Taiwanese, Chinese, and western cuisine.
The Leofoo Safari and Theme Parks
Another attraction near Window on China is the Leofoo Safari Park, which offers drives through a "game park." There is also a petting zoo, filled with adorable baby animals, providing a multitude of pleasures for zoo lovers of all ages. Opened in 1979, the Safari Park is the first wildlife park in Taiwan. It covers about 75 hectares and is home to a variety of exotic creatures: American elk, white rhinoceros, Alaska brown bear, apes, zebras, and others, including some endangered species, from all over the world. There are also some special species, such as the Formosan spotted deer, that are found only in Taiwan.
The Leofoo Development Company has also developed a theme park to provide visitors an alternative place to visit. The first section to open in the theme park last year is named Wild West and focuses on the wild and woolly American west of the 19th century. General Custer's fort, including artillery, a trading post between settlers and Indians, a cowboy stunt show, a country music hall, and a blacksmith's shop offer a view of life in the old west. In addition to these displays, visitors can try stimulating activities like rafting, a roller coaster ride, and exploring a labyrinth.
The South Pacific section, which opened in July this year, brings Polynesian culture to Taiwan. The design of the amusement rides, programs, and shows, even the souvenir shops, invites visitors to enjoy the tranquil island life of the South Pacific. Visitors can explore South Pacific cultures by observing traditional bamboo or thatched cottages, carvings, mysterious tattoos and tribal rituals, and drum music. Even along the road to the park, rows of palm trees add to a South Pacific ambiance.
The rides in this village are the most popular in the park. The Flume Ride takes thrill seekers to the top of a tall reproduction of a volcano where the cars spin around a 'village' and then drop three stories at a 45-degree angle. Captain Cook's Swinging Ship is 18.5 meters in length and is one of the four largest swings in the world. It holds 84 people and swings 70 degrees each way. Beside these exciting rides, there is a Kid's Catamaran for children under 140 centimeters tall.
How to Get There
Window on China
If you are driving via the freeway from Taipei, exit at the Youth Industrial Park interchange and take the county road through Puhsing to Lungtan and then to Kaoyuan village. If you drive via the Northern Second Freeway, exit at Lungtan and take the county road to Kaoyuan village. If you are traveling by train or bus, take a Hsinchu Bus Co. bus across from the Chungli train station and get off at the Window on China stop. On holidays, there is a direct bus to Window on China from the Hsinchu Bus station in Hsinchu City.
Admission is NT$480 for adults, NT$420 for students and military, NT$300 for children under 110 centimeters tall, and NT$240 for the handicapped and seniors over 70. Operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Window on China is located at 60-2, Hengkanghsia, Kaoyuan Village, Lungtan Hsiang, Taoyuan County. Call (03) 471-7211 for more information.
Leofoo Safari and Theme Parks
If you drive via the freeway, exit at Yangmei and take the county road to Lungtan and then turn south to Kuanhsi. If you go by the Northern Second Freeway, exit at Kuanhsi and go north to County Road #27 to Leofoo Park. If you go by public transportation, take the Hsinchu Bus Co. bus across from the Chungli or Hsiuchu train station directly to Leofoo Park. There are buses directly from Hsiuchu to Leofoo Park only on Sundays. The price of admission is NT$330 to NT$600, depending on age, status, and number of rides. Operating hours vary at different times of the year; please call toll free (080) 351-552 for more information.