[TW; 2015] Solo Backpack Series | Part 14 - Lukang

Route Info: Changhua Fan-shaped Train Garage > Changhua Train Station > Lukang > Jiuqu Lane > Longshan Temple > Breast Touching Lane (Mo-Lu Lane > Wenchang Shrine and Martial Temple > A-Zen Meat Bao > Lukang Local Market > [next day] Mazu Temple > Lukang Historical Reservation Area > Lukang Art Museum > Lukang Osmanthus Alley Artist Village)
(彰化扇形車庫 > 彰化車站 > 鹿港 >九曲巷 > 龍山寺 > 摸乳巷 > 阿振肉包 > 鹿港菜市場 > [next day] 天后宮 > 鹿港古蹟保存區 > 鹿港藝術館 > 桂花巷藝術村)

(Places in bolded in orange was mentioned in the previous post)

Long post, beware.

DAY10
1. Changhua Fan-shaped Train Garage > Changhua Train Station > Lukang > Tai17 Backpacker
Walked back to the train station and asked for directions how to get to Lukang. The staff referred me to the bus interchange on the opposite left of the station.

彰化客運 Chang Hua Bus, http://www.changhuabus.com.tw/content/view/56

Frankly speaking, I dont know what bus I took. I just went around asking what bus can I take to Lukang and someone told me to board a bus which was about to leave. No idea how much it costed as I paid through the metro card.

Alighted at a stop near the market, and followed the instructions written by Tai17 Backpacker on their blog. I had to walk into an alley, and I missed the hostel as I wasnt paying attention to the houses on my right. I called the owner, and she gave me precise instructions to walk back.

台17背包客棧‧ Tai17 backpacker, https://www.facebook.com/pages/台17背包客棧-Tai17-backpacker/110410659126298

The owner was a very lovely person; she owns 2 dogs and both of them were adopted. (If you're afraid of dogs please chose other hostels) The rooms were neat and tidy, and the rather spacious for me to throw my stuffs and backpack.

2. Tai17 Backpacker > Jiuqu Lane
The owner did a simple brief on Lukang, and passed me a map for me to use it to explore. She gave me a route to follow with, but when I started exploring... it wasnt so easy. I thought I was walking on the right track but actually Im not. So I gave up and just randomly exploring by following the signboards placed by the tourism board.

First Stop was the Jiuqu Lane. Rather interesting where the lanes are twisted, great place to camwhore trying to include in the bends.

3. Jiuqu Lane > Longshan Temple

Taiwan has like plenty of Longshan Temples, it's like everywhere. Perhaps they are affiliated or a concept of "franchise"? Nevertheless, love how the old temple structure appeared so symmetrically on the photo.

There was a tour guide explaining the temple structure, thus I acted as one of the member in the tour. Great discovery was, every temple do have such pretty tops. It was really handmade with sincerity.

4. Longshan Temple > Kinmen Street > Kinmen Hall

As I'm a descent of Kinmen, so this street was on my checklist for this trip!

The Kinmen Hall was initially a place for all the Kinmen descents in Lukang to gather and network. Sounds quite cool. Now it is more like a place for worship.

5. Kinmen Hall > Breast Touching Lane (Mo-Lu Lane)

This is a must go attraction in Lukang! The famous breast touching lane!

It is actually something like a fire escape lane.

It is really narrow, like 70cm wide. You won't believe it is 70cm wide until you see my selfie.

 

It is only able to fit one person at a time. Thankfully nobody attempted to walk this lane when I did, if not... breast touching.

6. Breast Touching Lane (Mo-Lu Lane) > Wenchang Shrine and Martial Temple

There are 2 shrines/temples at that vicinity. But I only managed to visit Wenchang Shrine, as it was close to the closing hours.

7. Wenchang Shrine and Martial Temple > A-Zen Meat Bao
Heard from the hostel owner that there are several meat bao shops in Lukang. And I just chose one of the few famous one.

阿振肉包, www.a-zen.com

I wont say it was really delicious, I think there are better ones in Singapore, but something good enough to satisfy my hungry stomach.

8. A-Zen Meat Bao > Lukang Local Market > Tai17 Backpacker

A local market with lots of Changhua's specialties. Some had really long queues.

I ordered 蝦仁偏食面 Prawn Dumpling Noodles. Not really a Changhua's famous specialties, just that I was craving for some soup food that day. Such a pity I missed Changhua's famous meat dumplings and bamboo rice. Cons of being a solo traveler.

Headed back to hostel, and the owner played some relaxing tracks so that I can chillax at the ground floor with some good books and milk green tea. Enjoyed my night alone at the hostel, not forgetting with one of the dogs barking outside of the hostel.

DAY11
9. Tai17 Backpacker > Mazu Temple

Very touristy temple. Headed there early in the morning and so many tourists over there!

After visiting so many temples in this trip, I learnt to appreciate the tops of the temple.

Outside of the temple are those "night market" alike streets. According to the hostel owner, the food over there are more pricey.

I had no appetite in the morning, so I continued on my journey discovering Lukang.

10. Mazu Temple > Lukang Historical Reservation Area > Lukang Art Museum

As Lukang's "Lu" is written as 鹿, which means deer, so at the historical reservation area, you will get to see alot of deer designs... even on the signboard!

As it was rather early, the crowd wasn't that bad, but not many shops were open, so I managed to complete the area within 15mins. Having some time, I headed to the Art Museum to appreciate some art; no photography is allowed within the museum! But the art pieces were very impressive.

11. Lukang Art Museum > Lukang Osmanthus Alley Artist Village > Tai17 Backpacker

Opposite road of the museum is Lukang Osmanthus Alley Artist Village. Where many local artists/designers locate their shops in the Japanese-like houses.

Deers all over the place.

Very pretty art village!

I went in to one of the houses, which is some mask-making shop.

ㄕ公館工坊, http://fsjh2b06.weebly.com/1256524037392082403722346.html

You get to DIY by painting your favourite colour onto the clay mask, but... the boss was preparing to attend some press conference held opposite his shop. So he doesn't have the time to teach me, instead he invited me over to the conference. Out of courtesy I accepted the invitation to the conference.

 

What happened was, I happily found myself a seat and when the conference started I realised I'm the only audience. The rest of the "audience" were those artists/designers from this art village. No wonder those reporters and organizers were giving me clueless faces. 

And yes, I appeared in a news video for a few seconds as a background. SPOT (tiring looking) ME

Left the conference halfway cause I was feeling about out of place. Best thing in Lukang was, there is Youbike!

 

I cycled to the nearest station to Tai17 Backpacker which was Folk Arts Museum. And this marks the end of my Lukang trip.

Why did I chose to go Lukang?

Because of this song. I like to see the charisma of this small town. 

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