Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村遊樂園)

Day 3 : Saturday 16 Nov 2013.

Direction: Take MRT to Jingan MRT station, take an e-go bus outside the MRT station

There are a few theme parks in Taiwan and there is one near Taipei, which is 1.5 hours away from Taipei. The park is located in Hsinchu area. There are many ways to Leofoo Village Theme Park. We chose to go by e-go bus. The bus would depart Songshan airport and stop at Zhongxiao Dunhua 忠孝敦化 MRT station, then Jingan 景安 MRT station to pick passengers and then finally head to Leofoo theme park. You can board the bus at any of the stops mentioned. We chose to take the bus at Jingan MRT station exit ( there is only one exit in Jingan MRT station and the e-go bus stand is just outside of the MRT station (you don't have to cross any road). There was a big crowd waiting for the bus around 9.00 a.m on that Saturday morning. There was also an e-go bus attendant managing the queue, we had to wait for the second bus as the first one was full. The line was orderly and we did not have to wait long. We boarded the bus and off we went to our destination. About one and a half hour into our bus journey, the bus made a stop at 龍潭總站(lóngtánzǒngzhàn) and we were advised to go down to buy our bus tickets. The ticketing staff asked the place where we boarded our bus and whether we were buying return tickets. The bus fare for adults was NT$30 return (for journey from Jingan MRT to Leofoo) and the children's fare was NT$15 return. You can check the e-go bus schedule here.

Our bus journey took about 2 hours as the road was congested on that Saturday.

e-go bus stop outside Jingan MRT station.

We bought our Leofoo village themepark ticket from the Ibon machine (found in major 7-11 stores). We got ours at NT$650 per person. We brought this ticket to the ticket counter in Leofoo Village and they printed out another set of tickets for us and gave us NT$50 voucher which can be used at any outlet in the village, since there was four us, the total gift voucher we obtained was NT$200. However, you can purchased your tickets at the theme park main entrance but they cost more; NT$999 for adults and NT699 for children. So it is advisable to purchase them at 7-11 stores. If you do not read chinese, just speak to the staff and they will guide you, payment is made at the 7-11 counter. You can get information on Leofoo ticket here. More information from Ibon here.

Tickets to LeoFoo bought from Ibon machine at 7-11 store.

Posing for the camera.

The kids were excited going to a theme park.

Inside the e-go bus.

The only bus trip during our entire stay in Taipei.

She loves the bus ride.

In a high spirit, in an exciting place.

Me and the kids, they specifically asked for a theme park.

Admiring the morning glory.

Beautiful view of the theme park.

On the way to African safari & Nairobi Express.

First, they wanted to ride the camel.

Yikes, it's a stinky camel but adorable.

Kay & Joe on their first camel ride, well the place is no Egypt, the zoo ground is a good enough a place for a camel ride.

The attendant, lead the camel all the way round the pond...seemed like the other camel wanted to join the procession too!

It has stopped drizzling, people were lazing around, sitting at the small gazebos, enjoying the cool morning air.

The camel was cooperative enough for the kids to enjoy the ride.

Stopping for the camera!

Joe saw a parrot and insisted on feeding it by the hand.

He was not careful and the parrot gave him a kiss!

He then decided to drop all the feed into the cup.

Kay just stood there looking.

I was busy taking photos.

Nairobi express, a relaxing way to enjoy the animals

Very happy to be seated.

He couldn't wait for his lunch.

The red soil gives a good contrast to the otherwise dull brownish bull!

Goat with long horns.

Black beauty?

Ah! I caught the zebras' asses.

Mountain goats and the pigs.

A view of the castle from the Nairobi express ride.

A shy giraffe.

Another mountain goat with funny looking horns.

They wanted to go for the water log ride but we didn't bring any change.

Enjoying the scenic view.

The western town in Leofoo theme park Village.

Christmas mood.

Taking photo near a water well.

Joe is captivated by the well.

Enjoying their ride.

Joe hiding under his hood.

The last ride before heading back to the bus stand.

The bus stand at LeoFoo Village.

Waiting for the 2.30 p.m. bus, it headed back to Taipei City around 2.45 p.m.

Enjoying her goodies from LeoFoo.

Happy at last! He got what he wanted a trip to a theme park.

Our dinner, from a shop near Jingan MRT station. We tried the jajiangmian and wantan soup.

After the tiring journey, it was chilling time, eating popcorn and playing games.

It was another fruitful journey, it is so easy to travel around Taipei City, the transportation system is so good. The MRT is punctual, fast and clean. We did not join any tour, most of the time we head out from the hotel around 8.20 a.m. which is considered just the right time. I am glad we did not succumbed to the temptation of joining the tour to Taipei from Malaysia. Doing the tour ourselves, cut our cost and free us from unwanted, confining and punishing schedule. Our next trip is to a charming small town; ceramic town in New Taipei City - Yingge district 鶯歌區Yīnggē Qū.