Yesterday was tiring so I started late today.  I took the MRT to Jiantan Station and hopped on the R5 bus to Yangmingshan.  From the Tourist Center Stop (the last stop of R5), you could ride Bus 108 to go on the areas within Yangmingshan National Park.  Although, this is my second time here, I'm still not sure where to go so I got off at the Visitor Center.  Please note that it's closed every last Monday of the month, as it is today, so I just need to figure out what to do.

Visitor Center

Yangmingshan Trail and Transportation Map

Around the Visitor Center

I saw a sign that has a clock on it and hoped that it would lead me to the Flower Clock.  I crossed the street going into the garden I've been to before.

Map of Yangming Park

Just passed by this garden (Azalea and Camellia Garden) as I've already explored this area before.

Azalea Garden

Good thing that the trail from the Visitor Center to the Flower Clock is mostly downhill, otherwise I might give up going there.

Signs to the Flower Clock

Path to the Flower Clock

Path to the Flower Clock

After about 20 minutes walk just following the signs to the Flower Clock, I finally reached it.

Flower Clock

Flower Clock

A Floral Expo/Festival at Yangmingshan

A Floral Expo/Festival at Yangmingshan

Bronze Statue of Chiang-Kai Shek

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms

Fountain surrounded by Cherry Blossoms

Transportation:

• Bus R5 from Jiantan MRT Station
• Bus 260 from Taipei Main Station (outside exit M1)

Since I'm planning to go to Xinbeitou from here, I waited for this bus (Bus 129 to Beitou MRT Station).  However, after an hour of waiting, there's not a sign of this bus yet.  I've seen the locals waiting with me go back to the bus stops inside the park.  I followed their lead and just went for Bus 260 to Shilin MRT Station.

Bus 129 Route

Bus 260 Route

I was off to Taipei Zoo station around 8:30 in the morning.  This would be the starting point of my activities for the day.  It took about an hour via MRT to get from Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station to Taipei Zoo Station.

I took Exit 2 (Maokong Gondola exit) as I originally planned to go on a ride at the cable car.  However, there had been announcements in the MRT stations that the service has been suspended for the day due to strong winds.  Awww... sadness.  Anyways, I still went that way (turn left upon exiting the station), at least for the Dancing Waters area.

Exit 2 of Taipei Zoo Station

View outside Taipei Zoo Station (that's the top of Taipei 101 in the middle of the picture)

Map of the area

Even trash cans take the shape of the gondola

Children's Playground

Walkway between Taipei Zoo station and Maokong Gondola

Maokong Gondola service was suspended due to strong winds

Maokong Gondola Station and Visitor Center

Past the Children's Playground and Maokong Gondola station would be the Dancing Waters area.  On weekdays (Monday to Thursday), performances start at 09:30, every 30 minutes up to 18:30, and every 15 minutes up to 20:30.  On weekends (Friday to Sunday) and holidays, it starts at 08:30 every 30 minutes up to 18:30, and every 15 minutes up to its last performance at 21:30.  It must have been better to check this out during the evening as it's more colorful because of the lights.

With the view of Maokong Gondola station at the Dancing Waters Area

With the view of the gondola at the Dancing Waters Area

After the short performance (it's about 5-10minutes, not quite sure), I went to the direction of Taipei Zoo for my next destination.

Front of Taipei Zoo