Complimentary Lodging

Thu
Dec 26
2019
RSVP

財團法人鳳山佛教蓮社
No. 6, Sanmin Road
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan


The Procession

Sun
Dec 29
2019
9:30 am TO 9:45 am
RSVP

財團法人鳳山佛教蓮社 Fengshan Lotus Temple
No. 6, Sanmin Road
Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan

+886 7 745 0351
fonlan.org

The Ceremony

Sun
Dec 29
2019
10:00 am TO 11:00 am
RSVP

鳳山佛教蓮社 Fengshan Lotus Temple
No. 58, Sanmin Road Taiwan
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan

+886 7 746 2527
fonlan.org

The Reception

Sun
Dec 29
2019
12:30 pm TO 3:30 pm
RSVP

鳳山佛教蓮社 Fengshan Lotus Temple
No. 58, Sanmin Road
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan

+886 7 746 2527
fonlan.org

Happy Hour

Sun
Dec 29
2019
4:00 pm TO 8:00 pm
RSVP

旗津沙灘吧 Cijin Sunset Bar
No. 1050, Qijin 3rd Road
Kaohsiung City, 805
Taiwan

+886 7 571 6120
facebook.com

Tainan Tour

Mon
Dec 30
2019
9:00 am TO 9:00 pm
RSVP

Departure from 鳳山佛教蓮社
No. 58, Sanmin Road
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan


Kenting Tour

Tue
Dec 31
2019
9:00 am TO 9:00 pm
RSVP

Departure from 鳳山佛教蓮社
No. 58, Sanmin Road
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan


Kaohsiung Tour

Wed
Jan 1
2020
9:00 am TO 9:00 pm
RSVP

Departure from 鳳山佛教蓮社
No. 58, Sanmin Road
Fengshan District

Kaohsiung City, 830
Taiwan


Overview

Complimentary lodging will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the No.6 Lodging Building of the Fengshan Lotus Temple from December 26 - January 4 (dates can be flexible so let us know your travel plans). If you're interested, RSVP and let us know which days you will be staying!

Please read all the details regarding your stay before RSVPing. This accommodation option may not be the right choice for everyone.

Accommodation Details

Keep in mind "No.6" is a Buddhist temple, not a traditional hotel. While staying in a temple may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most, it may not be the most comfortable option.

Please take careful note of the following:

- Rooms are dormitory-style and share both kitchens and bathrooms.

- Rooms are small and only fit a single bed or two futons (and basically nothing else).

- Not all rooms have beds and mattresses. We expect most guests will be sleeping on futons (a thick, padded blanket). For those sharing a room, expect your room to contain two futons.

- Floor 2 contains a total of 7 dorms along a shared hallway, a kitchen, 1 bathroom sink, 2 toilets, and 1 shower. Floor 2's restroom will be designated for men.

- Floor 3 contains a total of 4 dorms along a shared hallway, a kitchen, 1 bathroom sink, 2 toilets, and 1 shower. Floor 3's restroom will be designated for women.

- Floor 1 (restroom will be designated for men) and Floor 4 (restroom will be designated for women) contain 3 additional toilets and 1 sink each.

- Individual rooms can be locked. Guests will be given a key for both their individual room and the main temple door.

Amenities

The following amenities will be provided:

- Air Conditioning (no heating, but Taiwan is very comfortable in the winter)

- Wifi on Floor 1 (not available in individual rooms -- see Travel section for how to obtain personal wifi)

- Laundry Rooms (but no drying machines -- hang dry only!)

- Trash Removal from common space areas (individual rooms will not be entered for cleaning)

- Towels (two per person)

- Hair Dryers (one per restroom)

-  Soap, Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner (one set per shower)

- Bottled Water, Drinks, and Snacks

Temple Rules

To be respectful of our hosts:

- Avoid eating noticeable amounts of meat while inside the temple.

- Avoid drinking alcohol while inside the temple.

- Avoid making loud noises or partying while inside the temple.

No. 6 Exterior (center white building)
Kitchen

The 1st floor kitchen will be equipped with a fridge. Other kitchens will have a sink and supplies.

(Please excuse our "moving-out" mess! Kitchens will be clear of clutter for your stay.)

Floor 2

Shared hallway and 7 dorms.

Floor 3

Shared hallway and 4 dorms.

Sample Bedroom

The pictured room contains a single sized bed and mattress. Most rooms will contain a similarly sized futon (or two if couples are staying together).

(Please excuse our "moving-out" mess! Bedrooms will be clear of clutter for your stay.)

Bathroom

Two toilet stalls (on left) and one shower stall (right).

Procession Details

We will have a short procession from where the bride is staying (No. 6 Sanmin Road) to where the ceremony will be held (No. 58 Sanmin Road). We would love if our friends and family could join us! Music, bubbles, and fun will be provided. :)

Dress Code

Dress code for the procession is formal.

Dress shirts and ties for men (jackets optional), and dresses for women.

Contrary to typical Taiwanese weddings, please DO NOT wear sandals, t-shirts, shorts, jeans, or sneakers.

Photographs Before the Procession

We will be meeting inside No. 58 Sanmin Road to take photos with friends and family before the procession. Please join us!

Directions & Map
Ceremony Details

The ceremony will be held on 6th floor of the main temple (No. 58). Elevators are located to your right upon entering. Shoes must be removed before entering the main ceremony hall.

Dress Code

Dress code for the ceremony is formal.

Dress shirts and ties for men (jackets optional), and dresses for women.

Contrary to typical Taiwanese weddings, please DO NOT wear sandals, t-shirts, shorts, jeans, or sneakers.

Reception Details

There is an intentional gap in time between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the reception. Feel free to leave and come back during this window. You can also walk around and tour the temple if you'd like. The bride and groom will be taking pictures in the main ceremony hall (6th floor of No. 58).

Dress Code

Dress code for the reception is formal.

Dress shirts and ties for men (jackets optional), and dresses for women.

Contrary to typical Taiwanese weddings, please DO NOT wear sandals, t-shirts, shorts, jeans, or sneakers.

Location

Lunch will be served on the first floor of the main temple (No.58).

A seating chart will be provided near the entrance.

Food

All dishes are vegetarian and served family style.

Please inform us of any additional dietary constraints or allergies, and we will let you know which dishes to avoid.

Translated menus will also be provided for each table.

Drinks

Tea, water, soft drinks, and juices will be provided. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the temple.

After the Reception & Before the Happy Hour

We expect lunch to conclude by 2:30. Between 2:30 and 3:30 we will be taking photos with friends and family on the 6th floor of the temple (in the main ceremony hall). Please join us!

Happy Hour Details

Join us for drinks and dinner at the Cijin Sunset Bar! A tour bus will be leaving from in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road (the temple where the ceremony was held) at 4:00 PM and returning by 8:00 PM.

BE ON TIME!!! We will not be waiting for latecomers. We have a sunset to catch!

Each guest will receive a pre-paid $600 NTD to spend on any drinks and food at the bar. We request that any additional purchases be paid for out of pocket.


NOTE: Due to limited tour bus capacity, this event only open to foreign guests.

If you are a resident of Taiwan and still want to participate, accept the RSVP, but we cannot guarantee you a spot. We will inform you after October 31st if we are able to accommodate your RSVP.

Dress Code

Dress code for the Happy Hour is casual. Please feel free to wear whatever you'd like!

Nearby To-do's

The Cijin Sunset Bar is located right on Cijin beach. Enjoy the beautiful black sands and rolling waves. Restrooms, changing rooms, and rinse-off stations are available nearby, but keep in mind that the water and wind can be quite cold in the winter.

The Cijin Night Market is also steps away and lines several blocks worth of streets. If Taiwanese street food and games is what you crave, we recommend you take a stroll!

Directions & Map
Overview

Join us for a full-day tour of Taiwan's oldest city, Tainan!

A tour bus will be departing promptly at 9:00 AM from in front of No.58 Sanmin Road (the temple where the ceremony was held). Breakfast (bread & fruit) will be provided upon departure.


NOTE: Due to limited tour bus capacity, this event is only open to foreign guests.

If you are a resident of Taiwan and still want to participate, accept the RSVP, but we cannot guarantee you a spot. We will inform you after October 31st if we are able to accommodate your RSVP.

Itinerary

9:00 AM Depature

Departing from in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.

1 hour bus ride to the first activity.

10:00 AM - 12:45 PM Ten Drum Wenhua Village

This refurbished sugar mill is now the home to an industrial playground filled with bungee jumping, laser tag, rock climbing, cafes, and more. Play, explore, and join us for a traditional Taiwanese drum show at 10:30 AM. Don't forget to grab lunch amidst all the fun!

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Chimei Museum

Chimei Museum is a recently developed but now iconic tourist hotspot in Tainan. Enjoy the uniquely European-Taiwanese style of architecture as well as special exhibits on arts, antiques, and Taiwanese culture.

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Grand Matsu Temple

A cluster of famous temples sit at the heart of Tainan -- some of the oldest we will be visiting during our 3-day tour.

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park

Almost out of place, the Blueprint Culture Park is a small arts and crafts village sandwiched between traditional Taiwanese row homes. We're stopping by to take some awesome pictures, buy some handmade Taiwanese souvenirs, and grab a coffee or two.

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Anping Old Fort

Did you know that Taiwan was once ruled by the Dutch? Their influence can still be seen at Old Fort Zeelandia, although the Taiwanese style street market pretty much overwhelms all other European influences. Play some street games, grab your dinner, and snap pictures of an old Dutch fort - all within a couple blocks!

9:00 PM Arrival in Kaohsiung

1 hour bus ride back to Kaohsiung.

Arrival at back in Kaohsiung in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.

Overview

Join us for a full-day tour of Kenting, Taiwan's southernmost point famous for its beaches and views.

Unlike the other tour days, you have two choices of what you'd like to do (see Option A and Option B below). You can return to the RSVP page to change your mind up until October 31, 2019 (so we can reserve the correct number of electric motorbikes).

A tour bus will be departing promptly at 9:00 AM from in front of No.58 Sanmin Road (the temple where the ceremony was held). Breakfast (bread & fruit) will be provided upon departure.


NOTE: Due to limited tour bus capacity, this event is only open to foreign guests.

If you are a resident of Taiwan and still want to participate, accept the RSVP, but we cannot guarantee you a spot. We will inform you after October 31st if we are able to accommodate your RSVP.

Itinerary

9:00 AM Depature

Departing from No. 58 Sanmin Road.

1.5 hour bus ride to the first activity.

10:30 AM - 11:10 AM Checheng Fuan Temple

This large temple is built in a traditional Chinese style and will provide us a quick pit stop for restrooms, pictures, and snacks at the nearby food market.

11:30 AM - 1:15 PM Lunch at JO HOT GUO WO

No one should leave Taiwan without at least one hot pot experience. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions when making your RSVP.

Option A: I'd like to stay with the tour bus and visit the lighthouse!

After lunch, the tour bus will drop off "Option A" guests at Baisha Bay and leave to bring "Option B" guests to the Kenting Street Motorbike Rental store.

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM Baisha Bay

This beautiful beach is famous for its debut in the movie Life of Pi. Bring a bathing suit and take a dip in the water or partake in water sports. But be warned -- it can get relatively chilly and windy in the winter (18°C - 27°C or 64°F - 81°F). Showers, restrooms, and 'basic needs' shops are available on-site along with a bar and beach volleyball court.

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM Eluanbi Lighthouse

Taiwan's southernmost point. Visit this iconic white lighthouse and take a stroll to the seaside to see the curve of Taiwan's rocky coast.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Kenting Street

Kenting Night Market. Food, games, shopping. Don't forget to grab dinner!

The tour bus will be dropping off and picking up from in front of the Electric Bike Rental Shop:

Feng-Xiang Motorcycle Rental (鳳翔租車), No. 243, Kending Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, +886 8 886 1880.

9:00 PM Arrival in Kaohsiung

2 hour bus ride back to Kaohsiung.

Arrival at back in Kaohsiung in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.

Option B: I'd like to rent an electric motorbike and tour Kenting on my own!

After lunch, the tour bus will drop off "Option A" guests at Baisha Bay before bringing "Option B" guests to the Kenting Street Motorbike Rental store.

2:15 PM - 7:00 PM Kenting Street Motorbike Rental

The tour bus will drop you off in front of the rental shop at 2:15 PM and will pick everyone up from in front of the rental shop at 7:00 PM to return to Kaohsiung. You are free to do whatever you like during this time.

We will be reserving electric motorbikes from:

Feng-Xiang Motorcycle Rental (鳳翔租車), No. 243, Kending Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, +886 8 886 1880.

Motorbike details:

- Motorbikes are dangerous (duh). We will not be responsible for any injury or death due to your choice to participate in this experience. However, there will be an optional 15 minute training session upon arrival for those who are interested.

- Motorbikes come with helmets.

- Legally only one rider per bike, but if you choose to ride two, you may be fined up to $300 NTD (around $10 USD) if stopped by the police. Battery life is also halved.

- Rental cost is priced per battery. The first battery costs $400 NTD (around $13 USD) and lasts around 30 km. Additional batteries can be purchased at an additional $400 NTD per battery and also last around 30 km. You can decide on the number of batteries you'd like when you arrive at the shop.

- A motorcycle license is not required to rent an electric motorbike (although if you have one, you can rent a gas motorbike instead). However, you must bring your normal driver's license!

- The max speed of an electric motorbike is around 60 km/hour on declines, but averages closer to 50 km/hour.

- If your bike breaks or the battery runs out prematurely, you will have to call the rental agency and they will either pick you up or fix your bike.

- 1 battery will take you from Kenting Street to Eluanbi Lighthouse and back in around 1 hour nonstop. 2 batteries will take you around the entire southern cape of Taiwan in around 2.5 hours nonstop.

- See photo of map next to the title above for a drawing of the two described routes. The Facebook link below is to the motorbike company's website.

9:00 PM Arrival in Kaohsiung

2 hour bus ride back to Kaohsiung.

Arrival at back in Kaohsiung in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.

NEW YEARS CONCERT

For those interested in attending a New Year celebration, a popular New Years concert and fireworks celebration takes place at Dream Mall (in Kaohsiung - more details in the Travel section). For those who want a genuine T-Pop experience, plan for massive crowds. We will post more information once we know more about the event.

Overview

Join us for a full-day tour of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's southern capital and our host city!

A tour bus will be departing promptly at 9:00 AM from in front of No.58 Sanmin Road (the temple where the ceremony was held). Breakfast (bread & fruit) will be provided upon departure.


NOTE: Due to limited tour bus capacity, this event is only open to foreign guests.

If you are a resident of Taiwan and still want to participate, accept the RSVP, but we cannot guarantee you a spot. We will inform you after October 31st if we are able to accommodate your RSVP.

Itinerary

9:00 AM Depature

Departing from in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.

30 minute bus ride to the first activity.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Fo Guan Shan Temple

It's easy to tell why this place is nicknamed "Big Buddha Temple" by the locals. Despite being a relatively new development, its name is now recognized across all of Taiwan.

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Pier 2

Along the seaside is an artsy new area filled with local craft shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants. Exhibits change year-round, so while there's no guarantee of exactly what will be on display in December of 2019, there is a guarantee that it will be... artistic.

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Shoushan Mountain

Soushan Mountain is also known as Monkey Mountain, and for good reason! We'll be stopping by the Love Outlook and Martyr Shrine for a breathtaking view of the city. If you're lucky, you'll spot some monkey families romping about. And if you're unlucky, they'll steal your food.

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM Lotus Pond

Known for its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, a walk around Lotus Pond is a great opportunity for some fresh air and lakeside pictures.

If you want to walk around the entire lake, please plan for it to take at least an hour at a brisk pace.

5:00 PM - 7:15 PM Hanshin Arena

Shopping is an integral part of Taiwanese culture. Hanshin Arena is just one of Kaohsiung's many premier departments stores. Find dinner on the lower levels (we recommend Din Tai Fung if you can get a seat!) and shopping on all the rest.

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Ruifeng Night Market

Haley and Corey's favorite night market in Kaohsiung. Spend just a bit of time playing games and grabbing some snacks before heading back to the temple.

9:00 PM Arrival at Temple

30 minute bus ride back to the main temple.

Arrival in front of No. 58 Sanmin Road.