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The Ultimate Taipei Travel Guide
The Ultimate Taipei Travel Guide
If you haven’t been to Taipei, Taiwan yet, then you’re missing out a whole lot on life.
Taiwan is one of the Asian countries that has the most beautiful culture. It gives off the liveliness of Chinese culture and the elegance of Japanese culture combined. Taiwan was conquered by the Japanese from 1895 to 1945, and its Chinese roots continually shapes its culture. Taiwan, therefore, has this combination of both Chinese and Japanese influence, and the beauty of the combination, along with a little mix of Taiwan’s own culture, produced a beautiful, whole new culture in itself—this is why I think Taiwan has the most beautiful culture in Asia.
Its capital city Taipei especially showcases Taiwan’s culture. Taipei, noted for its colorful, bustling streets, night markets, and the towering Taipei 101 skyscraper, is a famous tourist destination in Taiwan. Taipei has so much of Taiwan’s culture condensed in its area that it is virtually impossible to run out of new things to see and do here. So if you haven’t been to Taipei yet, it’s time to start planning to—and here’s the Ultimate Taipei travel guide to help you.
How to get there
Several international airlines offer daily flights to Taipei. In the Philippines, airlines like AirAsia offer flights from Manila and Cebu to Taipei. Filipino travelers should secure a tourist visa to fly to Taiwan but if you currently or previously had a valid Visa from the US, Australia, Japan, Korea, Canada or any Schengen country then all you need is to fill out a form online to get a Visa-Free pass to Taiwan.
From Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you can choose to either ride a taxi or a bus to get to Taipei. Both modes of transportation are available in both terminals. You can be rest assured that the taxis in the airport are safe because they are accredited by the Aviation Police Bureau, but expect that there will be a fare surcharge.
Bus fares, on the other hand, are generally cheaper, and tickets are sold at bus counters. Buses can take you to Taipei Main Station, where you can book a much cheaper and shorter taxi ride to the hotel you booked.
The Taoyuan International Airport Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a faster mode of transportation that directly connects the airport and Taipei City, but it’s still due to open on March 2017.
Where and when to stay in Taipei
Taipei has a lot of good hotels around. YoMi Hotel (check rates), Via Hotel Loft (check rates), Ximen Hedo Hotel Kaifeng (check rates) and Taipei Morning Hotel (check rates) are some of the most affordable decent hotels, and have been awarded by TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence as well.
As for when to stay, Taipei, Taiwan generally has a fair climate all year round. However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes walking around, and if you plan on visiting Taipei’s night markets, be sure to avoid the months of July through September. July is usually the hottest month with an average temperature of at least 30°C (85°F), while August to September are usually the rainy months. Although there are several activities you can engage in regardless of weather, nothing beats exploring Taipei with a nice, chill weather, without the hassle of carrying a raincoat or an umbrella along with your shopping bags.
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Getting around
The lifeline of transportation in Taipei is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. The MRT, oftentimes called Metro Taipei, connects several major stations in Taipei. Metro Taipei displays and announces information in English aside from other languages, which makes it very accessible for non-Chinese speakers.
The most expensive trips only cost NT$ 65, or about US$ 2. Buses are also a famous mode of transportation. Taipei buses also have English displays so it’s also good for non-Chinese speakers. Bus fares are paid per section that the bus passes through, and each section is just NT$ 15, or less than US$ 1. Buses have digital displays that indicate when you should pay and when you can go down.
What to do when you get there
Visit Jiufen Old Street in New Taipei City
New Taipei used to be called Taipei County, and was a part of Taipei. Now, New Taipei is a separate city that surrounds Taipei. Quite confusing right? Regardless of its origin, Jiufen Old Street is a must-visit tourist destination near in New Taipei. Once a gold mining village established by the Japanese, Jiufen Old Street is now a quaint but colorful small village with plenty of food stalls and shops. Think of it as an old-school shopping district.
Shop some more in Ximending
Ximending is often referred to as the Harujuku of Taipei. It’s the first pedestrian zone in Taipei—meaning no motor vehicles pass by there. You’re free to walk around and shop ‘til you drop, or walk around ‘til your feet hurt. There are countless shops in this neon-lit shopping district, and range from individual food vendors to larger buildings. Think of it as an urban shopping district.
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Go shrimp fishing. That’s right, you read right
If Japan has goldfish scooping, Taipei has shrimp fishing. Shrimp fishing is paid per hour, and you’ll be provided with poles, bait (usually chicken liver), and a tray to place your fresh catch! What’s better is you can grill your catch on the spot too. Shrimp fishing indoor pools are located in clusters near Shilin Night Market, where you can…
Buy a souvenir or two from the Shilin Night Market.
The Shilin Night Market is a famous shopping center in town. It opens starting at 4 PM, and closes as late as 2 in the morning. There were 539 food stalls as of 2002. These stalls sell both food and nonfood items, and if you want to buy authentic street food (aside from souvenirs), then this is the place for you.
What to eat
Egg pudding…in an egg.
The How Sweet bakery is famous for its egg pudding…served in actual eggs! The tip of the egg is cut, and the pudding is stored inside. No worries: the egg shell is sanitized and is enhanced so it doesn’t break. How Sweet’s famous egg puddings can be bought from Taipei Main Station.
Bite a crispy fried cuttlefish
If you aren’t satisfied yet with Shilin Night Market’s food stalls, then you’ll be stoked to know that there’s another food-filled night market just south of Shilin, and near SongSan Train Station… the Raohe Night Market. Here, you can spot Taipei’s version of food trucks, and where you can indulge in freshly fried, crispy cuttlefish. Yum!
Indulge in a bowl of beef noodle soup
Your trip to Taipei won’t be complete if you haven’t tried its beef noodle soup at Din Tai Fung or in any noodle shop. The dish usually consists of tender beef, crispy greens, noodles, a bit of spice, and broth that deserves to be rewarded with a huge golden trophy. Most restaurants in Taipei serve their own versions of beef noodle soup, but you should try Regent Taipei’s twist.
You can also try cold noodles. Taipei doesn’t just have hot beef noodles, it also has cold noodles, which you should definitely try as well. Taiwanese cold noodles are usually served with sesame seeds, and sometimes with peanut sauce as well. Each stall has its own version as well.
Scallion Pancake in Yongkang St.
Din Tai Fung is not the only reasons why people visits Yongkang St. This street is definitely a haven for food lovers. From Noodle houses, Bakeries, Fresh Fruit shops and some shopping areas, theres a lot of things to do and see in this popular foodie district. Tian Jin Flaky Scallion Pancake is a must try when you visit Yongkang St. This restaurant is hard to miss since you will immediately notice the long queue of customers waiting for their turn. With its semi-crispy pastry, you can choose egg, cheese, bacon, Taiwanese basil and other options to add more flavor to your Scallion pancake!
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Pork Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung
If you want to taste one of the best Pork Xiao Long Bao in Taiwan then visit Din Tai Fung in YongKang St. Steamed pork dumplings or xiao long baos contain minced pork wrapped in freshly mad dough, pleated and twisted at the top and steamed.
Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta
This yummy mango flavored dessert has creamy shaved ice with real diced mangoes on the side and a panna cotta on top. It’s really worth it but make sure to be with someone, its had to finish it alone:)
And for dessert, try this Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta also in YongKang St.
Where to go
Pray in Lungshan Temple of Manka.
The Buddhist temple of Lungshan Temple of Manka is a famous worship spot. It is home to Chinese deities Mazu and Guan Yu, and was constructed in 1738. During the subsequent years, the temple was damaged during the Japanese rule in Taiwan, and by the American air raids in 1945. Although the parts of the temple were reconstructed after the Second World War, it still stands as one of the most iconic temples that showcase classical Taiwanese culture.
Shrink in front of the massive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
It’s impossible to miss Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. It’s a gigantic white monument that was built in memory of the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. It’s surrounded by an equally huge park. Moreover, the building is full of meanings. For instance, the octagonal blue roof symbolizes the number 8, which is commonly associated with good fortune. The 89 steps leading to the entrance, on the other hand, symbolizes the age of the former President’s age of death.
Visit the National Palace Museum
Located in Shilin, Taipei, Taiwan, The National Palace Museum has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. Trough Chiang Kai-shek’s initiative, he moved some of the collections from China to Taiwan in the late 1940s to escape the Communists. This Museum has a vast collection of beautiful artifacts and is definitely worth a visit.
Travel to another world in Huashan 1914 Creative Park.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park has things that you won’t see anywhere else in Taipei. Upside down houses? Check. Giant soup bowl? Check. House covered in green plants? Check. Sophisticated cafes? Check! A funny thing about Huashan 1914 Creative Park, however, is that it was built in 1916, not in 1914. It started out as a winery that was built during the Japanese rule. After being shut down decades later, local artists petitioned to reopen the abandoned winery. Not long after, Huashan 1914 Creative Park came to light, and served, and still serves, as the playground of local artists and their creative minds.
Gaze at the breathtaking views in Taipei 101.
Taipei 101 is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world next to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Taipei 101 is also tallest green building in the world. The 101-storey building offers the best view deck of Taiwan in its 89th floor. It’s equipped with the world’s fastest elevator that can take you from the 5th floor to the 89th in less than a minute. The scenic view of Taipei is beautiful at all times, but I personally recommend coming to Taipei 101 during the hours of sunset to nighttime—the view of the horizon burning in red and orange before, and the city lights slowly switching on, is just rewarding.
Free WiFi in Taipei
Taipei is one of those Cities that FREE WiFi is widely available in most public places and some of city buses called TPE-Free. In order to activate, you need to register online or you can go to the visitor information centers and present your passport for assistance. Once registered, you can also use your account for the nationwide free WiFi called iTaiwan.
If you don’t want to rely on free WiFi access, you can also buy a local sim card that offers 4-7 days of unlimited 3g or LTE data. All you need is to present your passport and another valid ID at the nearest Mobile Carrier shops if you want to buy a local data simcard.
Also Read:
Tours in Taipei: Exploring the Northeast Coast of Taiwan
Eight Things I Love About Taiwan
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