Travel: Taiwan Highlights

March 20, 2017

Travel: Taiwan Highlights

Excited for my First International Trip for 2017 was to explore the city of Taipei in Taiwan. Wanna know the highlights of my trip?

Looking at Taipep 101 from afar

1. Cherry Blossoms - Yes. We all know that when you hear that flower, the first thing that comes to mind is Japan. But yes, Taiwan has Cherry Blossoms too! Since I traveled a little later in March, and it was raining the past few days before I arrived, its was not as many. Nevertheless, I was still able to catch some blossoming trees and their pink flowers. It was a definite hit with the crowds, both local and foreign alike too.

Cherry Blossoms

Taking pictures of Cherry Blossoms at Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall

2. Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall - This is probably one of the most visited places in the city (apart from Taipei 101).

Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall

Going Up

Inside Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall

This is a big park that also houses The National Concert Hall and The National theater. If you like architecture, you’ll be able to admire the intricate details of these buildings.

Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall

National Theater

Its also a good way to spend your time, taking pictures, people watching, and grabbing a snack or some souvenirs as well. Plus, you can see Cherry Blossoms here too!

Enjoying the view

Be a helpful tourist, ask if someone needs your help taking pictures, and they can return the favor too! This is particularly helpful when you're travelling alone.

Selfie

3. Night Markets - Two of my favorite things, shopping and food. You can do both when you drop by the many night markets in Taipei. In particular, I visited Shilin night market. I guess your Taipei experience wouldn’t be complete without some souvenirs and street food.

Note: The night market is actually closer (I mean right beside) to Jiantian Station. So you can go down to Jiantian instead of Shilin.

Shopping for some patches

One thing I wished I got more of was the Mochi balls, they were sooo good! These can be found all around the night market. One thing I also always get is a ref magnet, its cheap, light and you can make a collage in your refrigerator of all the places you've been to.

If you want your food hot

Also, adventurous and try those street food, there are a lot to choose from. If you want to go mainstream, Hot Star is not to be missed (you won't miss it as there's a line for it).

Xiao Long Bao

4. Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui District - this is also a good place to see some Cherry Blossoms. Apart from that, the temple architecture is beautiful. This is a little far (literally, the end of one of the lines of the MRT), but the travel is worth it. Also, you can see more of Tamsui by going to the boardwalk which is near the MRT station.

Tianyuan Temple

5. Yangmishan National Park - If you like the outdoors and do some hiking, then this is for you. Again, this is outside the city but good thing there are buses that specifically go this route. The place is popular with the locals (especially during the weekends) and you can see why. You have the awesome view of the mountains everywhere you look. The travel time is worth it when you get to see such a beautiful landscape.

Mountains and lush greens

You have different trails and areas which you can explore and you can easily spend the entire day here (either getting lost or just being lazy).

Now where to go???

Writing the highlights of this trip

6. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall - Another site to visit while in Taipei. I particularly liked the manicured gardens and that it was already near Taipei 101 (walking distance if you plan to go there). Its also a great place to just sit, people watch and take pictures.

Beautiful red flowers in bloom

7. Taipei 101 - probably the icon of Taipei and Taiwan and was once the tallest building in the world. You can probably spend and entire day here, there’s the observatory, shopping mall and a lot of dining options to suit your budget.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 at night

7. 1. Din Tai Fung - This famous restaurant and their Xiao Long Bao is what we came here for. The wait time can take 60 - 80 minutes (this was a Sunday) but you can pass the time by going around the mall and checking out the shops. The wait time is worth it anyway.

Yum

7.2. Secret Starbucks at the 35th floor - There are 2 Starbucks here, one at the ground level, and another, what they call secret Starbucks, is located at the 35th floor. You’ll need a day in advance to reserve (you may need to ask your hotel concierge for assistance) and you’ll need to spend a minimum of NT 200. All this is worth it, you’ll have a nice view of the city, while drinking your coffee.

My coffee 35 floors above Taipei

Waiting in line to go up

Pam and I enjoying our drinks and the view

7. 3. Taipei 101 Mall - Any trip wouldn't be complete without shopping right?! Well if you have a penchant for luxury goods and designer items, this is the place to shop. You have famous designer brands here like Gucci and Louis Vuitton but there's also some affordable fashion (things I can actually afford) like Zara.

Green wall at Taipei 101

Inside the mall atrium

8. 228 Peace Park - another park in Taipei that is worth a visit. The park has different areas where you can sit if you want to spend a lazy day at the park and just take pictures. You also have the National Taiwan Museum here. Plus it already near Chiang Kai Sek Memorial Hall (1 MRT station away but you can also walk) so its a definite stop over.