The "What to know", "How to go", and Tips before going
Taiwan has recently been taking its place in one of the most visited countries in southeast asia for these past couple of years. With its fast-growing modern metropolis, countless of busy shopping streets, endless stalls of mouth-watering street food, and a skyline that's filled contemporary buildings, including one of the world's most tallest one. It's no wonder they have been catching people's attentions recently.
I myself was just here last May of 2018. It was actually already my third time (and most probably not my last LOL) in this country but I still haven't had enough of this place. In this post, ill be showing you the itinerary I had prepared for our whole stay, from where we stayed, ate, and shopped.
Disclaimer: I made the itinerary based on the places I wanted to visit and things I wanted to do personally. Feel free to just get ideas if you're totally clueless on how to plan your trip and just add or exclude activities as you go along in planning.
How To Go?
Whenever I get tired of browsing through social media, it's been this hobby of mine to look for flights. May it be domestic or international, hoping that I'll actually get to pack my bags and leave (hey, it's not bad to dream right? LOL). Before, I used to have different browsers open, an airline for each, comparing which site would give me a good deal. Now, I use skyscanner to look and book for my flights. This site allows you to compare thousands of airlines as you search for the cheapest flight to get you to your destination.
Here's a sample flight to Taipei, Taiwan that I searched up through skyscanner:
TIP: For the previous times that I've been here, my flight fares usually range from Php 5,000 - 6,000, so that should give you a good idea if you've already found a good deal or not.
From the airport, one way to get to the city is by taking the bus. We have always taken this route and personally I think it's very convenient. You can take bus number 1819 to Taipei Main Station and just find your way to your hotel from there. The bus comes every 15-20 mins and they operate for 24 hours, so don't worry if your flight arrives in the wee hours. One-way fare costs around NT$125 (Php 250) and the whole trip going to the main station takes about an hour. I suggest buying a round trip ticket already to save time and effort when going back to Taipiei airport. For more information, you can visit their official website here.
Where To Stay?
I've tried 2 places in Taipei and both of them were within the city center. Have you ever tried sleeping in a capsule? If not and you would want to try it at least once in your life, then I suggest staying at the Uinn Travel Hostel located in the Zhongzheng district. Their rate per night ranges from Php 680 for their dorm type rooms, to Php 2,700 for a private room if you don't feel like sharing with other people. If you book through agoda, they usually allow free cancellation until a certain date, if you're feeling a bit indecisive. These rooms also include breakfast, but don't expect to be super filled because they only offer the basic like bread, coffee, juice, and egg, and it is a self-serve place so always CLAY-GO!
If you're a bit claustrophobic and the idea of staying in an enclosed space makes you uncomfortable, then I suggest staying at Miniinn instead. During my 2 previous visits, I actually stayed here because that's how much I loved it! From Taipei Main Station, where bus 1819 will drop you off, it'll just be a 5-min walk. It's also very near a subway station, literally just 10 steps away once you get out. Their rates per night range from Php 800 for dorm-type rooms, up to Php 4,000 for a family room. I also suggest waking up early to catch their breakfast because it will fill you up probably until lunch time. They offer a variety of food and their menu changes every day.
How Much to Bring?
I think this aspect will vary depending on the type of traveller you are. If you're like me, who loves to shop at night markets, you might want to prepare at least Php 10,000 to Php 20,000 for a 3 to 4-day stay. This budget will cover your shopping expenses (if you're a smart shopper like me who gets quality clothes for cheap prices, read through this post and I'll tell you more about it!), food, and transportation expenses, so you'll want to have a separate one for your plane fare and accommodation.
TIP: Php 1.00 is to NT$ 0.58 (as of March 24, 2019) so to make conversion while shopping or buying food easier, just multiply the amount of the Taiwanese dollars by 2 and you'll get the amount of the item in Philippine peso.
Ex. NT $100 x 2 = Php 200
How To Get Around?
The Taipei Metro is a metro system serving Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan, which is operated by government-owned Taipiei Rapid Transit Corporation, which also operates Maokong Gondola. Form my experience, their metro system at first may be quite overwhelming given the fact that there are 117 stations in total. But once you get a hang of how it works, you'll learn to really love it.
This Taipei Easycard allows passengers to conveniently ride the Taipei MRT or bus systems without the need to constantly search for loose change. Each card costs NT$ 100 (Php 200) and you'll still have to load it since these cards when bought, are issued with no balance. You can buy Easycards at all MRT stations, or if there's a 7-11, Family Mart, or any other convenience store near you, you can also purchase them there.
TIP: If you'd like to familiarize yourself or have a copy of the Taipei Metro map on your phone, you can get it here.
Day 1
1. Taipei Main Station
If you take the 1819 bus from the airport, this is the terminal station that the bus will drop you off at. This station is already an attraction itself. Its considered the center of Taipei City and is the main transportation hub for both the city and for northern Taiwan.
This was taken during our trip in September that's why they had that giant Christmas tree. So don't be disappointed if you don't see this during your trip LOL. When the holiday season's over they usually remove the tree and it's just an open space where travellers usually stay while waiting for their buses, or people just hanging around having picnics during their day-offs.
2. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
For our first day, we decided to cover the tourist attractions that was just within the city center. Our very first stop was the Sun-Yat sen Memorial Hall located in Xinyi District, Taipiei, Taiwan. A little background, this place was made as a memorial to the Republic of China's national father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, hence the name, and was completed in 1972.
How to go: Take the train to Taipei Main Station (Red on the subway map, Tamsui-Xinyi line #2), transfer to the Bannan line (Blue on the subway map) heading towards Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and get off at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (5th stop). Once you get here, look for the exit that will lead you to SYS memorial hall, walk straight and you should already see it on your left.
TIP: Be ready to walk around the area and you'll get to find hidden ponds like this and get a nice view of Taipei 101 for your OOTD background!
3. Taipei 101
From SYS memorial hall, you can already tell that Taipei 101 is just near by. Actually just a 10-15 minute walk, or even less, depending on your pace. Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark super tall skyscraper in Xinyi District that was built in 2004. Standing at 1,667 ft and having 101 floors, hence the name, this structure holds the 10th place in the world's tallest buildings.
Around this time, you've probably already burned all the food you had for breakfast from all the walking. Need not worry! this building isn't just a picturesque place, it also has a food court inside and a Din Tai Fung branch, or if you don't feel like eating, you can visit their observatory deck located on the 89th floor.
How to go: From the pond (picture above) just keep walking north towards the building. If you feel like you're going the wrong way, just look up and if you're getting nearer then you're on the right path. It's really not that hard to miss LOL!
TIP: you can book tickets in advance for a discounted price through Klook here!
4. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a famous national monument, a landmark and tourist attraction that was built to commemorate the former President of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. You'll be able to check 3 attractions off your list when you visit this place. Here you'll find the CKS memorial hall door, the National Theatre and Concert Hall, the CKS memorial hall itself and inside you'll find the statue of Chiang Kai-Shek. With that being mentioned, this area will require a lot of walking since the landmarks are spaced apart from each other.
During our first visit, we went during broad daylight and it's not really a good idea to walk around in the summer especially if you don't have an umbrella or something to cover yourself from the sun with. So the second time around, I decided to go at night and it wasn't such a bad decision because this place has a different type of charm when night falls.
How to go: From Taipei Main station, stay on the same line (Red, Tamsui-Xinyi line) take the train to Xiangshan heading down the map and get off at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial hall (2nd stop)
TIP: If you want to take the best pictures and have the best view, be ready to work those leg muscles! It also won't hurt to bring an umbrella and a bottle of water to rehydrate when you visit this place.
5. Shilin Night Market
To cap off the day, you can go back to your hotel and rest for a bit like we did before heading out to Shilin night market since they open around 5 PM and stay open until 12 MN or some stalls even later. Shilin night market is often considered to be the largest and most famous night market in the city. I've been here many times but I still feel like I haven't gone through all the alleys in this market. Here, you'll be able to find almost anything, from clothes, to footwear, to food, you name it!
How to go: From Taipei Main station, stay on the same line (Red, Tamsui-Xinyi line) take the train to Tamsui heading up the map and get off at Jiantan station (5th stop), after you get off at Jiantan station, look for exit 1, walk straight and once you get out, you'll spot the night market right away
TIP: If you find something you like, I suggest you don't buy it right away because there will still be other stores who would be selling that item as you go along and you might get it at a cheaper price. Though don't expect super low prices since this place is after all, a tourist attraction. So don't be an impulsive buyer! LOL
Day 2
6. Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu geopark is located on the north coast of Taiwan. It is a landscape of honeycomb and mushroom rocks eroded by the sea. Well-known formations named for their shapes include the "Queen's Head" and "Dragon's Head".
Disclaimer: I actually haven't gone here myself that's why I couldn't really give a more detailed review or include a lot of pictures of this place
How to go:
By Long Distance Bus: From Taipei West Bus Station - Terminal A (located at Taipei Main Station), go to the KuoKuang (國光) window and purchase a ticket for NT$96 to Yehliu georpark (野柳地質公園). The journey takes around 90 minutes, and the bus will drop you on the main road just outside the park entrance. Walk down the lane on the left side to enter.
* For other modes of transportation, you can check it out here.
TIP: Book in advance for a hassle free visit and buy your admission ticket through Klook here!
7. Longshan Temple
The Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. This is also the most well known temple in Taiwan located in the old village part of Taipei, Wanhua District, and has also stood the test of time and lasted through several natural disasters and even wars. I make it a point to visit at least 1 temple, offer a prayer even though I'm actually Catholic, and just simple appreciate the beauty of temple architectures. If you're like me, I suggest visiting
this temple during your trip. There is no entrance fee here but donations are accepted just to help maintain the place.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, go to the blue line (#5 Bannan line), head towards Dingpu and get off at Longshan temple (2nd stop), head towards exit 1 and just walk north of the station plaza
TIP: There's actually a mini falls inside this temple!
8. Raohe Night Market
After a whole day of walking around the city, you can opt to go back to your hotel, rest and freshen up a bit before heading out to Raohe night market. This is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, the Raohe Street Night Market is definitely one of the markets you should go to while you're here. The epitome of a traditional Taiwanese night market, this 600 meter path along Raohe Street in Songshan District is packed with fun and interesting variety of food, quaint shops, and carnival games with prizes.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, go towards Tamsui (Red, line 2: Tamsui-Xinyi line) and get off at Zhongshan station (1st stop). Transfer to line 3 (Green, Songshan-xindian line) and head towards Songshan, this should be the last stop and look for exit 5, once you get out of the station, you'll see the market on your right.
9. Wufenpu Shopping District
If you still haven't had enough shopping at the Raohe Night Market, you might want to check out the Wufenpu Shopping District which is just nearby. This place is definitely a shopaholic's version of heaven. With countless of alleys filled with clothing racks, accessories, shoes, etc. you will need at least hours or a day if you want to go through everything.
They have every style of clothing here, each stall having their own genre, and you can buy something for as low as $NT 50 (Php 100) ! Prices are already at their lowest since this is an outlet, but it won't hurt to bargain if you actually bought a lot from their store.
How to go: If you're coming from Songshan station, its still the same exit as Raohe street market (exit 5), but this time once you get out, turn left and just walk straight for about 10 mins. Once you see an alley of clothes on your left side, that's already the start of it.
*Alternative way: From Taipei Main Station, look for the Bannan line (Blue, 5: Bannan line) and head towards Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and get off at Houshanpi station (8th stop) and look for Exit 1, from here just follow this google map picture:
TIP: Most of the stores don't allow you to try on their clothing, but they do have mirrors to at least let you see what it'll look like on you. They also open pretty late (11AM-10 PM according to other sites that I've checked), we tried going there one time around 3 PM but the stalls still weren't open so I think it's safer to go around 6 PM onwards.
Day 3
10. Pingxi Old Street
Have you ever watched the movie "Tangled" and dreamt of flying a lantern yourself? If yes, then you should definitely add this to your itinerary. Located in the Pingxi area, Pingxi Old Street is a unique place since it is located along a train track with stalls located on each side selling souvenirs and street food. Visitors are able to check out shops built during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as wooden houses built during the Japanese occupation era.
Another tourist attraction here is the Jing'an suspension bridge. It's a 128-meter long bridge that connects the villages of Shifen and Nanshan, and also one of the only few well-preserved pedestrian bridges in Taiwan.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, take a north-bound train(except Keelung-bound trains) towards Ruifang Station. Transfer to the Pingxi Line (平溪線) and purchase a One Day Ticket for the Pingxi Line, NT$52.
11. Shifen Waterfalls
Shifen Waterfall is a scenic waterfall located in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on the upper reaches of the Keelung River. The falls' total height is 20 metres and 40 metres in width, making it the broadest waterfall in Taiwan. (source: wikipedia)
How to go: From Pingxi Old Street, you'll notice taxi drivers who are offering to tour you around the area, I suggest taking that route if you're travelling with a group since it will be cheaper and more convenient compared to taking the train or walking
12. Jiufen
I remember there was this phase I had when I was so into Japanese anime and movies, and on my birthday (can't remember which one) my uncle gave me a collection of Hayao Miyazaki's films. I fell in love with each and every one of them, but one of my top favourites was Spirited Away.
When I was planning our itinerary to Taiwan the second time around, I discovered Jiufen and how it resembles the movie so much. From it's red lanterns, to the up and down alleys and staircases that Chihiro hurriedly ran on trying to escape the place, to the food that her parents gobbled on that eventually turned them into pigs, and of course the bath house that Chihiro worked at while trying to save her parents.
If you can't relate this part of my post because you haven't watched the film, it's okay! I highly recommend you still visit Jiufen and fall in love with its food, the views, and the architecture.
Day 4
13. Taipei Arena
The Taipei Arena is a large indoor multi-purpose stadium located in the Songshan District of Taipei, Taiwan that was built in 2005. It can accommodate up to 15,000 people and if there's a local or international event of any kind, from sports, shows and concerts, this is most likely where it's held.
If you're also a fan of the Taiwanese movie "Our Times" that was released in 2015, you might recognize this place because this is where Lin Truly and Hsu Tai-yu met after years of being apart and was finally reunited because of Andy Lau's concert.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, go towards Tamsui (Red, line 2: Tamsui-Xinyi line) and get off at Zhongshan station (1st stop). Transfer to line 3 (Green, Songshan-xindian line) and head towards Songshan and get off at Taipei Arena station (3rd stop) and look for exit 2
14. IKEA
Taiwan is one of the places that is blessed because they have IKEA (LOL). I mostly travel with my mom and so when I found out that they had IKEA, I just had to squeeze a visit in to our itinerary knowing how much she loves that place. Like any other IKEA, you go through section by section, and end up at the cashier and cafeteria. I think the only difference is that they also offer Taiwanese food in their frozen goods and goodies section.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, go towards Tamsui (Red, line 2: Tamsui-Xinyi line) and get off at Zhongshan station (1st stop). Transfer to line 3 (Green, Songshan-xindian line) and head towards Songshan and get off at Taipei Arena station (3rd stop) and look for exit 2, once you get out, turn left and walk straight and cross the road
TIP: I suggest visiting Taipei Arena and IKEA on the same day because they're literally just a pedestrian away from each other
15. Ximending
The Ximending area is one of the most popular shopping destinations not only for tourists but also Taipei's youth. Located in the historic Wanhua District, Ximending was founded during the Japanese colonization era as a recreational district, and today has grown into a cultural icon with inspiration drawn from its Japanese roots, which is why this is called the "Harajuku" of Taipei.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, look for the Bannan line (Blue, 5: Bannan line) and head towards Dingpu and get off at Ximen station (1st stop) and look for exit 6
16. Elephant Mountain
Still not satisfied with all the photos you've taken and want to have the best view of Taipei while burning all the calories from all the food you've eaten? Then take a hike to elephant mountain! I know when you hear the word "hike", the first thing that probably pops up in your mind is travelling for hours and endless walking, but this one's different. You can take a hike and see Taipei from above by just staying in the city! I can't promise you that there won't be any walking involved, because there will be, around 15-20 mins, and stairs...lots of stairs. But I do promise you that it will definitely be worth it.
How to go: From Taipei Main Station, go towards Xiangshan (Red, line 2: Tamsui-Xinyi line) and that should be the last station (8th stop), look for exit 2. From there, keep walking straight alongside the edge of the park. At the end of this road, take a left and follow until the entrance for Xiangshan Hiking Trail. (Around 650 meters, 20 mins)
TIP: The best time to hike the mountain is during late afternoon, this way you can catch the sunset as well as a daytime view and stunning nighttime view of the city, however the trail can get relatively crowded during the weekend.
FIN
Thanks for reading through this post! If you haven't noticed, I didn't really include that much food in this article, it's because there's too many of them to include here. I will be making a separate post about it soon so stay tuned!
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