I think the last I went to Taipei was almost 20 years ago, so I don't know anything about the city, where to stay, eat or do. So, I fired up Google and searched and searched and kept adding to my list of activities. I was actually very surprised about the amount of things one can do there. During our 6 day, 5 night trip, we did a lot of stuff yet we still missed many places.
Let me share with you guys the stuff we did.
Eat and Drink
During those 6 days, it seemed like we were constantly eating, from street food to food courts to sit down restaurant. Every one was a treat for our tummies and taste buds. Don't forget to try milk tea from many many different brands.
Danshui
A sea-side village north of Taipei easily accessible by the MRT. Historical sites mixed with shopping and lots of food choices. Read more here..... and here.....
Window on China
A wonderful theme park for young and old with many interesting displays and rides. It would be even more enjoyable in the summer time since the water park would have been open. Read more here.....
Hello Kitty Sweets Café
Hello Kitty fanatics like us will surely love it at this café from the decor to the drinks and even the food. Be sure to bring your cameras and take lots of pictures. Read more here.....
Shilin Night Market
We literally could not eat anymore with samplings of the number of street food stalls we tried. There is even a play area as well as some retail stores around the area. Read more here......
Ximending
The Shinjuku like area of Taipei with a mix of street food, retail outlets, movie houses and even street performers. Read more here...... and here......
ChiaTe
Get some pineapple pastry from this award winning store. They are the best ones I've tasted. Get there early as they do run out late in the afternoon. Read more here.....
National Taiwan Science Education Center
A nice learning adventure with interactive displays galore that kids will definitely enjoy. Read more here....
Taipei 101
The tallest building until recently being dethroned. Try to go up to the viewing deck to see the circular mass tuned damper that helps the building withstand the strong winds. Myriad choices of high end shopping abound. Read more here.....
Shopping
It was winter season when we went there so shopping for clothes was almost non existent. Shoes, particularly boots are aplenty though, so Lauren was in heaven. We saw a lot of Japanese brands and stuff around, and I would guess this would be shopping heaven during spring and summer seasons.
We were supposed to visit the Hello Kitty Terminal C3 in the airport before our departure but we arrived late and ran out of time. So we consoled ourselves by just shopping for exclusive Hello Kitty stuff.
Taipei is not as popular a destination for tourists from the Philippines compared to Singapore and Hong Kong. This is evidenced by the small number of flights going there. I can't pinpoint the exact reason but maybe its because of the language barrier, very few people speak English, or maybe the added cost of the tourist visit (we paid P2700 per person). Whatever the real reason, I feel people should really give it a chance.
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@TalesfromtheTum
My bet is on the hassle of securing a visa.
ReplyDeleteI actually find Taipei fairly easy on the pocket, comparable to travel to Bangkok (not so expensive hotels, cheap food and buys, coincidentally having almost the same exchange rate, hehe). HK and Singapore has gotten expensive over the years.
Just my two cents. :P
P.S. Enjoyed your posts (photos are great) about Taiwan, I should start drafting mine. Hehe.
Kristel,
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right. I hope they consider lowering the visa fee and the requirements to entice more tourists to visit.
Thanks for your nice comments.
the best taiwan guide ever!! :) thanks so much Richard!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the blog entry, short and simple with so much info. I want to go to Taipei hopefully soon (so I have bookmarked this page) :) Love that Hello Kitty Cafe. I am not really a fan of Hello Kitty (I dont even own a single Hello Kitty item), but the details of the shop just amaze and amuse me. Will visit that place too! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, awesome photos Richard! as always! Thank you for sharing this very informative post. Will bookmark this so that when I get to visit Taipei, I can use it as my guide.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing tips now i have reasons to really enjoy my solo trip in taipei next month.
ReplyDelete@chino,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and definitely eat and eat but bring some warm clothes, its the height of winter when you go there.
@Yedy,
Thanks. Hope it will help all future travelers to Taipei.
@Ruth
Our family is Sanrio addicts, I love to buy HK stuff for my daughter and My Melody for my wife.
As soon as I got to Window on China, I bookmarked this post. This will definitely be useful when we do visit Taipei in the near future.
ReplyDeleteLots of Hello Kitty goodies for Lauren. So cute. ^_^
If ever we go there, we'd probably be doing a lot of eating too. :))
(I was about to click on Publish when I saw Yedy's comment that she's bookmarking this post too. Thanks for the tips, Richard!)
Wow useful list! My bf will be going to taipei in the summer. Will let him read this.
ReplyDeletenice, great infos bout Taipei, helps alot for my fture trip.......
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! I'm planning a trip to Taipei some time next year (hopefully). This will be really useful.. :) I can't wait to eat, drink and shop there.. ^^ Will definitely visit the Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe too! I love Hello Kitty and sweets.. <3 Btw, have a wonderful 2012!
ReplyDeleteSumi of http://thepurpledoll.net
Glad you guys liked the post and hope it really helps you guys out when you travel to Taipei.
ReplyDelete