6 Days-Taiwan

After a flight from Vietnam, we landed at Taoyuan International airport in Taipei, Taiwan. The airport is big and very well maintained. After the arrivals you can find a large food court offering different food options. Public transport is very good in Taipei so you should avoid taxis and just opt for the MRT or buses.

Walker hotel located in Sanchong is a 3 star hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. If you are looking for a cheap and well located accommodation we highly recommend this hotel. The room was spacious fitted with all the required amenities. The hotel also provides free buffet breakfast which is a plus! Nearby the hotel are many cafeterias and restaurants as well as many convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.

We found this local restaurant located near our hotel, and since it was getting late at night we decided to dine there. The local staff was wonderful. They spoke English but not on a fluent level, but we managed to communicate. The food was fresh, the portions were large and the prices very affordable.

First thing in the morning we got the MRT and headed to Taiwan national museum. We bought our tickets at the entrance without any issues. We our not the biggest fans of museums but this one is pretty interesting!

We took the one hour bus ride right to Taipei zoo. The entrance fee was approximately $5. The zoo is huge featuring a wide variety of animals including pandas, giraffes, tigers and many more. The zoo also has a cable car but the line to take it was pretty big so we decided to skip ok that. We explored around the zoo for a few hours enjoying the magnificent nature, it really does feel like you are in the jungle! At the entrance you can find many cafeterias and restaurants as well as a 7-eleven in which we grabbed a couple of snacks to enjoy.

Ningxia Night market is one of the most famous street food markets in Taipei. We went there with an empty stomach and an open mind to try some traditional taiwanese food. Needless to say the food was exceptional with many options that can possibly cater to everyone. Prices are pretty affordable so you can easily try a couple of different dishes.

If you are into shopping then this mall is the perfect place for you. It offers many options when it comes to shopping ranging for affordable to luxury goods. Speaking about luxury the mall offers many options regarding this field. Just walking around and looking at some masterpieces in terms of watches, bags etc. was worth it for us.

Since we were in the mall we couldn’t hesitate to visit the icon of Taiwan. Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The engineering behind the tower is absolutely magnificent since it should be able to withstand both strong typhoons and earthquakes which are common in Taiwan. Just for this reason we decided to visit Taipei’s 101 observatory deck for the amazing views and to see up close the heart of the tower. The ticket costs approximately $16 and we got it at the ticket desk, but we highly recommend pre purchasing your tickets online. Nevertheless an astounding experience and a must see in Taipei.

If you are into shopping Taipei you cannot miss Din Tai Fung. Located inside Taipei 101 shopping center, this restaurant is completely packed at any moment. You cannot book a table in advance, we went there and the staff gave us a number and told us the waiting time was 40 minutes. We had a stroll in the shopping center and went back after 30 minutes. Sure enough after 40 minutes had passed by our turn was up. The restaurant is really advance featuring robot waitress and we were also taken to our table by one! The menu is on a table and you order from it as well so you might want to be ready beforehand so you can order immediately we you are there. Food was absolutely excellent. We got many dishes and the prices are pretty reasonable. 2 noodle soups, pork buns, xialongbao, shrimp wontons, and a dessert cost us approximately $28. Highly recommended it and definitely more than once!

Undoubtedly one of the most famous night markets in Taipei. Here you can find hundreds of street food stalls selling many kinds of street food as well as desserts, and even some shopping outlets left and right. You can spend the hole night here and not get bored! At the entrance of the market there is a beautiful temple that you can check out. Also at the entrance there is a famous stall selling a very special bun with minced meat and herbs for approximately $2. It is so good that it has the chance to get a Michelin star so definitely give it a try!

We got the MRT in the morning to visit the Chiang Kai-shel memorial. A stunning piazza with amazing Taiwanese architecture. You can stroll around and appreciate this beautiful place for free as well as watch the free changing of the guard parade that is taking place every hour.

The first time when we used a hailing app through our trip was to visit the Beitou hot spring museum. You can also take an organised tour which will include the transfer to this place but we opted to go by ourselves. The place was beautiful and really relaxing. You can take a dip in the natural hot springs if you wish to as well.

Just beneath the famous Taipei 101, every night this restaurant bus is located outside in which you can dine. The food was pretty good and the prices were reasonable. The bus is pretty spacious and the seating actually pretty comfy. The whole concept and ambience of the place is actually pretty nice and we enjoyed our time dining there!

Located an hour away for Taipei city by train you can find Shifen waterfall. This waterfall just goes to show Taiwan’s natural beauty. Highly recommend visiting this astonishing place!

Once at Shifen waterfall, you can also visit Shifen old street. Here you can walk on the train tracks and also release a heated type of balloon in the sky which is part of a tradition in the place. Around the old street there are many coffee shops and restaurants as well as shop to spend some time and relax.

In the heart of Taipei, Ximending is a bustling and live district. The place is filled with shops, street stalls, coffee shops, restaurants and more. In the evenings this place get packed with people walking around and relaxing. Many street food stalls also pop up where you can get some quality and quick snacks for pretty affordable prices. Undoubtedly one of the best places to spend you evening and night time in Taipei.

Located in Ximending walking district we found Xing Fu Tang which sells its most famous authentic and freshly made bubble tea. The cost is $3 for a large cup and the place is packed with people. We probably got three of the same bubble teas in a span of 3 hours, that’s how good it actually was!

Our last attraction in Taiwan was Elephant Peak. The hike up the mountain isn’t very difficult, you can also take some stops an enjoy some views but on the way up the mountain you are walking through the jungle which is also beautiful. Once at the top you can enjoy a full panoramic view of Taipei’s skyline. There are many siting areas as well as a park and fitness area. Sit down relax and take in the magnificent views of Taipei.

We got the MRT from our hotel directly to Taoyuan International Airport which costs approximately $5 and was about an hour long. We highly recommend a visit to Taiwan since this small island nation is pretty underrated in Asia. We had a lot of fun exploring this place we are definitely considering coming back for more!