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Taipei Exploration
When you arrive within the coronary heart of Taipei, go and shortly take pleasure in its iconic landmarks in addition to its busy evening markets and colourful tradition! With that, I’ll be itemizing the highest sights within the metropolis; nevertheless, it could be unimaginable to totally go to EVERYTHING (until you swiftly undergo each location).
That’s why, relying in your pursuits, choose the very best locations that you just’d wish to see throughout the day in your Taiwan itinerary based mostly on the descriptions that I’ll be offering beneath (my prime favorites are marked with a star ★); after which, you’ll be able to go to the remaining throughout your different free time or throughout your different journey days in the event you’re staying longer than 3 days in Taiwan.
◘◘ ★ Taipei 101
Previously often called the Taipei World Monetary Middle, Taipei 101 was as soon as known as the world’s tallest constructing in 2004 — till Burj Khalifa in Dubai was accomplished in 2010.
Both approach, these days, it holds the very best award because the tallest and largest inexperienced constructing on the planet in accordance with LEED (Management in Vitality and Environmental Design). By now, I’m certain you’ve heard of this constructing earlier than; in spite of everything, it serves as an icon of recent Taiwan (although it was initially constructed as a logo of the evolution of know-how and Asian custom); as such, it’s a should to incorporate this in your Taiwan itinerary.
Towering at 101 tales, the bottom of the constructing homes a number of retailers and eating places (such because the well-known Din Tai Fung chain) however what most guests goal to do is to entry the observatory. To checklist out the highlights of the constructing:
- 5F Taipei 101 Mall: The ground the place you should buy tickets and take the Guinness World Document high-speed elevator to the observatory on the 89th flooring (it travels at 1,010 meters/min or 60.6kph, taking solely 37 seconds whole). Nonetheless, it’s greatest to buy on-line to get a reduced worth — I’ll focus on this within the element within the ‘admission‘ part beneath.
- 89F Indoor Observatory: Affords unobstructed views of Taipei. It additionally has a museum the place you’ll be able to be taught concerning the development of Taipei 101.
- 88F Fantastic thing about Taiwan Multimedia Hall, Tremendous Huge Wind Damper, Treasure Sky: The spotlight of this flooring is at 5.5m (in diameter) and there’s a 660-ton wind damper that’s constructed within the core of the tower. Apparently, this superb know-how helps hold the constructing from swaying and helps hold it stand upright. In the meantime, Treasure Sky is a spot the place yow will discover jewel crafts.
- 91F Out of doors Observatory: That is accessible by way of the steps from the 89th flooring, however for the reason that winds can get fairly sturdy, this flooring is just open on days when the climate is favorable. Anyhow, inside, you will see that a small theatre that options movies concerning the annual New Years’ fireworks show set off from Taipei 101.
ADMISSION: Normal ticket is NT$600 (college students are charged NT$540 and youngsters beneath 115cm are charged free). Nonetheless, in the event you e book on-line, you’ll solely pay round NT$400! With this, you not solely get a reduction however you additionally don’t have to attend in an extended line.
HOURS: 9:00AM to 10:00PM
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line (Xiangshan prepare) to Taipei 101 station or Blue Line to Taipei Metropolis Corridor Station
◘◘ Elephant Mountain
That is one more good spot for buying nice views over Taipei particularly in the event you’re into doing a little gentle mountaineering! Often known as the Nangang District Climbing Path or Xiangshan, the mountaineering path as much as Elephant Mountain is discovered near the Xinyi Purchasing District and Taipei 101. The entire steep hike takes about 15 to twenty minutes just one approach.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you’ll be able to be a part of an Elephant Mountain day tour which can already embrace a visit to Pinglin’s Thousand Island Lake, Bagua Tea Plantation and Shenkeng Previous Road.
HOURS: It’s greatest to keep away from coming right here throughout weekends as a result of it might probably get crowded. For the very best instances to hike, it is going to be in the course of the late afternoon in an effort to catch the daylight, sundown and nighttime views of Taipei.
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line to Xiangshan Station (or in the event you’re in Taipei 101, stroll east on Xinyi Highway till you attain Xiangshan Station for quarter-hour)
◘◘ ★ Nationwide Palace Museum
That is dwelling to the largest everlasting assortment of historic Chinese language artifacts and artworks (spanning over 700,000 items)! They cowl about 8,000 years of Chinese language artwork historical past from the Neolithic to the trendy age; plus, most of them are high-quality items that have been collected by China’s emperors — which signifies that quite a lot of them have been rooted within the Palace Museum of Beijing’s Forbidden Metropolis.
With such a quantity, it helps to notice although that the reveals repeatedly rotate as a result of solely a small quantity may be displayed at a time with a view to correctly protect them. Nonetheless, it’s fairly a powerful assortment that’s price visiting in the event you’re into Chinese language tradition and historical past!
Upon admission, you could possibly additionally entry the attractive backyard close by known as Zhishan Backyard. Not too far-off would even be the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines which could possibly be accessed at no cost when you pay the doorway for the Nationwide Palace Museum. (TIP: The Nationwide Palace Museum holds free English excursions at 10AM and 3PM; e book on-line beforehand to order your spot. Whereas the Shung Ye options free excursions at 2PM each weekend; no reserving is required).
ADMISSION: NT $350 (for college kids with ID, solely NT $150)
HOURS: 8:30AM to six:30PM from Sunday to Thursday (to 9:00PM from Friday to Saturday)
PROMO: E book on-line to buy your admission ticket since it’s cheaper
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line Shilin Sation (士林)
◘◘ Presidential Constructing
This recognizable constructing in Taipei was initially constructed to behave because the Workplace of the Governor-Normal in the course of the Japanese colonial interval, however it has since been renovated after it was partially destroyed throughout World Struggle II. By the top of the Chinese language Civil Struggle, it served because the Presidential Workplace Constructing of the Kuomintang management within the metropolis. As such, it is a good spot to cease by in your Taiwan itinerary if you wish to be taught extra concerning the nation’s previous by way of political improvement.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you’ll be able to be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which can embrace a cease to this attraction
HOURS: 9:00AM to 11:30AM from Monday to Friday
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line to NTU Hospital Station (move via Exit 1)
◘◘ ★ Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Memorial Corridor
In-built reminiscence of the previous President of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, this monument is a outstanding historic landmark in Taiwan that was opened in 1980 as a part of the nationwide park. The sq. is definitely formally known as Liberty Sq. however the identify was modified because of political motivations, and because of folks nonetheless generally referring to it because the CKS Memorial Corridor.
TRIVIA: The 8 sides of the octagon-shaped constructing signify the quantity 8 which is commonly historically related to fortune and wealth as per Chinese language symbolism. In the meantime, the two units of 89 steps signify Chiang Kai-shek’s age of dying (and you will see that a bronze statue of him in the principle corridor). One of many nice spectacles of this corridor too is the hourly altering of the guards on both aspect of the statue.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you’ll be able to be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which can embrace a cease at this attraction
HOURS: 9:00 AM to five:00PM each day
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line or Inexperienced Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Corridor Station
◘◘ Nationwide Solar Yat-sen Memorial Corridor
That is one other memorial corridor, however this time round, it’s devoted to the founding father of the Republic of China: Dr. Solar Yat-sen. When you enter the premises, you will see that shows exhibiting his accomplishments that spanned from the revolution throughout and after the autumn of the Qing Dynasty. However apart from this, the corridor can also be typically used for varied performances and exhibitions. You might even benefit from the surrounding park known as Zhongshan Park which options gardens, ornamental historic partitions, and Lake Cui or Emerald Pond which has a close-by exhibition space.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 9:00 AM to six:00PM each day
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Solar Yat-sen Memorial Corridor Station
◘◘ Martyrs’ Shrine
Formally known as the Nationwide Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, this principally marks the reminiscence of virtually 400,000 troopers who died in the course of the conflict in opposition to the communist in mainland China. The complicated, which was inbuilt 1969, is a typical instance of the northern ‘palace model’ structure that was popularised throughout Chiang Kai-shek’s reign.
For many guests, very similar to the CKS Memorial Corridor, the Martyrs’ Shrine is thought for its altering of the guards or troopers on the entrance gate. This occasion occurs each hour till 5PM and lasts for about 20 minutes so it’s worthy to contemplate in your Taiwan itinerary. When you’re accomplished watching the guards, simply don’t neglect to benefit from your keep and discover the encircling structure.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you’ll be able to be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which can embrace a cease at this attraction
HOURS: 9:00 AM to five:00PM each day
NEAREST MRT: Jiantan Station
◘◘ Dalongdong Bao’an Temple
This can be a lovely Taiwanese Taoist temple that acquired a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for each its restoration and revival qualities of temple rites and festivities. Devoted to the Taoist saint, Baosheng Dadi, this 900sqm temple is an beautiful construction that may be a nice instance of the standard ornamental arts. Should you time your go to from March to June, you could possibly even witness the favored Baoshen Cultural Pageant the place you’ll be able to watch parade excursions, fire-walking rituals, lion dances, Taiwanese opera performances, puppet reveals, and different cultural shows. For an correct schedule of the occasions, see the temple’s web site.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 7:00 AM to 10:00PM each day
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line to Yuanshan Station
◘◘ ★ Maokong Gondola
The mountain village of Maokong is the very best spot in Taipei that gives a shocking panoramic view of the town — to not point out, in addition they have all kinds of high-quality native tea.
To succeed in this village, you need to take the Maokong Gondola which is a 4-km scenic cable automotive journey. With their Crystal Cabins or glass-bottom vehicles, you may be rewarded with superb views and angles not solely over the metropolis but in addition over the luxurious Zhinan River as you make your approach as much as Maokong (the journey spans about half-hour).
ADMISSION: One-way NT$120 for adults and NT$50 for youngsters (FREE if you are going to buy a Taipei Move)
PROMO: E book on-line to buy your admission ticket since it’s a cheaper package deal inclusive of roundtrip tickets with FREE Taipei Double-decker Sightseeing Evening Bus ticket for less than NT$220.
HOURS: Sometimes open from 9AM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 9AM to 10PM on Fridays, 8:30AM to 10PM on Saturdays and eight:30AM to 9PM on Sundays (be aware that the gondola’s opening hours depend on the climate state of affairs)
NEAREST MRT: Brown Line to the terminus station, Taipei Zoo
◘◘ ★ Mengjia Longshan Temple
This is without doubt one of the largest and oldest well-known temples in Taiwan that’s positioned within the historic Wanhua district. Mentioned to have been inbuilt 1738 by Fujian settlers as a gathering place for Chinese language settlers, Longshan Temple has since been rebuilt a number of instances after destruction by earthquakes, typhoons, and WWII bombings. At this time, it stands as a Taiwanese worship home for a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and deities comparable to Matsu (or the goddess of the ocean).
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 6:00AM to 10:00PM (greatest instances to go to can be at 6AM, 8AM or 5PM when crowds would collect and interact in hypnotic chanting)
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Longshan Temple
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Evening Markets
Taiwan is a haven for foodies so when the evening begins to creep in, select from any of the evening markets beneath to stuff your self full!
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you’ll be able to be a part of a Taipei Evening Market tour in your Taiwan itinerary with a view to get essentially the most out of the town’s prime genuine Taiwanese dishes and native flavors with the assistance of a neighborhood information! In any other case, try this checklist of eating places you could e book on-line for scoring particular offers and charges.
◘◘ ★ Raohe Road Evening Market
That is mentioned to be Taipei’s oldest evening market! It’s a single pedestrian lane spanning about 600 meters and it goes alongside Raohe avenue between 2 ornate gates. Right here, you’ll discover an array of quaint retailers and stalls that serve meals, snacks, and different gadgets. For the must-try meals gadgets? Come learn my put up beneath:
Aside from consuming, you may as well store for garments in the event you stroll via the close by Clothes Purchasing Outlet in Wufenpu, or you could possibly additionally go to the Ciyou Temple which is on the japanese finish of the evening market.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 5:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Inexperienced Line to Songshan Station
◘◘ Huahsi (or Huaxi) Evening Market
Additionally known as “Snake Alley”, Huahsi is conveniently discovered subsequent to Longshan Temple, in addition to 2 different markets particularly Guangzhou and Wuzhou. There’s a variety of meals gadgets that yow will discover right here however essentially the most well-known ones can be the dishes made out of snakes and turtles. Should you’re up for one thing this unique in your Taiwan itinerary, do strive the snake soup! For one thing extra ‘regular’, strive the well-known Tainan dan-dan noodles.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 4:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Longshan Temple Station
◘◘ Shilin Evening Market
This is without doubt one of the largest and hottest evening markets in Taiwan to vacationers. With its maze of alleyways, yow will discover a wide range of native, conventional, and worldwide merchandise — native cuisines included, in fact! So just be sure you cease by the underground foodie paradise on the western aspect of the market. Among the issues to strive are oyster vermicelli, fried pork buns, bubble tea, smelly tofu, and oyster omelet.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 4:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line to Jiantan Station
◘◘ Tonghua Evening Market
This can be a quick strolling distance from Taipei 101 and it’s the very best evening market to go to if you need one thing extra native and fewer touristy. Aside from clothes and different merchandise, there are meals stalls right here that promote sushi, steaks, and dumplings amongst many different issues.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 6:00PM to 1:00AM
NEAREST MRT: Purple Line to Xinyi Anhe Station
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Taipei Meals
◘◘ LUNCH: Eatogether Xinyi Restaurant
You should NEVER go away Taiwan with out tasting the highest native fares of xiaolongbao, beef noodles soup, and bubble tea! To get the very best of all the things, head over to this highly-rated buffet chain.
BOOK: On-line
◘◘ DINNER: Any of the evening markets
Taipei’s evening markets can simply fill you up for dinner; so go and take your choose from any of the earlier evening markets that I’ve talked about, and also you’re certain to benefit from the evening away!
In any other case, try this checklist of Taipei eating places you could e book on-line for scoring particular offers and charges.
Uncover North of Taiwan
After you had your fill of a few of Taipei’s key sights, it’s time to enterprise out of the town to find northern Taiwan’s wonders!
◘◘ Day tour to Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen
This is without doubt one of the greatest day excursions that I’ve ever skilled for my Taiwan itinerary! For a complete day, you may be exploring the next key areas…
- Geopark: This lovely limestone cape has a variety of fascinating rock/geological formations which have been aptly named in accordance with their form (instance: Fairy’s Shoe and Queen’s Head).
- Shifen Previous Streets and Shifen Waterfall: Discovered within the Pingxi space, Shifen is principally a small city that surrounds the Shifen railway station. This place is legendary not just for its picturesque prepare tracks and market but in addition for its retailers that allow you to launch a Chinese language sky lantern — in case you’ll be able to’t make it to their official Sky Lantern Pageant (held normally on the fifteenth day of the primary month within the lunisolar Chinese language calendar). One other close by attraction that yow will discover is the 20-meter tall Shifen Waterfall which is claimed to be essentially the most scenic in Taiwan.
- Jiufen: As soon as a affluent gold mining city, Jiufen is now a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for its quaint scenes that relive scenes from the previous. Right here, you will see that picturesque streets and tea homes adorned with purple lanterns and a few nice spots for viewing the Pacific Ocean! Should you’re a fan of Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”, you need to go to Jiufen since a lot of the scenes from the film have been impressed by this place.
DETAILED EXPERIENCE: Learn this Jiufen Tour evaluation
DURATION: About 8 hours (return time roughly 5:30PM)
BOOKING: On-line
» Need another day tour choices in your Taiwan itinerary? See right here to view an entire checklist.
◘◘ Ximending Youth Purchasing District
Dubbed because the ‘Harajuku’ of Taipei, that is the fashionable purchasing and nightlife haven within the metropolis that has a wide array of retailers, eating places, golf equipment, and bars discovered all all through its streets. Actually, the second that I stepped right here, it actually made me really feel like I visited Shibuya in Japan! That being mentioned, earlier than the day ends, go and store right here ’til you drop — or in the event you’re extra into golf equipment and bars, there’s an array of decisions for you.
HOURS: It’s open all day as much as the evening, however the very best time to go can be ranging from 5PM up into the wee hours
NEAREST MRT: Blue or Inexperienced Line to Ximen
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Taipei Meals
◘◘ Din Tai Fung Restaurant
That is the internationally-famous Taiwanese restaurant that makes great-tasting xiaolongbao (a sort of tasty soup dumpling); due to this fact, no journey to Taiwan is full with out visiting certainly one of its branches — particularly its authentic Taipei department discovered on Xinyi Highway. Regrettably… the disadvantage is that there may be an insanely lengthy wait as a result of quite a lot of vacationers additionally wish to get a style of this place. My recommendation? Go to within the morning to attempt to skip the strains!
TIP: In case you are pressed on time throughout your Taiwan itinerary and may’t dedicate hours-long of ready at Din Tai Fung, you’ll be able to reserve your spot on-line at both the Xinyi or Taipei 101 department — or be a part of a Taipei evening tour that features a dinner at Din Tai Fung. For different substitutes, you will get some nice tasting xiaolongbao at Kao Chi.
NEAREST MRT: Dongmen Station (for the Xinyi department)
◘◘ Different choices for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
If you need nice discounted/packaged meals in Taipei in your Taiwan itinerary, try these on-line offers. They’ve decisions from sizzling pots, lobster units, beef noodles, and extra! In any other case, you may as well revisit the evening markets for a meal.
BOOKING: Taipei eating places
Nature Exploration
This present day is for witnessing one more instance of Taiwan’s grandeur with regards to pure landscapes.
◘◘ Day tour to Alishan Nationwide Scenic Space
Alishan or “Mount Ali” is Taiwan’s most visited nationwide park. On account of its elevation, you will see that fascinating flora in its ‘Big Forest’ that is stuffed with towering 2,000-year-old large Taiwanese purple cypresses. The realm additionally enjoys a cooler local weather and an erratic climate sample so you’ll be able to expertise a cloudless morning with denser clouds of mist or fog within the latter a part of the day, after which adopted by a lightning storm and a few rain (so ensure that to pack an umbrella and a jacket).
Should you journey the well-known Alishan Mountain Railway, you may as well go to a number of key areas within the nationwide park by way of the Sacred Tree Line, Zhushan Line (for dawn views over the Jade Mountain), and Mianyuei Line. For hiking-lovers, there are a number of nice trails you could undergo on this location comparable to the trail that results in the Big Tree of Mt. Shuishan (the oldest tree within the park at 2,700 years previous).
On the best way to Alishan with this day tour, additionally, you will get the prospect to cease over these further areas…
- Fenqihu: This can be a medieval mountain railroad city close to Alishan. Just remember to go to its previous slender streets to buy fascinating souvenirs to deliver again dwelling, see its previous railway museum, in addition to to eat their well-known ‘Fenqihu lunch field’ on the authentic restaurant that serves it (discovered beneath 7/11 on the principle highway — NT$100 just for takeaway or NT$120 for consuming it on the spot).
- Alishan Shouzhen Temple: This place enshrines the Supreme Emperor of the Darkish Heaven (玄天上帝) as its major deity and it’s the highest temple in Taiwan by way of elevation.
BOOKING: On-line
DURATION: About 8 hours
MEETING POINT: On this tour, it’s doable to choose you up from any of the inns present in Kaohsiung, Chiayi and Tainan Metropolis. In any other case, in the event you’re coming from Taipei, they’ll choose you up from Excessive Pace Railway stations present in Chiayi or Tainan. To get to those prepare station areas from Taipei, you must e book an HSR prepare. E book a ticket, or you may as well e book an limitless move particularly in the event you’re staying longer in Taiwan and plan to go to different locations outdoors of Taipei).
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: If you wish to discover Alishan by your self in your Taiwan itinerary, when you attain Chiayi station, take the direct bus to Alishan for about NT$300 (a method) which runs between 10:00AM to 11:30AM. There are additionally non-direct buses that price NT$221 every approach. Take be aware that the final bus to Alishan is at 2PM and the final bus again to Chiayi leaves at 5:10PM (discovered close to Alishan’s 7-11 retailer).
» Need another day tour choices in your Taiwan itinerary? See right here to view an entire checklist.
◘◘ Discover the remainder of Taipei
When you’re again in Taipei after your day tour, this might be the proper time to see the opposite historic landmarks or evening markets that you just haven’t managed to go to! (Confer with the checklist I’ve made beneath Day #1 to see the variety of decisions).
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Taipei Meals
If you need nice discounted/packaged meals in Taipei throughout your Taiwan itinerary, try these on-line offers. They’ve decisions from sizzling pots, lobster units, beef noodles, and extra! In any other case, you may as well revisit the evening markets for a meal.
BOOKING: Taipei eating places
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