Taipei trip
I think the last time 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 six-day, five-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 six days, it seemed like we were constantly eating, from street food to food courts to sit down restaurants. Each one was a treat for our tummies and taste buds. Don't forget to try milk tea from many different brands.
Danshui
A seaside 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
Taipei 101 was 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 abundant 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 it’s because of the language barrier, very few people speak English, or maybe the added cost of the tourist visit (we paid P2,700 per person). Whatever the real reason, I feel people should really give it a try.
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