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Taiwan 2014 Part 1 - Ximending | Beitou | Tamsui

Ximending

Directions: The easiest way would be to take the metro to Ximen Station

Things to do: Shop and eat. There are art pieces on display inside the Red House. The groundsof the Ximen Red House is sometimes converted into a bazaar. Ximending, being a shopping hub of Taipei, has a lot of shops in the nearby area as well as food joints.

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Ximen Red House


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Ximen Station



Ximending - Taipei's Shibuya




Ippudo TW, Taipei Main Station

Directions: Go to Taipei Main Station and Ippudo TW is located at Breeze Center, a mall inside Taipei Main Station

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Akamaru Ramen


Beitou

Directions: Take the metro to Beitou Station. Once there, transfer to the auxiliary pink line that will take you Xinbeitou Station. From there, the tourist places are reachable by foot.

Place to visit: Beitou Thermal Valley (Free). You can also visit the Hot Spring Museum and the Puji Temple. There are a number of hot spring baths in area but we didn't go to one because we are pressed for time.


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Rooftile on the way to the thermal valley


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The entrance to the thermal valley


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Inside the thermal valley


Tamsui Old Street

Directions: From Beitou Station, we took the train on the same red line and alighted at the very last station, Tamsui. The street market is walking distance from the train station. Once you exit the station, go left, the entrance to the street market is parallel to the river. Google Tamsui Old Street to see what the entrance looks like.

What to do: Shop and eat. You can sample local Taiwanese delicacies here. Stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere.

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Tamsui Station - The buses bound for Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Sto. Domingo are in the background

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Tamsui Old Street


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Deep fried squid


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Grilled Squid


Fort Sto. Domingo

Directions: Go back Tamsui Station and look for Bus 26. Tell the driver to drop you off For Sto. Domingo. The bus displays the next stop but it's in Chinese. You might miss your stop, like what happened to us, if you didn't let the driver know your alighting at Fort Sto. Domingo

What to do here: Picture taking! There's also a museum in the what was the former consular residence. (Free)

Fort Sto. Domingo

Former consular residence


Fisherman's Wharf

Directions: If you're coming from For Sto. Domingo, go back to the bus stop where you alighted and then board the same bus 26 bound for Fisherman's Wharf.

What to do here: Picture taking again! The bridge and the harbor view are magnificent especially during sunset. (Free)


Lover's Bridge

Breathtaking sunset!


The bridge at night


Shilin Night Market

Directions: Despite sharing the same name as the Shilin Metro Station, it's easier to reach Shilin Market from Jiantian Station.

What to do here: Shop and eat! The basement floor houses lots of food stall. I have to admit though that nothing really stood out from what we've ordered. The ground level has stalls that mainly sells fruits and local delicacies. I bought Mochi and Pineapple cakes.


Shilin Night Market

Where to stay in Taipei?

We stayed at Taipei Triple Tiger Hostel during the entire duration of this trip. It is an affordable hostel within walking distance of Ximen Station. Click here to book a room.

Full disclosure: I will earn a small commission, at NO extra cost to you, if you use the above links to book your toom. Thank you!

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