Skip to main content

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.

Image may contain: outdoor
Ximen Red House


Image may contain: outdoor
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

Image may contain: food
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.


No automatic alt text available.
Rooftile on the way to the thermal valley


Image may contain: tree, sky, house and outdoor
The entrance to the thermal valley


Image may contain: bridge, plant, outdoor, water and nature
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.

Image may contain: sky and outdoor
Tamsui Station - The buses bound for Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Sto. Domingo are in the background

Image may contain: 3 people, crowd and outdoor
Tamsui Old Street


Image may contain: food
Deep fried squid


Image may contain: food
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!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taiwan 2014 Part 4 - Maokong Gondola | Taipei Zoo

Maokong Gondola Directions: Take the Taipei Metro to Taipei Zoo station and follow the signs going to Maokong Gondola. What's special here: Compared to Ngong Ping 360 (Hong Kong), I can consider the price for a ride at Maokong Gondala as quite cheap. There's also no price difference between the regular cabin versus the crystal cabin. If you're brave enough, I highly recommend taking the crystal cabin. Round trip ticket costs TWD 120. Taipei Zoo Directions: If you're coming back from the gondolas, trace your back to the Taipei Zoo metro station and then follow the signs for the Zoo. What's special here: Well, it's a huuuge zoo! I suggest going here on a weekday though as this is a very popular destination among locals. The entrance fee is very cheap at TWD 60 for adults and TWD 30 for children. I would also suggest that you bring your own food as the stores inside are not able to keep up if there's a huge number of visitors. I wis...
Post a Comment
Read more

Taiwan 2014 Part 2 - Tian Wai Tian Hotpot | Yehliu Geopark | SYS Memorial | Taipei 101

Tian Wai Tian Hotpot Directions: Go to Ximending by taking the metro to Ximen Station. Use Exit 6 and follow this walking directions from Google Maps . What's special here: Bang-for-the-buck steamboat buffet that includes unlimited serving of Haagen Dazs ice cream and drinks (including beer!). The price varies depending on the the time of your visit. (Adults: from TWD 439 to TWD 519; Children: TWD 219) Yehliu Geopark Directions: From Taipei Main Station, find the Taipei West Bus Terminal Station A . It was hard to find the terminal if it's your first time so what we did is ask a station personnel. Once in the bus terminal, board bus 1815. Again, it's safer to tell the driver that you be going to Yehliu. There's 34 stops between Taipei and Yehliu so goodluck counting the number of stops. Once you alight at the bus stop, follow this walking directions. ( Google maps ) What's special here: Rock formations in different shapes! Entr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Taiwan 2014 Part 3 - Longshan Temple | CKS Memorial | NTU | Jiufen | Modern Toilet

Longshan Temple Directions: Take the Taipei metro to Longshan Temple Station (blue line) and follow the signs. It's hard to miss the temple with its distinct looks. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Directions: Take the Taipei Metro to the CKS Memorial Hall Station (green line). What to do here: Explore the grounds of Liberty Square and be in awe of the National Theater Hall, National Concert Hall. You can also watch the hourly changing of the guards inside the memorial dedicated to koumintang leader Chiang Kai Shek. National Taiwan University Directions: Take the taipei Metro and alight at Guangguan Station (green line) What to do here: If you're a Meteor Garden fan, then no need for explanations. Jiufen Directions: By Public Bus: First, take the Taipei Metro to Zhongxiao Fuxing interchange station on the blue/brown line. Then find the bus stop for bus # 1062. Here's a google maps view . Be wary though that it can be packed with tou...
Post a Comment
Read more