Length: 7 Days | Budget: $
Taiwan is a contradicting place – here is a country that practices democracy yet manages to maintain much of the historical and cultural traditions of mainland China. Walking through the city, you’ll see a bizarre mash-up of old and new….with run-down century-old food stalls leaning against the bottom of modern skyscrapers. There’s so much to appreciate about the country — dramatic coastlines and forests for adventure-enthusiasts, sprawls of modern shopping complexes for urbanites, ancient temples and museums for history-lovers. And then, there’s the food.
Taiwan will always have a special place in my heart – my parents were born in Taipei and many of my extended family members still live in the city. Several of my childhood summers were spent visiting the country…and whilst I have the fondest memories of these family reunions and gatherings, my most vivid memories of Taipei are of piping-hot street-side snacks and the delicious meals from my childhood. There’s a reason Taiwan was voted as the world’s favorite culinary destination by CNN readers in 2015 – you can’t truly understand Taiwanese culture until you’ve had the food….and lot’s of it.
The day after our state side wedding, my husband and I jetted halfway across-the-world to celebrate our marriage for a second time (since once wasn’t enough) with our Taiwan-based family and friends. It was amazing being able to show him a place that was contained within so many wonderful childhood memories. More amazing was the fact that he was not utterly appalled when he realized just how much food I could ‘pack-in’. Check out our trip details (and culinary adventures!) below.
TIP: I would highly recommend staying at an iTaipei2 Service Apartment while visiting Taiwan. We stayed at one near Taipei 101 (Guangfu South Road), and it was super spacious, very clean, and most importantly, located in a great area. We were able to pre-book our airport transfer with them, which was super convenient.
TIP: Getting around Taipei is easy – the Taipei underground station is clean, efficient, and super affordable!
Day 1: Zhongzheng + Daan + Gongguang
Start the trip off right by grabbing a cheap, greasy, but absolutely divine Taiwanese breakfast of youtiao (fried chinese donuts) and dou jiang (soy milk) at Fu Hang Soy Bean. The restaurant is located near the Shandao Temple Station, on the 2nd floor of the Huashan Market. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike – expect a line out the door and up the staircase, but, don’t worry….it moves quickly.
Walk off breakfast by heading towards the Zhongzheng district to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (~20 minute walk). The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in Taiwan, built in honor Chiang Kai-Shek, the first President of the Republic of China. The surrounding park is called Liberty Square, in honor of Taiwan’s journey to becoming a democratic nation.
The hall is beautiful, featuring a stunning blue roof and a series of 89 steps leading to the entrance (89 being the age that Chiang Kai-Shek died). Be sure to check out the hourly changing of the guard and the surrounding gardens.
Next, take the subway to Dongmen Station to visit Yongkang Street, an avenue that is well-known for popular restaurants and cafes. You can easily spend a day wandering the alleys in the area. Famous spots include: Din Tai Fung Dumpling House flagship store (chinese soup dumplings – we skipped this since we are fortunate to have a location in Seattle), Ice Monster (Taiwanese shaved ice), Yong Kang Beef Noodle (Taiwanese beef noodle soup), LV Sang (authentic Yilan Taiwanese food), and Myowa Japanese Sweets Cafe (matcha everything).
Your last stop of the day will be the Gong Guan Shopping Area/Night Market. Gong Guan is next to the National Taiwan University, spans several blocks, and is a popular hang-out spot for students (which consequently, means cheap buys!). Come nightfall, the entire area evolves into a makeshift night market with vendors lining the alleyways. It’s the perfect place to share a bunch of small eats (which is exactly what we did).
There can be a range in quality of food among vendors at night markets. Your first experience may feel overwhelming but here the ‘golden rule’ applies…..go where the lines are, and order what others are ordering. Safe must-haves include: classic black bubble milk tea, peppered pork bun, shaved ice, and imagawayaki (crispy pastries stuffed with red bean, green tea, taro, or custard filling). If you’re feeling adventurous, try the stinky tofu or the ‘oh ah mee sua’ (oyster vermicelli soup). My husband couldn’t stand the ‘stink’ of the stinky tofu (mumbled something like “smells like garbage”) which was fine because it meant more for my sister and I to eat! 🙂
Day 2: Elephant Mountain + Wanhua
We spent our 2nd morning in Taiwan hiking the Elephant Mountain trail, which features a stunning view of the Taipei 101 building and the surrounding city. The actual hike takes about ~20 minutes, but getting to the trail head from the Xiangshan Station requires a trek uphill as well. The Elephant Mountain is actually one of the “Four Beasts Mountain Peaks”, which other peaks being named the Lion, Leopard, and Tiger respectively. Experienced hikers may be interested in hiking the full continued path between the ‘Four Beasts’ (the entire trip takes 4-6 hours).
TIP: Bring mosquito repellent. I sprayed myself like a mad man and was able to escape with no bug bites. Others though, I saw, were not so lucky (my sister being one of them).
After working up an appetite, grab a guilt-free lunch at Fruitful Food, a luxurious all-you-can-eat vegetarian restaurant. I’ll admit, I was skeptical about a buffet without meat options (I’m a girl who enjoys her steak after all) but was blown away by the quality and taste of the food. I had never had so many different varieties and preparations of vegetables before. A word of warning though – the restaurant is super popular so if you’re interested in going, make reservations!
Next stop, Ximending shopping district, a popular hangout spot for young adults. It’s also a place where street performers and wannabe celebrities perform in front of the crowds, hoping to get ‘discovered’. Growing up, it was always one of my favorite places to visit…my sister and I would beg our parents to take us every spare minute we had. The place is a teenage girl’s dream – with lines of stores selling fashionable clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. We would go crazy shopping, giddy with delight at the selection and low prices. I’ll admit – going there as an adult now (especially with a husband who does poorly with crowds) has lost some it’s appeal. But, it’s definitely still worth checking out!
Just a few bus stops away from Ximending is the Nanjichang Night Market. While it’s not as large or famous as other night markets…it’s popular with locals and is my personal favorite (it also happens to stand conveniently at the foot of my grandmother’s apartment building). Three of the more popular food vendors include the dumpling house, the bubble tea shop, and the fried chicken stand.
TIP: If you’re only going to try one thing at Nanjichang, definitely make it the ‘spicy fries’ at the fried chicken stand. They are the best fries I’ve ever had in my life…..but only if you add the red spice.
Day 3: Xinyi + East District/Dongchu
Day 3 starts with a visit to the Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall, which is an octagonal-shaped building dedicated to Sun Zhongshan, the founder of the Republic of China. Today, the memorial hall is a meeting ground for several cultural, social, and political activities and performances. The building and the surrounding area is not super expansive, but is definitely worth a walk-by.
For lunch, head to Xiangshi Tian Tang (a.k.a Eat Together) and prepare yourself for a very filling meal. Yes, it’s another buffet but Xiangshi Tian Tang is no ordinary buffet – the space is huge, the service impeccable, and the food options plentiful and delicious. A seafood station serves up things like freshly steamed crab, shucked oysters on ice, delicate sashimi slices, and lightly fried shishamo fish with roe intact. The hor d’oerves section features sample sizes of salads, soups, and other appetizers. Then there’s the meat section, with your choice of crispy Beijing duck, beef wellington, filet mignon, lamb chops, and more. Last but not least, the dessert bar which showcases decadent displays of cakes, cream puffs, tarts, puddings, etc. Reservations and loose-fitting pants are advised.
One of our favorite places to visit in Taipei was the Eslite Bookstore, a massive 7-story 24-hour bookstore that sells all manner of lifestyle goods and houses several concepts – pop-up shops, art collections, restaurants, cafes, workshops, and exhibitions. It’s a great place for leisurely perusing (particularly after a large meal). Spend 2-3 hours here before making your way for some shopping (or window-shopping) at the glamorous Shing Kong Mitsukoshi and Breeze department stores.
TIP: The Eslite Bookstore food court has a shop called Xiao Nan Men, which sells traditional soft tofu pudding (douhua) and shaved ice. It is absolutely delicious (we went here every day of our trip).
Your last stop of the day will be the world famous Taipei 101 building (which, for 6 years, was the tallest building in the world). The building is absolutely massive and the elevators impressive (they ascend at ~52 feet/second). Work your way up from the basement food hall (worth checking out), through 4 marble-tiled floors dedicated to selling high-end designer fashion goods, until you reach the 5th floor where you can buy tickets for the observation decks (88th and 89th floor).
TIP: If you’re not interested in battling with crowds and lines to the observatory, you can enjoy world class views and a 5-course Italian dinner at Diamond Tony’s. We did this and felt that it was so much more relaxing (and the food was decent too).
Day 4: Day trip to Fulong + Bitoujiao + Jiu Fen
On day 4 of our trip, we decided to venture north of the city to explore Fulong and Jiu Fen. We took a 1.5 hour train ride from the Taipei Main Station to Fulong, where we then proceeded to take the “Tour Taiwan Shuttle Bus Service” to check out popular tourist sites along the Northeast coast of Taiwan. The shuttle departs every hour – starting at the Fulong Visitor Center, making 10 stops along what’s called the ‘Golden Fulong Route’, ending at the Riufang Train Station. We didn’t get off at all 10 shuttle stops, but rather, focused our time on Fulong, Bitoujiao, and Jiu Fen.
While in Bitoujiao, you should check out the Bitoujiao Cape Park Hiking Trail. It’s a moderate hike, takes ~2 hours to complete, and offers coastline scenery, views of a lighthouse, and displays of sea-eroded land forms. Although some sections of the hike were steep, the path itself felt clean and maintained. The most memorable section of the hike was when we passed by an elementary school featuring a grassy meadow containing fake life-size cows….surrounded by a valley of ancient burial grave sites. It was a bit hilarious and a bit bizarre.
Another must-visit on the Golden Fulong Route is the Jiu Fen Old Street. During the Japanese occupation, Jiu Fen was a gold mining town and also served as a POW camp during World War II. Many of the buildings retain their original architecture and showcase the influence of Japanese colonization in the area. It’s a truly magical place, filled with old alleyways, tea houses, and scenic viewpoints (Hayao Miyazaki agrees…so much that he used Jiu Fen as the inspiration for his movie Spirited Away).
TIP: Wear good walking shoes and bring an umbrella. The alleys of Jiu Fen can be relatively steep and narrow. The weather can also be unpredictable.
While in Jiu Fen, you must try the regional specialty called ba wan, a chewy ground pork and bamboo sweet potato flour dumpling that kind of looks like translucent play-doh. It’s served steaming hot and garnished with some sweet sauce, chili, and cilantro. Other regional specialties include taro and sweet potato glutinous rice balls (served sweet with red or green beans on ice) and mixed fish balls soup.
After spending a few hours exploring the area and buying goods at the various souvenir shops, we took the shuttle service to the train station, and made our way back to the city.
Day 5: Day Trip to Yilan
While visiting Taiwan, a day trip to Yilan county is a must. Yilan consists of Yilan city as well as several other smaller townships including Luodong and Jiaoxi. Even though it’s only an hour bus-ride away from the city, it feels like a completely different world. During holidays and weekends, Taiwanese people flock to Yilan to escape the hustle-and-bustle of the city. If you’re looking for a leisurely experience, avoid traveling on a weekend!
As soon as you arrive at Yilan Station, you’ll discover the Jimmy Art Park, an area that features adorable sculptures and artwork by the famous Taiwanese artist, Jimmy Lian. It’s a great place for cute photo ops. Growing up, I loved anything Jimmy Lian and would always come home to the U.S. with a suitcase filled with Jimmy puzzles, calendars, photo books, and figurines. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to be able to pose with life-size Jimmy characters and embarrass my husband!
Most of our day in Yilan was spent enjoying the natural hot springs of the Jiaoxi township. Supposedly, the hot spring waters of Jiaoxi contains several minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium) that can help detox and “beautify” your skin. There are several options for hot springs – while we opted for a full spa-like experience within a resort, there are several public hot spring options (such as Tangweigou Park) that are free (foot-bathing only!).
A great resort option in Jiaoxi is the Art Spa Hotel, which is a cross between a water park and a traditional hot spring bath (great for kids and parents alike!). Kids can enjoy an outdoor water slide that is 5 stories high. Parents can enjoy the massage pools with water pressure jets, aromatherapy pools featuring different essential oils, or hot spring waterfall which is designed to massage your backside. Both my husband and my dad enjoyed several rounds of the hot spring waterfall (evidenced by the picture below). The cost is around $300 NTD/person (~$10 USD), which is a fantastic deal!
TIP: If you plan to partake in a hot spring bath while in Jiaoxi, make sure to bring a swimsuit, a swim cap, and a towel. Swim caps are required – if you don’t have one, don’t sweat it. Several shops in Jiaoxi sell swim gear so you can buy one while you’re there.
End the day with a visit to Luodong Night Market, a most popular night market in eastern Taiwan. It’s a great place for shopping, people-watching, and of course…dining! Catch some local eats (such as scallion pancakes, smoked duck, and mutton soup) before hopping on an evening bus back to the Taipei.
Day 6: Day trip to Danshui + Beitou + Shilin
One of the most memorable meals from our trip to Taiwan was having lunch at Fresh Station Sushi & Fruit. Fresh Station is a Japanese sushi bar with a modern twist – fruit is incorporated into many of the dishes! We ordered the Chef’s sushi lunch special and were served 4-5 small plates consisting of soup and salad, sushi rolls with sashimi, a melt-in-your-mouth pork loin, and a fruit sushi roll dessert. Everything was wonderfully fresh, creative, and surprisingly delicious. 5 Stars!
After lunch, take a subway ride to the charming town of Beitou, known for hot spring resorts (many of them resembling a Japanese onsen, if you’ve ever experienced one). Although we didn’t get spend time bathing in the springs, we did explore the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Thermal Valley Park and surrounding areas.
From Beitou, take a ~20 min subway ride north of Taipei to the city of Danshui (also known as Tamsui). The main attraction in the area is the Danshui Main Street and Boardwalk which features hundreds of vendors selling affordable food, toys, souvenirs, and small accessories (like sunglasses and iPhone cases). It’s a lovely walk (particularly on a sunny day) since you get a mix of cultural/street views and nice views of the Danshui River. Snack on local specialties such as ‘A-Gei’ (vermicelli noodles stuffed in fried tofu), iron eggs (eggs braised in soy and spices), super tall taro-flavored ice cream, and spicy grilled squid.
We were pooped by the end of the day so headed home after Danshui to rest. However, if you’re feeling energetic and want to explore more after Danshui….you can head over to Shilin Night Market, arguably the largest (and consequently, touristy) of all night markets in all of Taiwan.
Day 7: Q-Square (Half Day)
Before heading to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to end our journey, we spent our last half day in Taiwan relaxing and roaming the city. Most of that time was spent browsing Q-Square, a posh 6-story shopping mall that connects underground to Taipei Main Station. There’s lots to explore at Q-Square (shopaholics rejoice!), but I personally think the crown jewel is the basement food court. Taiwanese food courts are amazing – despite being crazy busy, there’s typically plenty of seating and everyone gets to pick and eat whatever ‘zings’ them. We visited several food courts while we were in Taiwan…it was hilarious because no matter how many times we went, my husband would always pick some sort of katsu pork curry dish and I would always end up with a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Our favorites.
Want more details or need help planning your Taiwan trip? Sign-up for my e-mail list or shoot me a comment/question below!
[contact-form-7 id=”1264″ title=”Contact form 1″]
Leave a Reply