2018 Dec: Taiwan: Wǒmen lái chī ba (Let's eat) in Taipei and Taichung

Tasting food as we go along the streets and restaurants of Taipei and Taichung!

Jiufen

Tea Restaurant in Jiufen

Location: across A-mei Restaurant

Food: fried noodles with vegetables & sliced pork (250ntd = 430php), mixed fruit tea (160ntd = 272php)

Personal Preference: 8 out of 10

A-mei maybe good to visit if they can accommodate you due to it's popularity.  But going to the tea house across A-mei gives you a good spot to have a better view of the Spirited Away inspired scenery. 

I really enjoyed the mixed fruit tea as I also enjoyed the cold weather, people watching in the old street and the viewing deck for mountains of northeast Taiwan and horizon of East China Sea.

2018 Dec: Taiwan: Taipei: Morwing Hotel Fairytale

Morwing Hotel Fairy Tale
3F., No.36, Sec. 1, Kaifeng St., , Taipei Main Station, Taipei, Taiwan 10044
開封街一段36號3F, 台北車站, 台北市, 台灣 10044

Price: Luckily to get these rates from agoda.com: Early Booking Saver. Rate includes 28% discount for 2 nights and Limited time offer. Rate includes 21% discount for 1 night.

2018 Dec: Taiwan: Click Hotel Taipei Main Station

Click Hotel - Taipei Main Station branch
5F, No. 72, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan, 10041

Price: Expensive but opted to stay since I'm looking for a place that would accept us on our arrival at the area by 2am-4am.

Location: Pretty much close to Taipei Main Station.

Itinerary: Taipei, Taiwan

Accommodation: Where to stay in Taipei?
City Inn Hotel

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Taipei in 7 days?

DAY 1: MONDAY (PM)
- touch down @ 13:10pm (Airport) @ Terminal 1 (Tentative Gate: B1, B3)
- BUY: easy card - 500NT
- Take BLUE and WHITE GUOGUANG BUSES (Western Route) going to Taipei - 120-150NT
- Check-in: City Inn Hotel
- MRT: Zhongshang Junior High School Station - for St. John Bosco Church
- MRT: Jiannan Rd Station Exit 3: Miramar (Ferris Wheel - 200NT)

DAY 2: TUESDAY
- CKS Memorial MRT (National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, opens: 9am)
- NTUniversity (Gongguan MRT), checkout Esprit only if possible (opens @ 11:30am)
- Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant (http://www.mrj-tw.com/)
- Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
- Taipei 101 - 500NT
- NY NY; - Warner Village

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY
- Taroko Guided Tour (2000NT via http://old.taiwantourbus.com.tw/jtbusphp5en/index.php?act=toursdetail&ID=149&VideoID=193 )
- Dinner @ Modern Toilet

Optional:
- Short walk in Ximen
- Check Redplayhouse

Taroko National Park (above), Tomita Farm (below)

DAY 4: THURSDAY
AM: 9am - 1pm
- Taipei to Daxi Bus (Ta Shee Blooming Oasis and Tomita Farm) - 110NT
- Daxi to Ta Shee Blooming Oasis proper - Taxi: 160NT
- Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Entrance - 100NT
- Tomita Farm Entrance- 50NT

DAY 5: FRIDAY
- Go to MRT Shipai
- P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant (roughly 400nt/per head ; take off: Shipai MRT)
- Walking on Tianmu Area
- Fisherman’s Walking Area

Optional:
- Transportation Taipei-LeoFoo-Taipei (240NT)
- Taipei to LeoFoo Village (Entrance: 860NT)
- Mall Hopping: Wufenpu Mall, RT Mall, Go Living Mall

DAY 6: SATURDAY
- Hello Kitty Restaurant
- National Palace Museum (160NT) (take off: Shilin MRT)
- Taipei Story Land (near MRT Taipei Main Station) - 250NT (voucher 150NT)

DAY 7: SUNDAY
- Taipei Fine Arts Museum
- Taiwan Storyland
- Departure

Hopefully this Taipei travel blog was able to help you plan your trip and build your own Taiwan Itinerary.

Travel Date: October 19 (Mon) - 25 (Sun) 2009


Tips and Note for Taiwan Travel

• When to go to Taiwan? February - late February to mid-March would be good for cherry blossom.  Late March would mean less to no flora for Taichung (Lavender Cottage, etc.) 

Other sample itineraries and expense reports:

For my further sample itinerary, expense, and trip reports please visit links below:

Itinerary for 7 days in Taipei (2009 October)

Itinerary for 5 days in Taipei and Taichung (2018 Nov-Dec)

Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung (2023 July)

*Remember, you still need to decide for yourself based upon your attraction and fascination over a place or activity.  As well as to consider the pace you want to have while traveling.  Planning too many targets on a day will either exhaust you rather than give you peace and joy on the culture and tradition.

Create your own road, rather than taking someone else's path.  

It can only be a road when one passes it.

City Collection: Taipei

Upon my visit to Taipei 101, I was looking forward to send out postcards from the Sky! I saw this first time from the series Wish to See You Again. What’s the difference? They have a special stamp and mailbox if you are sending it for a Friend, Love or Family.

I’d say that Taiwan has a good collection of postcards – some were made of wood, transparent plastic [right] and pop-up designed cards. Hotels also offer mail services.

Be aware that Post Office in the Airport closes on Sundays.

As for the Starbucks mug, I bought it from the café in front of my place, City Inn Hotel.

2009 Oct: Taiwan: Day 7: Goodbye Taipei!

Travel Date: October 25, 2009

I tried to wake up early to finished packing my stuff. After a quick breakfast, I decided to checkout and left my baggage at the hotel. I’m doing this so fast cause I need to rush to the same church I visited on my first day for the Sunday mass.

After the mass, I don’t know where to go. Simply because, I did not prepare for this day. I should be going home by lunch time per the previous flight schedule. So I just grabbed the map and search for places where I can go to.

I’ve seen Yamingshan National Park on television. After taking bus R5 at Jiantan Station, for few minutes you’ll feel getting colder as the bus is going up to the mountains. Quiet like a Baguio trip in less than 30 minutes. I walked for a few meters, then decided to go back to the bus station. Why? It would be a very long if I proceed further. So I advise that if you really want to see the bunch of trees and flowers blooming at Yamingshan, just join the group tour.


Next stop, Yuanshan Station for the museums. I decided to go inside Taipei Fine Arts Museum. But what the! People are in queue, it was a very long line - for the Pixar exhibit.


Instead of that, I headed to Taipei Story House, even though just a very small place, I enjoyed it a lot.

From here, I transferred to blue lane for Ximending Station. I visited street market and the Red Playhouse. It is a museum, coffee shop and souvenir shop at the same time.



Then, I went back to the Main Station. Inside the K-Mall, I visited Taiwan Storyland. It shows how the old Taiwan village looks like. It has the old bicycles, old phones, a sample store of old cameras. It looks like seeing Taiwan in the past.

After dinner, I went back to the hotel to get my stuff.

I boarded the bus going to the Airport. Terminal 1 is simply boring. Good thing that Gate B9 is just close to Terminal 2. Below is a telephone booth and coffee shop at 12 midnight.



After having a hot chocolate, I slept and still waited for my 1:25am flight back to Manila.



Thank you to my "calling" alarm clock for keeping me awake during the last minutes of my stay on your place.
I trully appreciate my family for allowing me to visit this country - alone! Thank you again to the drivers, guides, individuals who helped me during my stay, finding the right directions and giving me tips.


Summary of 7 days 6 nights Itinerary on 2009 Taiwan Trip

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	St. John Bosco Church Miramar (Ferris Wheel)		City Inn Hotel
Day 2	National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial NTUniversity Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Taipei 101	Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 3	Taroko Guided Tour	Dinner @ Modern Toilet	City Inn Hotel
Day 4	Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Tomita Farm		City Inn Hotel
Day 5	Walking on Tianmu Area Fisherman’s Walking Area	P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 6	National Palace Museum Taipei Story Land	Hello Kitty Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 7	Taipei Fine Arts Museum Taiwan Storyland		City Inn Hotel

2009 Oct: Taiwan: Day 6: Meeting Hello Kitty and Rainy Visit at Museum

Travel Date: October 24, 2009
I woke up late due to the weather, cloudy skies and scattered rain showers. After a light breakfast in bed, I went straight to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station. I have visited some malls in the area before going to Hello Kitty Restaurant.

Hello Kitty Restaurant
Location: No. 90, Da An Road, Sec. 1 (near intersection of Da An Road and Zhong Xiao E Road, Sec 4) Zhong Xiao/FuXing MRT
Hours: Sun- Thurs 11:30 AM - 10 PM; Fri- Sat 11:30 AM - 11 PM

As expected, everything is marked with Hello Kitty. The chairs and tables are pink, the walls are painted with Kitty faces. I ordered here tuna and tomato with kiwi shake.

2009 Oct: Taiwan: Day 5: Tracing the Footsteps of DaoMS

Travel Date: October 23, 2009

Woke-up early because I wanted to have bagel again for breakfast, but Dante’s Coffee already moved out. Good thing, it was also served in Burger King. I’m the only customer on that morning.

Immediately after breakfast, I took a train going to Danshui Station (last station of Danshui Lane: Red). Take Exit 1, if you want to roam around the area. Visit the market street or the 4 floor Starbucks building.

Go to Exit 2, if you need to find the bus terminal.
Take Bus R26, which will send you to Danshui Fisherman’s Wharf. This is the same bus that will return to Danshui Station.


From Danshui, I drop off at Shipai Station to reach Tianmu area. This is one of the reasons I visited Taiwan - I need to see P.S. Bu bu. From the Exit gate, the bus stop is located just across the street. Wait for Bus R19, this will pass by the restaurant.

From trip advisor: Take that bus R19 to the end of Zhongshan N Rd Sec 7, to the last stop and walk down the road on the left side of the street, PS Bubu about 2 mins away.
This is the famous car restaurant used in Meteor Garden, where the characters of Dao Ming Si and San Chai had tasted a dessert. I did not bother to use the pink mini cooper, I’m fine with the white one to give me a very nice view of the pink car. The 1991 newspaper is still posted on their wall. Most of the car plates in the restaurant are from United States. True, that the food is pricey, but I enjoyed eating there.
From here, I went to Wufenpu Shopping District, night market for clothes.

How: The best way to get to Wufenpu is by MRT. Take the Bannan (Blue) line to Houshanpi station and go out Exit 4. The market is a five-minute walk from the station along YongJi Road.

Then I took a cab to reach NeiHu RT Mart (Esprit Outlet) and Outlet Leeco mall (Adidas, Converse, Nautica, Columbia Outlets). You can skip this two outlet malls, they only offer few and old stocks. There are better finds in Mongkok and HK outlets.

Summary of 7 days 6 nights Itinerary on 2009 Taiwan Trip

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	St. John Bosco Church Miramar (Ferris Wheel)		City Inn Hotel
Day 2	National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial NTUniversity Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Taipei 101	Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 3	Taroko Guided Tour	Dinner @ Modern Toilet	City Inn Hotel
Day 4	Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Tomita Farm		City Inn Hotel
Day 5	Walking on Tianmu Area Fisherman’s Walking Area	P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 6	National Palace Museum Taipei Story Land	Hello Kitty Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 7	Taipei Fine Arts Museum Taiwan Storyland		City Inn Hotel

Taiwan: Day 4: Visiting Lavender Farm

Woke-up early and had breakfast from Dante’s Coffee, I loved bagel and cream cheese.

This day is my Taoyuan challenge. I’ve been wanting to see the farm used in Leo and Yshin’s series, Lavender. After doing the research, I found that it was Tomita Farm located in Taoyuan. But, when I reached the place and due to unexpected drizzle, I decided to visit only Tashee Blooming Oasis (few more minutes and you will also see Tomita Farm).

From Taipei, I dropped off at Ximen MRT Station. From my research, travelers were advise that from Taipei’s Gueiyang Street (貴陽街) in front of the Soochow University annex (located between Ximending and Presidential Office, east of Zhonghua Rd), board a Taipei Bus (台北客運) or Taoyuan Bus (桃園客運) bus to Dasi. I waited for Bus 9103 on the school side. Below is a sample bus ticket that you will received from the driver, and which should be returned upon drop off.

Bus route map from Taipei to Dasi: http://www.tpebus.com.tw/image/1011.gif

Bus time schedule: http://www.tpebus.com.tw/image/1011.html

From the bus station on Daxi town, I took a cab and it is almost a 15 minute travel for less than 160NT.

I paid 80NT on the Tashee Blooming Oasis admission fee, I got a 20NT discount from the Youth Travel Card.

Since I decided to go to the other farm instead of the one used in Lavender, I’m surprised that they still have Lavender plants.

I’m also amazed that the Love at the Corner series also shoot in the area.

Other series that I’m not familiar with the title but with the actors are Rainie Yang, 5566, etc.

They also offer the Lavender bottle and different teas.

I had vegetable pasta for lunch, more expensive that the usual.

At around 1pm, I left the area. It took me around 30 minutes waiting for a cab to return to Daxi bus station. The bus to Taipei arrived at around 2pm, if I missed it I need to wait for the 4pm bus.

I arrived at almost 4pm in Ximen, I looked for Far Eastern Department store to find the supermarket. I think it is cheaper to buy chocolate and tea pasalubong from supermarket rather than keychain or shirt from night market.

Travel Date: October 22, 2009

Summary of 7 days 6 nights Itinerary on 2009 Taiwan Trip

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	St. John Bosco Church Miramar (Ferris Wheel)		City Inn Hotel
Day 2	National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial NTUniversity Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Taipei 101	Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 3	Taroko Guided Tour	Dinner @ Modern Toilet	City Inn Hotel
Day 4	Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Tomita Farm		City Inn Hotel
Day 5	Walking on Tianmu Area Fisherman’s Walking Area	P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 6	National Palace Museum Taipei Story Land	Hello Kitty Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 7	Taipei Fine Arts Museum Taiwan Storyland		City Inn Hotel

2009 Oct: Taiwan: Day 3: Day Tour at Taroko Gorge, Hualien

Travel Date: October 21, 2009

My 3rd day is a guided tour in Hualien. This is the cheapest tour I found from Taipei, because they offer it via train. Most of the Hualien tours are using airplane.Try to understand your train ticket. Get into the station as early as you can, so will have enough time looking for your waiting area.

Merry Travel Service (Taipei)
Phone：886(2)25652780
Address：8-2F, No. 54, Songjiang Rd., Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Web: www.hunters-tour.com.tw

Ticket below shows the time of departure and arrival. Take note of the coach number (2) and seat number (25). Along the way, a ticket inspector will check if you have the correct ticket.


Upon arrival (10:41am) at the Hualien Station, find your way to the Visitor’s Information counter. Get some maps that will still help you on the tour.

When the bus arrived, I got frustrated that I booked for the Mandarin tour. I checked it online that it was an English tour. Good thing that my co-tourists were accommodating and generous to translate to me important information along the way.

The tour includes pass at Cihmu Bridge, stroll on Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail, look at Changchun Shrine and stop over at Cisingtan Beach.


The tour guide also sent us to a Jade shop and souvenir stores. I love the chocolate mochi I got from Hualien.

I arrived at the Hualien train station few minutes before the departure time, but I felt like I really need to run to find the train. I’m not able to take a photo of the bullet train from outside because I’m afraid that I might be left behind. So I just stay inside the train and wait until it depart from Hualien.


When I get back to Taipei proper, I immediately go to Ximending to find Modern Toilet (this will be my third, I had my first and second at Mongkok, Hong Kong). I ordered for the seafood pasta meal, thus, I was able to taste the ice cream that looks like a poop.
Restaurant: Modern Toilet, Ximending Store, Taipei (http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/store.asp )
Address: 2F., No.7, Lane 50, Sining S. Rd., Wanhua District, Taipei City
Weekdays:　AM11：30 ~ PM10：00 (Last order by 9:00PM)

Near Ximending MRT, Exit 6, I was lucky enough to watch a mini concert which also features English songs.


Summary of 7 days 6 nights Itinerary on 2009 Taiwan Trip

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	St. John Bosco Church Miramar (Ferris Wheel)		City Inn Hotel
Day 2	National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial NTUniversity Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Taipei 101	Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 3	Taroko Guided Tour	Dinner @ Modern Toilet	City Inn Hotel
Day 4	Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Tomita Farm		City Inn Hotel
Day 5	Walking on Tianmu Area Fisherman’s Walking Area	P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 6	National Palace Museum Taipei Story Land	Hello Kitty Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 7	Taipei Fine Arts Museum Taiwan Storyland		City Inn Hotel

2009 Oct: Taiwan: Day 2: Bird's View from 101

Travel Date: October 20, 2009

I started my morning by going out at around 9am for National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (9am - 6:30pm), take Exit 5 from the MRT Station.

C.K.S. Memorial Hall Station

Find your way to the main entrance, to take a snapshot of the huge gate. I spent around 2-3 hours to take shots of the National Theater, Memorial Hall, Democracy Boulevard and Concert Hall. If you are lucky, you can also watch the exchange of guards at the Memorial Hall.

National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial (http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/index.php)

Open: 9:00 AM TO 6:30 PM

Address: 21, Zhongshan South Road, Taipei (100)

National Theater

Memorial Hall

I planned to go to NTUniversity in Gongguan Station, but decided not to proceed with that plan. I’d rather spent more time in Taipei 101.

From CKSM Station, I moved to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Station, Exit 2 to look for Mr. J. Restaurant. This is owned by Jay Chou where the theme is inspired by his movie The Secret. There is nothing special in the location, it seems like it is in a street together with residential area. I was not able to see the grand piano, but the walls are full of Jay’s memorabilia. I ordered for vegetable salad and pasta, and it was good.

Mr. J. Restaurant (http://www.mrj-tw.com/)

Address: No.43 Lane 308, Guangfu St., Da-an District, Taipei City 106

Lunch Set (12:00 - 14:00): starts from 150NT

After lunch, it started raining, I forgot to bring my cap so I had to buy one from NET. I walked towards SYS Memorial, and I did not bother going inside the Hall. I’m after taking photos of the actual Hall itself.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Address: 505, Jen-ai Rd, Sec. 4, TaipeiE-mail: sun@yatsen.yatsen.gov.tw

Hall Attraction: 9am-9pm (Part of exhibition rooms only open from 9:00~17:00)

Then, I find my way to Shifu Rd., I did not expect to see the tent that was often used on “Girls Marching On”, a series broadcasted by ABS in 2000.

From the Taipei City Hall, it is almost 20-30 minutes walk before I reached Taipei 101. If you are looking for the branded stuff, this is the Mall for you.

After roaming at the mall, I looked for the Observatory Ticket Booth located at the 5th floor of the Mall. Thanks to Youth Travel Card, I paid my ticket for 350NT only and got 50NT discount. The elevator will take you then to 89F (indoor observatory). Be sure to use their audio guides, it is very easy to use and it will explain to you every section seen from the observatory.

During my visit, there is an Art Exhibit and I found few entries from the Philippines.

I also sent out postcards from Taipei 101.

A small museum is also found inside, it contains a replica of the famous cabbage found in National Museum. Expensive jars are also for sale on the same floor.

Try to finish the indoor observatory before night fall, they do limit the area to be visited in outdoor obersvatory when it comes to be very windy.

Taipei 101 Observatory: (http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/DB/p_01.asp)

Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm (Last ticketing: 9:15pm)

Address 89F No.7, Hsin Yi Rd Sec 5, Taipei 101

Visiting Route: Entry 5F (take elevator -> 89F [indoor observatory] ) -> 91F [outdoor observatory]Exit 88F (take elevator -> 5F)

As I leave the building, I’m nearing the most awaited spot I’ve been wanting to see, the LOVE sculpture. Too bad that it was so windy that I can’t leave my tripod to take a personal shot.

Before crossing the street to see New York New York mall, I was surprised when a loud music started and when I turn around, the water fountain started dancing. I’m so happy that I was able to experience again to watch that kind of water show. (Last was on Wynn, Macau on Feb 2009)

When I reached NYNY, I had sudden flashbacks of DMS and SC’s date, this is the Mc Donald’s used on the last episode of Meteor Garden.

Upon the main entrance, I was welcomed by VZ Yu Min, he is the endorser for Sony Alpha.

You will pass by Viewshow and multiple Shin Kong Mitsukoshi malls before you can reach Taipei City Hall MRT Station.

I dropped off at Taipei Main Station, and called it a day!


Summary of 7 days 6 nights Itinerary on 2009 Taiwan Trip

Day	Places to see	Food and Restaurants	Where to Sleep
Day 1	St. John Bosco Church Miramar (Ferris Wheel)		City Inn Hotel
Day 2	National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial NTUniversity Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Taipei 101	Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 3	Taroko Guided Tour	Dinner @ Modern Toilet	City Inn Hotel
Day 4	Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Tomita Farm		City Inn Hotel
Day 5	Walking on Tianmu Area Fisherman’s Walking Area	P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 6	National Palace Museum Taipei Story Land	Hello Kitty Restaurant	City Inn Hotel
Day 7	Taipei Fine Arts Museum Taiwan Storyland		City Inn Hotel