Vacay in Taipei: A Needed Escape
Liberty Square Main Gate, Taipei City
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Editor’s Note: This article is originally published in Zoy To The World’s Facebook Notes on April 30, 2018.
I’ll be honest. There’s another reason why I started Zoy To The World. Aside from being an outlet of my passions for eating, exploring, and writing, it’s also a stress reliever.
Last year, I was assigned to a project that I had no clue how to go about: Construction! My training was in IT. My first and only job before this assignment was student ministry (I’m a full-time church worker). So when I was given an assignment to oversee not one but two(!) construction projects, I was like, “What am I doing with my life?!”
I’m not the best in this field. I was willing to learn and tried to excel. But I’ll be honest again. I battled frustrations, doubted my calling (“Am I really for this?”), and even experienced some form of depression.
A known pastor recommends that church leaders have their “tanks” filled to last long in ministry.[1] For me, that would include eating, exploring, and writing. And Zoy To The World was born. Even though coming up with content can be challenging and stressful at times, I find great satisfaction.
While blogging about my eating and exploring helped in relieving stress, it was still not enough. I needed a vacation. Thankfully, my friends and I booked for a trip to Taipei last year. So in February, even in the midst of a busy schedule, I was allowed a weeklong leave. Time for a quick escape. Time for a vacay in Taipei!
We arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which is 45 minutes away from Taipei via bus
I’m starting a series about my trip. As usual, I will only write about not-so-usual itineraries and experiences in Taipei (and most will be about food!). So I hope you’ll enjoy the series. But first, let me tell you what I thought of Taipei.
It’s modern and old at the same time. Taipei is certainly more modern than Manila. Its transportation system is efficient (like Singapore’s) and its surroundings are clean, among many other good traits. It also has areas dedicated to creative and performance arts (see below for more details).
But Taipei also retained its old charm (and that’s a good thing). There are old buildings, historical sites, and temples scattered throughout Taiwan’s capital.
A street in Taipei
It’s expensive...especially if you’re coming from the Philippines. I thought that prices in Taipei (and in the whole of Taiwan) will just be a bit higher. But I soon learned that they’re almost or even double! While accommodations are cheap (my friends and I booked through Airbnb), food and transportation are expensive, including the street food in the Night Markets. So if you’re coming to Taipei or anywhere in Taiwan, prepare a bit more cash and even your credit card/s. You don’t want to run short of travel money.
It can be difficult for tourists. The city is safe. The transportation is efficient. The people are generally friendly and helpful. But many signs are in Chinese and many of the locals don’t speak English. If you’re not prepared, communications can be difficult and frustrating. To work around this language barrier, I would often use Google Translate or show pictures. It did help!
So what can you do in Taipei? I’ll keep it short and sweet so here are 5 activities I’m recommending:
Feel Small in Memorial Halls
There are memorial halls dedicated to Taiwan’s leaders Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen. The structures are massive and you will really feel small.
I felt really small in CKS Memorial Hall
I only got to visit the Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall. There are no entrance fees. And make sure to watch the changing of the guards, which happens every hour. (I’ve been researching on the first and last schedules of the changing of the guards. But I couldn’t find consistent answers.)
The statue of Chiang Kai-shek
See Panoramic Views of Taipei
There are at least two ways to get a nice view of Taipei: Elephant Mountain and Taipei 101. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to hike Elephant Mountain due to bad weather. But a visit to Taipei’s iconic skyscraper should suffice.
A view of Taipei from Taipei 101
It’s best to visit Taipei 101 late afternoon and stay until evening (there’s no time limit anyway). In this way, you’ll see Taipei in daylight and it’s transformation in the night. (I booked my ticket via Klook and got a discount.)
Do a Food Trip at Hole-in-the-Walls and Night Markets
Just like us Filipinos, the Taiwanese love to eat (and drink boba tea or pearl milk tea). A trip to Taiwan won’t be complete without a food trip. While there are many dishes and snacks to try, make sure not to miss on braised pork rice, gua bao, and, of course, beef noodle soup, which is considered Taiwan’s national dish. Almost every where in Taipei, you’ll find restaurants and hole-in-the-walls. So you won’t run out of options. (Confession: I didn’t get to try any boba while in Taiwan. Bummer!)
A trip to Taiwan won’t also be complete without a visit to night markets. In it you will find clothes, games, and of course food. I would say that the Taiwanese know how to do their night markets. They’re probably the best at it in the world. I got to visit two in Taipei: Raohe Street Night Market and Shilin Night Market.
At Shilin Night Market, the most popular night market in Taipei
Get Creative at Creative Parks
In many cities of Taiwan, you will find creative parks. These are venues for arts and design. In the creative parks I visited, there are museums, galleries and exhibits, shops, and cafes. I’m assuming that for the parks I didn’t get to visit, you will also find the same.
In Taipei, I only visited Huashan 1914 Creative Park. It’s formerly a wine factory and was converted to what it is now back in 2005. It’s a very Instagrammable place. Just make sure you go there when it’s not raining.
A rainy day at Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Make sure to visit on a sunny day!
The other creative park in Taipei is the Songshan Creative and Cultural Park. If I get to come back, I’ll pay it a visit.
Join Free Walking Tours
If you’re into history and culture, you’ll enjoy Taipei for it’s plethora of museums, historical sites, and temples. But guided tours in English are hard to find.
Fortunately, a group called TourMeAway offers free (tips-based) walking tours in Taipei. As of this time of writing, there are 6 routes available. I availed two: Old Taipei route and the Chinese New Year route (the latter is just available during CNY season). These tours helped me understand Taiwanese history and culture.
Met fellow tourist at the Chinese New Year Tour
P.S. Are you planning a trip to Taipei soon? Then book your activities at Klook!