Buzz
With years of independent travel under his belt and this being his second visit to Taiwan, 80-something Minh Tran has plenty of advice on authentic dining and worthwhile attractions.
An adventurous 80-something, who earns money only to travel, shares practical experiences of exploring Taiwan.
Those acquainted with Minh Tran - an 80-something with a penchant for travel - might find his money-making endeavors solely for the purpose of globetrotting quite fitting. In 2015, when Hong Kong was the go-to destination, Minh promptly ventured to the fragrant harbor, exploring and crafting a review of independent travel in Hong Kong so compelling that it garnered over a thousand shares.
In 2016, disregarding domestic trips and focusing solely on Asian travel, Minh managed to visit Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and of course, Taiwan, a destination that was buzzing at the time. On his second visit to Taiwan, Minh pocketed quite a few experiences and expanded his itinerary beyond the basics for first-time visitors to the island.
Let's explore the dining and entertainment spots recommended by this avid traveler!
Where to play?
– Houtong Cat Village: A village filled with roaming stray cats and charming little cafes.
– Shifen Old Street: This spot is famous for sky lantern releases and a nearby grand waterfall, accessible by foot or electric scooter.
– Conquering Yangmingshan: It takes about 6 hours to conquer Yangmingshan (both ascent and descent). The trail is not too difficult as steps have been built for climbers. The breathtaking view from the mountain top will make you forget all fatigue once you set foot here.
There are two routes to conquer this peak, so you can ascend one way and descend another to fully admire Taipei from above.
– Huashan 1914 Creative Park: Another must-visit spot in Taipei is the Creative Park – Huashan 1914. Formerly an abandoned factory, it has been transformed into a hub for young people, even becoming the main artistic creative center of Taipei. The youth have turned this place into an interesting destination with music festivals, exhibitions showcasing young talents, a market selling stylish designs by Taiwanese youth, quirky VVG cafes, and more.
– Fujin Street: If you're a coffee aficionado looking to wander and discover beautiful cafes, then Fujin Street is the path you shouldn't miss in Taipei. There are plenty of cafes here with unique styles. Try relaxing at any cafe that catches your eye, you surely won't be disappointed.
– Ikea: Near Fujin, there's an Ikea store. If you're a fan of this furniture brand, do pay a visit. It's a bit small but enough to satisfy your miscellaneous shopping cravings.
– Elephant Mountain: One of the top 10 favorite destinations in Taipei according to Tripadvisor. Elephant Mountain is close to Taipei 101, and it takes just about an hour to climb to the top via small steps. The view of the city center from here is truly stunning. It's quite crowded, so it might be challenging to capture a nice photo.
– Eslite Bookstore: the largest bookstore chain in Taiwan. You should visit Eslite Bookstore Dunan as it's open 24/7.
– Commune A7: This is a container night market similar to those in Thailand, offering food and beer, with eye-catching and attractive decorations. It's near Taipei 101, newly opened on December 17th.
– Tran Tam Dinh Milk Tea: This is a famous spot for milk tea enthusiasts. The tea here has a rich milk flavor with deliciously cooked pearls, served with black sugar or honey, making it distinct from other tea shops.
– In Taipei, most of the delicious dishes are found in the street food segment and small eateries, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank. Some notable dishes include stinky tofu, pepper buns, small grilled beef cubes, grilled sausages, grilled squid, fried chicken... You can find them at night markets like Shilin, Raohe, Ximending...
– Taiwanese Stinky Tofu beats Hong Kong's stinky tofu. The strong smell hits you from afar, but once you take the first bite, paradise unfolds before you, and the pickled cabbage is just right...
– Flour Rice Noodle Soup: You should also try it in the Ximending area because people line up to eat from morning till evening, and it's as easy to eat as crab soup.
For a more upscale dining experience, you can visit dimsum restaurants like Tim Ho Wan and Din Tai Fung. Also, don't forget to try beef noodles, pepper pork rice...
– Tamsui District: There are many interesting street food dishes here like crispy squid, fish ball soup, squid balls. Also, the famous cheese sponge cake is a must-try when you're here.
– Drinks: When it comes to Taiwan, you can only exclaim that it's a bubble tea paradise, so if you come here and don't drink bubble tea, it's like you haven't been to Taiwan.
Key Points on Eating and Transportation
– Accommodation: It's advisable to choose lodging near famous night markets, but according to Minh, Ximending area should be the top choice due to its convenience in many aspects. You'll never feel bored here as it offers plenty of dining, entertainment, shopping, and beer options.
– Getting Around: Get an Easy card to travel around Taipei by Bus or MRT. Overall, it's simple and incredibly convenient. Top up around 400 TWD and you'll be good to go for 5 or 6 days.
– Shopping at HM, Zara, and Uniqlo doesn't offer tax refunds.
– Make sure to head to the airport at least 3 – 3.5 hours before your flight. According to Minh, you should contact your hotel or Airbnb host to arrange a 4 or 7-seater taxi priced between 800-1,300 TWD for a comfortable journey and to avoid carrying luggage on the MRT. The airport is quite far from the city center, approximately over an hour's drive. Though slightly more expensive, it's faster. Alternatively, if you're traveling with fewer people, you can take a taxi to Taipei Main Station, but it may be time-consuming and waiting could cause you to miss your flight.
– The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively cheap. Minh spent 6 days and 5 nights, including accommodation (Airbnb), transportation (plane + bus / MRT), and meals, for only around 10-12 million VND, and had a comfortable living experience.
– Knowing how to use Google Maps is an enormous advantage, if not a matter of survival when traveling to Taiwan.
As per Afamily
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourDecember 23, 2016
