Exploring Taiwan - The Exquisite Gem of Asia

In a travel essay, 'Free to Explore - Your Way' by Bình Phú, he shares his solo travel experience in Taiwan, covering famous spots like Sun Moon Lake, Cuu Phan, and Thap Phan.

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Taiwan, the enchanting gem of Asia, captivates visitors with its natural beauty and unique architecture. Every traveler leaving this place can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. Taiwan offers beautiful experiences throughout the year, avoiding extreme heat or chilling cold. Spring, from March to April, boasts pleasant temperatures ranging from 17°C to 25°C, perfect for Taiwan's festivals. Autumn in Taiwan is equally stunning, adorned in golden hues mingled with red maple leaves, arguably the best season for traveling.

Before planning your trip, let me introduce essential phone apps for navigating Taiwan: Google Translate, Google Maps, XE – Currency Converter, GO! Taipei Metro, Ubike, Line, Mytour.

After a 3-hour flight, we landed at Taoyuan Airport. Upon arrival, fill out the immigration form, pass through customs, and you can purchase a 4G sim card for approximately a week of usage here.

This combo includes an Easy Card – a must-have when traveling independently in Taiwan. Upon arrival, purchase the Easy Card, usable for MRT, buses, high-speed trains, and certain 7-Elevens. You can top up the card at machines in Taipei's train stations, and any remaining balance will be refunded at the information counters. Special note: Using the Easycard for city buses in Taichung (within 10km of card tap) is completely FREE.

For Vietjet Air passengers landing at Terminal 1, follow signs to the bus ticket counter. Look for information boards indicating routes from the airport, usually heading to 2 Taipei central locations:

+ Taipei Main Station - Ticket price starts from 125 TWD. Visit counter 7 Kuo-kuang to purchase tickets / Departure every 15 minutes.

+ Travel to Taipei West Bus Station (Taipei West Bus Station), go to counter 3 – Citiair Counter, ticket price 90 TWD.

Depending on your destination in Taipei, choose the right bus for you. Pay attention to the bus signs on the vehicle and check the route number to avoid confusion. Kuo-kuang buses are recommended for traveling to the center of Taipei. After purchasing your ticket, go to the bus pick-up area, remember bus number 1819, and wait at bay 5. The bus has ample luggage space and is categorized by terminals. When loading luggage into the compartment, the assistant will ask about your terminal or if you arrived from a specific terminal.

Previously, to catch a bus from Taipei to Taoyuan Airport, you went to Taipei West Bus Station and took the Kou-Kuang 1819 bus back to the airport. However, since October 30, 2016, Taipei West Bus Station has been under repair, and bus companies have been divided among surrounding stations. To catch the Kou-kuang bus to the airport, go to Taipei Main Station, Exit 3 East (near Shelter and parked cars). This is also the drop-off point when returning from the airport to Taipei.

Open for only 8 months, the purple MRT Airport Line provides convenient public transportation from the airport to downtown Taipei (and vice versa). The only inconvenience is that the MRT station area is quite extensive and not in the same building as the regular Taipei Main Station MRT (which is already spacious and crowded). Therefore, those with bulky luggage may find it challenging. The ticket is slightly more expensive than the bus but faster: 160 TWD/person, and the total travel time is 40 minutes.

There is no direct train from the airport to downtown Taipei. You need to take a shuttle bus (UBus) to reach the Taoyuan station of the high-speed train (THSR).

At the airport, go to the Ticket Bus Counter and purchase UBus shuttle bus tickets at the UBUS service counters in the Arrivals Lobby of Terminals 1 and 2. The shuttle bus ride takes approximately 25 minutes. Purchase the one-way ticket from Taoyuan Station at the THSR Taoyuan Station on platform 1 at the bus depot. The ticket price is 30 TWD.

At the THSR Taoyuan Station, purchase tickets for the high-speed train to Taipei. The train ride to the Taipei city center takes about 20 minutes, and the ticket price varies depending on the time of travel, sometimes with promotional fares ranging from 125 TWD to 160 TWD.

This method is not suitable for traveling to Taipei but is extremely convenient for going to Taichung and Kaohsiung. You can go to Taoyuan Station and easily purchase tickets to Taichung and Kaohsiung.

In Taiwan, a 4-seater taxi accommodates a maximum of 3 passengers, and a 7-seater taxi can take up to 4 passengers (as the back seats are removed for luggage space). Note that taxi drivers in Taipei may not speak English well, so it's advisable to have your hotel address ready (preferably in Chinese) to facilitate communication.

From Taoyuan Airport to downtown Taipei, the standard taxi fare is 1400 NTD/vehicle (approximately 45 USD/vehicle). Taxis can be hailed at the Arrival Hall exit.

If you are traveling in a group and want convenient and easy transportation, consider renting a private car through Mytour.

Unlike countries in Southeast Asia, you need to go through the visa application process when visiting Taiwan. The procedure is simpler if you have visited countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Schengen countries (including residence permits), as you will be exempt from the visa requirement. The allowed stay is 15 days, with the condition of online registration for approval before boarding and entering Taiwan.

For additional information, refer to Mytour's guide: Guide to obtaining a visa without using a service and Is it difficult to get a Taiwan tourist visa?

For a self-guided trip to Taiwan, your travel budget will be more comfortable with reasonably priced flight tickets. Currently, as Taiwan is a popular tourist destination, many airlines operate flights to Taiwan. You have various options: Vietnam Airlines, Uni Air, EVA Air, Vietjet, etc. Choose the airline that suits your budget. On average, round-trip ticket prices for a journey range from 3.5 to 4 million VND. Compared to other countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, it is much cheaper. A golden tip is to plan early and hunt for affordable tickets!

CURRENCY IN TAIWAN

Taiwan's currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). You can buy Taiwanese Dollars at foreign exchange points like Ha Trung, but the exchange rates are generally high, around 1 USD to 700-730 NTD. It's advisable not to exchange too much as cards are widely accepted, except for small local train ticket purchases and street food vendors who might not accept cards. Spending in Taiwan is a bit higher than the Southeast Asian average.

Taiwanese cuisine tends to be mild, really mild. Dishes often include noodles in bone broth, dumplings, etc., prepared with a lot of oil in a Chinese style. They don't use fish sauce but opt for soy sauce, and it's not as strongly flavored. If you're accustomed to richly flavored dishes like Vietnamese or Thai cuisine, you might find it a bit challenging in Taiwan. Also, veggies are relatively expensive in Taiwan, so brace yourself for a starchy and carb-filled journey.

Taiwan has a comprehensive CCTV camera system covering every corner. Police presence on the streets is minimal. A local resident of 20 years mentioned that in the event of security or traffic incidents, the police can easily extract data from the cameras to identify the culprits.

Taiwan has only 2 types of electrical outlets: flat two-prong or grounded three-prong, quite different from the round plugs in Vietnam. Make sure to bring the correct charger adapter. If you forget, no worries; you can easily find one at 7-Eleven.

MRT Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple, situated at Longshan MRT station, is an ancient and revered landmark in the southwest of Taipei. Constructed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1738), the temple primarily worships Guanyin Bodhisattva. Throughout history, it has served as a central command for local affairs, uniting the beliefs of the surrounding community. It's the earliest developed area in Taipei.

Until today, Longshan Temple has become both a spiritual center for locals and an indispensable attraction for tourists visiting Taiwan. With over 280 years of history, the temple has undergone numerous renovations while maintaining the traditional Chinese architecture, highly revered in Taoist temples.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

MRT Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall stands as one of Taiwan's most significant monuments. Built in 1976 to commemorate Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China, the hall officially opened to the public in 1980.

Located in Taipei City, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is situated within a walled complex known as Liberty Square. This unique setting features gardens, ponds, and pathways. The memorial, constructed with white marble, boasts a distinctive octagonal blue-roofed structure. The main avenue leading to the square provides a stunning view of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial.

The main hall houses a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, seated in traditional attire. Beyond the memorial, the square area includes the National Theater and National Concert Hall, both excellent venues for the arts, hosting performances by renowned artists from Taiwan and around the world.

The memorial takes the form of the number 8, symbolizing prosperity. Two grand staircases with 89 steps each represent the age of Chiang Kai-shek. The construction of the memorial took four years to complete (1976–1980).

Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Later in the afternoon, head to Taipei 101, where you can admire the iconic tower from below and ascend Elephant Mountain for a panoramic view of the city.

Take the high-speed elevator to the top of one of the world's tallest buildings to marvel at the breathtaking scenery of Taipei and beyond. Taipei 101 has been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by Newsweek and one of the Seven Architectural Wonders by the Discovery Channel. The tower currently holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest passenger elevator.

Enjoy a night view of Taipei from Elephant Mountain (象山, Xiàngshān).

At 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall, Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building for the first seven years of the 21st century. Designed in the Eastern religious architectural style, this building has a uniquely distinctive shape, leading some to joke that it's a structure assembled from Chinese restaurant lunchboxes. When examining the glass facade, try to discern Feng Shui elements. The entire structure is based on the lucky number eight in Chinese culture. Look for wave-like patterns adorning the structure, symbolizing protection and completeness. Every evening during the week, the lights within the tower perform a light show in one of the seven spectrum colors.

Before heading to Taipei 101, we contacted Starbucks on the 35th floor for a reservation to enjoy the city view from the iconic building. The place is quite small, so you might need to book a table in advance. Upon arriving at the lobby on the 1st floor, Starbucks staff will be waiting to guide you. To make a reservation at Starbucks here, you can google 'How to get to Starbucks at 35th floor'.

Evening: Dinner at Din Tai Fung at the base of Taipei 101

A visit to Taipei 101 is incomplete without indulging in Dim Sum at the renowned Din Tai Fung restaurant located right under the 101 Tower. However, make sure to arrive early as the queue can be quite long. Take a number and explore for about 30 minutes before returning. The Dim Sum here speaks for itself, earning a Michelin one-star rating.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Jiantan Station (Exit 1) instead of Shilin Station. Once you exit the MRT, go up to the ground level, then cross the street to reach Shilin Market. If you're coming from MRT Taipei 101 World Trade Center, take the train to MRT Jiantan (takes 21 minutes, one every 10 minutes, costs $1-2), then walk an additional 1 minute to reach Shilin market.

Opening hours: 3 pm – 1 am daily

When talking about famous night markets in Taiwan, Shilin Night Market immediately comes to mind. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest, largest, and liveliest markets in Taipei, boasting over 500 stalls offering a variety of products and a diverse range of delicious food and drinks. The Shilin Night Market Food Court, equipped with air conditioning, is a perfect spot to sit back and enjoy your meals. The market also features souvenir shops, vibrant games, and lively festivities, attracting both local youth and residents, especially on weekends from 3 pm to 1 am.

Among the delectable dishes at Shilin Night Market, do not miss the Chinese herb-infused spare ribs, sticky rice-wrapped sausages, onion pancakes, large-sized Sizilam sausages, stinky tofu, grass jelly tea, or the specially imported tasty fried chicken. In general, the prices are reasonable, but if you are solely on a shopping mission, it is advisable to explore other markets, as Shilin primarily caters to tourists exploring Taipei's culinary culture, resulting in slightly higher prices compared to other markets.

In summary, the prices are fair, but if your main purpose is shopping, consider visiting other markets, as Sizilam is mostly for tourists exploring Taipei's culinary culture, and prices here are accordingly higher than other markets.

Jiufen Old Street is situated in northern Taiwan with a unique setting: the village rests on the mountainside facing the East Coast of Taiwan. This captivating stop attracts thousands of tourists annually. When you visit Jiufen, you immerse yourself in a landscape enveloped in mist, creating a mystical and poetic ambiance. The incredibly fresh air, complemented by a cool breeze from the deep blue sea, fills the atmosphere. The village sparkles with vibrant hues, surrounded by scenic landscapes, causing visitors to get lost in its charm and forget the way back.

The reason behind Jiufen's name is traced back to the Qing Dynasty when only nine families inhabited the village. The primitive and underdeveloped transportation system made it challenging to connect with the global market. Consequently, whenever a family went shopping elsewhere, they would buy for the remaining eight households. Hence, Jiufen is colloquially referred to as the Village of Nine Parts.

Exploring Jiufen allows you to capture photos with ancient houses, colorful lanterns, and savor the refreshing mountain air.

A Mei Tea House (阿妹茶樓, Ā mèi chálóu), a renowned Instagram-worthy spot in Jiufen. It's usually crowded, making it challenging to take a solo selfie.

Did you know that the beloved Japanese animated film and one of the world's best-animated movies, Spirited Away, drew inspiration from Taiwan? The enchanting town that captivated Hayao Miyazaki is Jiufen, situated on a mountain about 50 km from Taipei.

Although the town is tiny, it's always bustling, especially at night, with numerous souvenir shops and food stalls. Strolling through the town's staircases will make you feel like Chihiro lost in the 'spirit realm.' Jiufen is one of the must-visit places in Taiwan, recognized by travelers from various countries.

There are two common ways to travel from Taipei to Jiufen: taking a bus or renting a private car for the day. If you're in a large group, renting a car is convenient and cost-effective, allowing you to visit more spots. For solo or duo travelers, taking the bus is also a good option with no issues.

Of course, I prefer exploring on my own rather than being chauffeured around like a guided tour. Taking the bus from Taipei

+ Taipei – Jiufen: In Taipei, take the MRT to Zhongxiao Fuxing station. Exit through Gate 1 and walk in the opposite direction. At the first intersection, turn left and proceed straight to the bus station. Take bus 1062 to Jiufen. Bus 1062 can be a bit slow, taking about 1.5 hours to reach the historic Jiufen.

+ Jiufen – Cat Village: Return to the Jiufen bus station and take bus 1062 back to Ruifang. From there, take the train to Houtong Station, known as the Cat Village.

+ Cat Village – Shifen, Pingxi: Take a train, with one trip every hour, so make sure to note the train times on the station board. In Shifen, you can walk to visit Shifen Waterfall or continue by train to explore the ancient town of Pingxi.

Returning from Shifen to Taipei follows the reverse steps. Take the train from Shifen to Ruifang, then catch bus 1062 or 1061 back to Taipei. Bus 1061 seems to run faster than bus 1062. However, be extremely cautious as train schedules at these locations usually have only one trip per hour.

The historic street is situated right next to a railway track. This track was initially built for coal transportation. Nowadays, both sides of the track are filled with souvenir shops, stores specializing in sky lanterns, and food and beverage stalls. In Shifen and JingTong, Fingxi, you can release sky lanterns, but Shifen is the liveliest. There is a store owned by a Korean proprietor, as Taiwan attracts many Korean tourists. Additionally, there's a shop run by Vietnamese sisters.

Releasing sky lanterns symbolizes wishing for good luck. Lanterns are made of oiled rice paper on a frame of bamboo or zinc with various colors, each representing health, wealth, career, peace, etc. Tourists can personally write prayers on the lanterns. A single-colored lantern costs 150TWD, and a four-colored one costs 200TWD, each color symbolizing different aspects of family, love, talent, and career. Prices are the same at every location.

The most beautiful aspect of releasing sky lanterns isn't whether one believes their lantern carries their wishes to the sky but rather the introspective moment when individuals delve deep into their desires, translate them into written words, and witness the optimistic smiles as the lanterns ascend to the sky.

Located 35 km from Taipei, nestled in the northern hills of Taiwan, there's a small village filled with numerous cats. Along the Keelung River, Houtong was once an abandoned coal mining town since the 1990s, with only a handful of households remaining in the village.

Over time, stray cats flocked to the area, and villagers made efforts to rescue and care for them. By 2008, the village gained fame after images were shared online, turning it into a frequent tourist destination. In just two years, the cat population here surged to around 200.

The cats here are aloof and quite sophisticated, not easily swayed for cuddles or photo sessions. Each cat is plump due to tourists purchasing treats to spoil them endlessly.

For cat enthusiasts, this place is highly recommended. It's like stepping into a tiny, adorable ancient village. On the way back to Houtong station, remember to take the staircase down; there are cute and affordable souvenir shops and eateries, all featuring cat-themed items.

Returning to central Taipei, we continued our shopping spree, heading to Ximending, the most bustling shopping district in Taipei. It's easy to get lost in the plethora of designer brands, often more affordable than in Vietnam.

Yangming Mountain – Yangmingshan is one of the largest national parks in Taiwan. Visitors from all corners come here for hiking, enjoying fresh air, bathing in hot springs, and admiring cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom season is around March to April, creating a stunning pink spectacle.

When it comes to admiring maple leaves, Yang Ming Shang is the go-to place—a prestigious, vast, fragrant, and beautiful national park in Taiwan. Throughout the year, trees and flowers take turns blooming. If South Korea has Naejangsan National Park in Autumn, Taiwan boasts Yang Ming Shang National Park. Getting here is quite convenient, just a one-hour bus ride from Taipei. After wandering and collecting leaves—oh, forgot to mention, admiring leaves—you can immerse yourself in a relaxing hot spring to cap off a chilly day. It's truly sublime!

If you're in Taipei with limited time to explore mountainous areas, don't miss out on Yangmingshan. Every spring, just look up, and the sky before you turns pink with cherry blossoms. Yangmingshan is not only adorned with cherry blossoms but also features vast stretches of silver grass, trumpet flowers, azaleas, and more, spanning the foothills. Another characteristic is that the flowers here bloom precisely on schedule, creating vast and expansive fields.

While it may seem a bit 'unimposing' from the outside, stepping inside, you'll feel the museum's ancient and venerable ambiance. Housing over 70,000 artifacts, including items dating back 10,000 years, the National Palace Museum in Taiwan is a must-visit attraction in Taipei. The museum has multiple floors, each vast and filled with an abundance of treasures—jade, precious stones, gold and silver, ceramics, ivory, coral, precious woods, watercolor paintings, and more, leaving nothing to be desired.

However, the star of the museum is the intricately crafted jadeite cabbage, symbolizing the virtue of Chinese women in ancient times. Exquisite to the point of being irresistible and carved from rose quartz...looks as realistic as it gets.

How to get there: Take the MRT to Shilin Station, exit at Exit 1, walk towards Zhong Zheng Road, and catch R30 or buses 18, 19, 255, 304, or 815 for an additional 20-minute journey.

Entrance Fee: 250 TWD per person (totally worth every penny).

Leaving Taipei, we began our journey to explore Taichung.

Sun Moon Lake, also known as the Moon Sun Lake, is the largest body of water in Taiwan. The lake area and its surroundings are among the 13 most famous scenic spots on the island.

Hồ Nhật Nguyệt is located in the Yuchi township of Nantou county in Central Taiwan.

Nestled at an altitude of 760m, renowned for its sparkling clear water amidst picturesque mountains, Hồ Nhật Nguyệt is a favorite destination for Taiwanese couples on honeymoon.

Explore the charming and poetic scenery at Hồ Nhật Nguyệt through these 3 ways:

+ Boat Excursion

+ Take a cable car ride and marvel at the entire panorama of Hồ Nhật Nguyệt from above.

+ Cycle around the lake for a delightful experience.

Book now the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car Combo on Mytour!

This is the largest temple on the northern shore of Sun Moon Lake. The temple is built in the Chinese palace style. Previously, there were two temples on the shores of Sun Moon Lake. In 1919, the Japanese colonial government built a hydroelectric dam, causing the lake level to rise and the two temples to be destroyed. In 1938, the temple was rebuilt. In 1945, the government invested in tourism around the lake, so Wenwu Temple was reconstructed in 1969 on a larger scale.

In reality, Rainbow Village is not very large, with only a few houses preserved, but the village's patterns are vibrant and charming. The story began when Grandpa Huang (now 94 years old, often sitting here to socialize with fans, and he even knows how to take heartwarming pictures like a teenager) had a hobby of painting and decorated his own house. Gradually, he painted the surrounding houses as well.

Initially, only nearby students found it interesting to visit. Then, word spread, and the village became famous. People from all around came to take pictures and pose in various funny ways. The government decided to preserve it for everyone to visit, building public restrooms and a small, lovely playground for children. Although not grand, it's truly unique and should not be missed.

Meet the talented artist who spent years coloring and creating the vibrant Rainbow Village.

A joyful visit awaits at Gaomei, where below lies a marsh with the sea rising slightly above ankle level. Playful crabs and fish can be seen, adding to the charm. Adults and children, some even accompanied by adorable dogs, all leave their shoes on the long, winding wooden path, then walk barefoot, enjoying the moment. Some even bring kites and fly them freely :)).

Gaomei Wetlands, around 6:20 PM (sunset time varies, check online for accuracy as it changes daily), the sun begins its descent. Everyone takes out their phones, and professionals set up various cameras, capturing the radiant moments. The unexpected beauty of the sunset, lasting only about 10 minutes, makes it all worthwhile, especially after days of trekking. Immersing your tired feet in the sea, the weariness of the journey dissipates!

This renowned temple is a must-visit in Cao Hùng, home to the world's tallest Buddha statue. Upon entering, be dazzled by the grandeur of this 100-hectare Buddhist complex, centered around a 108m bronze Buddha statue flanked by eight pagodas. Buddha Light Mountain preserves numerous gold-plated statues and 100,000 copies of the Heart Sutra meticulously transcribed by hundreds of scribes from various locations. For Buddhist practitioners, the exceptionally rare tooth relic of Buddha housed here is a sight to behold. What I appreciate most is the tranquility; despite the crowds, it remains remarkably serene.

Admission is free, but adhere to the rules (no smoking, eating, speaking loudly, and certain areas restrict photography).

Due to the vastness and limited greenery, bring an umbrella for shade.

How to get there: MRT ZuoYing-R16, Exit 1, walk to the bus station, take bus 8501 to Buddha Light Mountain (80TWD, 1h30min).

When you think of Taichung, you can't miss out on the FengJia Night Market (also known as Phung Giap Night Market). It's hailed as one of the most famous and must-visit night markets in Taiwan, especially in Taichung. If Shilin is the largest night market in Taipei, FengJia takes the crown as the largest and most renowned night market in all of Taiwan. Its reputation is built on the authentic Taiwanese street food found among its 15,000 stalls. Prepare yourself for a food adventure and don't miss out on the grilled abalone, deep-fried chicken neck, and sausage on a stick – guaranteed to be irresistibly delicious.

Address: Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407

Opening Hours: 4 PM - 1:30 AM

How to get there: No MTR to this night market, but you can take a taxi, Uber, or bus.

The handmade souvenirs here are incredibly cute.

And during spring in Taichung, just strolling through the streets is a feast for the eyes with blossoms everywhere.

As we conclude our enchanting journey exploring the Pearl of Taiwan, we head to the airport and bid farewell to Vietnam. But rest assured, a day not far away will bring us back to the warm embrace of beloved Taiwan!