My Day 3 and 4 @ Taipei City

We're back at Taipei City and our "last full day" before flying back the next day. We decided to divide our day into two parts and stick with it.

Taipei is well known for hot springs and for those who would like to experience authentic thermal hot spring, the most convenient for tourist is "Beitou Hot Spring". There are multiple of public and private hot baths to choose from. For private, it's advisable to book in advance. Some baths may have different rules like no clothing or in swimsuit, men and women should be separated, tie your hair up, wash your face, etc.
HOW TO GET THERE: By MRT Red Line to Beitou Station then change train bound to Xinbeitou.

For my Day 2 blog, check this out:

http://mytimetoset.blogspot.sg/2017/04/day-2-diy-taiwan-trip-pingxi.html?m=1

 We, however, decided to take other option and see more of city. From Taipei Main Station "Red Line" just four stops away to reach Yuanshan Station.

Every weekend, activities will be held at Taipei Expo Park. We were there on a Saturday, we enjoyed  their "Taipei Expo Farmers Market". Interesting as they are boosting local farm products and I can't help but try their sweet potatoes.

Traveling with our luggages, we walk towards Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Every tour never will I missed to visit a museum. It's weird but it seems that they are talking to me. The museum features different art works and changes from time to time. The exhibition hall is at the 3rd floor and B2. Entrance fee is NTD 30 (S$1.40/US$1), very affordable and worth it.

 We were lucky as they feature a solo photo exhibition of Wang Hsin. She's a Taiwan born photographer which feature her works from 1970's, when she's still studying and Taiwan is in conflict. Some were recovered from damage negatives. Her works with Indigenous people until her recent works.

The exhibition portray the changes of Taiwan and it's people. She also feature her works during her travel in India, Kashmir and Nepal. At Basement 2 features art works like these beautiful paintings and some crafts.

Just beside the museum is "Taipei Story House". You can visit inside but we just decided to take a photo from outside.

Bus stop at roadside of the museum, bus numbers 87, 247 and 208 will take us to to Martyr's Shrine (2 bus stops away).

The National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine honors Taiwanese soldiers died in various wars. The guards will not move and speak for an hour.

You can take selfies or photos with them but give respect as this shrine is for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. The ceremony of changing their guards is every hour and the entrance is free. The buildings and shrines are immaculately beautiful.

Maji

We finished about 1pm, it's our lunch break. Take any of same bus numbers  to return back in Expo Park, go to Maji Square. A wide variety of foods, groceries and pub.

We actually had our lunch in Formosa Chang. We took a taxi from shrine to there which is about 10mins away and not so costly. Famous for its Taiwanese Pork braised rice, normally the que is always long but we reached 1pm+ so the place is almost empty. As both of us are Filipinos and we love pork, we ordered all types of pork. From their sausages, intestine soup and of course the braise pork. Honestly, all are great and pretty cheap! They also have chicken, fish, vegetables etc. We are happy that we did try it. After our festive lunch, we took taxi to our hotel in Ximending as we want to rest a bit to prepare for our 2nd part of still long Day 3 in Taipei!

After checking in again in our hotel in Ximending, we took MRT "Green Line" from Ximen Station (2 stops) to "Chiang Kiang Shek Memorial Hall Station".

Erected in memory of the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. The stairs of the national monument has 89 steps representing his age at the time of his death.

A national monument, tourist attraction, landmark and  a "MUST Visit" in Taipei.  Very accessible as it's just a stone away from same name "Chiang Kai-Shek MRT Station". Beautiful Garden, impressive buildings and must not be missed "changing of the guards" every hour.

Take the MRT "Red Line" to Taipei 101 station, exit 4. We plan to have our afternoon snack in Din Tai Fung at Taipei 101 Mall but the queing time is the killer. So we decided to try waffle and coffee at Cafe Lugo, their specialty Waffle with blueberry is fantastic and what we needed to last for our upcoming activities.

We just bought our tickets for Taipei 101 and choose the timings we preferred to climb up to world's tallest building from 2004-2009.

After which, we take MRT just a station away to "Xiangshan station" for our Elephant Mountain trail/trekking experience.

HOW TO GET THERE: You can walk from Taipei 101 or take MRT just one station away to "Xiangshan station". Exit 2, walk towards the end of the park then follow the uphill road. It will take about 10 mins walk to starting point.

Elephant mountain is one of the four beasts mountains and the most popular due to it's accessibility. The trail is safe but involves a lot of stairs and steps uphill. If your fit, you can do it in 15 minutes. If not, don't worry as there are benches which you can stop and rest. You better bring water and face towel:

View from Elephant Mountain

 Elephant mountain is undoubtedly the best view of sunset and the city especially with Taipei 101. I personally advise to do it at almost dusk so you can reach the top at Sunset or night. Alternatively, you can do it early morning.

After our trail, we walk back and take MRT to Taipei 101. We took the world's fastest passenger elevator from 2004 - 2015 by Guinness World Record. We both visited N Seoul Tower and Tokyo Tower so on top of Taipei 101 observatory is normal. Same as the other towers, observatory deck consists of 2 floors (89th and 88th floor). Aside from the amazing view of the city, you can also enjoy souvenir shops, artworks, etc.

We travel back to Ximending by MRT and explore one of the famous Taipei night markets.

Stinky Tofu

XIMENDING
What's Taipei if you will not end your "last night" with night markets. We had a long day but we will not missed trying local foods and shop for souvenirs.




Day 4 @ Taipei

Longshan Temple

is a lazy day. Mostly tryin' to travel like local, eat local foods and visiting temples and historical places.

From where we stay (Ximen) is just one MRT station away to Longshan Station and wander around the area.

Our first stop is "Longshan Temple", could be the most famous temple in Taipei seen as example of Taiwanese classical architecture with Southern chinese influences. Built in 1738 during Qing dynasty to served as place of worship for chinese settlers. The temple were hit by several earthquakes, bomb and fire but residents consistently rebuilt it.

Bo Pi Liao

  Just beside the temple is the historical "Bo Pi Liao" which retained Qing dynasty and Japanese structures intact. Adding to it's popularity as it was used as the filming location of Taiwanese movie "Monga".

OPENS Tuesday to Saturday, entrance is Free so it's worth to check it out.

Street foods

Just cross the road from Bo Pi Liao is a popular porridge shop even for locals. Their popular dish is of course porridge and fried pork. Porridge with pork is about NTD 40 (S$1.90 / US$1.35).

Taiwan is popular for good street foods as well. So we try to eat a bit while roaming, that's why we are on holiday.

We just walk back to MRT and visited Wet Market. It's very interesting and quiet different from what I accustomed to.

Then we walk towards side street of Longshan temple, about 10 minutes walk

Huaxi St. Night Market

is the first Taipei night market "The Huaxi Street Night Market". Popular especially for Food Adventurer as food vendors offer turtle blood and meat including testacles, deer penis wine and snake blood and meat. Also known as "Snake Alley" for the stands selling various snakes delicacies.

Qingshan Temple

Walk a bit straight to Qingshan Temple, first built in 1856 is one of top houses of worship. Their resident god (Qingshan Wang) saved the people of Wanhua from a dangerous plague. Thus, the god's birthday is one of Taipei liveliest religious event called night patrol. The temple itself has a top quality woods, stone and artwork to see.

There's a lot of small food stalls walking back to MRT such as soya drinks, dimsum which we also try. We bought some snacks to eat or bring back home.

 Each pack is about NT$50 (SG$2.30/ US$1.70). At the basement of the MRT station also got colorful food stalls, massage and souvenir shops like stones, accessories etc.

After enjoying traditional and historical Longshan, we travel back to another world, a station away Ximending.

 XIMENDING RED HOUSE
Built in 1908, is A historical site and Taiwan's first public market has been around for the past 100 years.

Just outside the Red House sits a row of eateries and shops which you can stroll or just rest and relax while drinking a bottle of beer.

Ximending crossing

Across the road is the bustling Ximending. Since we are staying around the area so we just try to explore again at day time. As we need to be at airport by 5pm, we had our late lunch here and do last minute shopping before picking up our luggage.

 We headed back to Taipei Main Station for the train towards the airport. The que is quiet long and took us 30-40 minutes before we finally board the train. We had the express train to airport. For much detail Train experience, can check my Day 1 Taipei blog:

http://mytimetoset.blogspot.sg/2017/03/my-day-1-taipei.html

The train to airport is the most convenient way with space for your baggage. Alternatively, you can take bus at Taipei Main station as well.

 

Try to allot 4-5 hours including travel time as the ques are quiet long to all. To airport train, airline counter for your boarding pass and luggage check in, Customs and Immigration. Took me 2-3 hours to complete the process the service is quite fast but just that there are a lot of tourists.

END OF TRIP CONCLUSION:

Taiwan is a great place to visit but preferably during cold weather. The people are very nice, the foods are cheap and mouth watering, the place are well connected through their public transportation.

 

I will definitely come back to visit other province and will definitely explore the city again.

 

Watch out for my summarized blog for my 4 Days Taiwan Trip. Thank you for reading!