Taiwan, Here We Come Again! What Fun Tip Will You Share, Taiwan Fans?
Hooray! We’re touring Taiwan again – very soon!
Where will we go? What shall we do this time in Taipei and beyond, in the island of Taiwan?
It has been 2 years, since my wife and I last visited Taipei! Once again, what inspiration and memories will I draw from Taiwan I’m blogging so passionately about?
Get pre-travel tips & thoughts as we fly to Taipei with Jetstar airline!
Taiwan pre-tour preparation tips!
The plane tickets to Taiwan are booked.
Then, more planning. Before final preparation as the tour nears. Through this necessary (and joyful!) process from now till the tour 2 months ahead, I have much travel thoughts and tips to share with you.
Come along, fellow fans of Taiwan travel escape!
Taiwan year-end trip details please?
What: 8 days free and easy tour of Taipei and farther Taiwan.
When: 8 days (1 weekend) in mid November 2008.
Who: My wife, myself, and 2 “early-teen” nephews aged 13 and 16.
Where: To Taipei, Taiwan (from Singapore), and back.
Why this Taiwan tour:
1. A vacation breakfor my wife.
2. A treat for “good progress”in my nephew’s year-end school exam results.
3. A trip to enrich my experiences in Taiwanto share with you in TaipeiDreams. A working trip!
4. A vacation breakfor myself, hopefully. Phew! ;-)
Some Taiwan trip ideas.. Where to go, what to do?
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1. To enjoy Taiwan cool weather.Erratic fluctuating cold? That’s expected. Rain? We’ll manage.. But no blazing sun please – we have lots of that in Singapore!
2. To enjoy Taiwan fruit farm or flower farm.
3. To enjoy Taipei scenic spots. Revisit some. See a list of places we’ve been to?
4. To visit LeoFoo Village and/ or Window on China theme parks.
5. No famed Taroke Gorge. No HuaLien. Saving these “scenic beauties” for our next trip.
6. To dine in buffet. hotpot. cafe, in Taipei and wherever. This time we have “eating buddies”: not 1 but 2 growing boys with voracious appetites!
7. To eat in, shop and experience most (if not all of) Taipei night markets.
8. To do a “mini-tour-in-tour” with Taiwan’s classic railway.
These are very basic ideas but confirmed ones (more or less actually). Then once ideas are firm, we will then place them into some sort of itinerary..
What Taiwan fun tip do you have for us?
Do us a favour, dear Taiwan traveler?
If you’ve been to Taipei, Taiwan before, what’s something you have experienced?
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Something you’ll be excited to suggest that we do in our November trip?
Which place has charmed you deeply?
What’s something fun you discovered, and maybe we can try it out for ourselves?
Any food that’s a must-try?
Even if you’ve yet to visit Taiwan, is there something you’re curious to try? A place, food or activity? What’s that?
Care to share? Help make our trip memorable.
Let’s see your ideas here below, thanks alot! :-)
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Wow.. am I the 1st one here?
Hello TA!! so envy that you’l’ be gg to Taiwan in Nov!! oh gosh, u will love the weather. Haha~ Okay, some tip to share during my last trip in Aug. If u intend to tk freego frm the airport to TPE, maybe u may want to consider taking Gouguang instead. Coz what happen during my last trip was that, we went to the duty free shop to shop ard, then xchange $ at the counter in the airport (same rate as SG). And we purchase the pre-paid card too. So when we reach the Freego counter, is abt 6.30pm (we fly via Jetstar too). The lady told us the bus that is going DIRECT to XMD has left. So for the next bus can only drop us somewhere in TPE. And we hav to take a cab to XMD hotel!! The cab cost abt 120NT. Maybe if you happen to be in the same situation as me, may consider takin Gouguang since it will stop @ TPE Main station.
There’s a store selling Ice-cream in XMD (is near the exit where u can see the big big advertisement screen). If I am not wrong, is call COLD STONE! Is the most ‘Hip/In’ ice cream in Taiwan now. Haha! I am sure your 2 nephews will love it.
Okay, sorry for the long post. Hope you gain some info here :)
Wow.. U ARE the 1st one, Ham Ham! :-)
~ Fireworks & cheers ~
It’s been a long time since I clicked “approve” to a comment instead of sending it to “spam” to delete!
~ More fireworks & cheers ~
Yes, FreeGo bus from TTiAirport leave by 630pm. We took KuoKuang bus the last time n we will take it again..
Sure, will try Cold Stone U suggested. My nephews & wife will surely thk U for this hot (err, I mean cold) tip! Thks a bunch, Ham!
TA :-)
HamHam.. is that Hannie? LOL Hope i didn’t get the wrong person because the HamHam i know also loves TAIWAN! hahahahaha!
Basically Leo Foo Village not a lot of things…. the “Free Fall” also kinda old =X lol.. when i went that day, lotsa of things were closed =( so better make sure its opened if u wanna visit there.. guess they may have maintenance or schedule thingy.
Are u going back to Wulai again? hehe try their Hot Spring (can’t remember the name.. got Yue something) and also their Boar Sausages!! hahahaha.. the MUAH CHEE is good too… yumyum.
Hmmm do you all love Jap food? hehehe.. The Jap restaurant at the basement of Xin guang San Yue.. whoa, its the best sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot) i ever ate… they used tea to refill the soup and its still so yummmie1 hahahha.. but i can’t compare with the Japan’s REAL sukiyaki as i didnt go to Japan b4 =p
Raohe Night market… the Beef noodles is good =) The taiwanese sausage with garlic is delicious! Tried their Honey with Sweet Potato and Sesame Muah Chee, its not bad =D but Wulai’s muah chee is still BEST la lol
Pepper Biscuit from Raohe also very famous.. but too oily for me =X
Hmm if you go XMD.. needless to say, ah ZonG mian xian =D yumyum! Along the Ah ZonG mian xian stretch, got a stall selling lotsa of fried food too…their Cheese Fries and Fried mushroom.. yummie!!!
Sheesh omg… so many good food. maybe I should paste my trip report here ROFL!
But think you read it b4 TA hehe =P
i dun mind pasting it here for you to plan if u wanna =D
Is that U, Skydreamie? With that very memorable avatar of a giggling kitten? LOL.. ;-)
We’ll do Window on China then LeoFoo park on a same day, so that should keep the fun factor.. Thks for the “watch out for Leofoo maintenance” alert indeed!
Sukiyaki. Sweet potato. Cheese fries. Fried mushrooms.. Are U trying to kill us or something? We hvn’t get to Taipei n we’re craving for these now!
~ Tummy noises of hunger ~
Thks but no thks – DON’T paste yr trip report here! ROFL!!
Thks Skydreamie, for yr tasty tips!
TA :-)
Hi TA,
It’s a pity that I couldnt join you this trip… I’m so jealous… altho I’ve just been to Taipei in March this year…
Okay, here’s some tips from me, hope it comes in handy!
Must eat:
1) No. 1 chicken cutlet ??????at Wufenpu, at zhongpo park (zhongpo road)????Definitely more yummy than haoda at shilin.
2) Big head dragon oyster omelette ??????at Shilin nite mkt (the hawker ctr one) stall # 200. just outside the toilet.
3) Crispy Salt chicken at Linjiang St nite mkt ????-???. dont have the stall number, but u wont miss it.
4) Fruit stall at shilin outside Mcd. unfortunately no stall name and number. can take a look at my multiply blog for the pix of the 2 friendly stall owners.
5) Ah gei (??)at Danshui, the one I tried is at Huanhedao road corner ????, opp the turkish ice cream. their fried beehoon also very yummy.
6) prawn fritters at Danshui ????at ????? No. 230.
7) Double chocolate donuts at Super donuts – there’s one at ximending. Super yummy!! your nephews will like it, if they like chocolates.
8) pig trotters mee sua at Raohe nite mkt ????? infront of shop # 192.
9) if going wulai, must try the “hotspring eggs”???at the old street.
will think of more… akan datang…
according to my experience at my last trip with my cousin – she doesnt enjoy yangmingshan and shopping. she likes the ferry ride from danshui to fisherman’s wharf and the ferris wheel ride at miramar shopping complex.
I heard the Taipei zoo is not bad, can consider going and at the same time take a ride on the cable car to maokong for tea.
ah… i miss taiwan… :(
TA,
what’s ur itinerary like?Think Leofoo n WOC might be a tad boring for teenagers.While there , u might as well make a detour to the coca coala museum near by, and also the aviation museum near the Taoyuan international airport.
My tip?
You must go to EZ5 Live House!
Where? ??106?????211?
Why? The atmosphere is superb, the music is great, the experience is unforgettable! If you love to watch Taiwan variety shows, if you love live music, you cannot miss this place!
When I was there last year one Wednesday, ???&??? performed one set, then ???? performed another. And my boyfriend and I had so much so much fun! And you know what? My boyfriend don’t listen to Chinese songs, don’t watch Taiwanese shows, and can’t really speak Mandarian (aka kantang), yet he enjoyed it as much as I did! You can check out its website for more info: http://www.ez-5.com.
Anyway, be there early especially if it’s a well-known performer on stage that night, coz it’ll be packed!
Then after the last set, you can all go for supper at ?????????????,which is just a short walk away. There you can take your pick from one whole row of delicious food including the famous ??????. You must have the ??! It is super crispy, yet melts in your mouth! I regretted only going to have it on my last night. Should have tried it on my first night, then I’ll definitely get it every single day on my trip! It is that yummy! (But of coz you can choose to eat at the equally famous ???? shops along the road.)
Hey TA!! Long time no “see”, sorry i was away from forum because… if i don’t i will be addicted again! I already have this strong urge to go there for holiday again in less than 5 mths! However, i am saving up my money for some other stuff so i must drag myself away from it..
For me i love Shen Keng’s ???????. I would travel all the way there just to go eat it if i can. If you love tofu, its a must try! Not much things to do near there though so if you want, you can go when you go to visit Taipei Zoo. On the way mah~~
As i am sure you already know, you can try Modern Toilet restaurant at XMD too since you are going with your young nephews this time. They would like the novelty i think. Food is not bad and not too expensive. I find the theme restaurant quite cool. =)
No Hua lien??! Oh~!! i so want to go there.. Now you won’t be able to bring back tips about HuaLien for me.. Sobz… Never mind la, if i read about your other experiences also sure very fun. Do update all of us soon! Excited for you!
woo it give ??? for my post.. guess it doesn’t recognise chinese..anyway the paragraph goes like this..
“For me i love Shen Keng’s Da Shu Xia San Chi (Translated directly-Big tree below three eat). I would travel all the way there just to go eat it if i can. If you love tofu, its a must try! Not much things to do near there though so if you want, you can go when you go to visit Taipei Zoo. On the way mah~~”
Hi Simplyangels,
March winter, calla lilies n more in Taipei – U enjoyed them all, n we couldn’t join U.. U know who’s the one jealous la hor? ;-)
What a fun list of “must-try” foods! Hey, yr recommendations look great even with those ???? (in place of the Chinese characters)!
2 ideas we will follow up: taking DanShui ferry & MaoKong cable car!
Delicious tips, thks alot!
TA :-)
Maria,
Good to see U’re here – finally! :-)
My nephews are in their early teens, LeoFoo & WOC oughta hv enough fun factor to be worth their time – n for ours too hehe..
These are some basic ideas I’ve listed here. As ideas take shape, will fit them into an itinerary then..
Thks n see U around here!
TA :-)
Hui Yuin,
Haha, can’t wait to drop me yr surprise “big tip” here eh? I was waiting too! :-)
Now I know – it’s EZ5 Live House I must go!
It’s “we” must go, actually.. Hmm, I wonder if EZ5 will allow my 2 nephews in as well? All 4 of us..
Oops, the Chinese characters are not showing, as usual. Never mind. I tried hard to imagine all the ??? U’re highly recommending – but no luck. ;-P
Yr descriptions are tantalizing though!
Thks for the tips & enthusiasm!
TA :-)
Jellangel,
Long time no see!
Taiwan (& travelling) can be addictive indeed! :-)
Modern Toilet restaurant is a novelty, we’ll fit this in our time @ XMD!
No worries, we’ll visit the scenic beauty of HuaLien in our future trips..
Meanwhile, save hard for yr other stuff. Be sure to tune in to the Taiwan travel stories here whenever yr craving calls, hehe! ;-)
Thks for the comment repost & ideas!
TA :-)
hey TA!! sorry i took so long to reply as i’ve been busy w work! anyway.. of cos i remember you la.. you helped me quite a bit when i was planning for my trip!
anyway, some things that i really miss about taiwan.. THE FOOD!! omg. lu rou fan~~ and this shabu shabu thingie @ gong guan station if i’m not wrong. shop name is bear one. literal translation from the chinese, ??! =)
next, since you’re travelling to taipei, and beyond… maybe you can try going to kaoshiung and then out to the island for seafood? i forgot what’s the name of the island but i think the ferry ride would be a interesting one for your nephews?? also!! try going to pingsi to fly the lighted lantern! i didn’t get a chance to try that the last time but my friend went just 2 months ago and yes, she did that!! not only pingsi, she also went shi fen and it was a great experience for her. i’m sure your nephews and wife will really enjoy these as well, yea? :P
that’s about all that i can think of for now.. omg, im so envious of you!! ENJOY yourself k!! ^.^
One note about the Toilet restaurant, try to get a reservation before-hand, otherwise u might have to wait as it is extremely popular, especially the one at XMD.Incidentally, my two kids hated the food there, but liked the novelty of sitting on a poo seat for meals.
Gelow77,
Yes, we’ve all been busy. Thks for taking time to share here. :-)
U’re welcome. I’m glad my ideas hv helped U in yr trips. In fact, U may find more inspiration within here actually!
The Gongguan shabu shabu restaurant is quite popular. We will try at least 1 steamboat/ shabu/ buffet for this tour. I believe the island U suggested in Kaohsiung is Cijin Island.
Yes, we will be enjoying Pingsi/ Shifen – likely fly the lantern wishing U guys all well & happy!
Thks again for yr great tips! See U around here!
TA :-)
Wow Maria, go toilet also must reserve my seat haha? ;-P
Yes, we’ll “choop” (secure) our seats, maybe just walk in n see if we can get ours within 15 mins. Very likely my silly nephews will find the theme restaurant a fun novelty. Thks!
TA :-)
hey TA,
i hope i’m not too late.. ye rite, been so busy…
how i wish i could share lotsa info with ye, i got some bunch of info i gathered last time… like which nite mkt at which MTR, too bad, i dun have time to dig it out now… busy with work n have to get started with my vietnam trip scouting soon!
hmmm… u been to Shengkeng old street? its within Taipei, can reach by MRT and bus.. its a nice old street thats famous for its bean curd.
write to me if u need more details and i’ll try to find out. (i got a magazine abt Taipei, now on loan to a fren who just went there) :P
Enjoy, pal!
Sam,
U’re early still, I hv weeks to go before the trip. ;-)
No I’ve not been to Shen Keng old street, though we know it’s famous for its silky smooth beancurd desserts!
Yes, we will enjoy. Thks for yr tips!
TA :-)
sorry for the late reply. If you are into food, remember to try the Tao yuan Street beef noodle. Die die must try :)
If you are into scenery, then you can go ching jing farm. Breathtaking view.
No worry, Starystarynite.
Yes, we’ll try Tao Yuan beef noodles as planned. Can’t be doing Ching Jing this time round though.
Thks for yr tips!
TA :-)
Hello TA! Skydreamie here :)
It’s been 1 year and i’m posting this :)
I’m going back to Taiwan next year in June 2010 for my Wedding photoshoot.. hehehe hence looking for more information on Taiwan!!
So excited about it… any other places that we should go aside of Taipei? :D
Hi guys,
Really appreacited for all the infor. But i still need more.. cos, i will be flight from 28/5/2011 to 05/06/2011. Actually, partly attend “computex fair,31/05-05/06/2011.(working)… Hopefully, i can utilise some of the time to explore nice taiwan as you all mention.. so jealous. thank you.