The best thing to do to relax your exhausted mind is to go for a getaway. Taiwan Trip was the trip of the year, I spent a couple of months to plan out the trip. :) And I am glad that it turned out great.
No matter where I go, the first place I would explore is 7-eleven. I felt in love with the 7 eleven in Bangkok, I never thought Taiwan's 7-e is better. Basically, I would visit 7-e at least once a day throughout my trip. That explains how good it is to me.
Day 1:
We arrived Taipei at 12am. It was such a hassle to arrive so late and luckily Nihao@Taipei waited for us to checked in. The next day, we took a train down to Jiu Fen.
How to get to Jiu Fen:
1. Get yourself to Taipei Main Station
2. Go to the 1st Floor (Ground floor), ask for ticket to go to Ruifang Station.
***If the train doesnt go to Ruifang station straight, but went to Baidu, makesure you get down at Baidu and do an interchange to Ruifang.
3. Take Bus 788 Keelong to go to JiuFen.
** another reminder is that make sure you got your own Youyou card beforehand, it really helps to minimize all the trouble. Its about NTD 200, and it will have NTD 100 for you to use, before you go back, you can return the card and take back your deposit NTD 100.
I arrived Jiu Fen just nice for our brunch time! :) We walked around Jiu Fen Oldstreet, and then took a bus to Jinguashi. You can take the same bus to go to Jinguashi (where you get down for JiuFen)
After Jinguashi, we had our evening at Keelong night market. Outside Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, there will be busses to go to Keelong, Bus 788. Keelong night market has no much attraction, but the things that sell in the night market is way CHEAPER than Taipei night markets.
Next morning, I decided to embrace the view I had in our minshu. We stayed at JiuFen Zhingzhan. If you love the stairs, go for this minshu, otherwise, dont make it your first choice. Everything else is good, but the stairs from the minshu to the main bus station near the Jiufen Oldstreet is killing our legs.
Basically, wherever you stay in Jiufen, you will get the same view as I have here.
**about NTD 500-600 per person, for a group of 6 people in a room.
Day 2:
After breakfast, we took the Bus 788 back to Ruifang Station. We bought a return ticket to go to Shifen. It is cheaper to buy return ticket instead of an one way ticket.
The Shifen Oldstreet is very different from the Jiufen's. Basically, what you do here is you put up a skky lantern full with all those hand written messages. Buy your small little lantern souvenir here, dont buy it at Taipei.
Souvenir: Sky Lantern.
Shifen Waterfall
I really enjoy the view there.
How to get to Shifen Waterfall:
If you love walking, at the end of Shifen Oldstreet, keep on the right, keep walking, you will pass by a school, keep walking still. Approximately 20 minutes, when you see a T-juction, keep on your left then, keep walking for another 15 minutes, you will see theres a sign for Shifen Waterfall on your right.
You have to walk for another 10 minutes before you get to the waterfall entrance. NTD 100 for the entrance fee.
After Shifen, we went back to Taipei! For a good rest before we head to Ningxia night market. Personally, I prefer Ningxia Night market compare to any other night market. They have the bext Oyster Meesua, Hot Mochi with Ice, and lots of good food! Basically I prefer a much simple night market. :P
My favourite in Taipei.
Day 3:
We had a good sleep the day before, and we decided to go to Yehliu Geological park! The view is superb. But going there during July, it was hell of Summer. Prepare yourself with a good umbrella, bare with the strong wind too!
After that, we basically took a cab trip to Yangmingshan. We were so lucky that we took that decision instead of taking busses. Because I see no busses on the way to Yangmingshan and the mountain road is killing one of my dizzy friend.
We took a short walk at Yangminshan, beside the National Park, theres nothing much actually.
If you come in February, you will have a good view of those blossom flower. Spring Festival is in February!
Thanks to Taxi Uncle, he manage to send us to Damshui for the sunset!
I love the way they put the field for people to relax.
I love the view. And there have this huge field where you can just lie down and relax before you take a tore on your purse for shopping at Damshui Oldstreet.
We didnt go to Fisherman's wharf. Because we were too tired. So we just walked around Damshui Oldstreet, its like another old market. :) They have this AhPo TieDan. Try it out.
From Damshui, we took MRT back to Taipei Main Station.
** Damshui is the last station**
Day 4:
Taipei 101 view. Make sure you get your youth travel card at the Visitor Information Counter (near any MRT), because it will helps you to get your 10% discount on the Taipei 101 ticket. It was NTD 450 for me.
How to get to Taipei 101:
1. Took a train from Taipei Main Station to Taipei City Hall Station.
2. Shuttle Bus is provided to go to Taipei 101. From Taipei 101, same shuttle bus is provided to go back to Taipei City Hall Station. FOC.
After Taipei 101, we had lunch at Uni-Hankyu, it just above the Taipei City Hall Station.
I had the best Garlic Ramen. :) yummmmm.
We took MRT from Taipei City Hall Station to go to HouShanPi Station (It is where the Wufenpu District located)
Raohe Night Market is 20 minutes walking distance from Wufenpu District, if you plan to go to Raohe Night Market, please do not miss out the yummy food (the picture above -油葱饼).
**If you love shopping, Wufenpu District is definitely a good place where you can restock your summer clothes compare to Ximending. Its way cheaper and you can find really nice and unique accessories.
Day 5:
How to get to Ximending:
1. Take MRT from Taipei Main Station to Ximen Station
Ximending
** Everything there opens at 11.00am onwards. Dont waste your breakfast time going there early.
Ximen Red House.
We were in good spirit, we decided to walk to Long Shan Temple. We were regretting while walking there. Tips: Take the train until LongShan Temple, you wouldnt want to walk from Ximen District to there, trust me. =]
Be prepare for the crowded temple. :D it was a great experience. After that we took the train back to Ximending (it was just opposite the Longshan Temple)
More shopping! A great place for shoe lover, but not for bigfoot like me.
We had a little bit of time to spare. We decided to go to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.
How to get thereeeee:
*** Take the XiaoNanMen route.
Finally! We came to Shilin Night Market. It was hell confusing, but great night market for my fellow friends! :D Their food stalls mostly is at the underground food court.
How to get to Shilin Night Market:
Take the MRT to JianTan Station.
***NOT Shilin Station. :)
Day 6:
On the last day of my plan, we went to the Taipei Zoo!
Normal price: NTD 60
Lucky day : buy one free one, only NTD 30 for us.
I saw beautiful giraffe.
**If you have a choice, dont go to the Zoo on a weekend. Its very pack.
After Taipei Zoo, we went for the crystal gondola. :D
How to get to the ZOO:
1. Take MRT to Zhongxiaofuxing station, interchange to Taipei Zoo!
After Taipei Zoo:
1. You can either take the gondola via Taipei Zoo station, or go out from Taipei Zoo, take the gondola nearby the zoo entrance. Its about NTD 60 per trip.
2. The highest station is Maokong.
Taipei Main Station at night. :)
Here is what you need if you are just planning your trip around Taipei. Useful information! ;)
On my very last day at Taipei, we decided to go separately instead of as a group. I went back to Shilin to buy Birkenstock. It wayyyy cheaper than buying in Malaysia. And we had a good relaxing time at Nihao@Taipei.
I would recommend this place. 5 stars! :)
This is our bunk bed room. ;) we have 6 girls.
The cozy relaxing sharing area.
Recommended backpacker place:
No. 41, Section 1, Zhōngxiào West Rd, Zhongzheng District Taipei City, Taiwan 100
+886 2 7725 9779
**Great location, next to Taipei Main Station, walking distance to the MRT underground exit ** Walking distance to Taipei Bus Station ** Above 7 Eleven ** Above a great noodles shop!
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Whoever is reading this and planning a trip to Taiwan, good luck and have fun! You will fall in love with the places and people just like how I did. ;)