Taiwan, once a country outside my travel wish list, became a destination I visited twice within three months after my first trip at the end of last year. This time, I explored Taipei with a local guide, visiting both famous tourist spots and hidden gems unknown to most Thai tourists. This is a record of my four-day journey, where even the rain couldn't stop us.

This trip was sponsored by Taiwan Love & Fun, which handles public relations for tourism in Taiwan.

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DAY 1

For this trip, I flew with China Airlines, which was my first time using this airline. The flight was in the morning, arriving in Taiwan around 12:30 PM, which was a good time as it allowed for half a day of sightseeing. The seats on China Airlines were comfortable enough, not too spacious but not cramped either. The food was tasty, and the service was excellent. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout the flight, until we reached our destination at Taoyuan International Airport.

This time, I pre-filled the immigration form online, so I could submit my passport to the officer directly without filling out any paperwork. However, the queue was still as long as before, and it took almost half an hour to get through and claim my luggage. (You can fill out the immigration form online here.)

As mentioned earlier, I have a local guide for my trip to Taiwan this time. Today, a car picked me up from the airport and took me to Jiufen, a famous coastal ancient town located on a mountainside… From the airport in Taoyuan City, our car drove through Taipei before heading north to Jiufen…

The atmosphere as we entered Taipei before continuing on to Jiufen. Look at the sky!

Notes:

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  • The translation is of the same quality as a local speaker.
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As we approached Jiufen, the temperature plummeted from 14 degrees to single digits, accompanied by relentless drizzle. The entire town was shrouded in mist, obscuring the sea below.


Navigating through narrow alleys adorned with red lanterns, I was enveloped in the distinct ambiance of Chinese culture. These alleys were lined with numerous shops selling souvenirs and local delicacies. As it was well past noon, I decided to indulge in the local cuisine.


The first menu item I tried was an old-fashioned peanut ice cream, wrapped in a thin dough similar to spring roll pastry. It was sprinkled with sugar-coated peanut powder (sliced peanut brittle) and topped with coriander. The flavors complemented each other well.



The Next Dish: "Row Yuan"

The next dish, called "Row Yuan," was a translucent, chewy dumpling filled with char siu pork. Served in a bowl of broth and garnished with cilantro, it was surprisingly palatable even for a picky eater like myself. To ensure I wouldn't leave hungry, I also ordered a side of five-colored meatballs. While the flavors were similar, each possessed a slightly different aroma.


The dessert was from a popular shop (judging by the number of customers) located nearby. It looked similar to our ginger-flavored tangyuan, but the taste was much lighter and the dough felt a bit thick, which I didn't particularly enjoy. In fact, a stronger ginger flavor would have been more fitting for the cool weather.



Replenished with food, we had the energy to continue our climb to the viewpoint above. However, due to the relentless rain, strong winds, and thick fog, the various viewpoints offered no visibility of the scenery below. The ancient village was transformed into a misty wonderland. Fortunately, we managed to find a popular spot for photographing the teahouse and captured a few shots.



In addition to the tea houses, visitors can also explore the old cinema, which serves as a reminder of Jiufen's former prosperity. This prosperity was largely driven by gold mining, but as the gold reserves dwindled and a mining accident occurred, the town gradually lost its importance as a mining center. Subsequently, Jiufen transformed into a leading tourist destination in Taiwan, owing to its unique character and picturesque scenery.


Aside from the tea houses, a visit to the old cinema reveals that Jiufen was once a thriving city. This was due to the area's former status as a gold mining center. However, as the gold reserves dwindled and a mining accident occurred, the city gradually lost its significance in the mining industry. Subsequently, it transformed into one of Taiwan's leading tourist destinations, owing to its unique character and stunning scenery.


Originally, my plan for this evening was to visit the Keelung Temple Night Market, located near Jiufen. However, due to being completely soaked and the relentless rain, I decided to change my plans and check into my hotel in Taipei instead.

The Morwing Hotel: A Fairytale Stay in the Heart of Taipei

The Morwing Hotel, my first night's accommodation, boasts a prime location near Taipei Main Station, placing it right in the city's vibrant core. A mere 15-minute walk separates the hotel from the renowned Ximending shopping district. Situated on the upper floors of a business building, the Morwing Hotel is easily accessible.

Stepping into the lobby, guests are transported into a fairytale realm through captivating murals adorning the walls. Each room boasts a unique and charming design, echoing the whimsical theme. This enchanting atmosphere extends to the lobby, where a mural depicts a library within an ancient castle, creating an immersive experience. The hotel's design is likely to resonate with Thai travelers, offering a touch of whimsy amidst the bustling city.


The room is equipped with all the necessary amenities. Although the room is not spacious, the bed is large and comfortable. The bathroom is not cramped. The only drawback is the limited space around the bed, which makes it inconvenient to place an open suitcase.


After showering, we planned to walk to the nearby Ximending shopping district. Upon arriving at Ximending, we had a pre-dinner snack at Ay-chung flour rice noodle, a famous Taiwanese restaurant with a small booth in an alleyway. The restaurant doesn't have proper tables, but it does have a few chairs for those who can't stand for long periods. The noodles are thin and served in a thick, gravy-like sauce similar to Chinese "lo mein" sauce, with pork filling and chili sauce seasoning. They are served in paper cups in two sizes. The taste is not difficult to eat, but it may not be to everyone's liking. If you're interested in trying it, you can find it at these coordinates: 25.043318, 121.507625.

Continuing our walk through the Ximending district, we reached an intersection near the famous Mala Yuanyang Hotpot restaurant. However, as I mentioned earlier, we were accompanied by a local who wanted to introduce us to something different. We descended into the basement of a traditional department store in the area (萬年商業大樓, coordinates 25.043531, 121.505855). To give you an idea, it's similar to the MBK Center in Bangkok. The interior is divided into small shops selling trendy and fashionable items, with a floor dedicated to restaurants. I tried a dish that resembled oyster omelet, made with a batter of eggs and oysters, fried into a flat pancake, and served with a delicious sauce. For dessert, I opted for a clear jelly with sweet syrup, which I believe is the same as the Phuket dessert called "O-aew." I enjoyed this refreshing and sweet treat as well.


After a satisfying dinner, we took a short stroll to do some light shopping before returning to the hotel to rest up for the next day's adventure of exploring the local cuisine.



Day 2

At 6:00 am sharp, we departed from the hotel via MRT and alighted at Shandao Temple Station. Our destination was Huashan Market, a local fresh market. We weren't there for shopping, but to savor a breakfast menu on the second floor of the market. It was Fuhang Soy Milk, another famous eatery in Taipei.

The reason for the early visit was to avoid the long queues that form later in the day. The main menu item, as the name suggests, is soy milk. Two options are available: salty and sweet. These are paired with large, rolled dough pieces, which I would call Taiwanese-style youtiao. However, the preparation method is unique, as they are baked in an earthenware oven instead of deep-fried.

Additionally, there were 2-3 other menu items that I don't recall the names of. These included vegetable-filled fried dough and sticky rice stuffed with pork. Overall, anyone who enjoys soybean milk or soy milk would likely appreciate this menu.

After breakfast, we returned to the hotel to collect our belongings and then traveled to Xinbeitou, a hot spring town located not far from Taipei. Tonight, I am staying at The Gaia Hot Spring Hotel, a 5-star hotel in the city. ... Just walking into the lobby was impressive, as it was beautifully decorated with an eye-catching collection of artwork. My favorite feature was the high-ceilinged lobby, which was decorated like a large library. ... This morning, we just left our luggage and will check in to our room in the evening.


The original plan for today was to visit Shei-Pa (GuanWu) National Park in Miaoli County, a 2-3 hour drive from Taipei. However, due to the continuous rainfall, we had to change our plans as Shei-Pa is a high mountain range and we might only encounter fog with limited visibility. Therefore, today's itinerary was changed to Yangmingshan National Park in Beitou District, not far from our accommodation. In fact, Yangmingshan covers a vast area with numerous tourist attractions. I requested the Taiwan Love & Fun team to take me to see the colla lily fields, which were starting to bloom at the time of my visit (late February).


From Xindian, the car gradually ascended through the lush mountains. At some points, it passed hot springs, where construction seemed to be underway, possibly for a hotel.


I noticed a few cherry blossom trees of a deep pink variety blooming sporadically, and I couldn't resist stopping to take pictures.


We arrived at the colla Lilly farm around noon, but it was still raining heavily. So we took the opportunity to have lunch at a restaurant called Green Valley Café, which also had a small flower bed in front of the shop. The atmosphere was great.


This set meal includes a main course of rice topped with either pork or chicken, paired with coffee (from illy) or Chinese tea, and a waffle for dessert.


While waiting for my meal, I donned the restaurant's rain boots and ventured out to photograph the lilies in the downpour (I told you I wouldn't back down, haha!). Given the circumstances, it seemed the rain wouldn't stop anytime soon.



After finishing our meal, the owner presented us with a large bouquet of lilies as a souvenir. It was truly lovely. For those interested, you can find more information and the location of the restaurant on their Facebook page https://goo.gl/5ldH71 (coordinates: 25.178796, 121.540117).


Due to the unpredictable weather conditions, we opted to visit Tamsui in the afternoon instead. For groups of 3-4 people, I recommend renting a car with a driver to explore Yangmingshan. The daily cost, including fuel, is approximately 3,500 NTD, which is comparable to day trip tours in our country.


Following Google Maps from Yangmingshan to Tamsui, we took a shortcut that involved several stretches of narrow roads, which was quite nerve-wracking. The scenery along the route was beautiful, and we stopped at a village selling flower varieties to take some pictures.


Situated on the northern coast of Taiwan, Tamsui's strategic location has made it a vital trading hub since ancient times. Its status as a major port city is reflected in its architecture, which bears the influence of Western traders and officials who established offices in the city.

Upon arriving in Danshui, I visited an ancient fortress with an architectural design and decor influenced by Western nations. The building is magnificent and beautiful. In my opinion, there are many beautiful photo spots here. The building's style is suitable for pre-wedding photography or even hip photography. Additionally, I secretly liked the bathroom here. Hehe.


As the rain showed no signs of stopping, I took a car ride through the old town of Danshui, admiring the cityscape from the window. Here are a few photos I captured for you.


Before returning to Taipei, I stopped to take photos by the river, where there is a famous Chinese temple and a red bridge that crosses to the other side of the river.


After leaving Tangsui, I headed back to the hotel. The first thing I did was soak in the private hot spring bath in my room. It was incredibly relaxing.



After changing clothes, the hotel staff took us on a tour of the hotel and its amenities. We learned that the hotel owner is a great art lover, and many of the artworks displayed in the hotel are not copies but originals, either collected by the owner or specially commissioned. For example, the 1314-piece crystal chandelier symbolizes eternity.

The lobby doubles as a library, where guests can borrow books to read in the room. There is a wide selection of books, with children's books on the lower floor.

The spa room offers a serene Zen-like atmosphere, promoting deep relaxation.

The mixed hot spring bath (separate for men and women) is amazing, with a snow machine that creates a truly immersive experience.



In addition to the hot spring bath service for hotel guests, there is also a private hot spring bath area for non-hotel guests. In simple terms, the cost is around 2800 NTD per room, which can accommodate two people, including high-quality amenities and various drinks. This is considered quite affordable for such a luxurious service.


In addition, there is a fitness center and a temperature-controlled swimming pool.

Let's take a look at the hotel room after seeing the other parts of the hotel. ... This is my room, and I love it!


The room is new and beautifully decorated, as befits a 5-star hotel. The amenities are all top-notch, including a Nespresso coffee machine, Hermes bath products, a free minibar, and in-room movie channels.



The room had limited power outlets, primarily accepting flat-pin plugs, which was insufficient for charging my numerous electronic devices. Additionally, the lighting design seemed to prioritize relaxation, resulting in dim illumination. Working on my computer in this environment strained my eyes. (Perhaps I was one of the few guests who brought a computer to work at a Hot Spring Resort.)

For dinner, we dined at the hotel's restaurant, where we savored a delectable array of modern Chinese cuisine. Each dish tantalized our taste buds, from the succulent chicken with chili sauce to the flavorful squid stuffed with pickled vegetables. Surprisingly, most dishes were priced at an affordable 3xx NT, a remarkable value for a 5-star establishment. The only exception was the signature fish head soup, which cost slightly over 1,000 NT, but its generous portion justified the price. The highlight of the meal was the dessert, which resembled stuffed mushrooms but was ingeniously crafted from dough. The menu's design and presentation drew inspiration from nature, reflecting the hotel's concept and name, which signifies the earth or ground.

DAY 3

The next morning, the weather forecast showed that it would continue to rain. So I had to postpone my plan to visit Shei-Pa National Park again. However, I was not willing to give up and stay in my room. Since I was going to get wet anyway, I decided to go to a waterfall and get soaked. The waterfall I visited that day was called Shifen, located in a village of the same name in New Taipei City, not far from Taipei.

Before embarking on your journey, enjoy a hearty breakfast at The Gaia Hot Spring Hotel. The hotel offers a semi-buffet breakfast, allowing you to choose your main course from a menu and complement it with a buffet selection. While the buffet spread may not be as extensive as those found in city hotels, the quality of the food is undoubtedly befitting of a five-star establishment.

After breakfast, I traveled with the Taiwan Love & Fun team to Shifen, which took about an hour. It is another city surrounded by pristine nature. I must say, I envy the Taiwanese for having such a rich source of ozone so close to the city.


The Shifen Waterfall, nicknamed the "Niagara of Taiwan" due to its impressive size, can be reached within a 15-minute walk from the nearby tourist center's parking lot. The well-maintained path follows the river, offering scenic views along the way. However, my fascination with photography extended my journey to nearly an hour.


The path to the waterfall offers numerous photo opportunities.


The Suifen Waterfall is roaring today, likely due to the recent days of continuous rain. This magnificent waterfall boasts not only its size and surrounding nature but also its stunning emerald green water. During seasons with less forceful water flow, one can observe the stream cascading over the rocky rapids in front of the cliff. However, during times of heavy water flow like today, the sheer volume of water almost completely obscures the rapids, creating a scene of awe-inspiring grandeur. The viewing platform at Suifen Waterfall is well-designed and safe, allowing visitors to admire the waterfall from various angles. If it weren't for the need to hold an umbrella while taking photos, I'm sure I could have captured many more beautiful images.


After visiting the waterfall, we continued our journey to the nearby village of Shifen, another popular tourist destination. Here, visitors can participate in the unique tradition of releasing sky lanterns on the railway tracks that run through the village. The lanterns are decorated with colorful paper, and participants can write their wishes on them before releasing them into the sky. Each color of paper represents a different wish, such as red for good luck, pink for love, or green for health. It is also possible to choose lanterns with multiple colors to represent multiple wishes. The higher the lantern flies, the greater the chance that the wish will come true.


This activity has received considerable attention from tourists, not just Chinese tourists. I have seen requests written in Japanese and Korean as well.

I took the opportunity to have lunch at a restaurant by the railway tracks, opting for a basket of xiaolongbao priced at 120 NTD. The taste was quite delicious.


From my village, I walked a little further to see the suspension bridge, another tourist attraction in this city, before heading back to Taipei.



For friends who are traveling here, if you want to be convenient, you can rent a car as recommended above, or you can take the Pingxi Railway to Shifen Station. From the station, you can walk to the waterfall, but it is quite far. Therefore, it is recommended to rent a taxi because the distance is short and the taxi fare should not be expensive.


Before returning to our accommodation, we took a stroll through MITSUI OUTLET PARK LINKOU, located in New Taipei City. This indoor outlet features a wide variety of brands offering significant discounts on their merchandise. A major advantage is the shelter from rain, as all stores are housed within the building. During my visit, the outlet was quite crowded, and I was surprised by the lack of Thai tourists. This could be attributed to the outlet's distance from the train station.

Exiting the outlet, I couldn't resist stopping by the nearby Starbucks to capture the stunning sight of the flowers in full bloom.

Tonight, we moved to another accommodation, The Sherwood Taipei, a renowned 5-star hotel in Taiwan. Located in the city's commercial district, the hotel's distinctive feature lies in its mural art, which embodies the fusion of Western and Eastern influences. This artwork reflects the hotel's values, instilling a love for service in its employees. It is no surprise that this establishment has welcomed numerous global dignitaries throughout its years of operation.


This room is unlike any other hotel I've stayed in Taipei city center. It's very spacious, even though the design is a bit outdated since the hotel was built a long time ago. However, the comfort and service standards make up for it. If budget isn't an issue, I think the price of 5,xxx NTD per night is reasonable considering what you get from a 5-star hotel.


Hotel Amenities


One of the most memorable aspects of my stay was the exceptional dinner at the hotel. The head chef, renowned for catering to dignitaries, personally oversaw our meal. The fusion menu, specially adapted to Thai palates, was a culinary delight. Each dish was meticulously presented, and the flavors were truly exquisite.


Unfortunately, I don't know the price as it seems to be a special menu prepared to welcome us. However, if you're looking for a special meal in Taiwan, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with this place. DAY 4


The next morning, I had a flight at noon, so I had a little time to spare. I decided to explore the new MRT station next to the THSR Taoyuan Station, which makes traveling from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei much more convenient.

The reason for choosing a location near the MRT station and the high-speed rail station is because it is adjacent to another outlet, Gloria Outlets. This outlet offers a wide variety of brands, but as it is not an indoor outlet, it may be inconvenient during rainy and cold weather.


After leaving the outlet, it was time to head to the airport. I didn't forget to return the pocket wifi at the arrival hall, which is located on the opposite side of the same building. My return flight was on China Airlines, the same as my arrival flight, and the plane was parked at Gate 7. Coincidentally, the pineapple pie shop where I bought the pie last time was right in front of this gate. This time, in addition to the pineapple pie and taro-filled mooncake, I also tried the mango pie because it tasted good when I tried it.


My recent trip to Taiwan was filled with rain, but it allowed me to experience a different side of the country: its nature reserves close to the city. The weather was pleasantly cool, unlike my previous trip, which was as hot as Thailand. … Many people might complain about the risk of rain in Taiwan, but this trip taught me that rain isn't a major obstacle. As long as you're flexible and open to new experiences, you'll discover that Taiwan has many more tourist destinations to explore. There are countless stories waiting to be discovered, opening up new experiences. … This is the record of my second trip to Taiwan, by "Mr. Ant".

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