Upcoming trip to Taipei – Advice welcome on things to do, transport, food and accommodation options

[Limewood]

Yes will be on one award ticket, appreciated.

We've been viewing a swag of youtube video's on Taiwan, some really excellent info there on food, transport and places interest. Also some on China Airlines A350 in J, all interesting.

We are booked in J x 2 seniors SYD / TPE out 15th Aug. 12.55pm, depart TPE / SYD 24th 23.30pm - anyone like to join us?.

 

[aspro2]

I've been to Taiwan twice, with another trip in planning.

English skills are generally weak (but occasionally excellent), but people are fairly friendly/helpful.

Accommodation: The windowless room thing is horrible, but at the same time a welcome way to avoid the considerable street noise in many places.

Night markets: I find Shilin overblown. Shida and other smaller ones are more accessible and enjoyable in my opinion. But don't limit yourself to night markets anyway... there's much more to Taiwanese food than that

I like Taipei, but not enough for 10 days. The older area north of Xinmending has interesting character. I find the area around Taipei 101 utterly soulless.

The National Palace Museum is great, but packed with Chinese and Korean tourists (and when I say packed... !!!). Lots of great stuff. Changing of the guard at Chiang Kai Shek Memorial is kinda fun.

Too many people don't venture southwards (on either coast). Taichung has a few charms and good markets, and a great modern art museum. Tainan was a bit underwhelming, despite its historical importance to Taiwanese. I haven't made it to Kaohsiung or Taitung yet. Hualien is tiny and has a great nightmarket. Taroko Gorge (nearby) is stunning and really should be done with a small tour (many paths are closed intermittently due to landslides, and the guide will know where to take you).

Sun Moon Lake is quite nice (but will be packed with tourists), but do make sure you cross or circle the lake, rather than hanging out on the built-up tourist-hub side. I don't recommend trying to do SML from Taipei.

Alishan mountain is apparently great (but will be packed with Chinese tourists). I don't recommend trying to do Alishan from Taipei.

Jiufen is incredibly busy. Pretty, though. But packed. You could stay somewhere in the northeast and visit from there. I wouldn't stay in Jiufen (I've done it!).

Carry some cash. Especially if away from a city centre or to pay small hotels or shops, even in Taipei. I've been in places where there was one ATM and it wasn't in the mood for foreign cards all weekend (just a glitch, not usually a problem), so all I could do for dinner was use the credit on my Easycard to buy snacks at a FamilyMart.

Train travel is good in Taiwan, though sometimes long distance coaches are more convenient due to the location of train stations vs bus stations. Booking a train can be a bit of an adventure for popular routes, and this blog was very helpful for me before my second trip: Travel Taiwan

 

[jimiholiday]

Not sure whether I've made a rash decision or not, but today I decided to book a return flight to Taipei. Qantas point offer for a classic award booking with China Airlines was just too attractive to ignore and I was very surprised to find direct business class seats available during NSW school holidays. Taxes also very good value.



So I've got a flight from Sydney to Taipei on October 1. Returning to Australia after 10 nights.



Never been here before, so would be very grateful for any information previous travelers have on things like, where to stay in Taipei, where to eat in Taipei, must see places in Taipei, transport in Taipei, etc. Also interested in ideas of what to do for a 2 or 3 night trip somewhere out of Taipei – suggestions of where to go/how to get there, approximate cost etc.



Welcome any and all suggestions – even those that may think that I've made a rash decision. I can still cancel for just a 5000 point QFF penalty.

Any comments on the lounge for China Airlines in Taipei?

Buy some local currency before I get there? Or is it easy to change AUD$ or US$ into local currency when on the ground?

You will have a great time. I booked a last minute 8 night trip last year with a mate and we had a ball. Taipei is fantastic with great food and quite a bit to do. The W hotel was awesome and highly recomend. We did 2 nights Taipei, 1 night Jiufen, 2 night Hualien so we coudl do Toroko Groge while there then 2 night Sun Moon Lake (rent a bie and ride around in a day) then our last night back in Taipei. Loved every minute of the trip. The locals are super friendly, easy to get around, awesome food and beer and plenty to do and see. I will be back

 

[Limewood]

I read somewhere that bartering on stall / shop purchases is not required?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Looking at staying 5 nights here:

Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao

Anyone know anything about this place?

 

[AIRwin]

I read somewhere that bartering on stall / shop purchases is not required?

Bartering or bargaining?

 

[Limewood]

both...

and the Tango hotel in Taipei looks ok here

 

[auriga]

Looking at staying 5 nights here:

Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao

Anyone know anything about this place?

Are the rates there a lot better than in Taipei proper?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Are the rates there a lot better than in Taipei proper?

About 25% cheaper. Hotel is quite new. Almost universally good reviews. Is very close to a train station. Shuttle bus to airport.

Thinking of 5 nights here and 5 nights closer to the center of the city.

 

[tizey]

Can anyone provide input on the below?

Mrs and I are thinking of spending 3 days 2 nights based close to Ximen station. The similarities drawn between Harajuku and Ximending has perked interest for a look, along with being close to Ximen station to move around, with reasonable price mid range hotels in the area. I'm not sure I could manage walking out on Takeshita st every day, but other parts of Harajuku would be manageable. Anyone able to assist?

We arrive Wed AM, depart late Friday PM, with the Thursday being the national holiday. How much will the city and activities be affected by the holiday?

Also toying with the idea of a huge day to check out Taroko Gorge on the Thursday, but weary it will be difficult to achieve given national holiday - Mrs is no good on buses, so we'd be chasing a private driver. Possibility? We did this for the Great Wall in Beijing and was a hit.

Lastly, the more I read, the more I think Taiwan will be it's own trip for us in years to come. I'm so excited to be going!

 

[aerotravel]

I was in Taipei in April 2019 and I fell in love with Taiwan just after a 5 day visit. It's a beautiful country, clean, cheap, kind locals, safe, great food and I want to go back to explore the rest like Tainan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung . It's so different to other Chinese speaking countries like Hong Kong, Macau or even China. Taiwanese are kind and genuine people with Mandarin being the main language.

If you like to fill your days, there are free walking tours / local night market food tours / pub crawl / outskirts of Taipei that I took, if they are your thing and will cover must go places and where they are.

• TourMeAway - Taipei Free Walking Tours - I like this the best!
• Like It Formosa - Taipei Free Walking Tour

English can be found in a lot of places, though locals' command can be limited. But just like travelling to non-English speaking countries, use simple and direct English and you'll get by nicely. Hotels / hostels, major business district around Taipei 101, upmarket shopping mall, restaurants and slight upmarket cafes, the locals can converse English rather well. Australian coffee (caps, lattes, flat whites etc.) can be found everywhere if you like your daily caffeine hit and they do it just as good as Australia so you'll feel quite at home.

It's still quite cash based society, so, estimate NTD 500-800 / day for general travel, cheap cheerful or street food and visiting places. Get an Easycard from the airport / metro stations and they can be used on public transport across the country.

Ximen is where the action is at (like Shibuya crossing in Japan), and staying in the radius around Ximending is fine. I stayed in Via Hotel Taipei Central and it's so convenient and located in the middle of 3 different Metro lines and approximately 300-500 metres from the hotel for all 3 of them.

Have a great trip! I hope Taiwan makes into a lot of travellers list. It's still relatively under the radar of western travellers unlike Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

 

[Limewood]

We are going to Taiwan for 10 days next month 5 nights each in Taiwan and Kaohsiung, looking forward to seeing the countryside, places of interest, the food (see on youtube) and the 300KPH train ride and bit of shopping.

 

[tizey]

Ended up booking Caesar Park Hotel on a comment in here, overall OK reviews and in a "metro room".. seems to be less dated than the superior rooms. Right opposite the main station is a big drawcard for us - logic being ease of access of transport options, and simple getaway late on the Friday night - flying at 23:25. Booked the hotel for one extra night to ensure we have the room until we leave for the airport... cant help but feels its a bit of a waste, but sanity for Mrs prevails.

Thinking a rough itinerary for the 3 days 2 nights... welcome any feedback:

Wednesday - get in about 1pm from Okinawa. Ditch bags at hotel, maybe Taipei 101 & Xinyi district and a night market. Might head to Ximending for a look in the evening before falling in a heap as a fairly early start to leave Okinawa.

Thursday - Slow morning, and then probably around Ximending during the day (shops), another night market to see what they're all about. Hard to assess as can't really find much out about what to expect on the national day, other than it being busy. Jiufen would have been nice, but reviews I've read said its crowded at the best of times.. I imagine a national holiday would be even worse!

Friday - Slow morning, Beitou afternoon and a private hot spring, before coming back to pack, dinner, shower then depart for the airport - thinking of leaving hotel around 20:00 for a 23:25 flight. Flying in J. Unfortunately Grand View Resort stop offering day bookings of private hot springs effective 1 October... so I'm in the hunt for a nice private one. Cost isnt too much of a factor here as want a nice, relaxed end to the trip.

I'm really shattered we dont have more time though. Taroko Gorge looks absolutely incredible... would love to spend a few days down there. Its solely by chance that we're going after having to change plans from Sri Lanka, and now I cannot wait to get there!

Qantas - please keep this route as a Classic Reward! It seems like a place I'm going to want to go back to!

 

[auriga]

Thursday - Slow morning, and then probably around Ximending during the day (shops), another night market to see what they're all about. Hard to assess as can't really find much out about what to expect on the national day, other than it being busy. Jiufen would have been nice, but reviews I've read said its crowded at the best of times.. I imagine a national holiday would be even worse!

Ximending is really best seen at night

 

[stm1sydney]

Maybe have a look around the Dadaocheng area that morning instead. Old Taipei, markets, temples.

 

[desafinado74]

Wow, so many helpful tips and comments here !
I second the pineapple cakes from Sunnyhills. Yummy !
And if one can afford it, the W Taipei is fabulous !

 

[Dr Ralph]

Accommodation now booked:

6 nights Leofoo Reisidences

4 nights Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao

Both have very large rooms with King beds. Was very hard to find places we liked with King beds.

Depart in approx 8 weeks time.

 

[tizey]

Attempting to book an afternoon up in the Beitou Hot Springs as a relaxing activity on our last day. Not interested in the public springs, just want a 90-120 minute Private Room session - but most of what I can find online doesn't have anything open past 30 September. This is via direct contact/KKDay/Klook.

Can anyone shed light on why this is the case? It seems very weird for them all to close off on 30 September.

 

[Dr Ralph]

9 days before I leave for this trip. Anyone been recently have anything to add?

 

[Limewood]

Was there about 6 weeks ago About 1% speak a form of english, food, electronics as expensive HK, the markets are like HK, full of Chinese goods, the food markets not for us, booze is expensive in hotels and bars, some hotels are not what they look online to be. We saw about 20 Caucasians in 10 days, and lots of temples and museums packed to the rafters everyday and very noisey.

The high speed (300KPH) train to Kaohsiung excellent in J class, views of very old buildings, thousands of rice paddies so land very flat and boring, city streets has about 50 scooters for each car, there is only one road rule stop at red light, green light - go as fast as possible and especially between those walking across road anywhere marked or not. Temp. Aug. last was 32c to 36C and very humid.

We flew SYD/TPE/SYD China Airlines A350 in J, nice aircraft food so so, seat and bed excellent, lounge at TPE departure had about 50 steps down, it was like a long canteen, had one drink and left.