Taiwan Travel Tips

Last April, I had my first (DIY) solo international trip. Luckily, Taiwan did not fail me.

In this blog, I will share with you some tips based from my personal experience during my adventure. :)

1. Money Changers

• If you are arriving on a weekend, better change your cash to NT$ at the airport. Money changers in Taipei are not as robust as what we have in other Asian countries. It is more controlled in Taiwan. They only have money changer in the banks which are closed on weekends, and some authorized counters in the mall, but very limited. You can withdraw in ATM though with a certain fee

2. Transportation System 

• Their transportation is comparable to that of Hong Kong. It is tourist-friendly and simple to follow. Make sure you install any Taiwan MRT guide in your phone - you can check google play or apple store for free applications. This has helped me a lot during my trip.
• Update your Google Maps! This is my lifeline! Hahaha! I rode bus more than MRT because I find buses more convenient. Well, except for rush hour. But honestly, traffic jam in Taipei is not as bad as what we have in Manila. Thorugh Google map, you will know what bus to ride and the number of stops to get to your destination.
• Their bus stops are efficient. They have estimated time of arrival of the buses & it is accurate!

3. Stay Connected

• There are free wi-fi on most of the public areas in Taipei. However, there's no guarantee that all the places you will visit has wi-fi. Hence, it's better to get your own sim card with mobile data or rent a pocket wi-fi. I always allocate a budget for internet connection whenever I travel abroad. I use this to update my family on my whereabouts. Hahaha! Also, if you are using google map, you need internet connection. 
• Get the contact number of your hostel, just in case there is an emergency. 
• Always bring your power bank. Whether you are still 100% full-charged , always bring your power bank. You'll never know if you get stuck on a place or your battery suddenly acts up and drains fast. 

4. Shopping

• Among the night markets that I've visited, the one in Keelung is the cheapest! But, this is outside Taipei. I was able to compare the prices of their tea vs the ones in Ximending or even in Shilin, Keelung is way cheaper and there are more varieties too.
• If you don't have time to go outside of Taipei City, Shilin Night Market offers cheaper clothes compared to Ximending. 
• Branded Shoes! When I've converted the price from NT$ to PHP, it is cheaper compared to Philippines. Plus you have a tourist tax discount!
• Anello Bags! Yes, Anello Bags in Taipei is cheaper than in Philippines. Plus, you get a tourist tax! 
• Check out their cosmetics store like COSMED & Watsons - there are items which are cheaper compared to Philippines like sunscreen, hand lotion, make up brush, etc.
• For girls - if you have frizzy or damaged hair, get yourself a hair treatment which I discovered on Youtube. It's name is OPAL! It's cheap and very effective! I brought 2 tubes! I'm using the last tube until now (April to Oct? Not bad!).

5. Tea Shopping

• 7-11 - they have a lot of milk tea in different flavor and sizes which are very affordable! In fact, cheaper than water. Lol! 
• Night Markets - there are so many shops that sell tea - may it be in tea bags, in blocks or in sachets. They also offer free tastes. :) I bought 2 bags of 3 o'clock Milk Tea in Hokkaido and Rose flavor. Both are delicious!
• Bubble Milk Tea - well, you can find bubble milk tea stalls in every corner of Taipei. All the milk tea I tried tasted so good and very authentic! I can't describe the authentic part, but yeah - I know you understand what I'm trying to say. Lol!

6. KLOOK or KKDAY

• I am not paid by KLOOK or KKDAY, but I find their tour packages really convenient. I availed the Jiufen, Shifen & Keelung Night Market Shuttle Bus from Klook. I got it for only Php 1030 inclusive of round-trip shuttle bus from Ximen, toll fees and insurance. I also bought my Taipei 101 Observatory ticket from Klook which I got for only Php 878, regular price is NT$ 600 (Php 1046~).
• If you want a DIY trip but hassle-free, I suggest you check out tour packages from Klook or Kkday.

I hope you find my tips helpful. If you have any question, feel free to comment. Enjoy Taipei, friends!

DIY Trip: Taipei 2018 - Day 1

It was 2017 when Taiwan announced that Philippine passport holders can now enter Taiwan visa-free for 14 days until July 2018 along with passport holders from Brunei and Thailand. It was then extended up to July 2019! Yey! Probably I should go back? Hmm.. I'd love to!

Luckily, I scored a promo fare from Cebu Pacific - got my round trip ticket from Manila to Taipei for only Php 2,877!!! Real steal!

My first international solo trip! YES! I did it, solo! :)

Initially, I was intending to see Cherry Blossoms in Taipei, but my trip was too late for the season. :( The peak of spring is February to March, yet my trip was April 7 to 10. I heard there are still cherry blossoms in Taiwan during that time but it was outside Taipei.

All set, let's go!

My flight was late at night - 9:45 PM to 01:05 AM. Fortunately, there was no delay and we landed on time. It was frigging 15 degrees Celsius when we touched down Taipei! I was not prepared with my outfit! My leather jacket was semi-thick but I can still feel how cold it is! Whoa!

Hello, Taipei!

Cheapest option to Taipei from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 during late night arrival? I got you covered, man!

Since it was already dawn when I arrived, the metro train is already closed. But no need to worry friends, they have 24-hour airport bus that will take you directly to Taipei Main Station. Upon exit from Immigration, go to the 1st floor arrivals area - this is like the bus station from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to different parts of Taiwan. Look for airport bus 1819. Fare is ~ NTD 125. From Taipei Main Station, I booked an UBER to my hostel. Or alternatively, you can take a cab. I've seen a lot of them around the area. 

P.S. There is a free wi-fi on the airport bus and they have USB port too, just in case you want to charge. The travel time is approximately 1 hour.

You may check link below for other options on transportation from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei. 

https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/transportation

Accommodation

During my entire trip, I stayed on two different hostels. As what I mentioned before on my other blogs, I am more comfortable on solo rooms. In Taipei, there are many budget hostels - backpacker's style or dorm-type. Most of the solo rooms are quite expensive compared to Bangkok or Cambodia, but I managed to find one - the power of extensive research. 

Travel tip for budget-conscious: If you are like me who's not so much comfortable sharing a room with strangers, but would arrive late on day 1, better book a hostel near (walking distance) on some of the tourist spots you want to visit on your first day - you will just sleep (for few hours) the night anyway. This way, you got to save on transportation. Check-out early the next morning and transfer to your main hostel.

Uinn Travel Hostel

Address: No.38, Sec. 3, Chongqing S. Rd.,, Zhongzheng District

Rate: Php 795/night

ART Inn

Address: No.10, Ln.83, Sec.2, Hankou St., Ximending

Rate: Php 800/night

DAY 1

I woke up around 7 AM, ate my free breakfast at the hostel, prepared my OOTD & checked-out. I only booked for one night at Uinn. Upon check-out, I left my luggage and started the day out. I have to buy a sim card but the shops will only open by 11 AM. Thankfully, there are public wi-fi around Taipei so I can still use online google map. While I was waiting for the mobile shop to open, I proceed to my first destination.

Passed by this pretty little alley full of bicycles. It looked like a scene from one of the anime movies.

Started my walking tour at 8 AM. Most of the shops are still closed. 

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Entrance: free
By MRT: Take Red line or Green Line to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station

This is just a 10-minute walk from Uinn Travel Hostel. Google map is the key, my friends!

When I visited, part of the hall was being renovated. However, the place is undeniably beautiful. The flowers are in full bloom!

Thanks to tripod & remote. Well, thanks to technology!

National Theater and Concert Hall

Even the trees are photogenic! My heart! 

Bed of flowers. Really beautiful!

That mandatory shot in front of Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
Entrance: Free
By MRT: Take the Blue line to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station

Directions & signage are everywhere! No need to worry of getting lost.

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall was built in 1972 in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen - the founder of the Republic of China. This is also where you can take a perfect photo of Taipei 101! Beside the memorial hall is Zhongshan Park where you can find Lake Cui or Emerald Pond.

Emerald Pond

TAIPEI 101!

Republic of Taiwan

National Taiwan University (NTU)
Entrance: Free; Open to everyone
By MRT: Take the Green Line to Gongguan Station, Exit 3

I am not sure if this is used as the filming location of the phenomenon Meteor Garden, but nevertheless, this place is picturesque. The buildings have that rustic vibe, European-style architecture, with beautiful trees & flowers. 

National Taiwan University

Beautiful building! I wonder what this is.

When flowers are being flower. So pretty, just like that.

After visiting NTU, I headed back to Uinn Travel Hostel to pick up my luggage. I transferred to Art Inn which is in Ximending area. It was around 3PM when I checked-in at Art Inn. I did not realized that I haven't had lunch yet! After I settled down, I went out to my next destination.

Modern Toilet Restaurant
Menu price range: NT$ 150 to 500
By MRT: Take the Blue or Green Line to Ximen Station, Exit 6.

Because of the toilet-poop-themed concept of this restaurant, it became popular worldwide. Imagine eating poop-shaped sundae, sitting on a toilet bowl & eating on toilet-styled bowls. It's so unique & instagrammable too! 

The serving was enough for me. The tea was good! What do you expect, lady? This is Taiwan! Hahaha! There's tea everywhere! After I had my lunch, I went back to my hostel and took one-hour rest. The night will be a busy one, too!

Taipei 101 Observatory
Entrance: General - NT$ 600; Student (with ID) - NT$ 540; Children (under 115 cm) - free
**TIP: I got mine for only Php 814 at Klook

By MRT: Red Line 2 to Taipei 101 station. After entering Taipei 101, go to the 5TH floor to purchase your ticket for the observatory.

Taipei 101 Observatory is on Taipei 101 Mall. This is where the famous Din Tai Fung can also be found. Once you got your ticket, there is a queue and a photo booth as well. Everyone will be taken a photo of, but it's up to you if you will purchase your souvenir photo or not.

A physical ticket needs to be redeemed even if you purchased your ticket online.

The elevator ride is an experience itself because it can take you all the way to 89th floor for only 37 seconds! 

There are two observatories - Indoor which is on the 89th floor & Outdoor which is on the 91st floor. You have to use the stairs to go to 91st floor.

By far, the tallest building I've ever been.

Thank you for the customer service rep for this shot :)

My only decent photo with the night light as the background. Solo travel, ugh.

The following photos are just a glimpse of what you will see up above. It looks more gorgeous in person.

Basically, the indoor observatory is just plain. It's really the view, my friends. 

After I looked out on every angle of the indoor observatory, I went to the outdoor observatory. It's freezing cold! I only had a vest with me. Geez!

View from 91st! STUNNING!!!

The tip of Taipei 101! Whoa!

If only I had a thicker jacket with me, I would have lasted for an hour on this view. I went back inside to 89th floor and roam around the souvenir shop. 

My verdict of Taipei 101 Observatory? If you love night lights view, over-looking sights, then this is a must-visit for you. It's worth the ticket!

Before I went out, I took a quick look around Taipei 101 mall. There are many high-end shops in there!

The golden TWG

Shilin Night Market
By MRT: Red Line 2 to Jiantan Station, Exit 1. Cross the street to the left to enter the night market.

Say hello to the most popular night market in Taipei! Everything you need is here - food, drinks, toys, souvenirs, dress for kids, women & men, just everythiiing! They are affordable too! This is where I bought most of the souvenirs that I gave to my family & friends.

No reason to get lost. The direction is up there!

Warning!!! Food ahead! :)

Frog eggs!

Grilled giant squid. Super good! I had mine in pepper & lemon flavor.

Super big sausage!

As much as I want to get one, my tummy has no space already. :(

CHICKEN FEET!!!

And of course, all kinds of bubble milk tea everywhere! If you are planning to buy instant milk tea, buy from here. I think they are cheaper compared to Ximending.

Souvenir? HAHAHA

On my way back to the hostel, I passed by 7-11 and bought midnight snacks to cap off my night. This beer is one of the good I had, next to SMB's Apple Flavored beer. :)

Honey beer & Cheetos in tidbits!

What a tiring, yet fulfilling day 1 for me! I'm loving Taipei! 

How about you? How's your first day in Taipei? Feel free to share your experience!