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!
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My first international solo trip! YES! I did it, solo! :)
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| 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!
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| 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.
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.
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| Passed by this pretty little alley full of bicycles. It looked like a scene from one of the anime movies. |
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| Started my walking tour at 8 AM. Most of the shops are still closed. |
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!
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!
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| Thanks to tripod & remote. Well, thanks to technology! |
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| National Theater and Concert Hall |
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| Even the trees are photogenic! My heart! |
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| Bed of flowers. Really beautiful! |
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| 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
Entrance: Free
By MRT: Take the Blue line to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station
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| Directions & signage are everywhere! No need to worry of getting lost. |
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| 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.
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| Emerald Pond |
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| TAIPEI 101! |
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| Republic of Taiwan |
National Taiwan University (NTU)
Entrance: Free; Open to everyone
By MRT: Take the Green Line to Gongguan Station, Exit 3
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.
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| National Taiwan University |
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| Beautiful building! I wonder what this is. |
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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!
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.
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.
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| A physical ticket needs to be redeemed even if you purchased your ticket online. |
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.
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| By far, the tallest building I've ever been. |
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| Thank you for the customer service rep for this shot :) |
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| My only decent photo with the night light as the background. Solo travel, ugh. |
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| Basically, the indoor observatory is just plain. It's really the view, my friends. |
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| View from 91st! STUNNING!!! |
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| The tip of Taipei 101! Whoa! |
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!
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| 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.
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.
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| No reason to get lost. The direction is up there! |
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| Frog eggs! |
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| Grilled giant squid. Super good! I had mine in pepper & lemon flavor. |
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Super big sausage!
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| 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!
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