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A day in Taiwan |
Only have a day to spend in Taiwan? Follow our list of stops around the city for a taste of Taiwan that will leave your taste buds refusing to get back on the plane with you.
8:30 am
1. Traditional Chinese Breakfast
Congee (the chicken noodle soup of Asia), or rice porridge boiled with sweet-potato chunks is a light, easily digested meal often prepared in homes as breakfast or a comfort food for battling colds. Traditional side dishes such as stewed pork, pomfret with bean sauce, lean minced meat, braised beancurd, or salted golden brown egg yolk are often served alongside.
To enjoy this staple breakfast for many Taiwanese households, head over to the Wong Porridge Restaurant, a 5 minute taxi ride or 15 minute walk from the Howard Plaza Hotel (Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan, Jen Ai Road, Sec 34).
Images: http://www.gomaji.com/store-detail.php?store_id=50153
9:30 am
2. Maokong Gondola
Take the MRT to the Taipei Zoo stop and walk 300 meters to the Maokong Gondola station and enjoy a panoramic view of the city while taking a cable car ride up to Maokong Mountain. For the adventurous souls, queue up for the glass bottom cable car (although wait times can be long on weekends).
Upon reaching Maokong Mountain, take your pick of traditional Taiwanese tea-houses such as http://taiwanxifu.com/2012/03/11/maokong-in-march/, and relax while enjoying the mountain top view. Taiwanese gaoshan tea (high mountain tea) is renown and widely sought after as the combination of climate (humidity and temperature) and altitude most suited for growing gaoshan tea leaves is found almost only on Taiwanese mountains. The tea houses also serve delicacies such as tea broth noodle soup and sticky rice with bamboo shoots.
For a bit of after meal exercise, take a walk on one of the many hiking trails such as the Camphor Tree Trail. See more about the Camphor Tree Trail at: http://www.zonego.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=13443945&CtNode=50396&mp=10501D2.
Supplementary links:
http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/articles/0809/0809coverstory.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293913-i9546-k6308050-Suggest_me_route_in_maokong-Taipei.html
http://en0229392025.tw.tranews.com/
1:00-1:30 pm
3. Steamed Dumplings at Din Tai Fung (No. 194 Second Section, Xinyi Road, Taipei, Taiwan)
Xiaolongbao, steamed dumplings or soup dumplings are dumplings traditionally steamed in small baskets made of bamboo and most commonly filled with pork or shrimp. Large amounts of broth is produced inside the dumplings during the steam cooking process. The broth and therefore flavor remains trapped inside the bun, only to be released upon being first bite (hence the nickname soup dumpling). But beware, many tongues are burned each year in the hurry to savor these delicious bite sized morsels.
Located at an only 2 minute walk from the #5 exit of the Dongmen station, is the original Din Tai Fung, an award winning restaurant specializing in xiaolongbao.
Trip Advisor Link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293913-d2244808-Reviews-Din_Tai_Fung_101_Branch-Taipei.html
Images: http://infinite520visa.pixnet.net/blog/post/44523628-
3:00 pm
4. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
A monument and landmark erected in memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, former President of the Republic of China, the memorial hall can be easily reached via the metro (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station).
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shek_Memorial_Hall
3:45 pm
5. Longshan Temple
The Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan and was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian, China. The Temple has been severely damaged several times due to numerous earthquakes in the area and American bombers during World War II. In current times, the Temple serves as a hub for a cluster of vendors plying artifacts, trinkets and services related to Taiwanese religious beliefs. A block away from the temple is an old street area lined with traditional Chinese style low rise buildings with the majority existing as shops selling traditional Chinese herbal remedies.
With a metro station named after the Longshan Temple, the Temple itself is located a minute walk from the Longshan Station.
Supplementary Links:
http://dan.romascanu.net/2011/11/26/temples-in-taiwan/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanhua_District
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mengjia_Longshan_Temple
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293913-d1372926-r118233994-Long_Shan_Temple-Taipei.html
5:30-6:00 pm
6. Taipei 101 or Elephant Mountain
The Taipei 101 ranked as the world’s tallest building from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. Rated a 9/10 on the seismic hazard map, Taiwan experiences numerous earthquakes a year. The iconic damper sphere at the top of the 101 and other innovations in structural design allow the Taipei 101 to withstand the typhoon winds and constant earthquake tremors that occur in the area. The observation decks on the 89th and 91st floors allow a sweeping view of the city in almost every direction. The damper sphere can also be viewed on the 88th floor (total admission: 450 TWD). The ground floor to the 5th level serve as a high-end shopping center. Head over to the Taipei 101, easily reached via the metro by getting off at the Taipei 101 Station for a view of the city lights from the very top.
Trip Advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293913-d552573-Reviews-Taipei_101-Taipei.html
Alternatively, Elephant Mountain provides a view of the city that is inclusive of the Taipei 101 and can be reached by getting off at the stop immediately after the Taipei 101 Station, then taking a moderate 25 minute hike to the top.
Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293913-d2019764-Reviews-Elephant_Mountain_aka_Nangang_District_Hiking_Trail-Taipei.html
7:00-7:30 pm
7. Raohe Night Market
As the name “night market” suggests, Taiwanese night markets are essentially a conglomerate of street vendors that come together, typically from around 6 pm to as late as 1:30 am. While not as well-known by tourists as its Shilin counterpart, the Raohe Night Market is touted by the locals as having some of the best eats. Head over to Raohe after your visit to the 101 or Elephant Mountain by taking the metro to the Hou Shan Pi Station. The Raohe Night Market is a brief 10 minute walk away.
Online Resources:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293913-d561371-Reviews-Raohe_Street_Tourist_Night_Market_Committee-Taipei.html
http://mykafkeasquelife.blogspot.tw/2011/02/raohe-street-night-market-taipei.html
http://tinyurl.com/mb2gms3
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