This is our third time visiting Taiwan, and we certainly missed its night markets' foods! Our first was with a tour package travelling to almost the entire of Taiwan from North to South. The second was free and easy with friends within Taipei. So this time, I get to plan where I would like to explore. I'm super excited just by reading through my itinerary. It is a pain to plan each of my trip (I'm always complaining), but at least the attractions are what I'm interested in.
Do check out my past Taiwan's trips below:
- Taiwan
- Taipei
~ Day One : Singapore - Taipei - Taichung ~
We managed to get Tiger air tickets of 50% off for Ntuc card members. In total, we paid SGD826 (all in) for three. This promo fare was even cheaper than Scoot by SGD400 during their morning glory Tuesday.
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| Baby wanted to pose with the airplane. |
Oh, and we also did some sketching prior to checking in.
We headed straight to immigration counter upon touching down (without even visit to the washroom). There were telecom counters on the left (if you are arriving in Terminal 1), and we rushed to purchase a prepaid package before queue started to form. As usual, Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan Da Ge Da) was packed, so we bought from Chung Hwa instead.
We bought the 5 days unlimited data for NT300 (SGD13 with current exchange rate of 1SGD is to NT22.80). There is also mobile counter right in front of the arrival hall just in case you missed this one.
If you are travelling to Taipei or Taichung via bus services, follow the to "Bus Stations" sign. Right before you turn to the bus counters, you will be passing by a family mart (Hi-Life if I remembered correctly). In Taiwan, family mart means 7-11 or your one-stop convenience store. I loved their herbal hard boiled eggs, green tea, and huge bottle of yakult so much that I had them almost every day!
The usual route to Taichung are as follows (excluding queuing up for tickets):
1) Take a U-Bus shuttle bus to Tao Yuan High Speed Rail Station (20mins journey)
2) Board HSR from Tao Yuan to Taichung HSR station (40mins journey)
**Note that HSR departs on time, it would be advisable to purchase ticket on that day
3) Ride either bus, railway or taxi to your hotel in Taichung (10 to 20mins journey depending on your hotel's location)
We chose U-Bus 1623 (2 hours ride) which leaves every half an hour from Tao Yuan Airport. Price per ticket is NT230 (SGD10), children below 6 years old are free. Our bus ride was hassle free (no transfers required), and they do announced the next stop 5mins before reaching. We alighted at National Taichung University, and walked about 10mins to our hotel.
The main reason why I wanted to stay at Reddot Hotel was due to its gigantic slide.
Note that Cowabunga Slide opens in the morning from 11am to 12pm, and afternoon from 3pm to 6pm.
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| Did I mention that Taiwan has 100+ tv channels which you could watch from? |
We got our hotel to arrange for a cab to Feng Jia night market which cost us NT200 (8.70). We then told the driver to pick us up, and send us back to our hotel which cost NT180 (SGD8). The driver was a nice chap, he started driving a cab for three months, and enjoyed his job a lot. We will certainly look for him when we visit Taichung the next time.
Note that all Taiwanese drivers are always on time, so be there at least 10mins early before actual arrival time.
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| Dusbins are difficult to find, so just keep all rubbish in your bag until you see one. |
My favourite Jin Pai Ju Wu Ba ( 金牌巨无霸) Smelly Beancurd's standard has dropped. Do try out Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang (大腸包小腸), guava, deep fried mushrooms, and honey white bittergourd juice.
Taoyuan International Airport Bus Services
http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Buses
Select your destination, airport's terminal for real time bus timing
http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/service-numbers#dddde1ab-64a7-4cee-97fa-947936345c36
Reddot Hotel 紅點文旅
No. 206 Minzu Road, Central District Taichung City 400, Taiwan
+886 4 2229 9333 | http://www.reddot-hotel.com/en/index.aspx
Check in from 3pm | Check out at 11am
Feng Jia Night Market 逢甲夜市
Fengjia Rd., Xitun Dist., Taichung City 407, Taiwan
(next to Feng Chia University) | Operating hours : 5pm to 1am daily
~ Day Two : Taichung - Cingjing ~
Our hotel's breakfast comes with a-la-carte menu, and buffet for breads, cereals, porridge, salads etc.
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| Pretty waiting room outside gym area |
We were picked up by a minivan to Taichung bus station, then transferred to another van to Cing Jing. Total journey was about 2 hours, and cost NT550 (SGD 24) each. The bus stopped right in front of our villa.
The villa does provide one trip transfer to Green Green Grassland at 2pm every day (only on weekdays). On weekends, there would be a bus going uphill to GGGL. We were lucky as the villa owner dropped us at south ticket booth where the marketplace was located. Do try out rice in bamboo stick 竹同饭.
Note that sheep shearing show are only on weekends. We had watched it in New Zealand anyway, so it was fine. Upon entering, do remember to stamp on your hand for multiple entries on the same day. Believe it or not, these lovely innocent sheep were so aggressive that one of them snatched an entire box of feed from us. We had to buy another one..
Do watch the horse performance show if you have time (we went to the 3:45pm show) as these horse riders came all the way from Mongolia.
We headed back to our hotel towards Little Swiss Garden route via the famous 487 steps downhill. It merely took us 10mins, but if it was uphill, I guess we would take 2 hours.
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| Our loots.. |
We got our villa to book dinner with Inako (with transport included free of charge). Remember to try out its chicken, and stir fried dragon beard vegetables (long xu miao).
There is a star gazing session at 9pm daily on the balcony of our villa whereby the owner's son will be personally showing you how to spot these various horoscopes. Be surprised when you go to sleep at night. I had the most wonderful night ever at Star Villa.
OK Bus
+886 4 9280 1399 | http://www.cingjingbus.tw
https://www.facebook.com/funcingjing?fref=ts
Star Villa 清境民宿天星渡假山莊
No.182-3 Rentong Road, Datong Village, Nantou 546, Taiwan
Check in from 3pm to 11pm | Check out at 11am
Green Green Grassland 青青草原
No. 170, Renhe Rd, Datong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, Taiwan
+886 4 9280 2748 | http://www.cingjing.gov.tw/en/about/index.php
Inako 伊拿谷景觀餐飲店
No. 36-1, Xingyi Lane, Renhe Rd. Renai Township, Nantou, Taiwan
+886 4 9280 3710 | fangting1206@gmail.com
Operating hours : 11am to 9pm daily
https://www.facebook.com/inako0921/timeline | http://www.inako.tw
~ Day Three : Cingjing - Beitou ~
Breakfast was simple, but delicious. I noticed that Taiwanese love to eat plain porridge with burdock (niu bang), and sea kelp (hai dai).
After checking out, we carried our luggage all the way to Little Swiss Garden. There was a walkway (with a lot of stairs), and it was pretty challenging for us though the walk took 15mins.
We skipped Little Swiss Garden as I heard that there was nothing much to see. If you intend to visit, do eat at Carton King first as there would be free entry tickets to LSG. We had some snacks from 7-11 before our steamboat lunch at Carton King. Go for the sliced fish broth as Hokkaido milk soup base was kind of bland.
Our bus ride from Cing Jing to Taipei took about 5 hours due to traffic jam on the highway. Fortunately, I bought some snacks along. The fare cost NT880 (SGD39) from Cing Jing (opposite Starbucks) to Taipei main station (metro). Upon reaching the main station, we continued our ride to Line
2 Tamsui-Xinyi Line (to Beitou/ to Tamsui) =>
Beitou Station => Transfer (to Xinbeitou) => Xinbeitou Station. Ticket cost NT35 (SGD1.50) each.
Our hotel was just 5mins walk away from Xinbeitou train station. In fact, most of the other hotels were within walking distance of 5 to 10mins. Almost all hotels have in-room hot spring tubs, do check prior to booking.
My boy enjoyed soaking in the bath tub so much.
By the way, I had the worst experience staying in a hotel ever. I wanted to die just by standing in the room, having goosebumps all over. It seemed that the room was not cleaned in months. Look at all those dust, and hairs!!!
Our dinner was at Man Lai Hot Spring Ramen, and we thought Singapore's ramen was way better.
There was a roadside stall selling steamed smelly beancurd, and it was so stinky heavenly! I gobbled up all of them.
Carton King 紙箱王
No. 28, Dingyuan Vil., Renai Township, Nantou County, 546 Taiwan
+886 4 9280 3828 | http://www.cartonking.com.tw
Operating hours : 9am to 9pm (Souvenir shop) | 11am to 8pm (Restaurant)
Taipei Metro
24hr Customer Service: +886 2 2181 2345 | http://english.metro.taipei
Shan-Yue Hotspring Hotel 山樂溫泉
No.17, Quanyuan Rd, Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan
+886 2 2891 3388 | http://www.shan-yue.com/category1.cfm
Check in from 6pm | Check out at 12pm
Man Lai Hot Spring Ramen （滿來溫泉拉麵)
No. 110, Wenquan Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan | +886 2 2893 7958
Operating hours : 11:30am - 2pm & 5pm - 9:30pm daily
~ Day Four : Beitou - Taipei ~
Shan Yue served pretty decent breakfast though, so unless there is improvement on their cleanliness, it is a no no for me to stay there the next time.
Do visit Hot Spring Museum the first thing in the morning like before 10am or you will have to wait for the crowds to leave. Foot wear is prohibited in the museum, and you would be requested to change into slippers before going in.
Never leave Beitou without dropping by at Hell Valley. You could see little bubbles on the lake full of hot steam.
Please do not soak your feet at Beitou Stream, and no smoking in Beitou too.
We happened to be at Beitou during its Yukata Festival with lots of local delicacies from all around Taiwan. I bought home a few sulphur soaps to try.
We then took metro to Xi Men Ding, NT35 (SGD1.50) per ticket for around 45mins. Take (to Beitou) from Xinbeitou Station => Beitou
Station => Transfer to Line 2 Tamsui-Xinyi Line (to Daan/ to Xiangshan)
=> Zhongshan Station => Transfer to Line 3 Songshan-Xindian Line (to
Taipower Building/ to Xindian) => Ximen Station.
Our last hotel stay was at Airline Inn near Ximen station (go out via exit 6), a 5mins walk away. Once you passed by Westgate Hotel on the left, after a few more shops, you could see a sign (look on the left hand side) of Airline Inn. Continue along the corridor leading you to the lift area. Go up to Level 8, and you would be greeted by the friendly hotel's receptionists.
Note that there would be some noise during the night, but not after 10pm.
I was so careless that I left my boy's little pillow at our Cing Jing's villa. After some arrangement, it was couriered to Airline Inn for NT115 I think (SGD5).
I had to try out Modern Toilet Themed Cafe though I had heard reviews that the restaurant's foods were just average. Do use a google map as you will need to cut through a multi storey car park. We bought back the urinal container for baby. He could use it for *xuxu* during our road trips.
I was glad that Little Three was located just around the corner (to the right) of Modern Toilet. I heard that they sold individual sheet masks. However, I don't see any individual ones from My Beauty Dairy or My Scheming.
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| Baby insisted to carry the basket for me. |
I heard that locals usually visit Ning Xia Night Market, so we went to check it out. You may train to Zhong Shan station at a fare of NT20, SGD0.90. Take Line 3 Songshan-Xindian Line (to Songshan) from Ximen
Station => Zhongshan Station. Walk for about 10 minutes, and you will see the market on the right. Ning Xia is actually located in between Shuang Lian & Zhong Shan stations. Just alight at the station nearer to your hotel.
It was drizzling when we reached, luckily I was well prepared with ponchos. Do try out 圓環邊蚵仔煎 Roundabout Oyster Omelette located on the row of shop houses behind the night market. Remember to order the rice cake *mi gao*, super yummy.
Beitou Thermal Valley (Hell Valley, 地熱谷)
Zhongshan Road near the entrance of Wenquan Rd, Beitou Dist, Taipei, Taiwan
Operating hours : Tue to Sun from 9am - 5pm | Closed on Monday
Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館 (Free Admission)
No. 2, Zhongshan Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112
+886 2 2893 9981 | http://hotspringmuseum.taipei
Operating hours: Tue to Sun from 9am – 5pm | Closed on Monday & PH
Airline Inn Taipei Zhonghua 頭等艙飯店
8F., No. 144, Sec.1. Zhonghua Rd., Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan 10843
+886 2 2388 2466 | +886 2 2555 4288 (Reservation)
fo.tp.zh@airlineinn.com | http://www.airlineinn.com/TZ/en/index.php
Check in from 3pm | Check out at 12pm
Modern Toilet Restaurant 便所主题餐厅
2F, No. 7, Lane 50, Xiníng South Rd Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
+886 2 2311 8822 | http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/about.asp
Operating hours : 11.30am – 10pm daily
Little Three 小三美日平價美妝
2F, No. 9, Lane 50, Xiníng South Rd Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
https://www.s3.com.tw/S3_About.asp?id=201509000001#
https://www.facebook.com/s3beauty | +886 2 2311 9231
Operating hours : 12pm to 10:30pm
Ning Xia Night Market 寧夏夜市
Ningxia Rd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Operating hours : 6pm to 12am daily
~ Day Five : Taipei - Singapore ~
I was unsure if the Yong He Dou Jiang I went was the same branch as the one I saw on blogs as it was totally different. The stall was shared with Xi Men Mango Shaved Ice which I think is opened in the afternoon. I had to pause for a few seconds before confirming that I did not make any mistake. Do try out soya bean milk (of course), fried dough sticks (super crispy), xiao long bao aka tang bao, and egg pancake aka dan bing.
We trained to Taipei Main Station at NT20 (SGD0.90) per ticket. Take Line
5 Bannan Line (to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center) from Ximen Station => Taipei Main Station Station. We then walked to Taipei West Bus Station, there are a lot of bus stations, just make sure you go to the correct one. Bus fare is NT125 (SGD5), and journey is between 50 to 70mins depending on traffic. We took 45mins to reach the airport.
For detailed information on how to get to Taipei West Bus Station, visit this page. Very useful for first time travellers.
Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿
No. 30 Hankou Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A
No. 171 Sec. 1, Zhong Xiao W. Road, Zhongzheng District., Taipei City 100, Taiwan ROC | +886 2 2383 2783
