My 6-day stop over in Taipei has flown by. I’m already on the move,,,sitting in an airport lounge – with plenty of time to relax and start this short Blog story.
I find it interesting that almost everyone I’ve known to visit Tiawan have shared a similar description: One of a drab, un-interesting stop-over, with nothing much to do.
Interesting because that description is very different than mine. Maybe its timing, or expectations ? not sure.
I arrive in Taiwan with no plan. Just a hotel is booked The Kimpton. I have selected a 4.5* luxury hotel for my visit. Splurging. In Da An district of Taipei.
Airport Taxi was a simple event - $1500NT transfer …. I’m here over Chinese New Year.
No plan is just-fine with me. It’s Easy-Pizzi to fill your day exploring here. I was originally thinking I’d get outside the city - at-least once… But Taipei had so many tourist experiences – and their Metro was incredible – that I never added a countryside adventure. Next time.
Its cold !!! I wasn’t expecting that. Temp was 55-60F and mostly overcast. The sun finally came-out the last few days of this adventure.
Maybe my friends weren’t impressed never explored the Taipei Metro. It just might be the easiest subway/train system to navigate on the planet. I had 20-30 trips. Everyday walking the nearby MRT station. I purchase a Metro T-pass, loaded it up with $400NT ($12US) and jumped aboard the Train. Everything is color-coded and almost always includes English.
This is China.. but somehow different than Mainland. Yes, its Mandrin… but the amount of English spoken here is much higher – a little more like Singapore. I felt absolutely welcome everywhere. Absolutely safe. Everyone is polite and well dressed, with perfect manors.
All this gives me a new impression of the Chinese. I have more to learn of China. The future of this island Nation is unknown… Will Mainland Communist China re-absorb the Republic of Taiwan ? That future seems highly likely.
Visits to the Dr. Sun Yat Hall, to Chaing Kai-Shek Hall, to the National Palace Museum.. each worthy of several hours. Each with history and art. Each a lesson.
And not missing the required Highlight. A trip to the top of Taipei 101. Once the tallest building in the World,, it is now ranked 11th. Lots of shopping and food-courts there… Just one Metro-stop away from Taipei 101 is a hiking trail to Elephant Mountain. A 30-minute stair climb to views of the Skyscraper and city skyline. Don’t skip Elephant mountain if you ever in Taipei!!
Although Taipei 101 might be considered the highlight. The Shilin Night Market was vastly more entertaining. I joined the queue at famous ‘Star Hot’ for fried chicken – Street vendors stalls selling fast-food – there must be 500+ food vendors. No sit-down restaurants, find a tiny corner, eat standing up.. 😊
The Night Market is packed with arcades games. Like a carnival. Ring toss, darts, games of chance. Win a doll. Or maybe a goldfish. My visit there was very cool. I noticed almost no Western tourists at the Night Market …. Its kinda nice being the tallest in a crowd, much easier to figure out directions … where am I going??
But instead of Western tourists, plenty of Chinese and maybe Japanese visitors fill the Night Market.. it was packed and I loved it. Lots to families and children mixed in. Its Chinese NY, and everyone seems to be happy with the Year of the Dragon.
Jackpot.. I found a new Travel Patch at the Night Market. Just a flag of Taiwan, but another addition to my collection. Cool. I like getting them in-country.
One observation that I’m still pondering… Is the density of people here wearing Face Masks?? At times, it seemed to be 50+% ? but, then others only 10%. Its difficult for me to correlate this behavior to the Rona lockdowns, or to general cultural strategies here… (and in many Asian cities).
This Taipei stop-over was a convenient connection from Palau, and gave me time to organize my Dive photos and catchup on my Blog.
Splurge if you visit, book a Luxury hotel in Taipei. Conquer their Metro. It’s hard to not enjoy Taipei if you give it a chance.
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