What type(s) of travellers would you recommend to visit Taipei?
Taipei is perfect for families, foodies and people who love shopping.
How long would you recommend for one to spend in Taipei?
3 days 2 nights if you are just gonna stay in the city!
What are the top activities/must-sees in Taipei that you would recommend?
1. Ximending
– First and one of the most popular pedestrian zones in Taipei, fantastic for shopping and food!
– Located just a few steps away from the Ximen MRT stop (one stop away from Taipei Main Station MRT)
– Meet all your Taiwanese snack cravings here, including the famous Ah Zong Mian Xian (Oyster with Vermicelli) and Hao Da (extra large) Chicken Cutlet. My personal favourites are the Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang (Taiwanese Sausage in a Rice Sausage) and Muah Chee (glutinous rice)
2. Tamsui (Danshui), Taipei
– A seaside town located at the fringe of the city (accessible by the MRT, though it’s the final stop!)
– Take a walk down the old streets of Tamsui and have some snacks unique to Tamsui, such as shrimp rolls, iron eggs and fishballs
– Take a walk down the coastal front just behind the old streets
3. Elephant Mountain, Taipei
– Lovely place to take a hike and take a break from the city (especially when the shops are still close in the morning!)
– “Must See” view of Taipei, with Taipei 101 right in the centre of the backdrop
– Good for a short hike, and also comes with the option of a longer trail if you are up for it!
What are the top food places/must-eats that you would recommend in Taipei?
1. Yong He Soy Milk (at Ximending)
– Traditional Taiwanese breakfast
– Average of NT$120 per pax
– Must try:
1) Soy milk (with option of adding egg) with youtiao (dough fritters)
2) Steam dumplings
3) Pork / Ham bun with egg
2. Din Tai Fung (at Taipei 101)
– Taiwanese fare, restaurant-style – when you need a break from the night market
– Good for lunch or dinner
– Average of NT$500 per pax
– Might have to queue for 15 to 20 minutes over the weekends
– Sister branch of a one Michelin-star outlet
– Must try:
1) Steam dumplings
2) Egg fried rice with prawns
3) Wanton with chilli
3. Ah Zong Mian Sian (Oyster Vermicelli) (at Ximending or Shilin Night Market)
– My favourite street food of all!
– NT$50 and NT$65 respectively for the small and large bowls.
– Might have a queue but it goes pretty quickly
– Goes best with chilli or parsley (you can find it by the side of the counter)
4. Feng Da Coffee (at Ximending)
– Simple but lovely place for breakfast
– For NT$100, you can get the breakfast combo that comes with two sunny-side-up eggs, with a slice of ham, two pieces of toast with butter and jam, and a cup of their special coffee
Any recommendations on where to stay in Taipei?
When is a good time of the year to visit Taipei?
How should one get around in Taipei?
Most taxi drivers are willing to bring you around for a full day from 9am to 6pm for around NT$3000. Most recommended if you are travelling in fours. The difficulty is in picking the best host. Get recommendations from friends that went before!
Are there any local norms/cultures that a tourist should be aware of in Taipei?
What are the acceptable payment currencies and modes in Taipei?
Best to prepare cash in Taiwan Dollars before your trip. You can only find money changers in banks and the larger shopping malls, and most places don’t accept cards.
Any other tips/things to be aware of in Taipei?
How should one stay connected to the internet in Taipei?
Buy a travel sim card at the airport (8 days unlimited data for NT$450)!
Cost of Trip
Airfare – return ticket from Singapore to Taiwan – Scoot NT$11,000
Accommodation – Cho Hotel – Pretty decent room goes for NT$1900 per night (for 2)
Food – NT$50 – NT$100 for each snack, NT$1000 for a meal for 2 at the restaurants (i.e Din Tai Fung)
Transport – NT$380 for a 72 hours unlimited MRT pass. Taxis are at reasonable rates as well.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am always up for trying new things, as I believe what matters most in life is capturing magical moments and gaining new experiences. And one of the best ways to do so is through travelling, to experience different cultures and way of life of each country and city. This has led me to develop a travel application with my team at Away Nation, to help people plan their perfect trips based on recommendations from friends and locals.
