Taiwan travel suggests?

[Flaming Choy]

Hi All,

I'm heading to Taiwan for a couple weeks (Jan 28 to Feb 16) and as hoping to pick CP's collective brain on must see places, must do things, and must eat foods.

Specifically, I want to go to Pingxi during the lantern festival (Feb 11) to watch that. Has anyone done it? Do I need tickets or just show up and watch? Any tips?

Aside from that, I'm totally open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks everyone and looking forward to your help can comments.

[lazy_programmer]

Taiwan numba one!

[jwslam]

Kenting is cool. Definitely pay for high speed rail if you're traveling south; we made the mistake of being cheap and it took like 6 hours to go south whereas it was like 1.5hr to come back.

This was also a really cool place to go. Rented electric bikes.
http://travelkaohsiung.com/places-to.../cijin-island/

The U-Bike program is pretty cool as well; used it in Taipei. You'll need a local SIM. I had the pleasure of teaching a local how to sign up for the program :P

We also went to the Wetlands during QingMing
http://travel.taichung.gov.tw/en-us/...Gaomei-Wetland

We also went here https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractio...ge-Nantou.html

The last two places listed: we were taken there by a cabbie who we paid for a 10hr day. I don't remember what the cost was... It was pretty cheap though. I think it was like $70 each for 3 of us and those were some pretty distant places to be going to.

Don't forget DTF dumplings!

Of course we also went here:https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...ng-Taipei.html


Disclaimer: I speak Mandarin / some Taiwanese so maybe what I consider as good activities are not so much good for you.

[HelloHockeyFans]

I went there last year - obviously beef noodle is a must-have. I went to 10+ places with my friends - my recommended places in Taipei are:

1. Tian Xia San Jue - the most upscale beef noodle place you'll go to. Well worth it!
2. Niu Dian

I'd recommend going to the National Museum to look at the artifacts brought over and preserved from China when they fled the communists. A good 4 hours will be needed there if you check everything out.

Other foods to check out are obvious Taiwan dishes - Din Tai Fong for the dumplings (many locations) and somewhere for traditional Lu Rou Fan (braised pork on rice). Check out the multiple night markets for snacks / food as well and even though it's available in Canada, you should probably have some shaved ice and bubble tea while you're there.

If you're a partier, head down to Taipei 101 on Friday / Saturday. One of the nights (forget which one) is Ladies Night so they all get in for free and the clubs are jammed with pretty women. Extremely easy to meet women in Taipei. Partying and drinking is super cheap in Taipei as well compared to everywhere else in Asia.

Taipei's a good place to visit as everything is really cheap there, have fun!

[Cheese]

as above...must eat the Beef Noodle...and if you can find the parliament building downtown in Old Taipei there are a number of excellent old Beef Noodle places that are simply amazing.
You also want to get to Raohe Night Street Market to experience what a real crowd is all about. Try the Stinky Tofu...yes it smelss like rotten weeks old socks in a Hockey Duffel bag...just try it.
There is also two other spots in that market that are must haves. At the far end close to the Buddhist Temple is Baked Dumplings. They bake them in small ovens that are similar to Indian ovens for Naan bread etc....these dumplings are amazing. So are every other dumpling you come across and especially the poppy seed variety. There is alo a place half way through the market that has a shaved brittle and ice cream Pita type roll up...find it and eat it.
You also want to go for Dim Sum at Din Tai Fung at the base of Taipei 101 which is also a must see. Get there early for breakfast or stand in line...it is simply one of the best Dim Sum's anywhere.
If you like Sichuan food go to Kiki Restaurant. There are a few of them, they do not disappoint. Delicious.

As above get on the bullet train and head south..I recommend Hualien on the East side of the Isle...beautiful spot.
Kaohsiung City on the West side is also excellent and has food there you cant find elsewhere on the Island...jump in and try it.

You will love Taiwan...it is Humid and rains often...but always warm to hot.

oh and...just show up for the lantern festival

[snootchiebootchies]

We took a day trip to Jiufen the last time we were in Taipei. It's an old gold mining town that is built into the side of a mountain. Lots of stairs there so be prepared to exert yourself but I thought it was lots of fun.

http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awes...in-taiwan.html

And Taipei is absolutely lousy with great cuisine. I don't remember all the small noodle houses and street carts I visited but I was amazed at how delicious everything was. And of course, one has to visit Din Tai Fung even though the many DTF locations all over the world makes the original Taipei location less special now. And even though it's not traditional Taiwanese fare, I would also recommend Tim Ho Won for dim sum. Their buns are amazing!

[DoubleF]

Go to a 7-11 and grab yourself some local pineapple beer. I wasn't as big of a fan of the mango beer, but it indeed was quite tasty as well.

http://fountanabeverage.com/taiwan-beer/

There's more flavors? Aww man, I missed out!


I ate so much street food. Bubble tea is nearly everywhere and reasonably cheap. I spent most of my time in Kaosiung and Kenting with locals, so I probably can't suggest much more than what I did above.

Pineapple cake
Steel (?) eggs
Tea eggs
Bubble tea

Are probably staples you can get anywhere that are reasonably priced and more "local".

[driveway]

These are all excellent suggestions. Don't have much more to add, but feel free to PM if you have questions about what's going on in Taiwan right now.

FYI: been 20+ degrees every day this week here in Taipei.

[JohnnyB]

Been years since I lived there, but Taroko Gorge and Hualien were my favourite tourist destinations in the country. Otherwise, just getting out into the mountains and exploring smaller villages is wonderful in Taiwan. Really, Taiwan has awesome mountains, so renting a vehicle and getting into the centre of the island offers some amazing experiences.

[Flaming Choy]

Awesome guys, thanks for the suggestions. I think we'll have around a week of free time so I'll see what I can cram together.

@jwslam, that restaurant looks "$hitty" Forgot Asia has all these wacky themed restaurants. Will have to check some out.

Kenting is definitely on the list for sure. Will make sure we got high speed train.

Had DTF at a couple places (HK, Macau) but I love those dumplings, so I'll definitely be eating lots of them.

@HelloHockeyFans, Beef Noodle place added to the list. Sound delicious. Don't think meeting ladies will be on my list though, Fiancé won't approve. She did say it's her goal to have a bubble tea every hour and loves Lu Rou Fan, so got that covered.

@cheese, thanks, i'll look into the food suggestions.

@snootchiebootchies, We were hoping to go to Jiufen for engagement photos, but after looking at your link I want to stick around longer to explore. That area looks awesome! Also didn't know there's a Tim Ho Won's in Taipei. Went to the HK one (in the MTR station). BBQ Pork buns crossed with Pineapple buns, MOST DELICIOUS THING EVER!! Also cheapest Michelin Star restaurant I've been in. I will definitely be going there a couple times!!

@DoubleF, I read that as Fountain Beer at 7/11. That'd be awesome to just walking into 7/11 and get beer like fountain pop Can you drink in public in Taiwan? Might have to alternate between bubble tea and beer

@driveway, Thanks, I need to pick someone's brain about the Lantern Festival, so I'll be sending a PM for some details if you don't mind.

@JohnnyB, Driving in Asia scares me a little. I imagine I'd be hectic in Taipei, but is it easier in the countryside? The rural spots are definitely appealing to me.

Thanks again guys. Really appreciate it.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Flaming Choy

@DoubleF, I read that as Fountain Beer at 7/11. That'd be awesome to just walking into 7/11 and get beer like fountain pop Can you drink in public in Taiwan? Might have to alternate between bubble tea and beer

I drank in public in Taiwan. I am generally not aware of many places that disallow this. I even recall others walking around with beer cans in areas of Taipei, Taichung, Kenting and Kaosiung. I believe they view it similar to drinking a can of cola, but I am not local and do not know the laws, so I do not know for sure. I do believe it is frowned upon to be publicly intoxicated and belligerent though. Buzz, whatever. Fountain beer would be interesting, but I think finding a washroom is the biggest issue.

DO NOT OVERBUY! You will have warm beer fast and convenience stores are everywhere. Sweaty beers are also sucky. "Overpaying" for a beer in a convenience store in Asia is often a price difference around $0.50 CAD. Not a big deal to over pay for convenience.

In all honesty, I've always operated on just pleading ignorance and politely showing a Canadian passport if someone questions me. I am quite certain it's ok to have an open beer in most public places that allow beverages of any type to be consumed. You often seen people in or around 7-11 with a beer though and if the locals are doing it, I generally consider it a green light for myself as well.

I've also noted that Taiwan's drinking culture is very tame. Clubs and Karaoke are different things though than the typical bar, street food vendor or convenience store.

Driveway may know more than I though.

[driveway]

Totally fine to drink in public in Taiwan. I've bought beer at 7-11 and then wandered into malls and clothing stores while drinking. Or grabbed a beer and then jumped into a taxi while drinking.

Also, if you're at an eating place which doesn't sell beer, they are always fine with you heading to 7-11 to pick up a couple to have with your meal.

Being actively drunk and belligerent is definitely frowned upon, but you gotta be mind-warpingly drunk for it to be a real issue.

Unfortunately, the local mass-produced lager is easily one of the worst beers in Asia, so you may find yourself reaching for things like Busch or Kirin or Asahi which are a little more expensive.