2nd July FROM THE AIRPORT
We arrived at 6.30pm and proceeded for the Free-go bus from airport, which heads down to our hotel located at XMD / Ximen MRT station. We check-in to our rooms and headed for shopping within the area. As it started downpouring, we continued to shop before we headed for KTV at Partyworld. I perfectly enjoyed the session as it brings a different kinda atmosphere (with good surround sound system & equipped with toilet!). We sang from 11.30pm till 4.30am as we we given an additional hour (1 hr free upon showing student pass).
3rd July TO YANG MING SHAN
The hotel provided daily breakfast from 7.30am to 10am. We didnt managed to enjoy the breakfast, and neither did we eat anything before proceeding for our journey. We took 捷晕（MRT) to Jiantan, then take bus Red 5 for YMS. Ticket fare for bus is NTD15. The bus journey takes about 50 mins from Jiantan / Shilin Station. We bought the Taipei Day Pass for NT180 which enables us to travel unlimited by bus or train. Alternatively, one could also purchase Easycard, where it act like an EzyLink card with stored value.Upon reaching YMS (at the final stop), there's a bus 108 which connects several spots in the park. Note that the service is more frequent on weekends. Alternatively, take bus 260 from outside Taipei Main Station (East Exit 3). Operation hrs: 0700 to 1730 hrs. You can alight at any of the stops along the route. The attractions frequently visited are:
| Yangmingshuwu | Former President Chiang Kai Shek’s office and first home |
| Zhuzhihu (Bamboo Lake) | This place is a “must-see”. Visit the white calla lily farms. Alight at Zhuzhihu stop and walk about 30 mins (about 1.5km into the side road) It can be a quite tough with two young children in tow. Ask anyone for directions if in doubt. |
| Erzhiping (Butterfly Corridor) | Best times to watch butterflies are during butterfly season May and June 0800 to 1400 hrs. |
| Xiaoyoukeng | A sulphur pit on Mt Qixing. Sulphur odour is release. |
| Lengshuikeng | Walk 6 mins to the Lengshuikeng hot springs. The water is milky white in color due to sulphur content in the water. |
| Cingtiangang | This plateau is formed from lava from Mt Zhugao |
| Meng Huan Lake (Songluo Lake) | Also known as Seventeen Lake. Alight at Lengshuikeng stop and walk 10 mins. Enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the lake and surrounds. |
| Chungshan Building | This building where Former President Chiang Kai Shek entertained guests is now open to the public for viewing. |
BEITOU HOT SPRING
As the weather was pretty cold that particular afternoon, we headed for hot spring right after. We took bus 260 back to Jiantan station and took a train to Xin Beitou station. As we walked along the street, we noticed a span and clean building providing hot spring service. I enjoyed soaking myself in that warm / cold water. I will definately go there again.
3rd July DANSHUI
| Danshui Old Street | Located on the left side after you exit from Danshui MRT entrance. |
| Fisherman Wharf | The best time to see the sunset is about 5pm. Make sure you reach Danshui earlier because you will need to take a bus from MRT to Fisherman's Wharf. About 15 min ride. |
SHILIN NIGHT MARKET (3rd July)
Take the MRT and alight at Jiantan Station. Shilin night market is open 7 days a week. Business starts around dinner time and remains open till as late as 0200 hrs.
MIRAMAR FERRIS WHEEL (3rd July)
Miramar – Board the mall free shuttle bus from Jiantan MRT Station (exit 1)
C.K.S MEMORIAL HALL (4th July)
Take MRT trains on light green line to CKS Memorial Hall Station use exit 5.
WU-FEN-PU WHOLESALE GARMENT MARKET (4th July)
10-15 minutes' walk from Hou-shan-pai Station (exit 4) Turn left on exit, walk straight 7 to 8 mins along Yongji Rd to corner of Zhong Po N Rd. Alternatively, board railway trains to Songshan Railway Station. Exit station, cross road and walk into Wu Fen Pu.
Wu-fen-pu is a huge cluster of shops selling trendy clothes at ex factory prices
· Open 7 days a week.
· Most stores open from around noon till past midnight. Best time to go is after 1500 hrs.
· On Sundays, stores may close earlier after 2100 hrs. Monday is reserved for wholesalers. Still can go, but may not get services as good as usual.
TAIPEI 101 (4th July)
Take the MRT and alight at Taipei Station. Xinyi District. Walk 10 minutes.
Jolin's Nail Salon at Eslite Xinyi level 6
TO JIUFEN (5th July)
Jiufen is a quaint village on a hilltop with good views of the mountains, the Yin Yang Sea and Pacific Ocean. Jiufen was once a flourishing mining town. After World War II, the mining industry ended. The internationally acclaimed Taiwanese movie “City of Sadness” was shot here and focused on Jiufen’s colorful past. Jiufen prospered again and the crowds came to stroll on the stepped alleys till this day. Take a walk through Chishan Street (Jiufen Old Street) and the alleyways. Feel the chill of the cool mountain air. Watch the sun set through the clouds. Visit Jiufen Goldmine, old Shengping Theatre and traditional teahouses with open-air roof terraces for dining, tea drinking. Look up at the moon and stars in the quiet of the night.
Local cuisine include Yu Yuan (Taro balls), sweet potato balls, Hong Zhao Ba Wan (pork marinated in red wine), beef noodles, fish stew etc. Hsienkuang cakes, Tai Yang Ping (sun biscuits), Mua-chi, herbal cakes are favourite foodstuffs amongst travelers to Jiufen.
TRAVELLING AROUND
MRT/ Bus
You can purchase an Easy Card which can be used or both the MRT and Buses from the Info counter at the MRT Stations or any 7/11 convenience store - Costs NT500 (Incld the NT100 refundable deposit)
TRA Price: http://service.tra.gov.tw/tw/ticketprice/Excel.aspx
ACCOMODATION
This is a "Budget" Hotel Chain .Their standard rooms for some of their hotels after discount are within your budget. Link: http://www.ffh.com.tw/english/index.html
Please read this related thread: tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293913-i9546-k155…
It is convenient to get about the shopping malls / dept stores using Taipei Metro (MRT) which takes just a few minutes. They are grouped based on proximity to each other.
Taipei MRT System Map: www.tit.com.tw/upimg/ebig/7012218244629.JPG
FOOD / RESTAURANTS
| Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe (http://www.sanrio.com.tw) Sec. 1, Da-an Rd. 90, Taipei, Taiwan (02) 2711-1132 Exit Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station (Take exit 3) Serves desserts during 2-5. Go before 2 or after 5 when it's dinner time if you want to try their main courses. | A380 In-Flight Kitchen Restaurant No. 168 Dingzhou Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市汀州路三段168號) Gongguan MRT Station, use exit 1. |
| BU BU 金屋藏車食堂 Car Theme Restaurant Exit Shipai MRT Station, turn right and cross the road at traffic light junction. Board bus Red 19 to last stop (bus terminal) OR board bus 220 on Chungshan N Rd Sec 4 (Jiantan MRT Station) to last stop terminal. From the bus terminal, walk down the street on the left side for about 2 mins. P.S Forum comment small area with poor service. | Fatimaid Cosplay Restaurant Taipei City Mall (台北地下街美食一區3號) near the No. 1 North Entrance (北一號入口). |
| The Jail (惡魔島) B1-1F 37 Lane 187, Tun Hua South Road Section 1
| Toilet Bowl Taipei Metro, Hsinpu Station, Exit 1 (02) 8253-7767 |
| Mr.J 義法廚房 (http://www.mrj-tw.com/) Italian Food Restaurant below NT200 台北市光復南路308巷43號 (02)2731-2245 | DS Hospital Restaurant 7 Xinsheng N Rd Sec 3, Zhongshan Dist, Taipei Telephone: (02) 2587 3226 (台北市中山區新生北路三段７號)
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| Soy Milk King of the World (世界豆漿大王) 284 Yonghe Road Sec. 2. Tel:+886 2 8927-0000. Near the MRT Dingxi Station, located just outside of Taipei City, in Yonghe City. It's the original "Yonghe Doujiang" (from which all other places copied), it's open 24-hours and it's cheap! | |
| Mr.Baoz 包子先生(http://www.mrbaoz.com.tw) 台北市北投區石牌路二段77號Tel:02-2821-5252 | |
OTHERS
Guess 我猜 at 02-27813888 ~535, after 2:00 pm weekdays
