Taiwan

Here is your quick guide to the country

2024

The Visa

Information about this Visa is based on American Citizenship

  • American citizens do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for business or social reasons if their stay is 90 days or less.

Foods to Try

  • Niu Rou Mian “Beef noodle soup”
  • Scallion and Daikon (Radish) Pancake
    • Wenzhou Street Daikon Pancake: very popular for these in Taipei
  • Hu Jiao Bing “Pork pepper bun” 
  • Danzai noodles 
  • Coffin Bread
  • Gua Bao
  • Duck
  • Hot Pot

Drinks

  • Papaya Milk
  • Bubble Tea (Boba)

Desserts

  • Baobing: shaved ice, most popular flavor is mango
  • Douhua: dessert made of soft tofu

Taipei

Things to do

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Things to Do

  • Taipei 101 Observatory
    • Open 11am-9pm
    • Cost 600NTD or around $19 to go to the top
  • Elephant Mountain 
    • Great city view point 
    • 15-20mins to reach the top 
  • Bopiliao Old Street
    • Historical Street 
  • Yangmingshan National Park
    • Take bus 260 from Taipei main station or the Red 30 or 208 bus from Jiantan MRT station 
    • Places to see there:
      • Zhuzihu
      • Erziping
      • Qingtiangang  
  • Ximending Walking Street
    • Rainbow road 
    • The Red House
  • Liberty Square
  • Pingxi Old Street 
  • Beitou Thermal Village 
  • Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall 
    • Free
  • Longshan Temple

Food Markets

  • Shilin Night Market
    • Biggest and most popular 
    • Open 4pm-12am 
  • Raohe Street Night Market 
    • Oldest of the markets 
    • Open 4pm-12am 
  • Hauxi Street Market
    • Open 4pm- 12am
    • Notable stalls
      • Yuan Fang Guabao
      • Wang’s Broth

5-6 days is good for Taipei

Jiufen & Shifen

Day Trip

Transportation

Taipei to Jiufen

Take the 965 tourist bus to Juifen and got off at the last stop. You can pay for it using your transit card; beware as the bus can fill up and they do not allow standing, meaning once the seats are filled in moves on.

Jiufen to Shifen

Take the train from Ruifang to get to Shifen. Trains run every hour and it takes about 15-20 minutes to get there.

Shifen back to Taipei 

Head back to Ruifang and take the train from there 

Things to do

Why Visit?

Jiufen and Shifen are must-visit destinations in Taiwan, known for their enchanting old streets, rich cultural heritage, and stunning scenery. Jiufen charms visitors with its lantern-lit alleys, teahouses, and breathtaking mountain views, while Shifen captivates with its majestic waterfall and the iconic sky lantern tradition along the railway market. Perfect for a day trip, these spots offer an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Check out my vlog Here.

Jiufen

  • Jiufen Xiahai City God temple
  • Jiufen Old Street
    • Lots of street food to try here.
  • A-Mei Teahouse (spirited away area)
    • Tea is overpriced here. 
  • A-Gan-Yi Taro Ball
    • A dessert that is great to try iced 

Shifen

  • Shifen Old Street
  • Light a lantern
    • Write a wish on a lantern, light it up,  and set it free. 
  • Shifen Waterfall
    • 15 min walk away from the Old Steet