As Taiwan extended its visa free
entry for Filipinos till July 2019, me and my sister together with our besties went to Taiwan for a five day trip. We board a plane bound
to Taipei to explore its wonders and nature. Taiwan is just an hour and fifty
minutes flight from Manila. We stayed there for five days and four nights
covering mostly the north and central attractions of Taiwan.
Better check the weather forecast before going here. We did check the weather but when we arrived there it is gloomy and raining all throughout our stay. If you are planning to visit Taiwan anytime soon here are some of the tourist attractions you must go.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL (MNL - TPE)
We arrived in Taoyuan
International Airport midday of Friday, March 22 and we did not expect that
there are a lot of tourist coming in that day as the queue to the immigration
is very long. It will only take you a minute or less in the immigration but
because of the queue we stayed there for about an hour or more. After passing the
immigration we decided to grab some lunch before going to our air bnb home.
How to get to Ximending:
1. From Taoyuan International airport we took the train going to Taipei main station. Fare is around 160NTD and it will take you for about forty minutes.
2. Take the Blue Line train going to Ximen station. It is only one stop from the Taipei main station.
Our home for five days is just a twelve minute walk from Ximen station and around the Ximending Shopping District. It is like the Myeongdong of Taiwan. There are a lot of food, souvenir items, and cosmetic shops around here.
1. From Taoyuan International airport we took the train going to Taipei main station. Fare is around 160NTD and it will take you for about forty minutes.
2. Take the Blue Line train going to Ximen station. It is only one stop from the Taipei main station.
Our home for five days is just a twelve minute walk from Ximen station and around the Ximending Shopping District. It is like the Myeongdong of Taiwan. There are a lot of food, souvenir items, and cosmetic shops around here.
While we were wandering around the neighborhood we found an area where walls are painted with art. Great spot for taking pictures too.
DAY 2: YEHLIU & JIUFEN
How to get to Yehliu Geopark:
1. Go to Taipei Main station. Just outside Taipei Main station you can locate the Kaokong Bus terminal station.
2. Ride bus number 1815 going to Yehliu. This is a direct bus going to Yehliu (the most convenient way if you are doing a DIY trip). You can pay using the easycard. The ride from Kaokong bus terminal to Yehliu is about an hour and forty five minutes. The bus driver announces the next stop or you can check the next stop prompted on the screen.
3. Alight in Yehliu and from there you can walk to Yehliu Geopark for about ten to fifteen minutes. The entrance fee cost 80NTD.
We stop by Yehliu fishing port to take some photos. This is also your landmark, if you pass by this area you are just a few steps away from the park.
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| @inhyeongsa003 |
Yehliu Geopark is famous for its
eroded rock formations such as the Queen’s head. The constant erosion caused by
wind and waves have resulted in the spectacular rock formations on going
delicate state so please beware of the sign and do not touch the rock forms and
do not cross the boundary lines as the marshals and officials guarding the area
will blow their whistle if they see you violating the rules. It is near the sea
and they are ensuring the tourist safety as well as protecting the rock
formations.
@mhayfestin
How to get to Jiufen from Yehliu:
There is no direct bus going to Jiufen from Yehliu. Go back to the place where you alight the bus earlier and just cross the street.
1. From Yehliu ride bus number 769 to Keelung.
2. Alight in Keelung, cross the road via the skybridge. You do not have to look and walk too far, just after the sky-bridge is the bus stop going to Jiufen. Ride bus number 788 and alight in Jiufen Old Street.
From Yehliu the information center told us that bus interval is every twenty minutes but it took more than that and we waited for almost an hour. This is where we regret not taking the taxi ride going to Jiufen. Taking the bus from Yehliu to Keelung and from Keelung to Jiufen is about three hours and a half. Excluding the time we waited for the buses to arrive. We also got confused and lost for a bit on where the bus stop is going to Jiufen. Imagine the gloomy weather, the drizzle combined with cold weather we had our fair share of lack of better judgment that time. The bus fare is really cheap but we’d rather encourage you to take the taxi to save time and it is more convenient, going by taxi will only take you for about twenty five minutes from Yehliu to Jiufen.
We arrived at Jiufen around three in the afternoon. We were so cold and hungry at the same time so we decided to sit and eat first. Our total food cost 310NTD.
Jiufen Old Street is in the
northern east coast of Taipei and it is the most picturesque and celebrated
area. It is barely wide enough for five people to pass by each other. It is
lined with stalls and eateries selling specialty food treats, craft shops and
rustic tea houses with ocean view.
There is no direct bus going to Jiufen from Yehliu. Go back to the place where you alight the bus earlier and just cross the street.
1. From Yehliu ride bus number 769 to Keelung.
2. Alight in Keelung, cross the road via the skybridge. You do not have to look and walk too far, just after the sky-bridge is the bus stop going to Jiufen. Ride bus number 788 and alight in Jiufen Old Street.
From Yehliu the information center told us that bus interval is every twenty minutes but it took more than that and we waited for almost an hour. This is where we regret not taking the taxi ride going to Jiufen. Taking the bus from Yehliu to Keelung and from Keelung to Jiufen is about three hours and a half. Excluding the time we waited for the buses to arrive. We also got confused and lost for a bit on where the bus stop is going to Jiufen. Imagine the gloomy weather, the drizzle combined with cold weather we had our fair share of lack of better judgment that time. The bus fare is really cheap but we’d rather encourage you to take the taxi to save time and it is more convenient, going by taxi will only take you for about twenty five minutes from Yehliu to Jiufen.
We arrived at Jiufen around three in the afternoon. We were so cold and hungry at the same time so we decided to sit and eat first. Our total food cost 310NTD.
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| #CarmenInJiufen :P |
We arrived at Jiufen behind our schedule and we are freezing already so we have to give up going to Shifen to fly lanterns and head back straight to Ximending.
How to get to Ximending from Jiufen:
1. Ride bus number 965 and alight in Ximen station. This is a direct bus going to Ximen. You can use the easycard to pay for the fare and it will took you for almost two hours to get back to Ximending.
DAY 3: RAINBOW VILLAGE, ZONGSHE FLOWER MARKET & SHILIN NIGHT MARKET
This tour covers the attractions via the Taipei metro rail. It is easy and convenient because the attractions are just a few steps away from the stations.
It was pouring hard when we arrive at Longshan temple. Despite that many people came to pray.
How to get to Taichung:
We booked our high speed rail ticket through Klook.
1. From Taipei main station, go to the high speed rail gate and locate the ticketing window. Since we had our voucher we have to get our ticket first. You need to show your voucher and your passport. Be mindful of your platform, train and car number as well as your seat assignment. It will only take you forty five minutes to reach Taichung station.
Arriving at Taichung station, we saw how heavy the rain was outside unlike the other days which are mostly just drizzle. It’s like the gloomy weather is following us wherever we go. First we thought of taking the bus going to Rainbow Village but the bus will arrive after an hour so we decided to take the taxi going to Rainbow Village and Zongshe Flower market.
From Taichung station it only took as ten to twelve minutes to reach Rainbow Village. It is still pouring when we get there so taking pictures is a struggle. It will only take you for about fifteen minutes to explore the area as it is just small.
Rainbow Village is just ten
minutes away from Taichung high-speed rail station (HSR). It is an area of former
veteran homes which was saved from being demolished as one of the old veterans
there painted the area with vibrant colors and quirky art works which now
become a popular photo opt spot.
We booked our high speed rail ticket through Klook.
1. From Taipei main station, go to the high speed rail gate and locate the ticketing window. Since we had our voucher we have to get our ticket first. You need to show your voucher and your passport. Be mindful of your platform, train and car number as well as your seat assignment. It will only take you forty five minutes to reach Taichung station.
Arriving at Taichung station, we saw how heavy the rain was outside unlike the other days which are mostly just drizzle. It’s like the gloomy weather is following us wherever we go. First we thought of taking the bus going to Rainbow Village but the bus will arrive after an hour so we decided to take the taxi going to Rainbow Village and Zongshe Flower market.
From Taichung station it only took as ten to twelve minutes to reach Rainbow Village. It is still pouring when we get there so taking pictures is a struggle. It will only take you for about fifteen minutes to explore the area as it is just small.
From Rainbow Village our taxi took us to Zongshe Flower market and the ride took us for about forty minutes. The entrance fee to the flower market is 120NTD. There is a buffet area at the flower market if you choose to avail their buffet meal you can have a free ticket to the flower market.
Zongshe Guangguang Flower market has beautiful flowers blooming all year round. Every corner is IG worthy. This place is perfect for flower enthusiast.
Zongshe Guangguang Flower market has beautiful flowers blooming all year round. Every corner is IG worthy. This place is perfect for flower enthusiast.
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| @mycarmenjoy |
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| #CrisInTheMill :) |
Our taxi takes us back at Taichung high speed rail station and we spend 2,000NTD for the entire ride. The taxi driver is nice and his car is spacious. To avoid our dilemma from yesterday we take the taxi for this tour. It is a nice and smooth day for us without the hassle of waiting and looking for the bus stop except for the weather.
We took the high speed train again through KKday from Taichung to Taipei main station. Unfortunately we do not have reserved seats so the whole ride we were standing on our way back.
We had our meal at the Taipei main station. Our meal cost us 150NTD each. Their serving is really big which can be good for sharing though we are not sure if the idea of sharing food is OK.
How to get to Shilin Night Market:
1. From Taipei main station, ride the Red line train and alight in Jiantan station.
2. Just outside Jiantan station is the Shilin Night market.
Shilin Night market is one of the recommended night markets to go to. We just stroll around for a bit and did not stay there for long. The market is just small and we did not see many food stalls. There are more stores with games (like “perya games” style in the Philippines) rather than food so we just head back home. But if you are into fun games you’ll enjoy this market.
DAY 4: TAIPEI CITY TOUR
This tour covers the attractions via the Taipei metro rail. It is easy and convenient because the attractions are just a few steps away from the stations.
It was pouring hard when we arrive at Longshan temple. Despite that many people came to pray.
How to get to Longshan Temple:
1. Take the Blue Line to Longshan Temple (龍山寺), the temple is located just north of the station plaza, Exit 1.
We head straight to S.Y.S Memorial Hall praying for a better weather. Luckily when we get there the rain stopped.
How to get to S.Y.S. Memorial Hall:
1. Take the Blue Line 5 to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station (國父紀念館), sometimes labeled as "S.Y.S. Memorial Hall".
From S.Y.S Memorial Hall you can see Taipei 101 as it is a super tall skyscraper in Xinyi District.
After visiting the attractions for the Blue line train we went back to Ximending for lunch. We had our lunch at Ah Mao Risotto instead of going to Modern Toilet. This one is cheaper and has a very cute interior and mascot.
With our tummy full and a new energy we head back on the road to go to Chiang kai shek.
How to get to Chiang kai Shek Memorial Hall:
1. Take Red Line or Green Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂), sometimes labeled as C.K.S. Memorial Hall.
One of our main goal is to see a cherry blossom. Fortunately we get the chance to see one at Chiang Kai shek. Though the flowers are starting to fall we still get to manage to take a nice photo with it.
We went to Raohe night market to buy pasalubong. This night market is bigger and better than Shilin and the price is much affordable here.
How to get to Raohe Night Market
1. Take the Green Line 3 to the terminal station Songshan (松山), exit 5. The night market entrance is just to the right across the street next to the temple.
DAY 5: DEPARTURE (TPE - MNL)
Our flight back to Manila is at ten in the morning. We just packed our bags the night before to ensure that we will be on time to give ourselves enough time to reach the airport and to settle things.
Breakdown of Expenses:
Round-trip Airfare: Php8,470 with 20Kg check in baggage
: Php6,770 no check in baggage
Our airfare is the lowest fare from Air Asia as we are not lucky when it comes to seat sale so if you score a seat sale then you'll expense will be much lower than what we have.
Accommodation (5D4N): Php12,1086.44 (Php3,027.61 per pax)
Taiwan High Speed Rail: Php1,377.50 per pax
( Taipei - Taichung Php959 (buy 1 take 1 via klook))
( Taichung - Taipei Php898 with 20% discount(via KKday))
SIM card: Php385 (booked thru Klook)
Pocket Money: 5,874NTD (around Php10,000 each) **rate of 1NTD to PHP that time is 1.6
Expenses:
- 900NTD easycard (covers all transportation expenses excluding THSR and taxi fare in
Taichung)
- 500NTD per pax taxi fare in Taichung
- 2,000NTD food estimated
- 200NTD entrance fee (Yehliu Geopark and Zongshe flower market)
For us, ten thousand pesos is already enough to cover our five days stay in Taiwan. Me and my sister only had nine thousand for both of us but we manage to maximize that. We only added a few thousand bucks when it is time to buy souvenir and gift items for family and friends. Our friends did not max out their pocket money too.
Our trip in Taiwan is a memorable one as we had our fair share of funny and embarrassing stories that highlights our whole journey. Even though we crossed out some attractions on our list due to the bad weather we did not regret it. On a positive note, we will always have something to look forward to in visiting Taiwan for the next time.
Photos taken by Canon EOS800D shot by @inhyeongsa003
Edited by @mhayfestin @mycarmenjoy @choistephie
Others are taken from our personal mobile phones.
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