This trip is one for the books! Definitely one of the best birthday celebrations I've had. I've been dreaming to visit this place ever since my F4 addiction sparkled as a kid. Yes, I was a die hard fan. Nevertheless, spending the Christmas holiday in Taiwan with my family and boyfriend made my birthday extra special.
Taipei City is known for shopping streets, modern buildings, street foods, night markets, and of course, the Taipei 101 (that was once the tallest building in the world). I personally enjoyed the food hunting game Allen and I did in Shilin Night Market, and of course the view of the city from the Taipei 101.
December is actually their winter or cold season, but due to Climate change, when we stayed there it was actually hot. It was cold during the night, but not freezing cold as we were expecting. It is indeed very important to check the weather for you not to bring wrong set of clothes!
How to get there?
We booked our flight from Dec 21 - 25, 2016 via Cebu Pacific for P 7,879.00. Flight to Taipei is actually expensive even if it is on seat sale, and it is not everyday Cebu Pac flies to Taipei.
Visa is needed upon entering Taiwan for Filipinos. There are 2 options:
1. You can apply directly to the embassy or with the assistant of your preferred travel agency. Click here for visa requirements
2. Visa free entry if you are currently holding one of the following valid documents issued (visa) by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, or any of the signatories to the Schengen Agreement. You just need to type in your personal information and current visa information from the countries I mentioned. You just need to print out the certificate, and you are good to go! Click here for authorization certificate form
Where to stay?
We stayed at Hotel B located at Songshan District. It is a 15-min walk goint to the nearest MRT station. The rooms are clean, big, and comfortable to stay at. I highly recommend this hotel.
Getting around the city
It would be easy and convenient if you buy an MRT pass. They have an unlimited MRT pass that is perfect for travellers/tourists.
1 day pass - NT $150
2 day pass - NT $180
3 day pass - NT $280
4 day pass - NT $380
Places we visited in Taipei, Taiwan
1. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
2. Huashan 1914 Creative Park
It is a multi-purpose park located in the heart of Taipei City. This park has a modern-retro vibe that is great for chilling with family and friends. They have restaurants, shops, art galleries, cafes, and more! I stumbled to a place where group of creative people were printing using a 3d printer. You can actually go inside and check out what they are doing, just don't distract them or touch anything that could cause chaos. Hihi!
3. Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is the "World's Tallest Green Building", and was once the tallest building in the world until Burj Khalifa in Dubai was built. Tapei 101 is making all the efforts for a major eco-upgrades to lower the cost of energy and to save money as well! What a bright idea, right?
Located at the lower levels of Taipei 101 are luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Miu-Miu, and more!!!!
4. National Revolutionary Martyr's Shrine
5. Fort San Domingo
6. National Palace Museum
7. Shilin Night Market
I super love this place since it has everything - food, clothes, shoes, pasalubongs, and more! Spent the night here with my boyfriend filling up our stomach with delicious street food! We just took a taxi from our hotel because we were too tired to take the train. Haha!
8. Taipei Zoo
It is literally far away from the city! It took as 1 hr to get to the zoo via train.Entrance fee: NT $60
9. Hello Kitty Kitchen and Dining
For the sake of my sister, Allen and I accompanied Martha to dine in, and to enjoy the place. I'm not quite comfortable with all the pink stuff around me because it is not really my type. Hence, the food was so great though so expensive!
All photos are owned by the writer and owner of this blog.
© Monica Peralta
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