A recent two day trip to Taipei gave me a small sampling of what Taiwan has to offer. And I liked what I was able to see.
Taipei is everything I imagined Japan to be like: good, quality food, good shopping, clean and law-abiding, polite people, but at a affordable price point.
Given, the city itself wasn’t much to look at, but for the 48 hours I spent there with my sister, Taipei embedded itself onto the short list of international cities that I’d like to explore further.
Here’s 16 photos from my Instragram detailing my quick jaunt to Taipei:
A couple colorful backpacks and umbrella
As always, when available, bike around a city you’re visiting. U Bike was an especially cheap transportation option.
We just wanted to stop in for a little bit, but stayed over an hour at Mama Umbrella Shop
The Dogo Hot Spring Wind Up Memorial Clock (phew!)
Colorful snacks lined up at Taipei Main Station
A quick taro snack break in the Wu Fen Pu garment district
Blowtorch preparation for tender pork snacks at Shilin Night Market
The Flip Flop Hostel with a little needed color
Awesome Mazou’s Temple in Songshan district near Songshan station
Green onions wrapped in pork at Shilin Night Market
Handmade “Woodman” keychains at Mama Umbrella shop
Huayin Street with red banners for Lunar New Year
Three good friends arm in arm in arm
Line moved fast and the unagi bento at Hizen-Ya was worth the wait (though a bit pricey).
It’s time to make the Xiao Long Baos — the famous dumplings from Din Tai Fung
Light exercise at Peace Memorial Park
And those photos don’t account for the street dumplings, the hot springs on Xingyi Rd., the Eslite Spectrum, and the Lightning Chocolate. I’ll be back, Taipei.