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:
The Flip Flop Hostel with a little needed color
Blowtorch preparation for tender pork snacks at Shilin Night Market
Three good friends arm in arm in arm
A couple colorful backpacks and umbrella
Line moved fast and the unagi bento at Hizen-Ya was worth the wait (though a bit pricey).
We just wanted to stop in for a little bit, but stayed over an hour at Mama Umbrella Shop
Awesome Mazou’s Temple in Songshan district near Songshan station
Light exercise at Peace Memorial Park
It’s time to make the Xiao Long Baos — the famous dumplings from Din Tai Fung
The Dogo Hot Spring Wind Up Memorial Clock (phew!)
Handmade “Woodman” keychains at Mama Umbrella shop
As always, when available, bike around a city you’re visiting. U Bike was an especially cheap transportation option.
Huayin Street with red banners for Lunar New Year
Green onions wrapped in pork at Shilin Night Market
Colorful snacks lined up at Taipei Main Station
A quick taro snack break in the Wu Fen Pu garment district
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.