5 Jul
Taiwan Trip Summary:6D6N @ Taipei & Yilan, Taiwan
Our “hand-made” guide book with maps and all…
Yes we are back from a 6D6N food trip to Taiwan. We flew Malaysia Airlines and of course,we got a very good seat experience for a decent shut eye. Before we knew it, four hours passed and we arrived to Taoyuan International Airport. Here’s our executive summary, more on the details later!
Day 2
Fu Hang Soy Bean @ HuaShan Market 阜杭豆漿 - Taiwan Story Land 台灣故事館 - Ah Sui Sai Pork’s Trotter 阿水獅豬腳大王 - 688 Beef Noodles 牛爸爸牛肉麵 - 101, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, New York New York - Shida Night Market 師大夜市
Day 3
Yang Ming Shan National Park 陽明山國家公園 - BeiTou (hot spring) 北投 - DanShui Old Street 淡水老街 - Lover’s Bridge & Fisherman Wharf 情人桥,淡水漁人碼頭 - Xi Men Ding 西門町
Day 4
JingTong 菁桐 - PingShi 平溪 - ShiFen 十分 - Jiufen 九份 - Windsor B&B 溫莎堡景觀民宿 - Seafood Dinner near KeeLung 基隆
Day 5
LuoDong, Yilan 羅東鎮,宜蘭 : Yilan Braised Duck - Lo Dong Night Market 羅東觀光夜市 - Rothenburg Bed & Breakfast 羅騰堡民宿
Day 6
Dong Shan River Park 冬山河親水公園 - Wu Fen Pu 五分埔商圈 + Raohe Street Night Market - Tripod King Ma La Steamboat 鼎王麻辣鍋
Day 1
Taoyuan International Airport
Transportation Information:
http://www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw/english/transportation/taipei_e.jsp
Things to Do:
1. Redeem Digital Tour Buddy (consist of a hand set, sim card with talk time of NT200 and phone charger). Remember to apply online 7 days before departure.
2. Apply for Youth Travel Card at the tourism passenger service centers or any of the NYC Youth Hub nationwide to enjoy Youth Travel Special Discount.
Just to see two of the museum’s most treasured objets d’art-Jadeite Cabbage & Meat Shaped Jasper.
National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院
Operating Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
Extended Hours: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM every Saturday (during extended evening hours, free admission)
Getting Here:
Take the Red Line to the Shilin Station. At Exit 1, take bus R30 (Red 30) to the National Palace Museum.
Other routes that will take you to and near the Museum plaza are buses 255, 304, Minibus 18 and Minibus 19.
Shihlin Night Market士林夜市
Getting Here:
Take the Red Line to Jiantan Station. The food court is located directly across the street from the station with the rest of the night market spreading out to the north.
From Top L to Bottom R:
1. Very Juicy Meat Rolls with Spring Onions NT 10
2. A very popular stall with perpetual queue - Fu Zhou Peppery Sao Bing NT 45
3. Famous Oyster Omelette inside the food court NT 50
4. Must try Ah Sheng’s Big Sausage Wrapped Small Sausage NT 50
5. Trademark of Shihlin Night Market - Big Biscuit Wrapped Small Biscuit NT 30
6. Huge Bubble Milk Tea for only NT 30
DAY 2
Fu-Hang Dou Jiang 阜杭豆漿
2F, Huashan Market Building.
Operating Hours: 530 am to 1030 am daily
Getting Here:
Take the Blue Line to Shandao Temple Station. At exit 5, the Huashan Market Building is on your right.
A typical Taiwanese breakfast at it’s best - salted soy milk, thick flat bread with deep-fried dough sticks, thin flat bread stuffed with eggs and green onions, shao bing
Taiwan Story Land 台灣故事館
50, ZhongXiao W.Rd, Sec. 1, B2 (basement of K-Mall)
Operating Hours: 1030am to 11pm daily
Getting Here:
Take exit 6/8 from Taipei Main Station and walk to the B2 level of K-Mall (next to ShinKong Tower)
Admission Ticket: NT 280 with NT 150 cash voucher
Ah Sui Sai King of Pork Trotters 阿水獅豬腳大王
1, Ln 235, Sec 4, Zhong Xiao E. Road, Taipei.
(MRT Zong Xiao Dun Hua station exit 3)
Operating Hours: 10am to 9pm
Are you rubbing your eyes? Beef Noodles for NT 1000, 3000 & 10000 (RM 111, 333, 1110)?
688 Beef Noodles 牛爸爸牛肉麵
16, Alley 27, Ln 216, Sec 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Taipei
台北市忠孝東路四段216巷27弄16號
(MRT Zong Xiao Dun Hua station exit 3)
Operating Hours: 11am to 9pm
101, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, New York New York
Getting Here:
Take the Blue Line to the City Hall Station exit 2 and continue by (FREE) shuttle bus to Taipei 101. Hours of operation are 1100-2100, with buses coming every 15 minutes on weekends and every 20 minutes on weekdays.
From Top L to Bottom R:
1. TangLung braised stuff - our plate costs NT 135
2. Arnold’s Crepe - the best that we have ever had! NT 40
3. Xu Kee Pan Fried Bao - the queue was crazy! NT 7 for one
4. Salted Chicken NT 60 for a quarter chicken - kgboy’s favourite!
* all four stalls are using this digital numbering system (just like the banks). Just press for a number and wait patiently. Trust me, the wait is totally worth while!
Shida Night Market 師大路夜市
Getting Here:
Take exit No. 3 of the Taipower Building (台電大樓) MRT Station (Green Line).
DAY 3
Yang Ming Shan National Park 陽明山國家公園
Getting Here:
From exit M1 of Taipei Main Station, take bus 260 to Yang Ming Shan main bus station. From there, get a unlimited bus ride for leisure bus 108 (NT 60) to go around Yang Ming Shan area.
Our Japanese Style Hot Spring Villa - NT 200 per person
BeiTou (Hot Spring) 北投
Getting Here:
From Yang Ming Shan, take bus 230 to Xin Beitou MRT Station.
Danshui Old Street 淡水老街
Getting Here:
Turn left as you exit the MRT and then turn right along the river to get the DanShui Old Street.
From Top L to Bottom R:
1. Mister Donut - say good bye to Krispy Kreme. NT 25 - Nt 45 for one
2. NT 10 ice cream that sucks
3. huge barbequed squids NT 50
4. Sing-Ya Dorayaki - very very delicious. NT 35 for one
5. Ah Ma’s sour plum drink that tasted weird
6. DanShui’s A-Gei - delicious! NT 30
Lover’s Bridge & Fisherman’s Wharf 情人桥,淡水漁人碼頭
Getting Here:
Take the Red Line to Danshui station, and then transfer to Bus Red-26, 836, or 837. Alternatively, take a ferry ride from Danshui Ferry Pier to fisherman’s wharf (NT 50, more expensive).
Ah Zong Mee Sua & Cheng Du Star Fruits Ice/Pineapple Ice
西門町 XiMenDing
Getting Here:
Ximending is accessible via exit 6 of Ximen Station (Blue Line)
Day 4
Riding the humble Pingshi line in northern Taiwan to three deserted mining town in Taiwan - JingTong 菁桐 - PingShi 平溪 - ShiFen 十分 makes a great day trip.
Getting Here:
From Taipei main station, take Taiwan Railway to RueiFang station. From there, buy a one day pass at NT 54 for unlimited rides along Pingshi line. Most people will start from the last station JingTong, before making pit stops at PingShi station and ShiFen station.
JingTong. JingTong train station - one of the three Japanese style wooden train station left in Taiwan.
JingTong. Here you can write your wishes on bamboo sticks and hang them up.
PingShi. Buy a paper lanterns from the grocery shops along the old street and bring it to Pingshi Sky Lantern Park.
PingShi. Be taken aback by the grandeur and beauty as the lanterns carrying our wishes are sent off to the heaven.
ShiFen. Shifen old street-train passes through the resident area, right in front of their doors
ShiFen Scenic Area
JiuFen 九份
Getting Here:
1.From Taipei, take the train north to Ruifang Station. From Ruifang take the Keelung Transit bus from the bus stops in front of the train station to Jiufen. Be sure to line up across the road to go to Jiufen and Jinguashi.
2.From Taipei, take the Jiufen bus from the Adventist Hospital bus stop on Bade Road, east of the intersection with Fuxing Road. Alternatively, take the same bus from Songshan station or Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station Exit # 1.
From Top L to Bottom R:
1. Famous Aunty Ah Gan Yam Balls & Sweet Potato Balls NT40
2. Ah Lan’s glutinous rice cake NT 10
3. JiuFen Red Wine MeatBall with Glutinous Rice Skin NT 40
4. JiuFen’s fishballs that tasted bad NT 25
Windsor Bed & Breakfast 溫莎堡景觀民宿
NT 3200 per night. The B&B’s owner, Mr Hsu will provide pick up services from Rueifang Train Station. It was very kind of him to offer to bring us around JiuFen & Jinguashi too.
Squid Sausages - made of squid and squid ink.
Mr Hsu & wife brought us to this seafood restaurant near the port for a scrumptious dinner before we call it a night.
Day 5
Breakfast, made with love by Mrs. Hsu.
From RueiFang station, we took a train to Luodong Station 羅東鎮 (Yilan County). We stopped by this famous braised duck place for lunch.
LuoDong Night Market 羅東觀光夜市 is awesome! The food stalls offer vastly different snacks and food from Taipei’s night market.
From Top L to Bottom R:
1. Yilan Spring Onion Dough - very sweet and juicy. NT 35
2. Dragon Phoenix Roll - its actually minced pork wrapped with lard’s net. so sinful! NT 35
3. Yilan Fried Pork - very flavorful. NT 50
4. Yilan Spring Onion Bing NT 35
5. Dang Gui Mutton Soup - the boss was interviewed by a host from Hong Kong’s tv station while we were eating there. NT 50
6. Stinky Tofu - we were shocked because it stinks so much! but it was sooo good! NT 30
Rothenburg Bed & Breakfast 羅騰堡民宿
NT 3300 per night. Our host picked us up from LuoDong night market. 10 minutes later, we arrived to our B&B and were stunned by what greeted us.
Good night’s sleep.
Breakfast was splendid, with a grand variety of delicious food. It made us feel at home so much.
We cycled around Dong Shan River Park 冬山河親水公園 and did nothing for the rest of the day.
Paddy Field in front of our B&B.
The owner, Mr Hsu offered to drive us around Yilan to do some sightseeing but we have to turn him down. We were eager to do some last minute shopping at Wufenpu.
WuFenPu 五分埔商圈 - Cheap clothes, famous big sausage wrapped small sauge, deep fried chicken chop.
Getting Here
Take a MRT train to Houshanpi Station (blue line), go to Exit 1 and walk north along Jhongpo N. Rd. to the intersection of Jhongpo N. Rd. and Yongji Rd. 
Our most expensive meal in Taiwan ( NT 1481 / RM 164) - Ma La Steamboat Dinner supper at Tripod King. 鼎王麻辣鍋
As a token of appreciation, the waitresses need to do a 90 degree bend whenever they approach the patron’s tables.
It was 2am by the time we finished eating. We hailed a cab back to our hostel to do some packing and stuffing before taking a 4.40am bus to the airport. Zai Jian Taiwan!
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more updates.
Posted by Jason on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Craps, now I feel like going back to Taiwan. Haha!
Posted by cariso on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
I wish to know about the Bei Tou Wen Quan! Hot Spring Villa - NT 200 per person only per night?
Posted by lavenderbell on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
really nice trip and good summary
Posted by zoe on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hey i will go taiwan in tis coming sat..may i knw both of u spend how much ther .. including shopping , transpotaiton fees and eat…
Posted by ai wei on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi dear, welcome back! your trip must be an interesting one. can’t wait to read your entire and details on all these.
besides, all these informations are real handy. will wan to visit and play like how you guys are
Posted by Precious Pea on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
So much fun!! I can see so much effort being made before the trip! Great job!!! Can i photocopy your guidebook? Hehe.
Posted by lotsofcravings on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
looks like i can do 100% copy n paste when i go nxt year lor..looks shiok!
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
joe: haha my pleasure. but plz bring along a fren who could read/converse in mandarin.make things easier
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
pea:haha thankiu pea! sure no problem at all. i can send u the soft copy too. ur hubby can read mandarin?
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
aiwei: hi dear! when are we meeting huh? pass u ur souvenir hehe
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi zoe: kampung boy spent rm1300 (inclusive of lodging, food, shopping but not air fare) while i spent rm 2300 because i splurge on facial / skincare products. dun worry, everything is cheap in taiwan
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
lavender: thank you so much
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
cariso:no la. its per hour lol
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
jason: when when? i want……….
Posted by thenomadGourmand on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Wahh…I luv this exec summary! To the point, detailed and easy to digest!
This is my definite guide if i ever go taiwan!
And it seems tht u guys managed to try out so many nice & unique food! Yummy! And i tot all taiwan got is beef, pork and sausages!
Posted by Dave on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Great photos, fun notes - all in a delightful site design!
If U guys are okay, it’ll be a great idea for me to share yr wonderful Taiwan travelogue with my readers in my site.
Well done!
Dave
Posted by thule aka leo on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
like doing a report for all the readers saja??? lol… welcome back… did u kena quarantine by airport authority or not???
I salute your bravery…
Posted by hihi, on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
i luv ur exec summary… So much fun!! Can you email me your guidebook? Hehe.
my 1st time to taiwan.. seems lost… : (
chris : )
Posted by suyee on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
thanks alot for the info! that was so much fun! pictures were really good!
Posted by hcpen on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
wow…u guys went to most of the same places as i did!! I did miss going to the Taiwan Storyland though…and national palace museum…but yilan luodong i went as well..
Posted by eddie on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
wah…good post….
combination of food guide and travel guide…..a good guideline for ppl who will be going to taiwan soon….
Posted by sc on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
woah, that’s quite a lot of stuff done in taiwan! nice summary..hmmm, are you guys MAS spokeperson? been travelling a lot wth MAS..
Posted by mimid3vils on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Initially will go this year but I’m pregnant dy, have to postpone my trip….
Posted by Jon T on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Lex!!! Wzhi!!! WOW - looked like such a fantabulous trip sialzzz… jealous
Love the travelguide style posting - so useful for reference! hope to see you guys in new new places….
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
rebecca: haha taiwan’s food are the best..very well diversified n theres a lot of weird stuff..im sure u’ll love it!
dave: ok but make sure you link back ya :p
leo: no wo. we are back in one piece.
still healthy now
hihi: can i have ur email add please?
suyee: thankiu dear. u must go to taiwan, its awesome
hcpen: wow..really! i love luodong’s night market
eddie: r u going there soon?
sc: haha taiwan is a nice place to do backpacking. no la. fly in comfort ma
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
mimidevils: arhhh? such a waste. nvm la ur safety is more important. i’ll tell u what else to eat at taiwan ok?
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
jon t: hey great to hear from you. it has been some time ya. haha new places a? we dun mind :p
Posted by Simon Seow on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Can I borrow your homemade guide if I go to Taipei? lol
Posted by wingz on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
WOW! such an extensive post!!! very informative!! lets do ikea again this sunday shall we? i m addited to their meatballsssssss!!!! lol
Posted by vkeong on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Wahhhh Yilan is so beautiful. And the weather on the days you went seemed so much nicer than mine >__<
Posted by taufulou on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
wah lau wehhhh~
how come so many ppl go tw at the same time ah..
damm..feel like never go is a big waste.
food, view… ish!!!
Posted by Carol in Fla on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
To both of you,
thank you for sharing your itinerary. I love it very much. I am going over for work at the end of August for my first trip to there. I will be by myself and on tight budget for days either prior or after conference. I love your summary. Anything else you might suggest for my circumstances?
Good job!
Carol in the U.S. (Florida - weather seems similar)
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Hi Carol
Nice to hear from you! I would advise you to skip Yilan and go around Taipei area instead. Our trip was a bit rush due to that.
What have we misses? Hmmm other interesting night markets such as RaoHe, Gong Guan etc. We have skipped a few places of historical value such as Zhong Zheng memorial hall. Maybe you could include that?
Posted by Dave on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Boy & Gal,
Sharing yr Taiwan trip pg with my readers will mean that U’re prominently linked from my site liao! Rather, hope U’ll link back (to my site) ya..
Cheers!
Posted by Kelly on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
wow i love your blog, very informative and useful!!
I’ll be visiting around taipei for the first time with my other girlfriends in august; where would you recommend (the must go places) if we are staying for four days only?
wahaha do you mind emailing me a copy of your DIY guide book?
thxthxthxthx
Posted by Yiling on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Great summary of yr trip. I bet everyone feels like going to Taiwan now!
Posted by tcs on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Hey, i like yr itinerary man…Indeed PingXi railway line is a very special and unique experience. In fact i like it as much as if not more than JiuFen :p
Tempting to go again this year-end for new year countdown. Last year experience was an unforgetable one.
Again, thx for such interesting blog about yr taiwan trip
Posted by drsxj on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
chanced upon your website while researching for my 7d6n itinerary to taiwan…it’s really comprehensive!
just curious, where did you get the maps for your DIY guidebook? it’s really handy to have
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi kelly: sure, but i need ur email add wo
dave: thanks man
yiling: ask eiling along
can eat all u can
tcs: my b&b owner told me that its best to do new yr countdown at jiufen. very nice view of fireworks
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi most of it were downloaded from taiwan tourism website (year 2006) hehe..hope ntg has changed much for the past 3 years.
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi most of it were downloaded from taiwan tourism website (year 2006) hehe..hope ntg has changed much for the past 3 years.
Posted by Huai Bin on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
I wanna gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The squid sausage with squid ink looks awesome!
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
huaibin: taiwan is just awesome! cheap booze too!
Posted by karen on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
good post!
next trip will definitely be TAIWAN!!!!
can i have copy of your taiwan itinerary too?
Thanks!
Posted by sim on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Can i photocopy your guidebook? I hope you dont mind to share your great effort with me. I’m gonan lvoe taiwan to death based on the executive summary..
Posted by Aspirin on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
whao….very impressed with this summary…!!!
Do you mind emailing me a copy of your Taiwan DIY guide book?
if yes, this is my email address,
rc_aspirin@hotmail.com
thx….(^.^)v
Posted by jason on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi! love ur entry on taiwan. very comprehensive. the best that i ve came across online so far! can u send me a copy of your diy guide? thank you very much!
Posted by Angel on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
I love your posts very much too! Its very detailed and the directions to the places are very helpful too!! Thanks!! Too bad i can’t go Yilan as we only 5days to spend and can only go Taipei. Can I have a copy of your DIY guidebook for my easy reference too? I will appreciate it very much! :))
ai_yusu@yahoo.com.sg
Posted by kampungboycitygal on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
hi, no problem, sent it to u.
Posted by TSC on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Hi! Your write-up re Taiwan is very interesting. I am not quite a fan of Taiwan (at least its not on my must go places)…BUT after reading your posts, I am most tempted to give it a shot!
Would you be kind enuf to share with me your DIY guidebook? My email is shawching_teo@yahoo.com
Posted by Mag on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Luv you write-up on Taiwan. Can you email me your DIY guidebook? My email is ming.mag@gmail.com
Posted by Ryan on 05.07.09 at 6:29 pm
Being reading your blog on Taiwan and Hong Kong and Macau. During my trip to Hong Kong and Macau I did visit some of the placed you recommended to eat. The food were good. Keep up the good work.Hi just would like to know the guide book you did the information could you send me a pdf copy and also do you know of any for taipei or any website I can get more information. Thanks