I got back from Taiwan and I have some wonderful things to share ! When I was there in early November, the weather was good averaging at 24 degC. It was not too cold nor hot. In fact, I find it very comfortable. I believe the weather is going to drop very soon!! okay, so my girl friend and I spent 10 days in total and because life is rather stressful already, we just thought we should be a little more relaxed when it comes to travelling. The first time I visited this China land with my family on a tour was --- MADNESSS! My sister had to wake me up at 6 am every morning or the group will get mad at us. So, this time it was all FREE and EASY! Own time, Own target!
Tai Chung & Cing Qing Farm
See
Tai Chung has its own beauty to it,and unlike Taipei, the people here seem more relaxed. If you intend to head up to the mountains to do some farm visiting or just to enjoy the cool air in CingJing, TaiChung is a good base. It takes about 3 hours by bus to get to the farm from the TaiChung NanTou Ke Yun Bus Station ( just ask the staff at Tai Chung Main station, the shop is just about a 5-10 minute walk ) They sell the farm entrance tickets and the return bus ride as a package for 600 TWD. The last bus leaves the farm at about 4 or 5 pm depending on which day you go. If you have something to ask , here is their email. (you probably have to email them in mandarin, though)
Cing Jing Farm itself is really huge and is located up on the mountains. Over there, you'll see sheep goats and just enjoy the scenery and nature.It was 20 deg C in the day when we were there in November. Great place for families. to spend a day and maybe a night. Oh yes, depending on which gate you enter from, you may have to go down/up a super long green flight of stairs that made us think we were doing a vertical marathon so avoid it and use the other gate instead.
In Tai Chung, head to Yi Zhong Ye Shi (ye shi= night market), or if you prefer something more massive, Feng Jia Ye Shi is ginormous and I'm not kidding! It's monstrosity reminds me of Jatuchak in Bangkok. We could not cover it in 3 hours and if you 're an avid shopaholic, it's worse. Luckily our shopaholic instincts have died down. Phew!
See
Tai Chung has its own beauty to it,and unlike Taipei, the people here seem more relaxed. If you intend to head up to the mountains to do some farm visiting or just to enjoy the cool air in CingJing, TaiChung is a good base. It takes about 3 hours by bus to get to the farm from the TaiChung NanTou Ke Yun Bus Station ( just ask the staff at Tai Chung Main station, the shop is just about a 5-10 minute walk ) They sell the farm entrance tickets and the return bus ride as a package for 600 TWD. The last bus leaves the farm at about 4 or 5 pm depending on which day you go. If you have something to ask , here is their email. (you probably have to email them in mandarin, though)
Cing Jing Farm itself is really huge and is located up on the mountains. Over there, you'll see sheep goats and just enjoy the scenery and nature.It was 20 deg C in the day when we were there in November. Great place for families. to spend a day and maybe a night. Oh yes, depending on which gate you enter from, you may have to go down/up a super long green flight of stairs that made us think we were doing a vertical marathon so avoid it and use the other gate instead.
In Tai Chung, head to Yi Zhong Ye Shi (ye shi= night market), or if you prefer something more massive, Feng Jia Ye Shi is ginormous and I'm not kidding! It's monstrosity reminds me of Jatuchak in Bangkok. We could not cover it in 3 hours and if you 're an avid shopaholic, it's worse. Luckily our shopaholic instincts have died down. Phew!
Shop Locally
Taiyang Bing
10 min walk from the Taichong main station, you'll find at least 5 stores trying to sell you the Taiwanese Sun biscuit I recommend the store with the old man or their sunflower on the logo. Their original flavour is my favourite, the others were too sweet. They also sell pineapple tarts which were good.
10 min walk from the Taichong main station, you'll find at least 5 stores trying to sell you the Taiwanese Sun biscuit I recommend the store with the old man or their sunflower on the logo. Their original flavour is my favourite, the others were too sweet. They also sell pineapple tarts which were good.
Taipei to Tai Chung/ Tai Chung to Taipei
To get from Taipei to Tai Chong, you may go by High Speed Rail or take a Coach from the Main Station of the respective city. Of course, the faster you get there, the more expensive and it was 3x higher to take the HSR and 3x the speed so both are fairly priced to me. Since we had all the time in the world, we took the 3 hour long coach which only cost us a McDonald's meal (upsized) or about 200 TWD. The coach comes with a few TV screens showing English films with Chinese subs and inbuilt speakers in the seats with adjustable volume levels. and yes, there is a toilet on board too. I didn't use it but I saw it was damn cleann. Taiwanese toilets are the cleanest in the world, and even those at their MRTs are damn clean. Ironically, their counterparts have the total opposite.
Taipei
SeeThere is so much to see in Taipei. One of the places I would recommend is the Fisherman's wharf and Jiu Fen. Also the Taipei 101 is sure a great man-made accomplishment. Dingxi and Dongmen are less touristy places. There is a morning market on Lin Yi Street just take exit 2 at Dongmen station. Lots of good food on that street and the beef noodles are good!
Shop
For the better shopping places other than the usual tourist spots like Ximending and Shi Lin, train to Gong Guan and you'll find yourself getting good bargains. With the student university just across the road, clothes and spectacles are priced lower. Wonder where all the bookshops go though.
tip: Spectacles, contact lenses and contact solution are way cheaper than in Singapore. Expect to get a bottle of AO sept for just 8 SGD. Optical stores I would recommend in Gong guan include More Fine Optical
( 5min from station exit) and Young Man / Nian Qing Ren (numerous outlets)
Shop
For the better shopping places other than the usual tourist spots like Ximending and Shi Lin, train to Gong Guan and you'll find yourself getting good bargains. With the student university just across the road, clothes and spectacles are priced lower. Wonder where all the bookshops go though.
tip: Spectacles, contact lenses and contact solution are way cheaper than in Singapore. Expect to get a bottle of AO sept for just 8 SGD. Optical stores I would recommend in Gong guan include More Fine Optical
( 5min from station exit) and Young Man / Nian Qing Ren (numerous outlets)
Eat
Master the art of using chopsticks because there are noodles everywhere. The only noodles eaten with a Chinese soup spoon is Mee Sua. Food on the streets are cheap. You can get a bowl of Mee sua for as little as about USD 1.50
Master the art of using chopsticks because there are noodles everywhere. The only noodles eaten with a Chinese soup spoon is Mee Sua. Food on the streets are cheap. You can get a bowl of Mee sua for as little as about USD 1.50
Move
See this city by train, on foot or with a bicycle. The trains are relatively easy to use just remember to Queue. I was told off as I was dashing into the train from the escalator , as I thought the doors were going to close anytime soon. Do get a You you card, it works like the EZ-link & Octopus cards. Just tap and go. If you've been taking too much trains, the U-bike system is very impressive. The locals themselves love it and ride them everywhere. If you've missed the as train or bus, taxis are relatively cheap and they go by the meter
Stay
Memphorberg 3 min to Dingxi MRT. Great district with lots of great food and good shopping around. Greg and Claire are lovely hosts who are willing to help. about USD38/ night
Memphorberg 3 min to Dingxi MRT. Great district with lots of great food and good shopping around. Greg and Claire are lovely hosts who are willing to help. about USD38/ night
Photography
Many couples are snapping up wedding packages and coming to Taiwan for their shoots. The reason ? it's relatively cheap and beautiful. The sun in Taiwan can be beautiful at this time of the year. However, I don't think November is the best time of the year for pictures but it sure is good enough especially if you want to take portraits in the late afternoon. Perhaps it's better to go in Spring. In any case, unlike Singapore, the sky in Taiwan is not too cloudy (even during November), making it great for landscape shoots on certain days. The natural lighting you get from the sun is soft and beautiful for 2-3 hours before it sets.
Fisherman's Wharf, Taipei
Cing Jing Farm
Fisherman's Wharf, Taipei
Cing Jing Farm
Night Market
Dessert at Choc it
No comments:
Post a Comment