Our 2019 home trip gave us the opportunity to hop through (and visit) 5 Asian cities within 2 weeks. Our itinerary consists of a mix of countries that I've already visited in the past but it was nice to revisit these places with hubby and MIL, and most importantly spend time with families!
Aug 31: Seoul
Aug 31 - Sept 7: Taipei
Sept 7 - Sept 8: Hong Kong
Sept 8 - Sept 15: Penang
Sept 16: Tokyo
My first visit to Taiwan was in 2006 but it was a brief 3D2N stopover so we didn't see a lot. My second visit to Taiwan was during the 2012 Amazing Race, but we were too busy racing around and got eliminated from the race, so we didn't see much either. So I'm glad to be back in Taiwan again after so many years, this time with hubby and MIL who are both visiting for the first time, and spend more time revisiting places that I've visited briefly in the past, and visiting new places.
Aug 31 (Sat): Incheon - Taipei
After a quick tour around Seoul, I hopped back on the plane to continue the last leg of my flight to Taipei on Asiana Airlines.
After traveling for 33 hours, I made it to Taipei at 4pm. Lucky to be welcomed by the beautiful weather as it was expected to rain throughout the week (typhoon season). It was hot (35°C) but I'd rather deal with the heat and humidity than the rain. =P
First things first, gotta get all the logistics and transportation sorted out, which was another reason why I choose to arrive earlier than hubby and MIL. =) Collected our EasyCards, 8-days Sim Card, Taoyuan airport metro tickets and biscuit vouchers at the airport. I also withdrew TWD 1,500 ($50) from the ATM using my Schwab debit card (no fee).
While Asia is moving rapidly to go cashless, there are still a lot of places that accept only cash (e.g. buying and reloading HK's Octopus card, Japan's Pasmo/Suica card and Taipei's EasyCard). I prefer to use credit card instead of cash (to meet minimum spend for credit card sign up bonuses), and Klook solved this problem! I was able to book and pay for these transportation cards and tickets with credit card before the trip, and redeemed them hassle free!
I stumbled upon Klook, a tours and activities booking platform while doing my trip research. Apparently it has been around since 2014, but I guess I haven't traveled around Asia enough to not know about it. After using it in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia this trip, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who plans to travel in Asia. It is super convenient and easy to use! Best of all, the prices are at least the same or cheaper.
Call me crazy because I enjoy trip planning a lil' too much. I created this spreadsheet to strategize our Klook bookings. Well, mainly to optimize the promo codes and credits among the three of us to save $30 (32% discount). =P
Getting from Taoyuan airport to Taipei city is cheap and convenient. The metro ride from Terminal 2 to Taipei Main Station took about 40 minutes, and cost only $4.50 each way. Both Express and Commuter train costs the same, but the Express train is faster with less stops. There's place to store luggage, free wifi in the train, and the train is clean.
The train arrived Taipei Main Station at 6.10pm. I decided to walk from the station to the hotel as it was only 1km (10min) walk. However, I got so lost in the underground train station and it ended up taking me 30 minutes to get to the hotel. Wasn't fun lugging the heavy luggage all around. I was soaked in sweat when I arrived at the hotel.
The train arrived Taipei Main Station at 6.10pm. I decided to walk from the station to the hotel as it was only 1km (10min) walk. However, I got so lost in the underground train station and it ended up taking me 30 minutes to get to the hotel. Wasn't fun lugging the heavy luggage all around. I was soaked in sweat when I arrived at the hotel.
Finally made it to Sheraton Grand Taipei at 6.40pm, our 'home' for the next 7 nights. I had a 7-night travel certificate and decided to use it at this hotel (instead of Taipei Marriott Hotel) because of its central location and the awesome Executive Lounge. The total cost for these 7-nights would have been TWD 54,968 ($1,750), but paid for all with points. =)
We booked a Deluxe Twin Room but got upgraded to this slightly larger Premier Twin Room. I was hoping for a Suite upgrade but oh well, can't expect so much for a 7-night stay.
After dropping my luggage in the room, I went upstairs to the Club Lounge for the evening reception. The hot dishes served between 5.30pm-7.30pm has so much food that it's good enough for dinner. Alcoholic beverages are also served (free) between 5-8pm. =P
Even though we did not get the concierge level room, I had access to the lounge throughout our stay thanks to my Platinum status. Aside from the good food, the staff's service was also very good! This lounge is easily one of the best Executive Lounges I've been to and definitely one of my favorite parts of this hotel!
Collage of all the breakfasts and dinners I had in the lounge. If I was traveling by myself, I could easily survive 7 days in Taipei without spending a dime on food...haha!
Sept 1 (Sun): Taipei City (Elephant Mountain)
After a night of much-needed rest (passed out at 9pm), I woke up at 5.45am to this view from the room. Just a normal city view but I'm glad for another sunny day!
Was motivated to go to the gym for the first (and last) time during our stay...lol!!
I usually opt for the points instead of breakfast for the Platinum welcome amenity. However, since we were staying for 7 nights and there were 3 of us traveling together, I opted for the free buffet breakfast for 2 throughout our stay. The international buffet breakfast at Kitchen 12 offers a much wider variety than the lounge, and includes both Western and local cuisines. The breakfast costs TWD 770/pax ($25) per day so the value of this welcome amenity is equivalent to $350.
Since I was alonethe first morning, I decided to try out both breakfasts. Breakfast in the lounge, followed by brunch in restaurant. I was stuffed!
Exterior and lobby of the hotel
It was such a clear and beautiful day I decided to go out for a walk close by the hotel.
After getting lost underground in Taipei Main Station the evening before, I was determined to go back and figure out the shortest/fastest route to get from the metro station to the hotel before hubby and MIL arrives the next morning. Spent 2 hours randomly walking around the many underground malls within Taipei Main Station before heading back to the hotel to chill and rest.
My original plan was to have a chill day at the hotel but I didn't want to 'waste' such a beautiful weather so I decided to go out and explore the city. First stop...walked 10 minutes to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. It was a Sunday and there were some events here so this place was pretty crowded. I'm not a fan of crowded area so I left after making a quick loop around the park.
Picked up a YouBike from Huashan Creative Park and biked 6km (50 min) to Elephant Mountain. Using the YouBike is easy once you've registered your EasyCard and a local phone number. Just scan the EasyCard to retrieve the bike, and scan it again when you return the bike. Best of all, it costs only TWD 5 ($0.16) for 30 minutes of rental!
Clear blue skies and Taipei 101, definitely glad I decided to venture out!
Returned the bike at the Xiangshan Youbike station and started hiking up Xiangshan Trail at 5.10pm, about an hour before sunset.
Well as you can see, it's actually more like climbing up endless stairs rather than a 'hike'. I read online that the 'climb' takes approximately 25 minutes, so I figured it wasn't too difficult but I ended up stopping for about 10 times during the climb to catch my breathe. Whoops, guess it's time to get back in shape!
Despite having to stop for a few times, I still made it to up the view point within 20 minutes with 45 minutes to spare before sunset. You may not see it in the photo but I was soaking in sweat...the heat and humidity definitely feels like Malaysia!
There are a total of 3 photo spots - First viewing platform, followed by the boulders, and a larger viewing platform shortly after the boulders. It was a Sunday so the viewing platform was packed with locals and tourists but I found a spot to sit and wait for the sunset at the 2nd viewing platform.
From day to night...took way too many photos within the span of an hour.
Took so many photos I don't know how to choose one to post so here you go...two photos of beautiful Taipei that looks same same but different...lol!
I started making my way downhill at 6.40pm. I basically ran (and jumped) down the stairs within 10 minutes, picked up a YouBike and cycled 15min to the metro station, ran into the metro station and hopped on the metro for 11min, then ran up a bunch of stairs after getting off the metro...
...and miraculously made it back to the hotel at 7.20pm...
(photos were taken before and after the 'workout')
(photos were taken before and after the 'workout')
...just in time to grab dinner at the Club Lounge before they stopped serving hot dishes at 7.30pm!! Lol I definitely deserve a huge meal after all these workout!! I certainly wasn't expecting to walk 20,000 steps and climb 63 floors on my supposedly chill day!!
Sept 2 (Mon): Taipei City (Liberty Square, Longshan Temple, Raohe Night Market)
Hubby and MIL's EVA Air flight landed at 5am and they successfully took the 2nd train for the day and made it to Taipei Main Station at 6.50am using the 'instructions' I prepared. =) It was still early (not hot) so we decided to walk to the hotel. We didn't get lost this time. =P
Shower and breakfast before we start our sightseeing for the day.
We picked up our YouBikes from the station located right across our hotel and cycled 10 minutes to Liberty Square.
The main attraction here is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall but the National Theater, National Concert Hall, and Liberty Square Arch are equally impressive.
Guard changing ceremony at 10am.
The guard changing ceremony lasted for 10 minutes and I was glad it wasn't longer because it was HOTTT inside the Memorial Hall!
One last panorama before we head over to the Botanical Garden.
The Botanical Garden was so disappointing we didn't even take any photos there. Seriously, it shouldn't be called a botanical garden. =.=
The Botanical Garden was so disappointing we didn't even take any photos there. Seriously, it shouldn't be called a botanical garden. =.=
Cycled to Longshan Temple for a quick visit before taking the metro back to the hotel at 12pm to rest. Hubby and MIL napped for a few hours in the afternoon.
Woke them up at 5pm and headed to the lounge to grab some food before heading to Raohe Night Market.
When in Taipei, travel as the Taiwanese travel. It's only the first day and we've traveled around the city on the metro, YouBike, and bus. Took a local bus from our hotel to Raohe Night Market. The bus ride took 30 minutes and costs TWD15 ($0.50) per person. We were very impressed by the bus driver's skill, zipping through narrow streets and switching lanes constantly.
Raohe Night Market at 7pm on a Monday is still pretty busy but we didn't have to wait in line at all for the famous Fuzhou Pepper Pork!
Lots of Taiwanese delicacies here...torched beef cubes, braised pork rice, herbal pork ribs soup, beef noodles, sweet potato balls, Taiwanese sausages, etc.
Sept 3 (Tues): Taipei City (Beitou Hot Springs, Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain)
Sumptuous breakfast to start our day.
Our original plan was to visit the National Palace Museum in the morning. However, we found out the night before that there's actually a free English guided tour that you must register and reserve 2 days prior to your visit. As such, we changed our plan to visit on Friday morning instead. Since we had some extra time, we went to some game shops in the underground mall in Taipei Main Station before taking the metro to Beitou.
Took the metro from Taipei Main Station to Xinbeitou Station. Two things I remember vividly from our first trip to Taipei in 2006 was that you're not allowed to eat or drink in the metro and metro stations (we got a warning for drinking water at the station), and everyone stands on one side of the escalator. 13 years later...everything is still the same, which explains why the trains are so clean. =)
Made a quick visit to Beitou Library, the first green library in Taiwan. We were hoping to enjoy some air-con here but it wasn't cold at all inside (go green I guess). P.S. Library is a good place to sleep. =P
Next stop was the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. Entrance is free. This was the original public hot spring bath in Beitou, built by the Japanese.
Last stop in Beitou was the Thermal Valley. Just a quick photo stop because hot springs at 1.30pm in the summer is not appealing.
Left Beitou area at 2pm and took the metro to Taipei 101. We decided to have late lunch + early dinner at Din Tai Fung. 3pm turned out to be a good time to come because we didn't have to wait at all to get seated. =)
Hubby has been looking forward to Din Tai Fung's Xiao Long Bao since we booked this trip (and since we last had it in Hong Kong in 2016). He was 'seriously' enjoying them...haha!
Their food certainly do not disappoint. The prices for DTF in Taiwan is also very reasonable. DTF's Xiao Long Bao is hubby's favorite Asian food....nothing has beaten it yet...lol!
After a filling our stomachs, it's time to burn off some calories! Hopped on the YouBike and cycled to Elephant Mountain.
Hiked up Elephant Mountain for the 2nd time in 3 days...phewww!! Let's go...burn off those calories from Din Tai Fung...haha!
The trail was less crowded because it was a weekday, which makes the hike a lil' easier.
Photos from the first viewing platform.
Made it to the 2nd viewing platform after 25 minutes...not bad at all!! You may not see it but we were all dripping in sweat.
Made it to the 2nd viewing platform after 25 minutes...not bad at all!! You may not see it but we were all dripping in sweat.
Another beautiful clear day!
It was still an hour before sunset, so we decided to not wait and head back to the hotel.
The hike is really not difficult...just look at all the random people we spotted. =P
Few more photos with Taipei 101 before we head back.
Another before and after photo for the day. I'm getting all my workout for the year this trip...lol!
I know we already had our early dinner but I need more food after all the workout!
We spent the next two days traveling outside of Taipei with the rental car so I'll have a separate trip report for it. For now, I will skip to our last day of sightseeing in Taipei.
Sept 6 (Fri): Taipei City (National Palace Museum, Grand Hotel Taipei)
Solo breakfast at the lounge while hubby and MIL had breakfast at the restaurant. As mentioned earlier, we changed our plans and decided to visit the National Palace Museum on the last day. I'm not a fan of museums so we split up this morning for our sightseeing.
After dropping off hubby and MIL at the National Palace Museum, I drove to IWS's office to drop off our rental car. All good with no issue. =)
I then walked to Yuanshan Metro Station to hop on the Grand Hotel free shuttle bus.
Grand Hotel Taipei, not to be confused with Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel (the hotel we stayed at) is a landmark in Taipei because it looks erm...Grand. But I agree, the names are confusing.
I had plenty of time here so I was happily taking selfies...under the hot sun.
Told ya...the hotel looks Grand. They even have a golden dragon, with a CCTV over it.
This is what happens when I have too much time...I took jumpshots using the timer on my cellphone...with many failed attempts of course. =P
After spending about an hour at the Grand Hotel, I hopped on the YouBike and cycled 25 min to the National Palace Museum to meet up with hubby and MIL.
Getting all my workout for the year done in one week...lol!
The National Palace Museum. Hubby and MIL enjoyed the free tour, so if you're planning to visit, definitely sign up for the free guided tour!
If you look on the map, the National Palace Museum is located outside of the metro routes, and the closest metro station, Shilin Station is approximately 2km away. So if you don't plan to take the bus, the YouBike is the next best option.
Picked up this free Earl Grey tea from the Milk Shop at Shilin station, thanks to Klook credits. Perfect for a hot day.
We decided to go for one last round of Din Tai Fung at the Nanxi branch. We got there around 1.30pm and had to wait for about 20 minutes before getting seated.
What better way to end our trip in Taipei than a good massage?
Especially after all the walking over the last few days!!
Sept 7 (Sat): Taipei - Hong Kong
Checked out of the hotel early at 5am and took an Uber to Taipei Main Station to catch the train to the airport.
That's a wrap for Taipei. Thank you for the beautiful weather, yummy xiao long bao, and nice people! Next stop... Hong Kong!
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