Taiwan had never really been on my radar. I didn’t know much about it and it’s not really on the typical Asia travelers route. Timothy, a friend of mine, moved there and began posting tons of incredible foodie pics so I became interested. Then I found out there was a budget airline with direct flights from Chiang Mai (where I was living at the time) and I became very interested. Another friend had some vacation time from work and was able to join us so a plan was formed.
What to See:
In typical fashion I didn’t really do much research. Thankfully, Timothy stepped in and arranged things for us to see & do everyday.
Taipei 101:
The only thing I knew for sure I wanted to see was the Taipei 101 Tower. The building is either the third or fifth largest in the world, depending on whom you ask. It was well worth the cost of 500 NT/$15 USD to take in the view from the observation deck on the 91st floor. The building also has the fastest elevator in the world. It takes just 38 seconds to reach the 89th floor from the ground level. The elevator even has atmospheric pressure regulation systems installed to keep your ears from popping during the ride.
Also, the bar at the top of the W Hotel has pretty nice views of the 101 Tower:
Hiking Elephant Trail:
Because he obviously hates me and wanted to see me suffer my friend took us on a hike of Elephant Trail. There are two trails on the hike- one that is easier and one that is more difficult. Naturally, we ended up doing both of them before the day was out. The hike wasn’t actually all that bad but the views were totally worth it.
Shilin Night Market:
This is the largest and most famous night market in Taipei. The market is extremely busy and crowded, even when we visited on a weeknight. I can’t imagine it on a weekend.
There were tons of stores, stalls and carts selling everything imaginable. But we weren’t there for the shopping– we had come to eat.
I knew I couldn’t leave Taiwan without trying the famous stinky tofu. If you’ve never heard of it it’s fermented tofu. And it stinks. A lot. You can smell it at least a half block before you see the stall. Locals believe the more it stinks the better it tastes. I tried one bite just to say I did. It tastes just like it smells and I don’t mean that in a good way. Cross that one off the list, I don’t need to try it again.
Fortunately the market had lots of other things to try:
Where to Stay:
We stayed at the Amba Ximending Hotel and I cannot recommend it enough. The hotel is perfectly situated within walking distance of so many things to see and do. There are tons of restaurants and shopping nearby. The staff made sure when they found out about my blog to make me a list of their favorite places that I had to try. The rooms are large, clean, and comfortable and the staff was all wonderful. There is also an included breakfast that has both local and international selections. When I return to Taipei I will definitely be staying at the Amba Ximending again.
The hotel is also situated just minutes from Theater Row. This was really helpful since my friend and I are both nerds and had to see the new Avengers movie on opening night. #teamblackpanther
What to eat:
Everything, all of it. This was my food strategy for my visit. Before I came when Timothy asked what I wanted to do when I was in town I said, “eat”. He obviously heard me. Every meal was a production. We had everything from street food stalls to Michelin star meals. Some of my favorites include our Peking Duck and hot pot dinners. Both were amazing. But my new favorite food has to be soup dumplings. Soup. Filled. Dumplings. I could eat these every day. I pretty much did while I was there.
Looking for what do do in between meals? Click here to check out this guide to the best fun things to do in Taipei!
One Night in Hualien:
When I was making my booking at the Amba Xiamending I found out they had a sister property in nearby Hualien. Since we had a spare day or two we decided to hop on the train and check out one of Taipei’s beach towns. I wish we had more time as I heard there’s an amazing national park nearby but it gives us a reason to return.
The staff at the Andante Hualien went out of their way to make our short time there memorable. When the property manager Pennie found out I had a food/travel blog she even arranged a walking food tour for us.
If you have the time I really recommend paying a visit to Hualien. The town was small and charming but had interesting history, a gorgeous beach and some of the best food we had on the trip.
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Practical Information:
The ride from the airport to Ximending was 1100 NTD/$33 USD. This one one of the rare times it was cheaper to take a taxi than it was to use Uber.
Reservations for both the Amba Ximending and the Andante Hualien can be made by following this link.
ooh i’ve always wanted to visit taiwan! what a great guide.
Sher
http://www.shershegoes.com
When you start to visit if you have any specific questions please let me know and I’m happy to help!
Mm grilled chicken buttholes lol. Think I’ll stick to the tasty looking pan a cotta!!!
hahaha– a safe choice!
My uncle has visited Taiwan several times and endless praised their night markets. This is a very informative post, though I am not sure if I can be persuaded to try the stinky tofu!
Has your uncle ever mentioned if he tried it? I would say it’s definitely an acquired taste!
I love how you went high and low, Michelin star, street food and village vendors. I’d do that in a heartbeat.
Thanks, I think we covered all of our bases! I’m not picky about food- I’ll eat/try anything. I think it’s the best way to really experience a new place.
Wow, you tried some pretty interesting food there! Good to see someone having some real food adventures and trying everything on the local list, even if you only had one bite of some things.
I’ll (almost) always try at least one bite- just to say I did. My friends also had this huge popsicle looking thing that was blood on a stick rolled in crushed peanuts. I tried one bite of it also. That was all I needed.
Wow- Taipei looks amazing- and the hotels look so swish. Taiwan is now nearing the top of my list!
When you start to go if you have any questions just let me know and I’ll do my best to help answer them!
I was born in Taiwan and go back every year. The food is the best part of every trip!
I would say it was my favorite part also!
This is one of the places that does not feature on my bucket list of where to visit, but the markets and the food look great!
I’ve never been to Taipei but loved looking at your pictures, especially the food shots. 😉 Very comprehensive guide for a first timer. Thanks for the info.
I have been getting the impression too lately that Taiwan is a great destination, thanks for this gorgeous post. Hualien looks awesome. And now I have a craving for chicken buttholes (!??!?!)
Taiwan is definitely great– I highly recommend it! As for grilled chicken butthole craving, maybe see if they have some that aren’t crunchy. Seriously though, what in a grilled butthole should crunch? It was disturbing.
I’m now officially putting Taipei as a place that I want to visit!
Also, duck, oh my god, I love duck.
Looks like you had fun! And don’t spoil Avengers, I haven’t seen it yet! 🙁
If you have any questions about things to see/do please let me know! And I won’t spoil anything but I will see after watching it he’s my new favorite character!
An excellent food guide posts for Taiwan. The food is the best part of every trip! good work
Thank you!
Hi! I really like this post, it’s really interesting.
When I read it I was able to imagine everything you’ve written. The photos did the remainder 😉
You’ve included in few words the essential things to see and to eat.
Well done!
The shaved ice looks super good! The fried chicken is so massive. A nice read about things to do in Taipei..
You really experienced it all huh? I really only travel to experience the food, so reckon I’d love everything about Taiwan. Might see if I can tag along with The Food Avenue next year. 🙂 First stop…. that Peking Duck. 🙂
that will be my first stop when I go back also!
What an extravaganza of travel and foodie delights! So glad that you got to tick some food experiences off your bucket list, even if they don’t make a repeat performance. The Peking Duck being carved at the table would have been exciting!
That was the highlight for me!
Taiwan has never been on my radar either, but it looks awesome here! I don’t think there would be much for me to eat though (vegetarian!)
I’m sure there are lots of veggie options- I just didn’t seek them out! But the city is well worth a visit!
The food (aside from the chicken rumps) and hiking looks amazing! I had a layover there once but unfortunately never got to explore…I’ll definitely have to get back one day!
Wow! Taiwan looks fantastic. I’ve been to Hong Kong and Singapore and the food there was incredible. Taipei is now on my foodie bucket list! Not so sure about the stinky tofu, mind LOL
when you go you should try it to at least say you did!
Reading this makes me miss living in Taiwan so much (I was there for four years!) — the food is out of this world and glad to see you got to try such an interesting variety of it! Love that you were adventurous with the chicken buttholes!
Did you try Taiwan beef noodles? The peking duck in Taiwan is off the charts amazing thanks to the incredible taste of the Yilan ducks! And Din Tai Fung…I used to eat that every Monday night! LOL Xialongbao are addicting no doubt!
Normally, I’d be sad reading this and missing the food so much, but thankfully, I’ll be there in a couple weeks — popping over for a few days of eating after the Shanghai Disneyland opening. HAHA
Yes- I loved the beef noodles. I like the ones with the really thick noodles. Those were my favorite. Did you ever try the chicken buttholes while you were there? Have fun on your visit!
Great post – very informative and detailed. Some of the food options are a bit beyond my comfort zone though…:)!
Honesty, some were a bit out of my comfort zone as well!
I only really knew about the Taipei 101 as well! Good to know that there are plenty of things to do in Taipie besides this! Thanks for sharing!
I really recommend the hike. It was gorgeous and the views were awesome.
I’d love to visit Taiwan – the Taipei tower looks pretty incredible! I love visiting places like that with insane views!
Sounds like an amazing experience. Though the thought of chicken butt is not quite appealing:) Love your pictures . How cool to visit one of the world’s tallest buildings. Great read. I now have a much better understanding of what to expect from Taiwan.
This has actually now put Taiwan on my travel list…but especially if we get to do it together :).
Damn that hotel looks gorgeous! And the soup filled dumplings have got my mouth watering. Well those, and the shaved ice which looks incredible. You know we would’ve been able to finish it had I been there lol.
Still haven’t done the Elephant Hill hike—the last time was raining. When you went, how crowded was it?
Also, do you know anything about the dried fish you posted?
It wasn’t very crowded at all when we went! We were able to get some good photos. All I know about the dried fish is that it’s too salty and I don’t like it lol
Hahaha, fair enough.
Will have to attempt the hike again!