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 Traveller's Tales: Places to go and see in Taiwan
Take a tour of the top places to go in Taiwan. You may read about must see places and activities in the area. Also, you might want to read our
Taipei city guide.
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| B Hall |
03 March 2001 |
Stayed at Fortuna Hotel, Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan.
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This was my first time to Taipei and I found it an interesting destination. Few people speak any English and communications are difficult at times, if one is not with someone who knows the language. I was with chinese friends much of the time and only when alone had some communication difficulties. The approximately 3 hr. city tour hits the "high" spots and is interesting as an orientation to Taipei. Taxicabs are pletiful, easy to hail on the streets and relatively cheap; only have addresses written or have the business or hotel card to show the driver or you may not get where you want without a lot of communication "work". The restaurants were all good and relatively inexpensive. The restaurants in the grand hotel have a great view, especially at night, and the food is good. For something unexpectedly good try Shintori at 68 Sect. 2 AN-HO Rd, phone 886-2-2702-5588. Although it advertises "cuisine Japonaise" it also had some of the best Taiwanise style food of the trip with excellent service and ambiance.
The restaurant is very minimalist modern, upscale and one even has to figure out how to get the doors open to get in. Hint: stick your hand in the top opening of the side garden sculpture. A trip to the mountains by taxi for an evening soak in sulphurous hot springs is well worth the trip. There are many hot springs baths. The one I was taken to was in a small "hotel", the name of which I unfortunately don't remember. Men and women have seperate sections and they appear to be very popular after work and weekends. Altough I was the only foreigner there, no one paid any attention and people were very warm (in addition to the hot baths) and friendly. Actually people were very friendly and helpful all over Taipei and many times tried to understand and communicate even when there was no language in common. A trip to the weekend extensive and maize-like jade and "flea" markets was fun and netted me a couple of nice jade gifts at about 1/2 what I would have had to pay in Chinatown in New York, where I live. Just remember to bargain (here I needed a chinese friend) and that one can probably get the final price down to at least 1/2 of the asking price. Good prices on software, camera and computer supplies and cameras. All in all the stopover in Taipei for 3 days was a lot of fun, at times great adventure and well worth it. I think Taipei is unfortunately overlooked as a tourist destination and is quite worth a visit.
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| L Dumais |
27 December 2000 |
Stayed at Fortuna Hotel, Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan.
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Taipei is great. If you know a little Mandarin it makes your life easier. However, people are very very friendly and always there to help. Food is perfect. Also enjoyed the other places I went to in Taiwan (Hualien and Tainan). Train transportation is great. Will go back to Taiwan.
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| R Nathan |
14 December 2000 |
Stayed at K Hotel Taipei 3 - Taipei, Taiwan.
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We took three tours, all arranged through the hotel. They were good.
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| H Koo |
26 November 2000 |
Stayed at Gloria Prince Hotel - Taipei, Taiwan.
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Was working and therefore did not manage to do much sightseeing. But I avoided all the TGI Friday's and the usual fast food places and went for the dumplings, noodles and rice -- some of the best Sichuan style cooking I've tasted.
If you're planning to visit the National Palace Museum, keep in mind it closes at 5 so it's better to make a move on it quick. If you have some more time, better yet, try visiting Peitou, northwest of Taipei and go to the Taiwan Folk Museum. Lots of interest artifacts about Taiwan even before the arrival of the Chinese.
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| K Terauchi-d'rozario |
08 October 2000 |
Stayed at Fortuna Hotel, Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan.
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I did usual sighseeing in Taipei city like National Palace museum etc. But the best thing was the hot Spa in Shin Pei Tou about 30minutes from Taipei by MTR. I enjoyed hot spa for a couple of hours.(NT250) Taipei is very convenient using MTR. However one day pass is expensive. Each fair is very reasonable. Night market was fun.
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| T Le |
07 July 2000 |
Stayed at Fortuna Hotel, Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan.
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National museum is a must. The CKS Memorial & Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial are also worthwhile.
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| M Wells |
24 April 2000 |
Stayed at Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel - Taipei, Taiwan.
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I have been traveling to Taipei for 17 years. It is, first and foremost, a business city. There are a few sights (no one should miss the National Palace Musuem), but not enough for to make this a tourist destination by itself.
The food is outstanding- up there with Hong Kong for the best Chinese food in the world. One cuisine that I particularly enjoy, that I have not found anywhere else, is Mongolian Barbeque. It is a simple, but very satisfying, do-it-yourself meal.
You can forget public transportation if you do not understand Chinese. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. Just make sure that you have your address written in Chinese.
Best of all, most business contacts, even new ones, are more than willing to pick you up at your hotel or previous appointment. They will also gladly take you back to your hotel, or on to your next appointment.
Traffic was a nightmare years ago, now it is no worse than any other large city.
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