Taiwan

                                             Taiwan

Image 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei

February, 2017

Taipei, Taiwan

A trip to Taipei was also one of the last minute plans my family decided to go with. So, it was the Chinese New Year holidays and my mum wanted to a plan a family getaway to a destination that wasn't too far since my dad couldn't take a long leave from his work. A few weeks prior to the trip, she kept suggesting Hanoi as the ideal destination at the time since we could only go for a 5 days-trip. 

For a long time, that was the agreement. However, my dad being my dad didn't really like the idea of going to Hanoi since (to him), the city was not really his cup of tea. Hence, our super extremely last minute change of destination (I'm talking about just a week before we fly off), we ended up in Taipei. 

Image 2: Ximending Shopping District, Taipei

Image 3: Street vendors @ Ximending Shopping District, Taipei

Honestly, Taipei was one of those trips where I did not end up taking many pictures (which now I regret as I'm typing this blog post - many apologies in advance for not doing so for those who are reading this). I'll try my level best to tell my story through my writing and will add in as much photos where deem possible as well as links that are relevant. (sorry guys)

So, on our first day since we arrived somewhere between late evening and night time, we were too tired to do anything strenous that might get us exhausted to carry out our itinerary for the next day. Plus, most tourist attractions would be closing by the time so it would't make much point if we had to rush our way through. 

Therefore, we ended up at one of Taipei''s well-known shopping district "Ximending Shopping District." A very lively and vibrant area in Taipei, Ximending is known to be the "Harajuku" of Taipei with its massive pedestrian shopping haven. Here you find a vast array of shops and street stalls of electric goods, clothing, food, souvenirs and so much more.

Image 4: Street food stalls @ Ximending, Taipei 

Ximending is also the perfect spot to indulge yourselves with its street food. There are plenty of options in Ximending for a quick bite as you stroll through its busy streets. If you make your way to Wuchang Street (Section 2 Lane 50), you'll find more street food stalls. Here you can spoil yourself with multiple food choices such as grilled mochi, fried chicken, sausages and cheese potatoes. One of Ximending's signature dish to try is the "Flour Rice Noodles" located on Emei Street - a classic Taiwanese street food. 

Image 5: Beitou Station, Taipei

Now to Day 2, according to our itinerary, Beitou Hot Springs was our next destination. If you're planning on getting there by train its best to catch a train from Taipei Main Station and take the Taipei MRT to Beitou Station for easiest access to Beitou Hot Springs. However, as off recently Beitou Station has be closed permanently so you can either exit to the nearest station or take a cab.

For more information on Taipei's Train Services, visit the site below:

https://english.metro.taipei

As soon as we arrived Beitou Station, we took a 10-minutes walk to get to the Beitou Hot Springs. Fyi, just across Beitou Station you will see entrance sign to Beitou Hot Springs Park - just follow the sign and it'll take your directly there. Beitou is known as the hot spring village, occupying a lush valley that is home to 1200 species of plants, 100 species of birds and 160 varieties of butterflies. Beitou is truly the city of nature.

Image 6: Beitou Sign Board @ Beitou Station, Taipei

Image 7: Beitou Park @ Beitou, Taipei

Making our way to Beitou's Thermal Valley, we passed by Beitou Park, situated along the central part of the Beitou River at the tail end of Yangmingshan National Park. Park facilities included a hot spring education centre, indoor and outdoor bathing springs, hakutolite conservation area, a children's hot spring play area and a topiary maze. Beitou Park is the perfect place to soak in the hot spring and indulge in its history and culture. 

Image 8: Beitou Hot Spring Museum @ Beitou, Taipei

Beitou Hot Spring Museum was once a public hot spring bath built during the Japanese colonial era. The Tudor-style building has a brick and wood facade and a black-tiled roof, set in an extremely picturesque green surrounding. The museum is divided into two sections - first floor and second floor. The first floor displays the hot springs history, facilities, appliances used, Beitou stones and bathing space. Whereas, second floor offers six different exhibition areas that includes news, articles, documentaries and a recreation area.

For more information on Beitou Hot Spring Museum, visit the site below:

https://hotspringmuseum.taipei (Entrance fee is RM5 per person)

Image 9: Hot pool @ Beitou Hot Springs Museum, Beitou, Taipei

Now onto the famous Thermal Valley - one of Beitou's landmark sight. Thermal Valley is a jade-colored pool of water which has sunken into a crater that consistently stays boiling hot at a temperature of somewhere between 80 to 100 degrees celsius, making it way too hot to even be in, let alone swim. 

In fact, there has been several incidents of people falling into the springs and boiling to death. Back in the days, people used to cook eggs in the water as the hot springs were unsupervised and surrounded by dense forests. Today, the Hot Springs is securely fenced up to prevent further accidents. 

Image 10: Beitou Thermal Valley @ Beitou, Taipei 

Image 11: Boiling hot water @ Beitou Thermal Valley, Beitou, Taipei

Onto Day 3 - we made our way to the most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. CKS Memorial Hall was erected in honour and memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China. Officially named as Liberty Square, as seen above the front gate, its name was then changed to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial as a political motivation. 

The overall architecture of the memorial consists of the colours white and blue, in representation of the dominant colours in the ROC flag. The front plaza hall also happens to be a major venue for democratic assemblies. 

Image 12: National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taipei

For more information regarding Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, visit the site below: 

https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/chiang-kai-shek-memorial-hall-中正紀念堂 (Free Entry)

Located on both sides of the Memorial are twin performing arts venues - The National Theatre and National Concert Hall. Notably another one of Taipei's distinctive landmarks, the two buildings are designed in a traditional Chinese palace style, with red pillars and yellow tiled roofs making it appear to be very elegant and outstanding. 

For more information on The National Theatre and Concert Hall, visit the site below: 

http://npac-ntch.org/en/ 

Image 13: The National Theatre, Taipei

Now to Day 4, we decided to take a short trip out of city and into the small town of Jiufen. If you're familiar with the Japanese anime "Spirited Away", then know that the film was inspired by the 100 year old A Mei Tea House located in Jiufen. "Spirited Away" was known to be one of the greatest anime films ever produced, where it even won the Best Animated Feature for the Academy Awards back in 2003.

"Spirited Away" may be a distinctive reason why travellers from all over the world make come for but Jiufen in general has so much more to offer in terms of its history, culture and even architecture. In fact, Jiufen was one my favourite spots this entire trip and I would one hundred percent recommend you add this to your list of places to visit if you happen to be in Taiwan.                               

Image 14: Jiufen, Taipei 

Founded during the Qing Dynasty, Jiufen is a relatively isolated town up until the discovery of gold by the Japanese back in 1893. The town has since developed quite rapidly with its gold rush. However, up until today many buildings has still retained its old form, in fact Jiufen is one of the places in Taipei where you'd be able to see the Japanese influence both culturally and in terms of its architecture.

One of Jiufen's most distinctive landmark is A Mei Tea House - a famous tea house which you are bound to spot in the old streets of Jiufen. Lighted with red lanterns along its narrow stairway, A Mei Tea House is a popular tourist spot and a must try if you're a tea kind of person. The best spot to sip on some hot tea is the top floor. The view from the top is absolutely picturesque!

Image 15: View from top floor of A Mei Tea House, Jiufen, Taipei

For more information on A Mei Tea House, visit the site below: 

http://newtpc.sp-store.com/cn-store09.html

Now to our last stop for our Taipei trip - Shifen. If you've watched Tangled, remember that scene where there were glowing lanterns floating up into the night sky? At Shifen, you'd be able to witness the exact same thing but in actual reality! Since we made it to Taipei just a little after Chinese New Year, we didn't get to experience the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival which is held annually around the Lunar New Year.

But, fret not, we still got a chance to release a sky lantern into the sky. The purpose of a Sky Lantern is to write down your prayers, hopes and dreams to be released to the sky so that all of what you wished for comes true. The lanterns are released at the train tracks and is typically also full of people, so the best time to make your way to Shifen is early in the morning.

Each lanterns costs about RM30 (which is relatively cheap since the lanterns are huge in size). If you want more color options however, you will be charged extra but still no more than RM60 which includes the price of the lantern and service.

Image 16: Writing down our wishes on the Sky Lantern

Image 17: Releasing Sky Lanterns to the Sky

Ended our trip on a literal high note!