Two Days in Taipei

Most of my trips involve a lot of meticulous planning. From reading a million blogs to watching videos, there’s a lot to be done before I set out. A sudden, unplanned trip sends me in a tizzy. So, when I got my visa to meet Ant-Man and the Wasp, I had less than a week to plan. 

With only three days in Taipei, Taiwan, I wanted to make the most of my time here. Instead of cramming the time there with too many things, I decided to focus on sampling a bit of the modern marvels, the night markets, and everything in between...

Taipei 101

“Have you been to Taipei 101 yet?” That was the question I was asked constantly during whenever I asked any local to recommend places that I could visit. The modern marvel is truly fascinating. The supertall skyscraper located in the Xinyi District was acknowledged to be the world’s tallest in 2004. It held that position until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. Passes for a ride in the lift, said to be among the fastest in the world, can be bought on the fifth floor. The two observatory decks (one indoor and outdoor) give a bird’s eye view of the city.

Longshan Temple

Though the Longshan Temple is very close to the MRT stop by the same name, I managed to lose my way and instead found myself at Huaxi Night Market. A short stroll later, I was mesmerised by the architecture of this beautiful temple. It’s probably the most well-known temple. Located in the Wanhua District, it was built in Taipei in 1738. Entry is free and you can spend as much time here as you want. The serene atmosphere of the temple makes for a tranquil experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Hello, Ant-Man

During the trip, I got to meet Ant-Man as well as The Wasp. But before I could meet Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, it was the life-size replica with a miniature Wasp, that held my attention. The two actors wooed the locals during their stay in the city.

Guang Hua Digital Plaza

Almost every tourist wants to have a peek at the wonderful gadgets and electronic goods that Taiwan is known for. The Guang Hua Digital Plaza is a great place to do just that. Be it cell phones or power banks,  phone covers or unique pen drives there’s a lot to choose from.

Ice cream tales

Mango shaved ice cream is the superstar among desserts in Taiwan. I tried the one at Smoothie House and would recommend it to anyone who likes desserts or ice cream.

(Clockwise: Shilin Night Market; Raohe Night Market; Artwork at Raohe Night Market; Taipei MRT, and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial hall)

Shilin Night Market 

If it’s shopping you crave then the Shilin Night Market is the place for you. Right from clothes and bags to food and electronics, you can find everything here. The sweet potato balls seem to be a huge favourite if you are in the mood to try these. Make sure you have enough time on hand as there could be a huge queue of foodies at these stalls.

Raohe Night Market

Like Shilin, Raohe Night Market, too, is among the oldest night markets in Taipei. Of all that you can buy, check out the options in shoes. As for food, there’s a lot to choose from. It can be a little difficult to put up with the strong smell of food, but make sure you try out a few delicacies. Also, visit the Ciyou Temple, which is the eastern end of the night market outside Songshan Station that was built during the Qing Dynasty era.

A bit of art 

Be it the night markets or Taipei 101, watch out for the installations and street art that can be seen on various nooks and corner. Apparently, the Taipei Metro system alone has over 50 pieces of artworks installed at various stations. At Taipei 101, besides the many works of art in and around it, like Dialogue between Yin and Yang,  Love, Between Earth and Sky, etc, the indoor observatory hosts exhibitions regularly.

Travel like a local

Being a budget traveller, it troubles me when I have to shell out big bucks for inter-city travel. Luckily, most big cities like Taipei have an efficient transport system. Taipei MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) connects almost all parts of the city. Once you understand the colour-coded routes, travelling on these lines is a breeze. Plus, all the money that you save can be put to good use at one of the night markets.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a major tourist attraction. Located at the east end of Liberty Square, the monument is flanked by the National Theatre and National Concert Hall in the north and south. The guard mounting ceremony that takes place in regular intervals at the upper level, where the large statue of Chiang Kai-shek is located, should not be missed. Also, spend time at the park surrounding the monument for some serene moments.