< Stayed in Jun 2016 | Nov 2014 | Jan 2014 | Apr 2013 >
In my initial years of visiting Taipei, Ximending 西门町 being the shopping and dining hive was a preferred location of stay. amba Ximending 西门町意舍 was 1 of my 2 favourites, the young-ish, stylish sub-brand of the Ambassador hotel chain.
*Establishment has been closed since Sep 2016, after their lease ended*
< Visited in Aug 2016 & Mar 2015 >
I am a fan of Taiwanese illustrator Jimmy 幾米, whose most known works are Sound of Colors 地下铁 and in recent years, Starry Starry Night 星空, which have been made into movies and TV dramas. (My personal favourite is 月亮忘记了.)
When the Jimmyspa concept store (and restaurant) - Never Ending Story 故事團團轉 - opened in Taipei, Huashan 1914 Cultural Park at the end of 2014, it was only a matter of time that it went into my itinerary. Unfortunately, my first attempt to dine-in in March 2015 was thwarted by my late reservation (3 days before my visit), and even though I walked in as suggested by the service personnel, the place was packed (not even a seat for cake and drink) and I could only take away some photos of the retail area opened to non-diners.
< Visited in Jul 2015 & Jun 2012 >
Dihua Street 迪化街, part of the Da Dao Cheng 大稻埕 precinct, was established in the 1850s. In its heyday, it was a key trading port in Taipei, home to businesses dealing in tea leaves, Chinese medicine, fabric and more. While that has gone into history, Dihua Street 迪化街 is now a popular destination for dried goods, Chinese medicine and once a year, Chinese New Year goodies. Much of its Baroque architecture and elaborate facades have been preserved or reconstructed, and new local brands have set up shop alongside long time retailers and eateries.
< Stayed in Jul 2014 >
The Adagio 缓慢 family of lodging is sister brand to Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林, with three accommodations located in Hokkaido 北海道, Hualian 花莲 and Jinguashi 金瓜石. Prior to Tainan's Roots Inn 台南古根 (formerly operated as Adagio Travel Tainan Roots Inn 缓慢文旅 台南古根) and Taichung Xinshe's Vanilla House 台中新社 香草 House, my very first experience with the Adagio 缓慢 hospitality was at Adagio Jinguashi 缓慢 金瓜石.
< Visited in Mar 2015 >
Taipei Main Station 台北车站 should hardly be foreign to travellers. Other than being a transport hub for inter-city commute, shopping and dining options are aplenty (fancy malls, underground malls, outlet street, tuition centre street, etc.). Quite by chance when staying in the tuition centre zone, I spotted a majestic looking building which turned out to be the Taiwan National Museum 国立台湾博物馆 (not to be mistaken for National Palace Museum 国立故宫博物院), and in its vicinity, the 228 Peace Memorial Park 二二八和平纪念公园, 228 Memorial Museum 二二八国家纪念馆 and Land Bank Exhibition Hall 土银展示馆.
< Visited in Jun & Sep 2015 >
Ximending 西门町 must be one of the most frequented shopping districts in Taipei for both locals and tourists. Within walking distance from Ximen MRT Station 西门捷运站 (exit 1) is one place that can't be any more contrasting. Nishi Honganji Square 西本愿寺广场, built during the Japanese occupation, is a cluster comprising a Japanese-style Buddhist temple (the largest in Taiwan in those days), mausoleum, bell tower and more - though more accurately, what we see today are the restored remnants of a 1975 fire. One of the Japanese structures houses a tea room Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo 八拾捌茶轮番所.
< 2-night stay in Nov 2014 >
To the east of Taichung city lies a mountain town covering less than 70km² - Xinshe district 新社区, affectionately known as the garden of Taichung (台中后花园). At an altitude of between 400-1000 metres, and counting a population less than 24,000, Xinshe 新社 has enough attractions and lodgings to warrant a stayover, surely not just during the town's annual Xinshe Flower Fest 新社花海 season.
< Visited in Nov 2014 >
The annual Xinshe Flower Fest 新社花海 was one of the two triggers how I even noticed Xinshe 新社 in the first place - the other being Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林. Once a travel destination takes root in my mind, I tend to obsess over it till I get there. So there you go, an eventual trip in 2014, centred on the two triggers.
< Visited in Nov 2014 >
One of Xinshe 新社's local produce is mushroom, and Xiezhong Street 协中街 is undoubtedly the town's mushroom street, with plenty to offer in terms of mushroom-themed dining, products and sightseeing farms. If there is any shopping to be done, it has got to be on this vibrant stretch.
< Visited in Nov 2014 >
Summit Resort 新社庄园 is undeniably one of the must-go attractions at Xinshe 新社, complementary to Xinshe Flower Fest. The premises is fairly large, with vast gardens that make it suitable for families with young children and even elderly, to spend a leisurely afternoon.
< Visited in Nov 2014 >
CH Garden 千桦花园 is a small, tranquil garden cafe, included in my two-night stay planned around Xinshe Flower Fest. As most attractions and dining areas are located within proximity and short drives, it is well worth searching for such places to supplement your Xinshe 新社 itinerary.
< Visited in Nov 2014 >
Moon House 明月居 was an accidental find when waiting to be let in for lunch at You Jian Yi Chui Yan 又见一炊烟, a mere 5-minute walk away. Located at the "entry point" of Xinshe 新社, this approximate 557sqm camillia garden restaurant is another gem to kickstart (or end off) a visit to the mountain town.
< Sunny Room, Jiufen / 阳光味宿，九份 >
Way back in 2001, just a few years into the mundane life of a working adult and with hardly any experience travelling with friends, a gal pal and I decided to plan a vacation. Originally set for Hong Kong, we had a change of heart and decided on Taiwan as our destination. Back then, Taiwan was starting to gain popularity for free and easy travel; though way before that (i.e during my parents' generation) tour groups to Taiwan were already common (my parents had their honeymoon in Taiwan!). For my gal pal and I, harbouring girlish memories of The Little Tigers 小虎队, Jimmy Lin 林志颖 (when he was still "the little hurricane", NOT YET the father of Kimi and his brothers), LA Boys... among others, contributed to our maiden trip to Taiwan.
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