< Visited in Oct 2017 >
Dihua Street 迪化街 is a destination that pops up every now and then in my head, especially for my Taipei solo trips. Contrary to impression that it's a new year goodies street, its appeal stretches way beyond that. Housing old buildings each with its own history and old generation retailers, interspersed with new brands and shops making their presence in an old precinct, there is always reason to revisit.
< Visited in Sep 2017 & Aug 2016 >
My first visit to Starbucks Reserve (Bao An Store) 星巴克 (保安门市) was with two friends on a rainy morning. Many Starbucks Reserve outlets have sprouted all over Taiwan, some of them converted from historical or iconic buildings. This particular outlet, situated at the fringe of historically and culturally rich Da Dao Cheng 大稻埕 occupies a majestic Barouque-style building, completed in 1929, standing out among old shophouses and newer commercial buildings in the area.
< Visited in May 2017 >
Traditional Taiwanese breakfast has won quite a following, and there is no lack of good places to fill your tummy every morning (and even through the day). One of the wildly popular names when you search for Taiwanese breakfast is Fu Hang Soybean Milk 阜杭豆漿, located at Huashan Market 华山市场, right next to Shandao Temple MRT 善导寺站, exit 5. I state a disclaimer here that I've always believed taste is subjective, and for me, I wasn't as wowed by Fu Hang Soybean Milk 阜杭豆漿, as I was by Miss Qin Soybean Milk 秦小姐豆浆店.
Nonetheless, check it out and decide for yourself.
< Visited from 2015-2017 >
Huashan 1914 Creative Park 华山1914文化创意产业园区, or Huashan 华山 in short, must be The Other cultural park that pulls its own weight against Songshan Cultural & Creative Park 松山文创园区 (Songyan 松烟 in short). If your schedule permits, both parks are highly recommended as they are vastly different.
< Visited in Mar 2017 >
Having acquired a taste for ground roasted beans and slow drip coffee, I found Cafe Chamber 秘氏咖啡 quite by chance from Taiwanese blogs for some serious coffee experience. There are three of them in Taiwan, each with a distinctive theme and coffee brew method - I've been to Tainan's Cafe Chamber 台南秘氏 and hope to make it to the one in Chiayi.
< Visited in Mar & Sep 2016 >
Mention Huaxi Street Night Market 华西街夜市 and Longshan Temple 龙山寺, and most tourists should not find them foreign. Particularly the latter, a centuries-old landmark, with construction dated as early as 1740 during Qianlong's reign and subsequently undergoing multiple reconstructions. It would have bore witness to the heydays of Mongka 艋舺 district - synonymous with Tainan 台南 and Lugang 鹿港, and collectively referred to as "一府二鹿三艋舺" as the top three trading hubs - giving rise to the development of the area. Explore the now-named Wanhua 万华 district on foot to find remnants of its old-time charm.
Using Longshan Temple MRT Station 龙山寺站 to look for where the locals go and what they do in the vicinity, I found new gems to explore at Xinfu Market 新富市场, Zhouji Porridge 周记肉粥 and Bopiliao Historic Block 剝皮寮历史街区.
< Visited in Aug 2016 | Nov 2014 | Jul 2014 >
This quiet little place emerged among the many lovely memories of Taiwan. A combination of several elements I love - old house preserved for new use, interesting tale of history, IG-friendly, and great for a good couple of hours to sightsee and dine. QingTian 76 (aka Geo 76) 青田76 , near popular district Yongkang Street 永康街, was a gem discovered when I researched guided heritage tours for a July 2014 solo trip. I eventually signed up for their 60-minute guided tour plus made a reservation for their lunch menu, before I departed Taipei later in the day. Loved the place so much that I revisited in November 2014 for afternoon tea, and again in August 2016 for dinner.
*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.
< 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.
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