A 4D3N trip to Taipei for a weekend of rejuvenation and a short break from the monotony of everyday routine. Since our main aim was to rest and relax, running around visiting tourist attraction was not on our list. Instead, I (Mummy) shopped and dined with my travel companions. In this post, I’ll share our Taiwan 2014 weekend break itinerary.
Day 1
Having reached Taipei in the early hours of the morning on a midnight flight, we travelled from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Railway Station via an express airport bus.
After leaving our luggage at CityInn Hotel II, we headed off for breakfast at 四海豆浆 (No.29 Chang An West Road), as recommended by the hotel staff. It is a old style eating establishment that serves steamed xiao long baos (buns with minced meat), soya bean milk, dough fritters and some other local favourites. As we were early, the local morning weekday crowd was there; some having breakfast, others queued for take-away breakfast on the go.
With a full tummy, we then made a trip to Tamsui (淡水), a sea-side district in New Taipei. While we were there, we spent our time at Tamsui Old Street (淡水老街), a historic walking area full of shops, eateries and arcade games.
Next we had lunch at Sheraton Grande’s Kitchen 12 where they served a good buffet spread of international food. Reservation had to be made prior to our travel due to its popularity.
Our evening was spent snacking and shopping at Ximending (西门町) Pedestrian Area, a popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists alike.
Day 2
The day’s weather was good so we decided to visit Maokong, located at Wenshan district of Taipei. Maokong used to be the largest tea growing area in Taipei. Now it has grown to be a popular place for tea culture and for viewing night scenery. Our time there was spent snacking, walking through the tea plantations and sitting down for a pot of Chinese tea.
Thereafter, we had late lunch cum early dinner at the Michelin one-starred 鼎泰丰, Zhongxiao Sago branch. Since we were there just before 4pm in between meal times, we waited slightly more than half an hour to get a table for 3. Prior to that, we were given an order form to indicate our orders.
Then it’s more shopping at Taipei Railway Station (台北火车站) underground shopping mall.
Day 3
We paid a visit to Longshan Temple, which was established way back in 1738 and renovated in 1920. The temple was designated as Taipei City’s fourth official historical site.
Next we went from Wanhua District to Sanchong District in search of the dessert shop highly recommended by many travel guides. We tried 传统集美三色布丁甜品店’s signature 综合三色布丁. The dessert is made up of a combination of egg, milk and chocolate flavoured pudding with red beans, taro balls and shaven ice.
Dinner at my personal favourite Taiwanese steamboat chain, 马辣麻辣鸳鸯火锅, for their ‘yuan-yang’ steamboat buffet.
Day 4
Before we headed off to the airport for our flight in the mid afternoon, we spent our morning at Shuanglian morning market, a farmers’ market where the locals shop.
Here’s a quick view of how we spent our 4D3N in Taipei:
Day 1 : Tamshui (淡水), Sheraton Grande Taipei Hotel (台北喜来登大饭店) Kitchen 12, Ximending
Day 2 : Maokong, 鼎太丰 (Zhongxiao Sogo Branch), Taipei Railway Station (台北火车站)
Day 3 : Longshan Temple (龙山寺), Cai Liao (菜寮), Ma La Steamboat (马辣麻辣鸳鸯火锅)
Day 4 : Shuanglian Morning Market (双莲菜市场)
