Taipei Travel Guide: A 3-Day, 2-Night Adventure

♥ Travel Overview This trip to Taipei is all about achieving specific goals: visiting Maokong, admiring art at the National Palace Museum, buying a Taiwanese fisherman's bag, and experiencing a uniquely Taiwanese renovated Starbucks. 🚩 Itinerary Day 1: Upon arriving in Taipei, I spent some relaxing time at Palais de Chine Hotel. The lighting throughout the hotel is dim, creating a cozy atmosphere. The flower arrangements and chandeliers scattered around the hotel are stunning. Afterward, I took a nearby bus to Dihua Street, a hub for Taiwanese-style goods, where I purchased a fisherman's bag. The variety of items available was overwhelming. I also bought dried fruits and tea from local shops. For dinner, I ate at the food court in Q Square next to the hotel and took some tofu pudding back to the hotel to enjoy leisurely. Day 2: The day started with breakfast at Palais de Chine Hotel. The buffet included a delicious cinnamon roll that could be ordered, and the yogurt was highly recommended. Next, I headed to the National Palace Museum to admire art. I reached the museum by transferring buses. The museum grounds are vast, and I used the free lockers to store my belongings while exploring. I saw the famous jadeite cabbage, but the meat-shaped stone was on loan. In the afternoon, I took buses, trains, and a cable car to Maokong. Since it was a weekday, the cable car was not crowded, and I had a private cabin. Upon arrival, I walked to Yaoyue Teahouse. It was relatively busy, but the outdoor terrace was less crowded due to the heat. I ordered vegetarian-friendly tea-infused dishes, including bamboo shoots and tea jelly, which were both delicious. After enjoying the scenery, I returned to the hotel via bus and train. In the evening, I visited the retro Starbucks Bao'an Store, a renovated building with a Taiwanese architectural style. The red brick baroque design exudes nostalgia, and the spacious second-floor seating was perfect. I ordered a strawberry lemonade, a drink not commonly found in Japan, and spent a relaxing time there. Day 3: I had a leisurely breakfast at Palais de Chine Hotel, featuring Taiwanese specialties like dried pineapple and soy milk. I also enjoyed local dishes such as braised pork rice and danzai noodles. The hotel is conveniently located near the airport train station entrance, visible from my room window. With EVA Air, I could check in at Taipei Station three hours before my flight. This allowed me to travel to the airport without luggage. After checking in, I returned to my room to enjoy tea before officially checking out. The process of checking in at Taipei Station and returning to my room took only 15 minutes. Finally, I checked out of the hotel and departed for Japan from Taoyuan Airport. 🏖️ Instagram-Worthy Spots The hotel may be dimly lit, but many guests took photos with the horse statue. Photography is allowed at the National Palace Museum, making it a great place for capturing memories. 🚇 Transportation Tips I relied heavily on buses during this trip. Google Maps is essential for navigating public transportation. Also, having an EasyCard is highly recommended for using public transit. 📷 Recommended Photo Spots The tea fields in Maokong are located on a hill and offer stunning views of lush greenery and nature. 🍜 Must-Try Cuisine At Maokong, I enjoyed tea-infused dishes and drank tea while admiring the tea fields. The combination of tea and food made for a relaxing experience. 🏠 Recommended Accommodation In Taipei, I stayed at Palais de Chine Hotel. Its location is incredibly convenient, directly connected to Taipei Station. It’s next to the Q Square shopping center and within walking distance of the high-speed rail and airport train stations. The bus terminal is also nearby. 💡 Important Notes Be cautious of typhoons during the summer.