Where can one experience a mild, snow-less winter that’s not far from the Philippines?
Taipei is one good option in December. It was winter when I went there with family but the weather was cool and not freezing. There is no snow in Taiwan. There were times we could do without coats. But the weather did fluctuate a lot, with sudden rain and gusts of wind that made things very cold. Best to carry a jacket to layer on top of shirts.
Taipei is a modern city. Like SG and HK, Taiwan has an advanced train system. You can actually spend an entire day in the train stations’ just walking and enjoying the underground malls. We did not spend a lot on cabs, relying mostly on the trains instead.
Also, like in HK, Bangkok and Shanghai, there is a bit of a language barrier there but not very difficult to navigate as most locals seem to grasp basic English.
Sharing my favorite highlights of this 4-day winter trip.
Train trips to tourist spots
Most tourist spots are just a train ride away so just make sure to get a train card!
Taipei 101 Observatory Tower, the tallest green building in the world! Tourists take a very fast elevator ride (37 seconds!) to the top to enjoy the viewing deck and museum.View from the ObservatoryView from the Observatory
Checking the other displays inside the Taipei 101 Observatory
A giant coral on display at the Taipei 101 Observatory
The Martyr’s Shrine was built in 1969 to honor the fallen Kuomintang soldiers after the Chinese Civil War. It sits opposite the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall in an expansive plaza called Liberty Square.The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall was built in 1980 and is the most prominent landmark in Taipei. It is also inside the Liberty Square.The giant statue of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, former president of China, inside the Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall which has a security personnel standing guard day and night. I couldn’t imagine that anyone would try stealing such a huge item, though.The National Concert Hall is also in the Libety Square near the Chiang Kai Shek Hall.The National Theater stands opposite the National Concert Hall.
Day trip outside Taipei
We availed of a day trip tour outside of the city.
Shifen WaterfallWriting wishes on a sky lantern and sending it off into the sky at Shifen old street.
Shifen Old Street is an experience in itself.
Shops and homes line Shifen Old Street.
The Philippines can probably revive its own railway areas the Shifen way.
The Yehliu Geopark where people appreciate natural rocks and try to find the rare formation called Queen’s Head.For the life of me I couldn’t find the Queen’s Head with all the people and rain so I just posed with this random rock.Interesting sea view while walking through the Yehliu park in the rain.
Climbing the steep steps that are part of the Jiufen shopping experience.
A mask shop at Jiufen.
Rows and rows of stalls for shopping at Jiufen
A famous teashop at Jiufen.
There are many interesting shop entrances at Jiufen.
People are said to spend entire weekends just shopping at Jiufen.
Climbing the steep steps that are part of the Jiufen shopping experience.
A mask shop at Jiufen.
Rows and rows of stalls for shopping at Jiufen
A famous teashop at Jiufen.
People are said to spend entire weekends just shopping at Jiufen.
Bus tour
After availing of a Hop On, Hop Off bus tour on Klook, we enjoyed a convenient ride to even more tourist spots.
The Longshan Temple is the most well-known temple in Taiwan as it has withstood wars and natural disasters since 1738.The National Palace Museum was relocated from the Forbidden City in Beijing to its current Taipei location in 1965 and now houses over 600,000 Chinese artefactsView from the National Palace MuseumAnother part of the National Palace Museum
Shilin Official Residence was once the home of the country’s leader, presisent Chiang Kai Shek. but is now a huge garden for the public.
The Shilin Residence garden
The garden at the Shilin Residence
Roses in full bloom in the middle of winter at the Shilin Reidence
Hippos in the garden of Shilin Residence
A giraffe plays a flower piano in the Shilin Residence
Elephants at play in the Shilin Rresidence.
Food Scene
Food tripping Taiwan is a great experience whether inside or outside the city!
Here is a summary of this 4-day adventure.
Costs:
Airfare (Asia Travel) – P17000 per head (approximately USD327)
KKday tour (Hop On Hop Off Bus) – P464/ head (approximately USD8.9)
KKday tour (Yehliu, Shifen and Juifen) – P1,169/ head (approximately USD22)
KKday tour (Taipei 101 tickets) – P887/ head (approximately USD17)
Shopping – start at P5,000/ head (USD96)
Food – start at P3,000/ head est. (USD57)
