TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Last July 12, the Clark-Taipei route of Philippines AirAsia finally took off.
Backpackers from Central and Northern Luzon may now visit Taipei, Taiwan as a free visa travel for Pinoys was extended by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) for another year, or until July 31,2019.
With the opportunity right at their doorsteps, travelers can now plan their itinerary going to Taipei, which is quite easy and affordable.
For a hassle-free tour, book your itinerary at www.tripool.app – a transport service just like Grab in the Philippines. It can help you reach scenic areas without language barriers to worry about. Tripool Private Transport service has private and cozy cars and accommodating drivers that can send tourists to anywhere in Taipei.
Taipei 101 beside Tripool transport service.
Taipei is such a wonderful place to travel around. At the west district of Taipei, you can visit Ximending, located at the northwestern part of Wanhua district in Taipei City. Ximending with its profound history and unique atmosphere still attracts millions of visitors every month.
Ximending is a place you will love going back to, as this is the shopping district that offers a wide array of fancy shops. Clothes are sold on the streets or at the Ximending Red House, Shilin Night Market and Ximending Youth Shopping District.
Experience a variety of street foods like beef noodles and fruit shake and a lot more that will satisfy your appetite, also in this district.
At Ximending, one can also explore the iconic landmark of Taiwan, the Chiang Kai-Shel Memorial Hall located right beside the MRT C.K.S. Station, the popular urban park for local people as well as tourists because of its art and culture exhibition, and a place to memorize former president of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek.
In Taiwan, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of the most popular landmarks to visit. It was constructed in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, a former president of the Republic of China. –Photos by Cha Cayabyab
The Chiang Kai-Shek memorial hall was officially opened to the public in 1980. At the hall you will see the Chinese style architecture. Its exquisite design conveys the spirit of Chinese culture. At the exhibition hall you will learn about Chiang Kai-Shek life stories. The show at the memorial hall starts every hour from 9am to 5pm.
At the hallway of the 25,000-square meter memorial hall itself, one can see the two giant and traditional Chinese place-like buildings – the National Theater and National Concert Hall. For tourists, CKS memorial hall is a spot to discover the story of CKS and explore the Taipei local’s strong vitality.
Philippines Air Asia CEO Capt.Dexter Commendador at the National Center for Traditional Arts crafts.
The Unite Traveler provided Pampanga, Baguio and Pangasinan Media their portable wi-fi and reliable routers that allowed the travelers to post on social media in real time. Unite Traveler is the largest Wi-Fi router provider in Taiwan, that provides top-quality network services – even at the middle of a 15-kilometer tunnel going to Yilan, one can still access their internet, which is fast.
For tourists who wish to avail a Wi-Fi router during their stay in Taipei, Unite Traveler has its own counter at Taoyauan Airport (TPE), Taipei International Airport, and Kaoshiung International Airport (KHH).
Going back, the National Center of Tradional Arts in Yilan, Taipei is also a must see place for tourists. The largest exhibition and performance site for traditional arts with a rich collection of cultural antiques in Taiwan are here. NCTA located in Wujie Township of Yilan, is a definite crown magnate, where traditional folk culture has been well preserved and represented with performing arts. And take note the place is Instagramable.
In Yilan county, one can also visit Kavalan Whisky Distillery, the first whisky maker in Taiwan and the nation’s only family-owned whisky distillery. At the factory you will see its grain storage tank, distillation site and huge cellar. At the entrance of the distillery, lots of scrapped oak barrels are placed along the pathway and painted in different patterns. If you are lucky along the tour inside, you could see staff on the other side of huge glass doing heat treatment on oak barrels. After touring, you are welcome to sip a taste of various kinds of whisky brewed here for free. For tourists who are not alcohol lovers, they can go to the second floor, a glass walled area that serves a cup of coffee from the proud-worthy distillery in Taiwan.
Kavalan Single Malt Whisky, a wine distillery in Yilan country in Taipei.
Hotels
Lucky to be checked-in and found comfort at the newest high-end hotel, the Suz and Catorze in Ximending is a boutique hotel that overlooks the beautiful Tansui River sourounded by the bustling pedestrian shopping district. Suz hotel is a 40-minute drive from Taoyuan International Airport and 8-minute walk from MRT Ximen Station.
Suz has a total of 87 exquisite guest rooms, including 3-river view suites. Each room is equipped with luxurious modern amenities, complimentary mini bar, and bathrooms that feature the walk-in shower and bathtub with Hermes bath amenities. At Catorze, we experienced fine dining breakfast during our stay.
Other media groups were checked in at Hotel Papa Whale, a hotel designed for millennial travelers. This hip hotel is a 4-minute walk from shopping in the Ximending district, 9 minutes’ walk from Ximen Station and 2 km from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
The snug rooms have an industrial-chic vibe, and comes with Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minifridges, and tea and coffeemakers. Some rooms have bunk beds and/or sleep up to 4 guests.
On our 2nd day in Taipei we were accommodated at Just Sleep Jiaoxi Hotel, the new chic hotel with five star services which offers affordable prices that provide premium accommodating experience for smart travelers. Just Sleep offers 138 rooms with built-in hot spring in every room. Tourists may enjoy hot spring experience privately. The enchanted maze-style hotel outdoor pool invites kids and kids-at-heart to discover, while Japanese style nude hot spring gives every guest like us a relaxed bathing experience. The hotel also provides kid’s club seasonal activities that meet Yilan’s local culture.
Guan Xiang Century Resort Hotel
The Guan Xiang Century Resort Hotel is located in the heart of the Jiaoxi Hot Springs. The hotel is a breathe of tranquility in a bustling area. The entire grounds of the hotel include 80 guest rooms equipped with personal hot springs ans 16 hot springs bath houses. The Vitality Morning Restaurant can sit up to 140 people. Athe wedding / banquet hall we were served with delectable and mouth-watering dinner.
At the Lobby of the Guan Xiang Century Hotel
The Westin Yilan Resort
Offering mountain views, the upscale, modern Westin Yilan Resort hotel is set among trees and is 6 km from both Yilan railway station and Kavalan Distillery.
With Taipei Economic Cultural Office executives along with Guan Xiang Century Hotel during their farewell dinner with Philippines Air Asia execs and Pampanga Media.
Polished rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars, and tea and coffeemakers. Suites and 2-bedroom villas have sitting areas or living rooms; some have balconies with mountain views.
The resort hotel also offer other amenities consist of a fitness room, a spa and a kids’ club, as well as a sleek Japanese eatery, an airy fusion restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a refined cafe offering cocktails and take-away picnics.
Faddism Hotel
Another hotel where one would have a lovely stay is Hefong Faddism hotel which offers spacious Balinese-style rooms and villas with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TV, refrigerator, and electric kettle. Their private bathroom includes a hot tub, shower and hairdryer. Lovely surroundings with bamboo in it provides a serene atmosphere as their villas have their own garden for relaxation.
Faddism Hotel
A fusion of Western and Eastern dishes are served at the hotel’s resto which features seasonal menu. The hotel truly satisfy one’s sense of taste, sight, smell and touch.
Taipei trip would not be complete without a glimpse of the gigantic bamboo stalk known as the icon of modern Taiwan, the Taipei 101, the supertall skyscraper in Xinyi, District Taipei.
For a number of years, the 508m Taipei 101 held the title of ‘world’s tallest building’ and until 2011, it held the title of the world’s tallest green building.