My third time to Taiwan. I do not know how to read Chinese - will only rate 2 out of 10 for my chinese language level, hence I have some difficulties in ordering food, especially those local hawker stalls but fortunately I have Mr Walking Dictionary and most of the public transport comes with English + Chinese.
Day 1
- Morning flight from Singapore to Tao Yuan Airport
- First thing first, bought a Sim Card at the airport at only NT500 (Around $20) for a 10days unlimited dataplan - we only bought one simcard and use tethering to share the dataplan
- From Tao Yuan Airport we took a shuttle bus (UBUS 705 at NT30 ($1.40)) to high speed rail
- We took HSR to Tai Chung cost us NT675 ($29)
- From Tai Chung station we took a cab to reach our hotel Tree Art Hotel (璞樹文旅 ) we stayed here for 4 days' 3 Nights' - I personally feels that this hotel is great, the environment, the customer service and the location is good.
- By the time we reach Tai Chung is already evening, hence we took some rest and walk to Feng Jia night market;逢甲夜市. Unfortunately it was raining at that point of time hence we walk to the opposite 7-eleven store to grab a raincoat. It will be much more easier to walk with raincoat, the hotel provides umbrella hence we borrowed an umbrella from them.
- Not much photo taken, as it was raining we walk and shop under the rain and happily I managed to grab 2 new shoes from there - my shoes was soaking wet due to rain pour. 2 pairs of canvas shoes only cost me less than $30
- Due to rain heavy rain pour, we didn't managed to enjoy the night market food and we anyhow popped by a store nearby. We ordered their Stinky Hotpot and surprisingly it comes with free flow drinks/rice/ice cream which cost us at only $7 anyway if you guys really come across this store do not even bother to pay a visit as the soup was tasteless.
- While doing shopping we pass by a stall which sells Stinky Toufu and Yu Yuan shaved iced (芋圓刨冰), if you guys likes stinky toufu please do visit this stall, but honestly we accidentally walk and pass by this stall hence I am unsure about the address. I can show the photos hope it will helps is located at Feng Jia Night Market
Tree Art Hotel (璞樹文旅 )
The not delicious Stinky Hot Pot
Day 2
- Flag a cab from our hotel to grab our breakfast at a cafe called Rou Dan Tu Si "肉蛋吐司" located at No. 1005, Jianxing Rd, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403. Quite nearby to our Tree Art Hotel
- After our light breakfast we took a cab and visited Taiwan Times Village "宝岛时代村" we spent less than 2 hours happily exploring and taking photos.
- Took a tea-break, visited Fourth Credit Union "第四信用合作社" - this is an old bank converted to be an ice-cream parlor after our ice cream dessert session under such a cold weather we then walked to their main branch at the opposite road which is Miyahara "宮原眼科" this is a very amazing dessert cafe I visited both their branches I prefer the design of Miyahara comparing to Fourth Credit Union.
- After the ice cream tea break we visited Rainbow Village "彩虹眷村"
- and because of Mr Dictionary is dying to see this fantastic special chapel located inside Tung Hai University hence after we visited the Rainbow Village we headed to Tung Hai University and walked for almost 1km to visit the Luce Memorial Chapel - drizzling and cold
- Here comes the best part the long awaited DINNER, I've been drooling since I got to know about this restaurant and dying to pay a visit there. Thank you my Mr Dictionary in finding such a fantastic restaurant リ锅（极の活海鲜锅物). It is a course meal which cost us only around NT2000 ($87), I will definitely visit this restaurant again if I visit Tai Chung. If you guys loves seafood please google search about this restaurant. I will definitely pay a visit there again.
- Rest and Relax in the hotel
Rou Dan Tu Si "肉蛋吐司"
Taiwan Times Village "宝岛时代村"
Fourth Credit Union "第四信用合作社"
Rainbow Village "彩虹眷村"
Luce Memorial Chapel
リ锅（极の活海鲜锅物)
Day 3
- We rent a cab for a day;10hours, he is a very friendly uncle do let me know if you need to rent a cab, I can furnish you his contact number.
- The uncle bought us Dou Hua, 豆花 and then ferry us to a nearby stall to buy some light bites as our breakfast
- First destination - Flower Market, 中社花市
- Second destination - Lavender Garden, 薰衣草森林
- Third destination - Moncoeur, 心之芳庭
- Fourth destination - Lugang- Taiwan's Historical Town, 鹿港
- Before dropping us for our Dinner the cabbie uncle brought us to a place to take beautiful scenery because both the Mr Cabbie and Mr Dictionary lovess taking photos with their DSLR. It was drizzling and was icy cold, walking under the rain and taking photo of the night scenery is really a great experience.
- Is freezing cold and i requested to have hotpot as dinner. We had our dinner at Zhe Yi Guo (这一锅)
- Slowly walk back to Tree Art Hotel - rest and relax
Flower Market, 中社花市
Wefie with our friendly Cabbie uncle, Lavender Garden, 薰衣草森林
Moncoeur, 心之芳庭
Day 4
- Both of us sleep until 11am and check out at 12pm. Stored our luggage at the hotel and headed out for our brunch before heading to Taipei, Xi Men Ding.
- Brunch at Love One 樂昂, Italian Restaurant, the toast is good!! I miss the toast already. After brunch we have a short walk at Sogo and headed back to the hotel.
- Flagged a cab to HSR and from HSR Tai Chung to Taipei Mainstation and change to Xi Men Station - Is quite easy and remember to grab a Taipei MRT card:)
- Wanted to try Minsu homestay,民宿 and we booked 2 days to stay in Minsu - I can't even remember the address the only think I know is located in Xi Men Ding and is behind Pasta Bar - I didn't have a great night there the room is small/noisy/no lift hence I don't even bother the name and the address - I won't recommend :/
- Explore Xi Men Ding and Dinner WHACK STREET FOOD - Ah Chung Mian Xian (阿宗麵線), Chung You Bing (葱油餅), Chung Jua Bing (葱抓饼), Stinky Toufu
- Shop around and bought another 2 new pairs of shoes - Tai Chung is slightly cheaper and we did bargain like aunty to get a slight discount :p
- Headed back to Minsu and sleep
Day 5
- Morning breakfast, meet our friend he feed us with 蛋餅 and toast which is located nearby his house and lastly with Dim Sum.
- Today destination is Mao Kong, 猫空 alight at Taipei Zoo station and take a cable car up to Mao Kong. There were 2 different kind of cable car; Crystal Cabin and Normal Cabin. We took a normal Cabin as the Crystal Cabin queue is quite long and requires to wait.
- The scenery in Mao Kong is nice and comfy. After an hour plus of walking up and down the hills we decided to sit down and relax. We ordered Chinese Tea and Waffle to enjoy the scenery
- As for Dinner - We are meeting our friend again and together we went to their famous hot pot which is Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋)
- Walk walk around Xi Men Ding and headed back to Minsu
Mao Kong, 猫空
Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋)
Day 6
- Check out Minsu and Check in Orchid hotel, we can only check in after 3pm so we left our luggage there.
- After we leave our luggage there we had Yong He Dou Jiang Soy Milk as breakfast
- After breakfast we took a bus to Hot spring 皇次 and Yang Ming Shan National Park, 陽明山國家公園 - I just follow blindly so I don't know which bus and how to reach there. But both the destination is reachable by public transport
- The Hot spring 皇次 cost us NT800 for 2 person and with food provided - They are famous with their porridge. If we never took the package with food it will cost us NT600 for 2 person and if with additional NT200 we will get to enjoy the hot spring for free where the NT800 is for the food. Remember to bring a small towel else you have to buy from them, they have both private and public pool for me I dare not try their public pool hence I opt for their private pool - no additional charges incurred - reminder, it will be good to have super light breakfast as the porridge portion is a lot we couldn't finish the food :\
- After Hot spring 皇次 we took a bus to Yang Ming Shan National Park, 陽明山國家公園 we have to wait along the road side for the bus. The staff from the hot spring guided us on where and which bus.
- We went Shi-Da Night Market (師大夜市) and eat Formosa Chang Lu Rou Fan, 鬍鬚張魯肉飯. My this Mr Dictionary dearest whack 4 bowls of rice and we bought 4 packets of instant gravy packet.
- Check Out Orchid Hotel and change to SATO Castle. We can only check in at 6pm so we stored our luggage at Orchid Hotel
- Today activities will be : -
- Wu Fen Pu wholesales, 五分埔
- Long Shan Temple; 龍山寺
- Wan Nian;萬年for Gundam
- Wan Nian Building, 萬年 located at Xi Men Ding - I bought 6 boxes of Gundam from there.
- After the last whacking shopping session we took a cab and check in our luggage to SATO Castle.
- Dinner - Meet friend and bring us eat "holiao"
- Sushi/Sashimi, Mala Noodles, Mala Stinky Dou Fu
- Headed back to SATO Castle right after dinner and enjoy personal steam room and Jacuzzi.
Wan Nian;萬年for Gundam
SATO Castle
Day 8
Last Day, check out and headed to Tao Yuan Airport - Byes till we meet again!!
