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Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei (TAIPEI Quarterly 2020 Spring Vol.19)

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Post date:2020-03-12

1221

TAIPEI #19 (2020 Spring)

Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

 

WORDS BY Adam Hopkins
PHOTOS BY

Gao Zanxian, Taiwan Scene, Yenping Yang, Department of Economic Development,

Taipei City Government, MyTaiwanTour, Francesca Chang, Mashal Zen Garden,

Longtail, bhakpong, Mudan, Xu Yirong, Department of Information and

Tourism,Taipei City Government, Liu Jiawen, Baoan Temple

 

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei▲Spring is the best time to explore Taipei and find out what this wonderful city has to offer. (Photo / Gao Zanxian)

Not too hot, not too cold and not too wet; spring is truly the best time to visit Taipei. Winter is behinds us and the sweltering summer has yet to arrive, resulting in the perfect conditions for getting out and exploring what this wonderful city has to offer. A bustling capital with a diverse range of options on offer for tourists: whether its food, culture or outdoor activities you’re looking for, Taipei has it all, and spring is an ideal season to be here. Want to see everything Taipei has to provide but don’t know where to start? We’ve hand-selected five tours for visitors to Taipei that show different sides of the city and give a true representation of what’s going on in the Taiwanese capital.


 

★ Taste of Taipei Tour
 

ROUTE:

A traditional Taiwanese breakfast youtiao, shaobing & doujiang ➔ Sample authentic Taiwanese xiaolongbao & beef noodles ➔ Try DIY bubble tea in the afternoon ➔ A night market tour at night
 

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei▲Traditional Taiwanese breakfast:youtiao (left) and shaobing (right). (Photo / Taiwan Scene)

Taipei is famous for its food, and you can’t come here without trying the local delicacies and dishes. Hop on this food tour and start your spring trip by filling your belly. The first stop must be a traditional Taiwanese breakfast of youtiao ( 油條), a sort of Chinese churro, a type of flatbread known as shaobing ( 燒餅), and a big bowl or glass of warm soy milk, referred to as doujiang ( 豆漿), for dipping. This is a breakfast that’s been enjoyed across Taiwan and is the perfect way to start your Taipei culinary journey on a beautiful spring day. Take a walk through a classic Taipei market, and then for lunch sample a couple of the country’s most famous dishes: xiaolongbao ( 小籠包), delicious world-famous soup dumplings, and beef noodles. And it doesn’t stop there! In the afternoon, it’ll be all about bubble tea as you take part in your own DIY class where you’ll learn how to make Taiwan’s most famous drink. Round off your day as a Taipei foodie by getting dinner at one of the city’s many brilliant night markets — if you still have room, that is!TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei
▲Bubble tea DIY. (Photo / Taiwan Scene)
 

RECOMMENDATION

Traditional Taiwanese Breakfast

Ho’s Soy Milk  和記豆漿
⛪️ 2-2, Ln. 463, Sec. 3, Heping E. Rd., Xinyi Dist.

🕑 7:00am - 11:30am (Closed on Wed. & Thu.)

Miss Chin’s  秦小姐豆漿店
⛪️ 7-6, Yanji St., Songshan Dist.
🕑 5:30am – 1:30pm

Xiaolongbao

Shengyuan Luffa Xiao Long Bao  盛園絲瓜小籠湯包
⛪️ 1, Aly. 25, Sec. 2, Hangzhou S. Rd., Daan Dist.
🕑 11:00am - 9:30pm

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao  杭州小籠湯包
⛪️17, Sec. 2, Hangzhou S. Rd., Daan Dist.

🕑 11:00am - 10:00pm (Sun. to Thu.), 11:00am - 11:00pm (Fri. & Sat.)

Beef Noodles

Yong-Kong Beef Noodle  永康牛肉麵
⛪️ 17, Ln. 31, Sec. 2, Jinshan S. Rd., Daan Dist.
🕑 11:00am - 3:30pm, 4:30pm - 9:00pm

Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodle  林東芳牛肉麵
⛪️ 322, Sec. 2, Bade Rd., Zhongshan Dist.
🕑 11:00am - 3:00am

Bubble Tea DIY

Chun Shui Tang Zhongzheng Branch  春水堂中正店
⛪️ 21-1, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist.
🔗 https://chunshuitang.com.tw/

CookInn Taiwan
⛪️ 8F, 210, Sec. 3, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist.
🔗 https://cookinn.tw/en/home-2/

Night Market

Raohe Street Night Market  饒河街觀光夜市
⛪️ Raohe Street (between Sec. 4, Bade Rd. and Fuyuan St.)

Ningxia Night Market  寧夏觀光夜市
⛪️ Ningxia Road (between Nanjing W. Rd. and Minsheng W. Rd)

 

★ Taipei Great Outdoors Tour


ROUTE

Hiking in Yangmingshan ➔  Flower viewing during the Calla Lily and Hydrangea season ➔

Bike to explore the city

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government)
 
Make the most of Taipei’s spring weather with an outdoor tour of the city. A hike up the glorious Yangmingshan ( 陽明山) in Yangmingshan National Park between Taipei and New Taipei City will get your blood pumping and fill your lungs with fresh spring air. It’s an ideal time of year to visit Yangmingshan as the wild flowers will be blooming, especially calla lily and hydrangea at the Zhuzihu ( 竹子湖) . The flower festival will be held from late March through June, where you can enjoy creative market, concerts, and guided tours while enjoying flower viewing.

Following your flower field frolicking, it’s time to explore Taipei by bike. Hop on a YouBike, one of the many yellow share bikes accessible to the public around the city, and find out just how cyclist-friendly Taipei can be. Designated cycle lanes all across the city make navigating Taipei by bike a piece of cake, while the riverside cycle routes such as park near Dadaocheng ( 大稻埕) is not to be missed.
TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / MyTaiwanTour)

RECOMMENDATION

Hiking Trail in Yangmingshan

Juansi Waterfall Trail  涓絲瀑布步道
🚌 
Take bus 303 or S15 at MRT Jiantan Station. Get off at Juansi Waterfall Station.

Zhuzihu Circular Trail  竹子湖環狀步道
🚌 
Take bus 128 or S8 at MRT Shipai Station, or take bus 129 or S9 at MRT Beitou station. Get off at Zhuzihu Station.

2020 Zhuzihu Calla Lily & Hydrangea Festival

🕑 March 27 – June 21

🔗 http://www.callalily.com.tw/

Biking Site

Dadaocheng Wharf (Yengping Riverside Park)  大稻埕碼頭
🚲 10-min bike from MRT Beimen Station

Shezi Daotou Park  社子島島頭公園
🚲 40-min bike from Dadaocheng Wharf

 


★ 
Taipei Chill-Out Tour


ROUTE

Visit the top of Taipei 101 ➔ Soak in the hot spring in Beitou to relax on a spring day ➔

Enjoy a great meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant ➔ End the day with a relaxing foot massage
TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Francesca Chang)

Get a taste of Taipei affluence this spring with a tour of the city’s most posh hotspots. Literally experience the high life with a trip up the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, formerly the world’s tallest building and to this day the most recognizable landmark in Taipei. Head next to the hot springs of Beitou ( 北投) for a healing soak in the city’s world-renowned hot spring water before going for some fine dining at one of the Taipei’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. Then end your day with a relaxing foot massage at one of the capital’s premier spas. A day of luxury definitely worth treating yourself to. You deserve it.
TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Marshal Zen Garden)

RECOMMENDATION

Taipei 101

Observatory Deck at 89th floor
⛪️ 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Xinyi Dist.

🕑 9:00am - 10:00pm

Skyline 460 (Out-door deck at 101th floor)
⛪️ 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Xinyi Dist.
🕑 Limited Time at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm

Hot Spring in Beitou

Marshal Zen Garden  少帥禪園
⛪️ 34, Youya Rd., Beitou Dist.

Radium Kagaya International Hotel  日勝生加賀屋
⛪️236, Guangming Rd., Beitou Dist.

Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Longtail
⛪️ 174, Sec. 2, Dunhua S. Rd., Daan Dist.
🕑 6:00pm - 12:00am

Mingfu Taiwan Seafood Dishes  明福台菜海產
⛪️ 18-1, Ln. 137, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist.
🕑 12:00pm - 2:30pm ; 6:00pm - 9:30pm

Foot Massage

Six Star Foot massage (Taipei Nanjing Branch)  六星級足體養生館南京店
⛪️ 76, Sec. 5, Nanjing E. Rd., Songshan Dist.
🕑 Opened 24-hours

Sasyunkan  再春館
⛪️ 2F, 8, Sec. 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist.
🕑 9:30am - 11:00pm

 


★ 
LGBTaipei Tour


ROUTE

Visit Treasure Hill Artist Village in Gongguan ➔ The Witch House ➔ Ximending area ➔

Bar Hopping to experience the night life
TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Xu Yirong)
 

This May will mark one year since Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, and once you visit some of the city’s various LGBTQ-friendly venues, you’ll see why we became the first country in Asia to pass the law. Your first stop will be Treasure Hill Artist Village ( 寶藏巖國際藝術村), a small community on the banks of the Xindian River ( 新店溪) in Gongguan ( 公館) housing resident artists from all over the world who frequently curate exhibitions or create artworks to voice for LGBTQ rights. Peruse the installations, stores and houses of the charming area that has stood in its present from since the 1970s. A visit to The Witch House ( 女巫店), a multipurpose venue known for its live music, will give you a further taste of Taipei’s LGBTQ culture before you hit the streets of the city’s famous Ximending ( 西門町) area and have an unforgettable bar hopping tour to experience the local nightlife in well-known LGBTQ-friendly bars such as Commander D, Karen Bar and Mudan.

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government)
 

RECOMMENDATION

Treasure Hill Artist Village
⛪️ 2, Aly. 14, Ln. 230, Sec. 3, Dingzhou Rd., Zhongzheng Dist.
🔗 http://www.artistvillage.org/index.php

LGBTQ-Friendly Bar in Ximending

Commander D
⛪️ B1F, 36, Sec. 2, Kaifeng St., Wanhua Dist.
🕑 9:00pm - 3:00am
Karen Bar
⛪️ 63, Ln. 10, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist.
🕑 9:00pm - 2:00am (Sun. to Thu.), 8:00pm - 3:00am (Fri. & Sat.)
Mudan  牡丹
⛪️ 45, Ln. 10, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist.
🕑 5:00pm - 1:00am (Sun. to Thu.), 5:00pm - 2:00am (Fri. & Sat.)



★ Taipei Culture Vulture Tour


ROUTE

A historical tour in Dadaocheng ➔ Tea tasting & tea ceremony ➔ Visit Baoan Temple

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Liu Jiawen)


Taipei is a city loaded with culture, and no visit here is complete without a tour in Dadaocheng. As the area was the biggest center to trade Taiwanese tea in the 1800s, you can find various tea houses there to patriciate an authentic tea ceremony and sample a few of the country’s best tea. Spring time also coincides with the Baosheng Cultural Festival ( 保生文化季). As part of your tour, you’ll also visit the historic Baoan Temple ( 保安宮) and join the festival to both celebrate the birthday of Baosheng Emperor ( 保生大帝) and experience the local cultural traditions. The structure was also recognized by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation back in 2003. The festival is a symbol of Taiwan’s folk religious celebrations as well as architectural legacy, and has inspired similar festivities in places such as Singapore and China.

TAIPEI Spring 2020 Vol.19--Spring into Action: Five Diversified Tours to Explore Taipei

(Photo / Baoan Temple)

RECOMMENDATION

Tea Houses in Dadaocheng
WANG TEA  有記名茶
⛪️ 26, Ln. 64, Sec. 2, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong Dist.
🕑 9:00am - 7:00pm (Closed on Sun.)
South St. Delight  南街得意
⛪️ 67, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist.
🕑 11:00am - 7:00pm

2020 Baosheng Cultural Festival

🕑 March 28 — June 28
🔗 https://www.baoan.org.tw/?&lang=en



How to prepare to visit Taipei in the spring
As previously mentioned, springtime, in terms of weather, is pretty pleasant in Taipei. In terms of other clothing, you’ll be comfortable in long pants, but shorts, skirts and dresses etc. may be more comfortable, especially during the daytime. During the night, however, might be a little chilly but a light jacket will do. The average temperature during spring in Taipei is around 25 degrees Celsius. The energy-sapping humidity of summer won’t have arrived, yet rainy season might start at the end of May, so prepare for rain just in case by packing some waterproof clothing (you can pick up a cheap umbrella at any convenience store). It’s also highly recommended that you bring adequate sun protection, such as sun cream, as even in the springtime, the sun in Taipei can be intense.

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