Hello!
Short personal update; been watching "Producers" a K-drama staring Kim Soo Hyun, IU and Gong Hyo-jin (one of my favourite actress). The show is about the PDs at KBS, how they manage and run a program, from filming to editing and also bits of their personal lives. It's pretty amazing to see behind the screen works, office politics, how to actually survive your career as a newbie and well.. not well-liked colleague etc. But also the cute romantic situations which seems so realistic as I see myself in some of roles being played and how I have also experienced similar situations. So you can give it a watch! Might not be the next "My love from another star" but I would say its rather entertaining.
So let's begin my next Taiwan Travel Guide;
T A I P E I 1 0 1 A N D E S L I T E B O O K S T O R E
From my previous Taiwan guide, you would have read that my hotel was near the Taipei Main Station. From there, or in fact from your nearest station, take to Taipei City Hall Station (Banman Blue Line). Being a tourist attraction, English signs are there to direct you. You'll need to cut through their underpass mall and then exit at No.4.
On the way you will walk by Eslite Bookstore! Which is the famous bookstore that is largest in Taipei. Not to be confused with their other 24 hours outlet in Dun Hua. At Eslite, you'll be able to find many high quality quirky items, fancy and also precious. They are the Taiwan version of Harrods (from UK), not to go near during Christmas Season because they would make you feel like buying everything. Everything.
Eslite Bookstore Xin Yi District
Location: No. 11, Songgao Rd., Taipei
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 02:00 (Fri-Sat) 10:00 - 00:00 (Sun-Thu)
Directions to get from Taipei City Hall Station to Taipei 101:
And if you are into bookstore, I would recommend that you visit Stepping Stone Bookstore near Taipei Main Station - Sells many cutesy and artsy things at really low prices. Short story - I must share how they are so hardworking as a team and their team spirit is really no joke. As I live opposite this bookstore, I get to see them before they open for business. The whole team was actually having their team meeting outside their shutters at 8 in the morning (or even earlier) and did morning stretches together. I was just staring at them with amazement and wished that I would be able to be part of a team like this when I resume the work life.
As you continue on your way to Taipei 101, you should pass by some bronze tin-can men on your left, and continue walking straight. We passed by police station/petition area - which we saw a strike happening with some police men and media at the scene. Within 10 minutes of walking, upon exiting the underpass, you should reach or at least see your destination!
So what can you do at Taipei 101?
1. Go up to the observation deck on the 89th floor for a 360 panoramic view of Taipei. To do so, you'll need to buy tickets at Lv5 of the shopping mall. It's opened everyday and the closing time for ticket sales and entrance is at 9.15pm
2. Window shop at the branded goods - unless you're intending to buy some Miu Miu or Prada.
3. Visit the AgnesB cafe, yes you read that right! Who would have thought. It's located at B1, near the escalator. Read this review, hope it helps!
4. You must try Dicos - it's this fast food brand that I could not seem to find elsewhere. Their burgers are super good, way better than macdonalds.
5. Visit the Starbucks on the 35th floor - From our previous trip, we were not granted access because the store was full?
But here's how to get there: You'll have to go to Taipei 101 food court and look for this shop Tokyo Curry. Take the escalator up and you'll see a Starbucks behind you. Walk forward and turn left, you'll see some phone booth like containers and a service counter. Go to the "visitor access" kiosk to get the visitor pass. Key in 35F and Starbucks as the company and the number of people following you.
Walk towards the office lift and take it. You should arrive at Starbucks upon stepping out. But from the homework I did before hand, I remember reading how you have to spend a certain amount per person to stay in the shop. Would suggest that you buy a drink each? Good cup of coffee goes hand in hand with amazing views, wouldn't you agree?
6. Take some awesome pictures with cute statues outside!
Taipei 101
Location: No.7 Xin Yi Road Section 5, Taipei City
Operating Hours: 9am to 10pm everyday
If you're looking for wholesale markets, you'll go to Pratunum in Bangkok. If you're looking for one in Taipei, everyone will tell you to try Wu Fen Pu! However, don't get your hopes too high and expect to pay prices as cheap as Bangkok. The price range there varies from SGD$5-$80. They have some pretty neat boutique shops that sell unique items. Items there are of decent quality, most of them are made in Taiwan. You can find accessories, clothes, shoes, bags for both men and women.
Getting here would need to take to Hou Pi Shan Station (Bannan Blue Line). You would need to walk for 10 mins to reach Wu Fen Pu. You might want to not visit here on a Monday as its considered to be the stock-taking day and most of the stores will be entertaining the bigger buyers.
On both occasions that I went, I did not exactly get a very good shopping experience. Mainly because I went during their winter season and there was nothing much to buy. Most of the things there are priced rather high, those 100-200 NT items are those that are either defective items or for clearance sales. Situation might be different if you go during warmer seasons where items are more Singapore weather appropriate.
Wu Fen Pu
Location: Yongji Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11:00am ~ 12:00am , Weekend: 11:00am ~ 09:00pm
You can refer to the google map below for directions:
And if you are looking for places to eat in the evening-night after a long day of shopping, I'll suggest that you head down to Rou He Night Market. You might just grow a second stomach there.
To recover from fatigue from shopping, food is always a good solution. Especially if you are talking about Taiwan street food! You can smell the local food and hear how bustling the night market is before you even reach it. It is hard to miss the entrance of this night market with its bright lights and iconic Ci You Temple. As one of the oldest night market that stretches up to 800 metres long, It will be hard for anyone to not like this market.
So what can you do here?
1. You can get your fortune told here by playing a game of tarot cards (300NT - if I remember correctly)
2. Shop for handphone covers - Taiwan do set the trend at times, know the cutesy transparent covers with many cartoon prints? It came form Taiwan first!
3. Shop for shoes and bags, which does provide amazing quality for its price points
4. Play at those crane machine arcades, plenty of them around.
5. Pig out - Try all sorts of grilled, fried, chilled, shaved, steamed food and whatever ways there are to prepare food. Seriously. You can find the big friend chicken cutlet, grilled flavoured scallops, Taiwan snow shaved ice, beef noodles, big sausages, inert etc You'll never be able to leave this place hungry.
Rou He Night Market
Location
Opening Hours: 5pm to 12am Daily
Getting there from Wu Fen Pu:
This post can be used as a day worth of itinerary considering the amount of time you will spend at each place. Writing this posts makes me hungry from all the food talk and pictures.... But I hoped it helped anyone planning on travelling to Taipei! Taiwan is considered to be rather tourist friendly, it would be a bonus if you can communicate well in Mandarin or Hokkien. The shopping and eating out there is really affordable and what I like the most is the crowded and energetic environment. The people just never seem to be bored and the night there is way better than their day.
The Taiwan travel guide will continue within the next few posts, so check back on Wednesdays or my Instagram account for updates. Shall make myself some lunch now.
Love yourself and others
X Sharleen
So what can you do at Taipei 101?
1. Go up to the observation deck on the 89th floor for a 360 panoramic view of Taipei. To do so, you'll need to buy tickets at Lv5 of the shopping mall. It's opened everyday and the closing time for ticket sales and entrance is at 9.15pm
2. Window shop at the branded goods - unless you're intending to buy some Miu Miu or Prada.
3. Visit the AgnesB cafe, yes you read that right! Who would have thought. It's located at B1, near the escalator. Read this review, hope it helps!
4. You must try Dicos - it's this fast food brand that I could not seem to find elsewhere. Their burgers are super good, way better than macdonalds.
Photo Source: http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/food-search-detail.aspx?no=288&frm=mall
5. Visit the Starbucks on the 35th floor - From our previous trip, we were not granted access because the store was full?
But here's how to get there: You'll have to go to Taipei 101 food court and look for this shop Tokyo Curry. Take the escalator up and you'll see a Starbucks behind you. Walk forward and turn left, you'll see some phone booth like containers and a service counter. Go to the "visitor access" kiosk to get the visitor pass. Key in 35F and Starbucks as the company and the number of people following you.
Photo Source: https://citraningrum.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/starbucks-in-taipei-101-35th-floor/
6. Take some awesome pictures with cute statues outside!
Taipei 101
Location: No.7 Xin Yi Road Section 5, Taipei City
Operating Hours: 9am to 10pm everyday
W U F E N P U
If you're looking for wholesale markets, you'll go to Pratunum in Bangkok. If you're looking for one in Taipei, everyone will tell you to try Wu Fen Pu! However, don't get your hopes too high and expect to pay prices as cheap as Bangkok. The price range there varies from SGD$5-$80. They have some pretty neat boutique shops that sell unique items. Items there are of decent quality, most of them are made in Taiwan. You can find accessories, clothes, shoes, bags for both men and women.
Photo source: http://www.lokopoko.travel/4-days-3-nights-taipei-experience?print=1
Photo source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wufenpu_9,_Dec_06.JPG
Photo source: http://magazine.tripzilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_0275.jpg
Getting here would need to take to Hou Pi Shan Station (Bannan Blue Line). You would need to walk for 10 mins to reach Wu Fen Pu. You might want to not visit here on a Monday as its considered to be the stock-taking day and most of the stores will be entertaining the bigger buyers.
On both occasions that I went, I did not exactly get a very good shopping experience. Mainly because I went during their winter season and there was nothing much to buy. Most of the things there are priced rather high, those 100-200 NT items are those that are either defective items or for clearance sales. Situation might be different if you go during warmer seasons where items are more Singapore weather appropriate.
Wu Fen Pu
Location: Yongji Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11:00am ~ 12:00am , Weekend: 11:00am ~ 09:00pm
You can refer to the google map below for directions:
And if you are looking for places to eat in the evening-night after a long day of shopping, I'll suggest that you head down to Rou He Night Market. You might just grow a second stomach there.
R O U H E N I G H T M A R K E T
To recover from fatigue from shopping, food is always a good solution. Especially if you are talking about Taiwan street food! You can smell the local food and hear how bustling the night market is before you even reach it. It is hard to miss the entrance of this night market with its bright lights and iconic Ci You Temple. As one of the oldest night market that stretches up to 800 metres long, It will be hard for anyone to not like this market.
So what can you do here?
1. You can get your fortune told here by playing a game of tarot cards (300NT - if I remember correctly)
2. Shop for handphone covers - Taiwan do set the trend at times, know the cutesy transparent covers with many cartoon prints? It came form Taiwan first!
3. Shop for shoes and bags, which does provide amazing quality for its price points
4. Play at those crane machine arcades, plenty of them around.
5. Pig out - Try all sorts of grilled, fried, chilled, shaved, steamed food and whatever ways there are to prepare food. Seriously. You can find the big friend chicken cutlet, grilled flavoured scallops, Taiwan snow shaved ice, beef noodles, big sausages, inert etc You'll never be able to leave this place hungry.
Rou He Night Market
Location
Opening Hours: 5pm to 12am Daily
Getting there from Wu Fen Pu:
This post can be used as a day worth of itinerary considering the amount of time you will spend at each place. Writing this posts makes me hungry from all the food talk and pictures.... But I hoped it helped anyone planning on travelling to Taipei! Taiwan is considered to be rather tourist friendly, it would be a bonus if you can communicate well in Mandarin or Hokkien. The shopping and eating out there is really affordable and what I like the most is the crowded and energetic environment. The people just never seem to be bored and the night there is way better than their day.
The Taiwan travel guide will continue within the next few posts, so check back on Wednesdays or my Instagram account for updates. Shall make myself some lunch now.
Love yourself and others
X Sharleen
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