Taiwan Trip during Lunar New Year - Part 2

The second day, I check out of the dorm since my flight is after midnight, and I will not stay for another day.  After checking out, I ate breakfast at a nearby shop.

Fried Turnip Cake

Stir-fried Noodles

After eating, I set out to Tamsui, 淡水 (Dànshǔi).  Tamsui is located in the north of Taiwan.  The train ride took quite some time before finally reaching the sea-side district of New Taipei City.  Like many places in Taiwan, Tamsui’s street have plenty of food to feast on.

Boar meat sausage

Silken Tofu Pudding, 豆花 (dòuhuā)

Tamsui is a rather pleasant and interesting place.  If you like to enjoy the scenery, this place is known for its seaside view.  Food lovers will find good food all along the street.  People who like to shop will not be bored here too, as there are many shops selling toys, clothes, bags, and many others.

Perhaps it's due to the Lunar New Year holiday, it is really crowded.

Simple lunch

The weather is really hot

Kids are playing

After Tamsui, I visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, 中正紀念堂 (Zhōngzhèng jìniàntáng), which is a memorial for the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek.  At the Memorial Square, there are three grand buildings, the National Concert Hall, the National Theater, and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall.

An old man playing the Accordion at the subway station.

The National Theater

Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness, 大中至正 ((Dàzhōngzhìzhèng)

The National Concert Hall

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness lights up.

I actually intend to go up the Taipei 101, 台北101 (Táiběi 101) at night, but due to too many visitors during the Lunar New Year season, the queue is so long that I feel it is not worth the wait.  I just took some photos from the outside and proceed for a quick walk at Shilin Night Market, 士林夜市 (Shìlín Yèshì) before taking the bus to Taipei Taoyuan Airport.

Taipei 101

From this visit, I find Taiwan to be quite a nice place.  There's many interesting places to visit, delicious food to try, and the people are nice and helpful.  Although this trip to Taiwan is rather short, but I would definitely like to visit Taiwan again in the future, as there are still many places that I did not get a chance to visit due to time constraint.

Taiwan Trip during Lunar New Year - Part 1

It is still winter in South Korea, and since the holiday for 설날 (seolnal) in Korea is too short, I will not be celebrating the Lunar New Year with my family in Malaysia. I will go to Taiwan for a short trip during the short vacation period. Since my time in Taiwan will be short, I will only be traveling around Taipei and New Taipei City.

My flight was at midnight, and after arriving at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, I took a bus to Taipei Station, since I will be lodging at a dorm just next to Taipei Station. After a quick breakfast at a small shop near the station, I take the train to Ruifang Station.

Ruifang Station

Near Ruifang Station is a famous place Jiufen, 九份 (Jiǔfèn), a mountain town often said to resemble the settings of the film Spirited Away.

Spirited Away

Jiufen is a place where you can eat to your heart's content. There's variety of food to try and they are cheap. Buy some souvenir at one of the many souvenir shops at Jiufen too.

Fishballs

A Well of Herbal Eggs

The scenery at Jiufen is great as well. It is an old town with a nice feeling to it. Get some exercise by walking up the slopes and go to the cliff area where you can see the beautiful scenery of the sea.

Landscape from high up the hill

Tea House beside the street

Small Alley

Interesting Shop

A less crowded place

Nice View

Nostalgic feeling

Looks like Spirited Away?

After finish looking around Jiufen, I returned to have lunch near Ruifang Station. One shall never forget to eat beef noodles and drink some Bubble Milk Tea while at Taiwan! After eating and resting a little, it's time to the next destination.

Beef Noodles

Bubble Milk Tea

I got on a bus near Ruifang Station heading to ShiFen, 十分 (Shífēn). Shifen used to be a coal mining area. Shifen Old Street is along the railroad where many people are letting their sky lantern float to the sky. Walk along the street and feel the nostalgic ambiance. There are many souvenir shops in this area as well.

Railroad at Shifen Old Street

Old buildings

When at Shifen, you should see the Shifen Waterfall, 十分大瀑布 (Shífēn Dà Pùbù). It is quite a walk from Shifen Old Street. On the way, you can see The JingAn Suspension Bridge. I took another route when returning from the waterfall and cross the suspension bridge.

JingAn Suspension Bridge

Terrace below

Shifen Waterfall

After walking since morning, I would like to go back for a short break before continuing, but there are so many people lining up to take the bus back to Taipei. After a long queue, I had to stand on the bus for the long way back to Taipei. Keep in mind not to travel during the Lunar New Year.

A really crowded area at Ximending

Shop all you want

After resting, I head for Ximending, 西門町 (Xīméndīng). Ximending is one of the most famous shopping districts of Taiwan, with fashionable people all around. There's plenty to see here. Shopping and eating are the main activities at Ximending. If you like to collect toys and Anime figures, there are quite a few place to look at. There's a One Piece store but I could not find it. 

Fresh Fruit Juice Stall, try the Bitter gourd with Honey Juice

Grilled Seafood

Fried Chicken

Some kind of noodles

After a long day, I return to rest for more travels the next day.