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.