Heading to Taipei with the SO next weekend, arriving Friday evening (19:10) and departing Sunday morning (07:50). Staying the first night at the Holiday Inn East, and the second at the Novotel by the Taoyuan airport (not ideal to switch hotels but price was the deciding factor...)
I have come up with the following list of attractions and things to do/see and would love some feedback on what to prioritize/skip, and also suggestions on how to sequence them best, and what time of day is best (if it matters).
- National Palace Museum (English guided tours available?)
- Longshan Temple
- Shilin Night Market (considering this for the first night as we are arriving somewhat late, but it is inconvenient to go the hotel and then backtrack... can we go to the market with our hand luggage or is that not recommended?)
- Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
- Taipei 101 (considering hiking Elephant mountain instead of going up)
- Baoan & Confucius Temples
- Tea room/shop (interested in buying a small amount of Oolong to take home)
- Eslite bookstore (need to stock up on books for the rest of the trip, but obviously not essential, although it apparently is worth a visit)
Sample eats/drinks:
Tianbula
Pearl milk tea
pinapple cake
three cup chicken
Kaoliang
Betel nuts (what does mildly intoxicating mean? -
)
Din Tai Fung restaurant, yes or no?
I think Holiday Inn- East probally not a good choice for first night (or any night with your limited time), its bit out the way for what you want to see and no subway access (need use Taxi) and far from airport passing central Taipei, Choose maybe more near Taipei Station r central to where you want to go, such as Cosmos (NT$3,000), YMCA (NT$1,800), or various others in Taipei Station area, or a bit north, then your able to accress the night markets and LungShan Temple via subway. For Kaoliang, just go to 7-11, or family-mart (everywhere, 3000+ stores in TW)