UK Flyer 1

3 nights mid February, hooking out of Manila.

Anything not to be missed?
Anywhere offering gastronomic delights?
Any life after dark?

jimbo99

I suppose going to the top of Taipei 101 is a box to be ticked. It used to be closed Mondays, but I think it's open every day now.

http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/OB/index_ob.asp

But I would avoid the food court at weekends - a noisy, canteen type feel and it can be really difficult to find a table. The food is mediocre.

I like the shops around Zhongshan - especially the large department stores, and the food courts are better here IMHO.

There is also the Taipei Flora Expo running at the moment, and the weather's not hot now so it's bearable. But don't expect a Chelsea/Hampton Court flower show.

I'll let someone else chip in about food since I find the local stuff pretty horrid. But if you like Japanese food, certainly that is excellent here and not expensive.

I would also consider the National Palace Museum (especially if you're interested in Chinese art) and the Shilin Night Market.

moss389

Have heard that teahouses up by the Maokong gondola are good especially after dark for a night view of the city (Taiwan's specialty is oolong).

There will be more food than you can try at the night markets, but for normal restaurants a useful website is: http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/
YongKang road also has a high concentration of good places including the original Din Tai Fung outlet (more hype than substance? perhaps).

I was surprised at how early the night markets started dwindling down (~12am), but there are many clubs and bars all over the city. Near Guting and GongGuan MRT stations (i.e., near the universities) there are many livehouses and cafes that open pretty late. XiMenDing is also pretty popular.

Taipei 101 was just a tall building with a pricey elevator ride IMHO, although the tuned mass damper was rather interesting.

kevincrumbs

I've spent substantial time in Taipei over the past two years and never once made it to the top of Taipei 101, nor have I felt like I've missed out. Honestly, it just depends on your interests. Some people like observation decks, others would rather save the money and get a bite to eat.

Taipei has always felt like a city that closes down relatively early and in the past this has posed some problems in terms of trying to find a decent bite to eat around the nine o'clock hour. Despite that and unlike jimbo99, I quite like the local food in Taipei. I think Tu Hsiao Yueh is an easy starting point for someone visiting Taiwan for the first time (and assuming you don't speak Chinese). They specialise in Danzai Noodles and are a bit more upscale than your local hole in the wall. Seeing as how the website has an English section, I'm sure they'll have an English menu. Din Tai Fung is excellent, despite the endless hype, although I'd recommend staying away from the Yongkang Street location as the lines are always quite long. I agree with moss389's recommendation of Yongkang Street in general. Have a walk around there and see what catches your eye.

For a three day visit, I'm not sure I'd go to the Flora Expo. I enjoyed it but also recognised that it wasn't exactly an amazing event, even if the GF and I spent eight hours there.

dtsm

Agree, overpriced and over-hyped but worth visiting the general 101 area.

Very nice. Keep in mind, if you're alone or with spouse, it's slightly more difficult to try various dishes, unless you plan to doggy-bag

Way over-hyped, over priced and something definitely not worth waiting on line for!

If you visit the Palace Museum, try to arrange for English speaking guide. Well worth the investment and time.....

Cal_92

IMO, CKS Memorial Hall and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall are worth a visit. I would definitely go to the Shilin Night Market and the Hwah-Si night market adjacent to LongShan Temple. Din Tai Fung is nice but a little expensive, but since this is Taiwan's famous restaurant, you have to dine here so that you can say "I had Din Tai Fung in Taipei". Overall, I enjoyed just about every local small restaurant in Taipei serving their traditional noodles (knife cut, hand pulled), with dumplings, beef, tomatoes, you name it. Great taste guaranteed!

kevincrumbs

I always go to the one in Tianmu as the GF lives there, so lines are never a problem besides when we went on Christmas Eve 2010, although the wait wasn't too bad.

I've heard from other people that they think it's overpriced and doesn't match the hype, but no one ever offers an alternative place for xiaolongbao. So, dtsm, where would you recommend?

taipeipeter

The one thing not to be missed is the National Palace Museum. Otherwise, what are your tastes? General street life after dark is quite lively in particular districts, but not real late except for clubs.

For February, I'd also put hot springs on my list of unmissables. Anything from free river bathing to ultra-fancy spas.

(Xiaolongbao: try Kao Chi (Gao Ji, original also on Yongkang St.; general jiaozi try Zhuji, on Ren'ai Rd. just east of Jian'guo S. Rd.)

Pickles

Second Kao Chi. But I also like DTF!

dtsm

Actually many good local restaurants offer good xiaolongbao. And I am not sure why folks are so obsessed with this particular item. It's just a type of dumpling, one of many that Chinese eat on a regular basis. I often scratch my head and wonder: it's not a gourmet dish that one needs to spend an hour on line to try...

Folks that rave about it here are kinda of like asking: "where do you go for the best grits or cornbread when south of the mason dixon line"

However, I will try to put together a list of restaurants that cater to tourists and post in the near future.

kevincrumbs

I think part of the reason people are obsessed with xiaolongbao is because outside of Taiwan and China, it's quite hard to find quality xiaolongbao and it's also not something that the normal person can just make at home. If I crave xiaolongbao, I have to go to a restaurant and in a mid-sized American city like Portland, that ain't happening. Contrast xiaolongbao, with say, wontons, which are pretty simple to make and easy to find in Chinese restaurants all over the world.

Going with your analogy with grits and cornbread, those aren't difficult things to make, therefore there's no huge need for visitors to seek out the best of the best. Then again, the Travel Channel and Food Network seem to have hours and hours of (IMO, idiotic) programming dedicated to finding the best of simple foods, like sandwiches, cookies and whatnot.

The food item in Taipei that I see the most obsession for, if you will, is beef noodle soup as ever other place likes to boast how they won an award at some beef noodle soup festival.

Cal_92

Xiolongbaos are readily available at most Chinese teahouses. Some/most may not be up to Din Tai Fung standards in terms of taste or quality, but they are available. Maybe things are different in Portland.

In any case, you can now drive 170 miles or so north to Seattle and have Din Tai Fung there. For me, there's one in LA already, and plenty of other places with xiaolongbao.

I completely agree...As I stated above, I really enjoyed the beef noodle soup at the many local restaurants in Taiwan.

dtsm

^^

lin821

For 3 nights...hmmm.

Not sure if you'll get to enjoy Lantern Festival. It's going to be Feb 17, 2011. You may want to check out Sky Lantern at Pingsi (平溪), Taiwan. There will be some exhibits in Taipei as well.

If the weather cooperates, mid-Feb should still be good for hot springs. There are plenty of places to go. Generally speaking, you can find some more old fashion Japanese style in Beitou. Yangmingshan has good hot springs too.

Tamsui (or Dansui/Danshui) is worth a visit. Located by Tamsui River, Tamsui used to be the most important commercial port in Northern Taiwan. Tamsui Old Street and some historical buildings in town have made Tamsui one of mustsee destinations near Taipei.

Jiufen (九份) is another old town with lots of historical significance in Taiwan. You can do a one-day trip on Jiufen and its surrounding area.

When you need a coffee break, you may try Cafe Astoria (明星咖啡廳), ÖKOGREEN Fairtrade Coffee (生態綠: tel 02-23222225) where you get to decide the price for your coffee, or Daughter's Cafe (朵兒咖啡館) built for the the movie "Taipei Exchanges" that stays open after filming (official linky).

All of the above are accessible either by MRT or public transportation.

Just some random highlights on top of my head for a 1st-timer to Taipei, Taiwan. If you need assistance with more detailed directions, just ask away. Hope it's not too late to address your questions. Welcome to Taipei!

kevincrumbs

I've heard that it gets terribly crowded during the festival in Pingxi, to the point that my friends in Taiwan stay away from there during its duration. In general though, Pingxi and the train journey to get out there is really nice and I'd recommend it too.