When I read blogs about Taipei, Taiwan and Ximending travels last year.
I got excited and told Ed, my partner, that we should visit Taipei this year and take advantage of the free visa which is by the way extended until July, 31 2020.
I booked our trip 6 months prior to our flight date Nov 3,2018 =) .
We explored Taiwan via AirAsia for 5 days from Nov 3-8, 2018.
WHERE IS THE BEST DEAL PARA MAGPALIT NG DOLLARS
We bought Taiwan dollars at the NAIA Airport. It was a good deal for its exchange rate of NT$ 1.90 or you can withdraw Taiwan dollars via your ATM /visa card in Taiwan, provided you'll inform your bank ahead of time.
Ed and I decided to stay for a 5-day staycation to feel the Taiwan vibes and to explore Taipei around.
We got to visit Ximending, Taipei Main Station, Maokong Gondola, Yehliu, Shifen, Jiufen, Tamsui Old Street,Shilin Night Market, Chiang Kai Shek, Sogo and Taipei 101.
This is our DAY 1.
We landed 10:30AM at Taoyuan Airport via Air Asia.
For first timers like us. This is a MUST HAVES when travelling in Taiwan.
1. Easy Card
You can buy your EASY CARD at the airport or at any 7-11 branch.
In our case we bought our Sanrio inspired easy cards inside the airport for NT100 each. Need nyo to when riding their trains and bus. Sobra syang helpful when travelling in Taiwan. Believe me, plus pede din syang gamitin when riding the Maokong Gondola and or buying milk teas in the Ximending area.
2. SIM CARD
If you want fast internet, anywhere in Taiwan. It is a must to buy a SIM CARD . Never mind the wifi router. Talking about convenience and fast internet in your hands. Plus its cheaper , we bought our simcard good for 5 days for only NTD300 inside the airport.
Pag need mo iupload ng mabilisan yung mga pictures mo sa social media like instagram, facebook, pinterest, twitter. SIMCARD lang need mo sa Taiwan.
GOING TO THE CITY FROM THE AIRPORT
If youre a cheapskate like me, there is a reliable Bus 1819 which will take you to Taipei Main Station for only NT115 one way. One of the best and easiest ways to reach Taipei Main Station from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Mura na yan believe me. I heard that the cab will cost you NT900 going to the city!
The bus is located at the basement of Taoyuan Airport. Its the only available 24HR bus in the airport kaya if you arrived late na, you have a choice, either you ride the bus, TSR or cabs.
Get your phones and camera ready kse lahat is instagramable worthy.The bus stop is at Taipei Main Station. We roamed around muna and took pictures and selfies. Then we looked for the train station going to Ximending. Medyo naligaw kami hahaha hauling our luggages around.
To get to Ximending ride the train from Taipei Main Station and look for the Bannan Line (Blue line). (From there,)look for Dingfu station and alight at Ximen. Its up to you where to exit. In our case, Tomorrow Hotel is just beside H&M, Exit 6.
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Train Station Bannan Line
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We checked in at Tomorrow Hotel, Ximending Area via Agoda. Sobrang good deal na yung nakuha ko for 5 days at only P6K+. May free breakfast voucher kami from 7-11. Okay naman na yun for us, kase marami naman food choices sa 7-11.
Sobrang ganda ng location namin. Malapit sya sa lahat. It is near MRT, Bus Station, Carrefour, Watsons, H&M, KFC, Hotstar and night market.
We arrived 12NN and went straight to our hotel. We slept muna and woke up at 4Pm. We freshened up and walked around Ximending area. Ximending has this youthful vibe. Puro bagets ang crowd. Ang ganda nya promise sabi nila it has the Shibuya feels from Japan. I love it here. Ang daming milk tea shops. As in every corner, and ang daming street food. You'll never get hungry.
We bought Boba teas at the Ximending street. This is by far the tastiest and chewy bobas that we tried. We loved it both. Its only NTD40. Yung price range is the same din sa ibang tea shops. From NTD 40 up to NTD50 yun na medyo mahal.
We tried to find Carrefour but we got lost. So we decided to look it up the day after.
After trying out Boba tea in the street of Ximending, we dropped by Coco and ordered their milk tea oolong with pearls. The verdict is tama lang lasa nya. Ill be writing another blog for teas in Taiwan. =)
Two tea shops in one night. Not bad.
If you are familiar with Hongkong, Singapore and Korean trains. Its easy to explore places in Taiwan. Just download the Taiwan MRT app or use your google map. Its as easy as that. Di ka maliligaw promise.
We went back to our hotel feeling full and we are excited for the next day's lakwatsa at the Yehliu, Shifen, Jiufen tour.
