Taipei can be surprisingly affordable to explore, especially if you're willing to mix paid attractions with a few free ones. Some of my favourite places in the city didn't require an entrance fee at all, and many of them ended up being highlights of the trip. the famous rainbow crossing in Ximending If you're looking to…

Mozhuting Burning Noodles was one of those places I came across while researching on Tiktok where to eat in Taipei. It's a popular Taiwanese chain known for its Sichuan-style burning noodles, and judging by the number of people that started arriving while I was there, it's clearly a favorite among locals as well. I arrived r…

The Maokong Gondola is one of the more relaxing things to do in Taipei if you want a break from the city without actually leaving it. The gondola takes you from the edge of Taipei up into the hills of Maokong, an area known for its tea plantations, mountain views, and quieter atmosphere. I ended up doing it on a whim and was surpris…

Yongkang Beef Noodles is one of those places I already knew I wanted to revisit before I even arrived in Taipei. The restaurant has been around since 1963, and after trying it for the first time in 2024 during a long layover in the city, I understood why it’s lasted this long. It ended up being one of those meals that stayed in my …

Mai Mien Yen Tsai was one of those places I kept seeing on TikTok before my trip, so I added it to my list almost immediately. It also happened to be near my hotel, which made it an easy first meal after arriving in Taipei and dropping off my bags. By the time I got there, it was around 30 minutes before closing, which probably mean…

Shifen and Jiufen are probably two of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and it’s easy to see why. Both places feel completely different from the city, with Shifen leaning quieter and more laid-back while Jiufen feels busier and more atmospheric, especially at night. A lot of people visit both in one day, either through a guide…

If you’re looking for one of the best views of Taipei, especially with Taipei 101 right in front of you, Elephant Mountain, also known as Xiangshan, is an easy option. It’s well known, but it doesn’t feel overcomplicated or difficult to get to. It’s also a relatively short hike, which makes it easy to fit into your itinerary. You do…

For my recent trip to Taipei, I made a list of places I wanted to eat at based on the areas I’d be visiting each day. Sinchao Rice Shoppe was one of them. It also happened to be conveniently located near TICC Taipei, where the concert I attended was held, so it worked out as an easy lunch spot before heading there. Sinchao Rice Shop…

Going up Taipei 101 was something I had in mind for this trip, but I wasn’t fully sold on paying for the observatory. The ticket to the 89th floor costs around ₱1100, which felt a bit steep for something I wasn’t sure I’d fully enjoy. I still wanted the view, though, so I looked into alternatives. That’s how I found Simple Kaffa, a …

Taipei has no shortage of tourist-heavy areas, and it’s easy to spend most of your time moving between the usual spots. Datong District felt different. It’s busy, but in a more local, lived-in way, and it doesn’t have the same pull for tourists as places like Ximending. That said, it still has plenty to see, just in a quieter, less …

After watching &Con4 in Singapore, I already knew I wasn’t done with this tour. When they announced Taipei as the last stop, happening on January 25, I told myself I had to be there. It felt right to end the tour where it would officially close. Securing the ticket was its own saga. Ticketing was through KKTIX, and I had to jump…

I had a 16-hour layover in Taipei on my flight from Vancouver to Manila, and instead of staying at the airport, I had planned to head out and explore. I didn’t have a fixed itinerary going into it, just a rough idea that I wanted to make the most of the time I had. Longshan Temple My flight arrived around 5:30am, which is still qui…