Super Useful 3-Day Taipei Travel Guide
📍Travel Overview
This trip to Taipei focuses on achieving three main goals: visiting Maokong, admiring art at the National Palace Museum, and buying Taiwanese fisherman's bags.
🚩Itinerary
Day 1: Upon arriving in Taipei, I relaxed at Palais de Chine Hotel. Then, I took a bus near the hotel to Dihua Street, a great spot for Taiwanese-style goods, where I purchased a fisherman's bag. There were so many options that it was hard to choose! I also bought dried fruits and tea from local shops. For dinner, I ate at the food court in Q Square next to the hotel and took some douhua (tofu pudding) back to the hotel to enjoy leisurely.
Day 2: Started the day with breakfast at Palais de Chine Hotel. The buffet included a delicious cinnamon roll and recommended yogurt. Then, I headed to the National Palace Museum for art appreciation, taking a bus to get there. The museum is vast, and I used the free lockers to store my belongings while exploring. I saw the famous jadeite cabbage, but the meat-shaped stone was on loan.
In the afternoon, I took a bus and train, followed by a cable car ride to Maokong. Since it was a weekday, the cable car was quiet, and I got a private cabin. Upon arrival, I walked to Yao Yue Tea House. It was quite busy, but the outdoor terrace was less crowded due to the heat. I ordered vegetarian-friendly tea-infused dishes, with bamboo shoots and tea jelly being particularly delicious. After enjoying the scenery, I returned to the hotel via bus and train.
Later, I visited the retro Starbucks Bao'an Store, a red-brick baroque-style building that exudes nostalgia. The spacious second floor was perfect for relaxing, and I tried a unique strawberry lemonade drink not available in Japan.
Day 3: Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Palais de Chine Hotel, featuring Taiwanese specialties like dried pineapple and soy milk. I also had local dishes like braised pork rice and danzai noodles for a final taste of Taiwan. The hotel is conveniently located near the airport train station, visible from my room window. With three hours before my flight, I used EVA Air's in-town check-in service at Taipei Station, allowing me to travel to the airport luggage-free. After checking in, I returned to my room for tea before officially checking out. The process from Taipei Station check-in to returning to my room took only 15 minutes. Finally, I checked out and departed for Japan from Taoyuan Airport.
🏖️Instagram-Worthy Spots
The hotel is dimly lit, but many guests took photos with the horse statue. Photography is allowed at the National Palace Museum.
🚇Transportation Tips
I relied heavily on buses, which are easy to navigate with Google Maps. Having an EasyCard is highly recommended for public transportation.
📷Recommended Photo Spots
The tea fields in Maokong are located on a hill and offer stunning natural scenery.
🍜Must-Try Food
Tea-infused dishes and tea at Maokong were delightful. Enjoying tea and tea-based cuisine while overlooking the tea fields was incredibly relaxing.
🏠Recommended Accommodation
I stayed at Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei. Its location is unbeatable, directly connected to Taipei Station, with Q Square shopping center next door. The high-speed rail and airport train stations are within walking distance, and the bus terminal is nearby.
💡Important Notes
Be cautious of typhoons during the summer.