This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

One of the best parts of visiting or living in Taipei is that beautiful scenery is at your fingertips. Whether you’re in the mood for a beach, a hike, or hot springs — it’s usually just a short MRT ride away.

Born and bred in Alaska, I have a profound love and appreciation of hiking, so I was unbelievably excited for all the trails and hikes I would find around Taipei and Taiwan in general.

And let me tell ya – they never disappoint.

Whether you’re trying to get out of the city to decompress in some nature or to see some of the wonders of Taiwan – here are the top hikes in Taipei, Taiwan.

read next

• Cost of Travel in Taiwan | 2024 Budget Breakdown
• 16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)

Top 8 Hikes in Taipei

1. Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain)

Popular due to it’s fantastic views of Taipei 101 and the city skyline, Xiangshan is by far the most popular hike for any first-timer in Taipei. While I do recommend it, I personally was a little disappointed the first time I hiked it. But not for the reason you would think!

It takes roughly 15-20 mins and then you’ve made it to the top! I prefer longer hikes, so I was shocked to find out that we had finished only after 15 minutes. However, you do get an absolutely beautiful view of the city, so it’s a must-do on any itinerary in Taipei! And after getting over my initial shock, I came around to love the short, but sweet hike.

If you’re in the mood for a longer hike, you can continue to walk up and roam the ridge, there are maps for different trails, and spots for resting under shade and taking in the magnificent city views.

Best Time to hike it

I’ve hiked it during the morning, afternoon, sunset, and at night. Each has their unique pros, but I personally loved hiking it at sunset and at night.

It’s extremely popular to hike for the sunset, as the views are unbeatable so be prepared for crowds. But, if you prefer less crowds, then the morning or night is best!

How to get there

Hop on the Red Line all the way to Xiangshan MRT station, take exit 2, walk through the park, hang left, and follow the road for about 5 minutes. It will curve to the right and soon you’ll see the entrance to the hike on the left side of the road (it’s a staircase in the middle of trees).

2. Jinmianshan Trail

Another fantastic trail with a beautiful city view, Jinmianshan Trail is also easily accessible by MRT.

This hike is roughly 25-40 minutes one way, depending on how fast you’re walking. It has an expansive view of Taipei with plenty of places to rest at the top.

Many hikes in Taipei will involve a little bit of rock climbing with a rope – and this is one of them! As you get closer to the top there will be a section of smooth rock that you will need to climb up. Luckily, there are ropes you can hold on to as you ascend the mountain.

Some daredevils don’t use the rope and just walk up, but do so with caution! It can be slippery, especially if it’s been raining, but overall it’s safe and one of my favorite hikes.

Best time to hike it

Since this one is slightly longer and has steep areas, I recommend hiking this in the morning or later afternoon when the sun isn’t too strong. You’ll be shaded by trees in the beginning, but then towards the top you won’t have any shade and it can get quite hot.

No matter what time of the day it is, expect crowds – especially on the weekends!

How to get there

Take the Brown Line to Xihu MRT Station and walk about 10 minutes north to the trailhead.

3. Qixingshan Trail

I’m not into gatekeeping and I’m not gonna start now! This is truly, by far, the most incredible hike in Taipei. I f*cking LOVED it (excuse my french, but it is necessary here). To me, it has all the essentials of what makes a hike a hike.

Gorgeous views of the northwest coast and the entirety of Taipei to the east, not too crowded – passing a few people every few minutes, and it takes at least 40 minutes to an hour to get to the top.

Once you’ve reached the summit, it’s truly the most breathtaking view. You genuinely feel like you’re at the tippy top of Taiwan and can see the entire coast around you – it’s absolutely beautiful and I cannot recommend this hike enough!!

Best time to hike it

Due to the length, the early morning or early afternoon is best. I like to avoid peak daylight hours as it gets quite toasty when hiking. Be sure to go on a clear day so the well-worth it view isn’t hiding behind the clouds!

How to get there

There are a few different ways to get here, my friend and I met at the Shilin MRT Station and took an Uber from there. However, we did end up getting lost and ended up hiking it the opposite way most people do, which was hilarious in and of itself.

If you want to be slightly more prepared than my friend and I, you can use Google Maps to find the correct bus (usually S8 or S9) to take you to the correct bus stop where the trail actually starts, from whichever MRT station is best for you (Beitou or Shilin).

When you see a stone trail going up into the mountain with sulfur gas floating out of the rocks from natural hot springs to the left, you’ve met the trailhead.

Enjoy this magnificent hike!!

4. Juansi Falls Trail

A more relaxing hike with creeks running along the trail, an insta-worthy bridge crossing, and a waterfall for you to discover, the Juansi Falls Trail is perfect for anyone who prefers a less intense hike while immersing themselves in the beautiful nature that is Taiwan.

This hike is more of a DIY for a trail, you can explore the area in many different ways and follow different trails leading you to various nature spots like the waterfall, a pond, and the bridge.

It’s perfect for spending an entire day (or half day) surrounded in nature!

Best time to hike it

Since you can easily find shade and leisurely walk the trails, any time of day is good. Keep in mind there will be crowds on the weekends (around 11am and onward).

How to get there

Depending on where you’re coming from, there are multiple buses that can take you there. Some include: 303 and S15, the best way to check is using Google Maps the day of. You can also easily use a taxi or Uber to bring you to the trailhead!

5. Yinghanling Trail

This is a slightly more challenging hike, but it has plenty of rest stops and boulders strategically placed with words of encouragement (be sure to download Google Translate so you can take a photo of them to see what they say).

People of all ages climb it, so don’t feel too intimidated! It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top from my memory. Once you reach the peak, you’ll get a gorgeous view of Tamsui from across the river and northern Taipei.

Best time to hike it

Luckily, this hike will give you shade for the majority of the time, so anytime is a great time to go.

Although the sunset will be behind you, it’s still a beautiful time to go! The clouds turn pink and you get the warm sunlight on Tamsui and northern Taipei.

Always be sure to check the weather before you go! When my friends and I went, we reached the top and found ourselves smack in the middle of a cloud that didn’t leave haha, we got a beautiful 360◦ white view.

How to get there

Take the Orange Line all the way to the end to Luzhou MRT Station (the Orange Line splits into two so make sure you’re going in the right direction), from there you can exit and take a taxi or Uber to the trailhead. If you prefer public transportation, hop on bus O20 and you’ll arrive around 30 minutes later.

6. Yangming Park

While Yangming Park is more of a leisurely stroll in the mountains rather than a hike, you’ll come across beautiful white lilies, cherry blossoms, multiple waterfalls, a flower clock, and then some – it’s giving Alice in Taiwanland and it’s joyful.

Best time to hike it

I would say the morning and later afternoon are the best times as there isn’t much shade while walking around. Be prepared to walk around for at least 2 hours if not more! There’s a lot to stumble across and discover

How to get there

Take the Red Line to Beitou and hop on the S9 bus, you should arrive around 30 minutes later!

7. Qingtiangang Grassland

Craving the outdoors, but not an inclined trek? As the name suggests, come to the Qingtiangang Grassland to relax, stroll, and maybe even have a little picnic in the large field in the mountains.

With hills surrounding you, follow the path through the grasslands to enjoy different views, bask in the scenery and fresh air, and run into a Taiwanese cow or two. If it’s a clear day, you also might be lucky enough to see Taipei 101 from here!

Best time to hike it

The morning or later afternoon is the best time as the heat won’t be too strong.

How to get there

Hop on the Red Line to Shilin MRT Station. From there, take the S15 bus all the way to the top (roughly 45 minutes)!

8. Yinhe Cave

Truly one of the most unique hikes you can do in Taipei, is the Yinhe Cave Hiking Trail.

Ascend the beautiful jungle trail with some steep stairs, but know the temple at the top with the waterfall cascading down next to it is only a meer 20-ish minutes away. Similar to Xiangshan, you can continue walking up to reach Maokong to have a longer hike – which I highly recommend doing!

In Maokong, you can find traditional tea houses offering scrumptious taiwanese food and tea. Plus, a few ice cream shops! It’s the perfect way to treat yourself after a long day of hiking.

And don’t worry about hiking down the mountain, the gondola will take your tired legs and full tummy down to the Taipei Zoo MRT Station!

best time to hike it

Anytime is great to hike it, but I recommend starting earlier if you want to enjoy Yinhe Cave as well as take advantage of the proximity of Maokong.

What to Wear

Taiwan has a humid climate, so layers is never a bad thing!

For hiking at any time of the day during the summer, you’ll find me with:

• shorts (athletic or biker shorts)
• sports bra
• loose crop top/t-shirt
• socks
• tennis shoes

If it’s fall or winter time, and it’s actually a cold day, it will often be more chilly as you continue to climb up the mountains (elevation, who would’ve thunk?), so I do recommend wearing a sweater and bringing a rain jacket, just in case.

However, during fall (and sometimes even winter) there can still be some hot days, so be sure to check the weather because you might want to dress more for summer time.

In any case, if it’s a cooler day, you’ll see me wearing:

• leggings
• sports bra
• loose crop top/t-shirt
• sweater
• rain jacket
• socks
• tennis shoes

I’ve never hiked a mountain in Taiwan where I felt I needed hiking boots. Often the paths are made for you with stone and it’s never been too difficult, so I’ve always hiked with my tennis shoes and that worked great for me.

However, if you’re planning on hiking one of the big boys such as Yushan – then I would absolutely recommend wearing hiking boots.

What to Bring

With any hike I have a few staples that I won’t leave the house without. Here they are:

• a small backpack like this one
• SPF 30+ sunscreen
• snacks (hard boiled eggs, granola bar, fruit, etc.)
• water bottle (at least 2 liters)
• phone, keys, wallet, MRT card

I always like to hike with agua, snacks, and sunscreen. Taking in the views at the top with your friends and some food, maybe even a celebratory beer or two, is just a freakin ~vibe~ okay? Can’t recommend it enough!

There you have it, I hope this guide has you feeling prepped and excited for any (and all!) of the hikes in Taipei. And hopefully it sparks your hiking wanderlust to help you discover all that Taiwan has to offer.

If you’re planning a trip to this unique city, be sure to check out my itinerary to have the best 5 days in Taipei (food, drinks, and activities all included!).

happy trails my friends

You May Also Like

• The Complete Female Taiwan Packing List | What to Wear + Checklist (2024)
• 6 Best Day Trips from Taipei, Taiwan (2024)

The post Top 8 Adventurous Hikes in Taipei, Taiwan (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

Picture beautiful turquoise water resting on bright, white sand – maybe even an empanada and margarita in hand? Welcome to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, it’s an absolute gem of a city along the Riviera Maya.

Centered between the party life of Cancun and the more expensive Tulum, you find the perfect mix of easy, breezy beach life with plenty of nightlife, restaurants, and outdoor excursions right at your fingertips.

As I found myself with three open weeks, I wanted to go somewhere with a beautiful beach that wouldn’t cost too much. And I truly feel I hit the jackpot with this incredible trip.

After extensively researching Playa Del Carmen, I created a fantastic itinerary for myself and budget. In this article, I’ll share all my secrets that helped drive the cost down to an affordable three week trip.

Without further ado, here is the best budget-friendly Playa Del Carmen travel guide.

Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Playa Del Carmen Travel Itinerary

How to get to Playa Del Carmen

Since there is no international airport in PDC, you will fly into Cancún. From the airport, you can grab a one-way or round-trip bus ticket from the ADO ticket counter after grabbing your luggage, right before the exit.

The process is very simple and easy to get. If you’re worried about not getting a ticket due to traveling in the peak season, you can buy your tickets online from their website here.

The buses are air-conditioned and have USB ports to charge devices, the ride is roughly one hour with little to no traffic, and the cost is 240 pesos (~$14.50 USD) one-way.

I bought round-trip tickets just for peace of mind, but do whatever you’d like! There is no additional costs that I’m aware of if you buy them separately.

Apps to have pre-trip

Google Maps – a must for me. I love being able to pin things for later and, of course, use it for directions when traveling to and from places.

Google Translate – another must if you’re going to be spending time outside of Centro (the center and the height of the touristy area).

The local people within Centro often speak a little English; however, outside of Centro, English is far less common. A phrasebook like this one is also really nice to have. I would often read it and practice on the beach, which helped me when I would need to speak it later!

Airalo – if your US network doesn’t offer service in Mexico, Airalo is a fantastic option to have service the moment you land.

I’ve used it countless of times and it’s incredibly convenient. Occasionally I’ve found it’s cheaper to buy a SIM card at the local shops in some countries, but for Mexico they were about the same price (comparative to Telcel).

Feel free to use my referral code HELENA4577 for $3 USD off your first purchase.

WhatsApp – most businesses and people you meet will use WhatsApp to communicate, be sure to have it before arrival. I rented a bike and got services from an aesthetician, and both businesses used WhatsApp as their platform to communicate with their customers/clients.

Do I need travel insurance?

As I’ve grown up in my 20s, I’ve begun to realize how crucial travel insurance can be. You really never know when an accident could occur and it’s best to be covered in case of anything serious. In the past I’ve used World Trips and have had good experiences with them.

However, I (luckily) haven’t had to put my travel insurance to the test yet, so I want to share one more option: a friend of mine uses Allianz and had to cancel a trip last minute due to her travel buddy being diagnosed with cancer and she was fully refunded. She highly recommends them!

Is Playa Del Carmen Safe?

As a solo-female traveler I felt pretty safe in Playa Del Carmen. I didn’t go to any clubs, just relaxing cocktail bars and when I would bike home I felt generally safe. Of course, with any city, it’s vital to always be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut.

I also was living in a more local neighborhood, which I think added to me feeling safer because they are less targeted for crime.

The guy I rented my bike from told me his house has been broken into three times with people trying to steal whatever they could find (he lives in the area where the expats live), so he recommended me to bring my bike inside my airbnb. However, I left my bike outside my airbnb, unlocked, for three weeks and it was never stolen.

I did hear that as a female you shouldn’t take a cab alone at night, so I followed that advice. But I also know women who have done that and were completely fine. I err on the side of caution when in a foreign country, especially when I can’t speak the local language well, but do whatever you’re comfortable with.

Where to Stay

Most tourists will stay in Centro as that is where all the restaurants, shops, bars and clubs are with direct access to the beach.

Within Centro, you have all the options – hostels, Airbnbs, hotels, and resorts. When I’m booking my accommodation I typically use hostelworld, Airbnb, and Booking to check out all the options.

Hostels range from $12 – $20 USD/night, Airbnbs range from $15 – $60 USD/night, hotels and resorts range from $45 – $200 USD/night.

My first tip for saving some cash is to stay a bit farther out from the crowds of Centro. I got an airbnb that had a nice large bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom for $12 USD/night. Since I was mainly here to work and relax, it worked great for me!

There are pros and cons though, the pros were being in a quaint local neighborhood near Mundo Habitat, with fun restaurants and cafes around, and being able to cook my own food (I bought my food from Walmart).

It felt more local and less touristy, which I personally loved. Alongside this, it was a little cheaper in these areas compared to Centro.

The cons are not being able to easily make friends when compared to a hostel and also not being super close to the beaches and Centro.

However, it was only about 10 mins by bike to the nearest beach and 20 mins by bike to Centro, so not bad at all if you’re mainly looking to just relax and beach it.

How to Get Around

Since I was just a little too far to walk to the beach everyday, I needed to figure out how to get around. There is public transportation in Playa Del Carmen with colectivos, taxis, and bike rentals.

Colectivo

These are white shuttle buses with turquoise writing on them, you will see frequently on the streets. They have the directions/location they are heading in written neon colors on the front windshield of the bus. There are also larger buses with the word “Tucsa” on the side of the bus, which are also used for public transportation.

However, I felt a bit intimidated to try these out as I can only speak basic Spanish and wasn’t sure which ones would take me to the beach I wanted to go to. So, I didn’t try these out, however if you speak Spanish, I can imagine you would have no problem using these as a form of transportation.

As I only used these once to go outside of Playa, inside of Playa I’m not sure how much it would cost but I’m guessing around 20 pesos – maybe even less.

Taxi

There is no Uber in Playa Del Carmen, so taxis are another way to get around the city. Even if you can’t speak Spanish, I always had fantastic experiences with the taxi drivers. And you don’t have to stress about not being able to find one, they are everywhere. You can easily walk to the street and hail a taxi within 1-2 minutes, no problem.

Some good things to know beforehand:

• They only take cash so be sure you have enough on you
• Smaller bills are better as they won’t always have change for larger bills (500 and up)
• Always be sure to ask how much the ride will cost before agreeing to it because there are no meters
• The more Spanish I spoke, the less gringo tax I got on my bill

Bike rental

I decided to rent a bike as it would cut my transportation time by over half for beaches and getting to Centro, as well as I love being in the sun, so I could also maximize my sunbathing time

I cannot recommend Best Bike Rentals enough, the owner was so kind and accommodating. He allows you to pick out which kind of bike you prefer and what color you’d like, he’ll pump in air into the tires for free throughout your rental time, and also offers to drop off the bike at your location and pick it up before you leave Playa.

The rates are typical for Playa, if not slightly better: 250 pesos/day or 800 pesos/week. I rented for 20 days and he gave me an offer of 1500 pesos, so the longer you’re there, the lower the price per day it is.

Where to Eat

There are plenty of restaurants to try along 5th avenue – with any kind of cuisine you could possibly desire. However, if you’re wanting to try more local food, here are a few recommendations:

El Fogón – this is where you need to go to try their famous Al Pastor tacos. Known for being the best spot to have traditional tacos from Northern Mexico, you can find plenty more to eat here. My friend and I also got fajitas and they were top notch.

Tropical Tacos – delicious tacos with a modern twist, truly every taco I got here was absolutely incredible.

La Floresta – come here for their delicious beer-battered shrimp and fish tacos! They also serve up delicious ceviche – grande style.

Los Aguachiles – while this is tailored more to tourists, their Rock-n-Roll shrimp is to die for as well as their shrimp ceviche! And with multiple locations around Playa, you’ve got to check it out at least once on your trip!

Birrieria vip – located outside of Centro, this is where you need to go to find the beloved birria tacos. The shop owners are very kind and cook up the meanest of birria tacos!

Raiz Eco Market – if you’re into organic, sustainable, and conscientious places – look no further than the amazing Raiz Eco Market. A quaint cafe, you’ll find smoothies, coffee, avocado toast, waffles, quesadillas, the most insane paninis, and then some!

The workers are super kind and love to talk with foreigners and teach us a little Spanish while we’re at it. It’s also a cute shop where you can find fun little bits and bobs, candles, tote bags, and more.

One thing to note: While they are open until 8pm, they stop serving food at 2pm so you need to get there earlier to enjoy their mouth-watering dishes.

Where to Drink

If you’re like me, you love a deliciously-crafted cocktail. I have left the days of Señor Frogs and have entered the days of just plopping myself down at a quieter bar for wholesome conversation with the bartenders as they make me a yummy cocktail.

Here were my favorite places:

Marmorata – They offer creative twists on classic cocktails, all the mezcal you could possibly desire and then some, plus tequila and mezcal tastings on Saturdays at 2pm.

I came to this bar the most during my three weeks in Playa. They have excellent bartenders, a great atmosphere, and the bar is centrally located within Centro.

Their cocktails are decently priced at around 180 pesos/drink, especially with the quality of cocktail, it doesn’t get better. So I highly, highly recommend Marmorata!

Aéreo Café Bar – This bar is more south so I only went twice, but it was incredible. I had the most insane coffee negroni of my life. I was absolutely obsessed and ordered three of them lol.

My friend also said she had the best espresso martini of her life here, so you know they’ve got excellent bartenders!

Their menu is extensive and you can find the coffee negroni only on their speakeasy menu. Be sure to make a reservation through the portal linked to their Google Maps location as the speakeasy only fits ten people max.

Overall their prices are a little steeper at around $280 pesos/drink.

Artes y Copas – I never actually got to try this bar, but had heard excellent things about it. I spent too much time at Marmorata (lol), so if you try it I’d love to hear about your experience!

Where to Beach

The question is more of where not to beach? Playa, which means ‘beach’ in Spanish if you didn’t know, is located on the coast, so you have plenty of options.

Playa 88 – This was my absolute favorite beach for these reasons: it was the closest one to my Airbnb so I had easy access to it, they had bathrooms and showers if needed, free palapas to shade yourself during peak hours, and it was rarely ever crowded.

When I go to a beach, I prefer it to be less crowded and that’s ultimately why it was my favorite. You can walk either left or right from the entrance and find a spot that’s more secluded.

I also felt comfortable to leave my things on the beach without worrying if someone would steal anything. There are lifeguards on duty and lots of families, so that made it feel quite safe.

And, of course, the water. Drop dead gorgeous shades of blues and turquoise with beautiful creamy-white sand. It was truly a dream.

Playa 38 – Located within Centro, Playa 38 is spacious so even though it is typically filled with lots of people, it didn’t feel too packed.

I didn’t see any palapas on this beach, except for one at the entrance not very near the water, so be sure to bring your own umbrella if you’ll need shade at some point.

Similar to Playa 88, it’s got the beautiful water and white sand – you truly can’t go wrong with any beach in Playa Del Carmen!

Playa Del Carmen – on google maps it’s labeled as Playa Del Carmen, but when I told my favorite bartender he looked confused – so maybe the locals call it something else, but we couldn’t figure out what it was (lol).

However, at this beach, you will find it’s catered to the tourists. They have all the beach bars, restaurants, umbrellas for rent, etc. It’s a fun environment for meeting people and enjoying the weather, but expect lots of crowds.

Playacar – this is supposed to be the most beautiful beach along the Playa Del Carmen coast. It’s in a residential area so I’ve been told to access it you need to either be living in one of the resorts within the community or walk down to it from a beach farther up the coast.

There is also a review on google maps that says they were turned away after walking, so it’s a bit of a risk to try to sneak in. Because of this, I didn’t go. I was perfectly happy with Playa 88 and Playacar was quite far from me, so I just didn’t bother.

However, it does look like a dream, so if you go I’d love to hear how it was for you!

Things to Do

My main goal was just to go to the beach every day, eat yummy food, and relax, so my list of things to do was quite short. With that being said, there are a few more excursions to do around Playa Del Carmen! They are listed in order from most budget-friendly to least budget-friendly.

Walk along 5th Avenue

This walking street spans along about 50 streets and is packed with souvenir shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs, ice cream shops, etc. It’s lively and quite fun to walk down for people watching and just taking a stroll.

It starts to get poppin towards the afternoon and evening, so it’s great to visit after a day at the beach or visiting a cenote!

Visit a cenote

A cenote (pronounced “say – no – tay”) is a natural sinkhole that exposes groundwater. The term is coined from the Mayans who used them for fresh water and sacrificial offerings as they believed it was a gateway to the underworld.

There are many to choose from, some within Playa and some outside of it – I asked my favorite bartender which one was his favorite and he said Jardin Del Eden (the Garden of Eden). So naturally, that’s the one I went to and it was absolutely beautiful.

The cost is 200 pesos for the whole day. For an extra cost, you can rent life jackets (50 pesos for the whole day) and snorkels (100 pesos for the whole day). They also have food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. available for purchase once you’re there.

Their sign upon arrival said you can’t have drinks (besides water) or food, but we brought snacks and gatorade and there was no issue for us.

Directions to Jardin Del Eden

From the Colectivo bus station in Centro, get on a shuttle headed for Tulum. Before entering the bus, you’ll tell the driver “Jardin Del Eden cenote” or “Eden cenote” and the driver will drop you off right outside the entrance of the road. It should cost around 35 pesos one-way.

The walk to the ticket entrance is about 5 minutes and then you have another 5 minute walk to the actual cenote.

Once you’re ready to go back to Playa, you walk outside to the freeway and carefully cross to the other side and wait until you see another colectivo heading in the direction of Playa.

If they have space in the shuttle for you they will flash their lights; to hail them, just stick your arm out and they’ll pull over. If they don’t have space for you they will raise their hand to let you know they’re full.

Xcaret Park

During my time in Playa Del Carmen, I consistently saw signs for Xcaret Park.

It’s a natural water park with more than 50 natural and cultural attractions for anyone and everyone. With bird watching, underground rivers, the Butterfly Pavilion, and cultural performances – you can easily spend the entire day here.

From the photos I’ve seen, it looks absolutely beautiful. The tickets starting price are $108 USD for the day, they have different kinds of tickets so you can check out to see what would work best for you here.

As I’m in a more “rest and digest” moment of my life, I chose to stay within Playa with the exception of Jardin Del Eden cenote. So I didn’t make it, but I heard rave reviews about it, so if it’s in your budget – I highly recommend it!

Snorkeling and diving in Cozumel

As you sit on the beach in PDC, basking in the sun, you’ll probably see across the ocean there are some buildings. What you are looking at are the buildings on the island of Cozumel.

Cozumel is known as one of the best places in the world for snorkeling and diving, so if that is up your alley you shouldn’t miss it!

You can take a ferry from here to explore Cozumel for the day (roughly $45 USD round-trip).

With El Cielo being one of the best places to explore the coral reefs, you can taxi here for a DIY day of snorkeling (and enjoy this pristine beach). Or once you’ve touched down on Cozumel, find a snorkeling tour which will bring you to multiple spots for a fun-filled day full of marine wildlife and crystal clear water.

I’m not a diver (yet), however I know that it’s best to not just do the cheapest option available. While doing your own research, be sure to look for supportive divemasters, top-tier customer service, quality rental equipment, and smaller groups.

A Daily Budget Estimate

Here is a list of the daily costs you’ll likely have when traveling with a range of how much you will spend per day in USD.

This is on the more conservative side (cheaper accommodation, cooking food versus eating out, taking public transportation or cycling compared to taxis, etc.). Obviously, the sky’s the limit when it comes to all of these categories, but this is the overall range per day you would likely spend while in Playa Del Carmen.

Backpacker Budget:

• Accommodation: $12 – $20
• Transportation: $4 – $20
• Food: $5 – $30
• Drinks: $0 – $60
• Activities: $0 – $15
• Daily Total: $21 – $145

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide FAQ

When is the best time to visit Playa Del Carmen?

Playa Del Carmen has a rainy season (May to November) and a dry season (December to April).

I spent 3 weeks in Playa in the month of May and there wasn’t one day or night of rain. Maybe that was unique to the typical season, but the shoulder seasons seem to be a great time to take advantage of fewer crowds!

December to April is when the weather is less hot, more along 70s-80s degrees rather than 90s and up, which is what attracts the crowds.

What is sargassum?

Sargassum is a type of seaweed that doesn’t attach to the ocean floor and will wash up on the shores in massive amounts. All along the Riviera Maya you will find it.

I’ve heard that the off-season for tourists is when it’s at its peak (May to November) and it’s less common during the peak tourist season (December to April).

Since I was there in the off-season, I’d say it wasn’t terrible. The first week and a half, it was pretty standard. It was there, but a controllable amount. Then we got 3 days a nothing and the water was absolutely gorgeous!

But then after that it came back, full force. There was at least 10 feet of the shore completely covered in it. It was no joke.

This can be either a hit or miss, but they work on clearing it every day, so there’s typically at least one spot where everyone can go into the water to cool off.

How long should I visit Playa Del Carmen?

Considering I could stay here forever, I’d say indefinitely. But on the real, I think at least 5 days so you can get proper R&R on the beaches, try fun restaurants, and see a cenote or two! But I’m a big fan of slow travel, so the longer the better in my opinion.

What should I pack for a week in Playa Del Carmen?

As this is very unique to each person, I would offer up suggestions of not forgetting:

• reef-safe sunscreen
• 2-3 bikinis
• 2-3 pairs of shorts (if you’re going in the hot season or sweat easily)
• a filtered water bottle (if you like to drink lots of water and your accommodation doesn’t provide it for you)

Do I need cash in Playa Del Carmen?

Yes, I highly recommend taking out cash from the ATM in the airport before heading out of Cancún as taxi drivers only accept cash, you will most likely need it at one point during your trip.

If you plan to stay in Centro and not take any form of transportation besides the ADO bus, then maybe you don’t need to. However, I think it’s always best to have in case you want any street food or go somewhere spontaneously!

Is USD Accepted in Playa Del Carmen?

Yes, I did see people pay with USD compared to pesos. However, it wasn’t widely known that you can use USD, so it’s still best to have pesos on you – especially if you’d like change!

I hope my budget-friendly Playa Del Carmen travel guide gave you a good idea of how much you’ll be spending, budget-friendly options of things to do, and got you excited for your upcoming trip!

No matter what your plan turns out to be, just know it’s impossible not to have an amazing time in Playa Del Carmen.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to comment below!

happy trails

The post The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

My first exposure to hotpot was a wild one (for me at least). Soon after sitting down with my friends, confused on all the meats and veggies listed on the menu, we were getting up – getting up? Where are we going?

We were walking towards a counter when I saw it – garlic, chilis, peanut powder, soy sauce, vinegar, what’s that brown stuff? I was deeply confused and had no idea where to begin.

It was intimating to say the least.

So began my journey of learning how to eat hotpot! About 3 months later, I moved to Taiwan where hotpot is a staple in their diet. I hoped my new-found Taiwanese friends would show me the way, but all they said was “Just do it however you’d like.”

Do it however I’d like? What is it though? Do I cook the meat first? Or the vegetables first? Can I use my hands to place the food in the pot or should I use chopsticks? And where to begin with making the sauce?

Maybe I thought a little too hard about it, but I really wanted to learn how to eat hotpot the right way.

After questioning all of my Taiwanese friends, dates, and students (my students were adults), along with having my own personal experiences with trial and error over the course of four years, I can confidently say: I can teach others how to properly eat hotpot.

And let me tell ya, you are in for a treat. What once was a boiling bowl of confusion has now turned into one of my favorite meals. It’s a beautiful time to cook yummy food with friends and/or family, talk, laugh, and enjoy the process of creating your meal.

Here’s my guide on everything you need to know to eat hotpot perfectly:

How to Eat Hotpot | The Basics

The Table

When you first sit down there will be two options for the hotpot bowl, it’s either a personal hotpot or a communal one.

Personal ones will usually come with just one broth, whereas the communal one will have the option of one, two, or even four different types of broths.

Each restaurant (and country) is different, but those are the typical options. If you’re splitting the pot into multiple broths, most people will choose one spicy (mala) and one mild one.

The broths options typically include various meats (like beef, pork, or chicken), a spicy (mala) broth, a vegetarian option (usually mushroom or tomato), and maybe a signature one.

The broth is what you’ll be cooking everything in, so choose whichever option sounds best to you! I usually pick a chicken, beef, or vegetarian option.

One thing to note: Some restaurants don’t have an option for broth, it’s just whatever is already set at the table.

How to Boil the Broth

Speaking of the table, how to turn on the stove in the table depends on if it’s a communal or personal hotpot.

In a communal table, the knob to turn on the stove is typically at the head of the table in relation to where the front door is (not always, but most of the time). Often the waiter will turn it on for you in Asia so you don’t have to go searching for it, but sometimes they’re busy and you’re left to fend for yourself.

If it’s a personal hotpot, then it’s typically right in front of the seat, just below the table surface. You may need to push your chair back slightly to see it.

They all look the same and are pretty straight forward with which direction to turn the knob or what buttons to press to get it boiling.

What to Order | The Menu

Proteins

After choosing your broth, you get to pick and choose your protein.

If it’s a buffet, all-you-can-eat style, you just walk up and pick and choose what looks good to you. If it’s a regular restaurant, you will order off the menu. It’s pretty standard to choose a variety of meats and seafood while eating hotpot in Asia.

Most options include thinly sliced beef, lamb, and pork; some restaurants will do thinly sliced chicken, but it’s more common to have chopped chicken rather than thinly sliced. Because of this, most people will choose beef, lamb, or pork instead since it cooks faster, it’s easier to eat, and adds lots of flavor to the broth.

For seafood, it’s typical to see various fish, oysters, mussels, shrimp, squid, crab, and sometimes even lobster! If you’re in Asia, the shrimp will come with the full body and head. Careful when peeling the shrimp, the soup can hang out in the cravesses and burn your fingers as your peeling it.

Lastly, you’ve got the dumplings, meatballs, and fish balls which add a nice flavor to the broth and texture when eating.

With my experience in Taiwan, picking a variety of protein is the status quo: 1-2 kinds of meat, 1-2 kinds of seafood, and usually just 1 of the dumplings/meatballs/fishballs is what you’ll order when you’re with a friend, or more, if you’re with a group of people.

When eating out alone (which is very common) people usually order whatever they like, typically one kind of meat and/or one kind of seafood.

Veggies

On the menu, you’ll usually get the option of a basket of a variety of veggies rather than individually ordering them, and any popular or unpopular veggies you can order separately.

The baskets usually consist of 1-2 kinds of leafy veggies, such as cabbage and bok choy; 1-2 kinds of mushrooms, such as enoki, shimeji, black wood ear, and oyster mushrooms; 1-2 kinds of root veggies such as taro, sweet potato, and/or pumpkin; a thick slick of a tomato and a corn on the cob, a cube or two of tofu, and a thin slice of tofu skin (if you’re lucky).

Clearly, they don’t mess around with their veggies!

Carbs

I’m a noodles over rice gal any day of the week. Unfortunately, I’m also sensitive to gluten, so I learned early on that I needed to order rice instead (QQ).

However, the options for noodles are plentiful! You can usually get udon (my personal favorite), vermicelli, bean vermicelli, rice noodles, and dry egg noodles.

Rice would typically just be rice, but, in Taiwan, some restaurants would offer the classic Taiwanese dish of Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice).

Pick whatever your lil heart desires.

The SAUCE

This honestly should have an article of its own. However, I will do my best to simplify it down for you so you feel ready to tackle that counter upon arrival. Let’s get into it.

Alright, so after ordering you are going to get up and go to a counter space where there will be anywhere from 6 – 10+ options to create the perfect dipping sauce for your meats and veggies.

You will usually get these options:

• Soy sauce (+varieties)
• Black vinegar
• White vinegar
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame Oil
• Chili paste or freshly chopped chilis
• Shacha (must-try!)
• minced or chopped garlic
• chopped green onions
• cilantro

To name the basics. Often there are more options and it’s a fun experiment to figure out exactly what you like.

If you’re staring at that list, feeling scared of even remotely trying to figure that out – here is my go to sauce:

• 2 scoops of Shacha
• 2 scoops of soy sauce
• 1 scoop of white vinegar
• allll the garlic, green onions, and cilantro
• topped off with a hint of freshly chopped chilis

If it’s too watery, I add more Shacha. If it’s too thick, I add more soy sauce and/or vinegar.

How to Cook Your Ingredients | The Finale

Method 1 | The Taiwanese Way

So, after living in Taiwan for four years, there was an overall consensus among my Taiwanese friends and students.

First, you cook the veggies in the broth. Once those are getting close to being done, they will add in one slice of their meat to combine the ingredients, dip them in the sauce, and eat with their rice.

They like to eat their veggies first and then combine it with the meat because they feel the broth gets too oily when you cook all of your meat with the veggies.

Once they’ve cooked everything, or are full, they will sip their broth for a yummy, nutrient-filled soup.

Method 2 | My Way

I followed the Taiwanese way for most of my time in Taiwan. But, one day, I realized I enjoy eating it all at once. I like my meat cooking with my veggies, I want a bite filled with veggies, meat, and rice – every time! So, I did just that and haven’t looked back since.

So, first I do add in my veggies into the pot. Not all at once, but typically getting started on the leafy veggies and enoki mushrooms, once the veggies are almost completely done, I add in a slice or two of meat (usually beef for me) into the pot, then once they’re finished cooking, grab a leafy green, an enoki mushroom, a slice of meat, and dip it in my sauce before placing it on the bed of rice.

Delicious!

Method 3 | Whatever You Want

Truly, my Taiwanese friends were right when they had told me to eat it, “However I’d like.” The Taiwanese way is just what you typically see in Taiwan, but there are plenty of different ways Taiwanese people eat hotpot (we actually talked about it in one of my classes one time).

Everyone is different, I know some people who even pour their dipping sauce into the broth so they don’t need to dip anything and just add everything to their rice/noodles before eating it. Really any way is good! So don’t feel you need to eat it in a particular way.

There you have it, folks. Everything you could possibly need to know to craft your perfect hotpot experience.

Looking for recommendations for to where to eat? Check out my article on the Top 12 Restaurants in Taipei for some of my favorite restaurants!

As always, feel free to share your experiences and/or ask any questions in the comments below

Happy trails

The post Master the Art of Hotpot: The Essential Guide on How to Eat Hotpot (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

One of the top things you absolutely have to do when visiting Taiwan is exploring their night markets.

Taiwan is truly a foodie paradise – there are so many different tastes, textures, and combinations – you are about to have an extremely pleasurable trip for your taste buds.

Night markets in Taiwan is where you get to try the local food – like a local!

I moved here back in 2019 and throughout my travels here, I was constantly googling and asking my students where the best night markets were and what dishes to get at each of them.

Each city in Taiwan has usually one or two night markets that everyone flocks to for the city’s best street food, so I wanted to help any traveler who wants to get their hands on the best best night market cuisine across the major cities of Taiwan.

Ready to take a trip around Taiwan exploring their best night markets? Buckle up, we’re in for a sweet treat. Here are the 16 most iconic night markets in Taiwan:

16 Most Iconic Night Markets in Taiwan

Taipei Night Markets

Shilin Night Market

The most iconic and famous in Taipei is the Shilin Night Market.

When Covid-19 spread around the world, it took a major hit; what used to be sardine-packed streets, turned into empty streets with an occasional street food vendor.

However, in the past couple of years, it’s been coming back to life and still holds a spot in one of the most iconic night markets in Taiwan.

Located in the neighborhood Shilin (surprise), it’s a massive night market that has streets upon streets of food vendors.

The first time I went, I was so surprised by how many people there were and how big it was. It felt like it never ended!

Split between the outdoor pedestrian streets and the indoor food court, there are hundreds of options to choose from.

The main food attractions are:

• Pork or Cabbage Pan Fried Buns at Chung Chia Sheng Jian Bao
• Vermicelli Noodles at Ah Hui Mian Xian
• Cold Sesame Noodles and Miso Soup at Good Friend Cold Noodles
• Pork Ribs at Hai You Pork Ribs
• pick and choose your fav veggies with chicken at Ahyi Xianshui Ji
• Traditional ice cream at Yili Paopao Bing
• check out the food court for little cake wrapped in big cake (大餅包小餅), oyster omelette, and coffin bread (棺材板)

Non-food attractions:

Lovers Alley, popular among youngsters, they’ll come here for the yummy shaved ice shops and heart shaped lights lining the alley.

The newly installed 3D Baby Tiger has attracted hundreds of locals and foreigners alike. On the corner of the street, you’ll be able to watch an adorable baby tiger play around on a screen.

Even though it is a super touristy thing to do, I recommend checking it out, it’s fun and cute!

Address: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm – 12am

Raohe Night Market

Raohe is giving Shilin a run for its money with the most popular night market in Taipei.

The magnificent 松山慈祐宮 temple greets you at the bustling entrance and a 600 meter street is packed to the brim with vendors on vendors!

You can find your classic Pork Pepper Bun right at the entrance, and anything you could possibly imagine from dumplings to stinky tofu and everything in between down the street.

Must-tries:

• Fuzhou Pepper Buns
• Most people go here for Stinky Tofu, but I recommend walking all the way down Raohe Street to the very last stall (on the left side) for stinky tofu! You can’t miss it, you’ll smell it once you’re getting close
• Chen Dong Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup (陳董藥燉排骨攤位)
• Try Michelin-star mochi here
• Taiwanese Sticky Rice and Vermicelli Noodles at Dongfahao
• Japanese Okonomiyaki at Fukushima Yaki (福島屋圓圓燒)
• My (favorite!) fresh juice shop, add fruit and/or veggies to make a refreshing drink 台北現打大木果汁 (the owners are super sweet + speak english!)

Non-food specialties:

Wufenpu Shopping Mall, the largest wholesale clothing market in Taipei, is a short walk away. If you’re into shopping, be sure to take a gander around here!

If you wander to the right of the night market, you’ll come across the Rainbow Bridge and the Raohe Evacuation Gate, I highly recommend walking through the Evacuation Gate and down to the riverside park.

It’s beautiful day or night and you’ll find a cute “LOVE” sign at the entrance of the Evacuation Gate down where the pedestrians and bike lanes are.

Address: Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Hours: Mon – Sun 5 – 11pm

Ningxia Night Market

My love for the Ningxia Night Market runs deep, it was one I went to frequently because I lived near it the first two years I was in Taiwan.

It’s small, but mighty, and famous for its oyster omelettes and netflix features. You can find everything and anything in this fun little night market.

Check out everything you need to know with my article Ningxia Night Market | Top 18 Foods + Drinks

Some of the delicious Taiwanese snacks you can find here:

• Oyster Omelette (what this night market is known for!)
• Er Dai Goose for the best goose soup
• Len Zen Zhao Mochi for traditional and modern mochi
• Peanut Ice Cream Roll (my absolute favorite Taiwanese dessert)
• Rong’s Pork Liver (I promise it’s more appetizing than it sounds)
• Fang Jia Chicken Rice for a delicious Chiyai specialty that’s hard to find in Taipei

Address: 103, Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District, Ningxia Rd, 58號2樓
Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm – 1am

Taichung Night Markets

Feng Chia Night Market

This beast of a night market of course holds a spot as one of the most iconic night markets in Taiwan. Foreigners and locals come to the Feng Chia night market to experience this supreme and massive night market alongside to eat the yummy food.

It’s located near the Feng Chia University, not Taichung’s city center. But lucky you, the Taichung city government finally implemented an MRT system in their city!

So, from the Wenxin Yinghua MRT station you can take a 20 min walk, take a bus, or taxi to the night market.

Be sure to feast on:

• One of my favorite Taiwanese dishes: 大腸包小腸
• Scallion Pancake from here
• Try a delicious bolo bread with chocolate ice cream at 菠羅先生Mr.BOLO
• Stinky Tofu at Yixin Vegetarian Stinky Tofu
• Bubble tea, of course!

Address: Wenhua Rd, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407
Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm – 1am

Yizhong Night Market

Located right in the city center is the second most popular night market in Taichung, the Yizhong night market. It’s often many traveler’s favorite due to it’s smaller size and central location.

It’s popular amongst the younger crowd, but you’ll find all walks of life coming here to try the delicious cuisine! I thoroughly enjoyed wandering up and down the street to see what I was craving.

Here are some of the can’t miss items:

• Stinky tofu at 21 Stinky Tofu
• Fried Chicken at the famous Angel Chicken Steak
• Traditional dessert from here
• Grilled Shrimp
• Local’s love this place for mala hotpot, duck blood, and stinky tofu
• Taro Balls

Address: Yizhong St, North District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am – 10pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 11pm

Chiayi Night Market

Wenhua Night Market

In the small town of Chiayi, you’ll find a poppin’ little night market on Wenhua Street.

Compared to the night markets in the other cities, it’s a bit smaller and has equal parts food, clothes, and games.

Their signature food includes Turkey Rice, which is almost exclusively found in Chiayi, and Smartfish. After a feature on a netflix show, it’s popularity boomed.

While it’s a restaurant and not a food stall, it’s a hop-skip away from the night market street and it’s specialities include: fish head soup, turkey rice, and shark. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot in line.

I highly recommend the fish head soup and turkey rice, I tried the shark, but the texture was not vibing with me. However it is interesting to try, but also made me reflect on the ethics of eating shark, which is a topic for another post.

Address: Wenhua Rd, West District, Chiayi City, Taiwan 600
Hours: Wed & Sat 3:30pm – 11:30pm, all other days 3:30pm – 11pm

Tainan Night Markets

Anping Old Street

Anping Old Street is Taiwan’s oldest street, it was built by the Dutch during their colonization of Tainan from 1624 to 1662. The Dutch East India Company came here and set up shop for transportation of goods, and with that came constructions of multiple forts and streets.

Nowadays, it is more of a day and evening market that you can’t miss visiting when in Tainan. There are so many special kinds of southern Taiwanese food to try here. With a maze of alleys of food vendors, you can easily spend hours here grazing on all the unique snacks, which is why I still place it in one of the best night markets in Taiwan.

I highly recommend coming here during the day time and trying all the snacks, dishes, and drinks you can find.

The main food attractions are:

• Shrimp-flavored anything (surprisingly delicious!)
• Rice Pudding (also known as whay guay)
• Coffin Bread
• Oyster Rolls

Address: Yanping St, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708
Hours: 24/7, but most vendors will be open between 10am – 8pm

Garden Night Market (Tainan Flowers Night Market)

Probably one of my favorite night markets in Taiwan, this is another massive and popular night market people don’t miss when visiting Tainan. It’s got all the regular Taiwanese food as well as the unique Tainan staples.

If you haven’t already heard, the food in Southern Taiwan is more sweet than in Northern Taiwan. This is due to the field workers needing energy to work in the hot sun throughout the day, according to my Taiwanese students.

It’s typically a hit or miss with Northern Taiwanese people, but I loved the Tainan dishes!

Must-tries:

• Beef Soup
• Tofu Pudding
• Eel Noodle Soup
• Milkfish soup
• Shrimp rolls
• Danzai Noodles

Address: No. 533號, Section 3, Hai’an Rd, North District, Tainan City, Taiwan 704
Hours: Thurs, Sat, & Sun 5pm – 12am, closed all other days

Kaohsiung Night Markets

Ruifeng Night Market

The most popular among locals and tourists, equivalent to the Shilin night market in Taipei and Feng Chia night market in Taichung, we’ve got the Ruifeng Night Market.

Located north-west of Kaohsiung, it’s poppin with over a thousand food stands filled with your classic Taiwanese dishes as well as local specialties and international cuisine.

Some of the can’t miss delicacies include:

• Bubble Tea Toast
• 的肉夾饃 (a delicious burger-like Chinese dish)
• Zneg’s Fujian Chaomian
• Shih Stinky Tofu (a unique taste you can’t quite find anywhere else)
• He Jia Jia Green Onion Cakes
• Angel Fried Chicken

Address: 804, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Zuoying District, Yucheng Rd, 南屏路
Hours: Mon & Wed closed, all other days 5pm – 12am

Liuhe Night Market

The most touristy night market within Kaohsiung due to its central location has been offering up delicious taiwanese street food since 1950. With 138 stalls, it offers halal, traditional taiwanese food, and plenty of seafood delicacies – with a bonus of steak houses surrounding the street.

Be sure to feast on:

• Zheng’s Papaya Milk
• Seafood Congee
• Salted Steamed Shrimp
• Tofu Pudding

Non-cuisine attractions:

The Dome of Light is located nearby, definitely add that on your list of things to see before or after popping by the night market.

Pier 2 Art Center is an artsy, outdoor space. It’s not super close to the night market, but just a couple of stops away on their MRT. Here you’ll find artwork on the street, street performers, markets filled with all different types of vendors, and exhibitions in the buildings. Highly recommend checking it out during the day

Address: Liuhe 2nd Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
Hours: Mon – Sun 5pm – 2am

Kenting Night Market

Kenting Night Market

There’s only one night market within Kenting and it’s a fun one – you’ll find plenty of stalls that offer classic Taiwanese food, but also stalls that are minibars, offering cocktails and shots. Kenting is the place to go for a getaway beach vacation, hence the more upbeat options at the night market.

Along the main Kenting Street, you’ll find a plethora of international and local cuisine in the stalls and restaurants. As the sun sets, the crowds arrive. The street isn’t closed off to traffic so it’s a very lively street to say the least.

Here are some of the can’t miss snacks:

• Lots of Thai food (thai tea, thai banana pancakes)
• Grilled Corn
• 巷子內海鮮熱炒
• Grilled Squid
• Any and all seafood!

Address: Taiwan, Pingtung County, Hengchun Township, Kending Rd, 946
Hours: Mon – Sun 5 – 11pm

Hualian Night Markets

Dongdamen Night Market

My friend and I visited the Dongdaman night market during the Lunar New Year back in 2023, and I absolutely LOVED it. It quickly got it’s spot on one of the best night markets in Taiwan.

It consists of three separate areas, all with their own theme. One of which is an indigenous street. There is a large population of indigenous Taiwanese living in the southeast coastal towns, which gives you the perfect opportunity to try some indigenous Taiwanese snacks!

You don’t want to miss:

• Toron and Hemay Indigenous Bamboo Rice (stall D21)
• Maquaw Pepper Fried Noodles in Gua Bao (stall D19)
• Dongmaiju Grilled Corn

Here are some other recommendations for top-notch Taiwanese food:

• Chiang Family Coffin Toast
• Yi Da Shaved Ice Dessert
• Fresh Seafood Porridge

Address: No. 415號, Chongqing Rd, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970
Hours: Mon – Sun 6 – 11pm

Yilan Night Markets

Luodong Night Market

The Luodong night market is the largest night market in Yilan and a favorite among locals and foreigners alike. Yilan is a large county and the Luodong night market sits nicely in the southern city center.

I unfortunately never made it here, but I heard so much about it through my students and friends that visited. Here are some of their best recommendations:

• Mutton soup (mutton = lamb)
• Green Onion/Scallion ‘pancake’
• My favorite dessert on this earth – the peanut ice cream burrito
• Oyster Egg Bun
• Chicken, in all forms
• Cake rolls from the famous Nobel Cakes (not part of the night market, but nearby)

Address: No. 265, Minquan Rd, Luodong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 265
Hours: Mon – Sun 3pm – 12am

Jiaoxi Street

Jiaoxi is such a fun street to walk up and down, there are plenty of places to eat; however, it’s open during the day. They don’t offer a night market, but most shops are open until about 6pm and the restaurants will stay open until around 9:30-10pm.

Check out all of my favorite shops and restaurants in my article 6 Best Day Trips From Taipei (2024) under number 4

Address: Section 5, Jiaoxi Rd, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262
Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 8pm for shops / Mon – Sun 11am – 9:30pm for restaurants

Keelung Night Markets

Keelung MiaoKou Night Market

The Keelung Miaokou night market is one of the most popular night markets in Taiwan. Everyone comes here for the fresh seafood and classic Taiwanese dishes; the problem isn’t finding what food to eat, but having a large enough appetite to eat everything you want to try!

I was lucky enough to have a local show me the ropes here. After exploring the coastline, we walked through the night market and he showed me all the must-tries that were offered. It was so much fun and the food was absolutely delicious!

Their signature food include:

• Taiwanese-style tempura tianbula
• One bite sausages
• Ding Bian Cuo (soup)
• Pao Pao Shaved Ice
• Guabao – the classic Taiwanese “burger”

Non-food attractions:

The Maritime Plaza is a great place to walk around, see street performers, and get a beautiful view of the water.

At one of the busiest intersections in Keelung, there’s an abandoned building.

Rumor has it the building was owned by a businessman who made it into a bar in the 1950s. Soon, American troops showed up, and a female worker became pregnant by an American troop. He refused to bring her back to the US and taunted her, so she staged a farewell party and burned the building down, with both of them (and others) in it.

No one is allowed in the building, so unfortunately we can’t see for ourselves if the ghost stories are true, but some people claim they’ve seen a woman through the windows with half of her face burned off..

Address: 200, Taiwan, Keelung City, Ren’ai District, 玉田里仁三路
Hours: Mon – Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 8am – 12am

Kanziding Fish Market

This lively fish market comes to life beginning at 1am. It’s such a fun vibe – it attracts local fisherman, business professionals, as well as tourists! And with that comes vendors who sell the freshest fish. While it’s not your classic Taiwan night market, it’s a special version you can’t quite find anywhere else. I’ve never eaten here, but I’ve passed by it multiple times and I’ve always wanted to stop and take a peak!

Although I can’t recommend any specific vendors to choose from, I highly recommend wandering around and if you see people in a line – join the line! It will most likely not disappoint.

Address: Xiao 1st Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200
Hours: Tues – Sun 1 – 7am, Mon closed

Bippity boppity boo – there you have it! The best night markets in Taiwan are now at your fingertips. I hope this has given you a good overview of where to go and what to eat at each night market in all the cities in Taiwan.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write to me in the comments

happy trails

The post 16 Most Iconic Night Markets in Taiwan (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

You know that feeling when you arrive to a new country and realize, “Oh, what’s the local food I need to try here? And where should I go to try it?”

If you’re anything like me, it’s happened a couple of times and you run to Google for help.

Having been in your shoes, I wanted to whip up a quick and handy guide for all you adventurous souls exploring Taipei who want to try the best and most local cuisine.

Taiwan is one of the most underrated countries in Asia – it’s an absolute gem of a country to visit, but also to experience dishes unlike any other.

Describing Taiwanese food is a little difficult, there are so many different types of tastes and combinations – it’s a yummy rollercoaster of flavors, from savory and oily to sweet and salty.

Taiwanese people pride themselves on their culinary creations, blending unique tastes and textures for countless surprising and fun experiences. But where exactly can you go to find these dishes?

After living here for four years and indulging myself in the best of the best, I created a list for anyone keen to dive into authentic, Taiwanese food in Taipei.

So, without further ado, here are the top 12 restaurants in Taipei, Taiwan.

Read next:

• Cost of Travel in Taiwan | 2024 Budget Breakdown
• 6 Best Day Trips from Taipei, Taiwan (2024)

12 Best Restaurants in Taipei

Classic Taiwanese

1. Din Tai Fung ($$)

This is the most popular and classic option for people who are first timers to Taiwan. Of course, there are locations all around the world now, but there’s something special about going in Taipei, where it was originally established.

You’ll usually have to wait, anywhere from 20 mins to over an hour, at any of the bustling locations in Taipei. The ambience is busy, but upbeat, the servers are meticulous and kind, and the food is absolutely top notch.

You get free tea with your meal and there are instructions on how to properly eat the world-renowned xiao long baos.

My recommendations:

• Pork Xiao Long Bao
• Dried, Fried noodles
• Stir-fried Green Beans
• Hot and Sour Soup
• Bean Sprouts and Shrimp
• Braised Beef Noodles
• Shrimp and Egg Fried Rice
• Chocolate Xiao Long Bao
• Tangyuan with Sesame

2. Chao ($)

This is a classic Taiwanese stir-fry restaurant. There are SO many dishes on the menu and all are absolutely delicious! However, there’s a fun twist – it’s all vegan.

One of my close friends is vegan so we came here for his birthday, and all of the meat eaters (myself included) were deeply impressed! Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s one of the best restaurants to try Taiwanese style stir-fry dishes in Taipei.

My recommendations:

• Kung Pao ‘Chicken’ – it is top notch!
• Spicy Tofu
• literally everything, choose whichever dish sounds good to you!

3. La Jia Gua Bao Traditional Taiwanese Snack ($)

A famous and classic Taiwanese snack – the Gua Bao. Inside the bao (bun) you’ll find pork belly with cilantro, pickled veggies, and peanut powder – I know the ingredients may seem eclectic, but (again) trust that they know what they’re doing!

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Taipei for Gua Bao, so prepare for a line. However, you can often skip the line by eating in rather than take away.

My recommendations:

• Gua Bao
• Vermicelli Noodle Soup with Pork Intestine (don’t knock it till you try it!)

4. Ningxia Night Market ($)

There are SO many delicious and traditional foods to try at the Ningxia Night Market. Think goose soup, fresh mochi balls, sweet potato balls, fried squid, candied strawberries – and then some!

It’s not a restaurant, but going to a night market is an absolute must while in Taipei. And the Ningxia Night Market is one of the top night markets in Taipei. While you’ll definitely see tourists eating their way through it, you’ll also see many locals coming for dinner for all the authentic, yummy food.

Check out all of my recommendations for food (and drinks!) in my article: Ningxia Night Market | Top 18 Foods + Drinks (2024).

5. Yong He Soy Milk ($)

Looking for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast? Head over to this traditional restaurant.

With breakfast baos, soy milk galore, and a variety of different breakfast sandwiches and dumplings, it’s a great introduction to a Taiwanese breakfast. You’ll find locals and tourists alike standing in line, waiting to get their hands on this yummy grub.

My recommendations:

• Hot Soy Milk
• Salty Soy Milk (an acquired taste, but worth trying)
• Fried Bread Sticks
• Radish Cake
• Egg ‘Pancake’

P.S. Be sure to dip your fried bread stick into the soy milk!

6. Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne ($$)

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Taipei. They serve high-quality, authentic Taiwanese dishes.

Some of my Taiwanese students brought me here and I truly was blown away – it’s the real deal of authentic, Taiwanese cuisine crafted at a premium level of culinary mastery.

I cannot recommend Fujin Tree enough, excellent service, incredible food, and, if you’re into champagne, they have a large variety to choose from!

Definitely try to come with a group of people because their dishes absolutely serve. It’s slightly on the pricier side, each dish costs around $12 – $15 USD, but they are large and in charge (which we love!).

My recommendations:

• Steamed Chicken with Special Chili Oil
• Braised Dongo Pork with Candied Dates
• Fried Breadsticks and Oysters with Garlic Sauce
• Egg Tofu Foo Yung – oof it is so good!
• Baby Mango for dessert

Noodles

7. Master Spicy Noodle ($$)

I don’t even know where to begin – this truly the most amazing noodle dish I’ve ever had in my life.

The noodles are cooked to perfection, resting in a bed of delicious spicy sauce. The beef broth and dipping sauce offer unique flavors, making each bowl a pure delight.

It’s truly *chef’s kiss* in my opinion.

Anytime a friend came to visit me, I always took them here and we always left incredibly satisfied. Can’t recommend it enough!

My recommendations:

• Spicy Braised Half Beef and Tendon Soup & Xiaohun Noodles for the classic dish (or Spicy Braised Beef Soup & Xiaohun Noodles, if you’re not into eating tendons)
• Spicy Braised Tofu Skin

P.S. If you’re not into spice, don’t worry, it’s Taiwanese spicy, not Thailand spicy.

8. 陳家涼麵 ($)

This hidden gem is one of the best late-night restaurants in Taipei serving a very authentic, Taiwanese meal.

Silky, cold noodles coated in a savory sesame sauce – a classic Taiwanese dish you can’t miss when in Taipei. You’ll find locals and foreigners alike slurping the noodles up here after a night out or for a yummy midnight snack.

There is no English menu, so come ready with your google translate app!

My recommendations:

• Cold Noodles
• Miso Soup with Meatballs.

9. Taiwan Beef Noodles + Chicken Soup ($$)

I know you’re probably expecting me to rave about the beef noodles, but let me tell you, it’s the chicken soup that steals the show here. A friend of mine insisted I try this place, and I kept hearing about it from one of his other friends. After nearly two years, I finally made it there, and oh my, was he right.

Taiwanese people know how to cook up chicken soup to perfection – including ingredients like garlic, ginger, and clams to accompany the chicken – it’s perfect for winter time or rejuvenating yourself after a fun night out.

There’s typically always a lively buzz in and outside the restaurant, filled with locals waiting to dine in. If you don’t want to wait, you can order to-go and eat on the street or pop into the closest 7-11 and get some drinks before sitting down to eat.

My recommendations:

• Clam & Chicken or Garlic & Chicken soup
• Braised Beef Noodle Soup
• Tofu Skin
• anything else your heart desires!

10. Lao Dong Beef Noodle ($$)

Alright, this one may be an unpopular opinion, but I truly love this restaurant’s beef noodle soup.

To my knowledge it’s not a very famous restaurant, so this little hidden gem surprises it’s customers with some absolutely fantastic beef noodle soup.

I used to live close by to it, so my friend and I came here one cold night back in 2020, and we were floored by how delicious our soups were. When she came back to visit me in 2023, she was adamant about coming back here to experience their beef noodle soup once more!

My recommendations:

• Tomato based Beef Noodle Soup
• Beef Burrito

Hotpot:

11. Rolling Thai ($$)

In my opinion, this is hands down one of the best restaurants for hotpot in Taipei. If you love Thai curry, you are going to fall in love with this restaurant, just like I did!

It’s not your classic hotpot, but a delicious Thai twist. The bases are Tom Yum Kung, green curry, and coconut chicken curry and you get three fun sauces ranging from mild to spicy that you can dip everything and anything in.

There is lively atmosphere here. They play popular English music, and you’ll find couples, groups of friends, and family enjoying the yummy cuisine.

Bonus Tip: If you eat past 10pm, they will give you their thai tea in a large tower dispenser for free

My recommendations:

• Tom Yum Kung and Green Curry base
• add any meat and veggies you want
• Shrimp Cakes
• Chicken Rice
• Thai Tea (it’s sweet!).

P.S. Hotpot can get pricey, expect to pay anywhere from $10-$30 USD/person when eating hotpot in Taipei.

12. 辛殿麻辣鍋｜松江店 ($$)

For those wanting to try a classic Taiwanese hotpot restaurant, I’d recommend this one.

It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet style. Serving all the meats, veggies, rice, noodles, drinks, and ice cream your heart could possibly desire. Definitely prepare for food babies when eating hotpot!

Bonus Tip: When it comes to eating and cooking hotpot there are no rules. Cook however which way seems best to you. If you want some guidance, this is how I do it:
1. First, I create my own dipping sauce.
2. Cook the meat in the soup to add more flavor
3. Cook the veggies
4. Grab a piece of meat and some veggies, dip them into my sauce, and add them to the small bowl of rice/noodles for a yummy bite!

My recommendations:

• pick whichever broth(s) sounds best to you
• Add any meats, fish, veggies, and noodles of your liking.

Bonus

Craving international flavors in Taipei? I couldn’t wrap up this article without sharing some insights into the best international restaurants in the city! Below, discover a curated selection of my favorite spots serving up diverse culinary delights in Taipei.

1. Nabiya韓式 나비야 한식 ($$)

I had never tried Korean food before coming to Taiwan, and lucky for me, my lovely Korean friend and colleague brought me here after I asked him where I could find the best Korean food in Taipei.

The restaurant is slightly on the more formal side, with a nice, calming ambiance. I asked my friend to order the food for me, and I’m so glad I did – everything we ordered was absolutely amazing!

They serve all the classic Korean dishes served the traditional way, so prepare for a little more spice here!

My recommendations:

• Shrimp and Leek Pancake
• Bibimbap
• Tteokbokki
• Cold Pork Knuckles Platter.

2. Ichiran ($)

This is one of the most famous ramen chain restaurants from Japan. The vibe of this restaurant is eating alone, so if you come with friends, just know you won’t be seated at a table, but at a bar with partitions.

Also, you’ll order from a machine rather than a person, it’s the culture of the busy Japanese workers!

I first came here in Tokyo, so I was so excited to see they had one in Taipei. However, I was never able to go in Taipei because each time my friends and I tried, the wait time was hours long.

But if you have a love for ramen and want to try this famous Japanese restaurant, then I recommend testing your luck and checking it out!

My recommendation:

• Classic Tonkotsu Ramen

3. Yakikon ($$$)

You’ll need to make a reservation for this popular Japanese barbecue restaurant, but trust – it is soo worth it!

The workers are incredibly fun and loud, the BBQ is authentic and cooked to perfection, and the drinks are equally flavorful and smooth.

My recommendations:

• Beef Tongue (you heard me right!)
• Raw Egg Mixed with Raw Beef (you heard me right, again!)
• Any other meats and veggies you would like to add
• Their alcoholic mango drink is divine (and not very strong)!

P.S. They will start the barbecuing for you, so you don’t have to worry about that.

4. Flux By Fancia ($$)

Half bakery, half cafe vibes, but it feels like you’re in the owner’s kitchen waiting for your meal. It’s giving cozy, it’s giving homemade – the most delicious falafel you can find in the heart of Taipei.

You can choose between a pita sandwich or salad platter with a mix of different meats or vegetarian options. She’s always cooking up some perfectly made pastries and cakes as well, which I recommend ordering, too.

My recommendations:

• Salad Platter with Beef and Egg, Chicken Paprikash, or Roasted Eggplant
• Carrot Cake

5. 福顏割烹日本料理 ($$)

Welcome to the most delicious and affordable sashimi in Taipei. Clearly, I’m a fan of Japanese cuisine, but if you love sashimi as much as me, you HAVE to come here.

I cannot stress enough how perfect their salmon sashimi is. A friend of mine and I would always come here. Each time telling ourselves we would split the salmon sashimi and order other dishes – but each time, we would devour it and end up ordering one more salmon sashimi alongside other dishes.

They also serve real, authentic wasabi – it is SO good. I didn’t think I liked wasabi until I had theirs. Also, the man working behind the counter loves talking to foreigners (warning: he doesn’t speak English), creating a fun and wholesome dining experience at an affordable cost.

What more could you ask for?

My recommendations:

• Salmon Sashimi
• Oysters
• Shrimp Perilla
• Lobster
• Flower Sushi.

Viola! With these dining experiences under your belt, you can leave Taiwan with confidence knowing you’ve tried the best Taiwanese cuisine (and more!) at the 12 best restaurants in Taipei.

If you give these a taste, don’t hesitate to share your experiences! Drop me a line in the comments below – I’m all ears for your delicious adventures!

As always, happy trails

You may also like:

• The Ultimate Taipei Itinerary | 5 Incredible Days (2024)
• 8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)

The post 12 Best Restaurants in Taipei, Taiwan (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

When I began my research on which yoga school to choose from, the feeling of overwhelm was a constant.

There are so many schools to choose from all across the world, I had to think hard about what I wanted from a yoga program and what I was looking to learn in this space.

For me, improving my physical practice of yoga was a major goal alongside learning about the healing modality of yoga and the philosophy of yoga.

I also thought about what kind of environment I wanted to be surrounded in. Being close to water is very calming for me, so I looked at yoga programs near beaches and lakes.

Eventually, I stumbled upon Breath Body Earth Yoga School and instantly felt a connection to it.

After emailing back and forth with the two facilitators, Rachael and Melissa, I decided to take the plunge.

So, if you’re debating doing it or just want more information on what the day to day life is like, here is everything you need to know about the 22-Day 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Breath Body Earth Yoga School.

Breath Body Earth Yoga School Basics

Who are the facilitators?

The two incredible women are Rachael and Melissa, both bring warmth, realness, and grace to the table. They are experts at holding space, guiding each student in the physical practice of yoga, as well as teaching the philosophy of yoga for the mind, body, and soul.

During my training, they had a facilitator in training, Emilie, join to help with the YTT. All have wonderfully different personalities and the energy between the three of them was such a fun experience as we learned the curriculum.

Where is it located?

We were located in the beautiful Arco Isis Sanctuary, which is located on the mountain in San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. However, their locations can vary so it’s best to check their website for the most up-to-date information.

When is it?

In the past, they have typically done the 22-Day 200-Hour YTT in the month of November. As their school grows, they may change the dates and/or add new ones, check their website for the most up-to-date info.

What’s the accommodation like?

They offer a variety of accommodation to make it as accessible as possible. This includes a dorm, shared glamping tents, shared A-frame houses, shared double rooms, and the most luxurious and private option: the treehouse.

The shared glamping tents, A-frame houses, and double rooms are shared by two people, both of which would be in the yoga program. You won’t share a room with someone not attending the yoga program. The dorm can fit about 10 people. The treehouse is private, so if you’re going solo or as a couple, you will have the space to yourself.

How many people attend the training?

In the past they have had groups from 12-20 people. Our group was their largest yet with 28 yogis. If you’re looking for a smaller group (15 people or less) then this might not be the program for you. However, before you make your decision based on that, consider everything you’re looking for. It was a larger group than what I was wanting, but I truly wouldn’t trade my experience for any other (and there is a reason why so many people are attending this training!).

If I don’t want to teach, can I still sign up?

YES. And I highly encourage it. Once you email them (hello@breathbodyearth.org) asking for more details, you’ll receive an online pamphlet with more information regarding the program. In the pamphlet, they ask:

• Are you interested in the path of Yoga?
• Are you looking to create new habits that support a grounded way of living?
• Do you wish to play an active role in bringing about positive change?
• Are you interested in learning somatic tools to help regulate your nervous system?
• Are you a healing practitioner who wants to include yoga as a part of your scope of work?

If you answer yes to any of these, then this program is for you. Whether you want to teach afterwards or not is up to you; many yogis, myself included, don’t plan on teaching after the program. However, you still need to learn how to teach during the program, but I promise it’s a fun and enriching experience.

Daily Life at Breath Body Earth Yoga School

Daily Schedule

6 a.m. wake up (by conch)
6:30 a.m. meditation, breathwork, and asana practice
9 a.m. breakfast & break noble silence
10:15 a.m. morning class begins
12 p.m. lunch
1:30 p.m. afternoon class begins
6 p.m. dinner
9 p.m. noble silence begins

The Shala

Shala, in Sanskrit, means home. Each morning you will make your way into the beautiful shala, your home for the next 21 days. You will spend most of your time here surrounded by your new-found Sangha (spiritual family).

It has one of the best views in the world and this is where you will come for the morning practice, morning classes, and afternoon classes. They provide blocks and cushions which you can use freely at anytime.

Sometimes there will be events happening in the evenings in the Shala such as 30+ minutes of meditation or an Enneagram session.

Arco Isis Sanctuary Grounds

Beyond the incredible architecture and plants that surround the property of Arco Isis Sanctuary, there is more than just the accommodation.

There are two regal cats, two beautiful dogs (sometimes more four-legged visitors come into the property to say hello), a sauna set up similarly to a traditional temazcal, and an area with a bonfire pit and benches.

You are on a mountain, so prepare for lots of steps to get to and from places. Your glutes will be working like never before

Food & Drink

All the food at Arco Isis is vegetarian, if not vegan. Our group had plenty of meat eaters, so we also had eggs for breakfast a few times. Rachael and Melissa are excellent at adapting to the group needs (not just with food, but also with curriculum, and day to day activities), so don’t be afraid to ask them anything you may need. I’m allergic to dairy and wheat, so the lovely chef, Alejandro, would make gluten-free and dairy-free options for any meal that had those ingredients in them.

Some example of brekky include:

• classic shakshuka
• Chef Alejandro’s famous gluten-free pancakes with fresh, seasonal fruit such as pineapple, papaya, and melon
• oatmeal with fresh, seasonal fruit with fun toppings of granola, honey, and coconut flakes

Some examples of lunch include:

• tacos with corn tortillas
• hummus, fresh salad, with some kind of egg or potato dish

Some examples of dinner include:

• zucchini pizza
• lentil & veggie soup
• mix beans or lentils, cooked veggies, and potatoes

Water is provided throughout the day and sometimes a free, delicious juice will be available at mealtime. There are also various snacks during the training. They aren’t free, but they’re not expensive. For my training we typically had a mix of brownies, cheesecake, and gluten-free cookies. Occasionally they would sell out, but they always had hot chocolate (and a variety of hot chocolates – I recommend trying the spicy one!).

For each meal time, you are welcomed to eat at the large dinner table in the kitchen area or to go anywhere on the property to eat. Just remember to bring your plate back. Once you’re finished with eating you can do anything you would like before class starts again, most people would shower, journal, study, chat with others, or take a gander around the tranquil property.

You are allowed to leave the property, if you want to have lunch in San Marcos. However, there is a 15-20 min trek down the mountain and a 20-30 min trek back up the mountain, so most yogis would rather spend their afternoon time chatting, studying, or soaking up the sun after feasting on the lunch.

Community

To create a space and feeling of community between Breath Body Earth and Arco Isis Sanctuary, there are two volunteering opportunities.

The first is to help the hard working kitchen employees get home at a reasonable hour. Each night there will be 2-3 yogis (depending on the group size) doing the dinner dishes. It typically doesn’t take long and is a fun community-building opportunity.

The second is you’ll get the chance to come to the Shala slightly earlier than the others in the morning to sweep the floor. This is to help everyone understand it’s a communal space and to treat it with respect and care.

Just like your own house or room, you feel a sense of accomplishment and peace after cleaning your space. Towards the end of the program, I saw multiple yogis get up to sweep during the day time. It was a beautiful moment to see the care each one of us had for this space.

Mauna (noble silence)

What the heck is noble silence you may ask? Mauna (noble silence) is to invite you to pause your communication with the outer world, to get a better sense of your inner world. In the lovely words of the Silence Queen:

I love silence and find it’s not always [easy] to put in words how it works. Mauna, noble silence, is a vow not to communicate externally for the purpose of interiorization. Through this practice we naturally become more aware of our inner world.

Melissa

The hours for mauna during the 200-Hour YTT are 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. It’s a practice that most of my group wasn’t used to, but after a few days everyone began to embrace it wholeheartedly. Of course, if there is any kind of emergency or something someone needs to know (especially Rachael or Melissa) you can break the silence.

Morning Practice

You did the math correctly, if you read the schedule – it’s about a two and a half hour long practice each morning. It may sound intimidating, but I promise you feel unbelievably grateful to receive that time (if not during, then most definitely after!).

Each day upon waking, you have the beautiful sunrise to greet you as you make your way to the Shala. The morning practice typically has a 20 minute guided meditation, 10 minutes of guided breathwork, and about an hour and 45 minute to 2 hour asana practice.

During my training, we were lucky enough to have the on-site manager guide us through an intense asana practice followed by an hour-long savasana, in which he took us on an inward journey with multiple musical instruments. It was a transformative experience for me and others in my training.

Rachael and Melissa understand there will be days you may feel too tired, emotional, or just not in the mood for it – all they ask is for you to at least show up. You can do your own asana practice, journal, or just make a cozy space with cushions and fall back asleep.

In my experience, I never had a day where I didn’t want to show up. I invested in this time for myself and I wanted to make the most of it. Also, I genuinely loved the program and really enjoyed their classes.

Curriculum

A question I was very curious about and one I couldn’t wait to learn! On the first day, you will receive the Breath Body Earth manual. Inside will have all the topics being covered for your 22 days (and then some!), she is thick and you will most likely not go through every single page word for word, but rather have discussions regarding the topics covered in the manual.

Classes are typically set up as morning classes covering philosophy and the background of yoga with the afternoon classes covering some philosophy, but mostly learning the vinyasa yoga poses and sequences and how to teach them. The curriculum gets more intense as each week goes on, with week two and three being the most asana-heavy (the physical practice of yoga).

It’s such a gift to be able to practice teaching during the program. You’ll understand once you’re there – it’s a wildly different experience to teach than it is to take a yoga class. You begin learning how to teach on day 2.

Don’t worry, it’s only a little bit at a time and perfection is definitely not encouraged. My group’s experience was all quite similar: after each time you teach, there is a noticeable improvement, which led to less fear of teaching and more excitement of getting to practice it.

Each week the topics get juicier and juicier, until you finally reach the last week where you get to cover the fun stuff like the chakra systems, ayurveda, and the central nervous system. All of the topics and discussions (and topics brought up by your fellow yogis) can become emotional, controversial, and/or heavy, so if you’re not open to taking a dive into yourself, your past, or your emotions – then maybe this yoga program isn’t for you.

To receive your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate, you will have to pass a written test, teach (with a team) the 2.5 hour morning practice, as well as a one-on-one hour and a half class. If that makes you cortisol spike, don’t worry – they will prepare you for these! By the time you’re doing it, you’ll of course have some nerves, but also have more confidence than before!

Days Off

There are a total of two days off during the program where you are allowed to do whatever you want. Mostly everyone will leave Arco Isis, make their way into San Marcos, and/or visit another town.

The first day off, a small group of us went to the lake for cliff jumping and then headed to San Juan for lunch. The second day off, another small group of us first went to the lake again and then headed to San Pedro for lunch. Rachael and Melissa just ask you to be back at Arco Isis by dinner time (6 p.m.).

My Honest Review

The journey yogis take with Breath Body Earth is one that stays with us for life. The encouragement of introspection and reflection, the curriculum, and the sense of love and support is something that is truly profound.

The community Rachael and Melissa create is beyond special. They cultivate a space of safety, awareness, curiosity, and playfulness. Everything is optional, you are never required to do anything – which brings an aspect of autonomy and accomplishment to your time with Breath Body Earth.

At Breath Body Earth, your asana practice will improve (of course), but you will have a far deeper understanding of what Yoga truly means. This training is an investment into yourself, your relationship with all beings, and the path of life you’re on.

If you’re looking for a yoga program that is strictly fitness and asana practice, then this is not for you. If you’re looking for a yoga program that is a holistic training on all things yoga – fitness, health, philosophy, introspection, and a way of life – then the Breath Body Earth yoga program is for you. Not only will you leave with the ability to teach others yoga, you will have so much love and support from your entire Sangha.

Tips & Tricks

To help set you up for an even better experience at Breath Body Earth Yoga School, here are a few things I would recommend:

Bring snacks

Especially if you’re a meat eater or like to snack during the day/night. A lot of yogis in my group who were meat eaters were craving a little more protein from our meals. So I highly recommend getting some kind of protein source such as beef jerky (traveling with beef jerky can sometimes be risky with TSA, so I recommend getting it in once in Guatemala, preferably in Antigua because the beef jerky in San Marcos is quite pricey), peanut butter, and any other snacks you may crave (dark chocolate for me).

Get to know the staff

Don’t just get to know your fellow yogis, but also take time to get to know Matthew (the owner of Arco Isis), any on-site managers, volunteers, and especially the kitchen staff.

The kitchen staff are absolute sweethearts and work very hard to make sure we all get a healthy, delicious meal. I tried to speak to them as much as I could, but my Spanish was lacking, which leads me to my next tip..

Learn (a little) Spanish before arrival

I wish I could have talked to the kitchen staff a little bit more, but at that time my Spanish was very minimal so I wasn’t able to connect with them on a deeper level than besides saying, “Hola, como estas?” and “Gracias.” So if that’s something you would like to do, then I recommend learning a little bit before going and practicing once you’re there!

Disconnect

Rachael and Melissa invite you to disconnect yourself from the world of our phones for the duration of the training. This will probably be one of the few times in your life where you have the ability to truly disconnect, so I recommend taking the opportunity and step back from social media for a few weeks. It’s incredibly refreshing and grounding.

There you have it y’all I hope this gave you a good idea of what the Breath Body Yoga School training is like and if you choose to go, please feel free to reach out with any other questions you may have or share your experience in the comments below!

Happy trails

The post Breath Body Earth Yoga School: A Comprehensive Review (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

If you’re like me, finding the hidden gems of cocktail bars is one of your favorite activities to do while traveling to new cities.

It’s a great way to learn about the local flavors of the country, meet other travelers and locals, and overall have a great freakin time.

I won’t lie, I was spoiled in Taipei. The bar culture in Taipei has been popping off and moving south to other cities such as Tainan as well, so I’d love to share my insights for anyone planning a trip to Taipei and who loves high-quality, innovative cocktails.

Here are my top choices for the best cocktail bars in Taipei:

8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan

1. PS I Love You

My favorite bar will forever and always have a special place in my heart.

Their extremely talented bartenders can whip up anything and everything your heart could desire and then some!

Their menu originally was based on movies (hence the name – iykyk) and has since expanded into a new menu based on the zodiac signs.

Speciality

Creative cocktails and mocktails centering around Asian-inspired ingredients such as winter melon and pandan along with Taiwanese ingredients like Oolong tea.

Check out their menu here. You also get bottomless truffle-oil popcorn with your drinks, which you just can’t go wrong with.

Ambience

Slightly formal, but still relaxed. They play different genres of music and it always matches the vibe of the night and is never too loud.

Good place to go to catch up with a friend, go on a date, or start the night.

Price

$350-$480/drink

2. Lab

Probably one of the most innovative and unique bars I’ve been lucky enough to go to.

The mastermind behind the bar is a kind gentleman named Taka who created a bar with the definition of blending mixology and technology.

specialty

The minimalist bar grows their own herbs and uses machinery to extract the essence of various ingredients for their flavors.

Many of the cocktails are translucent or soft, earthy tones to allow you to focus solely on the flavor and aroma.

Additionally, he creates cocktails to represent a particular spirit without including the spirit itself (example: a drink representing whisky, without any whisky in it).

Plus flavor pairing where you can choose two flavors and they will create a cocktail using those flavors – the stranger the pairing the better).

He is truly genius and you don’t want to miss out on experiencing one of the most unique cocktail bars in Taipei! (if not the world)

Ambience

There is no dress code, however it has a more formal atmosphere than others, think business-casual.

You can arrive wearing anything and as long as there is seating available, they will serve you.

Good place to catch up with a friend and/or start the night.

Price

$350 – $400/drink

Traveling to Taiwan and not sure how much money you need? Check out my post Cost of Travel in Taiwan | 2023 Budget Breakdown for all things budget & spending in Taiwan

3. Double Check

It’s like coming home after a long day, you take your shoes off upon entering and then make your way into the bar.

It’s cozy, dark, and warm. They have DJs playing on Fridays and Saturdays, but there’s no dancefloor – just cozy armchairs and barstools.

specialty

They offer cocktails, beer, and wine. Their cocktail menu is extensive, offering classic cocktails as well as twists inspired by Taiwanese ingredients.

They focus on crafting drinks based on spirits such as gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey, and brandy.

They also offer up a seasonal menu based on asian-inspired ingredients like plum wine and pomelo.

Ambience

The atmosphere here is great, you get the vibes of cozy and sophisticated blended with fun music and a good atmosphere.

The music is typically always played loudly, so it’s best to come here with a group of friends to start the night or chill there until closing.

Price

$250 – $420

4. Ounce

This is one of the most popular speakeasy bars and for good reason. The vibes are great, the cocktails are excellent, and the staff always has great, friendly energy.

Specialty

It’s an American style cocktail bar with no menu – you tell the bartender what you typically drink and they will create a superb cocktail for you based on that.

Your wish is their command – anything you might like, they are able to create. They can also give you ideas for innovated drinks and help you find exactly what you’re craving.

ambience

It’s casual and easygoing, a bit higher energy but not a party energy. Great place to go to catch up with friends, go on a date, or start your night.

Price

$400 – $450/drink

5. The Public House

Popular amongst locals and foreigners, the Public House is a poppin bar in Xinye Anhe.

It recently won spot #43 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars, so you know they don’t mess around with their cocktails.

Specialty

This is the place to go if you’re a gin lover – they have a plethora of gin to choose from and I’m typically not a fan, but I tried the most delicious gin here! I was shocked that I not only liked it, but loved it.

Their signature drinks are Asian-inspired with ingredients such as sichuan pepper, star fruit, purple rice, and japanese green tea.

They also make mad versions of classics such as espresso martinis and white negronis (which I HIGHLY recommend).

Ambience

It’s an easy-going, friendly-energy bar. You’ll find a good mix of locals and foreigners, it’s also opened late so it’s a good place to start, end, or spend your night.

Price

$350 – $400/drink

6. Pun

This is one of the first speakeasys I went to in Taipei and it didn’t disappoint!

One of the most fun parts is trying to find the entrance (I won’t give any hints – you can find it on Google Maps, but I highly recommend not looking at the reviews and going on the hunt yourself)

specialty

Hand-crafted cocktails using high-quality spirits with contemporary ingredients such as sandalwood, orange blossom, peanut butter, and lemon thyme.

ambience

Slightly more upscale and higher-end, wearing a more formal outfit will be best. A nice bar to start the night, catch up with a friend, or go on a date with.

price

$450/drink

7. HANKO 60

This speakeasy serves quirky, fun cocktails. It’s one of the most popular bars hidden in the Ximen district of Taipei with a facade of a movie theater.

specialty

The presentation is equally as important as the quality of the drink here – imaginative, original cocktails with eclectic presentations ranging from Harry Potter to a bathtub to a syringe.

Food, such as popcorn and cookies, also come with the some of the drinks.

Ambience

Casual, fun vibes. Great place to meet friends and/or start the night.

Price

$350 – $450

8. Uno

Last, but certainly not least, we have Uno. Situated a short walk away from Taipei 101, this is one of the most fun bars I’ve ever been to.

Specialty

A tequila-based bar (mostly Mezcal), serving a diverse range of cocktails with imaginative ingredients like chicken stock, cocoa, apple cider vinegar, and nutmeg.

I highly recommend trying their ‘dusk & dawn’ or ‘oaxaca old fashioned.’

ambience

This is a bar you go to when you want to party. While you can sit and chat (which most people do), you can also easily begin to dance near the DJ area if you’re in the mood.

And if you befriend one of the owners, you’re most certainly about to have a boisterous evening.

price

$350 – $450/drink

Things to Note

• Some of these cocktail bars are first come, first served, others offer reservations which I highly recommend making. You can see if they accept reservations on their Google Maps location.
• There are a few newer cocktail bars I didn’t get the chance to go to, but have been highly recommended by friends and acquaintances that I think are worth checking out for yourself: 銀波 Silver Lining, Imbibe Taipei, and Opéra.

There you have it! Here are my top choices of the best cocktail bars in Taipei, Taiwan plus a few extra. If you end up going, let me know what you think in the comments below

happy (& safe) drinking

You May Also Like:

• 16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan (2023)
• The Ultimate Taipei Itinerary | 5 Incredible Days (2023)

The post 8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

Almost every traveler I know that comes to Taiwan is shocked by how amazing this country is and that most people don’t think to visit.

It’s rich in culture, has unique and delicious cuisine, and jaw-dropping scenery everywhere you go.

Once you’ve made the plans to go (or maybe you’re better at planning than me and look at this before you make the decision to go), you’re probably wondering how much does it cost to travel in Taiwan?

Most people assume it’s a cheap country like others in Southeast Asia. But I was surprised to find that, at times, the cost of travel in Taiwan was just as high as the US or Europe.

I wish I’d had a more accurate idea of how much I would’ve spent and on what, before coming here.

So I created this post for anyone traveling to Taiwan for any length of time so you can know how much you will spend (and on what) when visiting this fun little island.

Whether you’re traveling for a couple of days or a few weeks, here is the full cost breakdown for traveling in Taiwan:

Cost of Travel in Taiwan | Currency

When visiting Taiwan, the currency is called NTD (New Taiwan Dollar) or TWD (Taiwan Dollar). For every $30 NTD you get $1 USD, give or take. In conversation, you’ll hear people say NTD compared to TWD.

There are three bills – $100 (pink), $500 (yellow), and $1000 (blue). If you’re lucky, you’ll find a $200 bill (green) and if you’re super lucky a $2000 bill (purple).

There are five coins – 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, and 50¢. You can actually buy many things using just coins (such as snacks at 711, public transportation tickets, etc.), so I’d hold onto them for those types of purchases.

Accommodation

Starting with the most expensive, we’ve got accommodation. I was so surprised the first time I checked the different kinds of accommodation.

I was expecting Southeast Asian prices, but what I found were European prices – with Taipei being the most expensive out of all the cities.

I later realized Taiwan is a small island and real estate is expensive, especially in Taipei! This explains the higher prices compared to nearby countries.

Let’s dive into it:

• hostels: $12 – $30 USD/night
  average $20/USD night
  
• hotels: $36 – $80+ USD/night
  average $60/USD night
  
• airbnbs:
  -shared room: $14 – $35 USD/night
  average $20 USD/night
  -room to yourself: $23 – $93 USD/night
  average $30 USD/night
  -entire place to yourself: $40 – $104 USD/night
  average $65 USD/night

I’ve used hostelworld for ten years now and I still think they’re the best for booking hostels.

I like booking.com‘s reward program so I will typically use them for hotels. And of course, I use the Airbnb website for airbnbs.

I’ve personally never done couchsurfing for safety concerns, but of all of the countries in world, I think it should be okay in Taiwan.

It’s typically a very safe country, but you never know. Always make sure you check the host’s couchsurfing reviews and if anything feels off to you, trust your gut.

Transportation

All across Taiwan, public transportation is very affordable.

Taipei is the most convenient offering the MRT (metro), buses, Youbike, taxis, and ubers. Outside of Taipei, all other cities have buses, city bikes, taxis, and ubers.

The one exception being Taichung – it also has a newly built MRT, but compared to Taipei it’s quite small.

For travel between cities you can choose between the High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railway, buses, and even renting a car; all have pros and cons to them – so let’s get into it:

MRT

In both Taipei and Taichung, the tickets start at $20 NTD and it will increase by $5 NTD after every 4-5 stops. The ticket price peaks at $50 NTD for Taichung and $60 NTD for Taipei – going from one end of a line to another.

I highly recommend using the MRT when in Taipei because it’s clean, efficient, and safe.

The easiest way to pay for a ticket is to get an EasyCard from the ticket counter, airport upon arrival, or any convenient store.

The cost is $100 NTD (or roughly $3 USD) and you can put any amount of NTD on it.

For one week of travel within Taipei including a day trip or two, I would add 800 NTD to it. If you’re going to use it for transportation to and from the airport then I’d add an extra 300 NTD to it.

If you’re worried there might be a little extra NTD leftover on it for your trip, you can use it to buy anything from convenient stores, too.

If you’re staying in northern Taiwan for three weeks or longer, consider getting the brand new TPASS instead of the EasyCard.

This costs $1,200 NTD (roughly $40 USD) and includes the MRT, city buses, long-distance buses, the Taiwan Railway (TRA) and Youbike for an entire month (it doesn’t include the Taoyuan Airport MRT).

If you’re planning on moving around a lot in northern Taiwan, it could save you money in the end.

However, if you plan on going to other cities in central or southern Taiwan, then sticking to the EasyCard is probably best.

Bus

I have a love-hate relationships with the buses here. The drivers can be a little wild, but because they’re so large they have the right-of-way on the road.

If you’re traveling within the city, you just pay $15 NTD for a ride.

If you’re going more north into the mountains or Yangmingshan, then I’ve paid up to $40 NTD.

Again, the easiest way to pay is to use your EasyCard or TPASS, but you can easily go to the front of the bus and pop in coins into the clear box next to the bus driver.

Taiwan Bus Etiquette:

When you’re hailing a bus, you need to put your arm out and the bus driver will know you want it to stop.

When you’re on the bus and want to get off, you will see small buttons along the walls as well as on some poles labeled stop; press one and the driver will stop at the next bus stop.

If you don’t stick your arm out while the bus approaches you or press the button as the bus is approaching the stop, the bus driver will skip the stop.

Friendly tip: be ready to hop off the bus before the bus driver reaches the stop and opens the doors.

They move fast so if you don’t, you might not make it off the bus in time.

YouBike

There are different city bikes in different cities. For example, YouBike in Taipei and TBike in Tainan.

All bike stations only accept an EasyCard or credit card as payment and you don’t need to register again when visiting a new city.

The cost is $10 NTD every thirty minutes, after that it goes up to $20 NTD/30 minutes, and past eight hours the cost is $40 NTD/30 minutes.

Keep in mind you will need a local Taiwanese phone number to register for them, you can get a SIM card at the airport – I recommend Chughwa Telecom.

Taxis

During the day, the base price is $70 NTD (about $2.16 USD) and from 11pm to 6am the base price is $90 NTD ($2.78 USD), both fares go up $5 NTD (15¢ USD) every 250 meters after the first 1.25 km.

If you’re traveling during the Lunar New Year, you’ll be charged a $90 NTD base fare with a $20 NTD fee for gratuity during the day and you’ll be charged more for night time fares with a $40 NTD gratuity.

Uber

Uber is typically more expensive than taxis, but still quite affordable.

The average cost of an uber within Taipei City is around $130 – $390 NTD ($4 – $12 USD) depending on the time of day and how far you’re going.

Renting A Car

If you’re traveling around the north coast of Taiwan, renting a car will make it a lot easier to see all of the sights.

Beyond that, it’s a great way to see all of the island if you want to drive further than the northern coast and Taipei.

First, you will need to have an international drivers license, they are quite strict about that so I wouldn’t risk trying with your regular drivers license.

Americans: find your nearest AAA, bring two passport photos, your state license, and $20 bucks and you got yourself an international drivers license.

There are multiple ways to rent a car. You can book with Avis or Hertz, but these are usually $2500-3000 NTD/day and higher.

I recommend renting a car through Klook, their prices are more affordable starting around $1,600/day (roughly $50 USD) with insurance.

Don’t forget to get insurance. The drivers in Taiwan tend to not follow all of the rules of the road and crashes between cars and scooters are not uncommon, unfortunately.

I rented a car from a very local rental company (they don’t even have a location on google maps) and they offer the lowest prices you can find.

One my friends’ Taiwanese girlfriend found this place and super last minute, during the Lunar New year, this rental car company got me a car at half the price of all the other car rental companies.

If you are interested in renting a car from them, feel free to shoot me an email and I’ll give you all the details!

High Speed Rail

The HSR is a fun experience you can do if you’re traveling south of Taipei. As of right now, it’s only offered on the west coast.

It’s my favorite mode of transportation in Taiwan when traveling to Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung – plus it’s super easy to get a ticket online or on their app.

These are pricier, the most expensive round-trip ticket being Taipei (Nangang) to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) at $3,060 NTD ($94.50 USD). They do offer early bird discounts as well as student discounts.

If that is too expensive for your budget, you can still take a bus or the Taiwan Railway – it’s just a little slower.

Taiwan Railway

If you’re wanting to make your way down the east coast to Hualien, Taroko Gorge, and/or Taitung, the TRA is the best way.

Prices here fluctuate depending on the time of day, type of train, and how far southeast you plan on going.

The range is from $300 – $800 NTD ($10 – $24.69 USD) for a one way ticket.

You can check the schedule here, but I recommend using your EasyCard to pay for the train rather than buying the ticket online.

The website is a bit old school so here are instructions if you can’t figure it out yourself:

1. Scroll down and type Taipei for departure station or click the three lines and click Taipei City → scroll down → Taipei
2. For arrival station type where you’d like to go or click the three lines and choose which county & station you’d like to go
3. Click whichever day you would like to leave
4. Click Inquiry.

a. If there is no direct train, it’s likely to say no data found – don’t worry, we’ll fix that
b. If there are direct lines, scroll down to see the available times and trains

5. Under the departure and arrival station is Conditions of Transfer click Accept Transfer
6. Double check the Train type selected is All and the Inquiry method is regular car
7. Click Inquiry
8. Scroll down to see the available times and trains
9. If you hover your mouse over the train schedule, another box will drop down to give you the detailed information
10. I recommend using your EasyCard for tickets the day of, but if you wish you can purchase your tickets on the website

Hitchhiking

Believe it or not, I know many people who have hitchhiked all around Taiwan.

Men and women, foreigners and locals. So, if this is something you’re thinking of doing – it will most likely be quite safe. Even if you can’t speak Mandarin, the locals will do their best to help you.

Food + Drinks

Ooo I cannot wait for you to try the food in Taiwan! They have such unique flavors and dishes – I absolutely love all of them.

If you’re eating authentic food from local shops, you’re looking at spending anywhere from $30 NTD – $150 NTD for an entire meal.

If you’re eating foreign food (such as Japanese and Korean) that will set you back at around $150+ NTD for a meal.

If you’re eating Indian, European, or American food you’ll be looking at spending around $300 and up for a dish.

If you stick to local food and shops, you’ll most likely spend a maximum of $300 NTD/day (about $9.25 USD) for all of your food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol in Taiwan is heavily taxed which means it’s pricey, unless you’re going to 711 and drinking their Taiwan Beer (which you absolutely should try at least once).

Other than that, when going out to a bar or club you will be spending at least $200+ NTD for one beer and $300+ for a cocktail, so this cost can really add up if you enjoy an adult beverage (or two) like me and my friends.

Want to know the best places to eat and drink in Taipei? I cover all of that here – The Ultimate Taipei Itinerary | 5 Incredible Days (2023)

Activities

This one will differ vastly from person to person, but if you’re like me, you like to brush up on some history, learn about the culture, experience the outdoors, dance a little, walk around the cities and towns, and maybe stumble upon a cute trinket store.

Here are some average costs in NTD for various activities within Taiwan:

• Museum prices: $30 – $350
• Taipei 101: $600+
• Hot Springs: free – $1000+
• Temples: free
• Hikes: free
• Various tours: $1000 – $2500
• Gym: $1 – $1.5 /minute
• Cover charges (night clubs): $300 – $700
• KTV: $500 – $800+

Most activities and places that many tourists go to such as Sun Moon Lake as well as National Parks (like Taroko Gorge) are all free to enter.

So most of your costs will be transportation, accommodation, and things you do within the cities.

3 Estimated Daily Budgets

Here is a list of three different styles of traveling with a range of how much you will spend per day in NTD.

If you’re spending most of your time in Taipei, you will most likely be on the higher end of each range.

If you’re spending your time in other cities, you’ll most likely be on the lower end.

Backpacker:

• Accommodation: $550 – $745
• Transportation: $50 – $200
• Food: $200 – $300
• Drinks: $70 – $500
• Activities: $0 – $500
• Daily Total: $870 – $2,245 ($26.84 – $69.25 USD)

Mid-Range:

• Accommodation: $1296 – $2269
• Transportation: $150 – $500
• Food: $300 – $900
• Drinks: $300 – $1000
• Activities: $0 – $1000
• Daily Total: $2046 – $5669 (63.11 – 174.87 USD)

Luxury:

• Accommodation:$2593 – $3890
• Transportation: $400 – $1000
• Food: $750 – $3000
• Drinks: $1000 – $5000
• Activities: $500 – $3000
• Daily Total: $5243 – $15,890 (161.73 – 490.15 USD)

Ways To Save

Realistically, you won’t be spending the same exact amount per day, but it can fluctuate quite dramatically depending on what you do.

If you’re wanting to save a little bit more, here are some tips for stretching your dollar as far as it can go.

Taipei TRAVEL Pass

If you’re planning to spend any time in Taipei at all, consider buying the Taipei Travel Pass.

It’s great for long distances and/or multiple use of public transportation. If you’re already planning to get an EasyCard ($100 NTD), the Taipei Travel Pass might be a better option.

It’s completely customizable to how long you’ll be in Taipei, plus how many modes of transportation you plan on using.

If you don’t plan on staying very long, it might be cheaper to just pay for transportation with cash.

Taipei Fun Pass

Better yet, if you’re planning on seeing and doing all the things in Taipei – check out the Taipei Fun Pass for discounted prices on the tourist hot spots (Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, etc.) as well as the MRT and buses.

They have multiple kinds of FunPasses so you can choose which one will be best for your trip.

avoid tours

While it can be nice to chat with a local tour guide to learn more about the country and culture, most tours I’ve seen have always been pretty steep in price.

You can easily do the exact tour by yourself at a fraction of the cost such as going to a night market or a hike.

Limit or don’t drink alcohol

As I said before, Taiwan heavily taxes alcohol, like a $5-7 USD bottle of wine would be $30 USD in Taiwan (very sad).

So any kind of drinking will raise your costs pretty dramatically.

If you’re wanting to drink on a budget, you can find cheap beers and mixed drinks at any convenient store.

Many backpackers, expats, and locals will go to convenient stores to grab some drinks before heading into a nearby club or take their drinks to a park to hang out.

Eat local food

Eating at local breakfast shops, food stands, night markets, tea shops, etc. will drive your costs down dramatically compared to eating at modern restaurants.

You can also buy cheap snacks at convenience stores like sweet potatoes, boiled eggs, chips, candy, and/or (my personal fav) onigiri.

Avoid eating at American or European restaurants, you can find Japanese, Korean, and Thai food at reasonable prices.

Travel in Taiwan | Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taiwan cheap to travel in?

While you can definitely travel cheaply, averaging between $26 – $50 USD per day, it’s not as cheap compared to other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Does Taiwan accept USD?

Taiwan doesn’t accept USD. They only use their currency called NTD (New Taiwan Dollar).

You’ll need to pull out money from an ATM or exchange cash upon arrival (or beforehand).

They do accept all major credit and debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard and some places in the cities do accept Apple Pay.

Do I need cash in Taiwan?

Yes. Many places accept credit and debit cards, but local shops, night markets, etc. all use cash as the main form of payment, so I would recommend always having cash on you.

What is the cheapest time of year to visit Taiwan?

There isn’t a “cheapest” time in my opinion, the various prices for traveling in Taiwan don’t fluctuate that often.

Some people say winter is the cheapest, however that is also when the Lunar New Year occurs.

During this time, all forms of transportation (besides the MRT and buses) and accommodation are more expensive due to the demand.

Before and after the Lunar New Year holiday might be the cheapest time, but keep in mind the weather will most likely be cold and damp.

There you have it, all things budget for traveling around Taiwan! I hope this guide helps you to understand where most of your money will go and how you can best use your money for your budget. As always, if you have any questions feel free to reach out and ask! I’d love to help.

happy trails

You May Also Be INTERESTED IN:

• 6 Best Day Trips from Taipei, Taiwan (2023)
• The Complete Female Taiwan Packing List | What to Wear + Checklist (2023)
• 16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan (2023)

The post Cost of Travel in Taiwan | 2024 Budget Breakdown appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

How exciting, you’re traveling to one of my favorite countries!! But now, it’s time to pack. How do you pack for a place you’ve never been to?

I know it can be a bit of a challenge to figure out what to bring – there’s lush mountains to hike, beautiful beaches to explore, cities to navigate, and, depending on the month, you might also need a variety of outfits to match the weather.

After living here for four years, I’ve come to know the Taiwanese weather and seasons very well, which is why I wanted to make this guide.

My guide is geared towards longer trips (about 2+ weeks or longer). If you plan to go for a shorter amount of time and don’t want to pack too much, I would cut the clothing in half.

With all of that being said, here is my complete female packing list and guide for Taiwan.

Read next:

• 16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)
• Ningxia Night Market | Top 18 Foods + Drinks (2024)

Female Fashion in Taiwan

Before packing, it’s always good to check the weather and do research to understand the culture so you know how to dress appropriately for the country.

Taiwan has a relaxed mindset towards fashion and you don’t need to dress very conservatively here.

However, most Taiwanese women dress slightly more conservative than the average American woman (think Uniqlo style).

If you prefer to dress more liberally, (crop tops, short-shorts, etc) nobody will bat an eye. You’ll most likely get some looks if you are dressed more liberally (such as no bra).

But on the whole, American style is trendy in Taiwan so people in the cities also dress in similar fashion (pun intended).

When visiting a temple you don’t need to worry about covering your knees and shoulders, but it is still a place of worship so it’s always best to lean towards conservative clothing.

If you’re traveling to smaller towns, you can still dress more liberally if that’s your style. You will most likely get more looks in these areas because they don’t see as many foreigners as the city-goers do.

But also keep in mind, you will get looks no matter what if you don’t look Taiwanese.

Weather

As stated above, check the weather for your destination before packing because that can drastically change your packing list.

If you plan to go to Taipei, you may see the weather app often predicts rain. I promise it will most likely not rain as much as the weather app is saying (unless there is a typhoon nearby).

It’s typically beautiful and sunny in the mornings and then if it rains, it will come in the afternoons or evenings.

The weather in Taiwan is usually nice and warm from March to November, with the heat peaking between June – August.

It’s a humid heat so prepare to be a little sweaty during the day time (and night if traveling during the summer).

Something to note: typhoon (hurricane) season is from June to November. For my entire four years of living there, I never experienced a strong typhoon.

Most happened between the months of August – October and they all felt like a small storm (windy, some rain, thunder & lightning) so it’s something you don’t need to be too concerned about, but aware of.

The Essential Female Taiwan Packing List

I try to pack as little as I can, however feeling good in your clothes while traveling really makes a difference.

I remember my first three month backpacking trip – I was so sick of wearing the same dress, pants, and shirts after about a month, so I’ve learned I’m not the most minimalist packer.

My strategy is to create a capsule wardrobe; most clothing articles can mix and match and they’re pieces that I really love.

So as you read my Taiwan packing list, think of your style and what you like (or love!) to wear.

Clothes:

Pants

• 1-2 pairs of jeans (blue/black)
• 1 pair of leggings (black)
• 2-3 pairs of shorts (jean/athletic)

If you’re planning to go to Taiwan in the winter time, absolutely bring at least one pair of jeans (if not two).

It gets surprisingly cold during this time, especially in Taipei!

If you’re traveling anytime from April/May to September, you really won’t need jeans.

The temperature ranges from pleasantly warm to boiling lava hot, so jeans are no bueno.

Shirts

• 2 casual T-shirts (white/black/gray)
• 1 long sleeve (white/black/gray)
• 3 fun/stylish tops (for going out/when you want to look cute)

sweaters/jackets

• 1 hoodie (or sweater of your choice)
• 1 cardigan/light sweater
• 1 wind & rainproof jacket (I love my Patagonia jacket, I’ve had it for ten years now, and it still looks great & keeps me warm!)

If you’re traveling in the summertime (with no plans to go on overnight hikes), I would bring only 1 sweater & 1 cardigan and skip the jacket.

dresses/skirts

• 2 summer dresses
• 1 skirt

With my own style, I typically go for a black, white, or gray base and add colors with my cardigans, shirts, etc (for me it’s earthy tones like greens and browns).

I usually only bring solid colors for my clothes, but I do have an amazing floral skirt that I can wear with nearly any solid color top and I bring it on every trip (lol).

For me, one skirt is enough. I prefer shorts and pants, but if you are more of a skirt girlie – definitely add more to your list and take out other bottoms you wouldn’t wear.

shoes

• flip flops
• sandals
• walking shoes
• tennis shoes
• Converse (black)

I like my shoe options as you can see. Flip flops I wear for hostel showers, beach days, and just walking around the town.

I like sandals for when I’m wanting to dress up slightly for the day or for going out at night. Walking shoes are obvious – for the long days of sightseeing.

I used to have the perfect shoe that had all three of these qualities, but sadly the company discontinued them.

I’m on the hunt for something similar so if I find any, I’ll update it here!

I love to hike so I bring tennis shoes for that (not a fan of the clunky hiking shoes and never had an experience where I wished I’d brought them).

Lastly, I like to bring one more closed-toe shoe that I can wear with any of my outfits as well as most activities I plan to do.

underwear

• 2 regular bras
• 1-2 sport bras
• 10+ panties (the more the merrier for me)
• 3 pairs of socks (2 regular, 1 fuzzy)
• set of PJs (or athletic shorts + T-shirt if trying to save space)

If you have a shorter trip, I think one bra and one sports bra will suffice. Clearly, I go ham with my undies – but they’re small so I would rather have too many than not enough!

If you’re planning to wear closed-toe shoes most of the time, I would bring more socks so you don’t have to worry about laundry.

But if you’re like me and wear mostly open-toed shoes, then you don’t need more than 2.

I like to have a pair of fuzzy socks for night time and plane rides! I’m a big fan of comfort.

swimsuits

• 2-3 bikinis (again, small so I like to bring a variety)

Miscellaneous

• 1 belt (black or tan)
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• sunscreen
• earplugs
• 1 purse/fanny pack
• travel umbrella (a necessity for Taipei)
• travel pillow
• water bottle

A lot of travel guides will tell you to just get an umbrella when you arrive from the many convenient stores.

The only qualm I have with that is the quality of those umbrellas aren’t good. I bought one from 7-11 and within 10 minutes, it broke.

I wasn’t expecting excellent quality, but I also wasn’t thinking it wouldn’t last 10 minutes!

So if you’re really wanting to save space then you don’t need to bring one, and can easily get one upon arrival.

But if you’re wanting a more reliable umbrella then I’d say pack your own.

I’m not a hat person so I didn’t add it to my list here. If you need a hat for sunny weather or just enjoy wearing them, by all means – add it to your list!

Toiletries:

Basics

• toothbrush
• toothpaste*
• shampoo/conditioner*
• face lotion
• brush/comb*
• deodorant*
• contacts/glasses + case & cleaner
• microfiber towel
• tampons/pads*/menstrual cup
• panty liners*
• nail clippers* (if traveling for a longer period)
• tweezers*
• chapstick*
• razor*
• bug spray (imo you only need this if you’re going to rivers or mountains (overnight hikes/camping))

skin care

This will vary person to person, but this is what I bring for my travel skin care routine:

• face cleanser*
• vitamin C serum (am)
• retinol serum (pm)
• spot treatment
• sunscreen for face

Makeup

This will vary person to person, but this is what I bring for makeup while I’m on the move:

• BB cream
• foundation
• concealer
• 1 blush
• 1 highlighter
• 1 red lipstick
• 1 black liquid eyeliner
• 1 black mascara

*All of these can be bought upon arrival (from stores like Watson, Poya, & Cosmed) if wanting to save space & weight. If you want your specific brand of these items, then I recommend bringing them because often it’s hard to find in Taiwan.

If you’re in need of skincare while in Taiwan, I highly recommend checking out Innisfree.

I tell literally everyone to buy their products because they are just absolutely incredible for the quality and price point.

As for makeup, less is more – after a while outside, the humidity gets to ya!

Medication

This is very specific for each person. I usually don’t take medication unless I’m in extreme amounts of pain, so normally I don’t bring any.

Here are some basics people typically include:

• personal prescriptions
• pain relievers
• vitamins
• for my ladies struggling with UTIs, this is a lifesaver for the pain when traveling abroad and can’t get to a doctor immediately
• pepto-bismol
• antibacterial/antifungal creams,
• motion sickness pills

Electronics

• phone + charger
• camera + charger (optional)
• laptop + charger (optional)
• power bank + charger (optional)
• kindle + charger (optional)
• headphones/airpods
• adapter**

**Taiwan uses the same electrical outlet & current as the US, so if you’re a US citizen and only traveling to Taiwan (no other Asian countries) you don’t need to bring an adapter or converter. HOWEVER, if you have a 3-prong plug (type B), then you’ll need to buy a 3-prong plug adapter here (from my memory it’s around $100 NTD/$3 USD) upon arrival as Taiwan uses 2-prong plugs (type A) only.

gear

• backpack
• packing cubes for clothes
• 2 packing cubes for undies (one clean/one dirty)
• day bag/dry bag (optional)

I know wearing a large backpack rather than a suitcase may not sound appealing to you, but I promise it makes traveling so much easier.

If you’re planning a vacation and you won’t be moving around a lot, then a suitcase makes sense. But there is so much to see and do around this little island, a backpack will make it that much easier.

I’ve been using this backpack for about 8 years now and it’s still keeping up with all of my travels. It was brilliantly designed so you can easily get anything in your bag without having to rearrange the entire pack. I absolutely love it and recommend it to everyone.

Packing cubes are a must. They organize your bag as well as make it easy to find whatever item you’re looking for.

I’ve been using eBags since I was 18 years old and they’re still in fantastic shape like the first day I got them.

I recommend ordering the medium sized packing cubes. Often you’ll see a deal with different sizes/shapes, but I found for my clothing and my backpack, the mediums work best.

essentials

• passport
• visa/travel documents (US citizens can check requirements for all countries here)
• (international) drivers license (optional)
• home & car keys (safely tucked away in your bag/backpack, if needed immediately upon return)
• credit/debit cards
• wallet

What to Wear by Season

In this section, I’ve created outfits based on each season in Taiwan using my packing list from above.

These are outfits that I personally wore while living there so they’re heavily based on my own style – feel free to imagine your own while checking them out.

Winter (Dec – Feb)

In the winter months, it’s cold and damp. If you plan to go to Taipei during this time, the humid cold cuts through layers so definitely add a proper coat and 2+ long sleeve shirts.

Whatever the temperature is in Northern Taiwan, the weather is usually a few degrees warmer (and drier) in Central and Southern Taiwan.

A typical day of sightseeing, I would wear:

• jeans/leggings
• long sleeve shirt
• sweater
• wind & waterproof jacket/coat
• socks
• tennis shoes
• purse/fanny pack

Spring (March – May)

Averaging between 15 – 26 °C (60 – 80 °F) depending on which part of the island you’re at, it can get quite hot during the day and cool at night.

Packing clothes that can easily be layered is a great idea.

For a full day out on the town, I would wear this:

• shorts
• T-shirt
• belt
• cardigan
• socks
• Converse
• purse/fanny pack

Summer (June – August)

It’s hot, humid, & sweaty – my favorite time of the year!

A sweater is not needed unless in an air-coniditioned place (think MRT, art museum, a scary hostel roommate who likes to keep the temperature at 20 °C (68 °F), airport, etc.) so just in case, definitely pack at least one.

Here is my staple outfit while living in Taipei in the summer:

• shorts/skirt
• crop top
• flip flops
• purse/fanny pack

Fall (Sep – Nov)

It’s still quite warm during this time of year, but like the spring, be sure to bring a sweater, cardigan, and/or jacket for the cool nights and occasional cooler days.

A day in the life would be:

• jeans/shorts
• crop top
• belt
• flip flops/sandals
• purse/fanny pack

What to Wear by Activity

In this section, I’ve used my packing list for Taiwan to make outfits for the most common activities travelers (and locals!) do when visiting the island.

Mountains

There is plenty of hikes and camping you can do all across Taiwan.

No matter where you are on the island, if the sun isn’t out, it will be cooler (and often cold at night) in the mountains.

Come prepped with:

• leggings
• athletic shorts
• T-shirt
• long sleeve
• socks
• tennis shoes
• sweater
• wind & waterproof jacket
• sunglasses
• water bottle
• day bag
• sunscreen

Hot springs

There are so many different kind of ways to do hot springs in Taiwan.

You can go to a hotel, find a natural hot spring pool/creek, experience the Japanese style hot springs (aka nakie), the list is endless!

And all depending on the season, you may need different clothing.

No matter when or where you go, these are a must:

• bikini/one piece
• 2 sets of clothes + socks, if desired
• day bag
• water bottle

Beach

It would be a crime to go to Taiwan and not see their beaches – from white sand beaches in Kenting to snorkeling and scuba diving along the northern coast,

Taiwan never fails to put me in a state of awe.

Be prepped for your beach day with:

• bikini/one piece
• shorts
• t-shirt/crop top
• flip flops
• sunglasses
• water bottle
• day bag
• sunscreen
• cardigan (optional)

City/Town

Each city offers a plethora of food to eat, things to do, and fun experiences.

You’ll be walking a lot and most likely using public transportation and/or YouBikes.

Come prepped for your fun days out with:

• shorts/jeans
• cute top
• walking shoes
• light sweater/jacket
• purse/fanny pack
• sunglasses
• sunscreen

Night Out on the town

If you’re anything like me, you want to experience the nightlife in every country you go to.

It’s fun, a great way to meet other travelers + locals, and who doesn’t love a good dance ?!

You’ll find me on the dancefloor wearing:

• black skinny jeans + cute crop top OR cute dress
• sandals
• cardigan
• purse

Taiwan Packing Checklist

There you have it! My complete packing list and guide for traveling in Taiwan. I really hope this helps you to understand all the different clothing you may need and guide you in the right direction for your packing list.

Did I miss anything? Or do you have any questions? I’d love to hear from you, let me know in the comments below

happy trails

You May Also Like:

• 6 Best Day Trips from Taipei, Taiwan (2024)
• 8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)
• 5 Incredible Days in Taipei, Taiwan | The Ultimate Itinerary (2024)

The post The Complete Female Taiwan Packing List | What to Wear + Checklist (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link. Thank you for your support

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a resident of Taipei, you’re in the market to find hidden gems and things beyond what the usual itineraries and guides recommend for Taipei. Well, you’re in luck!

After living here for four years, I’ve gathered up my experiences into one post to share with you the more unique things Taipei has to offer. In no particular order, here are 16 unique things to do in Taipei:

Read Next:

• 8 Best Cocktail Bars in Taipei, Taiwan (2024)
• 6 Best Day Trips from Taipei, Taiwan (2024)

16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei

1. Shrimp Fishing

Ever heard of this? You’re not going on a boat in the middle of the city, trying your hand at catching shrimp. Instead, it’s a building with pools filled with shrimp where you can hang out with friends and fish.

Most shrimp fishing places have a kitchen, so people are drinking beer, eating food, and fishing; often Taiwanese people will do this after going out at night.

In my experience, you’ll get liver as bait which you cut up, place on your hook, then toss your fishing pole into the water and wait.

Once you’ve caught enough shrimp, the workers will wash them for you and place them up on the grill, then you get to cook them right then and there.

It was a bit difficult for me to watch as I have a profound love for all animals, however this is a very unique experience in Taipei that I don’t think you can get anywhere else and I’m happy I did it!

You pay by hour, typically around $350 NTD (roughly $11 USD) and up. I went here and had a great time.

If that is too far away for you, my friends have gone here and had a great experience, too!

2. Hike to a Buddhist Temple in a Cave

One of the reasons I loved living in Taipei was the nature that surrounded the city. You were never too far away from beautiful scenery and fresh air.

This hike is like none other, built in 1914 is a temple that is embedded into the mountain side with a picturesque waterfall sprinkling down to the left of it.

You’ll start your hike at the Yinhe Cave Hiking Trail and then make your way up towards it! You’ll not only get to see the beautiful mountain side, but also city views with Taipei 101.

Like many of the trails in Taiwan, it involves stairs and can be slippery, so come prepared. On the whole, it’s an easy hike so don’t be worried!

If you’re feeling up for more hiking, you can continue all the way to Maokong for some afternoon tea.

3. Visit the Grand Hotel’s Secret Tunnel and Slide

Up until about 2019, this wasn’t open to visitors and then naturally it closed due to Covid-19.

However, it recently opened back up and it’s a pretty cool thing to do in Taipei, especially if you’re into history.

The Grand Hotel is beautiful with exquisite architecture (this alone you should come for) and the tunnels were originally made in the 1970s due to threats of the Cold War and China.

It was kept a secret (even from hotel staff) up until there was a fire and they rediscovered them.

Fair warning: the tour is only in Mandarin as of right now and you cannot (I repeat, cannot) slide down the slide.

The cost is $250 NTD (about $7.80 USD). You can book your tickets here.

If secret tunnels aren’t really your thing, I still recommend going to the hotel to check it out, you’re allowed to walk around inside and it’s truly magnificent.

4. Learn How to Make Taiwanese Cuisine

One of the best things about traveling to new countries is trying the local food, but learning how to make it is a great way to learn more about the culture. Plus you can recreate your favorite dishes once you’re back home!

In Taiwan, there are so many different kinds of food and drinks you could learn how to make, here are some of my favorite options:

• Bake your very own Pineapple Cake. It’s not quite a cake, more like a tart, but it’s one of the top traditional Taiwanese snacks that you absolutely need to try when visiting (the one from Din Tai Fung is my favorite). The cost is $400 NTD (roughly $12.50 USD) and you can buy your tickets through their website or through KKDay.

• At CookInn they offer 6 different kinds of cooking classes from street food to traditional food to gourmet meals. You get fantastic options! This one is slightly on the pricier side, but for the amount of food you make, I think it’s worth it. Depending on which set you choose, it will cost between 2,200 – 2,500 NTD (about $68.50 – $78 USD). They also offer vegetarian options.

5. Paint and Sip

Get your creative juices flowing at a fun shop called The Escape Artist. You pay for your canvas (about $1000 NTD and up for the larger canvases) and they provide all of the paint, paint brushes, as well as any kind of tool you might need.

Food and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) are available and there isn’t a time limit either, which can be hard to come by in Taipei.

It’s a fun activity to do on your own as well as with friends!

6. See One of the Last Standing Chinese-style Mansions & Gardens

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden is the most complete Chinese-style mansion and garden in Taiwan today.

The Lin family got their wealth through rice and salt companies back in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, after China lost the Anglo-Chinese war, they left Taiwan and in the 20th century, it became a place of refuge for nearly 300 families as people fled from China to Taiwan.

Later, it was deteriorating so people created a fundraiser for it to be restored and in 1986 the restoration was complete.

A beautiful mix of history intertwined with Chinese architecture and nature, it’s a stunning area to walk around and feel the culture of the past.

7. Sip on Masterfully Made Cocktails (or Mocktails!)

Another unique thing to experience in Taipei is Lab. It’s by far one of the most innovative bars in Taipei, if not the world.

The owners are a sweet couple and they create the most out-of-this-world flavors and drinks using machinery I don’t know the name of (there is a reason why it’s called Lab).

Chemistry meets mixology – they are true alchemists and you don’t want to miss it!

It’s a small bar and usually not very crowded during weekdays, giving it cozy vibes. You might need to make a reservation for the weekends though, roughly $400 NTD/drink.

8. Collect Stamps from the MRT stations

Within each MRT station in Taipei, and other places like Jiufen and Alishan, there is a small station area where you can find a counter with a stamp.

You can add them into a small notebook, each are crafted specifically for the location so it creates a cute little collection and it’s fun to see what each stamp looks like as you’re traveling around Taipei!

9. Taste Traditional Taiwanese Ice Cream

And I’m talking authentic with a capital A. One of my Taiwanese students showed me this spot and when I told my Taiwanese friends about it, they themselves hadn’t even tried it!

They offer sorbet with unique flavors like taro, lychee, and peanut butter. The traditional ice cream is the one with chunks of pineapple and a plum.

They also serve a sweet rice dish that has an acquired taste, but apparently is good for women (featured on the right side of the photo).

10. Drink Authentic Tea in Maokong

This one you may have seen before, but I believe it’s a very fun and special thing to do that Taipei offers.

Take the brown line to the Taipei Zoo MRT station and follow the signs to the Maokong Gondola. After a joyful ride along the mountains, take the leisurely walk to Yao Yue Teahouse (or any others in the area).

Here you will be served traditional tea and can order authentic Taiwanese food (which I highly recommend) all while sitting outside surrounded by lush mountains.

Be sure to check out the cute shops along the roads here, they have yummy ice cream and cute little souvenir shops.

11. Take a Street Food Tour

Want to know the ins and outs of Taiwanese street food from a local?

The 10 Tastings of Taipei: Street Food Tour can be 100% personalized so whether you’re traveling to Taipei for the first time or have lived here for years, everyone can eat something they’ve never had before (or if you have dietary restrictions, they can accommodated for that).

Not only will you get to try the special Taiwanese street food, but you’ll also be able to learn about food culture from a local – which is a fantastic experience in any country you visit.

Each tour is private, so if you’re one person it’s quite pricey (roughly $100 USD), however if you are a group of 4 or more it’s much more affordable ($38 USD or less/person).

If you’re traveling solo and it’s outside your budget, see if some friends at your hostel would join you!

12. Relax with a Massage

While they’re lesser known than the Thai massage, the massages in Taiwan are quite unique due to their Chinese Medicine practices.

They can also be equally painful (lol). When you’re walking around the city and see a large foot with different colors outside as a sign and diagrams of the human body on the windows – you know you have come to the right place: it’s a traditional massage parlor.

They typically offer foot massages (including the calves) as well as half-body and full-body massages.

You can choose between 30/60/90 minutes so the price range can be anywhere from about $600 – $2000 NTD depending on the massage parlor.

Usually it’s okay to just pop in without a reservation and get a massage, but more formal parlors may require a reservation.

If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, I highly recommend the two hour, full-body massage from The Village Spa.

The space is serene and cozy with a Japanese style. I had the massage therapist number 36 and she was amazing. If you’d like you can request her when booking.

13. Check out Modern Architecture near Taipei 101

This one is a little random, but it is truly my favorite building in Taipei and I think everyone deserves to see it!

It just looks so cool, I always loved passing by it when I lived here. The building was completed in 2019 and is just a hop-skip away from Taipei 101, so it’s very easy to add into any plans when you’re in the Xinyi area.

I’ve been told it’s one of the most expensive apartment buildings in Taipei (not surprising) and apparently it even has an elevator for your car to reach your apartment (very surprising!).

14. DIY Ring

This one is for my crafty people! Another unique experience to do in Taipei is making your own ring at Everyday is a Gift.

It makes for a fun story when people see your ring and ask about it. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance through a direct message or phone call.

You can find their facebook here and while they speak Mandarin during the workshop, many foreigners have gone and haven’t had any issues with communication.

15. Visit the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine

Most people don’t see this their first time visiting Taiwan and I didn’t even know about it until my last year living in Taiwan.

I passed by it in a taxi and was like Wait! What was that?!

The National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine has beautiful architecture (inspired by the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City) with a changing of the guards ceremony, every hour on the hour.

It’s dedicated to the over 300,000 soldiers that lost their lives during the Sino-Japanese war, the Chinese Civil war, and the revolution before Taiwan became Taiwan (the Republic of China).

16. Admire the Wuji Tianyuan Temple

This picturesque Taoist temple is located quite north, but if you’re in Tamsui for the day (or don’t mind making the trek) then I highly recommend going to see it.

Most temples in Taipei don’t include circular pagodas so it’s a unique sight to see, especially if you visit during cherry blossom season (March – April).

Prepare for crowds if you go during this time.

That concludes the 16 unique things to do in Taipei, Taiwan! I hope you have a wonderful time exploring this amazing city. If you try any of these, I’d love to hear about your experience! Feel free to comment below

happy trails

You may also like:

• Ningxia Night Market | Top 18 Foods + Drinks (2024)
• 5 Incredible Days in Taipei, Taiwan | The Ultimate Itinerary (2024)

The post 16 Unique Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan (2024) appeared first on Belletrist Travels.