Travel Guide for Taipei First-Timers
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or considering your first international trip, there’s something for everyone in the Great Canadian Road Trip. Traveling to different countries and states will teach you about different cultures and customs, allowing you to broaden your viewpoint.
Now is the time to start exploring the world if you want to check items off of your bucket list. A great place to begin is by visiting one of Asia’s beautiful countries, Taiwan. If it’s your first time traveling there, then you should tour Taipei, the capital city.
Taipei City is deceivingly large, and although you might think you can see everything in one day, there are plenty of places to visit and activities to keep you busy.
To ensure you aren’t losing any time once you get to Taiwan, make sure you have everything you’ll need before packing your luggage and traveling there. Here’s a Taipei travel guide to assist you along the way.
Decide When to Visit
As you begin to plan yourTaiwanese getaway, paying attention to the country’s weather is crucial for an enjoyable experience. Keep in mind that Taiwan experiences a large number of typhoons each year.
You should avoid Taiwan from May to September if you want to enjoy clear, sunny days while traveling. The typhoon season in Taiwan lasts from May to September, and these months are marked by frequent rains. Other times during these months can also be hot and humid, which is not desirable if you want on walking around the city. From late October to March, Taipei City’s best time to visit is when the weather is cool and dry. During these months, the weather is chilly and arid.
The cherry blossom season in Taiwan may be unpredictable, but the best moment to visit is when it’s nice outside. The cherry blossom season in Taipei usually lasts from February to March, although the flowers may bloom at any time during this period. As a result,
Book Your Flight
After you’ve decided on when to travel to Taiwan for the first time, it’s time arrange your flight. Generally, roundtrip flights from America to Taiwan cost between $800 and $1200 depending on where in the country you’re flying from and what deals are available online. You should be able to find a reasonably priced flight that doesn’t make too many sacrifices in terms of comfort.
After booking your flight, plan transportation to Taipei City from the airport. The most likely arrival airport is Taoyuan, located a few minutes away from Taiwan’s capital. However, this does not mean that you have arrived at your final destination; there is still some travel time left before reaching Taipei City proper.
Taipei City is accessible from Taoyuan Airport in a variety of ways. Some of the most frequent options for travelling between Taoyuan and Taipei City are as follows:
- MRT: The quickest way to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station is by taking the MRT. It costs approximately $6 and trains run until 11 PM. Once you reach Taipei Main Station, take another train that will drop you off closer to your lodging.
- Bus: The cheapest way to get from the Taoyuan airport to Taipei Main Station is by bus, which only costs $5. This is ideal if you’re landing in Taipei late at night. The bus schedule can be adjusted according to flights’ status, but it’s best to confirm it beforehand so that you don’t have any surprises when you land.
- Private Transfer: If you’d prefer to avoid the hassle of public transport, a private airport transfer might be a good option for you. This alternative allows you to go straight to your accommodation from the airport for around $40 – 70, depending on the sort of service and automobile that is supplied. For an easy trip, consider hiring a travel agency in Taiwan to handle all of your travel requirements.
Find a Place to Stay
Now that you have the money to go to Taipei, it’s time to consider where you’ll be staying while you’re there. There are a number of hotels, hostels, and Airbnb hosts in Taipei located in various neighborhoods, as shown below:
Wanhua District
Wanhua District, particularly the Ximending area, is one of the greatest locations to stay in Taipei. This neighborhood has a vibrant atmosphere that reflects that of Harajuku in Japan. You’ll like living here because there are several restaurant choices accessible.If you’re looking to check out some of the city’s most popular cultural attractions, Ximending is a great area to stay in. You’ll be only a few minutes away from places such as Longshan Temple and Bopiliao Historical Block.
Datong District
Another location where you should consider staying is Datong. There are several tourist attractions in this region, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Dihua St.
Prepare Your Documents
When you’ve booked your flight and accommodation, it’s time to start preparing the paperwork you’ll need to enter Taiwan. One of the most essential things you should do is make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay in Taiwan.
If you come from the US, European Union, or another visa-free country, you don’t need to apply for a visa as long as you stay in Taiwan for less than 90 days. However, please note that additional paperwork might be required based on COVID-19 restrictions–for example, proof of a negative RT-PCR test to show infection status.
You may be required to apply for special entry permits or Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs). The Taiwanese government is currently requesting that all visitors submit documentation of their quarantine location as well as health declaration forms that include their travel and contact histories. For the most up-to-date information on requiredtravel documents, please visit Taiwan CDC’s website and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
Ready Your Cash
Even if you have planned your trip’s budget, you cannot utilize US dollars in Taiwan. Before traveling around Taipei City, you must change your money to New Taiwan Dollars. What’s nice about changing money in Taiwan is that you won’t have to worry about any shady individual currency exchangers. The government has a tight grip on all currency exchange businesses.
There are a few places where you can exchange your money for the local currency, such as banks or the airport. Some joints even accept non-major currencies.
Create Your Itinerary
Now that you’re all packed and ready for your journey to Taiwan, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to spend your vacation in the stunning city of Taipei. To ensure you have a great trip, be sure to add these activities to your itinerary.
Explore Taipei City
Get on a sightseeing bus, also known as a hop-on, hop-off bus, to discover the delights of Taipei City. This allows you to get on and off the vehicle as many times as you wish during your pass.
The city’s most popular tourist destinations, such as Taipei 101, the Chang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and the National Palace Museum, are all visited by sightseeing buses. Because you may effortlessly ride and alight from the bus, you have more choice over when to visit Taipei City and which sites to see.
City tours can be a great way to learn more about the history and culture of a new place, and Taipei is no exception. If you’re interested in exploring the city with a guide, there are plenty of options for guided tours. These kinds of tours are especially perfect for first-time visitors who want to get acquainted with Taipei City.
Visit Night Markets
Taiwan’s night markets are renowned and for good reason. Shilin and Raohe, two of Taipei’s most expansive and beloved night markets, should definitely be on your list of places to visit. With an array of shops and stalls that offer a range exquisite items exists alongside the opportunity to savor delicious street foods–Taiwan’snight markets will not disappoint.
Take a Day Trip From Taipei
Why not go on a day trip to other parts of Taiwan if you want to get away from city life? There are several organizations that provide trips to various areas of Taiwan from Taipei City. A Yangmingshan day tour is one of the excursions available. It contains the following stops:
- Yangmingshan Flower Clock
- Qingtiangang
- Xiaoyoukeng
Pack Your Bags and Experience the Beauty of Taipei City
After you’ve completed your preparations, all you have to do now is get ready for a fantastic time in Taipei City! Make sure to keep an open mind while touring the city so you can enjoy the country’s unique culture and customs even more.
And don’t forget your camera to document and preserve all the amazing moments from your trip to Taiwan’s capital city.later, you can show off those great photos to your friends and family back home! make sure also enjoys Taipei City by doing as many activities and trying as many local dishes during your stay!
