1pm: Arrive at Taoyuan Airport
Depart at 8am from SG via Singapore Airlines. Upon arriving at Taoyuan Airport, you want to first proceed to the Chunghwa Telecom (中华电信/中華電信) counter to get our data sim card. Internet is rather affordable in Taiwan, so you wouldn’t have to worry about it. A 10-day unlimited data card would only cost you NT$500 (S$24).
Proceed to the airport mrt station. An express train to Taipei Main Station costs NT$160 and takes 40mins. Then, transit to the metro and take a stop to Ximen Station, check-in to accommodation.
3:30pm: Ay Chung Mee Sua (阿宗面线/阿宗面線)
After settling down, one of the places I missed the most from my previous trip was Ay Chung Mee Sua! It was so good, none of the Taiwan-style mee sua in SG could beat this! The broth was full of bonito flakes flavour and I love that it’s topped with intestines instead of oysters as I don’t eat oysters.
4:30pm: Ximending 西门町/西門町
After which, visit heritage building, The Red House (西门红楼/西門紅樓). The building was built in 1908 during the Japanese ruling as a public market. It was then used as a theatre from 1945. It is popular for its octagonal shape and its unique blend of Western and Meiji-era Japanese architectural patterns. Today, it has become a space for the creative and art industry. It is also home for Taipei’s LGBTQ community and the site of the annual Mr. Gay World Taiwan, Taipei Pride and gay New Year’s eve countdown.
Explore Ximending. It is probably the coolest neighbourhood of Taipei. It has been a trendy spot since the Japanese ruling, built as a recreation hub outside of the west gate (“ximen” in Chinese), and hence its name. Be wowed by the street entertainment. If you love singing, Ximending is filled with KTV bars! Explore some graffiti art at the American Street (美国街/美國街) and watch the youths skate away at the Taipei Cinema Park (台北市电影主题公园/臺北市電影主題公園). Check out Hanko 60, a hidden bar disguised as a retro movie theatre.
6:30pm: Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice 金峰鲁肉饭/金峰魯肉飯
Braised pork rice is one of the iconic Taiwanese food and you’ve got to try Jin Feng’s! It’s arguably Taipei’s BEST braised pork rice place. A lot of braised pork rice in Taipei is just rice, pork oil and fats; but Jin Feng’s version comes with lots of meat. I mean, how can you call the dish braised pork rice when it doesn’t come with any braised pork? Paired it with a bowl of hot soup to help wash the oiliness.
7:30pm: Back on Ximending
Continue exploring Ximending and don’t forget to visit the newly opened Don Don Donki (overseas name for Don Quijote) store! Donki has been such a huge success in SG! This year, it has finally expanded to Taiwan! Donki has long been a favorite of Taiwanese tourists in Japan, and Taiwan finally has its own store at Ximending. The store is open 24hrs, so shop your night away!
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