Pau Gutierrez
Editor’s note: This is the continuation of the “5 Days in Taiwan” article.
Day Three, Josh and I didn’t have a concrete itinerary, but we had two destinations in mind: the Beitou Hot Springs in Beitou District and the Zhongshe Flower Market in Houli District, Taichung.
Taichung Station
The former was about 20 to 30 minutes away from the Taipei Main Station, and you can reach it by taking the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Beitou Station and transferring to the Xinbeitou Line, which takes you to the Xinbeitou Station in Beitou’s hot-spring resort area. The fare from Taipei Main Station to Beitou Station, as I recall, is TWD 35.
The fare going to the Zhongshe Flower Market is a little more expensive. A Malaysian family we met at the Taipei Main Station told us that the fastest way to travel from Taipei to Taichung is via the High-Speed Rail (THSR), but the ticket would cost TWD740 each, compared to the local train (TRA) ticket, which is only TWD300-350 each.
Now, if you’re visiting Taiwan for the first time and can get as clueless as I am, you need to know that Taipei City’s metro system is served by High-Speed Rail (HSR), railway (TRA), and Taipei Metro (MRT) train services. The only location where all three types of trains converge is the Taipei Main Station.
We thought hard about our options and ended up going to the Zhongshe Flower Market because we wanted to see Taichung’s rural district. This is also the part where our trip got tricky.
Here’s the route we took: From Ximen Metro Station, we took the MRT to Taipei Main Station, where we bought our TRA tickets to Taichung (we chose TRA since HSR tickets are expensive). In Taichung, we boarded the Line 801 Train to Houli Station, then took a cab (we paid TWD 350) to the Zhongshe Flower Market. The trip took about four hours in total.
Also, a little tip: Instead of going to the Houli Station, go to Tai’an Station, which is only a few minutes away from the Zhongshe Flower Market, also known as Houli Flower Farm or Chungshe Flower Garden.
The flowers here change with the seasons, and every year from January to March, tulips and lilies come into full bloom, so I think these months are the best time to go.
Aside from its beautiful, manicured gardens, the market also has a flower-viewing area, art props, a potted-plant area, a seasonal flora sea, a lotus farm, and a cafe.
It is open from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, while the barbecue area just outside is open until 9:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The admission fee is priced at TWD 120.
We arrived late in the afternoon, so we only had about a couple of hours to get around. Nonetheless, we were still able to take good photos in the flower fields!
It was already dark when we arrived at Tai’an Station, and we were worried there would be no more trains to the city, and we didn’t have an EasyCard (a smart card you can use to pay for the Taipei Metro, buses, and other public transport in Taipei). Luckily, we met locals who speak English, and they told us to just wait for the train. According to our tickets, they advised us to go to the information counter at Taipei Main Station, where we can pay.
Day Four
Since we only booked Renny’s Airbnb apartment for three nights, we had to transfer to Caesar Metro Taipei on our fourth day.
The hotel is only a three-minute walk from MRT Longshan Temple Station (Exit 2), and one metro stop ride from the Ximending Shopping District. Two street night markets—Guangzhou and Huahsi—are in close proximity to the property, as is Bopiliao Old Street.
Believe me when I say that it also has the best view of Wanhua District, and the staff was kind enough to upgrade us from a Two-single-bed Suite (it was cheaper) to a Double-bed Suite.
That night, we mostly just strolled around Guangzhou Night Market, and we went back to the Ximending Shopping District, where we scored good deals on Off-White shirts and Adidas hats.
Day Five
We still had plenty of time to roam around on our last day because we booked an overnight flight going back to Manila.
It was freezing at the time, but I somehow convinced Josh to go to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, built in honor of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China.
The ground level of the memorial houses a library and a museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career, with exhibits detailing Taiwan’s history and development. The upper level contains the main hall, in which a large statue of Chiang Kai-shek is located, and where a guard mounting ceremony (or “changing of the guards”) takes place every day and every hour from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Equally interesting is the place’s architectural design. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall has a blue, octagonal roof, a shape that evokes the symbolism of the number eight, which is traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune. Two sets of white stairs, each with 89 steps to represent Chiang’s age at the time of his death, lead to the main entrance.
It is also flanked on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall.
Travel Tips:
- I recommend staying in Wanhua District if you want to be near the main shopping hubs and tourist attractions in Taipei. Zhongshan District is where the posh buildings and hotels are (kind of like Bonifacio Global City or Ayala Avenue in the Philippines), and it’s home to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. The hot spring resorts are located in Beitou District.
- They don’t have Grab in Taiwan, but they have Uber. The cash payment option isn’t available there, so it would be better if you already have WePay, PayMaya, or a credit card.
There are metered taxis in the city, but for rural districts like Houli, where the Zhongshe Flower - The market is located, and the fare is fixed. It’s okay, though; just consider it a way to help their local tourism.
- There are lots of unique and delicious food items at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. Very cheap, too! Our favorites were the Tuna Wasabi Onigiri and Coco Ichibanya’s curry meal.
- Booking activities through Klook and KKday, from my experience, is cheaper and more convenient than doing DIY itineraries, especially when you’re not that familiar with the places you’ll be visiting. You can always find reviews and price comparisons online, so you have nothing to worry about.
- If you’re lost, approach the locals. Many Taiwanese professionals and service workers can speak and understand English.
- Buy an EasyCard; it’s the most convenient way to get around.
Taiwan is truly a beautiful place to wander. Take not only good photos with you, but also good memories.
Searching for the best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new resorts in Calatagan, Batangas? Please follow #TeamOutofTown on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
Also read:
- 5 Helpful Things Philippine Passport Holders Should Know Before Booking An International Flight For The First Time
- TAIWAN: The Ultimate Taipei Travel Guide 2019 + Itinerary, Things To Do And More
