Stay at Taiwan: Sept 2012

Last two weeks we attended a course and conference at Taiwan. It was 4 hours flight from Singapore to Taipei. We were so happy and enjoying the bigger space in flight as we get the first row seat.

We have been arranged to transfer to Caesar Park Taipei Hotel, located in the heart of Taipei City directly across from Taipei Main Station, it offers the most convenient access to Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taipei Metro, buses and other major landmarks and attractions. 

After a quick bath, we filled our stomach with some tasty taiwanese dumpling noodles and ru rou fan (卤肉饭) before started first class at night and follow by our late dinner at Tang Dynasty (糖朝). It's famous with its dessert and specialities Tauhua (豆花),  At here, we have tried tofu pudding in a cask (原木桶豆腐花) for splitting among multiple diners. It's taste very smooth.

Next day, we took the MRT to the famous landmark, top brand shopping mall- Taipei 101 to have our fast shopping and lunch. Here have luxuries boutiques, fashion, gourment food and Taipei city view at the tower. We were short of time, so we din't go up the tower instead save our time for our shopping spree. Longchamp is selling pretty cheaper than Malaysia with the latest design. I'm sure this is one of the must buy brand for girls who visit Taipei. Before too late, I finally got one latest limited edition LM Tote Bag at Airport.

We also had our lunch at a global dumpling icon restaurant, Taiwans original Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) in the 101 Mall. Steamed shrimp and pork dumpling, Steamed mini pork dumplings with soup, Steamed green vegetable, Shrimp and pork shiu-mai, Fried rice with eggs and shrimp, Fried rice with eggs and pork and etc were served. They taste very yummy and really really taste better than other places. Surprise to us, we were served by a taiwanese ladies but can speak very good US English. They have an excellent services!

After lunch, while other were attending the course, I and other girls who cannot join the course continued our shopping at Xin Guang San Yue (新光三越). It is a shopping area where just opposite to Taipei 101. We were having our '50 lan' Milk Tea (五十嵐) while shopping. 50 lan having the most franchises in Taiwan.

While short break in the evening, we walked past a wet market to WuFenPu (五分埔), known as Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area.  Located in the eastern part of Taipei City. I’m so excited! Finally, shopping time for some value for money in clothes and accessories. The clothes are cheap, start from NT$100. I have only 45 minutes to shop before ready for night time course. Wufenpu can be reached by MRT, Houshanpi station (台北捷運藍線後山埤站) or by Train, Songshan station (松山車站).

After the night course, without wasting much time, we went to Ximending (西門町) for dinner. Ximending is noted most fashionable and popular shopping area in Taiwan and gather young people for entertainments and activities. The famous here is Ah Zong Mee Suah (阿宗面线). Unfortunately we have no chance to try it because it has past 11pm and it's closed. We were disappointing and end up to McD.  It can be reached by MRT-Bannan Line (捷運板南線) to exit no. 6 of MRT Ximen Station (捷運西門站).

Nex day, we took Taiwan High Speed Rail (台灣高鐵) to Taichung for a conference in the afternoon. The journey took about 50 minutes and the max speed is 300 km/hr.

We had our lunch at the famous steamboat restaurant, Ding Wang Spicy Hotpot (鼎王麻辣鍋) . They are famous with sour vegetable soup based and spicy herb duck blood soup based.

In the evening after the conference, it's time for night market, Feng jia yeshi (逢甲夜市).  We found delicious snack foods, local street foods, quality clothes at reasonable prices and etc here. A good place to shop, eat ans experience the local!  Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎) , Stinky tofu (臭豆腐), extra large chicken chop(豪大大雞排),  Braised Snacks (滷味), Salty Chicken (盐水鸡), Onion Cake (洋葱饼) are all famous must try street foods. The XL chicken chop stall's queue very long but waited only ten minutes. It is faster than expected! Soft tender chicken with salty batter powdered with a fragrant spice mix. Fresh fruits stalls are everywehere. We tried tea mix with heinekan and fresh milk papaya.

After all, we back to our hotel at Taipei and leave Taipei the next day afternoon. This was really a super pack trip. Most of time spent on the course as it suppose be the purpose of the trip. I has miss out the Shilin night market and others interesting places like Alishan (阿里山), Riyue-Tan (日月潭), Taiwan hotspring. Hopefully I can return some other time. 

 For more information about the Taiwan trip:

Accomodation:

Caesar Park Taipei Hotel: http://en.taipei.caesarpark.com.tw/

    38, Chung Hsiao West Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.

Transportation:

Taiwan High Speed Rail (台灣高鐵): http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en

Shopping:

Taipei 101: http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/MALL/en/index.aspx

Longchamp: http://www.longchamp.com/c3/home-tw-611001.html

Xin Guang San Yue (新光三越)

WuFenPu (五分埔)

Food:
Tang Dynasty/ Sweet Dynasty (糖朝):  160, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City
                                                               (台北市忠孝東路四段160號) 

Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐): http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/index.asp

50 lan burble tea (五十嵐): http://www.50lan.com.tw/

Ah Zong Mee Suah (阿宗面线)

Taichung:

Ding Wang Spicy Hotpot (鼎王麻辣鍋): http://www.tripodking.com.tw/html/product/index.aspx

       Jingcheng Road No.12, Taichung City, Taiwan.

Feng jia yeshi (逢甲夜市)