What to do in Ximen, Taipei at Night
The weather was perfect, the sun was shining brightly over the sky and everyone looked happy. We did a half-day River Trekking tour afterwards we took the afternoon train from Hualien to Taipei Main Station. Our Last Day in Hualien was a memorable one and here we are on another epic adventure to the capital city of Taiwan. Let’s go!
"This site contains Affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases of a product/service at no added cost to you." ^_^
Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Hualien to Taipei Main Station
Normal Rates: Tze-Chiang Limited Express NT 440 / $20
Discounted Rate for 3 persons: NT 1254 / SGD 56
Hualien to Shulin travel time: 3 hours and 21 minutes (depending on the train timing)
We arrived late in the evening and painfully searched for our hotel's location. It really took most of our time that night and all along it was just right there in front of us. We passed by that specific street a few times and didn't recognized that was it. It's a small corner street with a tiny street sign so I guess we have a slight reason to be lost. Despite the misery of getting lost, we found something great in that very same establishment, there was a small menu board showing a special cheap rate in a nearby hostel. We took the special offer, the amount was way cheaper than our booked hotel, and less headcount means less cash on hand, so all adds up that it was an offer we can say no to.
Where to Stay
Check-in: Here-There Hostel
Address: No. 28, Emei St, 4F.-1, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Phone:+886 2 2361 2061
4 days 3 nights
NT 3,800 - 2 bunk beds ( mixed room )
How to get there
Alight at Ximen MRT Station, take Exit 6, Cross the little pedestrian lane and once you see Watson keep walking straight, pass by the 7'11 shop, a wide transparent door to a Hotel and the small street that leads to the hostel.
Top 10 Reasons to Stay in Ximen, Taiwan
Ximen is a great place to stay when you're in Taipei for a lot of reasons:
1. Night Market
There's a variety of foods to choose from the night market bonanza down to the best milk tea in town. I always make sure I try something new in every place I go to. This time around I tried goose meat, something new and surprisingly delicious.
Funny Moment
The night market starts late in the evening but when we get there the stalls are already set up for business. No wonder they all started running out of nowhere I guess a patrol car passed by. We had to rush with them, as our ordered food wasn't ready yet. I laughed like a crazy person running after the food thief. That really spiced up our night! The vendor stopped inside an establishment, she was confused to see us there tailing her all the way to her pit stop. We laughed all night with a full stomach.
Milk Tea Heaven!
Taiwan is famous for its milk tea, don't go home empty-handed. Try the classic milk tea with pearls and feel the refreshing goodness.
2. Modern Toilet Restaurant
- Address: 108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, Lane 50, Xining S Rd
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
From Ximen Mrt Exit 6, find the tattoo street. From there just keep walking straight. The restaurant is right in front of the 7'11 outlet, try to use the map in tip # 9 to find the restaurant.
People come to this place not just for the night market but for this specific and unique restaurant. The Modern Toilet Restaurant opened its doors to the public last 2004 and it has become a booming success up to this date. It's a one-of-a-kind toilet-themed dining experience. Be prepared to sit in a toilet bowl, with delicious food served in toilet bowls as well and even the chocolate dessert is shaped like an authentic poop.
They have reasonable prices for a combo meal that ranges from NT 250 - NT 350. We ordered the classic meal which comes with a main dish, bowl of rice, green tea juice and a chocolate dessert.
3. Tattoo and Piercing Outlets
If you're looking to add more art to your body or pierce your ears if your parents haven't done so, then this street is for you. The street itself is named according to the shops designated in that area.
How to get there
- Tattoo street
- Ln. 50, Hanzhong St., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City 108, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
4. Shopping
The place is surrounded by boutique outlets, a mall and all kinds of tailored clothes for men and women. There is so much to choose from, from branded clothing lines to independent names, sports to formal attires, and even bags and accessories are available too.
5. Souvenir Stores
I wanted something new for my souvenirs. Good thing we passed by this street vendor selling creative keychains using wires. It was a perfect gift for my brothers.
6. Massage parlor
I found one around the area. A good foot massage to loosen the tight muscles from all the walking and running during the city tour.
7. Hair and Nail Salon
If you want your hair and nails done there are plenty of salons around the area.
8. Street Performers
All kinds of entertainment are all around the place. An incredibly talented artist is just around the corner showing off his skills in mixing spray paints while on another street a harp player blissfully plays her song. Street dancers perform in the middle as the crowd pumps up with every beat of the music.
9. Great location
Once the sun goes down head to Ximen MRT station, once you get out from Exit 6 don't cross the road and just follow the crowd. You won't miss this part of the party as people flock to this area to shop, dine and have a good fun time. The Ximen Mrt station is the blue and green circular sign on the right side of the map.
10. Cheap Accommodations
There are plenty of cheap accommodations around Ximen. Most of the hostels are a walking distance from Ximen MRT too. We stayed in Here-There Hostel which is just 5 minutes away from the station. Aside from that Ximen is just one stop away from Taipei Main Station, where all the trains and bus rides are located.
More Places to Visit in Tawain
- We stayed in Hualien for 3 days:Took the train back to Taipei City and stayed there for 4 days:
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have one more day to spare why not go visit Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan
and spend some time with nature.
If you still have one more day to spare why not go visit Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan
and spend some time with nature.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to visit my sister in South Korea and visit the land where my favorite Korean dish "bibimbap" materialized in this world.
Related articles you may find interesting:
Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Been wanting to visit Taiwan again and now I have a lot of reasons to do so! :)
xx,
Regine
www.ginnywhowanders.blogspot.com
Hello Regine,
DeleteTaiwan is such a wonderful country that offers a variety of activities. I wanted to stay long and just have milk tea all day long. I would love to visit this country again in the nearby future too. Cheers to that!
Great article, Thanks for your great information, the content is quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by. Cheers!
Delete