I've never imagined myself to be traveling in Taiwan, let's just say I'm more delighted with tropical beaches. However, my friend persuaded me to join her and the taste of another adventure tickles my wanderlust feet. When I got the chance to land on a promo fare ticket bound to Taipei I did a little research about the country I'm heading next. I had a hard time doing my research because I was still spellbound by my paragliding experience in Jakarta a few weeks ago and getting off the high of flying was hard for me to let go of. Let’s go!
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Travel Tips
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What to do in Taiwan for a Week
During my research I discovered that Taipei offers a variety of activities, it's not only for sightseeing enthusiasts but also for adventure seekers like me. I got my eye on Hualien where there is a hiking activity and a river trekking. What attracted me most with this activity was the river trekking where they highlighted waterfalls jumping on the webpage. Immediately my high hopes for another adrenaline rush adventure in Taipei exhilarated my traveler's soul. I have to give credit to all the blogs I've read about Taipei, they inspired me and more importantly, guided my Travel Itinerary.
For Visa Processing: Singapore to Taiwan for Philippine Passport Holders
Taiwan 7 Days Itinerary
Budget: SGD 500 / USD 400 / NT 11,000
First Day
- 22 July: Arrival
- Purchased Easy Card: NT 500 / SGD 22
- 24-hour bus service from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station, Bus 1819
- Visit: Dashui Old Street
Second Day
- 23 July: First Day in Hualien
- Airport to Taipei Main
- Travel time: 1 hr
- Taipei to Hualien: 2-3 hrs
- Expected Arrival: 10am
- Early train from Taipei to Hualien (Train guide)
- Normal Rates: Chu-Kuang Express NT 340
- Chu-Kuang Express
- Shulin-Hualien 7:08-10:03
- 2 hours and 55 minutes
- Discounted Rate: NT 969 / SGD 43 ( 3 tickets )
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express, 2 hours from Taipei to Hualien, NTD 440, either Taroko Express or Puyuman Express.
- Check-in: Clearsky Backpacker Hostel
- 3D2N: SGD 95.94 ( SGD 31.98 each )
- Visit: Nanbin Park, Pine Garden and Ziqian Night Market
Third-Day
- 24 July: Second Day in Hualien - Taroko National Park Hualien, Taiwan Tour
- 1 pax: NT 700 / SGD 30
Fourth Day
- 25 July: Last Day in Hualien - River Trekking Tour
- 1 pax: NT 1,200 / SGD 53
- Afternoon train from Hualien to Taipei Main Station
- Normal Rates: Tze-Chiang Limited Express NT 440 / SGD 20
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express
- Hualien to Shulin 17:49-21:01
- 3 hours 21 minutes
- Discounted Rate: NT 1254 / SGD 56 ( 3 tickets )
- Ximen, Taiwan
- Check-in: Here-There Hostel
- 4 days 3 nights
- NT 3,800 - 2 bunk beds ( mixed room )
Fifth Day
- 26 July: Taipei
- Hike in Yangmingshan National Park
- Relax at Beitou Hot Spring
Sixth Day
- 27 July: Taipei
- Release Sky Lanterns in Shifen
- Food Trip in Jiufen's Old Street
Seventh Day
28 July: Last Day
Noontime flight back
Arrival in Taipei: While Waiting for Friends
I arrived early in the afternoon at Taoyuan Airport and my friends were coming late at night. I didn't intend to wait for them all afternoon, so I did my research and had my first tour of Taipei on my own. The airport is not connected to the MRT, so taking a cab or the bus is the only option to the city. No need to worry there's a shuttle bus from Taoyuan Airport that goes straight to the Taipei Main Station.
Buy your Easy Card
Make sure to buy your Easy Card, it's equivalent to the EZ link in Singapore and the Octopus card in Hong Kong.
The easy card will get you conveniently around the city, it will serve as your transportation fare when taking the bus and the local train except for the high-speed railway trains. Loading stations for an easy card can be done in 7'11 outlets, buses, train stations, and most convenient stores in Taiwan. The easy card is available right in front of the arrival exit at the customer service counter inside the airport. You don't need to go far as it is situated in the center of the arrival hall. Purchased one if you're planning to go around Taipei City.
Easy Card: NT 100 (non-refundable)
Top-up at least a minimum of NT 300 for the train and bus fare. The remaining balance for the easy card can be converted into cash, we had our credit balance exchange in Taipei Main Station Customer Service.
After purchasing my easy card I was off to Taipei Main Station. Take the escalator going down from the arrival hall and follow the sign to the bus terminal. Before you head out for the bus purchase your bus ticket bound to Taipei Main Station in Counter 7. Fare ticket NT 125. I used my Easy card for the transaction or you can pay cash too.
How to get there: Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station
- Take Bus 1819 from the Bus Terminal outside the airport, Row 5.
- Ticket Fare: NT 125
- Travel time: 40-80 minutes (depending on traffic)
Storage Lockers
I alighted at Taipei Main Station and immediately looked for the storage locker for my bag while maneuvering my way inside the station. I spotted the lockers but I don't know where I was. The signs were all over the place so if you're heading to the MRT, just follow the signs. Unfortunately, I don't have the gift of knowing where I'm heading, Left and Right didn't make sense to me once I was inside the building.
In the end, I wasn't able to rent a locker because it needed coins and I was afraid I won't be able to find the lockers when I got back to the station. According to my research, there's a minimum charge for the storage locker, NT 25 which will last for three hours.
The maximum time allowable for storage is up to 3 days (72 hours).
Keep in mind to keep Following the Signs, if all else fails ask store personnel or nearby station counters. There are plenty of tourists going around the station so it's better to ask the stationed employees around the area.
How to get there: DanShui Old Street
I spotted the MRT station and boarded the Red Train Line to Tamsui-Xingyi Line and got off at Tamsui (also known as Danshui) Station. Once you get out of the station turn left where you can see the river.
Explore the River
The 7'11 outlet served as my starting point for two directions: you go straight and there you have a panoramic view of the river, turn right for the Danshui Old Street. DanShui Old Street offers a shopping and food trip experience. I wanted to see the river first and planned to just sit around there munching some snacks. The place is quite famous with bloggers, especially for its Jumbo Ice Cream, the outlet just faces the river, along the street that sells a variety of street foods. The street also leads to another way to the Danshui Old Street.
The Famous Jumbo Ice Cream
I bought the Ice cream as recommended by a few numbers of bloggers. However, it melted in seconds, I just took one picture, walked 5 steps away from the store and it started to drip endlessly. Maybe it's the weather or it's really the ice cream itself. You have to be fast and furious or you'll end up with stained pants and a messy hand. The taste isn't that satisfactory considering that I'm an ice cream lover and worst I can't even say it's ok. But of course, don't let my bitter review stop you from feeding your curiosity and just try it out.
I also bought a Chinese Lumpia with Chicken Meat paired with a salad and a Soy milk drink beforehand from Tapei Main Station, it was a set meal for NT 99. Not bad for my first meal in Tapei. I waited for the sunset and then headed back to Tamsui Station.
Getting Lost
I took the Red Line train back to Taipei Main Station and this is where the fun begins. It was already drizzling therefore I decided to skip the night market and go back early to Taoyuan Airport to meet my two friends. I was trying to find the Taipei West Bus Terminal B., Oh boy Wohooo! All the signs didn't make sense to me, I asked passersby and they seemed unwilling to help and some were even confused. There were a few of them who helped me but some of them pointed me in the wrong direction or I just didn't figure out correctly the sign language.
Good thing a policeman, a storekeeper, and a fine lady pointed me in the right direction. In the end, I still had to figure out my way and it wasted a lot of my time. I'm so glad I didn't leave my bag in the locker around the station, or maybe I should have, the weight of my bag kept pulling me down straining my neck and my shoulder thus resulting in a poor cognitive process ahahaa. The important thing is I made it to the Airport.
Going Back To The Airport
- How to get there: Taipei Main Station to Taipei West Bus Station
- Look for signs: Shinkong Mitsukoshi/Zhongxiao W. Road and Station Front Mall
- First Option: Find K-Underground Mall and Exit from K12.
- Second Option after exiting the MRT: In Basement 1, Exit from M5, go to the underground mall, and go to Exit Z3. It will take you to the street, turn right, and don't go far because that little door a few steps away from you is the terminal you're looking for.
First Option
The first option took me to Taipei West Bus Station because I came out from the MRT after I took the Red Line Station. Proceed to the nearby ticketing counter for the Airport Express Bus to Taoyuan International Airport. Take the express bus to the airport if you're in a hurry, or you if have ample time take Bus 1961 for NT 90.
- Taipei West Bus Station to Taoyuan Airport
- Ticket fare: NT 125
- Buses depart every 15-20 minutes
- Travel time: 40-80 minutes (depending on traffic)
Beware: Terrible Experience
I waited for my friends in the airport, they had a waiting lounge outside the arrival and departure area. There's a wifi connection around the airport and my favorite food outlet Subway was there to keep me company too. The food stations in the airport are not open 24 hours and the Subway outlet closes around 11pm. One of my friends arrived late yet we've still managed to take a bite in Subway and purchased a few snacks in the convenience store inside the airport. The 24-hour convenience store we've found is a corner away from the bus ticket counters before heading out to the bus terminal.
Traumatic Encounter in the Philippines
The bad news came early for this trip my other friend didn't make it to her flight not because she was late or due to immigration problems. The staff at the check-in counter of Cebu Pacific in the Philippines told her that her visa was not valid. It was an online application. She was allowed to do so because she was holding on to an employment pass visa in Japan. We tried to help her out by asking the immigration office inside the Taiwan Airport, we have a copy of her online visa which she managed to send by email. The officers printed it out and confirmed that the Visa was valid to travel to Taipei. They were even confused as to why the check-in counter wouldn't allow my friend to board the plane. The immigration officer inside the Manila airport should be the one to decide whether the visa is valid because they're more familiar with the subject. The check-in counter staff of Cebu Pacific mentioned that they had emailed the Taiwan Embassy regarding her online visa and they implied that the Taiwan immigration office replied that it wasn't valid.
The Lies, Crab Mentality, Who Knows?
We told the Taiwan immigration officers about the email and they confirmed there was no email received from Cebu Pacific and no reply email was sent as well. It was disheartening to know that my friend wasn't able to get to her flight, even if she filed a complaint letter to the airline company, the travel experience we'd planned together already dispersed into thin hair. My friend wasted money on booked accommodations, tours, and train tickets, wasted time on research, and wasted effort for everything with the trip. I hope our experience won't happen to anyone but it's common in the Philippines. Even if you have provided the right and valid documents some people will still try to pull you down and destroy what you've long and planned for. Period. A lesson learned. Moving on.
- From Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station
- Taipei Railway Administration to Hualien
We didn't book a room for the night so slept in the airport and woke up as early as 3:30 in the morning to purchase our bus ticket at counter 7 to Taipei Main Station to catch our 7 am train ride to Hualien. Good thing they provide a 24-hour bus service from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station, Bus 1819, The Ticket Fare is NT 125, and a Travel time of 40-80 minutes (depending on traffic).
How to get there: Train from Taipei to Hualien
We booked our train/TRA from Taipei to Hualien online. Fare Rates are NT 340 - NT 440, depending on the express train you choose. During the online booking don't be alarmed if you don't see Taipei as the starting point, Shulin is another station before Taipei, which means it will pass by Taipei for other passengers. At the same time don't be alarmed If you don't see your destination as the last point during your online booking. It only means that you're destination is not the last stop, it will drop by to your desired place and will keep going to other stations as well. For online booking, you can have your train tickets printed at the most convenient stores like 7'11, at a fee of NT 28, or have it printed in train stations for a lesser fee.
- Chu-Kuang Express
- Shulin-Hualien ( 7:08 am - 10:03 am )
- 2 hours and 55 minutes
- Discounted Rate: NT 969 / SGD 43 ( 3 tickets )
- Hualien here we come!
There are other train services like Tze-Chiang Limited Express: either Taroko Express or Puyuman Express, 2 hours from Taipei to Hualien for NTD 440. We had plenty of time for the day so we took the cheaper price and an hour more of travel time to enjoy the scenic view of the countryside, besides we needed our beauty sleep too. Don't lose your ticket even if you've boarded the train and keep it somewhere accessible for a last-minute glance of train details before boarding, and for the ticket collection afterwards.
If you're catching a train in the morning please ensure to be in the train station at least 1 hour before time especially if you're a clueless tourist like us. The trains are efficiently on time and leave a minute after the arrival. An hour early gives you plenty of time to get lost, be on the correct platform, figure out that you have to be on the right car train, refund a ticket, have some snacks and most of all have a relaxing waiting time for the train.
First Day in Hualien, Taiwan: Nanbin Park, Pine Garden, and Ziqian Night Market
Hualien train station to Clearsky Backpacker Hostel. Taxi NT 130. You can ask for an airport pick-up if you want to, we forgot to remind the hostel about our arrival time.
Where to stay in Hualien
- Check-in: Clearsky Backpacker Hostel
- Address: No. 18, Jianlin St, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970
- Phone: +886 3 831 5665
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- SGD 95.94 ( SGD 31.98 each )
Biking in Hualien
- Hostel Bike Rental NT 100 for a deposit (refundable) and NT 5 per hour
- Visit: Nanbin Park, Pine Garden, and Rainbow Night Market
It was my first time cycling in the streets. I was scared but I eventually got used to it after a few metres of ride. Our Chinese map plus Google map screenshots and our sense of direction were put to the test during this activity. Our first time, our first day in Hualien, and we're on our bikes right away going around the city. There are no turns at all just follow the big road and you'll eventually see the park.
From Clearsky Backpackers Hostel head to the main road and cycle straight in He Ping Road. Passed by several traffic lights, make sure to give way to cars and motorcycles and keep your bicycle to the sides.
From Nanbin Park cycle all the way to the end of the park. Once you've reached the road outside the park, take Hai Bin Street. We had our late lunch or a quick snack at a small cafe we passed by named California 66 spent NT 410 for lunch. A pricey meal for a great ambience. Afterwards, we continued to cycle straight past a small street towards a temple, Kangli Street, Guanghua Street etc.
Just keep your eye on the main road. Once you've spotted Hualien Harbour cross the street to Minquan 1st Street, cycle straight up the hill, then cross the intersection and make your way uphill to the small road that has the Song Yuan Street sign. We were greeted with an Entrance Fee of NT 50 to get inside the garden. ( The picture on the left shows Song Yuan Street, just go straight uphill after you cross the traffic light. )
We cycled back to the hostel and passed along the same signs, this time around everything looked differently so be careful which way you turn. Cycle downhill from Pine Garden in Song Yuan Street made our way back to Minquan 1st St, crossed the street again, and back to the main road.
Along the way, on Hai'an Road we saw the Rainbow Night Market formerly known as Nanbin Night Market. The largest night market in Hualien. When we arrived there they were setting up the stalls for the big business that evening. It's nice to see the other side of the night market where it's calm and clean. We strolled for a short period and went back on the road again.
- Rainbow Night Market
- Address: Intersection of Rd. Nanbin and Rd. Heping, Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
We had dinner near the hostel, just in front of the FE24 Mall. An authentic Taiwanese meal for a cheap price of NT 200. I totally love unexplored restaurants by tourists, you can enjoy the food way better and more importantly, it's not crowded.
Ordered Wanton Noodle Soup, Minced Meat with Wanton Noodle Soup, Fried Tofu, and Pigs Heart.
First milk tea in the Heart of Asia
We were fully satisfied with our meal but we couldn't end the night without having a bubble tea. Bubble tea is the most famous drink in Taiwan, the founder of the oh-so-good-tasting milk tea. Our first milk tea in the Heart of Asia. The Georgpeck milk tea was just a step away from the restaurant, we ordered their specialty which is named after the outlet, Georgpeck Milk Tea for NT 90.
Just beside the milk tea outlet were these giant watermelons! If only I could drink one more cup than I would have bought that evening. We decided not to leave Hualien without ever tasting these gigantic watermelons.
As we arrived at the hostel we had some chitchats with the owner, Mr. Robert, and two working-holiday students. Pineapple in the center of the table kept our conversations going until it was time for bed. Hualien Train guide
Taroko National Park is located in the east part of Taiwan. It lies across 3 areas: Hualien County, Taichung County, and Nantou County. The eastern end of the highway is Taiwan's Central Cross-Island Highway which crosses the national park.
Address: Taroko National Park 291, Fushi Village, Xiulin Township 97253 Hualien County Taiwan, R.O.C
How to get there:
- Take the train from Taiwan Railway Administration bound for Hualien
- Travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes (depending on the train timing)
- Ticket Rates: NT 340 - NT 440
- Taroko National Park ( booked in Hostel )
- Tour Package NT 700
Bus Tour to Taroko National Park
We booked our Taroko National Park tour with Clearsky Backpackers Hostel. It was a whole day tour from 8am till 5pm. Our exciting toes and spirit were up and running before 8 in the morning for our tour. A van picked us up from the hostel and thus raised our hopes of a great day, however, the van stopped at a nearby station. All the passengers including us were confused for a moment, it turned out that the van was just there as a pick-up service for everyone and the real tour was with the big bus. The bus was crowded with Chinese tourists and the tour guide was a bit rude to us for no specific reason.
Try other options...
My advice to you is don't ever go on a bus tour, yes it's cheaper than a private one but you'll thank me later when you do as I said unless you are Chinese then the bus tour would be alright. Good thing, we are used to traveling and fully aware of language barrier issues, and one backpacker from our hostel joined the trip too, she tried to translate everything for us. We totally forgot about the Chinese guide as we drove down the road the captivating view of the Taroko National Park is all we need to satisfy our wanderlust souls.
Taroko Gorge
Taroko National Park is located east of Taiwan and north of the city of Hualien. It takes an hour or so from Hualien City to reach the National Park passing by endless views of beautiful mountains, lush vegetation and flows through the Liwu River. The bus drove in between the mountains and finally, we arrived in the Taroko Gorge. It was as if a theater curtain slowly opened to present their newest attraction. The winding roads lead to a marble-like color of steep, rocky walls and a crystal clear stream running through it, the gorge was breathtakingly beautiful.
Changchun Shrine(Eternal Spring Shrine)
Our first stop was on the red bridge where the Changchun Shrine(Eternal Spring Shrine) can be seen. The shrine situated on top of the waterfalls commemorates all the 226 military veterans who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway from 1956 to 1960. Visiting time: 35-40 minutes.
Jiuqudong Tunnel also known as "Nine Turns of the Coiled Dragon"
Everyone was tasked to have a short toilet break then we proceeded to the next section of the park along the connecting tunnels. The driver dropped us off in one of the tunnels, they called the place Jiuqudong tunnel also known as "Nine Turns of the Coiled Dragon". I can't imagine the troubles they went through making all the zigzag and tunnel roads. The bus waited for us at the end of one of the tunnels and drove further to breathtaking cliffs and light blue waters running through big boulders of white rocks.
Food is not provided on the trip. This is something unusual, during my tour travels in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia everything was provided, most especially if you go to touristy islands in Thailand like Phuket and Krabi. We had lunch in a restaurant, the only food outlet I guess around the area that serves food with an exquisite view of the mountains. Lunch NT 220
Baiyang Trail
The next stop is the Baiyang Trail. We were advised to buy a raincoat to avoid getting wet inside the waterfalls. I've actually brought one for this trip but then I left it in the hostel, a great mindset I have that day. Raincoat: NT 40. My smart friend brought hers from our trekking in Mount Kota Kinabalu last time. It was a short hike in the middle of the mountains and we walked through dangerous cliffs along the trail. The cliffs are safe just stay away from the sides, don't push around, watch your step and everything will be fine.
Water Curtain (Shui-lian-dong) Cave
After a short walk, we reached the Cave also known as Water Curtain (Shui-lian-dong) Cave. We donned our raincoats over our clothes and belongings then we made our way inside the cave that leads to the waterfalls. The stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave looked like tiny sparkling Swarovski crystals. It actually reminds me of my trip to one of the mystical caves of Krabi in Thailand. The raincoats kept us dry all the way to the end of the cave where the curtain-like waterfall acts as a barrier between the other side of the cave. It wasn't that strong once you get through it you'll realize how it got its name. It wasn't really a waterfall, the cracks from the cave made way for water deposits in that fragment thus making the waterfalls. I had fun with this part of the tour. A refreshing break from the warm weather of Hualien.
The Bridge
We meet a British Guy named Darren during the tour. He was on a solo trip, an English Teacher in China, and is currently on vacation. We had a small chat as we dried our feet and made our way back to the trail. We thought the fun was over little did we know we'd be crossing a suspended bridge further from the trail. The bridge moves with every step we make. It was breathtaking and most especially for those with a fear of heights, and that includes my friend. To make things more interesting her phone was attached to my untrusted selfie stick as I held on to it till we reached the end of the bridge. She was scared of heights and I was scared for her phone.
We walked slowly as the video clip captured everything, with me constantly checking and ready to catch the phone if it fell in front of me. It was such a funny video and it makes me want to record more videos with all my travels in the future. We took a picture with the two solo backpackers we've met, Guy Darren and the sweet girl from Hong Kong Preda. I believe that it's a good habit to take pictures with people you meet during your trips, you can offer to exchange emails to send the pictures too.
Qingshui Cliff
We were back on the road again and our next stop was the Qingshui Cliff, situated between Heren and Chongde on the Su-Hua Highway. An amazing overlooking view of the Pacific coastline where the blue waters sit calmly on the horizon as white waves crash to the shorelines. I really wanted to stay longer here it has an alluring ambience that makes you want to just stand still and listen to the waves. However, the day was almost over and we had to get to our bus.
Heren Shingle Beach
Our last stop was the Heren Shingle Beach a pebble beach with a great sunset view. The road back to the city was smooth, we then asked the guide to drop us off at Shijan Night Market to have our late-night dinner bonanza.
Night Market for Authentic Taiwanese Foods
Corn NT 80, Barbeque NT 60, Fried NT 70, Ice cream NT 90, and Watermelon Shake NT 70
The two hungry girls spent the night eating like there was no more tomorrow. NT 500 was solely spent on food and it was a perfect way to end the night.
On the third day, we went River Trekking in Hualien.
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 River Trekking in Hualien, Taiwan.
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.
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