Sometimes I can’t believe this is my life. By month five of early retirement, I was traveling solo to Vietnam and Taiwan, and feeling a world away from home. I usually don’t know what I’m going to be doing more than a day in advance. It’s often not until I arrive in a city that I begin to look up “Top 10 Things To Do In {City}” articles and plan the days ahead.
Taiwan is a small but vibrant island nation located in East Asia. Known for its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking scenery, Taiwan isn’t yet swamped by loads of tourists. If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, two weeks is a great amount of time to explore and experience all that this amazing country has to offer. I wanted to write up my own itinerary to help anyone else who plans things last minute.
Day 1-4: Taipei
I breathed a sigh of relief when I landed in Taiwan. It was hard not to feel happy when everything was so cute. My metro pass had a Snorlax on it (that’s a Pokémon for those who did not grow up in the 90s)! Then it turned out that my hostel was only a couple blocks away from one of the famous night markets in Taipei: Raohe Night Market.
After dropping my things off at the hostel, I immediately went to the night market and tried a bit of everything I could get my hands on. Mostly that meant dumplings, because it is near impossible for me to walk past a stall selling dumplings and not try them.
What most people want to know about Taiwan is the food. When I arrived, I was determined to try as much as I could. Even the infamous ‘stinky tofu’, which I can report tastes exactly how it smells (umm… I did not love it. But try it for yourself!)
Many guides say you can do Taipei in 3 days, which is true, but I enjoyed having more time so everything was not too rushed. I’ll get into foods to try, how I could afford accommodation, and top places to go.
9 Taiwan Tasty Treats You Must Try
Taiwanese cuisine is a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and local indigenous flavors. There is a wide range of dishes to try in Taiwan, and you can get most of them at the street markets. Here are some popular Taiwanese foods that you should definitely try:
- Beef Noodle Soup: A hearty and flavorful soup with tender beef, noodles, and vegetables in a rich and savory broth.
- Dumplings: Steamed or fried, dumplings are a popular Taiwanese dish.
- Bubble Tea: Also known as boba tea, this sweet and refreshing drink originated in Taiwan. It is a combination of tea, milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls. YUM. I had one nearly every day,
- Stinky Tofu: A strong-smelling fermented tofu that is fried. It has a unique texture and flavor that is loved by some and hated by others (me).
- Oyster Omelet: A popular street food, this dish consists of eggs, oysters, and vegetables fried together to create a crispy and flavorful omelet.
- Pineapple Cake: A popular dessert, pineapple cake is a buttery pastry filled with sweet pineapple jam.
- Scallion Pancake: A pancake filled with scallions and sometimes other ingredients such as cheese or meat to make it savory and delicious.
- Braised Pork Rice: A staple dish in Taiwan, this dish consists of steamed rice topped with tender braised pork and pickled vegetables.
- Hot Pot: A communal meal where diners cook various meats, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering broth at the table. Hot (pot) tip: You can also eat a hot pot alone if you are a solo traveler!
These are just a few examples of the many delicious Taiwanese foods that you can try. Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and offers something for every palate. Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian, a fan of spicy or mild flavors, there is sure to be a dish in Taiwan that will satisfy your taste buds. Pictured below is the boba tea, szechuan-spicy hot pot (delicious but hoooot), and a steaming pork bun from the Raohe Night Market.
My new food trick: wait in the line
One fun aspect of my travel in Taiwan is that I was a tourist among other tourists, who were mostly Taiwanese folks traveling during their New Year breaks. I stood in lines at stalls with Taiwan locals, and struck up a new plan. Everywhere I saw a long, snaking line, I would join it, and wait however long it took to eat whatever awaited me at the end.
This is what prompted me to try Fu Zhou Shi Zu’s Pork Pepper Bun, a delicious chewy dough stuffed with minced pork, scallions, sugar, soy sauce, and black pepper. When you crunch into the crispy outer layer, steam wafts the delicious scent as you enter the market.
At first I was intimidated by hot pot places, because it looked like you had to go with a group to really enjoy it. Yet after dining with some hostel friends, I learned that everything is portioned out per person. This made me brave enough to go for hot pot again as a solo gal.
Food was incredibly affordable. Each bao bun was only $1.50, and I could have an entire bowl of hot and sour soup for $3. This meant I’d quickly fill up at each meal for less than $5.
Where To Stay on a Budget: Shared Dorm Hostels
With costs rising compared to Thailand and Vietnam, I mostly stayed in hostels in Taiwan. The facilities were always great: bidets on toilets, curtains to block out light, and extra large lockers for gear. I slept great in these capsule-like beds, even though there were 13 other people in the room.
Hotels were a bit more expensive. I treated myself to one night in a hotel at Sun Moon Lake and it was $76 for the night, which sent me scurrying back to a shared dorm for a third of the price.
Landmarks of Taipei: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a famous landmark in Taipei that was built to honor the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek. There’s also a gorgeous square (Liberty Square) for walking around, and a daily changing of the guards ceremony (which was fun if you’re into that kind of thing).
From the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, it is easy to visit a few popular destinations in one go. First, you can see the National Theater and Concert Hall which are beautiful buildings nearby. Then you can take the subway just a couple stops to Ximending, a bustling and lively area that is full of shops, restaurants, and street performers.
Day 5: Jiufen
Jiufen is a charming mountain village that is known for its narrow alleyways, tea houses, and traditional shops. Take a day trip to Jiufen from Taipei, and spend some time exploring this picturesque village.
When I went it was packed with visitors, which I blame on it being a week off for Chinese New Year. I recommend going around a less-popular time, or at least be ready for a lot of tourists!
Day 6-8: Hualien
Hualien is a beautiful coastal city on Taiwan’s east coast. Spend a few days here exploring the Taroko Gorge National Park, one of Taiwan’s most stunning natural attractions. Take a hike through the gorge to see its impressive marble cliffs and crystal-clear waters.
I unfortunately got rainy weather and packed busses when I tried to go, so I learned a couple lessons. First: go early in the morning to catch your bus and skip the crowds. Secondly: give yourself more than just one day here in case you get bad weather. Most people I ran into had already been to the National Park once and had a few more days to explore the city.
Day 9-11: Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and is known for its bustling harbor and night markets. Spend a day exploring the city and if you like explore further south from here to Kenting, a popular beach destination that is known for its white sand beaches and clear blue waters. Spend a few days here relaxing on the beach and taking in the natural beauty of the area.
Everywhere I went there was something interesting to check out. We explored one neighborhood Kaohsiung where art decorated nearly every building.
The Island of Cijin
is a small island located off the coast of Kaohsiung. To get to Cijin, you can take a ferry from Kaohsiung Harbor, which runs every 10-15 minutes and takes around 10 minutes to reach the island. Alternatively, you can also take a car or scooter across the Cijin Bridge, which connects the island to the mainland. I didn’t expect to see palm trees in Taiwan, and it was lovely to spend a day at the beach.
Learning my ‘hello’s and ‘thank you’s
While I felt comfortable learning my hellos, thank yous, and other phrases in Indonesia and Thailand, languages got harder the further East I travelled. I can barely utter a thank you in Vietnamese (I was told to say “Come on” in English, but it doesn’t sound anything close to what the hostel attendant told me to say). I only just figured out thank you in Mandarin, though I still feel like I’m shushing the person behind the counter.
This aspect of traveling is my favorite, because I am able to use the language tidbits as I travel. I met a Thai woman in Japan who brightened from a hello in her mother tongue. I pulled out a thank you in a Taiwanese dumpling place in Auckland. It makes a big difference to get a couple of the basics down in each place.
Day 12-14: Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan’s most beautiful natural attractions. Spend your last few days in Taiwan exploring the lake and its surrounding area. You can take a boat ride on the lake, hike in the nearby mountains, or simply relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. Or be like me and rent a bike to go around the lake. Be warned, however, that only a quarter of the lake is for casual riders. While estimates said it would take 3 hours to bike around the entire thing, with all of the stops for temples and monkeys on the road, it took me 6 hours!
Two weeks in Taiwan is a good amount of time to see and experience all that this amazing country has to offer. From the bustling city streets of Taipei to the tranquil beauty of Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan is a country that will capture your heart and make you want to book another visit.
After saying goodbye to my friends, I took an early taxi to the airport to Japan. Stay tuned for Early Retirement Month 6!
Mechanic, it’s fantastic to hear that you had a wonderful time in Taiwan! If you plan to return in 2023, please do let us know. We are already back and are planning to stay for the entire six months (until the end of summer). We would love the opportunity to share some Taiwanese delicacies or explore the island further together 😉
I will definitely let you know! I would love to see you all again. I will likely be in California then but if you ever make it out here let me know!