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Our family departed for Taipei on 2nd July, equipped with a detailed itinerary, and brimming with anticipation.

However, we booked the Taipei 4D3N Free-and-Easy with Planet Holidays only one week before the trip! How did we manage to pack our luggages, prepare our routes and plan our itinerary in such a short time?

Read on to find out about attractions available, and also our tips for travelling Free-and-Easy in Taipei!

Day 1

Attractions:
1. Danshui Fisherman's Wharf
2. Shilin Night Market

Our flight was with TransAsia Airways, which departed on time at 7.20am. The travel time from Singapore to Taipei's Tao Yuan Airport is an approximate 4 hours, ensuring one ample time to rest for later activities.

A view of the lovely weather outside.

There is also a full meal provided, which was surprisingly well-prepared! The seating area was roomy, and the service crew were also warm and helpful, which made the flight a pleasant one.

Tip #1!

At the airport, don't forget to arm yourself with maps and brochures from their tour booths! This would make it easier to ask for directions and plan last minute activities.

We touched down at 11.40am in Tao Yuan Airport (Taipei has the same time zone as Singapore) and met with the tour operator who drove us to our hotel in Ximending. This trip took about 1 hour.

Royal Castle Hotel, known locally as Cheng Du Hotel.

It is a small budget hotel; nonetheless, it has a cosy atmosphere, and the service of the staff was also sincere. The room was comfortably furnished, and had hot water for long baths too!

They also provide breakfast in the mornings.

Tip #2!

Choosing your hotel:

1. Budget - In this case, we went for a 3-star hotel as it was affordable yet suited all our needs.

2. Location - Choose one that is near to a metro station (Taiwan's version of our MRT) so getting around would be convenient and hassle-free. One option could be Rainbow Hotel, which is near Ximen Station and also in the Ximending shopping district.

3. Online Research - You could go to local online forums for experiences and recommendations of other travellers to find out about other aspects, such as hotel hygiene and security.

4. Other services - Do consider other services the hotel provides, such as meals or guided tours. In our case, we booked a tour on Day 3 to take us to the more inaccessible attractions in Taipei.

After checking in, the first thing we did was to familiarize ourselves with the area, and also looking for a place to have lunch. There are no lack of options to eat in Taipei!

In the streets of Taipei, influences from the west mingles effortlessly with the local family businesses and shops, resulting in a delightful blend of modern concepts and traditional flavour.

Tip #3!

1. At the metro station, purchase the Taipei Metro stored value cards to get around easily. It costs TWD500 per card, which consists of TWD100 deposit, and TWD400 usable value.

It is pretty worth it, as at the end of 4 days, we still had more than half the value in our cards! We were also refunded the unused amount.

2. Also, grab a copy of the metro line map if you do not already have one.

Destination: Danshui Fisherman's Wharf

Directions: Take the metro to Danshui Station, and take Bus 26 from the interchange. Alight at the last stop.

Valentine's Bridge

Our first stop was the Danshui Fisherman's Wharf! That area is famous for its gorgeous sunset and the Valentine's Bridge.

Note: This is NOT the famed sunset! We thought that this was it, and left early. :(

The sunset we were so looking forward to happened while we were on the bus back. We only caught a brief glimpse of it, but it was extremely breathtaking! You have to stay for it if you do visit Danshui. :)

Destination: Shilin Night Market!

Directions: Take the metro to Jiantan Station.

The Shilin Night Market and Food Market are located outside Jiantan Station. (You would have to walk a short distance to the Night Market.) This place is extremely crowded, and it is no wonder why! Shilin Night Market is a haven for both shoppers and food lovers!

You would see vendors selling bags and apparel of good quality at unbeatable prices. A bag costs about S$10, and a pair of jeans for about S$12-15. There are many stores carrying male fashion as well!

A Skinfood outlet

Korean cosmetic stores are also a common sight in Taipei. Expect to see brands like Skinfood, Etude House, Tony Moly and Beauty Credit during your trip. The cosmetics are also S$7-$12 cheaper than those sold in Singapore; all the more reason to stock up if you're a loyal fan of the brand! :D

All in all, Taipei is an awesome place for one to get items that are costlier in Singapore.

Candied strawberries

One thing you have to try when in Shilin Night Market is the candied strawberries!
Made by dipping fresh and succulent strawberries into boiling candy, this traditional treat is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Day 2

Attractions:

3. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial
4. Taipei 101
5. Wufenpu Wholesale District

Tip #4!

1. Don't forget to bring an umbrella! Depending on the time of year, Taiwan's weather is known to be rather unpredictable. A sturdy umbrella can shelter you from both sun and rain.

2. Bring along some bottles of water. It was 36 degrees Celsius during our trip! Do have some water ready to prevent dehydration.

Destination: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
Directions: Take the metro to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Architectural works of art!

Theatre

Destination: Taipei 101
Directions: Take the metro to Taipei City Hall Station. There is a free shuttle bus to Taipei 101. Alternatively, you can walk there (approx 20 min).
Fee: S$17 per pax