Once I arrived Taipei from Bangkok by Thai Air Asia and checked in to Colormix Hotel & Hostel (about 5 minutes walk from Ximen Station), I had about 4-5 hours to explore Taipei on the same day. Taipei is very convenient for the traveller to hop around the city (or even around the nation) as it is one of the world best territory with public transportation. Inside Taipei, the most convenient way is rail system called MRT. You can download MRT map by click below map. To use MRT, just buy Easy Card to tap-in and tap-out. The fare is depended on the distance of the journey.

The MRT Map of Taipei (Click the photo to see large map)

.

The first place for my trip was Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall which is able to reached by MRT – Green line (Songshan-Xindian Line), Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station, only 2 stations away from Ximen station. I arrived there about 3PM. This place is a national monument and tourist attraction erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of Taiwan. The hall has 76 meters height and has the monument of Ching Kai-Shek sitting on the armchair inside. It is surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Memorial Hall Square. I could pray respect to the ex-president of Taiwan and enjoy photo shooting around the square in front of the hall and the Taiwanese style architectural building. Chiang Kai-Shel Memorial Hall is open daily during 9AM – 6PM with free admission.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I spent 30 minutes at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall before waving good bye and continue to my destination of the day, Elephant Peak (Mount Xiangshan) which can be reached by MRT, Xiangshan station, the terminal station of Red line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line).

Elephant peak or Mount Xiangshan is one of the best spot to see Taipei 101 building and Taipei City in panoramic view as it is 187 m height above sea level. But, the visitor must have good physical and mental as the path to Mount Xiangshan is stairway. From Xiangshan MRT station, I could walk through Xiangshan Park (Public Park) for 1 km to get the first step of stairway. Then, I did continue walking to observation point by stairway for 600 meters. Total walking time was about 20 minutes. I could get there 4.30PM. It was the best time to capture the photo of Taipei 101 building as it was clear sky day and the late afternoon light made the breathtaking scenic.

The pathway through Xiangshan Park

.

.

The stairway to Mount Xiangshan

.

.

Taipei view from Mount Xiangshan

.

About 5.30PM, the sun was going to set, I walked down from Mount Xiangshan to MRT station and continued my trip to Longshan Temple. To get there, I caught MRT – Red line to Taipei Main Station and connect to Bannan Line (Blue line) and proceed for 2 stations to Longshan Temple station. I arrived there about 6.30PM.

Longshan temple is a Buddhist temple what was founded in 1738 and dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy (Kuan-in in Chinese). It served as a place of worship and a gathering place for the Chinese settlers. Inside the temple, it has halls and altars to Chinese deities such as Mazu, Moon God and Guan Yu. I could see the chram of Taiwanese style temple and feel the faith of the Buddist people what make this temple never deserted from the visitor. Longshan Temple is open dailly, 6AM – 9.30PM with free admission.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I spent an hour to enjoy inside the temple and absorb the atmosphere of Chinese style architecture as well as grab some souvinir and amulet. Next, I walked back to MRT station and caught the train back to Ximen station where my hotel is. But, before back to rest at the hotel, it had one of the nice place just next to the Exit-1 of Ximen MRT Station, Red House.

Red House is a Western-style red-brick octagonal structure. It was built in 1908 during Japanese rule as Taiwan’s first public market and the most well preserved historic site. It was designed by Kondo Juro, a western-styled Japanese architect. This building is used as a theater on the second floor. On ground floor, it had small cafe, independent shop and the display on the history of the building. Outside the building, it is a whole lane way of bars where visitor could enjoy the chill nightlife and snap the chic photo with the historic structure. Red House is open daily (except Monday) between 11AM – 8PM (It was opened until 9PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

Red House in the afternoon ☀️

.

Red House after sunset 🌇

.

Inside The Red House Building – Ground floor

.

Other than Red House, at Ximen area, it is the one of the best place to spend the nightlife in Taipei as it has walking street and plenty of shops and restaurants what are open until midnight. However, I would enjoy it later as it was 9PM and it would be better to back to the hotel to rest due to I woke up since 4AM to catch the flight to Taipei and spent all day long for travelling and exploring the first day in Taiwan. On the next day, I had to wake up early as I had another mission to go outside Taipei for a day trip to Sun Moon Lake. Today, I was a tired but happy day as it was my first time in Taiwan, the territory where I never been here before. I could feel the different and gain more experience to my travelling profile. But it had a lot of things to explore in Taiwan in next days. Good Night….Sleep tight. 💤😴

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHIPYSHIPDOTCOM