Fourth in Taiwan, after I spent my whole third day in Jiufen and stayed overnight there, I woke-up about 8AM with rainy and cold weather in Jiufen ☔️🥶. But nothing obstruct my dream, I took shower, kept my stuffs and checked-out from Box Inn Jiufen around 9AM to catch the bus back to Taipei. I planned to ride Bus No. 1062 as similar as I did yesterday from Taipei to Jiufen. 🚌 But the bus stop for the way back to Taipei is slightly different than where I disembarked yerterday, it is just opposite 7-Eleven at the entrance of Jiufen Old Street.
The bus stop from Jiufen to Taipei (Photo was shot before rainy day 🌧️)
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I got on the bus about 9.15AM from Jiufen amid the showering rain in the morning. At 10.30AM, I had arrived Fuxing Zhongxiao MRT station, Taipei. I was surprised that it had no any rain drop in Taipei, but it was cold as same as Jiufen. As soon as I arrived Taipei, I had no time to waste and started my next adventure. The first place where I would like to visit today was National Palace Museum.
This museum could be reached by MRT directly. To get there by public transportation, it had 2 options.
Option-1 : Ride MRT to Jiannan Road Station (Wenhu Line – Brown Line) and connect with Bus No. BR20 or BL7 (10 minues or 2.50 km)
Option-2 : Ride MRT to Shilin Station (Tamsui-Xinyi Line / Red Line) and connect with Bus No. R30, 815, 304, 300, 255, S19, S18, or M1 (15 minutes or 3.30 km)
For more information of public transportation, you can visit offical website of National Palace Musuem.
https://www.npm.gov.tw/Articles.aspx?sno=03009216&l=2
For me, I chose Option-1 as Fuxing Zhongxiao Station is on the brown line and directly connected with Jiangnan Raod Station. It is more convenient. 😄
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I arrived National Palace Museum about 11.15AM. Since I got-off the bus, I could see ornamentation of the entrance gate and the main building from distance. National Palace Museum was established since 1925, almost 100 years ago. The museum is designed in the style of a Northern Chinese palace. It is a world-class museum that hosts an eclectic collection of treasures kept by generations of Emperors ruling from the Forbidden City. It has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts and artworks. The entire collection covers 5,000 years of China’s historical and artistic achievements. National Palace Museum is open daily, 9AM – 5PM. The admission fee for foreigner was 350 TWD/person (11.50 USD). Next to the main building, it has Zhishan Garden, traditional landscaped Chinese garden which is open for all visitors with free admission.
Automatic Ticket Vending Machine – Credit Card Accepted
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Zhishan Garden – In front of National Palace Museum
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The museum has 3 floors of exhibition. Every piece is invaluable. I could see the roughly history and background of China since it was rules by Dynasties from the explanation of the arts and collections. I took about 2 hours there.
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Until 1.30PM, I bade farewell to the museum and moved to next destination. From National Palace Museum, I caught the bus from the main entrain to any MRT station. When any bus came to the bus stop, I just asked the driver, MRT ?. If he nods, I just hopped-in. My next destination was Dalongdong Baoan Temple and Taipei Confucius Temple. To get there, I hopped the bus to Shilin MRT station and ride MRT to Yuanshan Station (Tamsui-Xinyi Line / Red Line). Those temples are located 600 meters from MRT station. 🚉
Dalongdong Baoan Temple is a Taiwanese folk religion temple what was originally built in 1825 by clan members in Tong’an, Xiamen, Fujian, who immigrated to Taipei in the early 19th century. The name “Baoan” means “protect those of Tong’an”. This temple features the usual dragon pillars, and also a pair of stone lions (one male, one female) that guard a temple. It had received the 2003 Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation by UNESCO. Dalongdong Baoan Temple is open daily, 6.30AM – 9PM with free admission.
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Opposite to Dalongdong Baoan Temple, it is Taipei Confucius Temple. This temple is a Confucian temple what was built in 1879 during Qing era. The temple is modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong (China). The main hall of the temple has a black plaque with gold lettering which was inscribed by Chiang Kai-shek that reads “Educate without Discrimination“. Taipei Confucius Temple is open daily (except Monday) during 8.30AM – 9PM with free admission.
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At 2.30PM, I left these temples and went to check-in the hotel what I already booked near to Taipei Main Station. My last night in Taiwan, I would stay at NYS Loft Hotel as it was conveneint to travel to the airport in the day after and the cost is affordable for solo-traveller. 🏨
After I kept my stuff at the hotel and get refreshed, I did continue my Taipei exploration to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. This place is just 5 stations away from Taipai Main Station by MRT (Bannan Line / Blue Line), Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station. I arrived there at 3.45PM. It was Saturday afternoon with chill weather. The people did go out and workout during that time what made Taipei is vibrant.
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall was built in 1972 on 28.4 acres open space to commemorate the great founding father of R.O.C., Dr.Sun Yat-sen and was built on the 100th birthday of him. The building is inspired by structure of Chinese palace. It contains displays of Sun’s life and the revolution he led, and is also a multi-purpose social, educational and cultural center for the public. Every hour, in front of statue of Dr.Sun Yat-sen, there is a formal changing of the guards, which is a popular tourist attraction. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is open daily, 9AM – 6PM with no admission fee.
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After visiting and praying respect to the father of Taiwanese, about 4.30PM, I strolled from Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall to Taipei 101 shopping mall where is only 700 meters. On the way, I could see the modernization and tidiness of Taipei. It could represent the discipline of the people here. At this shopping mall, it is the house of brandname and luxury merchandise as well as the place of public events for the family visitor. It was thrilled to be there. 🛍️
Taipei 101 from Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
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I did window shopping at Taipei 101 shopping center until 6PM as the price of product here are not much different than Thailand (except Sneakers). When I came out from there, the sky was getting dark, I could see the colorful city with lighten up. I thought it was the good time to visit my next destination, Huashan 1914 Creative Park which is able to reach by MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (Zhonghe-Xinhu Line / Orange Line).
Huashan 1914 Creative Park is located 600 meters from MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station. It is located at the site of the former Taihoku Winery. The building was constructed in 1914 as Sake plant by the Japanese. After the winery relocated in 1987, it was the museum. Then, in 1999, it has grown as a venue for art, cultural exhibitions, performances as well as a place for artistic creation by individuals and organizations. Furthermore, the park has number of restaurants, art galleries, cultural and creative stores and performance venues. The art and creativity lovers must not miss to visit this place. As it is like public park, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is open daily, 24hours with free admission.
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I could say that this park is animated and lively in the night time. Hundreds of creative art stalls, restaurant, coffee bar as well as art event made this place be a feast of the eyes. 💡🎨 👀
I strolled at Huashan 1914 Creative Park until 7PM before waving goodbye to this colorful park and catching MRT to Ximen Station as I had the appointment with my old Thai mates there (we did not meet in Thailand for years, but the destiny brought us to meet each other in Taiwan 😃).
Today, I was my tasty day as I faced the rainy and cold morning at Jiufen. Then, I soaked myself to the history of Taiwan before visit the old temples to touch the faith of people here. In the afternoon, it was my honor to pray respect to the hero of this nation. And, ending the day with vibrant of Taipei at the landmark shopping center and creative park. Furthermore, it was my awesome time to have dinner with my good of the good old friends in Taipei. All the things here made this trip is one of the perfect trip in my life !
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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth
Shipy-Ship 