4D3N Taiwan Travel Guide: (DIY Itinerary + 10K Budget)

“Oh Baby Baby Baby.. My Baby Baby! Wo Jue Bu Neng Shi Qu Ni..“

I couldn’t help but reminisce my high school days when the F4 Fever was very contagious, the reason I was constantly on “LSS” mode with Meteor Garden’s OST – Can’t Lose You. Of course, who would ever forget F4? The Taiwanese boy band who rose to fame worldwide because of the Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden they starred in was a hit back in 2001. Shan Cai! Dao Ming Si! It was a bit nostalgic that looking back in high school years, I already dreamed of going to Taiwan someday.

Fast forward 18 years, my teenage dream has finally become a reality. Taiwan trip happened at last! Got lost in the maze-like metro station, walked our way to our hotel for almost an hour, missed our scheduled Hualien tour, climbed a mountain spontaneously, got scolded by the tour guide for being late, ate some weird stuff, made our very own pineapple cake – you name it! These are just some of the highlights of my recent trip in Taiwan, together with my officemates and new-found friends.

This year alone, Taiwan is already the third international trip I’ve traveled, but it is the first VISA-free country that I visited. This lead me to a satisfying realization that one thing you’ll surely love about Taiwan is skipping the hassle of securing the VISA requirements because starting November 1, 2017, Filipinos may enter Taiwan completely visa-free. Yes, Philippine passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan for tourism, business and visiting relatives for a duration of up to 14 days EXTENDED until July 31, 2021.

If there’s a good time to visit Taiwan, the best answer would be NOW. Regardless of how many days you’ll be staying in Taiwan, you’ll never run out of things to do or places to explore in Taiwan as a first timer for only Php 10,000 budget. Read on for some Taiwanderful inspiration for 4D3N Taiwandering trip.

Things to Do and Places to Visit in Taiwan

Taiwan, roughly oval in shape, is 190 kilometers north of Batanes of the Philippines and is separated by Bashi Channel. The Chinese government has maintained jurisdiction over Taiwan, with strong economic and cultural ties with its capital city, Taipei. Taipei is home to countless temples, famous houses, museums and night markets, but with so many to see and many travelers only staying in the capital for a few short days, it’s nearly impossible to visit them all.

For starters, don’t miss in visiting most of the city’s top attractions by traveling efficiently with a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass. Book via KKDay and get access to 12 top tourist attractions and unlimited rides on Taipei MRT, city buses and more up to 3 days.

Chiang Kai Shek Presidential Residence

The former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling, the Shilin Official Residence is a designated historical site open to the public as a museum celebrating their accomplishments as well as their contributions to the growth of Taiwan in the modern era. There is an entrance fee when you want to enter the house but we entered for free because it is already included in the Taipei Unli Fun Pass. What a cool way to start the tour!

The compound where the Shilin Official Residence is located, also houses lots of garden that’s open to the public. And oh, I can still remember the feeling when I first saw a cute squirrel in the area, roaming freely around the park.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

The most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan, the CKS Memorial Hall was erected in honor and memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China, and was opened in 1980 as part of a national park and gathering area.

We were lucky to witnessed the guard mounting ceremony inside CKS Memorial Hall’s spacious area with a large statue of the man himself. This is one of the highlights of CKS Memorial Hall, the reason it is considered a famous tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors.

Besides the main hall, the large complex includes the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park, National Concert Hall and the National Theater.

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is accessible via MRT, having its own station (Chiang-Kai-shek Memorial Hall, sometimes labelled as CKS Memorial Hall). It is served by the Red (2) and Green (3) Lines.

Taipei 101 Observatory Tower

Taipei 101 is a landmark supertall skyscrapper and a must-visit attraction in Taiwan. It was considered the world’s tallest skyscrapper in 2004 until the opening of Burj Khalifa in 2010.

When you’re at the foot of the famous observatory tower, you’ll be amazed how tall Taipei 101 really is in real life.

Wait ’til you see what’s inside the building and the views that await atop the observatory floor of Taipei 101 tower. The entrance for the observatory the tower is free when you purchase a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass via KKDay.

Aside from the 360 panoramic view of the city, you can also experience one of the world’s fastest elevator. It took us 37 seconds to reach the 89th floor from the ground. Impressive!

Ximending

Step foot in Ximending Taipei and you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been teleported to Japan. That’s why people call Ximen, officially the “Ximending Youth Shopping District,” the Shinjuku of Taipei.

No visit in Taiwain is complete without trying out some local milk teas. Even if you’re not a milk tea lover, it wouldn’t hurt if you try any of the local tea shops scattered around Taipei. And yes, I wouldn’t mind drinking unlimited milk tea drinks all day! (I just need to pack lots of wet tissue and alcohol just in case nature calls! Lol)

Elephant Mountain

One of the best photography spots for Taipei skyline is no other than Elephant Mountain. A little uphill climb will lead you to this special area where you can take countless shots and panoramic view of the city. Prepare to get sweat with satisfaction.

Dajia Riverside Park

Taipei is so big that most of the destinations being visited are too crowded. Good thing there are some places in Taipei that are worth visiting, less the crowd. Head to Yuanshan’s Dajia Riverside Park and be amazed with massive infrastructures and natural environment fused together. You can visit up to 10 attractions in just one place in Yuanshan, thanks to Taipei Unli Fun Pass. Book via KKDay.

Taipei Expo Park

Visiting Taipei Expo Park is unplanned but it’s something that we didn’t regret doing. It’s a multifunctional park in Zhongshan District that boasts a spacious landscape with many kid-friendly activities nearby. Taipei Expo Park allows you to experience Taiwan in one area as it offers good food and other items that will introduce you to the Taiwanese culture. You can also see performers and lots of visitors with their pets on a cute carriage.

Taipei Story House

Formerly known as the Yuanshan Mansion, Taipei Story House is an open museum dedicated to exhibits about tea and other Taipei City history. As a designated heritage site, it hosts more than 100 diverse activities annually, including exhibitions and seminars, musical performances, tea lectures and fairs.

Taipei Fun Art Museum

Another pleasant area to stroll around is Taipei Fun Art Museum and Park. It provides access to the Fine Arts Museum that offers free interactive child-themed exhibits in the basement, a cafe that serves healthy meals in plastic car and plane dishes.

Rinzai Zen Buddhism Temple

Rinzai Zen Buddhism Temple is the only well-preserved wooden Japanese-inspired Buddhist temple in Taiwan constructed in the Northern and Southern Dynasties’ architectural style.

Shilin Night Market

When the night falls, this place comes alive! No visit in Taiwan would be complete without visiting Shilin Night Market and enjoy the gastronomic experience it offers.

Don’t leave Shilin without trying their famous stinky tofu, xiao long bao, crispy fried chicken, and other local street foods. And milk teas too!

Jiufen Old Street

Feel spirited away in this decommissioned gold mining mountain town, originally built by the Japanese and now a maze of lanes and alleyways with rich history and culture.

If you have seen the Japanese animated movie Spirited Away, then you’ll surely be enchanted with this place full of stairs, lanterns and tea houses! You should include a visit to the epic Amei Tea House and relive its history and inspiration.

Jiufen Zhaoling Temple

If you have time after surviving the maze-like alleyways of Jiufen Old Street, visit Jiufen Zhaoling Temple just below 7/11 along the high way. You’ll be amazed how detailed the architectural designs are.

Yehliu Geopark

One of the premier destinations in northern Taiwan, Yehliu Geopark is home to a number of unique geological formations including the iconic “Queen’s Head”, and is located along a cape stretching out from the town of Wanli.

Located along the northeast coast, Yehliu Park is a bit remote, but well worth the effort to visit. It’s a must-visit destination in Taiwan I must say.

Don’t leave Yehliu Geopark without having a cool shot in one of its unique rock formations, minus the crowd.

Shifen Old Street

Shifen Old Street, as it is popularly called, is not actually an old-fashioned roadway just like Jiufen Old Street. Shifen is more like a train station area surrounded by a marketplace where people freely cross along the railway track running straight through the town center.

The little town of Shifen is perhaps most fondly visited by both locals and tourists who participate in its tradition of releasing sky lanterns along Shifen Old Street as a form of good luck. It’s a must-try activity in Taiwan!

After letting your wishes fly at Shifen Old Street via red giant sky lanterns (eco-friendly, all made from biodegradable materials), don’t miss in trying out the yummy brown sugar milk tea of Xing Fu Tang & the juicy grilled stuffed chicken wings of Liouge Chicken Wings Rice!

Shu Shin Bou Wagashi Museum

Konnichiwa! Experience Japan in Taiwan when you visit Shu Shin Bou Wagashi Museum, famous for its Japanese-style mochi and confections called Wagashi. Bring home some of the country’s iconic treats and savor the true spirit of Japanese art and traditional Taiwan flavor in every bite.

For a fantastic trip-ender experience in Taiwan, try DIY Pastry Making. Take on the challenge of making your very own Taiwanese snacks at a designated Pineapple Cake factory in New Taipei. Follow your instructor step-by-step in a hands-on pineapple cake making class.

Garnish your creation with your own unique design, explore the shop’s display of tradition while waiting for your dessert to be baked and bring it home with you while it’s hot!

Where To Stay in Taipei, Taiwan

Hotel Fun – Linsen

The hotel has 123 rooms ranging from deluxe type to bunk beds type with free buffet breakfast daily to fully loaded for a day’s adventure, massage chair where you can relax and recharge your body, unlimited water supply, vending machines and billiard tables.

And there’s a block-wide grocery store just beside the hotel wherein you can buy anything from toiletries to snacks and from towels to slippers.

What I also love about Hotel Fun is its accessibility. It’s very convenient to MRT (2 min walk from/to Zhongshan Elementary School station) and bus stops (5-min. drive from/to Taipei Wanhua Station).

Hotel’s direction here: www.hotelfuntw.com/en/map.php?hotelId=5

Commuting Taiwan

A. From Taoyuan to Taipei

The cheapest way to reach downtown Taipei from Taoyuan International Airport is to take the Metro Rail Train that would pass by Airport Terminal 1 or 2 going to Taipei Main Station. Moreover, you can make your way comfortably and faster to Taoyuan Airport from Taipei Main Station in just 36 minutes. Book your Taoyuan Airport MRT ticket at an exclusive discounted price with KKday.

B. Around Taipei

Commuting in Taipei is easy. Just get an easycard and you can take the MRT or buses to get around. Purchasing a Taipei Unli Fun Pass is very much recommended to save on transportation cost by taking unlimited rides on Taipei Metro in the period of validity and on five (5) Taiwan tourist shuttle routes and a number of city buses. Mind you, the complex yet convenient MRT really made the lives of both locals and visitors in Taipei easier and trouble-free!

C. Outside Taipei

Aside from renting private vehicles, you can also join group tours outside Taipei via bus. Book professionally curated tours, tickets, and authentic local experiences in Taiwan with KKDay and experience hassle-free traveling. We took this KKDay bus comfortably during our Northeast Coast Day Tour to Yehliu, Jiufen, Shifen and Pastry DIY. It’s so convenient that everything is already arranged and all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the bus ride.

Sample 4D3N Itinerary and Budget

Taiwan trip is not actually expensive. Since it is VISA free, you can already save the cost for the processing of VISA. The exchange rate for 1 NTD is 1.65 PHP at the time of travel and you can eat decent food for only 10 NTD, drink milk tea for 30 NTD and ride a train for 20 NTD. You can actually explore Taiwan on your own with only Php 10,000 budget provided you just spend it wisely on things that are essentially needed during travel. Book with KKDay to save on tours, activities and other Taiwan travel must-haves.

To be honest, my Taiwan trip is NOT the ultimate itinerary there is. However, I consider it the basic itinerary for first timers who are on a budget trip. Sometimes, your trip may not go as planned but the most important thing is that my travel buddies and I had fun and did things together that surprisingly achievable in our first ever international trip. With this, I look forward to going back and explore the other side of Taiwan for a longer duration of stay. SOON!

Have you been to Taiwan? What’s your favorite destination during you trip? Any suggested itinerary to add on my next Taiwan trip? Feel fee to share your thoughts in the comments section below. =)

Tags: 4D3N Tawain Itinerary, KKDay, Taipei Budget, Taiwan, Taiwan Travel Guide