As we keep our goal of life-work balance in
Timex Philippines, together with our IT office mates, I always make sure to travel outside our daily environment.This year, we decided to go
international - to the heart of Asia! For me, Taiwan is one of the most understated countries in the Asia. From its tall buildings, amazing skyscrapers, old temples, busy streets and well-mannered people -
Taipei is a must-visit city!
![A groufie with the team at the amazing Taipei 101!]( "A groufie with the team at the amazing Taipei 101!") |
| A groufie with the team at the amazing Taipei 101! |
It was a cold night of the fifteenth when everybody gathered at Mactan Cebu International Airport for a very late schedule of flight. We arrived safely early in the morning at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport via Cebu Pacific Air. We were welcomed by our hospitable driver and guided us to our hostel, the most recommended accommodation in Taipei - Taipei Sunny Hostel. Note that Taipei is a "
no-english" language country. It is best to install some translator application or maybe use Google Translator for easy communication with the locals. We then found a cheap breakfast stall which is a stone-throw from our place. Then the five-day Taipei explorations began! Here is the list of Taipei's top tourist destinations even Locals love to visit!
Taiwan Taoyuan International AirportAttractions: I included this place as I was amazed on the interiors of the ceilings - so instagrammable!
![FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport]( "FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport") |
| FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport |
![FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport]( "FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport") |
| FaceCebu Author, Mark Monta in Taipei International Airport |
228 Peace Memorial ParkAddress: 3 Ketagalan Boulevard, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
Lungshan Temple of Manka (Long Shan)Address: No. 211, Guangzhou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Phone: +886 2 2302 5162
Attractions: Man-made waterfalls and the culture/traditions of worships
![Lungshan Temple of Manka]( "Lungshan Temple of Manka") |
| Lungshan Temple of Manka |
![Lungshan Temple of Manka]( "Lungshan Temple of Manka") |
| Waterfalls inside Lungshan Temple of Manka |
Taipei Main Station ( Taipei Railway Station)Address: 100, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Beiping W Rd
Phone: +886 2 2371 3558
Attractions: Huge mall with different stores which are useful for Tourists
![Taipei Main Station (Outside view)]( "Taipei Main Station (Outside view)") |
| Taipei Main Station (Outside view) |
![Giant Christmas Tree inside Taipei Main Station]( "Giant Christmas Tree inside Taipei Main Station") |
| Giant Christmas Tree inside Taipei Main Station |
Presidential Office BuildingAddress: No. 122, Section 1, Chongqing S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Attractions: Just an amazing facade of the building
![A view from mains street of Presidential Palace Building]( "A view from mains street of Presidential Palace Building") |
| A view from mains street of Presidential Palace Building |
![A view from the green garden of Presidential Palace Building]( "A view from the green garden of Presidential Palace Building") |
| A view from the green garden of Presidential Palace Building |
![FaceCebu Author with a great view of Presidential Building]( "FaceCebu Author with a great view of Presidential Building") |
| FaceCebu Author with a great view of Presidential Building |
Bopiliao History MuseumAddress: Bopiliao Ancient Street, Taipei
Attractions: More on old houses and red bricks which are appropriate for OOTD shots and other portrait shots
![Walling OOTD Shot]( "Walling OOTD Shot") |
| Walling OOTD Shot |
National Taiwan University
Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10617
Total enrollment: 32,168 (2013)
Phone: +886 2 3366 3366
Attractions: A lot! Picturesque building good for OOTD plus some lakes and bridges for portrait shots.
![Mark Monta for his OOTD Shot in the campus]( "Mark Monta for his OOTD Shot in the campus") |
| Mark Monta for his OOTD Shot in the campus |
![A jumpshot for this instagrammable view of National Taiwan University]( "A jumpshot for this instagrammable view of National Taiwan University") |
| A jumpshot for this instagrammable view of National Taiwan University |
!["Waiting for you" Shot]( "\"Waiting for you\" Shot") |
| "Waiting for you" Shot |
![OOTD Shot again!]( "OOTD Shot again!") |
| OOTD Shot again! |
![Hey, this is Taiwan not US State! :)]( "Hey, this is Taiwan not US State! :)") |
| Hey, this is Taiwan not US State! :) |
Taipei Confucius TempleAddress: No. 275, Dalong St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Phone: +886 2 2592 3934
Attractions: Worships and culture of people
![A bridge infront of the temple.]( "A bridge infront of the temple.") |
| A bridge infront of the temple. |
![FaceCebu Author posing at the temple]( "FaceCebu Author posing at the temple") |
| FaceCebu Author posing at the temple |
![OOTD Pose infront of the temple]( "OOTD Pose infront of the temple") |
| OOTD Pose infront of the temple |
Yeh Liu Geo ParkAddress: Xinbei, Taiwan
Attractions: A natural spots that is unique among other tourists spots (buildings and temples)
![Mark Monta swag pose!]( "Mark Monta swag pose!") |
| Mark Monta swag pose! |
![Mark Monta in flex pose!]( "Mark Monta in flex pose!") |
| Mark Monta in flex pose! |
![Mark Monta in OOTD Pose!]( "Mark Monta in OOTD Pose!") |
| Mark Monta in OOTD Pose! |
![The signature pose, Topless shot!]( "The signature pose, Topless shot!") |
| The signature pose, Topless shot! |
![The signature pose, Topless shot!]( "The signature pose, Topless shot!") |
| The signature pose, Topless shot! |
Golden Falls (Waterfalls)Address: Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
Attractions: Waterfalls that has golden soils.
![Mark Monta posing infront Golden Falls]( "Mark Monta posing infront Golden Falls") |
| Mark Monta posing infront Golden Falls |
![A Bokeh shot by Huawei]( "A Bokeh shot by Huawei") |
| A Bokeh shot by Huawei |
![Here's the Golden Falls!]( "Here's the Golden Falls!") |
| Here's the Golden Falls! |
Yin Yang SeaAddress: Xinbie, Taiwan
Attractions: When the minerals are in good shape, the Yin Yan symbol will flow/show.
![An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moement)]( "An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moement)") |
| An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment) |
![An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment)]( "An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment)") |
| An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment) |
![An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment)]( "An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment)") |
| An aerial view of the Yin Yang Sea ( not yet formed during that moment) |
![PLUS! Just a underground passage to the other side]( "PLUS! Just a underground passage to the other side") |
| PLUS! Just a underground passage to the other side |
Jiufen Old StreetAddress: Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Phone: +886 2 2960 3456
Attractions: Old houses and amazing foods
![Boke shot by Huawei P9]( "Boke shot by Huawei P9") |
| Boke shot by Huawei P9 |
![A mandatory shot at the street of Jiufen]( "A mandatory shot at the street of Jiufen") |
| A mandatory shot at the street of Jiufen |
![So chinese!]( "So chinese!") |
| So chinese! |
![Another Chinese-que photo!]( "Another Chinese-que photo!") |
| Another Chinese-que photo! |
![On our way to the top!]( "On our way to the top!") |
| On our way to the top! |
Floating some sky lanterns in Shifen Old StreetAddress: 226, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Pingxi District
Attractions: We need to put our wishes in the lantern before lighting it and tossing it to the air
![Mark Monta during Sky Lantern lighting and Floating]( "Mark Monta during Sky Lantern lighting and Floating") |
| Mark Monta during Sky Lantern lighting and Floating.... |
![Photo op before tossing the lantern into the air!]( "Photo op before tossing the lantern into the air!") |
| Photo op before tossing the lantern into the air! |
![Oh! look at those lanterns in the sky..]( "Oh! look at those lanterns in the sky..") |
| Oh! look at those lanterns in the sky.. |
![Our wishes were written in the lantern before we tossed up to the sky]( "Our wishes were written in the lantern before we tossed up to the sky") |
| Our wishes were written in the lantern before we tossed up to the sky |
![Goodbye Sky lantern!]( "Goodbye Sky lantern!") |
| Goodbye Sky lantern! |
![Sky lantern!]( "Sky lantern!") |
| Sky lantern! |
Thousand Island Lake View (千島湖 or Shihting Lake )Address: North Shiyan District Yongan Village, Taiwan
Attractions: Aerial view of amazing thousand island lake. There is Tea 8 cafe that offers tea and coffee while chilling and enjoying the ambiance.
![Bokeh shot by Huawei P9]( "Bokeh shot by Huawei P9") |
| Bokeh shot by Huawei P9 |
![Thousand Island Lake aerial view]( "Thousand Island Lake aerial view") |
| Thousand Island Lake aerial view |
![FaceCebu Author with his pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory]( "FaceCebu Author with his pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory") |
| FaceCebu Author with his pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory |
![FaceCebu Author with jumpshot pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory]( "FaceCebu Author with jumpshot pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory") |
| FaceCebu Author with jumpshot pose in Thousand Island Lake observatory |
![What a view!]( "What a view!") |
| What a view! |
![]() |
| Tea 8 offers Tea and Coffee plus a great view of the lake |
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial HallAddress: No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Attractions: Amazing facade and building structures where Chiang Kai-shek statue is built.
![Chiang Kai Shek Building]( "Chiang Kai Shek Building") |
| Chiang Kai Shek Building |
![Panorama shot of Chiang Kai Shek Building by Huawei P9]( "Panorama shot of Chiang Kai Shek Building by Huawei P9") |
| Panorama shot of Chiang Kai Shek Building by Huawei P9 |
![FaceCebu Author with his jumpshot at Chiang Kai Shek Building]( "FaceCebu Author with his jumpshot at Chiang Kai Shek Building") |
| FaceCebu Author with his jumpshot at Chiang Kai Shek Building |
Taipei 101Address : No.7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Telephone : (02) 8101-8800
Note: More on arial observatory of the whole taipei city in just 600 Taiwan Dollars. Ticket can be purchased in the 5th floor. The fee includes entrance and some discounts in the observatory area at the 89 floor. PLUS! You can get a chance of visiting the 91 floor for an outdoor experience observatory.
![A view from the Mall entrance]( "A view from the Mall entrance") |
| A view from the Mall entrance |
![A floor mirror selfie is a must!]( "A floor mirror selfie is a must!") |
| A floor mirror selfie is a must! |
![Aerial view of the city from the top!]( "Aerial view of the city from the top!") |
| Aerial view of the city from the top! |
![The author was amazed!]( "The author was amazed!") |
| The author was amazed! |
![Another night shot from Huawei P9 from the top!]( "Another night shot from Huawei P9 from the top!") |
| Another night shot from Huawei P9 from the top! |
![Coz this angle deserved a selfie shot!]( "Coz this angle deserved a selfie shot!") |
| Coz this angle deserved a selfie shot! |
Ximending Shopping DistrictAddress: Wanhua District of Taipei
PRO: It has everything in one place which is recommended to be visited at the last night of Taipei's vacation. CON: Very expensive.
![Center of everything - that's Ximending District!]( "Center of everything - that's Ximending District!") |
| Center of everything - that's Ximending District! |
![Sunyoung building is instragrammable!]( "Sunyoung building is instragrammable!") |
| Sunyoung building is instragrammable! |
![Hello Taipei!]( "Hello Taipei!") |
| Hello Taipei! |
Commune A7Address: 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Songshou Rd
Attractions:: Visit this district for a nice view of Taipei 101 and best done during Christmas season.
![Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101]( "Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101") |
| Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101 |
![Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101]( "Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101") |
| Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101 |
![Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101]( "Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101") |
| Commune A7 gives a great view of taipei 101 |
Riding a Cable Car at Maokong GondolaAddress: No.8, Sec. 2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Telephone: 886-2-218-12345, For callers of Taipei City, please dial 886-2-27208889
Attractions:: You can visit Taipei Zoo, Zhinan Temple Station and Maokong Station
![A street view of MRT in Maokong Gondola]( "A street view of MRT in Maokong Gondola") |
| A street view of MRT in Maokong Gondola |
![Our card as pass to enter the cable car]( "Our card as pass to enter the cable car") |
| Our card as pass to enter the cable car |
![Aerial view from our cable car, amazing!]( "Aerial view from our cable car, amazing!") |
| Aerial view from our cable car, amazing! |
![Aerial view from our cable car, amazing!]( "Aerial view from our cable car, amazing!") |
| Aerial view from our cable car, amazing! |
![Mark Monta from his cable car]( "Mark Monta from his cable car") |
| Mark Monta from his cable car |
![Temple as tourist spot in the next stop of Cable Car rides]( "Temple as tourist spot in the next stop of Cable Car rides") |
| Temple as tourist spot in the next stop of Cable Car rides |
![Aerial view from our Cable Car!]( "Aerial view from our Cable Car!") |
| Aerial view from our Cable Car! |
![Aerial view from our Cable Car!]( "Aerial view from our Cable Car!") |
| Aerial view from our Cable Car! |
Thermal ValleyAddress: 112, Taiwan, Taipei City, Beitou District
Phone: +886 2 2883 2130
Attractions: Just a hot valley of water with amazing landscape
![Look at me! The place is approved!]( "Look at me! The place is approved!") |
| Look at me! The place is approved! |
![Panorama view of Thermal Valley!]( "Panorama view of Thermal Valley!") |
| Panorama view of Thermal Valley! |
![Perfect Thermal View!]( "Perfect Thermal View!") |
| Perfect Thermal View! |
![Aha, on our way to another tourist spot!]( "Aha, on our way to another tourist spot!") |
| Aha, on our way to another tourist spot! |
Elephant MountainAddress: Xiangshan Station, Taipei
Attractions:: To get a best view of Taipei 101, you need to climb Elephant Mountain before 4-5 PM for a sunset and night view of Taipei City. Elephan Mountain is known as Nangang District Hiking Trail and Xiangshan, the hiking trail is located close to the Xinyi Shopping District and Taipei 101.
Preparations:
1. Wear some safety and comfy shoes
2. Jeans and sweat pants are recommended for bottom wear.
3. Wear t-shirts and prepare a coat of jacket (in case of a cold night at the top)
4. Bring a bottle of water and some snacks as there is no stores available
![artistic shot? Hello taipei 101!]( "artistic shot? Hello taipei 101!") |
| artistic shot? Hello taipei 101! |
![Timex Wristwatch with Taipei 101]( "Timex Wristwatch with Taipei 101") |
| Timex Wristwatch with Taipei 101 |
![Me and taipei 101 is almost the same in height]( "Me and taipei 101 is almost the same in height") |
| Me and taipei 101 is almost the same in height |
![Breathtaking shots of Taipei 101]( "Breathtaking shots of Taipei 101") |
| Breathtaking shots of Taipei 101 |
Recommended Accommodation in Taipei:Taipei Sunny Hostel
Address: No. 92-2, Huaining Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Phone: +886 2 2331 9391
PRO: This Hostel is situated in the center of the city, just near the 228 Peace Park and other City destinations.
*** All photos are taken by Huawei P9 which are unedited ones.
