A Weekend in Taipei
This past weekend, Drew and I took off on our first getaway to Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan and home to about 3 million people. What a whirlwind 48-hour adventures can be! We filled our itinerary with a solid mix of food, drinks, sightseeing, and more food of course! We’re always sure to leave ample time for some good old fashioned wandering…we find its the best way to explore a new city and to get a feel for the culture and the people. Although our trip was quick, we got a great feel for the city and accomplished a lot in our short time there.
The culture in Taipei is unlike anything I’ve seen or experienced before. The neighborhoods across the city each have their own distinctive look and feel, with a unique combination of old and new scattered throughout. From neon rooftop bars in Xinyi (the downtown/financial district) to ancient temples in Datong, there’s something for everyone. Admittedly I didn’t know much about Taipei before arriving there, but learned a lot about the history and its evolution. Following a complicated history through both Chinese and Japanese control, Taipei was declared a special municipality in 1967 and given the administrative status of a province. Today, Taiwan is a democracy with an advanced economy. The city’s rich history could be felt throughout town and we had a great time exploring all this beautiful city has to offer. Read on for my suggestions of the 3 things you must do during a weekend in Taipei.
1. taste the local beef noodles
Our first stop after dropping our bags at the hotel on Friday was to Yongkang in Da’an District to try the national dish of Taiwan, beef noodles. Beef noodles are exactly what they sound like - a noodle soup with stewed or braised beef, beef broth and Chinese noodles, and I’m happy to report Yongkang did not disappoint. The restaurant was exactly what Drew and I were hoping for - a tiny establishment crammed with communal tables full of locals and a line out the door. With less than 10 items on the menu, ordering was easy (with our trusty pointing method). The classic beef noodles with spicy soybean sauce were the clear favorite. Hearty and rich in flavor, the noodles were a perfect al dente and the beef was tender. Highly recommend a stop at this noodle spot!
Another perk of visiting Yongkang is its location in the Da’an District. After your meal I suggest wandering the streets nearby. You will find yourself in a very hip neighborhood full of trendy restaurants and street food, unique shops and great people watching. We even discovered a local craft brewery just in time for a little happy hour beer flight. The beer was delicious, and we were excited to learn they have a location in Hong Kong!
2. VISIT TAIPEI 101
Located in Xinyi, Taipei 101 is the world’s fifth largest building (#1 until 2010) and an absolute spectacle. The architecture is striking, but it’s even more beautiful up close. Floors 89-91 are open for observation and the view from up there is well worth the $20 USD. The elevator is the world’s fastest, ascending from the fifth floor lobby to the 89th floor in 37 seconds at nearly 40 mph.
My favorite part about the observatory was seeing the building’s 660-ton damper, the world’s largest and heaviest damper open to the public. For those unaware, a damper is a steel pendulum that stabilizes the tower against movements caused by strong winds. Essentially the damper sways to offset any movements in the building. While we were visiting there was no movement, but in 2015 typhoon winds swayed the damper by 40 inches! Just fascinating.
3. EXPLORE A NIGHT MARKET
There are several well known night markets scattered throughout Taipei and you MUST make time for a trip to one during your visit to the city. Per a recommendation from a trusty bartender, we decided to visit the more authentic night market frequented by locals, the Tonghua Night Market. Although several sources told us night markets are more of a late-night activity, be sure you don’t go too late or you might miss the action. We arrived around 11:00 pm and by midnight, many of the vendors were packing up and heading home. Walking up and down the aisles of the market was an experience I will never forget. It was bustling with activity - packed with people of all ages. Items for sale included clothing, toys, all kinds of miscellaneous goods, and of course FOOD. The street was full of aromas I had never smelled before (some good, some not so good…). We tried a few dishes including beef skewers, milk buns, and some type of thin crepe-like dessert - all were delicious and incredibly cheap! We got a couple beers and several dishes and spent about $10 USD. At our last stop at a skewer cart, we befriended a young local man who had just gotten off his shift at a nearby Michelin starred restaurant. He has been coming to the same food cart at least once a week for the last several years, claiming it is the best food in the city. Although I can’t tell you the name, it’s pictured below with the red awning if you’re up for an adventure!
Other FUN things to do:
Eat at a local hot pot restaurant