Last April 4–9, I finally stepped foot in Taiwan—a trip I had been planning for months. From Ximending street nights and comforting bowls of noodles to rainy afternoons in Jiufen and a childhood dream fulfilled at Meteor Garden filming locations, this 6 days / 5 nights trip turned into a journey filled with nostalgia, curiosity, and quiet moments of joy.
I flew from Davao to Manila the night before, then caught an early Cebu Pacific flight to Taipei, departing at 6:30 AM and landing around 9:00 AM—a smooth three-hour flight. We booked this trip way back in August 2025 when it was on CEB Seat Sale, planned it for months, and after all that waiting, we finally landed at Taoyuan International Airport.
Arrival in Taipei
After clearing immigration and claiming our luggage, we withdrew cash from a Bank of Taiwan ATM and claimed our one-way Airport Express train tickets to Taipei Main Station, which we had booked via Klook (super convenient).
I would also recommend purchasing an eSIM for this trip. I preferred using an eSIM over a pocket WiFi. I also purchased it through Klook.
Tip: You can buy an EasyCard at 7‑Eleven or FamilyMart inside the airport. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find one right away—and I wanted a cute design—so I bought mine later in Ximending instead.
From Taipei Main Station, we could have taken the MRT to Ximending, but we decided to walk instead. (We just couldn’t find the way to the other station going to Ximending 😅) Twenty minutes later, slightly sweaty but excited, we arrived at our hotel. It was actually a fun way to get our first taste of Taipei’s streets and everyday life. 😅
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Star Ximen Hotel. At first, we thought we were lost—there was signage outside but no obvious entrance. Turns out, the hotel is located on the 9th floor of a building. Since check-in was still at 3:00 PM, we left our luggage with them for free. The staff were kind and helpful, which immediately made us feel welcome. I’ll share my full hotel review in a separate blog soon.
First on the itinerary? Ximending! It’s just a two‑minute walk from the hotel. Isn’t that perfect?
DAY 1: Ximending, Street Food, and First Impressions
Our first day was all about taking it slow and soaking everything in.
Exploring Ximending
We started wandering around Ximending, Taipei’s lively shopping and food district—colorful, busy, and full of energy.
Our first stop was Xin Fu Tang, the famous brown sugar milk tea shop. You really can’t miss it: a long line in the middle of the Ximending crossing, just across Pop Mart. Staff in white uniforms, caps, and black aprons move nonstop, making pearls and drinks right in front of you. Watching them work was already part of the experience.
When I finally tasted it—wow. (No joke!)
Not overly sweet, just milky, creamy, and rich, with deep brown sugar notes. I honestly don’t know what magic they use, but I knew then I’d be back for another cup during the trip.
Just a few steps away, we spotted another long line—Ay‑Chung Flour‑Rice Noodles. People were eating straight from paper bowls, standing around the shop. Since we hadn’t had lunch yet, we ordered a large bowl. You can add sauces like garlic, chili, and vinegar, and those condiments completely elevate the flavor. It was comforting, flavorful, and very hot—so eat carefully. Writing about it now makes me crave it again.
Cute Stores and Hidden Finds
We found themed 7‑Eleven stores around Ximending, including Hello Kitty and Open‑Chan themes. I finally bought my EasyCard here. The designs were limited, but the one I chose was still cute enough to keep as a souvenir.
We visited The Red House, which felt like a mini art bazaar. It was filled with unique handmade crafts, Taiwan‑inspired trinkets, toys, and accessories.
Back on the main shopping streets, we sampled Jiguang Fried Chicken, Curly Mama’s crispy milk donuts, and sausages—every bite worth it.
We also watched street performers and, of course, couldn’t resist trying our luck at a claw machine shop (there are tons in Taipei, especially in Ximending). And guess what—I won a Chiikawa plushie! I literally screamed when it dropped!
DAY 2: Local Breakfast, Gondolas, Zoo Adventures, and Taipei 101
Breakfast Like a Local
They say to eat like a local—and that’s exactly what we did. We found Yong He Soy Milk, and yes, even in the morning, there was a line—mostly locals. That’s when you know the food will be good.
And it was.
Warm, comforting soy milk paired with fried bread sticks you dip into it—it’s simple and hands‑down the best soy milk I’ve had in years.
Maokong Gondola & Taipei Zoo
We booked our Maokong Gondola + Taipei Zoo tickets via Klook. Entry was easy—just scan, print, and go.
The gondola ride up to Maokong was peaceful and scenic. It reminded me of Hong Kong’s Ngong Ping 360. We chose the standard cabin and were joined by a family of three. They got off at the Taipei Zoo stop (the third station), while we continued to the final stop—Maokong Station.
We explored the area, tried stinky tofu for the first time (and surprisingly, I liked it and finished a whole serving), had matcha ice cream, and sampled local snacks. After that, we rode the gondola back down toward Taipei Zoo.
The zoo was one of the highlights of the entire trip. It was exhausting but incredibly fun. Seeing animals like hyenas, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, capybaras, gorillas, and pandas up close felt magical. The inner child in me was so happy—some of these animals I haven’t even seen in places like Hong Kong Ocean Park.
Taipei 101 (Unexpectedly)
After the zoo, we attempted to go to Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall, but we got lost on the bus—and somehow ended up near Taipei 101 instead. A happy accident.
We decided to visit Simple Kaffa, a trending café inside Taipei 101. It’s popular because it’s a cheaper way to see the view compared to buying an observatory ticket. The line took about an hour (and we were already tired), but it was worth it. For the price of a coffee, we enjoyed stunning views from the 88th floor.
Dinner & Late‑Night Shopping
That night, we finally tried Mala Hot Pot, another major highlight. Unlimited meat, drinks, wines, and Haagen‑Dazs ice cream (around six flavors). We spent about NTD 1,500 in total. Heads‑up: at the time, they only accepted cash.
To end the day, we wandered around Don Don Donki Ximending. It was overwhelming in the best way—so many Japanese goodies. We didn’t buy much, just explored, then headed back to the hotel to rest.
DAY 3: Cat Village and Comfort Food
As animal lovers, this day was special and mystical!
Houtong Cat Village
We went to Houtong Cat Village, although we almost got lost trying to find Taipei Main Station—again. 😅 Eventually, we made it and took the train.
Houtong felt like stepping into a storybook: quiet, charming, and surrounded by mountains. And yes—cats everywhere. Chubby, relaxed, and clearly well taken care of. The town is a former mining village, and now it perfectly blends history with cuteness.
We relaxed at a café, enjoyed coffee and light snacks, soaked in the calm atmosphere, then headed back to Taipei.
Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall
After Houtong, we finally made it to Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall—one of the places we had missed earlier. The moment we arrived, we were amazed by how wide and massive the area was. The grand structure, the open grounds, and the symmetry of the place made it feel both peaceful and imposing at the same time.
Although we didn’t have time to enter the museum, we were able to watch the changing of the guards, which was surprisingly entertaining and impressive to see up close. Standing there made me appreciate Taiwan’s history even more and gave a deeper meaning to our trip beyond food and sightseeing.
Back to Ximending
I lined up for another crispy milk donut shop—this one more trending online—but honestly, Curly Mama’s version tasted better for me.
Dinner was at Tian Tian Li. There was a line, but the braised pork rice was worth the wait.
A quick shopping stop at NET wrapped up Day 3.
DAY 4: North Coast Tour, Rain, and Jiufen
We booked a North Coast tour via Klook, but unfortunately, it rained all day.
Yehliu, Shifen & Jiufen
Our first stop was Yehliu Geopark. Rain and strong winds didn’t stop us from getting photos of the Queen’s Head, though it was definitely challenging.
After that wet and windy experience, I later realized I should have bought a raincoat at the entrance. Our next stop was the Tiaoshi bus stop. It offered a beautiful view of the coastal road, but due to limited time and heavy rain, we were only able to take a quick photo. I was really hoping for a wider and clearer view, but this will do for now.
Next was Shifen Old Street, where we released sky lanterns—even in the rain. Despite the weather, it was still meaningful, and hopefully, our wishes will come true.
We made quick stops at the Yin‑Yang Sea and Golden Waterfall, then ended the tour at Jiufen Old Street.
Jiufen was magical. A‑Mei Tea House looked straight out of Spirited Away. Even though we were soaked and cold, the charm was undeniable. We settled in a café facing A‑Mei Tea House, ordered hot tea, coffee, and snacks, and enjoyed one of the most atmospheric moments of the trip.
Our tour guide Tommy was informative and kind, even recommending the best shops for snacks and pasalubong.
Back in Ximending, we tried the giant fried chicken and fried squid—both delicious but way too big for two people. I also found Bugcat Capoo House and couldn’t resist buying a blind box.
DAY 5: Meteor Garden Dreams and Saying Goodbye
Our last day was reserved for an F4 / Meteor Garden tour, booked on Facebook. We were picked up at 6:00 AM at Ximen Exit 6 in a private van.
Tour Stops
Hinoki Village – Former Japanese houses turned into cafés and souvenir shops. A peaceful way to start the day.
Château de Jourdeness – A European‑style attraction with picturesque gardens.
National Chung Cheng University – The highlight. A famous filming location for Meteor Garden.
When our driver‑guide Alex played the Meteor Garden theme song as we entered, I got emotional. Seeing Shan Cai’s locker in real life felt surreal. It brought me straight back to high school—rushing home after class to watch the series, feeling all the kilig and heartbreak at once.
Final Stops
After the tour, we decided to look for the most trending spots to take great photos of Taipei 101:
Back in Ximending, we took one last stroll, did a bit of shopping, and had dinner at Guo Shai Noodles, eating by the street—simple, filling, and satisfying.
DAY 6: Back to Manila!
Our flight back to Manila was at 10 AM, so we decided to head to the airport at 6 AM. Based on Google Maps, the easiest way to get there was to take the same route we used when we arrived at our hotel on Day 1. And yes, we walked with our luggage all the way to Taipei Main Station. From there, we got the Airport Express Train purple tokens, and the first trip started at 6:30 AM.
When we arrived at the airport, we went to the tax refund booth for our shopping items, then printed our luggage tags and boarding passes.
Tip: The check-in process at the Cebu Pacific Air counter was smooth. The staff advised us that we were only allowed a 7-kilo hand-carry bag. Once we entered the boarding area and duty-free shops, any additional items purchased would be considered excess and would need to be checked in for an additional fee—so be mindful of this.
There were a few restaurants and many shops inside, where we had our breakfast. The flight was smooth, and we arrived safely in Manila.
Final Thoughts
Taiwan stirred a lot of emotions in me.
It reminded me of Hong Kong—the look, the streets, the energy—but Taiwan felt slower, softer, and more peaceful. People were genuinely kind and accommodating, always trying to communicate even when language was a challenge.
It brought me back to childhood, feeling that sense of wonder at the Taipei Zoo and seeing animals I rarely encountered before.
And it pulled me back to my teenage years, rushing home after school to watch Meteor Garden, feeling all the kilig and heartbreak that shaped us back then.
Leaving Taiwan didn’t break my heart—because I know I’ll be back. There’s still Wulai, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and so many places waiting!
Recommendations
This itinerary wasn’t perfect. You can always adjust depending on your energy. Some days you’ll feel like doing everything, and some days you just want to slow down—and that’s okay.
If we could improve it:
If we could improve it:
- Group nearby places to avoid backtracking
- Balance heavy and light days better
- Plan food stops per area
- Consider travel time for long trips like Chiayi (F4 Tour)
Book your flights
I’m glad we booked this trip. And I’m already looking forward to the day Cebu Pacific finally offers a direct Davao–Taipei flight. Until then, I’ll keep watching out for seat sales—and planning my return.
See you again soon, Taiwan. 🇹🇼
[full_width]
