Just trust me, this really is the perfect vacation spot. Let me tell you why…
In Taiwan, there are multiple things to do to satisfy your travel needs and are unique to the country. These are my personal favorites:
1. If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay at, stop by Sun Moon Lake. This lake is well known for its gorgeous sunsets and sunrises over the mountains. Unfortunately, swimming in the lake is prohibited, but you can walk or rent a bike to travel around the lake. There is a specialized bike route that goes through the lake, which feels like you are riding on a lake. If exercising isn’t for you, no worries! You can ride on a gondola lift which will allow you to see the beauty of Sun Moon Lake from above.
2. For an experience like no other, enjoy a fish pedicure at 溫泉魚足浴 (Dr. Fish Foot Spas) in Yilan. Visitors will be able to go to a fish pond and put their feet in so that fish can nibble on the dead skin. This process is good for exfoliating your skin and the fish are fed with your dead skin. It might seem ticklish at first, but you get used to the sensation and eventually, you will feel like sleeping. You can enjoy a bottle of Ramune to refresh yourself after your relaxing experience.
3. Another fun and relaxing activity you can do in Taiwan is going to a cold spring, which is also in Yilan! It’s the opposite of a hot bath. Visitors get a private bath cabin to themselves where they can soak themselves either naked or in a swimsuit. Yes, the water is cold, but you will soon get used to it. The water feels like it’s alive because it is carbonated. After you are done with your bath, you can go outside and drink spring water from a pipe! How cool is that? In addition, this experience is fairly cheap!
4. A city experience is always the move if you are unsure of what to do. Taipei 101 is Taiwan’s highest building, which is also one of the top ten highest buildings in the world. Also, one of the world’s fastest elevators is in this building. From the top of the building, you can admire the view of the city. In addition, you can enjoy food from both high end and regular restaurants. For shopping lovers like me, the building features famous designer brands from around the world.
5. Taiwan’s pride and joy comes from this famous restaurant that you might’ve heard of, or been to: Din Tai Fung. Every time I go to Din Tai Fung, the place is always packed with hungry people looking to get a taste of their famous xiao long bao. Xiao long bao is essentially like a dumpling, but with soup inside. There are a lot of xiao long bao restaurants out there, but what makes Din Tai Fung so special? The skin of the bao is perfectly soft and the meat is juicy and tender. The restaurant has expanded into the U.S., but the best Din Tai Fung restaurant to go to will be the original, which is located in Taiwan (no surprise there).
6. The Taiwanese experience is not complete if you do not go to a night market. You can find night markets practically anywhere in Taiwan. The night market is a place for everybody, both adults and kids alike. The party starts at around 4 to 5 pm, with night vendors swapping places with the day vendors. During the day, the market is full of raw vegetables, fruits, and meats. During the night, a larger selection is available. People will be selling homemade food, clothes, games, toys, and more. It is like a scene that you would expect from the “splendid” bazaar in Araby. Taiwanese night markets are worldwide famous. The night market is most well known for its food. The food is traditional Taiwanese street food: it is simple to make outside, but the flavors and spices make it seem more complex. You can take your pick of shaved ice with condensed milk on top or pastries with cream and red bean paste on the inside. If sweets aren’t for you, there are salty foods like fried octopus sticks and scallion pancakes native to Taiwan. Perhaps you are feeling risky enough to try stinky tofu, which smell is almost as repulsive as the taste. Personally, it’s not my favorite, but it is a favorite of the Taiwanese people. The night market certainly provides an experience that no one can forget, including you.
If you are looking for your next vacation, look no further! There is something for everyone in Taiwan. Or at least, keep Taiwan as one of the options in your mind.
Hey Kelly,
Really refreshing post—the aesthetic and writing is really captivating. I’ve personally never been to Taiwan (only China), but after reading this, I’m definitely putting Taiwan on my bucket list. After all, it certainly does seem like it’s got it all: food, views, culture, you name it.
I have never visited Taiwan, yet this definitely makes a vacation there a priority for my future! The pictures were absolutely stunning first of all, but the activities were also something else. I love to bike and the trail through the lake seemed incredible – I’m surprised I’d never heard of anything like it. I did not know that Ramune was popular in Taiwan either, that’s one of my favorite drinks when I go to Kiku (japanese restaurant). The fish seem quite interesting as well but I don’t think I could fall asleep. I could only imagine how unique and high quality the food would be – what’s your personal favorite Taiwanese food?
My favorite Taiwanese food would have to be scallion pancakes. You can find them with street vendors outside freshly made and crispy. Most Americans love them.
I’ve never been to Taiwan, but a long stroll though a night market spending my entire vacation budget on food sounds real great right now. Also, how’s the shopping scene in Taiwan? I heard an XS in America converts to a M in Taiwan, which may just be perfect for me after my visit to a nearby night market. Jokes aside, more than half of my vacations have probably been to the same two cities in China; Taiwan might just be the perfect place to change things up a bit!
You’re never going to let it go that I’m a medium in Taiwan, huh? Well, there are vendors in the outside markets, but there are also clothing stores that sell really fashionable items for cheap! For example, I have three exercise shorts that are exactly the same, but different colors for around 3 USD each. A lot of the clothes that I have are from Taiwan just because of how cheap they are and their decent quality.