Taiwan,
1 week

This histroric area is full of baroque Japanese shophouses and mansions, but the neighbourhood oozes new life. Next to Chinese medicine shops, a fabric market you’ll find little cafes, restaurants, art studios and handicraft shops.

inBlooom uses old Japanese symbols as inspiration for their bright prints on purses, laptop caseswall paper, kitches towels and more. Talk to Tracy, she can tell you all about the fabrics! And don’t forget to pick up a copy of their cute street map of Dihua, with more fun shops! 22 Minle St.

Tip!

I bought beautifully handcarved wooden cutting boards at Yong Xing. The owner doesn’t speak English, but is super friendly! 288 Dihua St

Go to a different night market every night! They are foodie heaven. I loved Shilin Night Market for it’s the largest one of the bunch. Try stinky tofy, takoyaki (octopus balls), paper pork and giant grilled quids. 101 Jihe Rd. Another favorite is Raohe St Night Market, a smaller market but with the best bun ever: Hújiāo bǐng (beef pepper bun). You cannot miss the food, it’s the first one at the entrance and has a huge queue. Raohe St, btw Tayou Rd and Bade Rd.

Try these too!
Gongguan Night Market, Gongguan MRT
Guangzhou St Night Market, Guangzhou St, btw Xiyuan Rd and Wuzhou St

Huashan 1914 Creative Park used to be the grounds of Taipei Winery. The site with a factory building and huge warehouses is now home to hip concept stores, exhibition spaces, and trendy cafes. Have a coffee at VVG Thinking, it reminded me of Europe ☺

Don’t forget to visit these!

The Red House, a former opera and film house. Head over here for charming little one man/woman artsy shops. Near the Ximending area. 10 Chengdu Rd.
Songshan Cultural & Creative Park, Taipei’s old tabacco factory. It’s Taipei’s design hot spot! I loved the design museums (Red Dot Design Museum and the Taiwan Design Museum) on site. PS Indulge yourself with award winning pastries from Wu Pao Chun at the basement of the Design Center.

An hour of Taipei is a vast geological area. Set yourself up for sniffing sulfur fumes. Crazy! Take the park shuttlebus (108) and get out at stop 5 for the highly photogenetic sulphuric steam vent eating into a mountain. Stop 6 has a greenish-milky white sulphur lake which is also worthwile (and a little restaurant).

Tip!

Take the nr. 5 Red bus from Jiantan MRT to the park bus station

Here, out of this world statures emerge from the sea. Sea and wind erosion caused the most bizar rocks. The bus from Taipei takes one hour and 20 minutes.

Tip!

The park is nearly empty at 12 o’clock, as the Chinese tourists and their selfie sticks get into the tourist buses for lunch.