Did you catch the first part of my Taipei adventure, diving into our flight choices, cozy accommodation, and a delightful day trip, then get ready for the next chapter.
This time, we’re hitting the streets via MRT, indulging my daughter’s shopping finds, and savouring the delicious food that crossed our paths.
And, of course, as a finance blogger, I’ll be sharing the cost breakdown of this memorable trip.
Let’s pick up right where we left off!
Sightseeing on MRT
Thanks to Taipei’s fantastic MRT system, it’s really easy to visit many of the major attractions that are conveniently located near the stations.
With my son’s love for trains and my daughter’s keen interest for shopping in Taipei, I strategically planned a route for an effortless and exciting day.
You can refer to the image below for the route we took that day, with the colour of the arrow representing the MRT line. In total, we took around eight hours for this adventure, leaving the hotel at around 10.30 a.m., and was back by six in the evening.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Our first stop, the magnificent Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, was just two stops away from Ximen. I highly recommend arriving before 10 in the morning; by the time we got there around eleven, the sun was already blazing!
That said, the bright, sunny weather undeniably contributed to the stunning beauty of our photos of this gorgeous landmark.
Stepping into the inner hall of the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall offered a welcome reprieve from the heat, and a moment for reflection.
Inside, a particular inscription on the wall resonated deeply with me: “生活的目的在增进人类全体之生活” – a profound quote from Sun Yat-sen (孙中山).
This powerful statement, which translates to “The purpose of life lies in enhancing the well-being of humanity as a whole,” offers such timeless wisdom.
It’s truly a principle we should all reflect upon during these times of heightened global uncertainties.
Ascending to the Sky: Taipei 101
Our next urban adventure took us just five MRT stations away to the iconic Taipei 101.
Although purchasing tickets via Klook might offer a slight discount, we opted for the flexibility of buying on-site. Happily, the observatory wasn’t crowded, and we secured our tickets with ease, without any wait.
Standing at a towering 508 meters, Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest building, a title it only recently lost when we last visited Taiwan in 2010. Fifteen years on, it now ranks as the eleventh tallest, but its impact remains undiminished.
The panoramic view from the top is still breathtaking.
Perhaps it was the meandering mountains surrounding the city, or simply the beautiful blue hue of the sky and clouds, but I found the view even more captivating than the vista from Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers.
Beyond the incredible scenery, the observatory also offered unique themed installations, such as Star Wars and Doraemon, that added a delightful layer to the experience.
Shopping: My Daughter’s Taipei Haul
“This is [my daughter’s name]’s shopping trip,” my spouse declared with a smile on our second-to-last day in Taipei.
My daughter, having heard tales from her friends about Taipei’s shopping prowess, was eager to refresh her wardrobe. This enthusiasm led me to believe that Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Market was a must-visit, conveniently located just three MRT stops from Taipei City Hall station.
The market certainly lives up to its reputation for being immense, a labyrinth of clothing shops. However, my wife and daughter didn’t find the experience particularly enjoyable.
I suspect this is because Wufenpu primarily caters to wholesale and bulk purchasers, making the shopkeepers less keen to engage with individual retail customers.
Furthermore, unless you’re buying a substantial quantity from a single shop, your bargaining power is limited, meaning the prices aren’t always the “steal” you might anticipate.
Interestingly, and quite unexpectedly, my daughter ended up buying more clothes at Raohe Night Market later that evening, even though we were already dragging our feet after a long day of sightseeing. It just goes to show that sometimes the best finds appear when you least expect them!
But her true “star catch” came the very next day, back in Ximending. There, she stumbled upon the exact pair of Converse shoes she’d been eyeing, on sale! After currency conversion, that coveted pair of Chuck Taylor 70s ended up being about 20% cheaper than its retail price in Singapore.
Taipei’s Delicious Bites (Even for Non-Foodies!)
None of us are what you’d call dedicated foodies. It’s not that we don’t appreciate a delicious meal, but our palates probably aren’t discerning enough to distinguish between “good” and “truly exceptional.”
More importantly, culinary quests simply aren’t our top travel priority.
Consequently, we didn’t go food hunting or make fancy restaurant bookings. Despite this laid-back approach, I am glad that we still managed to discover a delightful array of truly delicious food.
These culinary finds came from a mix of trusted tips from our private tour driver, Alan, solid Google reviews, and a few delightful chance discoveries.
To be perfectly honest, while every dish we tried was undeniably yummy, I wouldn’t label any as singularly exceptional on its own.
What truly elevated each eating experience was the vibrant atmosphere surrounding it. The bustling energy of a night market or the lively chatter simply made the food “tastier”.
Cost Breakdown
This wonderful four-night experience just cost me about S$5,000 in total, a full S$1,000 under my initial budget!
As the chart clearly shows, the bulk of the expenses went towards flights and accommodation. I could have easily shaved off S$1,000 from this by opting for a different airline, sticking to the allocated seats, and booking a quadruple room.
However, given our priorities in comfort and a good night’s sleep, we were happy to allocate more of our budget to these areas. This was balanced out by being more frugal in other spending categories.
This is just like how we prioritise our limited resources in our life, whether it’s money, energy or time. It’s all about deciding what truly matters to us (during the different seasons of our life), and adjusting our choices accordingly.
And so, our Taipei adventure concludes – a joyful experience with my family, but also a testament to mindful spending.
Hmm, come to think of it, I might delve into the unexpected financial and investing insights gleaned from this unforgettable trip, in the next post. Stay tuned!
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