During some crazy business itineraries in recent weeks, I had two opportunities to experience the northern Taiwan city during overnight stays.  While it’s normally difficult to entertain oneself during late night hours, I found Taipei to be very much alive after dark.  Following are some of the highlights of my two stayovers in Taipei:

Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market

The most bustling place after dark is undoubtedly the Shilin night market, which offers outdoor dining, and great deals on seafood, teas, and local cuisine of all kinds.

Ximending Shopping Area

Ximending shopping district is a bustling shopping area with thousands of face-paced shoppers until late into the evening. A hip, energetic district to find yourself in! After 90 minutes exploring the shops and boulevards I enjoyed one of Taipei’s massage parlours along Huaxi Street. After a day of shopping in Taipei, I can highly recommend at least getting the foot massage!

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 at night.

OK, I saved the best for last! Taipei 101 is undoubtedly the most impressive landmark in the city, and can be seen from anywhere in the surrounding area. Night or day, it offers a convenient landmark for navigating, and any visit to Taipei is not complete without visiting the tower’s observation deck on the 91st floor. Yes, you read that right!

I look forward to returning to Taipei, and hopefully can enjoy the bustling city for several days next time. Overall though, if I was to choose my favorite night time layover spot, Taipei might top the list!

Photo by Carrie Kellenberger

1. TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

A landscape carved out of towering mountains, lush forest, and deep valleys, Taroko National Park extends through Hualien, Taichung, and Nantou counties.  This is THE trip to make if you’re visiting Taiwan.

Photo by Carrie Kellenberger

2. YEHLIU GEO-PARK

This unusual geo-park on the northern coastline of Taiwan has a most unusual terrain and is bound to delight even the most seasoned travelers.

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3. ALISHAN NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

Beautiful Alishan (Mount Ali) is just one of several mountain attractions in Taiwan. Located in Chiayi County, the mountain resort and natural preserve includes rugged mountain wilderness, waterfalls, tea plantations, hiking trails and four mountain villages. Alishan is especially popular with nature lovers, tourists, and mountain climbers. One of the top sightseeing attractions in Alishan is its spectacular sunrises, when one can watch the sun emerge from a sea of clouds.

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4. BEITOU HOT SPRING VALLEY

Sink into the steamy warm bliss at a hot spring resort in Beitou Hot Spring Valley.

Photo by Carrie Kellenberger

5. TAIPEI 101
Second only to the Burj Khalifa for tallest skyscrapers in the world, Taipei 101 was the world’s largest skyscraper from 2004 to 2010.

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6. SUN MOON LAKE

The beauty of Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County is legendary. As Taiwan’s largest lake, this stunning alpine owes its name to the eastern part of the lake, which is round like the sun. The western side of the lake resembles a crescent moon.

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7. THE EAST COAST
Taiwan’s dramatic eastern coastline should be included as one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Photo by Carrie Kellenberger

8. PENGHU
This island archipelago in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and Mainland China is home to gorgeous white-sand and coral beaches, Chinese-style homes and the largest concentration of temples in Taiwan.

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9. KENTING NATIONAL PARK
Taiwan’s oldest national park encompasses the southernmost tip of the island.  Kenting is well known for its sunny climate, beach resorts, and mountain scenery. It is a long-standing favorite tourist destination for Taiwanese families.

Photo by Steve Leggat

10. JIUFEN
This charming mountain town in Northern Taiwan was once a prosperous gold mining town. Today, visitors flock to the tiny town to experience its quaint streets, stunning scenery, and traditional teahouses.

“In the cherry blossom’s shade
there’s no such thing
as a stranger.”

-Kobayashi Issa

Spring has arrived in Taiwan and with its arrival, the dreary and listless winter landscape has been banished. This is my favorite time of year. It seems as though almost overnight, the trees which were once bare are now laden with heavy green buds and blossoms. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Taipei’s very own backyard, Yangming Mountain, also known as the Imperial Garden of Taipei.

In the past weeks since Chinese New Year, thousands of visitors, both local and from abroad, have traveled up the mountain to Yangmingshan National Park to bear witness to nature erupting in all its glory. Cherry trees are in full bloom with petals of hot pink, snow white, and the palest color of pastel pink. Over 80,000 azalea bushes in shades of red, pink, and white line roadways, valleys, and riverbanks.

Hong Kong is known for its dim sum and Cantonese cuisines. In Tokyo, fresh sashimi, noodles and robatayaki are popular street treats. Singapore has one of the most exuberant food cultures in the world. And now Taiwan is starting to show the world that Taiwanese cuisine is a serious contender for a starring role as one of the Asian hotspots for food connoisseurs taking it to the street.

Many of Taiwan’s night market dishes are more than just your average snack, though. Here are five of our favorite unusual night market snacks in Taiwan.

1. Taiwanese Fatty Pork Sausages

Formed from chunks of pork fat and chopped pork, Taiwanese fatty pork sausages are an unusually sticky sweet treat. Globs of glistening pork fat make these sausages especially moist and flavorful. Sausages are generally grilled and served on a stick. They can be glazed with many different varieties of condiments.

2. Oyster Omelets

You can’t go to a night market without sampling this popular seafood snack. Make sure you look for a cart with fresh oyseters, though. They make for the tastiest omelets.  Made with eggs, oysters, cilantro, Garland chrysanthemum leaves, and tapioca starch, each omelet is fried and eaten with a sweet and spicy sauce.

3. Grilled Squid

Being an island in the Pacific Ocean means that much of the local food in Taiwan is seafood. You’ll see dried squid hanging everywhere. Our favorite squid recipe is marinated grilled squid on a stick.

4. Stinky tofu

You can’t say you’ve been to Taiwan without trying this world famous dish. Stinky Tofu is a main staple in every night market throughout Taiwan. You’ll know when you’ve found a stinky tofu vendor.The smell of it is enough to make your senses go on overload. We guarantee that if you can get past the terrible smell, you’ll discover why everyone raves about this fermented treat. Cubes of fermented tofu are deep-fried or grilled and served with pickled vegetables or a spicy Mala sauce made from duck blood. A combination of soy paste, garlic, and spices can be added to enhance the flavor.

5. Pig’s Blood Cake

Most visitors to Taiwan have to work up the nerve to try this hot, spicy snack. Pig’s blood cake is combined with sticky rice and hot pig’s blood. It is formed into a flat cake that is cut into rectangular pieces and skewered. It usually comes garnished with soy sauce, hot sauce, powdered peanut and cilantro.

For more information on Taiwan’s night markets, please click on a photo to go to the author’s web site.

On weekday nights and weekends, the trendy streets of Ximending are where you want to be if you are looking for Taipei’s young, hip crowds. This is urban pop culture at its best. The area is lively and full of energy. Concerts, exhibitions, and special events are often held here, making Ximending a popular youth hangout in Taipei.

Wikipedia refers to Ximending as the “Harajuku” of Taipei. The entire area is known as the largest pedestrian area in Taiwan and it packs a powerful punch. On weekend, visitors might see teens and young adults wearing special costumes known as cosplay. Ximending is also a great place for shopping, with thousands of vendors deliver the latest Japanese, Western, and local fashions.

With kitschy restaurants, karaoke, movie theaters, department stores, outdoor food carts, and individual street vendors lining the streets here, Ximending attracts a whopping 3 million shoppers each month. Storefronts are a jumble of colored lights, naked wires, and beautiful works of graffiti. This is where you’ll find tattoo and piercing shops. Vinyl toy collectors will love searching through any number of stores selling the latest artwork from their favorite artists. Hunt for the latest fashions, music, books, magazines or just come to watch everyone else. Anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and modern pop culture in Taiwan will adore the streets of Ximending. It is THE place to hang out in Taipei.

The streets of Ximending also come with some historical lore. The area encompassing Zhonghua Road, Kangding Road, Hankou Street, and Chengdu Road, was named after Seimon-chō, an administrative division that existed during Japanese rule at the beginning of the twentieth century . Today, Ximending Pedestrian Area also includes Wakatake-chō and Shinki-chō administrative divisions. By the 1930s, Ximending flourished as Taipei’s premier theater street. In the 1950s, it continued to attract crowds and today, Ximending has over twenty theaters and thousands of vendors, street performances, and concerts. In Ximending, the dreams of artists are never far out of reach. Don’t miss this unique and trendy part of Taipei when you come to travel Taiwan.

Taiwan’s beautiful northern city of Taipei has something to offer everyone. World-caliber museums, towering skyscrapers, mega-department stores, memorial halls, sophisticated art galleries, and ultra-trendy walking districts are offset by a laidback attitude and rich cultural links to the past. Uncover secrets and legends of the mystical Far East in colorful exotic temples tucked away throughout the city. Whisk your way to the observation deck of one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers. Betel-nut girls, tea stations, and noodle shops on every corner mean you won’t lack for cheap food in your belly and a taste of local culture. With a wide variety of activities to choose from and a unique blend of East meets West, Taipei promises to be an exciting adventure for locals and tourists alike.

12 pm

Start your day off at the Ay-Chung Noodle Shop in Ximending. Ay-Chung’s has been in business since 1975. Ay-Chung’s isn’t just famous for its hearty vermicelli bursting with flavor. Served in 15 seconds flat for $1.50US a bowl, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cheaper or faster lunch. Look for the long line-ups and a crowd of people squatting or standing with their bowls of noodles. There are no tables here to sit at, but don’t let that fact scare you away from a unique dining experience. MRT: Blue Line, Ximen Station, Exit#6. No.8-1, Er Mei St., Wanhua District.

1 pm

Make a beeline for the trendy streets of Ximending, where you can mingle among Taipei’s young and hip crowds. Ximending combines great food, shopping, and a cool arty undertone. Flashing neon billboards and giant screen televisions can be found on every level, and storefronts are a jumble of colored lights, naked wires, and kitschy signs. You’ll find trendy boutiques, cinemas, department stores, street vendors, and tattoo and piercing shops here. For the full experience don’t miss exploring the small alleys in this eight block district. There are picturesque European style coffee houses and patios snuggled away in hidden corners, while the streets are, in some places, literally works of art. MRT: Blue Line, Ximen Station, Exit#6

4 pm

Taipei’s most easily recognized and beloved of all landmarks is visible from any direction. Night or day, Taipei 101 offers an incredible view of the city. By dusk, visitors can enjoy a sunset view from one of two observatories at the 89^th and 91^st floors. Whether you’re looking at the view, shopping in the posh shopping mall located on the first five floors, or enjoying the spacious Asian-style food court in the basement, 101 is a must-see on any traveler’s list of things to do in Taiwan. MRT: Blue Line, City Hall Station. Address: 89th Floor, No 7 Xinyi Road Section 5.

7 pm

For the true pleasure-seekers, there are international five-star restaurants of every variety throughout the city of Taipei. However, if you’re trying to make the most of your 24 hours in Taipei, you might want to give Shilin night market a try. Not only will you get to experience a great variety of Taiwanese culinary delights, but you’ll also do it at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in a restaurant. Night markets are the most common places for outdoor dining in Taipei. As a result, eating in Taiwan has become an epicurean’s playground. The food is an international smorgasbord of culinary delights, with a budget in mind for every wallet. Go local and sample a little bit of everything. Stinky tofu, oyster omelets, fried dumplings, baked pork buns, Taiwanese style fried chicken, noodles of every variety, and the savory aroma of delicately brewed local teas should all be at the top of your hit list. MRT: Red Line, Jiantan Station.

11 pm

Just a few stops from Shilin night market is the opulent The Grand Hotel, where you can combine sightseeing at one of Taipei’s biggest tourist attractions and sleep under the world’s largest Chinese classical style roof for $120 – $165 US a night. The hotel, also known as the Dragon Palace, claims to have over 200,000 images of dragons both inside and outside its walls. There are eight floors of guest rooms, each decorated in the style of a different Chinese dynasty. MRT Red Line Yuanshan Station. Address: #1, Chung Shan N. Rd., Sec.4.

8:00 am

Enjoy Eastern or Western cuisines in the Golden Dragon Restaurant, or in the Grand Garden Western Dining Room in the lobby of the hotel. Classical Chinese musicians will help you relax with the sounds from the Chinese pipa and zither. After breakfast, take some time to look at the Chinese art displays in the main lobby or explore one of the temples in the area. Breakfast here will run you between $7 and $15 US. However, the sense of tranquility you’ll be starting your morning off with is priceless.

9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Catch up on your history at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Once you’re finished admiring the unusual blue octagonal roof and sparkling white walls, retreat into some of Taipei’s finest gardens. On weekends, everything from art exhibits and music concerts to drill practices and marching bands can be found here. You might even be able to catch the changing of the guard. MRT: Red line. CKS Memorial Station, Exit# 5