The tea shop at Ji Ming Temple is outside, and the prices aren't that high.

Anyone around to hang out on August 6th and 7th?

Has it been crowded lately?

It was incredibly cheap! I've been back for a while but still can't stop thinking about the 8 super happy days I spent there.

I was also surprised we didn't have to clear our own trays. Though, I agree with clearing your own tray in places where you eat and run quickly. But it's pretty speechless that they don't provide disposable items. They talk about environmental protection, but no matter how much I bring my own reusable items, it can't offset the carbon emissions of a single private jet flight. I know disposable items aren't expensive, but with such a significant drop in convenience, it's really baffling if the room rates don't decrease. 🤮

Hello everyone! I just returned from Taipei and would like to share some of my experiences and tips for those planning to visit.

Day 1️⃣

• ️ I flew from Macau to Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, with a round-trip ticket costing around CNY1500.
• ️ SIM Card:
  • It can be purchased at the airport immediately, or after customs clearance.
  • I opted for Chunghwa Telecom, but many also use Big Brother. My package cost NT$300 for four days, which provided good internet speed and allowed for phone calls. The counters were quite helpful, letting the staff install the SIM card for you.
• ️ Prize Draw:
  • After customs, you can try your luck by drawing prizes. People say it's quite easy to win.
  • For more details on how to participate, you can search online, or check the links in my original post's comment section.
• Currency Exchange:
  • HKD to TWD is approximately a 1:4 ratio, meaning NT$1000 equals HKD$250.
  • Tip: If you enter via Guangdong Zhuhai's port, the currency exchange rates there are much better than in the shops in Mong Kok, Hong Kong.
• Travel from the airport to the city center:
  • The airport express (a.k.a., Airport Fast Metro Train) directly connects to Taipei Main Station, effectively in the heart of the city.
  • There are two types of trains: the regular train (blue) and the express train (purple).
    • Both regular and express trains cost NT$150 per person. Of course, choose the express one, as it's much faster!
  • Rant: Taiwan’s metro feels slower (possibly because I’ve been used to the speed of the metro in Hong Kong – they seem to drive slower here).
• Evening Activities:
  • By the time we arrived at the hotel, it was nighttime, so we only had time for quick check-ins and brief visits to famous landmarks:
    • Shilin Night Market (with a plethora of delicious snacks!)
    • Taipei 101 (the city’s iconic landmark)
    • Xinyi District (near 101, home to many department stores and fashion boutiques)

Day 2️⃣

• Morning:
  • I visited Rainbow Zebra Line in front of Taipei City Hall – it’s rather well-known. Be sure to take photos!
  • Strolled around for food nearby the hotel.
    • Tip: Try local eateries that have customers waiting in line. They usually serve much better food than those well-known stores, without the long lines.
• Afternoon Tour ( booked through Klook @ HKD$143/person; duration from 11:15 AM to 8:30 PM):
  • 1️⃣ Yeliu Geological Park
    • It’s an outdoor park featuring unique rock formations along the beach.
    • Warning: Sun protection is crucial as it gets extremely hot here.
  • 2️⃣ Lantern release (Pingxi/Shiping area)
    • A lantern release event where wishes are written onto colorful lanterns, then released at sunset. This creates a sense of ceremony.
    • Staff will guide you through the entire ceremony, asking you to write wishes on all sides of the lantern, with color denoting different blessings.
    • You’ll have plenty of photos and videos recorded during this special moment.
    • Tip: Our group paid NT$250 for a lantern with multi-colored designs. However, it turned out that other vendors could offer the same lantern at only NT$200. So pre-order or find a vendor selling lanterns at lower prices when you are there.
    • (Aside: this place had the best-priced and most varied snacks among the scenic spots mentioned.)
  • 3️⃣ Shiping Falls
    • This waterfall? Pretty meh. Food inside wasn't remarkable.
    • Warning: Searched for fresh-squeezed juice! The owners first pour nearly half a glass of ice and water into your juice, followed by some fruit. Don’t be fooled!
  • 4️⃣ Jiufen Old Street
    • Similar to Macao's Guanyee Street, or like the town in Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away", Jiufen is bustling and full of energy. Worth a visit.
    • Lots of yummy treats! Almond milk, taro pudding, cheese yogurt, and milk tea taste great.
    • Tip: If you're shopping for bags here, negotiate aggressively! Initially priced at NT$3,980, the merchant eventually sold it to me at NT$2,500 (much room for negotiation).

Day 3️⃣

• Morning:
  • Originally planned to visit National Palace Museum, which opens daily at 9AM. However, the free guided tours starting at 10:30AM (recommended booking in advance) have no openings left. If you have extra time and an interest in history artifacts, you can visit anyway.
  • Later, just chilled around West Gate, a young people’s playground akin to Tokyo’s Harajuku or Shibuya.
    • You can find the rainbow zebra crossing around there for photo shoots.
    • Recommended trying Xingfutang black pearl milk tea and Ah Tsung noodles (which attract lots of waiting people!).
    • Some cool record shops in the area (but note some are closed until afternoon).
• Lunch & Departure:
  • Important Reminder: Leave an early start back for the airport after lunch! Taiwan’s metro isn’t fast, don’t miss the plane!
  • Good news is the departure process allows for self-service immigration, much quicker than entering.

Wishing you a happy journey!
Hope these tips and insights help! Enjoy your trip!

It's a beautiful aspect of Chinese culture that one only truly appreciates with age and life experience. The three most beautiful things about Taiwan are its people, its human warmth, and its unique atmosphere. That's my takeaway from countless visits.

Hello! What kind of clothes should I wear for a visit in April?

Will it be less crowded during the last week of summer vacation?

I really love Hangzhou! My flight back to Guangzhou today was delayed for four hours due to bad weather there. But before takeoff, Xiaoshan Airport gave everyone a box of Kjeldsens cookies and a drink. Such a novel experience! They brought out huge boxes and handed one to each person at the gate. If you missed out, you could even ask a flight attendant on board, and they'd get you one... I was instantly appeased 🥹 Hangzhou, Hangzhou, we love you!

Walking to work, I feel like a monkey navigating a jungle, ooh ooh aah aah!

It's been so noisy that they've come to investigate several times already.

Wow, really? Maybe I just live too far out. The Intime Mall at Wulin Square looked completely empty when I saw it.

And the food is ridiculously expensive! Two oden skewers for ¥27! A small ice cream for ¥38 or ¥48! It's insane.

Alright, I know where you're coming from! Many first-time visitors to Shanghai tend to focus on these two "big attractions," feeling that once they've done those, there's not much left. Let me explain this to you in a way that foreign friends can understand:

• To be honest, I often find myself puzzled too! Whenever friends visit Shanghai, it feels like the only places I can recommend are:
  • The Bund (外滩): This is well known right? It's the riverfront area overlooking the Huang Pu River, showcasing classic tall buildings and beautifully preserved European-style structures; the night view is especially stunning!
  • Shanghai Disneyland (上海迪士尼乐园): Global hit and universally well-loved, this is a must-go theme park for both kids and adults with unending childlike wonder.
• Beyond that though, on weekends, trying to find new and interesting places to see becomes tricky – no particular standout spots that'd leave an 'awe' impression on foreign tourists.
• However, I've read online that tourist numbers visiting Shanghai are still exceedingly high (notably, many Korean friends seem particularly fond here), which makes me quite curious: what's really drawing them here?
• Is it possible that I haven't cracked the code to experiencing Shanghai yet? Besides these two typical tourist photo spots, are there any other places that truly capture the essence of the city and are worth going?

Travel Tips & Insights
* Cultural Misconception: Don't think Shanghai only has shiny skyscrapers and theme parks! There are numerous hidden cultural treasures and small streets filled with local life and fun things.
* Exploration Suggestions: Consider taking a "City Walk" – exploring old French Concession area for example where there is a charming blend of nicely preserved old houses, uniquely unique specialty shops and coffee houses, making it much more fun when experiencing the place.
* Food Adventure: Shanghai has a plethora of delicious local street food, such as Xiaolongbao and Shengjianbao, not to mention a variety of international cuisines, great to satisfy food lovers!

So, sincerely requesting advice from insiders! Are there any lesser-known secrets and recommendations that will make me sound super knowledgeable about Shanghai around my friends.

New perspectives on Shanghai City Walks

Shanghai tours beyond The Bund & Disney

Seeking lesser-known Shanghai gems

Shanghai travel itineraries for international friends

Welp, convinced not to go again. Haven't even booked tickets yet.

Just a heads-up: very few premium car service drivers, or even taxi drivers, in Shanghai are actually local Shanghainese. Many have only been in the city for about 1-2 years. I've chatted with a few, and they all seem to be here to make a quick buck.

Why is everyone talking about NFC? Does everyone even have NFC-enabled phones?

We have no choice but to keep the AC running all night long.

Okay, thanks, sweetie!