By Priya Konings
While Taipei has much to offer in the way of food, drinks, and culture, there is a great deal to explore in Taiwan outside of the capital. Thanks to the country’s high speed train you can get almost anywhere within a couple of hours. Here are three options for day trips from Taipei that you must check out if you have the opportunity to visit Taiwan.
Yingge: Visiting this small district is essential to any visit to Taiwan. An hour drive from or an half an hour train ride from the the city center, it makes the perfect day trip from Taipei. The town is famous for its ceramics production, and it features both a ceramics museum and the Yingge ceramics street, where you can buy some of the most beautiful ceramics in the world. Before shopping, be sure to visit the ceramics museum where you can learn all about how the ceramics in Taiwan are made, why ceramics are so important in Taiwanese history, and the different way the firing of clay effects how the final product looks. Afterwards, wander down to the ceramic street to buy souveniors and gifts. The shops on the street sell everything from teacups to bowls to vases to chopsticks to water fountains. The street is charming and also has places you can stop for coffee and tea.
Tai-Chung: This is the third largest city in Taiwan, and is about a one hour train ride from Taipei. This city has much to offer in terms of sightseeing, including a science museum, a local temple, botanical gardens, shopping, and the biggest night market in Taiwan. Stay at the Tai-Chung Splendor Hotel, where you can enjoy a Japanese shiatsu massage for just $27. The hotel also has a breakfast and dinner buffet, with beer included. The Taiwanese love a good buffet, so if you stay there definitely check it out. Near the hotel is a host of casual dining options, including one small spot where I had some of the best ramen of my life. Unbelievably inexpensive, the ramen in Taiwan is simple but perfect: broth, noodles, tofu, and greens. You also have to sample their bubble tea, which is a perfect mid-afternoon sweet treat. Perhaps the highlight of the visit to Tai-Chung is the Fengjia night market, where I tried some delicious local dishes.. Fried sweet potato balls, mini waffles, dumplings, and fruit cups were some of the highlights. Of course, just walking around and soaking up the culture is as fun as sampling the local delicacies!
Sun Moon Lake: To escape city life, head to Sun Moon Lake, which is calm, peaceful, and beautiful. Famous for its tea, you should sample and purchase the tea at every shop and open air market you come across. You can visit for a day, or better yet, stay for the weekend. The area has many beautiful hotels, and you can go hiking or biking during the day, or take the cable car up one of the mountains to admire the view.
Both Jessica (the Dining Traveler editor) and I have fallen in love with Taiwan this year. Have you been? What are your favorite day trips from Taipei?
