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| *Travel Tips>>>Taiwan Travel Tips |
Urgent!!! I'm going to Taipei THIS MONDAY and I don't know what to do there! Please help me ASAP? |
Travel Info See, I originally planned to only go Bangkok this May. My close friend who is working in a travel agency gave me a REALLY GREAT offer recently. She booked me to go to Bangkok AND Taipei for a very reasonable cost! However, I'll be staying in Taipei for only 3 days. I'll be arriving Taipei, Taiwan this coming Monday ( May 14, 2007 ) . I have ONLY a FEW ideas on what to do in Taipei! I'm travelling with a cousin of mine and her brother who's 12 yrs. old. I've got a couple of questions I want to ask. Take note that we are on a budget so we don't expect spending HIGH EXPENSES for a 3 day stay only. We'll also travel by ourselves without any tourist guides. Travel Tips To get around Taipei is very easy on the MRT. Everything major is reachable from the MRT. The signs are all easy to read in plain English and Chinese (and maybe Japanese in a few spots... I never really looked carefully but I vaugely remember seeing it here and there.) Taipei 101 is worth seeing and should be fun for a family. The Palace Museum is a must see, but kids might get bored after 2 hours of looking at old stuff... but it still is some amazing treasures to be seen. Shr Lin Night market is worth checking out. Lots of interesting food. If you are less adventurous, corndogs are available for the kiddies. Lots of cool 'fairground' type games like dart tossing and ring tossing and stuff and good deals on clothes and gifts. Nearby 101 is several department stores one of which has a major movie theater, if the kids are really missing seeing Spiderman 3 or whatever. (someone else can remind you which mall- I dont live in Taipei so I kindof forgot.) BaiShaWan water park is another idea for family fun, but it IS NOT ACCESIBLE from the MRT. You would have to arrange for a taxi to bring you. Which should be easy. Just finding a taxi on the return might be harder... get a phone number. Taipei is a very safe place. Its safer than Miami or Los Angeles and probably most major North American cities. (No wackos with handguns talking about their rights here- not too many visible homeless and in my 7 years here I have only been approached by pan-handlers 2 times.) Even the very poorest people will at least try to sell gum or some food on the side of the road. Thats the best thing here is the government doesn't get in the way of people making a living with the pretense of 'cleaning up' (too much). that being said, generally people here are relatively clean considering the density of the population. Probably about 1 in 6 Taiwanese (in Taipei) will have effective english communication skills. Almost everyone in a major tourist spot will have some (very) basic skills. If you are obviously in a real bind, most people try to help you out... (if you are obviously foreign anyways- most people will leap forwards to practice english with you even without asking if you need help. If you are not obviously foreign you may have to ask a few times before getting helped.) Taiwanese LOVE seeing young western kids. Probably they will get spoiled. go check out http://www.taiwanfun.com for some hotel ideas. for some independent (unpaid) hotel and restaurant reviews go check http://www.virtualtourist.com and search for taiwan in there. Others The MRT is very convenient and the signs on the train, station and all major streets are in English. Most young people could speak some English if you need help. Places to visit: National Palace Museum Taipe Zoo Taipei 101 (tallest buliding in the world - you could send a postcard from the highest post office) Try snow ice (shaved frozen milk ice) in the basement of Taipei 101. Have lunch buffet at Jogoya - near Taipei 101 next to New York New York. CKS Memorial Hall/Park Shilin Night Market Ximending Ask the hotel concierge for additional information or pick up the brochures and maps at the airport after you deplane on the way to customs, or just outside arrival lobby at the tourist information desk. Travel within the city on MRT or Taxi is fast and inexpensive. Be sure to bring map and have the places you want to visit in both Chinese and English - most taxi drivers do not speak or understand English. The city is usually pretty safe with relatively low crime since it is the capital city. I'm assuming you're American, have a look at the AIT website for emergency info: http://www.ait.org.tw/en/uscitizens/emer... AIT is the equivalent of the American Embassy in Taiwan - address: AIT/Taipei: No.7, Lane 134, Sec. 3, HsinYi Rd., Da-an District, Taipei City 10659 Consular Section number: 2162-2000 (Taipei) Have a great trip! My father lived 13 years in Taipei (a little village of Tin moo) They do speak some English but more of Cantonese and Mandarin. They are friendly people, generous and will all help you out. I found this for you, in hopes it will help you out. Have fun, just relax all will be ok. http://www.taipei.org/taiwan.htm... Hi, Thought you asked this question earlier and a few of us replied :). Not to worry, Just get an MRT Tourist map from the Station or Tourist info counter: Get an Easy card for NTD500/- (inclusive of the NTD100/- refundable deposit) The Kid can get a student card. These are the places you can get to via the MRT System:Most tourist sites are easily reached using the MRT here, more than enough for your 3 days here. http://www.tit.com.tw/upimg/ebig/7050317... Maps and street signs, MRT Signs all bilingual - Mandarin and Taiwanese :):) Just kidding and English. Best of all, when in doubt for directions ask someone on the street, You will find the Taiwanese as one of the most hospitable people you have ever come across. For Budget Hotels try these as many of the regular budget hotels are quite booked up this month!! Full of Singaporeans :):):) East Dragon http://www.hoteleastdragon.com Delight http://www.dlhotel.com.tw/ Go City Inn: http://www.gocityinn.com MRT should cover most of the place of interest you might want to go. Visit their Tourist Travel Booth, they have a booklet to teach you how to sightsee Taipei via MRT in English. Visit their night markets is a must. Plenty of cheap finds and snacks... |
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