From Taipei’s vibrant city life to scenic landscapes with Insta-worthy spots, Sheem Lay’s trip across Taiwan was a feast for the eyes and a treat for the soul. The entire journey was made even more special as she travelled with friends who were there for a pre-wedding photoshoot.
Equipped with ChangiWiFi, Sheem, an iRecommend member, effortlessly navigated the island to find the best spots, ensuring a smooth and easy travel experience for everyone.
CHANGIWIFI TO THE RESCUE!
Sheem knew she had made the right choice to get a ChangiWiFi portable Wi-Fi router for her Taiwan trip. Here’s how Sheem made the most of ChangiWiFi in Taiwan:
- Router’s lightweight design: As the router is light and easy to carry around, Sheem can simply slip it into any bag compartment and be ready to go in no time!
- Saviour for late arrivals: Most shops were closed when they arrived in Taiwan on the first day, so Sheem and her travel buddies ended up grabbing a late dinner at the nearest Family Mart while catching up with their favourite online mobile game, Brawl Stars.
- Back-Up for unreliable hotel network: The hotel network was down for the first two nights, but ChangiWiFi served as a reliable back-up.
- Assignment submission or vacation? BOTH! Sheem was able to complete assignments in an Uber, on-the-go!
- Survive in a high-tech country: Scanning QR codes to download memorable moments, accessing digital restaurant menus, and ordering food online was a breeze.
- Undisrupted cross-country communication: Planning birthday surprises and getting instant decision approvals for pre-wedding photoshoot details happened without any communication disruptions.
- Souvenir shopping: Choosing the right gifts to avoid unnecessary purchases and optimising baggage load was easy.
- Navigation and pinpointing hidden locations: Navigating through the island and finding cafes with hidden entrances, which are trending in Taiwan, was simple with Google Street View and scrolling through similar shared photos.
GETTING A TASTE OF TAIWAN
No journey in Taiwan is complete without indulging in local culinary delights. From quaint themed cafés to bustling night markets, Sheem Lay explored a range of eateries that offered a taste of the city’s diverse food scene.
MITAKA 3e Café (Totoro-themed Café)
A crowd favourite, this trendy café features charming Totoro-inspired décor. The brunch menu features hearty options like Totoro toast and multigrain sandwiches, making it a perfect spot for Totoro fans and food lovers alike.
“If you’re into Totoro, you must visit this café! As soon as you arrive, you’ll see a big Totoro mural in the café’s front yard, against the brick wall. It’s my favourite photo spot,” says Sheem. ” However, only some of their desserts are Totoro-themed. We ordered the cute Totoro toast (which received many positive comments when I posted a video of it on my IG story). It came with two jam choices—strawberry and matcha—and was perfect for sharing.”
Sheem’s tip: “Reservations are required as it is quite a popular café. Also, dining time is limited to 90 minutes. As tourists, we had to make a reservation on-site for the next day. It’s because we didn’t have a Taiwanese number for them to call back when seats were available.”
Hui-Hui Café
Despite its Asian name, this cafe exudes a classy European vibe. “Hui-Hui Café is an underrated gem! From the outside, it looked like a Parisian bakery. With an English menu, classy ambience, and beautifully plated food, it felt like eating in a high-class restaurant!” Sheem remarks.
Sheem and her friends had the confit pork steak and the Chef’s special of the day – taco rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg. “We especially loved the confit pork, which was soft and flavourful. We also ordered tiramisu and blueberry tart for dessert – an excellent way to end our lunch,” she adds. “It felt like much thought went into the food they served. I’ll definitely drop by again the next time I’m in Taichung!”
Cai Shen Ye Braised Pork On Rice (財神爺滷肉飯), Taichung
If you want to experience local flavour, you can’t miss Cai Shen Ye. Their braised pork rice is a standout, with hearty servings at affordable prices.
“Enough of cafés! We decided to have local food for dinner at this place, which served tasty braised pork rice. It was so good, we had second helpings! Each bowl cost less than S$2. Don’t forget to add their runny omelette to cut the fattiness. However, take note that you can only find this place with its Mandarin name on Google Maps.”
Sheem’s tip: “Get a pack of apple juice from their in-house vending machine, which only costs S$0.60. Although it’s a packet drink, the apple juice has a distinct sweetness that complements the oiliness of the braised pork rice perfectly.”
C Garden & Uniti, Taichung
This was the last place the group dined in before leaving Taichung. C Garden & Uniti has a cosy, romantic European-style atmosphere to complement their signature dishes.
“Before returning to Taipei, we had our last meal in Taichung at this cosy café that houses a barber. A feeling of relaxation washes over you as you step into the café as if you’re in an oil painting,” she elaborates. “We snagged the last beef stew of the day even though it was just noon! Served on a beautiful floral accent plate, the combination of soft beef cubes with scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes was delectable. Their grilled fish was well-seasoned and very tender and the garden tomato pasta tasted like coming home to a warm, home-cooked meal, making it an excellent option for vegetarians.”
Bog Tea House Buubu (卜卜商店), Taipei
Nestled in the Zhongshan shopping district, this café is tucked behind a discreet doorway. Thanks to ChangiWiFi, Sheem easily found its secret entrance. “On the day we were flying back home, I knew I had to visit one last café – a tea house called卜卜商店, hidden within the Zhongshan shopping district. It’s not easy to find it because the entrance is obscured behind a bunch of leafy plants. However, after you walk up a flight of steps, you will see it amidst the hustle and bustle of Taipei’s shopping district. With ChangiWiFi, I could easily plan my last-minute trip to this café, searching for directions and pictures on the go,” Sheem shares. “The café has lunch set menus, but as we were rushing to catch our flight back, we could only try their dessert and drinks. The Earl Grey cake was super dreamy!”
Sheem’s tip: “Like Cai Shen Ye, you would need to search for this eatery using its Mandarin name. Also, compared to Taichung, Taipei cafés are on the pricier side, so remember to have a larger budget if you are visiting Taipei’s cafés.”
INSTA-WORTHY SIGHTS AND SCENES
Taiwan is known for its unique attractions with Insta-worthy spots that are perfect for capturing stunning moments. This made it the ideal place for her friends’ pre-wedding shoot! With ChangiWiFi’s help, Sheem easily discovered all the best photogenic spots across the island. Here’s a look at the places that made their Taiwan adventure unforgettable.
Tucheng Embankment of Huoyan Mountain Viewpoint (土城堤防-火炎山景觀點)
Often called Taiwan’s version of the Grand Canyon, this embankment is a great place for hiking, offering a stunning backdrop for pre-wedding photos with its flame-red slopes and flowing riverbeds.
“The mountain gets its name from its red-like soil on the jagged surfaces and is especially spectacular when the sun hits its slopes. Although it had been raining all week in Taichung, the rain clouds cleared up on the day of our shoot. It’s a breathtaking sight. We didn’t have time to hike Huoyan Shan’s trails this round, but we will be back to explore this majestic canyon another time!”
Sheem’s tip: “The embankment has a steep slope down to the grassy plains and some loose rocks along the way. The silver grass in the area can also be quite sharp, so be extra careful and look where you are going when taking photos.”
Daan Beach
As the closest swimmable beach to Taichung, this beach is abuzz with the 23-day Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival every summer, featuring exciting activities and live sand sculpting.
“With crystal-clear water and windmills in the distance, Daan Beach is a perfect place to relax and gaze into the endless horizon. It’s also a great spot for a romantic beach sunset photoshoot!” Sheem explains. “ChangiWiFi kept us consistently connected as we travelled from Taichung to the scenic outskirts. I was able to send some behind-the-scenes photos of the shoot to my friend’s family.”
Sheem’s tip: “Watch out for the high tides. We had to be quick, as the tide rose fast on this relatively flat beach, potentially cutting us off from land. However, the area has spacious stone steps offering better viewpoints and safer places to admire the sea.”
Ruguangshan Temple Metasequoia Forest (如光山寺水杉林)
This place is revered for its picturesque views of Metasequoia and Bald Cypress trees. During the cherry blossom season, Sakura trees add a touch of delicate beauty to the surrounding landscape.
Sheem reminisces: “Walking through the Metasequoia Forest felt like stepping into a fairytale. The forest is within walking distance from the Tai’an Railway Cultural Park, making it easy to include in a day’s itinerary. The area around the forest also offers many beautiful sights, including the Tai’an Mountain Trail, Frontier Defence Historical Trail, and the Cherry Blossoms at Tai’an Police Station.”
Sheem’s tip: “Visit this place in the winter to experience the Metasequoia trees turn a stunning shade of red.”
Raohe Street Night Market
Taiwan is also famous for its vibrant night markets, like Shilin Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, and many others. Sheem and her friends decided to check out the Raohe Street Night Market, renowned for its lively street food scene and a wide variety of local delicacies.”Raohe Night Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei!” Sheem recalls. “There were many food stalls, but our favourite was the Michelin-recommended Muah Chee (peanut mochi) and the fluffy bolo bun.”
Sheem’s tip: “For some last-minute snack shopping, you can get Taiwanese speciality snacks such as Suncakes as souvenirs from the nearby gift shops.”
Sheem’s Taiwan adventure with her friends was nothing short of extraordinary, and ChangiWiFi made it all hassle-free and enjoyable. From navigating the busy streets to exploring beautiful photoshoot spots, staying connected allowed Sheem and her friends to make the most of every experience. She can’t wait to return to Taiwan for more adventures!
Check out our other iRecommend Club members’ stories:
- Rachel @ Hong Kong
- Jaime @ South Korea
- Catherine @ Japan
- Haryani @ Italy
- Nicholas @ Thailand
- Wendy @ Indonesia
Keen to become an iRecommend Club member? Learn more here.
