If you’re looking for Japanese food there’s one area in all of Taipei I’d 100% recommend you to go, Zhongshan.
In the area surrounding Zhongshan station, you’ll find many Japanese restaurants, ranging from Ramen only restaurants to full sushi and sashimi service.
Linsen North Road, not far from Zhongshan station, on lane 119 and others around it you’ll also find many Japanese restaurants. Why are there so many Japanese restaurants around here?
Well, Zhongshan, and more specifically Linsen north road, is full of Japanese businessmen that, after working hours, go out to drink and dine. You’ll even find Japanese High Dining at the Okura Prestidge Hotel.
But why did I choose Mijian as the best Japanese Restaurant in Taipei? Well, it’s because of the different concept they offer.
All you have to do is make a reservation, get there, sit down and enjoy the food.
As it’s mentioned in the video there’s no menu available, so if you have allergies to something or have some condition such as celiac disease I’d recommend you check with them before going there.
You can use Facebook to get in touch with them.
I was there in, October 2019 and at the time they only accepted cash, the price per person is 1,200 NTD.
If you want to take your own bottle of wine you can, all you have to do is pay 100 NTD to get a glass.
They don’t have a big selection of alcoholic drinks, you can pretty much get Sake or juice, a glass of Sake will cost you 200 NTD.
So, what’s the address of the best Japanese Restaurant in Taipei?
Address: 中山北路一段140巷3號1樓Taipei, Taiwan 104
All in English would be, Zhongshan North Road, Section 1, lane 140, number 3, floor 1.
Other Recommended Japanese Restaurants in Taipei
Chu Sui Izakaya
You should come to this restaurant especially if you’re looking for a traditional Japanese Omelet.
The exact address is Zhongshan District, Nanjing East Road, Section 1, No 44. This restaurant is within walking distance from Zhongshan station.
Look for the big white lanterns. If you’d like the idea of sitting outside and enjoy some good Japanese BBQ with a glass of beer or Sake then this might be a good choice for you.
They also have indoor sitting. This is the address, No. 35號, Lane 135, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10491
Linsen North Road, Lane 119
This one is not a specific restaurant but a specific area, go to Linsen North Road, which is near Zhongshan station, go to Lane 119 and adjacent ones and take a look at all the restaurants there are.
You’ll find many Japanese restaurants, take a look at their menu and choose the one you like best.
The short answer to your question is no, it’s usually not that rainy. But since rain is a natural phenomenon you can not be 100% sure.
I’ve been to Hanoi during October twice, and both times I’ve seen no rain at all. Last time I was there I spent 5 days shopping and sightseeing. Highlights were Trang An and Halong bay, please scroll down and see some videos.
Hanoi in October Itinerary
First Day- Hanoi and Its Craziness
After landing in Hanoi around 11 am I got to the Old Quarter at around 2 pm. After checking in and taking a quick shower it’s time to go out and explore.
If you’ve never been to Hanoi in October or on any other month, here’s what the city is like, it was hot by the way. The title of the video is in Spanish, it means: visiting the old quarter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBaHVVxkFTI
Visiting the Old Quarter
The traffic never stops. If you stand there waiting for the traffic to completely stop so you can cross well…that’s not how it works in Hanoi, you kind of have to just throw yourself into the chaos carefully.
Activities for the afternoon include:
Buying souvenirs
Having a drink by the lake
Go shopping for anything you want
Silk, fake backpacks, jackets and shoes
Have dinner, it can be at a fancy restaurant or a stall by the lake
Go into one of the many coffee houses
Sit by the lake
Tip* Don’t forget to buy a sim card so you can use Google maps. Take a look at the following pics, swipe left or right.
For dinner (high-end dining) , you can go to green tangerine, one of the most recommended restaurants in town.
I was there during the first week of October and I was able to sit outside and have a really nice dinner, I’ll talk a bit more about restaurants later.
Tours to Trang An are usually paired with a visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and at the end of the day, they’ll take you back. It also includes lunch.
I booked through my hotel and they charged me 50USD, I saw signs on the streets- from tour operators- offering the tour for as low as 30 USD, is up to you how to book it.
Here’s a video of the one day trip to Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An, Hanoi in October, not a single drop of rain during the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5twvzS9AE&t=5s
For this tour, you’ll usually be picked up around 8 am and then the tour bus will drive around the old quarter picking up some more guests. You’ll then drive for around 2 hours- bathroom stop included- till you reach the location of Bai Dinh Pagoda.
You can see Bai Dinh Pagoda in the last 2 minutes of the video above and I’ll also leave some pics here, swipe left or right, you’ll also see how sunny it was during october.
While Bai Dinh temple is beautiful, I’d say the highlight of this tour is Trang An. October can get very very sunny, so don’t forget to wear light clothes and carry sunglasses and a hat with you.
The Trang an boat ride takes around 2 hours, in my humble opinion, that’s 30 minutes too long, if you can bring a little cushion to sit on, the ride will be a lot nicer.
Trang An is so worth it.
As I mentioned, this tour includes lunch, but it wasn’t anything memorable, we stopped at this all you can eat buffet restaurant where there were many MANY other tourists.
I got back to the old quarter around 7 pm, after taking a quick shower it was time to go back outside to look for pho and spring rolls. I was looking forward to Cafe Nola, but when I got there it was very creepy, I think it’s better if you go in the morning.
So I opted for having dinner at a nearby restaurant called Duong Restaurant Ma May Hanoi. The food was really good and worth the price. They have some really good spring rolls.
On my way back to the hotel I got some souvenirs and bought some shoes too. I got some crazy cheap Adidas, I’ve been wearing them for the past 3 weeks and they’re still holding up quite alright.
Third Day- Going to Halong Bay
This might be the best part of your short stay in Hanoi, joining a 2 days 1-night tour to Halong Bay. Prices for this range between 90 USD to 175 USD per person depending on the kind of cruise you want to be on.
There are tour operators offering these tours all over the old quarter, and your hotel most likely can also help you book if you wish. Here’s a video I made about Halong Bay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cgpTBk1XdI&t=14s
This is usually how the first day goes
Pick up at your hotel/hostel around 8:00 am
Drive for 4 hours to the port
There’s a souvenir and snacks stop on the way
You arrive at the port around midday
You’re taken to the cruise by boat and check-in
Lunch is served
Rest for 1 hour
Meet to go kayaking around the bay, visit a pearl farm and back to the ship
Meet for drinks on the deck
Hang out on the deck and watch the sunset
Have dinner
Go up to the deck and watch the stars
Fourth Day- 2nd Day on Halong Bay
The day begins with a Yoga class at 8 am, unless you drank too much last night. After Yoga, you can have breakfast for an hour and then make 1 last exploration stop at a cave.
Once you get back to the ship you’ll have to gather your things and check out, the ship will start making its way back to the port, you’ll still enjoy one last lunch onboard.
Once you’re back on land you’ll be taken back to your hotel in the Old Quarter.
You’ll arrive at the Old Quarter around 6 or 7 pm, just in time for dinner, then again you can choose to go and explore the night markets or pay a visit to one of the most famous restaurants in town.
Essence Restaurant
The food was definitely tasty and the presentation was Instagram worthy. This restaurant is part of the Essence Hotel, if you happen to stay there then all you’ll have to do is go downstairs and eat.
After dinner, you can go and walk around the old quarter and make some final souvenirs or clothing shopping.
Fifth Day- Time to Leave Hanoi
So this is the day to say goodbye to the beautiful and chaotic Old Quarter of Hanoi. I’d recommend you to get up really early in the morning and go stroll around while there are still not that many motorcycles around.
You’ll get to see a more peaceful and calm side of the small traditional city, scenes of people cleaning the streets, preparing food, people running, and some nice Vietnamese ladies selling flowers on their bicycles.
Depending on the time of departure out of Hanoi, you might still have time to have lunch, if not, then its time to pack your bags and go.
There are two things I want to put some focus on, the first one is, how expensive is it to eat in the nice restaurants of the Old Quarter?
Nice Dining in the Old Quarter
Green Tangerine
If you make a Google search for the best restaurants in Hanoi, Green Tangerine for sure will show up in the results. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice, the food is good and the service is great.
You can make a reservation through their website or through Facebook. Getting there using Google maps is very straightforward.
This restaurant is definitely on the expensive side of Hanoi’s prices, but how much is it? Take a look
In USA dollars that is 73USD. Food was more than enough for 2 people and included a glass of wine and a beer.
Duong’s 2
The serving sizes here were bigger than Green Tangerine’s, everything tasted great, their spring rolls are to die for. If I had to choose between Green Tangerine or Duong’s, I’d definitely go for Duong’s.
Here’s what a nice dinner for 2 will cost you.
In USD that would be a total of 54USD.
As you can see, with those 2 examples, eating in fine restaurants in Hanoi is definitely pricey if you compare it to the more popular food at the markets or local shops. It’s up to you to decide which kind of experience you’d like to have.
The second point I want to focus on is fake products and other goods shopping.
Buying Fake Goods in Hanoi
You see those Adidas shoes up there, and the north face bag and rain jacket, well they’re fake, I mean they have to be.
Two pairs of shoes: 43USD
The North Face bag: 11USD
The North Face Rain Jacket: 15USD
To be honest, they look like the real thing, I’ve been wearing one of those pairs of shoes for around a month now and it works just fine. If you’re on a long trip through Southeast Asia Hanoi is a good place to buy any extra backpack or shoes you might need.
If you want some magnets as souvenirs, you’ll spend around 5 USD for 6. If you want some coffee, you’ll spend around 10 USD for a box of 10 units.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
I’ve talked about this in other posts, for example
And my answer will always be, the Old quarter, now there are many many options to stay in at the Old quarter. The one hotel I always stay at is Hotel L’heritage, the prices are very affordable and the location is great, you’ll be 10 minutes away from the lake.
You can use Booking.com to make your reservations, I’ve used many times over the past 5 years and I’ve never had a single issue.
From Taipei city, there are different ways to get to Jiufen. The most convenient one would be to take a bus.
First, go to Songshan metro station at the end of the green line, get out of the station and take bus number 1062.
From Songshan station to Jiufen old street takes approximately 50 minutes.
Heres Jiufen on the map, just click on it and follow Google map’s directions on how to get there.
About Jiufen, Taiwan.
Jiufen is a seaside mountain area in Ruifang District, New Taipei city. During the times of the Qing dynasty, it used to be an isolated village consisting of only nine families.
In 1893 a rich concentration of gold was discovered sending the small village into full town development as everybody wanted to be there to get some of the gold.
Gold mining activities started declining around in the late ’60s and the mine was finally shut off in 1971 and for a while became a forgotten town.
In 1989 a City of Sadness -filmed in Jiufen- put Jiufen back in the spotlight as the film was acclaimed around the world.
Year 2001, spirited away by Ghibli Studio was released, its downtown scenery resembles a lot that of Jiufen, making the old gold mining town a must-visit for Japanese tourists.
At Jiufen you’ll find countless stores selling all sorts of souvenirs, drinks, traditional food, gift boxes, clothes, tea and also many hotels and restaurants.
You’ll also get to see one of the most beautiful sea views in Taiwan. Also many beautiful lanterns all over the place.
Here are some photos that for sure will make you want to visit Jiufen ASAP.
Is Visiting Jiufen Expensive?
Doing a one day trip to Jiufen is not expensive at all. By taking public transportation you’ll spend around 130 NTD going there and 130 NTD coming back to town.
Having something like a mango smoothy will cost around 100 NTD. Having lunch, something like fried rice will cost you between 150 NTD to 300 NTD depending on the restaurant you decide to go into.
As for souvenirs and other products, well, there are so many that it all depends on how much you want to spend. You can spend 50 NTD on a simple fridge magnet or 2,000 NTD on a piece of Jade.
Can I Book a Hotel in Jiufen?
Definitely, and I think is something worth doing. During the day you don’t get to see all the lanterns lit up.
If you ask me which is the best hotel to stay at, I’d say that’s Chiu Chu Dint B&B. The location is perfect, you’ll be right at the center of the old street and you’ll have an amazing view.
Hope you enjoyed this post, below I’ll leave some links that might be of interest to you.
Raise your hand if you like JAPAN!!!!! Yeah, me too, who doesn’t right?
If you’re like me and you’re wondering which are the most famous, common or easy to find types of Japanese food then this is a post for you.
Let’s get right into it, this is a Japanese Food Guide
1-Sushi
This could be the most famous Japanese dish in the whole world right? Well at least one of them. They come in different colors and different flavors, and one thing is for sure, you’ll be left asking for more.
The dish is said to have originated in South East Asia. It was until the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) that the dish was made popular all over Japan. Sushi rice is vinegared rice, with a little bit of salt and sugar.
Sushi ingredients and shapes vary widely, but the most common ingredients are seafood, vegetables and some times tropical fruits.
How healthy is Sushi?
It depends. If you go for the more traditional type then the main ingredients will be raw fish and rice, both are naturally low in fat and high in protein and carbohydrates. The latter is only in the rice.
When vegetables are added to Sushi, vitamins, and minerals are being added. Some seafood is high in omega 3 fatty acids which may have a good effect on cardiovascular health, so yeah Sushi is healthy.
Unless you go for the not so traditional Sushi, you know the ones that are made with fried shrimp and a lot of mayonnaise, that’s not healthy.
The best Sushi restaurants in Japan
I think it would be a Titanic task to go to every single Sushi restaurant in Japan and make the final decision on which are the absolute best. I certainly did not do that.
But here’s a list of the best Sushi restaurants in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, based on public reviews.
2-Sashimi
The cousin of Sushi, it’s similar to Sushi but not quite the same, mainly because there’s no rice. It’s possible to be served Sashimi and rice, but on separate plates.
The most common way to eat Sashimi is by dipping it in soy sauce and putting it in your mouth, it’s that simple. Sashimi is not just seafood, there is also beef Sashimi and even beef liver Sashimi.
Just like in Sushi there are different varieties. What is there in Sashimi? It’s just fresh raw fish or meat, there’s a lot of variety in the way it’s cut. It can be very thin slices, thick or in cube shapes.
Some Sashimi, like octopus Sashimi, is cooked due to its chewy nature.
Is Sashimi Healthy?
Considering that Sashimi is pretty much raw, sometimes it might be slightly boiled to avoid risks of infections, it’s safe to say is healthy as there’s no oil or breading added to it.
This staple dish from Japanese cuisine actually has its roots in northern China. The most accepted theory is that Ramen was introduced to Japan by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century in Yokohama, China Town.
After the end of world war 2, Japan had one of the worst rice crops ever recorded, and the USA, they were occupying Japan at the moment, introduced a lot of cheap wheat flour to the market to help cope with the lack of food.
It was like this that Ramen became a very popular dish in Japan, and bread too.
The dish is made out of noodles, soup, which is usually made of stock based on chicken or pork, and is also mixed with other ingredients such as onions, baby sardines, tuna flakes, among other things.
There’s also vegetable-based broth for vegetarians
Is Ramen Healthy?
Well, I would say this is a bit more difficult to settle since ramen bowls can be so different from each other in terms of ingredients.
There are a couple of publications out there that have tried to answer this question and they conclude that even though is not easy to make a final conclusion, Ramen tends to be high in sodium, low in protein and high in carbs.
The above doesn’t sound super healthy to me, to anyone who’s trying to build muscles and lose weight you should stay away from carbs and eat protein. Although I don’t think eating Ramen from time to time is bad.
4-Okonomiyaki
Okay, now we’re moving into the not so popular Japanese food, although this one is still fairly renown, Okonomiyaki, or how I call it, the Japanese pancake.
This is yet another type of Japanese food where ingredients can vary greatly from region to region in Japan.
The basic batter for the pancake is made out of flour, grated yam, water, eggs, and shredded cabbage, those are the basic ingredients, after that, it all depends on which style you get to choose from, it could include fish or even noodles.
In Osaka, where the dish is supposed to have originated, the dish is cooked like a pancake. It’s pan-fried and two spatulas are used to flip it and then cut it into pieces before serving.
This is more of Japanese snack, very popular street food as well. This ball shape appetizer is made of wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan.
The filling of Takoyaki is usually minced or diced octopus, pickled ginger and green onions. The balls are brushed on top with Takoyaki sauce
Takoyaki is said to have originated in Osaka, by a street vendor named Tomekichi in 1935. Something that’s very particular about this dish is that it requires a specially shaped pan to cook it.
Is Takoyaki Healthy?
Let’s see, Takoyaki is made out of batter that contains eggs and wheat and in the inside has octopus and a few vegetables, oh and it requires some oiled to be cooked.
The only ingredients you might argue are not healthy is the wheat and the oil, but come on Takoyaki is not a big dish, some small bite-size waffle-like snacks won’t ruin your diet.
6-Ebifurai
Okay let’s make this clear right away, Ebifurai is deep-fried so is not healthy but man they’re good.
This dish is popular in Japan and in many Japanese restaurants around the world, the most common shrimp used for it is the black tiger shrimp and is said to have originated around the year 1900.
Cooking this is easy, some restaurants will straighten the shrimp out and pull the digestive track out, then they coat the shrimp with flour, beaten egg and bread crumbs, then they deep fry the shrimp.
You can find many variations or similar dishes in other Asian countries such as Korea and the Philippines.
7-Oden
This might be one you haven’t heard of if you haven’t been to Asia, is not just popular in Japan, is also popular in Taiwan and China.
Oden consists of different food that’s been boiled in a mildly flavored broth. It’s considered to be a winter food for some, but you can find this food year-round in Japan.
It’s common to find Oden in night markets offered by street sellers. There are also restaurants and pubs selling it, you can even find it in convenience stores.
The way you usually go about ordering or buying this dish is by selecting only the food you’d like and put it in a small bowl or paper cup and add some of the broth, then you’ll be charged based on what you got.
Common ingredients are eggs, radish, konjec, processed seafood cakes, tofu, and corn.
Is Oden healthy?
It really is, first of all, everything is boiled in a broth that is almost water, and the ingredients are eggs, seafood, and vegetables, this is what you call a low in fat and high in nutrients dish.
In Taiwan Oden is also popular and you’ll find it in most convenience stores such as Family Marts and 7-11
8-Yakisoba
I do enjoy eating this one very much. It’s both tasty and cheap, Nomadic Matt recommends it as a budget dish in his Japanese travel guide.
Yakisoba is basically a mixture of ramen style noodles combined with tiny pieces of pork and some chopped vegetables such as cabbage. It’s also mixed with something similar to oyster sauce, that’s how it gets its flavor and color.
This is a very common street food dish and you can also find it in some restaurants.
Interesting fact, Yakisoba can sometimes be served on top of a hot dog.
Is Yakisoba healthy?
A portion of Yakisoba for one person will be around 250 calories. It’ll be heavy on carbs and will contain a bit of protein thanks to the meat in it, some nutrients might be added if you mix it with vegetables.
As part of a balanced diet, eating Yakisoba once or twice per week shouldn’t represent any major health risk.
9-Dango
Aha!!! I bet this is one you don’t hear about every day, or maybe yes I don’t know who you are.
This sweet Japanese food is said to have its origins in Kyoto. Four to five balls are served in a skewer just like in the picture above. Dango is made from mochiko, which is rice flour.
You can find Dango in Japan year-round, although some special flavors can only be found during some seasons. There are different varieties of Dango, they’re mainly differentiated by the main ingredient which provides the flavor.
Some popular ingredients are eggs, green tea, red beans, potatoes, and chestnuts.
Is Dango healthy?
You might be thinking, okay if this is dessert then it must not be good, well think again, desserts in Japan and other Asian nations are not the same as western desserts.
Even though they might be a bit high in calories, there are some options which are very low in fat and high in nutrients, Dango is one of those options, so don’t be afraid to eat it.
10-Sukiyaki
This is also known as hot pot. It’s supposed to be a winter dish but you can find it in many restaurants all year round. Something peculiar about this dish is that you have to cook it yourself.
You will usually be asked what kind of flavored broth you’d like and they’ll put it in a pot in front of you, then they’ll light the fire, you wait for it to start boiling and then you throw the ingredients in.
You will also get to choose what you want to eat, you can choose seafood, different cuts of beef and different types of vegetables.
There is one thing that makes sukiyaki different from a traditional hot pot, like the one you can find in China and Taiwan, which is that, after the food is done cooking, you’ll have a bowl of raw egg next to you where you’re supposed to dip the food a little bit.
Is Sukiyaki healthy?
Well, it is, it’s a bunch of meat, seafood, and vegetables put in a pot and boiled, this is a dish low in calories and fat and high in protein and other nutrients.
Although, in some sukiyaki and hot pot restaurants is common to get free rice and ice cream, so be careful with that.
This is one you either love or hate, or maybe is one that you will definitely hate and only if you eat it many times ( I don’t know why you’d do that) you’ll love.
This is made out of fermented soybeans and is -hear this- a breakfast dish, nothing is better than the taste of fermented soybeans at 7:00 a.m., right? In a 2009 survey, 70% of Japanese people said they enjoy eating it.
And some who said they dislike it said they eat it anyway for its nutritional value. Natto is sticky and slimy, is usually served with rice or green onions.
Is Natto healthy?
I think this might be the healthiest food in the list, Healthline called it super healthy and nutritious, if they did then it’s settled I guess. Natto is high in protein and other nutrients, the fermentation process actually decreases its antinutrients.
12-Onigiri
If you don’t like Onigiri then don’t talk to me ….. It’s one of my favorite Japanese food. Onigiri is also known as rice balls, although they have a triangular shape.
Onigiri is pretty much that, white rice formed into triangular shapes and often wrapped in seaweed, traditionally onigiris were filled with salted salmon, but nowadays you can find them coming with many different fillings.
My favorite one is Tuna. You can find Onigiris all over convenience stores, it’s a very popular food. For Onigiri, white rice is the norm, although it is possible to find, in some restaurants, onigiris made with other types of rice, including fried rice.
Is Onigiri healthy?
Okay, we all know how white rice is not the healthiest of all types of rice right?
There are exceptions though, there are onigiris that are filled with bbq meat and even mayonnaise, I would try to stay away from those.
Now onto the last one in this Japanese food guide.
13- Dorayaki
This is very similar to a pancake, with a sweet red beans paste on the inside, it doesn’t taste bad, but I must say I’m not a fan of its flavor.
According to information found in wikipedia, The original Dorayaki consisted of only one layer. Its current shape was invented in 1914 by Usagiya in the Ueno district of Tokyo.
Is Dorayaki Healthy?
Well, this is a very sweet pastry, there’s a lot of sugar in it, white sugar, since we all know how bad white sugar is for our bodies then the answer to the question would be no.
Although, if you’re in the mood for cooking, here’s a healthy Dorayaki recipe I found online
In the video above, you’ll find 10 minutes of Shilin Night Market footage that will give you a good sense of what this market is all about, food, drinks, fruits, clothes, souvenirs, games and a lot more.
Even though some stores and cafes in this market open as early as 7 a.m to serve breakfast to people going to the office, the best time to visit Shilin Night Market is after 5:30 p.m.
After 5:30 p.m is when all stores open and people flock the streets to eat and shop with friends or family.
Some Information About Shilin Night Market
The Night Market is composed of many street food vendors and small restaurants and clothes stores
There are also many adjacent businesses such as Samsung stores or massage places.
There is an underground food court. It’s located under the Shilin Night Market neon sign, minute 9:42 in the video B1美食區
The market is the most crowded from 8 to 9 p.m.
Many stores and restaurants close past midnight
There are many fair like games, if you score many points you’ll get a prize.
The origin of the market goes as far back as 1909 when agricultural products from nearby farms were sold here.
The night market was officially opened in 1913 and many food vendors decided to settle here to take advantage of the affluence f people.
Is It Easy to Get Here?
It’s super easy. This is a very popular area in Taipei city, there are many buses that stop nearby and Jiantan metro station is the closest to the market.
Jiantan metro station on the red line is located right across the street, just take exit 1.
Interestingly Shilin metro station, which is the next station after Jiantan (Going from Xiangshan to Tamsui) is not the closest station to Shilin night market.
Some tourists make the mistake to get off at that station and then have to walk 15 minutes to reach the market.
Something I believe people should talk more about when talking about this amazing night market is the temple in it.
Right in the middle of the market, you’ll find Shilin Cixian temple. If you visit the market during the day, you can take some really nice pictures as it will be quite empty.
Once the market starts working at full capacity, this place of apparent peace and tranquility becomes one with the market and its people.
After 4 p.m. food vendors start setting up outside. They also set up chairs and tables for people to eat, and people also use the stairs in the front of the temple to sit down, eat and drink.
Conclusion
Shilin Night market is a must-see place in Taipei. It’s very easy and convenient to get there as there is a metro station right in front of it.
The choices of food and drinks are endless. There is also a really nice temple right in the middle of the market that will add to the cultural experience of visiting one of the healthiest cities in Asia.
If you’re in Taipei and you’re thinking about going for a Hike, then what’s better than Qixing mountain, the highest mountain in Taipei. In a sunny day, you’ll have an amazing view of the city from the top of the mountain.
There are different ways to get to Qixing mountain and do the mt. qixing hike from the center of Taipei city, I’ll talk a little bit about each one and I’ll focus on the way how I did it, which I recommend.
I first made a one hour long walk through Yangminghshan Park before getting to the entrance of the Qixing Mountain trail, from there it took me another hour to get to the top of the mountain.
This is perfect for a half day trip, if you get up early enough you can be done with all of it before noon. If you still have the energy you could go to the hot springs.
First let me show you a gallery of photos of Yangmingshan and then one of Qixing Mountain, just to completely convince you that you have to go.
Photos of Yangmingshan
Swipe left or right
Photos of Qixing Mountain, Taipei, Taiwan
How to Go to Go to Qixing Mountain?
There are a couple of ways, I’ll give you 3 options
From Jiantan Station to Qixing Mountain
You can make your way to Jiantan station and take bus S15.
In Jiantan station take exit 1 and walk to the bus stop on the left side
Go to Jiantan station and take exit 1 ( You can get here from Taipei Main Station)
Get on the right side and walk straight, cross the street and keep on walking straight on the right side until you find a zebra line to get to the other side, the one on your right.
Cross, you’ll be in front of Ming Chuan Univerity
The bus stops will be on your right-hand side, walk to the furthest one
Take bus Express 223
Get off at Yangmingshan Bus Terminal
The ride from Mingchuan University to Yangmingshan bus terminal will take 30 minutes
From Yangmingshan bus terminal to the main peak of mount Qixing it’ll take you 2 hours.
Crossing over to Mingchuan University
Which is the Best Way to Go?
If you take the short bus ride then you’ll have to walk for almost 2 hours or a little bit less depending on how fast you move. To me, this option was perfect as I like to walk among woods and really anywhere with a lot of green and flowers around.
If you go to Qixing mountain following the same route I did then you’ll have a good time walking for an hour in Yangmingshan park, take a look at the Yangmingshan clock and rejoice on mountain views.
You’ll eventually hit the entrance of the Qixing mountain trail.
If you’re worried about getting lost don’t worry, just follow Google maps, that’s what I did, the minute I got off the bus I followed Google map’s instructions all the way to the top of Qixing main peak, the cellphone reception is great.
Going to Yangmingshan and Qixing mountain are great half-day activities for anyone who loves outdoor activities. There are different ways to get here, some of them require long bus rides and short walks and others the opposite.
There’s no entry fee for Yangmingshan nor Qixing mountain. Don’t forget to take some water with you and some fruits.
Phra Phrom , the Thai representation of Brahma the Hindu God of creation resides in Erawan Shrine.
The official name of Erawan Shrine is Thao Maha Phrom Shrine which translates into English as Shrine of Lord Brahma the Great.
This a religious shrine where Thai people come to express their faith for one of their Gods, it’s also a place for curious tourists to take a look at, as long as you do it respectfully.
It was built to eliminate bad Karma around the Hotel premises
The Brahma statue was built by the Department of Fine Arts of Thailand
Erawan Hotel was demolished and the Grand Hyatt was built in its place
Entry fee: None
Closest BTS station: Chitlom
When it comes to religion Thai people are really intense and cannot stand seeing the figures of their Gods disrespected or worst destroyed.
The Erawan Shrine Vandalism and Death
It was an early morning of March 21st of 2006 when a man, Thanakorn Pakdeepol, destroyed the statue, he grabbed a hammer and broke the statue into pieces.
And just like the statue, his life encountered the same fate, destruction. Thanakorn was beaten to death by bystanders that watched the whole ordeal take place.
Why did Thanakorn destroy the statue? At first, people thought, due to some Arabic tattoos on Thanakorn’s body, that there was involvement from Muslim extremists
Later it the police proved that such a horrible action was simply the act of a mentally ill person.
A new statue was built and placed in Erawan Shrine on May 21st, 2006.
Erawan Shrine Bombing of 2015
Another unfortunate event taking place in a shrine that’s supposed to be a place of prayers and faith.
It was the evening of August 17th, 2015, at 06:55 pm, when a device made of 3 Kg of TNT inside a backpack exploded Killing 20 people and injuring 125
Among the dead, Thais, Malaysians, Chinese, Singaporeans, Hong Kongese and Indonesians
The Thai police arrested two suspects, one of them confessing to being the bomber. People believe the bombing was a retaliation attack because Thailand deported some Uyghur terrorist to China, instead of letting them go to Turkey to look for asylum.
The investigation never finished, which has made people come up with different theories, including government involvement.
What is Visiting Erawan Shrine Like?
At the beginning of this post, I put a video I made that gives you a good look of what visiting Erawan Shrine looks like.
When you visit, it will be full of locals and some tourists. You’ll see people on their knees around the statue praying to the God of creation and placing yellow flowers on the surroundings of the statue.
There will be yellow flowers all over the place. People put so many around the statue that the staff has to almost immediately remove them.
You’ll also see some elephant statues on the sides of the Shrine premises.
At the back, a group of Thai dancers and musicians playing traditional music and dancing for the one and only God of creation.
People line up to kneel right in front of the dancer facing Phra Phrom and saying a prayer.
Is Visiting Erawan Shrine Worth It?
Totally, plus it’s not gonna take you long to get there and hang out for 20 to 30 minutes. The shrine is located walking distance from Chitlom station and there are 2 malls nearby.
If you’re staying in the Intercontinental Hotel all you have to do is cross the street and you’ll get there.
If you happen to visit Erawan Shrine during Songkran, you’ll even find a whole street food set up nearby.
If you’re in Taipei and you’re looking for a fun hike near the city then look no further, just make your way towards Elephant Mountain, one of Taipei’s most visited mountains.
Take a look at the 6 minutes video I put together for you.
How to get to Elephant Mountain, Taipei?
Well that’s super easy, just get on the MRT and go to Xiangshan station, is the last stop on the red line opposite to Tamsui station.
Take exit number 2 and as soon as you walk out of it you’ll see signs directing you towards Elephant mountain.
As you can see in the video, the iconic 101 building of Taipei is super close to Elephant Mountain, so if you happen to be staying somewhere near the 101 area then this is perfect, it will take you no time to get there.
No matter in which part of Taipei city you are, if you take the metro it won’t cost you more than 45 NTD.
How Much Do I Have to Pay?
You don’t have to pay a single penny, that’s good right, no one likes to pay to go sweat their heart out, because ….that’s right you’re gonna sweat a lot.
The climb is very steep at points and Taiwan’s weather is usually hot and humid, so yeah you’ll sweat.
You can go up and down as many times as you want and no one will stop you. You can even take your pet with you if you want to, and as you saw in the video, you can even climb in a reverse four legs position and no one will say a word.
Make sure you take a bottle of water with you as water fountains are not present as often as you’ll need them in case you forget to take water with you.
What is the Best Time to Go to Elephant Mountain?
If you want to stay away from the crowds then try going on a day from Monday to Friday. If you want to see the sunset and the city lights coming to life then go on an evening from Monday to Friday.
Why avoid Saturday and Sunday? well because that’s when all the families and rest of people who are not working decide to go to Elephant Mountain, and it can get really crowded.
Once you make it to the top of Elephant mountain, you’ll see some other trails, the longest one is the one leading to Jiuwu peak, it would take you around 2 hours to get there.
Most people just climb to the top of Elephant mountain, they stay at one of the viewing platforms and that’s it. If you decide to do the Jiuwu trail then it will definitely be more of a peaceful hike as there won’t be many people around.
Conclusion
Elephant Mountain is perfect for a half-day trip from anywhere in the city. The mountain is easy to get to by metro and there is no entry fee of any kind.
If you want to avoid the crowds is best to go on a day from Monday to Friday when most people are working.
Once you make it to the top of elephant mountain you can just chill there and then head back down, or you can continue on one the connecting hiking trails such as Jiuwu.
So you’re in Bangkok and you’re looking for an adventure outside the city. How about a one day trip to Ayutthaya, How to go there, how expensive it is, how to get around in Ayutthaya?
I’ll answer all of your questions right now, just keep on reading. First, let’s start by talking a little bit about Ayutthaya.
What’s Ayutthaya?
It’s an ancient city, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350. It became a powerful city until 1767.
Ayutthaya used to be a trading port that welcomed merchants from the world, most of them from Europe. It’s said that the city was amazing to the eyes of foreigners, this is because of the many temples and palaces all around the city.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Just like many other cities and towns in the past and present, Ayutthaya fell to the horrors of war. The city was invaded by the Burmese – people from Myanmar- and it was burnt and destroyed.
A lot of Thai people died and the survivors fled the city. There are still many ruins in Ayutthaya, a clear reminder of the old city and a current tourist attraction.
There are about 50 different ruins sites, some of them more popular than others. These are the ones I believe you can’t miss.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
If I had to choose one and only one temple to visit in a one day trip to Ayutthaya this would be the one. The name means, Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory.
In the year 1937 two Ayutthaya princess died of Cholera, the king ordered the cremation of the bodies. He also ordered the creation of a holy stupa and a preaching hall on the cremation site, that’s how this temple came into existence.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Entry fee: 20 Baht
This temple is more than just a holy stupa and a preaching hall. Around it, you’ll find different beautiful Buddha statues. If you enjoy taking photos for sure you’ll enjoy your time here.
Take a look at more pics of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
There’s also a reclining Buddha statue on the premises of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This is another popular one in Ayutthaya. It was built in 1630 by king Prasat Thong. The name means Temple of Long Reign and Glorious Era.
At the center of the temple, there’s a 35 meter high Prang (Tall tower) and there are 120 sitting Buddha statues around it.
Take a look at more pictures of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit
This temple doesn’t look as ancient as the previous 2 but it’s definitely a site with a lot of history behind it.
Its name means Buddha of the Holy and Supremely Auspicious, the Buddha statue sitting inside the temple was built in 1538.
The statue was originally housed by a mondop ( square-based building or shrine with a pyramidal roof ) that was hit and destroyed by lighting.
The building caught fire and the roof came down and broke Buddha’s head.
They demolished the mondop and built a new preaching hall (Vihara). The statue was also restored.
Just like the rest of Ayutthaya, the Vihara and the Buddha statue were severely damaged when the Burmese invasion took place.
Restoration of the Vihara and the Buddha statue took place between 1920 and 1931.
Entry fee: 50 Baht
Wat Mahathat
Maybe this is the reason why many do a one day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Here’s where you find the Buddha’s head.
The meaning of the name is the monastery of the Great Relic. Historians don’t really know when the temple was founded. They think its origin dates back to 1377 approximately.
This temple was used for different religious events and royal celebrations.
The main tourist attraction in this temple is a Buddha head entwined within the roots of a tree.
No one really knows exactly how it got there, but what they do know is that it wasn’t on purpose, as in Buddhist traditions is not a thing to put Buddha head on the ground.
Some theorize that maybe a thief moved the head from the main temple and hid it by the tree and then he simply did not come back for it. After so many years the roots grew around the head.
Entry Fee: 50 Baht
Wat Lokayasutharam
This is the last temple I’ll mention in this one day trip to Ayutthaya post.
The main attraction in these ruins is a huge reclining Buddha statue. The statue is 37 meters long and 8 meters high.
Tourists and locals visit these ruins, it is common to see people leaving offerings to Buddha.
Right outside the premises of these ruins, you’ll find some small souvenir shops and people selling flowers which you can leave as offerings.
Entry fee: Free
More pictures of Wat Lokayasutharam
How to Get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok?
This is very simple and extremely cheap. I went to Hualamphong railway station in Bangkok and bought a third-class ticket to Ayutthaya for 20 baht.
I got there 10 minutes before the train’s departure. It might be a bit chaotic in the station, but don’t worry just ask someone who works there to tell you on which train you’re supposed to get on.
Once they point you the way just get on the train and find a seat.
The train makes many stops, Ayutthaya station is the one after Ban pho station. The train only stops for around 3 minutes so be quick to get out.
Another thing, some people buy third-class tickets with numbered seats, my ticket had no seats, so 1 or 2 stations after we departed from Hualamphong a girl got on the train and I was sitting on her seat so I had to get up.
So I spent most of the ride standing up. It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok.
I took a very early train, at around 8 am, it got very very crowded. Don’t worry if you feel like you have no idea when to get off.
Ayutthaya is the station after Ban Pho, just make sure you’re looking out the window on the left side of the train (stand facing the direction the train is moving towards) and you’ll see the names.
Ayutthaya station is also easy to spot as it has many Thailand flags hanging outside and is quite big compared to the previous ones.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Ayutthaya?
If you take the third class train is super cheap, 20 baht going there and 20 baht coming back.
Once I was done touring around Ayutthaya I went back to the station and bought a third-class ticket back to Bangkok.
I had lunch at a little restaurant in front of the station, I just crossed over to the other side of the road and found a place selling pad thai and mango shakes.
I paid only 90 baht for my pad thai and a mango shake. Every time I bought bottled water I paid 20baht.
The big expense was the tuk-tuk I had to hire to take me around, 800 Baht for 4 hours. Which takes me to the following.
I went to Ayutthaya as part of my Songkran weekend. If you’d like to know more about Songkran in Bangkok please click below.
This is very simple, you can either hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around the temples and back to the station or you can rent a scooter and do it on your own.
Since I don’t have an international driver’s license I decided to hire a tuk-tuk driver. You won’t have to bother looking for one, they’ll be waiting for you at the station.
The minute they spot a tourist they make their move, they’ll show you all the places they can take you to.
Please don’t ride Elephants, don’t support animal cruelty.
One Day Trip To Ayutthaya Video
Now I just want to finish this post by showing you a little video I put together. You’ll see more of Ayutthaya and hopefully, it’ll make you want to go.
So you’re looking for information on celebrating Songkran in Bangkok. I’ll tell you how to make the best out of this crazy and wet weekend.
Before I go into details let’s talk a little bit about what Songkran is and how to celebrate it.
What is Songkran?
It’s the most important festival in Thailand. It marks the beginning of a new year. At its very core is a Buddhist religious festivity celebrated nationwide.
This water festival takes place every year from April 13th to 15th.
During this festival, people go out to the street to throw water at each other and the most religious ones visit temples and shrines to wash the Buddha statues and make offerings to the monks.
To throw water people use water guns, buckets or hoses, so get ready to get wet.
Songkran means to pass or move into, you can see it as the passing to the new year.
The reason why water is part of the festival is that is supposed to clean you off of bad things from the last year so you can start fresh.
Something else you’ll see is people putting chalk on each other, this derives from the tradition of monks to use chalk for marking blessings.
If you’re in Bangkok celebrating Songkran you will definitely get wet, but is actually pleasant as the weather is hot during this time of the year.
How to Celebrate Songkran in Bangkok?
In this section I’ll share with you places to go to have a water fight, to see a more religious face of Songkran and where to eat.
I’ll also talk about an amazing place which is perfect for a Holiday farewell dinner at the end of your Songkran in Bangkok visit.
Let’s begin now.
Erawan Shrine
If this is your first time in Bangkok you should definitely make a stop here, this is a religious place where locals and tourists come to pray.
And during Songkran, you can observe people using water to wash Buddha and making flower offerings.
There is always a traditional dance performance going up in the background.
I can guarantee you that if you visit this place you’ll find it very interesting, just stand back and let it all unfold.
Getting to Erawan Shrine is super easy, just get off ar Chitlom station on the BTS line, from there you’ll walk for around 7 minutes.
There is no entry fee
Now let’s move on to another fun activity celebrating Songkran in Bangkok
Street Food in Front of Amarin Plaza
Just 2 minutes away from Erawan Shrine, you’ll find Amarin Plaza. This is a mall like many others, but during Songkran celebrations many food stalls are set up outside.
There are always so many food options here, and also drinks, pomegranate, mango, kiwi, passion fruit and other exotic fruits juice.
This is the perfect stop to have some local food like Pad thai, drink some fresh pomegranate or mango juice and have some coconut ice cream.
The price for food here is definitely more expensive than what you would find in traditional markets, but the food is really good so is worth it.
They also set up tables around the food stalls so you can easily sit down and have your meal.
Here’s where you fuel your body to head towards the craziness on Silom Road.
You’ll be right in front of the road, so chances are you’ll start seeing people throwing water at each other, or riding tuk-tuks and carrying big water guns on their way to Silom road.
So, after spending some time in Erawan shrine and having some Thai food, just go back to Chitlom station and head to Sala Daeng station.
Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok, Silom Road
You should arrive here at noon, once you’re in Sala Daeng station you’ll start noticing a big amount of people, this is where the party is.
Silom Road is the gathering place for thousands of people to celebrate Songkran, the police close the whole road so people can enjoy.
The BTS line runs over the city, so once you’re out of Sala Daeng station and still on the skywalk, you can take a look down and see the crazy amount of people gathered here carrying water guns.
Now all you have to do is go down and join the party, what people do here is walk up and down the road soaking each other.
If you feel like taking a break you can simply go to one of the many restaurants or dinners on the sides and grab a bite or a drink.
How do you get water for your gun? On Silom road you’ll find people selling water for your gun, they usually charge 10 or 5 baht, so make sure you take some coins with you.
Drinking alcohol is not allowed in Silom road during Songkran, to get alcohol you have to go to one of the many restaurants on the lanes next to Silom road.
Once I got tired of walking up and down I went to Le Siam hotel, they have some tables outside and they were selling beer and had buckets of water to keep the Songkran party going.
If it’s your first time in Bangkok you should definitely stop by this temple, not just because of Songkran, but because the reclining Buddha statue is impressive.
Here’s a picture
If you made it to the reclining Buddha temple then you might also want to check out the Emerald Buddha temple, only because is nearby and if you haven’t been there before well you should.
To get to the Reclining Buddha temple you’re better off taking a Grab, the metro lines don’t go all the way here.
Khao San Road
This is another popular spot in Bangkok to celebrate Songkran. Beware, here there’s no skywalk like on Silom road.
When you go into Khao San Road is like you’re going into full water war, there’s nowhere to take cover.
Here you’ll find locals and foreigners having fun, using water guns, buckets and hoses to keep the party going.
Here you can just go to any of the bars on the side have some beer and reload your guns and shoot.
To get to Khao San Road you’ll have to take a public bus, taxi, Tuk- Tuk or Grab, no metro line goes near the area.
Songkran goes on all day long and into the night hours, don’t get mad if you’re stepping out of your hotel at around 8 pm all clean to have dinner and someone wets you.
So, if you want to Songkran until late at night is better for you to find a place with many bars nearby.
Where to Stay in Bangkok During Songkran.
Last time I was in Bangkok for Songkran I stayed at Royal Sukhumvit Hotel, the hotel is cheap and the cleanliness is okay, but the location is perfect.
This hotel is located very near to Nana station, all around it there are bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and other different shops.
Right outside the hotel the staff was celebrating Songkran, and down the street people were doing the same, there was even a small concert by the corner.
So if you want to stay in a fun and lively place then get a hotel near Nana station, you’ll still be close to the center of the city.
Is Bangkok Expensive during Songkran?
Well, chances are that Airlines do increase the ticket prices for this weekend since they know a lot of foreigners fly in.
But in my experience of traveling to Bangkok with EVA airlines, I must say the price doesn’t vary that much.
In the following tables, you’ll be able to see all the expenses I had during the Songkran weekend of 2019.
If you’re on a budget you can definitely go cheaper. I spent a total of 328.78 USD in 4 days
As you can see in the chart above. accommodation and food are the greatest expenses.
What comes now is a detailed breakdown of everything I paid for in the 4 days I was there.
I had buffet lunches at Central Food, I recommend it.
Bangkok Songkran 2019, VIDEO
I put together a little video from my visit to Bangkok during Songkran 2019. Kids playing on the streets, people having fun on Silom and more, hope you like it.
There is one final thing I want to mention in this post, this is an activity you will definitely enjoy.
Maybe on your last day in Bangkok, you’ll want to have a nice dinner or a drink somewhere special to say goodbye to Bangkok.
I believe that in Bangkok, there’s no more romantic and dramatic place than Wat Arun, well the view of it with the sun setting in the background.
Take a look.
To see this you need to be in one of the restaurants across the river facing Wat Arum.
Here are some options.
Sala Rattankosin
The Deck by Arun Residence
Eight Sight Story Deck
To get to this side of the city you’ll have to take a taxi, tuk-tuk or Grab.
If you want to go for the longer but more scenic way, you can go to Saphan Taksin station, walk towards Sathorn Pier and get on a boat towards Wat Arun.
What Do I need for Songkran?
Here’s a list of things you’ll want to wear and have while celebrating Songkran in Bangkok.
Some of these items you can get when you land in Bangkok, others is better to buy in advance.
Quick-dry clothes
Since you’re gonna have water coming your way at all time is nice to be wearing clothes that dry fast.
It might be a little uncomfortable to go into a mall or metro, where the AC is on, and you’re soaking wet.
Cheap Goggles or Cheap Glasses
Protect your eyes, there’s always some drunk d**k who thinks is funny to shoot water at peoples’ eyes.
You could get these when you get to Bangkok. You’ll find people selling them on the streets.
Cellphone Waterproof Case
This is a must, you need to protect your cellphone. You can not leave your cellphone behind as you’ll need it to get Grabs or for Google maps.
So make sure it’s got a Cellphone water case, preferably one you can hang around your neck and allows you to use your phone without removing the case.
Water Proof Bag
This is another item that will allow you to have a worry free Songkran. When you’re out on the streets you might want to take an extra t-shirt, shoes, power banks, USB cables, your passport or something else you don’t want to get wet.
Having a waterproof bag is almost essential to go out during Songkran. If you buy one you can also use it whenever you go to the beach, it’s a good investment.
Water friendly Footwear
The most common and logical option is flip flops right, that’s what most people wear.
But I’ve found out that walking in wet flip flops is not comfortable at all. They become slippery and the strap might hurt your foot.
So here are other choices, Crocs, Beach Shoes, or dry fast sneakers.
Beach shoes are not made for the streets so they won’t provide you with a lot of support. The advantage of beach shoes is that they don’t become slippery and there’s no strap to hurt your foot.
What do I mean by dry fast sneakers? Well, I bought a pair of Nike Air Vapormax a while ago. The sole is completely made out of rubber and the upper part of the shoe is as thin as a sock.
They provide great comfort when walking and get dry super fast.
Conclusion, Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok
This is a very fun festival you should try at least once in your lifetime. Bangkok has both sides of Songkran to offer, the religious one and the party one.
The 2 major places in Bangkok where people like to party for Songkran are Silom road and Khao San road.
For a more religious experience, you can visit Erawan Shrine or the temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Make sure you have all your Songkran gear needed so you enjoy Songkran comfortably. Hope you enjoyed this Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok post.
