Taiwan 2014: Day 3 (Taipei Breeze Centre 微風廣場 - Guang Hua Digital Plaza 光華商場 - Ximending 西门町)

If you missed out any of the previous posts, here are the links:
Day 1 Part 1 (Singapore Changi Airport - Taoyuan International Airport)
Day 1 Part 2: (Yongkang Street 永康街 - Taipei 101 台北101 - Shihlin Night Market 士林夜市)
Day 2 Part 1: (Four Seas Soy Bean King 四海豆漿大王 - Goose Meat Shop 鴨肉扁 - Ximending 西門町)
Day 2 Part 2: (Raohe Night Market 饒河觀光夜市)

Day 3 - A relaxing slow-paced day in Taipei just shopping around the underground area. Electronics shopping at Guang Hua Digital Plaza and some night exploring at Ximending.

Before we got out of the hotel I snapped a few pictures of the lobby area just so you can get a good look! I love this lounge area with cushy seats and sofas that we can rest and relax on.

You can also use the computer in the lounge area to surf the web or check-in online for your airline or any other matters (research for what activities to do?)

The reception counter is just behind the seats in a big and spacious lobby area!

Those green and blue doors are the lifts which you can use to head up to your room, just across the reception and check-in counter. Right at the back of the photo, there is a huge toilet which is clean and for everyone's use in the lobby area and also a pantry where you can warm up food or get some free drinks!

Christmas spirit in the air in Taipei Breeze Center. Sesame Street was the theme in 2014.

Stopped for lunch at a restaurant in the Breeze Centre called 紅豆小館 - this is the Dong Po Braised Meat 东坡肉.

Cured Jellied Pork - served cold and rather refreshing - probably not for the squeamish though!

乾扁四季豆 Fried String Beans - the best dish we had here! Slight crunch and very fragrant.

蝦仁炒飯 Shrimp Fried Rice - not that great although the rice was soft and fluffy.

Sliced Pork Fried Rice

Stir-Fried Rice Cakes with Mustard Greens and Pork - something interesting but very filling.

Scallion Pancakes - meh

Zha Jiang Mian - mehh too.

I'm not sure if this place is still there in the Taipei Breeze Center because last I checked their name was no longer on the directory. They sell Shanghainese food in this restaurant but its so-so, not too great unless you're looking for some restaurant food and every other place is too crowded.

Pick up some snacks like Beard Papa's amazing cream puffs at the first floor!

Now for those of you who didn't know this, Taiwan is a massive tech-land. They are one of the biggest producers of tech stuff and you can get them at amazing prices!

One of the few places you can get stuff is Guang Hua Digital Plaza 光華商場 which is full of tech stuff at amazing prices. If you are Singaporean and you know about Sim Lim Square, this is pretty much what I'm talking about - only that this place is way bigger and full of shops throughout which sell you technology at crazy prices. Since I missed out taking a couple photos, here are some I picked off Google.

光華商場Guanghua Digital Plaza – Consumer Electronics
No.8, Section 3, Civic Blvd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei | 台北市中正區市民大道第3段8號
Telephone: +886-2-2341-2202 | Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm

 

They sell anything from laptop spare parts to modems to phone covers, phones, gaming stuff and tech gadgets. Its a pretty amazing place - about 5 floors of tech awesomeness!
I'd recommend finding out the price of that particular item in your country before you come here just as a precautionary measure to check if it is truly cheaper. Most things are cheaper but some accessories and tech items are at almost the same price in Singapore.
Hungry? There's a food court at the basement - and some yummy bubble tea!

There are two main electronic places in Taipei - Guang Hua Digital Plaza and NOVA Electronics Mall. Honestly, I think there's no need to bother with NOVA because its more expensive and sells very basic stuff like phone accessories/speakers/cameras/laptops. Here's some information about them if you're interested anyway!

NOVA資訊廣場Nova Electronics Mall – Consumer Electronics
No. 2, Guanqian Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei | 台北市中正區館前路2號
Telephone: +886 2 2381 4833 | Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

Head to Ximending for an amazing sizzling plate of steak at reasonable prices. I've recommended this place previously on my blog post - Black Tomato Steakhouse 黑蕃茄牛排.

Choose your cut of steak and it comes with pasta, sauce, egg and vegetables like this. There's also a free flow of soup, bread and drinks - and you get to choose one dessert! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

黑蕃茄牛排 Black Tomato Steakhouse
108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District | 武昌街二段 29 號
Tel: +886 2 2375 7980 | Opening Hours: 11am-10pm
- Choice of any steak comes with free flow of drinks, soup, bread, coffee, tea and 1 dessert cup.

The bustling crowds of Ximending even at night!

Cute doggy modelling for doggy suits

This concluded a relaxing and slow-paced day exploring Taipei and doing some shopping for not only the ladies but also the tech geeks!

Stay tuned to the next post where we explore Jiufen, Shifen, and Jing Tong Mining Town followed by more shopping and eating at Raohe Night Market!


Till then,

Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V