Hi everyone! I bet you're wondering: Didn't she just post about a Taipei trip not too long ago? Well, you're not wrong. During 2016 to 2017, I went to Taiwan a total of three times! I guess you can say I was addicted but I couldn't help it! It's such a wonderful country to visit. The people are friendly and the food is beyond delicious. It helps that Mandarin is a language I can speak as well so this is one of the countries I love visiting.
This particular trip took place at the end of the year and I went with my parents and brother over Christmas. This time, I entrusted my brother to handle the booking of the hotels (because we should not allow weaponised incompetence *cough cough*) (but more on that later).
This time, I decided to try things a little differently. Instead of ending our trip off in Taichung, I decided to start with Taichung instead. Since my mum did not feel too well on our previous trip to Taichung, I thought it would be better if we did the sightseeing first and do the free-and-easy exploring later.
We took the same overnight Scoot flight to Taipei and this time, we took the Kuo Kwang airport bus from Taoyuan International Airport to Taichung! The journey did take a while but the bus ride was comfortable and we were one of the few on board.
Our hotel was located close to the Taichung Railway Station since that was how we were going to return to Taipei. This location is close to certain shops like Miyahara and Chun Shui Tang but it is further from Feng Jia Night Market so pick your locations based on what appeals to you more.
For us, I did not want the hassle of waiting for a taxi to pick us up and having to lug our heavy suitcases over so this was a better choice.
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| The alleyway to the hotel! Look out for this chef! |
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| Just some pictures of how the hotel environment looks like. |
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| This photo is from Booking.com because I couldn't find pictures of the room. |
No. 8 Alley 5, Lane 149, Section 4 Fuxing Road, East District |復興路四段149巷5弄8號, 東區, 台中
With our luggage set down, it was time to go for lunch. Have you heard that Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea? And the supposed shop that created it is Chun Shui Tang!
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| These are called Kungfu Noodles. |
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| Photo from my Instagram. We ordered their original milk tea and I had the tie guan yin milk tea. |
Worth going? I'd say it is not too bad a spot if you are in the area. Their milk tea is quite creamy. Plus, bragging rights for saying you've been to Chun Shui Tang, the birthplace of bubble tea.
春水堂 – 創始店 (Chun Shui Tang – Pioneer Outlet)
No. 30, Siwei Street, West District, Taichung City | 台中市西區四維街30號
Tel: +886 4 2229 7991 | Website: http://chunshuitang.com.tw/
Opening Hours: 8am to 10pm
- Original creators of bubble tea
- Tieguanyin Milk Tea recommended. Kungfu Noodles and Radish cake as well.
Next stop, make your Harry Potter-esque dreams come true at Miyahara!
Miyahara is a popular ice cream parlour that has taken over the space of an elegant historic building. They are known for their wide range of unique ice cream flavours, pastries and sweet treats.
Miyahara is originally a red-brick architecture building that was built by Miyahara Takeo, a Japanese ophthalmology doctor in 1927. It was the largest ophthalmology clinic in Taichung during the Japanese colonial period. At the end of the war, the Taiwan Health Bureau took over but soon vacated the building. Dawn Cake, a popular pastry brand took over, preserving the historic exterior but renovating the interior.
You can choose ice cream flavours of your choice as well as a whole variety of toppings which they masterfully stack in a bowl. It's definitely something you can't miss out on.
No. 20, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City | 台中市中區中山路20号
Tel: +886 4 2227 1927 | Website: http://www.miyahara.com.tw/en/index.html
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm
After that, it was time to head to Feng Jia Night Market in the evening! Feng Jia is famous for being the one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan and if you look through Google Maps, you will see that it spans so many streets. We didn't get to finish exploring it to be honest!
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| My favourite thing to eat! Unfortunately, I just did a quick scan on Google and it seems most if not all of the bear paw bun stalls in Taiwan have closed down. *sobs* The brown sugar bun was AMAZING. |
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| Sweet potato balls here are orange and purple! Yummy =) |
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| Not wands at Diagon Alley but bubble tea. |
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| Can't remember which steak shop we went to, but we just popped into one that was really crowded and filled with locals. |
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| The famous must-drink in Taipei series: Chun Cui He. This was the Earl Grey Milk Tea flavour. |
Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 | 台中市西屯區文華路
Opening Hours: 2pm-1am
That's the end of Day 1! Join me again for Day 2 and 3 where we go to some popular sightseeing spots around Taichung with a driver.
Till then,
Fly safe and eat happy,
V
