This is the first in a new travel post series all about Taiwan. While in Taiwan, we stayed in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Juafien, and back to Taipei again.

Our first stop in Taiwan was Taipei. Highlights included hiking Elephant mountain, the Taipei zoo, eating scallion pancakes from Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake, eating soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung, eating traditional Taiwanese breakfast at Yong He Soy Milk King and one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life thus far: the Maokong gondola line.

Taipei, Taiwan Xiangshan Park signage, Taipei, Taiwan Hello from Taipei, Taiwan Across the street from Elephant mountain staircase entrance – Taipei, Taiwan Elephant mountain staircase entrance – Taipei, Taiwan Flowers along the hike up Elephant Mountain – Taipei, Taiwan Flowers along the hike up Elephant Mountain – Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain Climbing Elephant mountain’s stairs to the next viewing platform Climbing Elephant mountain’s stairs to the next viewing platform Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain Taipei skyline as viewed from Elephant mountain Step marker, Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain – through trees, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Elephant mountain stamp marker, Taipei, Taiwan Elephant mountain stamp marker, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 as viewed from Elephant mountain, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 when viewed from the street. Taipei 101 reflected in happy face reflective ball Taipei 101 reflected in happy face reflective ball Love artwork signage on the street in front of Taipei 101. Love artwork signage on the street in front of Taipei 101.

Taipei 101

Japanese baked goods inside Taipei 101 Mall – Taipei, Taiwan Japanese baked goods inside Taipei 101 Mall – Taipei, Taiwan Din Tai Fung Taipei 101 location – Taipei, Taiwan Enjoying tea at Din Tai Fung, Taipei, Taiwan Street views outside Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan

Boa’an Temple

The Boa’an temple is the first temple we experienced in Taipei. The ornateness and overall presence feel significant — bordering on overwhelming.

Boa’an Temple details- Taipei, Taiwan Boa’an Temple Lanterns & details- Taipei, Taiwan Boa’an Temple Lanterns & details- Taipei, Taiwan Birds in flight above Boa’an Temple – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: bike and coffee – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: temple & prayer – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: temple & prayer – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: food market stalls – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: food buffet – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: layers of people – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: fruit stand – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: dumpling stall – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: meat in the window – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: corner market fruit – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: market food stall – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: market food stall – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: market food stall – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: Shilin night market entrance – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: Shilin night market entrance – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: morning time – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: motorist & lantern – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: motorist & lantern – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: motorist & lantern – Taipei, Taiwan Street views: boxes of dancing light – Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan

Yong He Soy Milk King

Soy Milk King, eh? The Taiwanese are serious about their breakfasts. We enjoyed warm soy milk with all the fixings: egg, pork floss, and fried dough.

Rolling out and frying dough. Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan. Rolling out and frying dough. Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan. Taking orders. Rolling out and frying the dough. Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan. Warm soy milk with egg and pork floss. Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan. All mixed together – Warm soy milk with egg and pork floss. Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan. Flaky flatbread fried Chinese cruller, sou bing you tiao, Yong He Soy Milk King – Taipei, Taiwan.

This was all a hearty and heavy meal to prepare us for a long day at the Taipei Zoo and hiking around the Maokong Tea Village.

Taipei Zoo

I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited zoos around the world — mostly around the United States, but of all of those I have visited, Taipei has one of the best. Not only is it expansive, but it’s also diverse in its animals — to my knowledge not many zoos have both Asian and African elephants. Orangutans are a species I have not been seen in person until Taipei — what beautiful, quirky, muppet-like creatures they are. Below are some of my favorite captures from the zoo.

Flamingos at the Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Orchids at the Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Panda eating bamboo at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Panda eating bamboo at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Asian elephants at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Asian elephants at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Asian elephants at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Asian elephants at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Asian elephants at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Leopard at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Leopard at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Leopard at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Orangutan at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan — looks like a muppet Orangutan at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan — looks like a muppet Orangutan at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan — looks like a muppet Chimpanzee at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Chimpanzee at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Koala at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Koala at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Giraffe at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Some type of bird at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan African elephant at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan African elephant at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan African elephant at Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan

Maokong Tea Village

The gondola ride from the Taipei Zoo to Maokong is incredible and one of the most breathtaking and amazing experiences I’ve had. The sun was just starting to set as we made our way back to Taipei from Maokong. The mixture of light and fog was absolutely perfect.

Maokong tea village, Taiwan Taipei 101 viewed from Maokong, Taiwan Taipei 101 viewed from Maokong, Taiwan Tea farmers in Makong, Taiwan Tea farmer in Makong, Taiwan Tea farmer in Makong, Taiwan Tea farmer in Makong, Taiwan Maokong tea village, Taiwan Maokong tea village, Taiwan Tea farmer in Makong, Taiwan Tea farmer in Makong, Taiwan Lanterns outside Yao-Yue tea in Makong, Taiwan Makong street views, Taiwan Hiking in Makong, Taiwan Bird on a wire in Makong, Taiwan Bird on a wire in Makong, Taiwan Taipei grand trail hiking in Makong, Taiwan Stairs leading up hiking in Makong, Taiwan Petals from a tung blossom tree (April snow) beautifully cover the stairway leading us upward. Hiking in Maokong, Taiwan Views from Maokong gondola line, Maokong -> Taipei, Taiwan Views from Maokong gondola line, Maokong -> Taipei, Taiwan Taipei 101 views from Maokong gondola line, Maokong -> Taipei, Taiwan Views from Maokong gondola line, Maokong -> Taipei, Taiwan Views from Maokong gondola line, Maokong -> Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei night walking tour

We found some well-reviewed free walking tours in Taipei by a company called TourMeAway. We joined the Longshan Temple Tour. Overall, it was well worth the ~3 hours. Below are some captures from our experience.

Medicine market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Longshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lantern inside Longshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lantern inside Longshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Taipei Tourist night market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Taipei Tourist night market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lanterns outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lanterns outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Poster outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lanterns outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lanterns outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Lanterns outside the oldest hotel in the red light district in Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Taipei Tourist night market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Taipei Tourist night market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours Taipei Tourist night market, Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Walking Tours

Exploring Taipei

Exploring Taipei – walking from the National Palace Museum to our hotel. Taipei, Taiwan Temple on the side of a busy road Exploring Taipei, Taiwan Exploring Taipei – walking from the National Palace Museum to our hotel. Taipei, Taiwan Flowers dripping with rain, Taipei, Taiwan Flowers dripping with rain, Taipei, Taiwan Exploring Taipei – walking from the National Palace Museum to our hotel. Taipei, Taiwan

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall & Square

Chiang Kai-shek memorial hall honors Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China. The entire venue houses the Memorial Hall, Memorial Square, National Theater, and National Concert Hall.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial & Square, Taipei, Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek Memorial exterior, Taipei, Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek Memorial interior, Taipei, Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek memorial square, National Theater, Taipei, Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek memorial square, Taipei, Taiwan Topiary tree at Chiang Kai-shek memorial, Taipei, Taiwan

Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes)

These scallion pancakes are absolutely delicious. While in Taipei we enjoyed variations on their scallion pancakes several times — with egg and cheese, with egg only, and plain. Each was delicious, cost-effective, and they filled us up. The cooking and crafting process is fascinating in its rhythmic and well-honed workflow.

Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Making pancakes at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan Pancakes are served at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake (scallion pancakes) Taipei, Taiwan

Exploring Taipei at night

Illuminated lanterns & street views – Taipei, Taiwan Illuminated lanterns & street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views – Taipei, Taiwan Taipei Taiwan neon sign – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views: all the meats – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime street views: all the meats – Taipei, Taiwan Street views, lanterns, and bears, oh my! – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime illuminated lantern street views – Taipei, Taiwan Nighttime illuminated lantern street views – Taipei, Taiwan Making dumplings – Taipei, Taiwan Making dumplings – Taipei, Taiwan Making dumplings – Taipei, Taiwan Making dumplings – Taipei, Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan train station. Next stop: Kaohsiung Taipei, Taiwan train station. Next stop: Kaohsiung Taipei, Taiwan train station. Next stop: Kaohsiung

Taipei extras - last days of the trip

We ended our trip by going back to Taipei for three nights before flying back to Minneapolis.

Illuminated nighttime views Taipei, Taiwan Shopping district gate entrance, Taipei, Taiwan Shopping district street views, Taipei, Taiwan Shopping district street views, Taipei, Taiwan The historic Red House Theater exterior, Taipei, Taiwan The historic Red House Theater exterior, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Street views, Taipei, Taiwan Eating a ridiculous mound of Mango Snowflake Ice with Sorbet & Taro Balls at Smoothie House, Taipei, Taiwan. Eating a wheel cake, Taipei, Taiwan Eating a wheel cake, Taipei, Taiwan Eating a wheel cake, Taipei, Taiwan Street Views, Taipei, Taiwan Street Views, Taipei, Taiwan Street Views, Taipei, Taiwan Eating Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle, Taipei, Taiwan Eating Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle, Taipei, Taiwan Eating Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle, Taipei, Taiwan Interior night market, Taipei, Taiwan. Street views, Taipei, Taiwan. Street views, Taipei, Taiwan. Coco has delicious passion fruit jelly bubble tea, Taipei, Taiwan. Street views, Taipei, Taiwan.

Roahe night market

Roahe night market entrance, Taipei, Taiwan. Roahe night market entrance, Taipei, Taiwan. Roahe night market entrance, Taipei, Taiwan. Roahe night market views, Taipei, Taiwan. Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns) stand at Roahe night market, Taipei, Taiwan. Eating Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns) at Roahe night market, Taipei, Taiwan. These were absolutely unbelievably delicious and one of our favorite food items of the entire trip. Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns) stand at Roahe night market, Taipei, Taiwan. Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns) stand at Roahe night market, Taipei, Taiwan. Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns) stand at Roahe night market, Taipei, Taiwan. Roahe night market lanterns, Taipei, Taiwan. Roahe night market lanterns, Taipei, Taiwan.

In closing

Taipei is an incredible city housed inside a friendly and beautiful country. This will not be our only trip to Taipei. Next time we will visit Taipei and other cities in Taiwan.