First Impressions of Taiwan: A Journey of Discovery

Before embarking on my first trip to Taiwan, my knowledge of the island nation was limited. I vaguely recalled the iconic "Meteor Garden" drama and the towering Taipei 101 skyscraper. However, my understanding of its tourism, cuisine, people, and museums was minimal. Inspired by the captivating photos and experiences shared by friends and bloggers, I decided to embark on this adventure.

Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Taiwanese people. Their smiles, helpfulness, and active nature were truly remarkable. Despite the language barrier, they made every effort to communicate, even using translation apps to ensure understanding. This genuine desire to connect left a lasting impression.

Beyond the welcoming people, I was captivated by the abundance of trendy and unique places to explore. From vibrant street art to hidden cafes, Taiwan offered a refreshing blend of modern and traditional experiences. Moreover, the affordability of the country made it an even more attractive destination.

I invite you to share your own first impressions of Taiwan. What surprised you? What were your favorite experiences? Let's delve deeper into the wonders of this captivating island nation.

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The sentence includes a link to the Facebook page of "lazycoup".


Let's start with our story. This trip, we came as a couple, choosing to fly with EVA airline (May 29 - June 3, 2018). We planned to stay in Taipei for 1 night and then move on to Taichung for 2 nights before returning to Taipei for the rest of our trip.

From Taoyaun Airport, we took the MRT for 160NTD to Taipei Main Station and dragged our luggage to check in at Mr Lobster's Secret Den design hostel. Since we had just landed and had to catch an early train to Taichung the next day, we chose accommodation that was within walking distance of the station.


This hostel offers common areas where guests can relax, socialize, and get to know each other, in true hostel style.


The accommodation offers a variety of room types. Some rooms have shared bathrooms, while others, like the one we selected, have private bathrooms, making them ideal for couples.


Overall, the hotel is friendly, convenient, and close to various stations.

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Website: Mr. Lobster Secret

Facebook: Mr. Lobsters Secret Den

The challenge for our first day of sightseeing was to find a place where we could enjoy the view of Taipei 101 while having a meal, and also experience the natural scenery of the mountain alongside the iconic skyscraper.


To enjoy the breathtaking views while dining, we made a reservation at Inparadise, a buffet restaurant located on the 46th floor of the Breeze building. The restaurant is easily accessible via MRT, with Exit 3 of The City Hall station leading directly to the building.

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Price: We will explain according to the table below for easy understanding.

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Dining Rounds and Prices

1. Dining Rounds:

There are three dining rounds available: 11:30, 14:30, and 17:30. Each round has a different price and time limit. Unlike buffets in other countries, the time limit starts when you begin eating, not when you arrive. The first and last rounds offer the best selection of food.

2. Service Charge:

The listed prices do not include a 10% service charge.

3. Children's Prices:

  • Children under 3 years old eat for free.
  • Children aged 3-5 years old pay one-third of the adult price.
  • Children aged 5-12 years old pay half the adult price.

4. Drinks:

The price includes alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and beer.

5. Reservations:

Reservations can only be made by phone at 02-8780-9988 (international: +8862-8780-9988). It is recommended to book 1-2 months in advance.

6. Additional Information:

For more details and pictures of the menu, please visit the following link: https://th.readme.me/p/17600


After finishing my meal, I decided to take a stroll through the Xinyi district, near Taipei City Hall. This area is a popular shopping destination, offering a wide variety of brands and street photography opportunities.

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There are cafes and shops on Line.


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After a short walk, we decided to climb Elephant Mountain (the rain had just stopped).

Usually, to reach Elephant Mountain, you would take the metro to the final stop, Xiangshan Station, and follow the signs for Exit 2.

However, we were staying near Taipei City Hall and decided to take a taxi to the entrance of Elephant Mountain, which wasn't too far away.

We found that the taxi drivers were more comfortable speaking Chinese than English. Therefore, it's recommended to have the Chinese names of your destinations written down to avoid getting lost. Additionally, taxi fares are not as expensive as in Japan, and if you're traveling with a group, it might be more cost-effective than taking the metro.


The reflection of falling rain in the glass, as it passes through Taipei 101.



The Chinese name for Elephant Mountain is 象山 (Xiangshan).

The word 象 (Xiang) means "elephant" and the word 山 (Shan) means "mountain".

The name Elephant Mountain is a direct translation of the Chinese name.

The reason why the mountain is called Elephant Mountain is because when viewed from above, it resembles the shape of an elephant.


The trail leading up Khao Chang is a concrete staircase that is smooth and easy to navigate. When we visited, it had just rained, but the stairs were not slippery or dangerous. On our way back down, it was dark, but the trail was well-lit and we did not feel unsafe.

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The steep climb is accompanied by the sound of heavy breathing, as everyone is focused on conserving energy for the ascent. It's quite a workout!

A tip: grab a bottle of water from the vending machine at the bottom before starting your climb.

By the time you reach the resting point, your face will be glistening with sweat.

The next point, they said, will have several large rocks. This is a popular spot for tourists to climb up and take photos with the view of Taipei. This time, we asked another model to pose for us instead.



The best time to climb Khao Chang is in the evening, when the sun sets and the city lights come on.



After descending the mountain, we headed to the Cathay Financial Conference Hall (國泰金融會議廳) to take some photos of the beautiful tunnel walkway with Taipei 101 as the backdrop. However, there was another building blocking the view of 101, so we decided to take some casual photos together before heading to our accommodation instead.

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The first day of the trip has come to an end. For Day 2 in Taiwan, we will start exploring Taichung. Please stay tuned for the next episode.

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Note: This album was shot with Fujifilm X-T100 and X-H1 paired with 16-55, 10-24, and 50-140 lenses.

#taiwan
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