I've seen how Taiwan is an awesome place to be and visit. I've seen photos, videos and discussions from here and elsewhere of the positive things of Taiwan.

However, it is my very first time for me to experience it for myself so.......here I am :)

Day 1 - December 24th, 2010

Positive:
-good atmosphere
-they really preserve nature with lots of trees all around
-streets are relatively clean (people really are disciplined in this aspect). I rarely see any trash or litter and people rarely smoke cigarettes. It really is relatively clean
-holy crap 7-11 stores are everywhere
-The TV stations and channels here are "imba". Really a lot of of TV ads even on pay-TV stations
-Lots of places to eat. There is obviously no shortage of eating places here because there are plenty in every corner. My dad said that he even thinks the food here is cheaper than at home
-The best new year festival in the country will be held in the Taipei 101 building for that centennial anniversary of Taiwan (though we won't be here by then :( )
-There is a train station just right beside our hotel (as in holy crap, it's really right beside our hotel)
-there are too many positive things to mention

Negative
-somewhat minor language barrier
I'd want to say something about this one. Although, it's not as strong as like Mainland China or Korea or Japan, I still felt it. This was most strong when we were riding the bus from airport to our hotel. Heck, it was only after that we realized that we were dropped off at the wrong place. We then had to take a taxi to get where we are.

Thankfully, the owners of restaurants and staff people in hotels and other food places know English quite well (so I'm thankful that Taiwan's education system for the English language is doing its job :) )

With that, now I can perceive another benefit of the upcoming Airport rail link in that I predict it to be a transport method that is more friendly to non-Chinese speakers.........when compared to taxi drivers or bus drivers whom I suspect that only few know how to speak in English.

and another minor negative point (although not related to Taiwan itself)
-The TV service in our hotel sucks.
My god, only 20 channels available. You only have local channels (i.e. Formosa TV, CTI, TTV, GTV, etc.) and just miniscule pay-TV and foreign channels (mostly NHK, Russia TV, ESPN Taiwan, Discovery Taiwan, etc.).

I 'somewhat' find this unacceptable because pay-TV in Taiwan is cheap. For less than NT$1000 a month, you can have more than one hundred TV channels. Heck, I think pay TV in Taiwan is cheaper than the Philippines and TW is richer country than Phils...........so I don't see any reason why our hotel only has 20 TV channels. :bash:

Maybe, next time, we should save more money and look for a better hotel. Heck, maybe the best hotels in Taiwan (like San Want, W and Le Meridien, Hyatt Xinyi, etc.) are obviously better in this regard.

I want ANIMAX (but this hotel has none :( )

Other points/comments/observations
-

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Please post and comment

I'll post and edit the rest later :)

Hiya Blackrave, welcome to Taiwan! :)

Thanks for sharing but unfortunately most of your photos don't seem to show up properly :(

streets are relatively clean (people really are disciplined in this aspect). I rarely see any trash or litter and people rarely smoke cigarettes. It really is relatively clean
It hasn't always been that way. The society truly "matured" in the past 20 years. :) With that said, there is still much room for improvement.

The TV stations and channels here are "imba". Really a lot of of TV ads even on pay-TV stations
What is "imba"?

Here in the US, cable stations also have many TV ads, just like the regular over-the-air stations. Is it not so in the Philippines?

There is a train station just right beside our hotel (as in holy crap, it's really right beside our hotel)
I'm assuming you're referring to Taipei Main Station. Be glad the rails are underground lol I also prefer to stay in that area when I go back to Taipei. It's an older district but travel is very convenient. :)

It hasn't always been that way. The society truly "matured" in the past 20 years. :) With that said, there is still much room for improvement.

I see. But atm, they seem to be doing a really good job.


What is "imba"?

Here in the US, cable stations also have many TV ads, just like the regular over-the-air stations. Is it not so in the Philippines?

I prefer it that way. More TV commercial ads in exchange for cheaper pay TV rates. In the Philippines, it's like that.......but only from afternoon till midnight. In HK and Singapore, it's sadly the opposite because pay TV services cost higher.


I'm assuming you're referring to Taipei Main Station. Be glad the rails are underground lol I also prefer to stay in that area when I go back to Taipei. It's an older district but travel is very convenient. :)

Our hotel is Golden China Hotel which is in Songjiang road.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101430.jpg

From the pic above, you can really see how close our hotel is to the train station. It's really damn close

Anyways, that's all I can say for now. I'll post other pics at a latter date.

P.S.
I just got myself one of these as a souvenir.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101435.jpg

If we get to use it during our stay, then okay. But if it remains unused, then it's a souvenir.

My question though is related to this:
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Why is the "Concessionaire" option made available on electronic ticketing machines? Isn't it that such an option is only for young children and senior citizens and those with disabilities/handicaps???

Why is it made available as an option? And it seems that the machine has no checking mechanism to verify that you qualify for concession card (or is there???)

That leaves me puzzled. Heck, if there are dishonest people or cheaters, then they would've chose the concession option of 300 bucks instead of paying full price of 500 bucks for the regular card.........unless there is something I don't understand.

Anyone care to comment on that.....

I see. But atm, they seem to be doing a really good job.



I prefer it that way. More TV commercial ads in exchange for cheaper pay TV rates. In the Philippines, it's like that.......but only from afternoon till midnight. In HK and Singapore, it's sadly the opposite because pay TV services cost higher.



Our hotel is Golden China Hotel which is in Songjiang road.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101430.jpg

From the pic above, you can really see how close our hotel is to the train station. It's really damn close

Anyways, that's all I can say for now. I'll post other pics at a latter date.

P.S.
I just got myself one of these as a souvenir.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101435.jpg

If we get to use it during our stay, then okay. But if it remains unused, then it's a souvenir.

My question though is related to this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101434.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101433.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/blackcyborg009/Vacation%20pics/Taiwan%20%20Hong%20Kong%20%20Macau%20-%20December%202010/Taiwan%20-%20December%202010/241220101432.jpg

Why is the "Concessionaire" option made available on electronic ticketing machines? Isn't it that such an option is only for young children and senior citizens and those with disabilities/handicaps???

Why is it made available as an option? And it seems that the machine has no checking mechanism to verify that you qualify for concession card (or is there???)

That leaves me puzzled. Heck, if there are dishonest people or cheaters, then they would've chose the concession option of 300 bucks instead of paying full price of 500 bucks for the regular card.........unless there is something I don't understand.

Anyone care to comment on that.....
I never use this kind of system or service because I am not live in Taipei.

Blackraven,

I am glad you enjoyed your stay in Taiwan.. I just left Taiwan myself. I was there for 10 days and got to see most of Taiwan.. Although I really enjoyed my trip, there are a lot of really ugly areas through out Taiwan... Mainly older apartment buildings that are not maintained.

My fav city is Taichung.. Good night life, clean and the National Art Gallery is beautiful.. Love the vibrancy of Taipei too. Being in North American I really enjoy all the conveniences in Taiwan you don't get at home. I really like the people and food in Taiwan.. Now i know what people mean when Taiwan has a lot of "soft power" to offer.. Most Taiwanese Cities I have been to are not as modern as some of its neighbouring megacities in China, HK, Korea or Japan, but people are very friendly and food are amazing!! I met a girl from HK while I was in Taiwan and she says she comes to Taiwan as often as she could.. She said she prefered it much more than China and I know exactly why... I would love to come back soon.

I will post some pics of my travels in few weeks when I get home..

Our hotel is Golden China Hotel which is in Songjiang road.

From the pic above, you can really see how close our hotel is to the train station. It's really damn close
Oooh by "train station" you meant a MRT station :) Gotcha.

Yes, being near a MRT station in Taipei could be extremely convenient. But being near the Taipei Main Station would be even more so as two MRT lines run through it and also you have access to the regular trains and also high-speed trains if you ever travel out of the city. :)

Why is the "Concessionaire" option made available on electronic ticketing machines? Isn't it that such an option is only for young children and senior citizens and those with disabilities/handicaps???

Why is it made available as an option? And it seems that the machine has no checking mechanism to verify that you qualify for concession card (or is there???)

That leaves me puzzled. Heck, if there are dishonest people or cheaters, then they would've chose the concession option of 300 bucks instead of paying full price of 500 bucks for the regular card.........unless there is something I don't understand.

Anyone care to comment on that.....
Good question. AFAIK there is no one ACTIVELY checking it but I remember the standard card beeps twice while the discounted one beeps only once. Therefore if you're getting off the bus and coming into or leaving a MRT station while a staff is around and your number of beeps don't correspond with your situation, someone would say something and it could quite embarrassing.

Good question. AFAIK there is no one ACTIVELY checking it but I remember the standard card beeps twice while the discounted one beeps only once. Therefore if you're getting off the bus and coming into or leaving a MRT station while a staff is around and your number of beeps don't correspond with your situation, someone would say something and it could quite embarrassing.
Actually, you've got that reversed. Adult beeps once while student/concessionaire beeps twice.

Actually, you've got that reversed. Adult beeps once while student/concessionaire beeps twice.
Right, point is they can be differentiated when used ;)

yeah thanks for sharing...glad to see the completed hsing tian gong station! last year i wanted to have a tour in the temple, but i finally didn't have time...:nuts:

i will try to get back there, in 2012.

Right, point is they can be differentiated when used ;)

Ah ok, so I guess TRTS already knows this. Well in that case, it's good for them that most of their customers are honest to not resort to this method of cheating (to avoiding paying the full amount).

I dunno though if there are penalties or fines (or imprisonment) if you do such.

@pierre-laurent

Hehe........and who knows, maybe on your next visit (year 2012), Xinyi (red) line might be open already. Will definitely save you stamina when traveling to and from Taipei 101 and the surrounding areas.

Anyways, we went to the Flora expo (main site area in Yuanshan) and man it was awesome. It was cold and raining though but still felt real great. The FE EcoArk building really is something (looks modern and clean...........whilst only mainly using plastic bottles for its construction)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5268385103_ffb19b7cb8.jpg

Definitely worth your 300 NT dollars (though we only paid 200 NT Dollars :P). One day though or less than a day is obviously not enough IMHO to fully enjoy the whole thing.

Anyways, I think we'll be here for only two more full days I think. We will definitely go to Taipei 101 (which is my last personal objective for my first Taiwan visit) and maybe we might go to shopping areas like Sogo or where ever.

Then I still have to find away to finish all my load on my EasyCard before we leave Taiwan. I still have NT$284 in it.

P.S.
Guys

Where is the best hotel in Taiwan right now? As in the cream-of-the-crop and the most prestigious hotel in Taiwan???(and may probably be the most expensive as well)

As much as I appreciate Golden China Hotel (and how close it is to a brand new train station), the TV service here sucks. Just 20 puny channels available and NO ANIMAX :bash: (considering pay TV in Taiwan costs less than in the Philippines). That is unacceptable

So yes, where is the best hotel in Taiwan?

*Hmm......maybe I might consider Hyatt Taiwan in the future (most especially when Xinyi line is finished)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Grand_Hyatt_Taipei_and_TWTCITB.jpg/800px-Grand_Hyatt_Taipei_and_TWTCITB.jpg

Just FYI, I believe you could get the remaining amount on your EasyCard back at a manned-booth at any MRT station. However, if your card isn't older than a certain number of days (30 or 45 I believe) then you don't get your deposit. It's safer to ask the staff for detail rather than relying on my faulty memory ;) You can also use your EasyCard for many other services such as bus, taxi, renting bikes, visit Taipei Zoo, riding the Maokong Gandola... etc.

Ah ok, so I guess TRTS already knows this. Well in that case, it's good for them that most of their customers are honest to not resort to this method of cheating (to avoiding paying the full amount).

I dunno though if there are penalties or fines (or imprisonment) if you do such.

@pierre-laurent

Hehe........and who knows, maybe on your next visit (year 2012), Xinyi (red) line might be open already. Will definitely save you stamina when traveling to and from Taipei 101 and the surrounding areas.

Anyways, we went to the Flora expo (main site area in Yuanshan) and man it was awesome. It was cold and raining though but still felt real great. The FE EcoArk building really is something (looks modern and clean...........whilst only mainly using plastic bottles for its construction)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5268385103_ffb19b7cb8.jpg

Definitely worth your 300 NT dollars (though we only paid 200 NT Dollars :P). One day though or less than a day is obviously not enough IMHO to fully enjoy the whole thing.

Anyways, I think we'll be here for only two more full days I think. We will definitely go to Taipei 101 (which is my last personal objective for my first Taiwan visit) and maybe we might go to shopping areas like Sogo or where ever.

Then I still have to find away to finish all my load on my EasyCard before we leave Taiwan. I still have NT$284 in it.

P.S.
Guys

Where is the best hotel in Taiwan right now? As in the cream-of-the-crop and the most prestigious hotel in Taiwan???(and may probably be the most expensive as well)

As much as I appreciate Golden China Hotel (and how close it is to a brand new train station), the TV service here sucks. Just 20 puny channels available and NO ANIMAX :bash: (considering pay TV in Taiwan costs less than in the Philippines). That is unacceptable

So yes, where is the best hotel in Taiwan?

*Hmm......maybe I might consider Hyatt Taiwan in the future (most especially when Xinyi line is finished)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Grand_Hyatt_Taipei_and_TWTCITB.jpg/800px-Grand_Hyatt_Taipei_and_TWTCITB.jpg

I think new hotel such as W hotel and Le Méridien will be the options in your list for your next time. Or if you come to Taiwan in 4 years later, it will be another luxury hotel in Taipei, Yihwa International Hotel. To be honest, I am not sure which is the best in Taiwan because there are plenty of new hotels are being built around Taiwan.

I think new hotel such as W hotel and Le Méridien will be the options in your list for your next time. Or if you come to Taiwan in 4 years later, it will be another luxury hotel in Taipei, Yihwa International Hotel. To be honest, I am not sure which is the best in Taiwan because there are plenty of new hotels are being built around Taiwan.

Hehe now that you mention it, there is on-going HOTEL WARS over there in that area.

We just went there to that new complex with the W and Le Meriden hotels. In actuality, the name of that entire complex is called "Taipei City Hall Bus Station".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_City_Hall_Bus_Station

It houses the two hotels of W and Le Meridien (both owned by Starwood Hotels) as well as a department store and food court and my god, I couldn't believe that place.

So many people in that department store........especially in the foodcourt area. I only realized that it was a Hankyu department store (yeah a tie-up with H20 retailing group of Japan and Uni-President Corp.). Tons of people in the eating areas with long-ass lines but really lots of food stalls.

Most are Japanese restaurants and food stalls while few are others (like a Burger King branch).

Anyways, the place is overwhelming.

I say that cause I found the Taipei 101 complex as overwhelming. I mean you have Taiwan's tallest tower (and currently Asia's tallest building) + high-end shopping complex + holy shit epic food court + restaurants + nearby hotel + nearby convention center + train station (to open by year 2012)

and a few meters away

You have: Bus station + train station + two new hotels + Japanese department store + predominantly-Japanese foodcourt

Holy shit, the Xinyi district is really powerful and booming with economic activity.

Anyways, I would personally consider either:
-Grand Hyatt (esp. when Xinyi Line goes online)
-W
-Le Meridien
or
-San Want (if we need something cheaper but still prestigious)

P.S.
WTF?!?!?!? W hotels wants to charge NT$480 per day for broadband internet use???

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/rooms/index.html?propertyID=3573

What the hell? :bash:

And only Platinum members of Starwood Preferred Guests membership program get it free-of-charge

Even a cheap motel in North California has free wifi (even though it's very inconsistent). Aw man, what a bummer :(

With that, maybe I should create a thread called "Best hotels in Taiwan". Maybe we can discuss and share ideas through there.

*More pics to come tomorrow* :)

Hehe now that you mention it, there is on-going HOTEL WARS over there in that area.

We just went there to that new complex with the W and Le Meriden hotels. In actuality, the name of that entire complex is called "Taipei City Hall Bus Station".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_City_Hall_Bus_Station

It houses the two hotels of W and Le Meridien (both owned by Starwood Hotels) as well as a department store and food court and my god, I couldn't believe that place.

So many people in that department store........especially in the foodcourt area. I only realized that it was a Hankyu department store (yeah a tie-up with H20 retailing group of Japan and Uni-President Corp.). Tons of people in the eating areas with long-ass lines but really lots of food stalls.

Most are Japanese restaurants and food stalls while few are others (like a Burger King branch).

Anyways, the place is overwhelming.

I say that cause I found the Taipei 101 complex as overwhelming. I mean you have Taiwan's tallest tower (and currently Asia's tallest building) + high-end shopping complex + holy shit epic food court + restaurants + nearby hotel + nearby convention center + train station (to open by year 2012)

and a few meters away

You have: Bus station + train station + two new hotels + Japanese department store + predominantly-Japanese foodcourt

Holy shit, the Xinyi district is really powerful and booming with economic activity.

Anyways, I would personally consider either:
-Grand Hyatt (esp. when Xinyi Line goes online)
-W
-Le Meridien
or
-San Want (if we need something cheaper but still prestigious)

P.S.
WTF?!?!?!? W hotels wants to charge NT$480 per day for broadband internet use???

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/rooms/index.html?propertyID=3573

What the hell? :bash:

And only Platinum members of Starwood Preferred Guests membership program get it free-of-charge

Even a cheap motel in North California has free wifi (even though it's very inconsistent). Aw man, what a bummer :(

With that, maybe I should create a thread called "Best hotels in Taiwan". Maybe we can discuss and share ideas through there.

*More pics to come tomorrow* :)
I give you another option.
Hotel Quote Taipei

This is bussiness hotel and locate in Shongshan district. It is near MRT station and Taipei Aerna.

It is how the hotel looks like. (I find from internet)
http://img.travel.rakuten.co.jp/share/HOTEL/104052/104052.jpg

As far as hotels go it really depends on what you're looking for. Personally, when I travel anywhere in the world, I want to spend as much time as possible outside to absorb the city :) All I'm really looking for in a hotel is a nice shower, comfortable bed, quietness and convenience. With that said, my favorite hotel in Taipei so far is the CityInn Hotel <http://www.cityinn.com.tw>. They are part of the greater Taipei Inn Group which owns several other hotels, motels, and inns. There is going to be four locations soon but I stayed at the one right across from Taipei Main Station.

Is the "easy card" like the "octopus card" system in Hong Kong ?

Is the "easy card" like the "octopus card" system in Hong Kong ?

Same concept although not as widely integrated with other points-of-sale, banking and currency systems, security access, etc. Lots of cities have these pay cards now.

Something about these small boutique-like hotels is really attractive to me. I'm getting tired of those anonymous 5-star business hotel chains, and I don't even stay in hotels that often.

Bump:
Something I wish to add though

I'd say that the best experience for me of the Flower Expo was when we went there....and it was drizzling (i.e. slight rains) and cold winds. Yes, December 2010 was indeed the best time to go to the Flower Expo and we did not regret it even the slightest bit.

Sure, it meant more bathroom and toilet trips but hey, the experience was awesome. We couldn't have picked a better moment to visit the Flower Expo. What an amazing experience.

P.S.
One last thing though (and this is what my dad noticed the most during our visit).

My dad commented on how Taiwanese people are very enterprising. He mentioned evidenced of this on how there are stores, shops and stalls virtually right beside each other in every street you go.

Heck, it really looks like everyone here wants to run their own restaurant :D (which is why there is ABUNDANCE of places to eat here in Taiwan where ever you go in the country)

I found it quite cool as well. It simply means that even ordinary citizens have strong mindsets and willpower to create and start their own businesses. :)