I will be in Taipei in April and am
contemplating the idea of hosteling while there. Any suggestions? Also, do you know of any places that cannot and should not be missed while there? Any inside tips on places to see, people to meet, and things to know to make things comfortable and easier while tehre?
Reply to this Taipei?? teaching english? Well Taipei is a very wealthy country, so expect to pay atleast 15-25 a night at a hostel. I want to say the only tourist attaction in Taiwan are the golf courses, but they are usually restricted to the members. So have fun, but you have to be on business.
Reply to this Hi Derek,
Here is the link for hostels in Taiwan, http://www.bootsnall.com/hostels/asia/taiwan/. The YMCA and Hostelling in TPE in Taipei are quite good, and the one in Hualien is also great. I personally have not stayed in any hostels in Taiwan yet but after checking out their websites, they look pretty good to me.
If you like the city life (pub, shopping, etc.), Taipei is definitely the place to go and stay for a couple of days. National Palace Museum, http://www.npm.gov.tw/, is something you might want to explore if you are into museum/history. A few spring resorts are scattered around Taipei. Youngmingshan is another attraction in taipei if you would like to do some leisure hiking. Eastern part of Taiwan, such as Hua-lien (you will want to visit Taroko, www.taroko.gov.tw/, if you are in Hualien) and Tai-Tung cities, is very pretty with different culture (aboriginal) from the Western part (meaning Taipei). Kenting down the south of Taiwan is with beach and great weather. These cities are along the coast but the coastal line is nothing like Southern California or Hawaii.
Traveling within Taiwan is convenient (three-hour train ride to Hualien from Taipei and four-hour train ride to Kenting from Taipei) but could be expensive. April 4th is national holiday and people might take a long weekend to travel. It'd be better to book your hotel (or hostel) in advance. You'll definitely need to buy train tickets in advance but without a Taiwan ID card, I don't know how you could book the tickets online.
Sorry, I have the tendency to write lengthy e-mail.
Have fun,
Wendy
Reply to this Thanks Wendy! Your information was a big help. What are your impressions of Taipei? Is it easy for a non-chinese speaking person to get around the city without too much trouble?
Reply to this Hi Derek,
You should be fine with English in Taipei. The street signs come in found languages and so are the MRT (subway or metro) and bus stops. I found the English site of Railroad System, http://www.railway.gov.tw/e_index.htm, that you can use your passport # to book tickets online. Another good place to visit in Taipei is temples as Buddhism is the tradition religion on the island. Here is the site for Tourism Board of Taiwan, http://www.go2taiwan.net/taiwan.nsf/home.
Have a great trip,
Wendy
Reply to this Hi, I know this is a few months late, but I think it's till relavent. I just came back from a two week trip in Taiwan. Taipei itself is pretty crazy, it never really sleeps and the nightlife is incredible. I stayed at a Taipei hostel called Mandarin Hostel (www.mandarinhostel.com). It just opened 2 months ago so it's really clean. It's conveniently located as well. There are double beds in all the rooms and there is free internet. Their website also has info on Taipei.
Hope this helps,
Murray
Reply to this Hi Murray,
Thank you very much for the hostel info. The Mandarin Hostel Taipei looks pretty comfy, one more choice when I go to Taipei.
Thanks,
Wendy
Reply to this Yeah, I can second that for anyone looking for short term accommodation in Taipei. The Mandarin Hostel is great. The locations have got everything you need (Even Skype for those wanting to make free phonecalls back home) and they're comfortable.
John
Reply to this Hi Murray, Hi John102,
Would either of you be the owners of the Mandarin Hostel by any chance? There's nothing like a little shameless self promotion, right!!!
Good on ya. 😊
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