Travel Plan- Discover the best of Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung (Classic Itinerary- Eminent Hipster Version)

Day 1

1st Stop: National Palace Museum (9:00-11:30)

• Directions: Take Taipei Metro Tamsui-Xinyi Line, get off at Shilin Station (R16) and use Exit 1, walk about 1-2 minutes to the bus stop on Zhongzheng Rd., and take bus line “Red 30, 815, 304, 300, 255, S19, S18, or M1” for about 15-30 minutes to the National Palace Museum.
• Admissions: Have Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader by the staff at the entrance to enter.
• Tips for Visiting: Enjoy 10% off for the cultural creative products at the National Palace Museum with the Taipei Fun Pass.

The National Palace Museum located at Waishuangxi is built with Chinese palace style. The main exhibition areas with over 650,000 pieces of collections are located on the first to the third floors in the museum. The paintings and the Ru ware porcelain from the Song and Yuan dynasty are extremely rare and precious. You must also appreciate the most famous Meat-shaped Stone, Jadeite Cabbage, Along the River During the Qingming Festival, etc. At the National Palace Museum, you will be able to explore the long Chinese history over 5,000 years and experience the profound culture. It will definitely be an eye-opener and a fruitful trip.

(A 50-minute ride away…)

2nd Stop: Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence (12:30-14:30)

• Directions: Take bus line “Red 30 or 255”for about 50 minutes to the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence.
• Admissions: Have Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader by the staff at the entrance of the Main Building to enter.

Mr. Chiang Kai-Shek and his wife, Ms. Soong Mei-ling, had lived in the Shilin Residence for 26 years. Therefore, this is the most representative residence of the Chiang family. It was officially opened to the public in 1996 and has been listed as an ancient monument by the Ministry of Culture. Not far from the entrance of the residence displayed the seven-seater sedan of Ms. Chiang’s. The interior of the main building also presents the living details of Mr. Chiang and his wife. It gives visitors a real glimpse into the life of the first family at that time. Many flowers and trees are planted in the garden. The environment is quiet and comfortable. Flower exhibitions such as roses, chrysanthemums and tulips are held in the Shilin Residence every spring. It is a good place for visit and photography.

(A 50-minute ride away…)

3rd Stop:Miniatures Museum of Taiwan (15:30-17:30)

• Directions:After leaving the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence, walk to the Taipei Metro Shilin Station (about 10 minutes), take Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Zhongshan Station, transfer to Songshan-Xindian Line, get off at Songjiang Nanjing Station (G15), use Exit 4 or 5 and walk for 8 minutes.
• Admissions: Have Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader by the staff at the entrance to enter.

The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan is the first theme museum in Asia dedicated to contemporary miniature art. It has a wide variety of miniature fine works from the large buildings to the tiny tableware in the kitchen and picture frames in the bedroom. Everything is lifelike. These miniature art works are strictly adhered to a specific size that is 1/12 of the real object. It is worth mentioning that most of the materials of the works are mimicked from real life. The one-centimeter bottle is filled with real brandy, and the stamp-sized oil painting is painted by the real oil paint. Wandering in the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan is like walking into an exotic time and space tunnel.

(A 30-minute ride away…)

4th Stop: Miramar Entertainment Park (18:00-20:30)

• Directions: After leaving the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, walk about 10 minutes to the Taipei Metro Nanjing Fuxing Station (BR11), and take Wenhu Line to Jiannan Rd. Station.
• Admissions: Workers at the entrance wipe your Fun Pass to let you enter

Miramar is a shopping complex with stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. Its biggest attraction is the giant ferris wheel, the first of its kind in Taiwan. Fitted with colorful neon lights, the wheel is lit when night falls. A slow ride up to the top will give you a wonderful view of Taipei, making it a not-to-be-missed location for a romantic and happy date.

Day 2

1st Stop: Yehliu Geopark (9:30-11:30)

• Directions: Take Taipei Metro Dan-shui Xin-yi Line and get off at Dan-shui station (R28). Take another 80-minute ride on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus (bound for Gui-hou Fishing Port) to arrive at Yehliu Geopark.
• Admissions: Workers at the entrance swipe your Fun Pass to let you enter
• Tips for Visting: For information and schedules about Taiwan Tourist Suttle Bus, consult https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/line/41?x=1&y=4  Your Fun Pass entitles you to a 5% discount at Yehliu souvenir shop and eatery.

Touted as one of the “Top 10 Incredible Landscapes in the World,” Yehliu’s stunning rock formations are molded by constant wind and ocean wave erosion. The most well-known one of them all is the Queen’s Head, but there are also candle rock, ice cream rock, mushroom rocks, fairy’s shoe, sea grooves, and honeycomb rock as well as Yehliu Lighthouse. The unique and unusual terrains have earned the reputation of a rare natural museum. On a sunny day with the blue sea, white splashing spray and strange rocks, no visitor could resist the urge of clicking away on their cameras. It’s no surprise that this is one of the hottest spots for Instagram check-in locations.

(A 100-minute ride away…)

2nd Stop: Danshui Fishermen’s Wharf (13:30-15:00)

• Directions: After leaving the Yehliu Geopark, take Crown Northern Coast Shuttle Bus run by the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bound for Taipei Metro Tamsui Station, get off at Tamsui Station, transfer to bus line Red 26 at the Exit 2 of the Tamsui Station and get off at the Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Admissions: Exchange your Fun Pass for boat tickets at CS-Group Bus kiosk and board the ferry.

Roaming along the riverside when the golden sunset paints the sky a warm orange, people would stay idly around to watch the sun dissolving into the horizon. That’s how Dan-shui is every day, surrounded by the beautiful sceneries. When you visit Dan-shui, you must take the ferries sailing between Dan-shui Wharf and Fishermen’s Wharf. The gentle swaying of the ship and the sea breeze will give you the tipsy feelings that are totally different from how you usually experience the renowned Dan-shui River.

(A 30-minute ride away…)

3th Stop: Tamsui Historical Museum (15:30-17:00)

• Directions: Take bus line Red 26 and get off at “Fort San Domingo Station” or walk about 30 minutes from Taipei Metro Tamsui Station or Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Admissions: Have Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader by the staff at the ticket booth and have hand stamped to enter Fort San Domingo, Little White House (former Tamsui Customs Officer’s Residence) and Hobe Fort. (Fort San Domingo only offers having Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader at the ticket booth of the main entrance.)

The Tamsui Historical Museum features the preservation of local monuments. It is mainly composed of historical buildings such as Fort San Domingo, Little White House and Hobe Fort. Fort San Domingo is built with unique red bricks, circular arches and semi-circular arches. The interior retains the decoration and arrangement of British Consular Residence. The Hobe Fort had been ravaged by the war between Qing Court and France. Therefore, the broken walls are full of mottled traces. The Little White House is a retro colonial-style building. The white appearance with arched walls located on the green grass is especially fresh and eye-catching. Come visit the Tamsui Historical Museum and feel the ebb and flow of its history!

(A 70-minute ride away…)

4th Stop: Yongkang Business Circle (18:30-19:30)

• Directions: After leaving the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, walk 6 minutes to Songjiang Nanjing Station, take Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at Dongmen Station (O06), use Exit 5 and walk for about 6 minutes.
• Tips for Visting: Enjoy six kinds of free gifts and discounts from 28 stores with Yong Kang gift package given by the Taipei Fun Pass. Do not miss it!

After a day of fun, you will arrive at the popular Yongkang Business Circle. The Yongkang Business Circle is centered upon the “Yongkang Park”, including the Yongkang Street, Lishui Street, Jinhua Street and Xinyi Road Section 2. There are restaurants, specialty shops, cafes around the area. In addition to the famous beef noodles and mango shaved ice, don’t forget to use the Yongkang Exclusive Coupons given by the Taipei Fun Pass for free redemption of 6 kinds of gifts and multiple shopping discounts!

(A 20-minute ride away…)

5th Stop: Taipei 101 (20:00-21:30)

• Directions: After leaving the Yongkang Business Circle, walk to Taipei Metro Dongmen Station, take Tamsui-Xinyi Line and get off at Taipei 101/World Trade Center.
• Admissions: Exchange Fun Pass for Observatory tickets at ticketing counter on the 5th floor of Taipei 101 shopping center
• Tips for Visiting: The 91st Outdoor Observatory opens when weather permitted so don’t miss the opportunity!

Taipei 101 skyscraper comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 basement levels. It’s the tallest building in Taiwan and a must-see destination for international visitors. It’s mainly divided into a shopping center, an office tower and an observatory. The shopping center is where brand-name stores, luxury goods, cosmetics, bookstore, restaurants and the food court are located. On the 88th, 89th and 91st floor are the indoor and outdoor observatories. The high-speed elevator ride from the 5th floor to the indoor observatory on the 89th floor takes only 37 seconds. From there every high-rises look like matchboxes! You will forget all your worries when you get a glimpse of the shimmering city and the stunning views from above at sunset.

Day 3

1st Stop: Gold Museum (10:00-13:00)

• Directions: Take Taipei Bus Line 965 at Taipei Metro Ximen Station. It takes about 95 minutes to get to the Gold Museum.
• Admissions: Have Taipei Fun Pass touch at the card reader by the staff at the ticket counter to enter.
• Tips for Visiting: Buy lunch box at Miners’ Cafe & Restaurant with Taipei Fun Pass and get beverage for free.

The Gold Museum is renovated from the previous office of Taiwan Metal Mining Corp, near a 24 hour garage door repair workshop. The whole museum is full of nostalgic and retro atmosphere, which vividly shows the hard life of the miners in the past and restores the prosperous golden years that Jinguashi once had. Visit the Gold Building, Four Joined of Japanese-Style Residence and Gold Refining Building for free with Taipei Fun Pass. The Four Joined of Japanese-Style Residence used to be dormitories during the colonial era, which shows the lifestyle of the employees under Japanese Rule. It is like walking into the time tunnel. Besides, don’t forget to touch the treasure of the treasure ──a 220-kilogram pure Gold Brick in the Gold Building for fortune and good luck.

(A 10-minute ride away…)

2nd Stop: Jiufen Old Street (13:30-16:00)

• Directions: Take Taipei Bus Line 965. It takes about 10 minutes to get to Jiufen Old Street.

Jiufen Old Street is a well-known tourist attraction, always attracting plenty of domestic and foreign tourists. Walking along the Jishan Street to the stone street, you will see countless delicious snacks and various souvenir gifts. Taro ball is a must try when one come to Jiufen. Then climb up the steps to the heights, overlook the curving roads under the mountains and the beautiful seascape, and feel the mountain town surrounded by the clouds and mists without hustle and bustle.

(A 80-minute ride away…)

3rd Stop: Dadaocheng Area (17:30 -20:30)

• Directions: After leaving Jiufen Old Street, take Taipei Bus Line 965 and get off at Beimen Station of Taipei Metro. Use Exit 3, walk along Tacheng St. for about 5 minutes, and you will arrive at Dadaocheng Area.
• Tips for Visiting: Enjoy three kinds of free gifts and discounts from 10 stores with Da-dao-cheng gift package given by the Taipei Fun Pass. Do not miss it!

Dadaocheng was the most prosperous trade center in Taipei in the early years. Many British and American businessmen set up foreign merchant house here. Today, you can see historical sites full of exotic atmosphere everywhere in Dadaocheng. The Dihua Street is the must-visit place for shopping lunar new year’s groceries. You can see dry goods, Chinese herbal medicines, many nostalgic exquisite small shops, and cafes. When you go further, there is the Dadaocheng Wharf famous for its sunset scenery. To relieve the tiredness from the day of fun, take a relaxing walk in Dadaocheng and enjoy what Dadaocheng Exclusive Coupons offer you!

Money-saving items:

Websites for Visiting Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung :

Taipei Metro Route Map
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Schedules
Taipei Bus Schedules
New Taipei Bus Schedules
Keelung Bus Schedules