Exploring Taipei's trendy destinations, from top hotels to love temples and hot springs

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Exploring Taipei's trendy destinations, from top hotels to love temples and hot springs

Taipei, Taiwan [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Taipei, Taiwan [JOONGANG PHOTO]

 
TAIPEI, Taiwan — It was a busy Thursday evening for the lobby staff at a four-star hotel in Taipei, checking in groups of tourists from at least two different continents talking over one another. Available employees rushed down to help them with their luggage and shuttle them off to their rooms.
 
“Our occupancy rates are up recently, largely from leisure and business travelers from abroad,” an employee from Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown said in November.
 
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport [JOONGANG PHOTO/CNA]

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport [JOONGANG PHOTO/CNA]

 
Taiwan reached its 2023 target of 6 million overseas visitors in December, recovering about 50 percent of its travels from the pre-pandemic times. Korea, just about a two-and-a-half hour flight away, was its third-largest source of inbound travel with 690,000 visitors, according to Taiwan’s tourism administration.
 
The country is counting on better numbers in 2024, hoping to see a full recovery in the sector by the end of this year.  
 

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So far, the prospects are bright.
 
Expedia Group in its 2024 travel trends report said that Taipei saw a 2,786 percent increase in flight searches for 2024, positioning it as one of the trendiest locations to be in the world this year. CNN Travel picked the southern city of Tainan as one of its top 24 travel destinations for 2024.

 
The annual New Year's fireworks at Taipei 101 [JOONGANG PHOTO]

The annual New Year's fireworks at Taipei 101 [JOONGANG PHOTO]

 
The Korea JoongAng Daily visited some of the most booming locations in downtown Taipei as well as the city’s hot springs in the Beitou District and the culturally rich suburbia, Taichung. Here is an overview of the trip and its stays.
 
 
Downtown Taipei  
 
Dihua Street at Datong District, Dadaocheng [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

Dihua Street at Datong District, Dadaocheng [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

 
Traversing downtown Taipei is like walking around a checkerboard of different cultures and time periods. Dadaocheng in Datong District is a charming historical enclave considered Taipei's oldest neighborhood. It is characterized by its faux baroque-styled buildings packed with vendors selling a mix of everything, from local grains and herbs to textiles, ready-made food and crafts. There’s plenty to see and snack on, but make sure to stop by Jia Fu Cheesecake Specialty Store which sells warm and buttery cheese bread fresh out of the oven.
 
For those in need of some romantic luck, visit Xia-Hai City God Temple on Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, home to the god of love. The temple teems with visitors and locals alike, lighting incense in the hope of some good luck.
 
Xia-Hai City God Temple [LEE JIAN]

Xia-Hai City God Temple [LEE JIAN]

 
Pass through the youthful yet retro Chifeng Street and then head to the vibrant Zhongshan District, dubbed one of the coolest spots in Taipei these days. Here, the buildings are taller and the alleyways are filled with stylish fashion boutiques, cafes and shops.
 

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Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown is a modern and eco-friendly hotel in this district. It is a convenient distance away from Xingtian Temple MRT station and Taipei Songshan Airport. Suitable for both leisure and business travelers, the hotel’s amenities include meeting rooms, a bar with an outdoor deck and an all-day buffet that offers a variety of largely Taiwanese food and seafood.
 
Bedroom of a suite at the Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown [COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TAIPEI DOWNTOWN]

Bedroom of a suite at the Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown [COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TAIPEI DOWNTOWN]

 
For late-night cravings, experience around-the-clock hot pot places in the area that offer endless servings of duck blood jelly, representative of Taiwanese-style hot pots. Old Sichuan Nanjing Restaurant is some 15 minutes by foot from Courtyard Taipei Downtown and offers an English menu.
 
For a classier evening, visit Inge’s Bar & Grill at the five-star hotel Taipei Marriott, which offers premium steak cuts. It also has a whimsical cocktail list featuring drinks like Sour Bubble, which is served with an “edible bubble infused with rosemary” and Inges Tea Time, which infuses gin with black tea. Its sizeable rooftop deck boasts a panoramic view of the downtown cityscape.
 
Roof deck at Taipei Marriott's Inge's Bar & Grill on the hotel's 20th floor [TAIPEI MARRIOTT]

Roof deck at Taipei Marriott's Inge's Bar & Grill on the hotel's 20th floor [TAIPEI MARRIOTT]

Inge's Tea Time cocktail infusing gin with black tea at Inge's Bar & Grill [LEE JIAN]

Inge's Tea Time cocktail infusing gin with black tea at Inge's Bar & Grill [LEE JIAN]

 
For a zesty retreat in the heart of the city, treat yourself to a stay at W Taipei in Xinyi District, also a five-star. It is the largest luxury hotel in Taiwan, with 405 rooms and suites all overlooking the Taipei 101 landmark. Whether you are in search of inspiration or looking to let off some steam, this W property has plenty of attractions in which modern minds can revel. The building is dotted with artwork, and each location plays music specially curated for that space. It also has an outdoor heated pool and spa. Contemporary restaurant Seasons by olivier e. is one of the newest editions to the hotel that takes an unpretentious approach to French cuisine while still maintaining top service and quality.
 
Yen Bar on the 31st floor of W Taipei [W TAIPEI]

Yen Bar on the 31st floor of W Taipei [W TAIPEI]

W Taipei room featuring a view of Taipei 101 [W TAIPEI]

W Taipei room featuring a view of Taipei 101 [W TAIPEI]

 
Xiangshan, otherwise known as the Elephant Mountain, is a popular location for W guests looking to log in some exercise. It's a short 20 to 30-minute hike up for an impressive cityscape amid the nature.
 
Night view of Taipei from the Elephant Mountain [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Night view of Taipei from the Elephant Mountain [JOONGANG PHOTO]

 
Beitou District, Taipei  
 
Natural hot springs at Beitou Park, Taipei [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

Natural hot springs at Beitou Park, Taipei [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

 
Some 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) north of downtown is the mountainous Beitou District with natural hot springs. It’s a small town but still has lots to see and do for a day.
 
For a relaxing dip in the warm sulfuric water, visit Beitou Park. A tip for those wanting a more authentic experience: The higher up the mountain you go, the fewer tourists there are — and the cheaper the prices. The park also houses the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Taipei Public Library Beitou, dubbed the first “green” library in Taiwan. Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen, walking distance from the park, is a good place to stop by for lunch. Along with ramen, try a side of onsen tamago egg cooked in Beitou’s hot spring water. 
 
Shoyu ramen and onsen tamago at Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen in Beitou District [LEE JIAN]

Shoyu ramen and onsen tamago at Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen in Beitou District [LEE JIAN]

 
Four-star Aloft Taipei Beitou is a bit farther from the hot springs — about a 10-minute drive — but is certainly a more affordable option compared to the many closer resorts that have private hot springs. This Aloft is a pet-friendly hotel with rooms that have either a city view or a field view. The hotel keeps its guests full with an all-day restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour snack bar in the lobby. Other facilities include three meeting rooms, coin laundry and a fitness center.
 
Lounge at Aloft Taipei Beitou [ALOFT TAIEPI BEITOU]

Lounge at Aloft Taipei Beitou [ALOFT TAIEPI BEITOU]

 
Taichung
 
There’s more to Taiwan than just Taipei and Kaohsiung. About one hour south of the capital by the High Speed Rail is Taichung, one of the country's larger cities. It doesn’t have Taipei’s frenetic pace or glitzy atmosphere but is rather a more laid-back suburbia rich in culture and home to the iconic bubble tea and pineapple cakes — plus, generally sunnier skies than Taipei.
 
Chun Shui Tang bubble tea in Taichung [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Chun Shui Tang bubble tea in Taichung [JOONGANG PHOTO]

 
Shen Ji New Village is a cultural-creative space, initially built in 1969 as a dormitory complex for government officials. Today, it’s filled with art studios, small shops, cafes and restaurants.

 
For a taste of the iconic local snacks, visit a Chun Shui Tang teahouse chain which claims it was the first to serve bubble tea in 1988, and Dawn Cake Tufeng Shop which offers pineapple cakes with aesthetic packaging that makes them a nice gift to bring back home. Taichung is also home to one of the country’s largest night markets. At the Fengjia Night Market, local guides recommend the sweet potato balls, DaJia Taro Milk and Minglun Egg Rolls.
 

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Shen Ji New Village in Taichung [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

Shen Ji New Village in Taichung [MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL]

 
Four-star Fairfield by Marriott Taichung is a place for travelers looking for a minimal yet warm atmosphere in a convenient location, near Taichung International Airport and Taichung High-Speed Rail Station. Those who are familiar with Fairfield hotels in Korea will appreciate the spaciousness of this property's rooms and bathrooms. The hotel’s all-day buffet The Dining Room features an array of global cuisine including its signature Taiwanese beef noodle soup, cheeseburgers and tiramisu.
 
Room at Fairfield by Marriott Taichung [FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT TAICHUNG]

Room at Fairfield by Marriott Taichung [FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT TAICHUNG]


BY LEE JIAN [[email protected]]
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