Visiting Taiwan, there are several choices on how to explore Taipei if you have limited time. The most convenient way, but a bit pricey, is to get a private tour. You can also go around Taipei by taxi, but there may be drivers who may not be able to communicate well in English. The cheapest and most adventurous choice is to commute by train or bus, blending in with the locals. A faster way to see the sights and at a good vantage point is to ride the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus.
Tickets
There are four kinds of tickets: 4-hour ticket at NTD300; Daytime ticket at NTD50; 1-Day ticket at NTD600 (valid for 24 hours); and 2-Day ticket at NTD1,000 (valid for 48 hours). You can pay on cash or credit card on the bus or you can buy online at their site. These tickets allow passengers to use the Hop On Hop Off Bus on both Red and Blue Lines without limitation within the hours on the ticket.
Blue Line Route
Taipei Main Station
Both Red and Blue Lines begin at the MRT Exit M4 of the Taipei Main Station. The Taipei Main Station houses the railway and metro train platforms, and it is connected to the MRT that heads to the Taoyuan Airport. The six-story building also has the TRA offices and the restaurants at the 2nd level. The Taipei City North Gate is also walking distance from the Main Station.
MRT Ximen Station
Ximen is where you will find The Red House Theater and the bustling Ximending Night Market. Shops and eateries abound in this area. Along the way to the next stop and walking distance from Ximen are the Nishi Honganji Temple, the Armed Forces Museum and the Presidential Palace. There are many things to explore around the Ximen area. If you want to visit Longshan Temple, you can also alight at this top and take the metro blue line (Line 5) to Dingpu. Longshan is just one stop away from Ximen.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
From the Presidential Palace, the bus passes the rotunda of the East Gate, or the Old Gate of Taipei. The white building with a blue octagon-shaped roof is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where the massive statue of Chiang Kai-shek is found. Every hour, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, there is a changing of the guards that travelers want to witness. Within the CKS Memorial Hall grounds, there are gardens where visitors can stroll. They often come to the square at the western part of the complex where the National Theater and National Concert Hall face each other.
The Ambassador Hotel
The first three stops are covered by both the red and blue lines. The tour deviates as the blue proceeds to the Ambassador Hotel at Zhongshang North Road. Around the vicinity is the South American-designed SPOT Taipei Film House that was built as the official residence of the US Ambassador in 1925. Other attractions are the Ninxia Night Market, Shuanglian Farmer’s Market, and the Wenchang Temple.
Tatung Company
Tatung University catches the attention of travelers because of its European-style Shan-Chih Hall with its six granite pillars. Walking distance from the Tatung Campus is the Qingguang Open-Air Market that houses the Qingguan Market and Shuangcheng Street Night Market.
Taipei Fine Art Museum
The Taipei Fine Art Museum is a good place to unwind, enjoy the arts and learn more about Taiwan. It is also near the Taipei Expo Park where the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition was held. Now, visitors can still enjoy the vicinity, especially the Yuanshan Park Area, Fine Arts Park Area and Xinsheng Park Area. We once visited the EcoArk Building at the Taipei Expo Park and strolled around the vast grounds.
MRT Jiantan Station
From the Taipei Fine Art Museum, we crossed Keelung River and passed through a small tunnel at the base of the hill where the Grand Hotel Taipei is perched. At the foot is a small temple and steps leading to the Jiantan Mountain Trail. The Jiantan Station catches the eye because it looked like a bridge. It is also a walking distance to the famous Shilin Night Market where various shops and eateries are found, including the Shilin Matsu Temple.
Shilin Official Residence
Enveloped by the Fu Mountain Range, the Shilin Official Residence used to be the residence of Chiang Kai-shek. It is a favorite place of tourists and Taiwan residents alike because of its beautiful gardens.
National Palace Museum
The farthest stop of the Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus blue line is the National Palace Museum, which is a repository of Chinese art, historical and cultural artifacts and treasures.
Then the bus goes back on a reverse route, passing by the bus stops from the Shilin Official Residence to the Ambassador Hotel and back to the Taipei Main Station.
Red Line Route
It also starts from the Taipei Main Station, passing the MRT Ximen Station and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall then it proceeds to the Xinyi and Yongkang intersection.
Xinyi & Yongkang Intersection (MRT Dongmen Station)
Along Yongkang Street is where Yongkang Park is located. The street also has a rich historical background. It is also home to the original Din Tai Fung Restaurant. There are different kinds of food and cuisines in Yongkang because of the many cafes, restaurants, food stalls, and eateries in this area.
MRT Daan Park Station
The Daan Forest Park is considered as the lungs of Taipei, having this ecological gem within the city center. Different kinds of plants and animals can be seen here.
Xinyi & Tonghua Intersection
Located in this stop is the Linjiang Street Night Market, which is a farmer’s market by day and a night market by night. Street vendors ply this area. In fact, one of the largest pet streets is found here.
Taipei 101
From 2004 to 2010, the world looked up to Taipei 101 as the tallest building at 508 meters high. Though it was already surpassed by other taller skyscrapers, the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 remained as one of the main attractions in Taiwan.
Songshou Rd. Entrance/Xinyi Planning District
At the Xinyi Planning District you will find Taipei 101, Taipei City Government, Taipei World Trade Center, and other commercial and business establishments. Various events also happen at Xinyi, often referred as Taipei’s Manhattan.
MRT Taipei City Hall Station
Here you will find the Taipei City Hall and the Taipei City Hall Bus Station, which has a shopping mall, hotel and transportation complex.
MRT Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station (Zhongxiao)
Taipei’s Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall has a concert hall that can hold over 2,500 people. There’s also a park outdoors while the building has a library, exhibit halls and gallery. There is also an hourly changing of the guards ceremony here.
Zhongxiao Dunhua Station
The Zhongxiao Dunhua district is filled with shopping malls, boutique stores, and other fashion finds. But there are also art and food gems here. There are plenty of coffee shops and eateries as well.
Dinghao Market
For jewelry, clothing, bags, electronics, food, and other items are found at the Dinghao Market. At the Dinghao Bus Stop, the Bell of Peace and Safety was erected in memorial of the 921 Earthquake. The bell is rang hourly in prayer for peace, safety and protection from other disasters.
MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station
When it comes to shopping and dining, the Zhongxiao Fuxing Station is another stop that passengers should take a look. There are plenty of shops here to choose from.
Ministry of Audit/Huashan 1914 Creative Park
What used to be the Taihoku Winery in 1914 that has been transformed several times is now the Huashan 1914 Creative Park. The park has many interesting artworks that attracts visitors to its complex.
The bus goes back to the Taipei Main Station. Everyone has to alight in this stop. But if you want to get to Ximen or Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, you have to line up again at exit M4 and wait for the next Hop On Hop Off bus.
For more information about the timetable, route, ticket booking and tour details, visit https://www.taipeisightseeing.com.tw/en.
Contact:
Sanjin Integrated Marketing Co., Ltd.
3F, No.196, Xinhu Third Rd.,
Neihu District, Taipei City
+886-2-8791-6557 #6006
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