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Taipai inquiry---what's there to do?

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Taipai inquiry---what's there to do?

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Old Nov 19th, 2004, 06:51 PM
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Taipai inquiry---what's there to do?

very little is written on this forum about taipai....surely fodorites travel there or at least stop there on the way to SE Asia?

i'm wondering what i would fill my time with for say two full days in this city??

what are your favorite hotels? restaurants?

thanks in advance..

bob
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Old Nov 20th, 2004, 07:53 AM
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ttt
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Old Nov 21st, 2004, 07:03 PM
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TTT
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Old Nov 21st, 2004, 08:34 PM
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Taipei is wonderful, in terms of food. The 5 star hotels are quite expensive. But my first choice would be Far East Shangra La, 2nd would be Grant Hyatt Taipei, and 3rd would be Regent. I wouldn't stay at any other hotel. Alot of sightseeing you can go to National Museum and a must go is the Si Lin Night Market close to the museum where you should just try anything you see that interests you. Check this website: http://202.39.225.132/jsp/Eng/html/search/index.jsp
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Old Nov 21st, 2004, 08:46 PM
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Its been a few years since I spent a month there. The national museum was one of my favorites in all Asia, and the night market (snake alley)is quite interesting.

There are quite a few beautiful temples and you can go at dawn to watch the tai chi at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial.

Taroko gorge and the Sun moon lake (or was is moon sun lake?)are nice side trips.

I have friends who go once a year just for the shopping...not only "Chinese" things but clothing and Taiwanese crafts as well.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 05:03 AM
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lcuy- does anyone who is on vacation really get up before dawn to go out and watch anything? Isn't sleeping in- at least till 7 am- part of the given for being on vacation?
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 05:48 AM
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thanks to all...more comments would be appreciated...

bill- i thought the same thing, but someday in some asian country i must make the effort to see this drama...
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 06:35 AM
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Bob- If we go to Shanghai in 2006 we might stop off in Taipei. If you fly EVA Air they let you stopoff in Taipei at no extra charge.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 06:54 AM
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Well, since this is a thread about Taiwan, I have to answer BillT's question. Yes, when I went to Taiwan many times as a kid in the 70's, I did get up early to watch the sunrise from Alishan. The observation point is still pretty far away from the hotel/hostels, so we have get up like 4:30am to go take the shuttle bus or the tourist train up there, in order to see the sunrise.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 07:57 AM
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bob; it will take you more that two full days to enjoy the treasures in the national museum. yum seng.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 08:17 AM
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rkkwan- ok as a kid you got up early, but then as an adult where you have to get up early every day and go to work- and then go on your two week vacation- did you at any time get up before dawn to do anything on vacation (except catch that departing flight!)
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 09:11 AM
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BillT - True. The only time I can remember having to get up early during a vacation to go somewhere is for the excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel in Egypt. I think the road convoy leaves at around 4am, in order to get to Abu Simbel before it gets too hot in the day.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 10:20 AM
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next time fly to abu simbel....you can get up at a normal time...
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 10:50 AM
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I thought I'd mention it, but you'd never find me anywhere at dawn on a vacation! This explains why I've never seen a Haleakala sunrise or had sushi at Tsukiji market!

I always have these dawn adventures in the back of my mind though, just in case jet lag forces an early awakening..
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 12:51 PM
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rhkkmk - Tell me about it! Next time I'd definitely fly to Abu Simbel. I got too exhausted from that side-trip that I was sick on the boat the next day down the Nile. But when I went in 1995, flying wasn't an option - don't know if there were flights back then, but we weren't told of that option.

Sorry for going OT...
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Old Nov 22nd, 2004, 08:32 PM
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it was 1990 when we went and there were plenty of flights on egypt air---scarry however..
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Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 07:37 AM
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Just returned from a week in Taiwan. Had a great room at Regent Grand Formosa and can highly recommend it - service excellent and they have the best breakfast buffet anywhere -- go to the National Museum (get on an English speaking tour)and CKS Memorial. Get a foot massage, and eat at China Pa restaurant!
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Old Dec 2nd, 2004, 11:38 AM
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Loved the Grand Hyatt in Taipei. Beautiful property! We were there about 10 years ago the same time that Hurricane Tim went thru. Despite that we had a great visit!
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Old Jan 4th, 2005, 07:32 PM
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got back from 2 week in taiwan in november. the food is one of the highlights. try all the different types of food, the small dishes, the mandarin breakfast. ah, and so cheap too. drop by any bakery for all the fresh stuff. beats any NYC cafe, and at 1/4 the price. avoid any hotel food unless it's free. get a hair cut at Sogo department store. they massage your scalp and do an incredible job.
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Old Jan 5th, 2005, 05:36 AM
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thanks...bill...eva quoted me $100 for a stop over???
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