Blog - HolaTaipei

VVG Something, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores

July 25, 2017

Flavorwire – an online culture magazine – keeps an updated list with the 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world. In this exclusive list appears VVG Something, a small Taiwanese store located in Taipei’s centric district of Zhongxiao Dunhua.

This bookstore is hidden in a quiet alley, not far from the hustle and bustle of Zhongxiao East Road consumerism frenzy, surrounded by cafés and by the greens of the plants covering the nearby facades.

Inside the bookstore, a rather small space compared to the rest of the bookstores in Flavorwire’s list, books are stacked in shelves covering walls, and also in a big table in the center of the room. Do not expect to find any kind of classification or order in the distribution of the books. Fashion, kitchen, architecture, photography, travel guides… all these sections are mixed into one big mess, but if you spend some time diving among the books, you can find real treasures. Here books seem to be curated under a cuteness or oddness criteria. All books available in VVG Something were either published with a beautiful design, or their content is somehow “special”, like the small treasure that I found and – I must confess – I couldn’t help but buying.

This is an endearing and funny photography book published by a granddaughter who took pictures of her grandma – a 80 year old lady living in the Japanese countryside – and her life with her cute heterochromious cat. This is only one of the many Japanese books available in VVG. The bookstore also has a selection of beautiful stationery products.

Without a doubt, VVG Something is one more of Taipei’s hidden treasures, worth the time to visit, specially for the bookworms. Besides this bookstore, VVG Group has expanded their business recently and they also have a café next to the bookstore and a restaurant in the remote location of Yangmingshan.

Taipei

Taipei underground becomes a swimming pool for Taipei Universiade 2017

July 11, 2017

This Summer Taipei will host XXIX Summer Universiade 2017, the university olympics that take place every 2 years. Taiwan’s capital is ready for this event, and with only about a month to go, the underground authority wants to promote it on its own way.

El metro decorado como una piscina olímpica

Image from Radio Taiwan International

Taipei Transport Authority has decorated some of the trains on the MRT’s Green Line (Songshan-Xindian) as different sport venues, such as an olympic swimming pool, the grass of a football field, or a running track. The wagons also feature some boxes with FAQs and rules of some of the sports in this competition, aiming to promote the knowledge of these among the population (and at the same time, to pitch the citizens to participate in an event that hasn’t awaken a huge interest so far).

El metro decorado como una pista de atletismo para Universiade 2017

Image from Radio Taiwan International

Taipei Universiade 2017 opening ceremony will be held on August 19th. More than 9000 students from 170 different countries will compete during 12 days on 22 different sport disciplines.

This event has risen some controversy, basically focused on the change of the original venue. The construction of Taipei Dome’s project, the new city stadium that was supposed to host the event originally, was put on hold in the middle of the works by the – back then – Taipei’s new mayor Ko Wen-je, shortly after taking office, due to irregularities in the construction of the stadium, that could jeopardize the security of the visitors.

Image from Radio Taiwan International

In any case, the trains are already running on the green line, and Taipei underground’s commuters have already started practicing their favorite sport ever, taking selfies.

Out of Taipei / Tourism

Beaches in Taiwan

July 5, 2017

Yet again, summer is here and temperatures are starting to rise in Taiwan. Though it’s an island, Taiwan doesn’t offer as many beaches as other Asian destinations such as Thailand or the wonderful archipelago of the Philippines. A large part of the island’s coast is rocky, so is not that common to find sand beaches in Taiwan.

Plus, here there isn’t much tradition of going to the beach to sunbathe or swim as we usually do (not only in the West, but also in other Asian countries). The fact that it’s not a super popular activity means that not all sand beaches in Taiwan are set up for recreational use.

Even so, Taiwan offers several options for those who don’t want to leave without dipping their toes in the Pacific Ocean or the Chinese Seas.

Baishawan

This beach is located on Taiwan’s northern coast. To access it from Taipei, you must take the metro to Danshui, and from there catch a bus heading north. The bus ride is about 40 minutes. The beach isn’t very developed, so it’s best to bring your own water and food.

Fulong

Fulong is a cluster of two beaches, even more developed than Baishawan. In fact, one of the two beaches belongs to a resort and you have to pay to enter. Near the beach, there are restaurants, hostels and convenience stores. To find more information and photos from Fulong beach, you can visit this post that Laura wrote on her blog a while ago. Fulong is accessible by train from Taipei.

Honeymoon Bay in Dashi

This beach is called Mi Yue Wan, or Honeymoon Beach, and is accessible by train from the Dashi station in Yilan. From there, you have to walk about 10 minutes to the beach. The area also has hostels and convenience stores.

Kenting

And from northern Taiwan, we’ll go straight to the southernmost point of the island. Kenting is one of the places with the most beach culture in Taiwan. Kenting has several sand beaches, ideal for swimming and sunbathing, easily accessible from the town. Besides beaches, Kenting also boasts of a natural park that is well worth visiting. The coast of Kenting is one of the best places on the whole island for diving or snorkeling. If you’re a diving enthusiast, take a glimpse at this guide of the best places to dive in Taiwan and make the most of your trip to explore the seafloor of this wild island.

It takes a few hours to get to Kenting from Taipei, so it’s a destination best planned as a weekend or 3-day trip. The quickest and most popular option is to travel via THSR (Taiwan’s high-speed train) to the Zuoying station in Kaoshiung. From there, buses leave every hour to Kenting, and there are lots of taxis waiting at the train station, also offering to make the trip. The bus ride from Zuoying is about three hours (in addition to the two hours in train from Taipei). In taxi, the trip is about a half hour shorter. If you can share a taxi, it’s not a bad option to save some time, and lower the price significantly.

The East Coast

The East Coast is home to some of the most beautiful hidden beaches in Taiwan. There are small creeks along the Pacific coast, usually hidden between riffs or next to small wharfs. These are not easy to find, but some are becoming quite popular, as the one in the picture below, in Su’ao.

Islands

Besides the main island, there are several islands on either side of the main island, which also belong to Taiwan. Penghu, Green Island and Turtle Island are good options for a multi-day beach getaway, though access is more complicated than on the main island, and it means taking a flight or a ferry to get to them.

Things to keep in mind when going to a beach in Taiwan

Swimming with your clothes on is normal. Traditionally in Chinese culture, brown skin is synonymous with hard field labor, which is why white skin is one of the most widespread beauty standards. That’s why you’ll see many Taiwanese (especially Taiwanese women) on the beach in summertime covered head-to-toe, in or out of the water.

Never without their dogs. Unlike European beaches in the summer, it’s very typical to see Taiwanese people walking along the beach with their pets which, of course, enjoy kicking up sand and jumping into the water like never before.

In August, most of the beaches in Taiwan are… empty! Or almost. It turns out that in the lunar calendar, the time from around the end of July to mid- August is traditionally known as the month of ghosts. Tradition states that during that month, spirits come out of the sea to visit the world of the living, so being near beaches during this time could be potentially dangerous. That’s why many beaches in Taiwan are practically deserted, and it’s one of the best times to take a dip in the sea (despite the risk of ghosts).

Another detail that I’ve noticed is the pleasure Taiwanese people take in burying somebody in the sand. It’s a win-win: the buried one takes a nap and the rest have fun.

I hope that this guide helps you enjoy Taiwan’s beach offerings and spend a great day taking a dip. You can also take a look to our guide of things to do in Taipei in Summer to get some more ideas.

Taipei / Tourism

Where to stay in Taipei? – Seven Best Spots For Lodging

June 28, 2017

Taiwan has become one of East Asia’s up-and-coming tourist destinations. The spectacular island landscapes and the ever-vibrant city of Taipei are selling points for the growing number of Asian and Western tourists, and the amount of travelers visiting the island never stops increasing year after year.

The city of Taipei has adapted rapidly to receive this growing number of tourists, who aren’t only Mandarin speakers looking for Western-style or traditional lodging to spend a few days in the city. Here are some of the most popular and convenient areas to stay in Taipei.

XINYI: THE BUSINESS AND NIGHTLIFE DISTRICT

The Xinyi district is one of the newest in the city, which has expanded eastward over the decades. Today, the Xinyi district is the city’s main business district and is home to numerous leisure options. Large luxury hotel chains, such as W or Le Meridién, are located in this area, which also includes tons of nightlife venues and shopping centers. Zara, H&M, Pull&Bear, all the big fashion chains have stores here. In this district, you’ll find the city’s most emblematic building, Taipei 101. Although it’s one of the city’s central points, you can easily walk or bike from Xinyi to Elephant Mountain, on the southern border of the district, where you can escape from the hustle and bustle and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

Nearest metro stations: Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101/World Trade Center.

SHIDA – GONGGUAN: STUDENTS AND CAFES

This is actually two neighboring areas, a few minutes away on foot, on the border of the huge Daan district. At the center of each area, you’ll find two of the country’s most important universities, Shida (the area’s namesake) and Taida, in Gongguan. That’s why both areas are popular with local and exchange students. Both areas have buzzing nightlife. Specifically, the Shida market is one of most popular in the city and boasts of countless fashion and accessory shops, very popular with local young people. Gongguan has followed Shida’s footsteps and now has a large number of small cafes where students spend afternoons working. Both areas are located a few minutes from the Xindian River park, ideal for a stroll or bike ride.

Nearest metro stations: Taipower Building and Gongguan

XIMENDING – TAIPEI MAIN STATION: NEON, POP CULTURE AND BACKPACKERS

Ximending, or Ximen, is Taipei’s version of Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood. This is one of the most popular districts among young people in the city, and where local pop culture is at its finest. Fashion and comic book shops, an avenue full of movie theaters, 15-story karaoke and several concert halls make this old Japanese entertainment district into a lasting recreational hotspot in the city. Ximen is the ideal area for those looking to experience the Asian city under neon lights. In this district, you’ll also find the city’s most popular gay area, on the terraces beside the iconic Red House Theater, a theater that goes back to the era of Japanese occupation.

Taipei Main Station, a few minutes’ walk from Ximen, is the city’s main transportation hub, which brings together several metro, train, high speed and bus lines. Because of this, it has a large number of restaurants and hotels that serve the millions of passengers passing through every year.

These two areas have most of the city’s hostels for backpackers, so they’re the best option to stay in Taipei if you’re traveling on a tight budget.

Nearest metro stations: Ximen and Taipei Main Station

DAAN – DONGMEN: LET’S EAT, EAT, EAT

Daan is the most populated district in the city. Daan extends through a large area of the city and, although it’s primarily residential, there are several high-activity hotspots. The vicinity of Daan Park, specifically near Yongkang Street, is a popular destination among city visitors and a good option for finding lodging. In Dongmen, you’ll find the original location of Xiaolong Bao’s popular chain Din Tai Fung, very easy to identify from the throngs of tourists hovering at the door waiting their turn to enter the restaurant. Without a doubt, the wait is worth it.

Nearest metro stations: Daan Park and Dongmen

SHILIN: NEVER-ENDING NIGHTMARKET

Within city limits, although farther from downtown, you’ll find Shilin. Shilin is a popular residential area, known for its lively night market, including numerous food stands, but also shops for clothing, accessories and all kinds of gadgets. Most urban buses depart from Shilin, which connect Taipei to the Yangming Shan Mountain, an ideal place for hiking in nature. In Shilin, you’ll also find the city’s most popular museum, the National Palace Museum, which has an extraordinary collection of Chinese art, which was moved from Beijing during the fleeing nationalist government after the Chinese Civil War. Shilin will also be home to the Taipei Performing Arts Center.

Nearest metro stations: Jiantan and Shilin.

BEITOU: CULTURE AND HOT SPRINGS

The Beitou district is famous for its hot springs. Located north of Taipei, on the foothills of the Yangming Shan Mountain, this district is perfect for connecting with nature, without leaving the city or sacrificing the convenience of having a metro station nearby. In this area, there are endless hoteles which uniquely offer hot spring baths, both public and private, in their rooms. The lovely district library is also popular.

Nearest metro stations: Xin Beitou

YANGMINGSHAN: A NATURE GETAWAY

Although this isn’t one of the most convenient options for lodging in Taipei, from a transportation standpoint, this option is unbeatable if you’re looking for one or two days of relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. Yangmingshan is the mountain located just north of Taipei. It’s accessible by car or several bus lines that depart from Jiantan Station, and it takes about 30-60 minutes to get there, depending on which part of the mountain you’re visiting. Lodging on the mountain does not include hotels, but rather it’s typical to find traditional houses, or spas, which offer rooms surrounded by nature, with large hot spring baths and spa services. The surroundings are unmatchable, and you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the wild, only an hour from the city center. The area also has some good restaurants and tea shops, such as VVG Hideaway, from the popular VVG group, and is the ideal place to begin any of the mountain’s walking paths.

Nearest metro stations: There is no metro station near Yangming Shan, and the best way to get there via public transit is by taking the metro to Jiantan and boarding a connecting bus from the station to the mountain.

Where to stay in Taipei

Taipei offers countless lodging options, from luxury hotels, traditional Japanese houses, rooms in shared apartments, or even capsule hotels. Although many of these lodging options are only found on the local pages, checking out a rental site or looking for a room in a shared apartment on Airbnb, gives you a good idea of the wide range of offerings and prices available for lodging in Taipei.

VVG Something, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores

Taipei underground becomes a swimming pool for Taipei Universiade 2017

Beaches in Taiwan

Baishawan

Fulong

Honeymoon Bay in Dashi

Kenting

The East Coast

Islands

Things to keep in mind when going to a beach in Taiwan

Where to stay in Taipei? – Seven Best Spots For Lodging

XINYI: THE BUSINESS AND NIGHTLIFE DISTRICT

SHIDA – GONGGUAN: STUDENTS AND CAFES

XIMENDING – TAIPEI MAIN STATION: NEON, POP CULTURE AND BACKPACKERS

DAAN – DONGMEN: LET’S EAT, EAT, EAT

SHILIN: NEVER-ENDING NIGHTMARKET

BEITOU: CULTURE AND HOT SPRINGS

YANGMINGSHAN: A NATURE GETAWAY

Where to stay in Taipei

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