(SPOT.ph) Cheap airfare, visa-free access, and unbeatable proximity make Taiwan a favorite among Filipino travel bugs. Most opt to head out to its vibrant capital, Taipei, for good reason—fun activities, delectable eats, and laid-back vibe make for a perfect holiday. But if you want to venture to places that are off the beaten path while still doing things that are quintessentially Taiwanese, then we’ve got you covered!
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Here are 10 under-the-radar destinations in Taipei, Taiwan:
Shenkeng Old Street
One of the best places to have stinky tofu is in Shenkeng Old Street, which is considered among the largest and oldest streets in New Taipei. It is also known as the "Tofu Capital of Taiwan."
If eating stinky tofu is not your thing, take a stroll along Shenkeng Old Street and marvel at its historic mansions and brick arcades. Make sure to try an order or two of stewed stinky tofu with spicy duck’s blood and the original recipe barbecued skewers.
To get to Shenkeng Old Street, there are buses from Wenshan or Nangang in Taipei that leave near the Blue Line Nangang Exhibition Center Station or Brown Line MRT Taipei Zoo/Muzha Station.
Dihua Street
Dihua Street is where the old and the new come together to form one vibrant stretch of shops. It is replete with an eclectic range of establishments from cafés to restaurants, art galleries to antique dealers. Older stores selling traditional medicines, ceramics, and temple offerings are still around, lending the street a touch of old-world charm.
Take a short detour to Xiahai Chenghuang Temple where the Chinese Cupid resides. This temple is popular among young locals who would swing by to say a little prayer, hoping to find their one true love. Take a second to whisper your own prayer, too!
To get to Dihua Street, take the MRT to Shuanglian station on the Orange Line. Take Exit 2 and walk down Minsheng West Road until you reach Dihua Street.
Longshan Temple
Though not exactly off the beaten path, Longshan Temple is not only a must-visit because of its rich history, distinct architectural style, and intricate wood carvings, but also because of one rather unusual activity—fortune telling minus the stack of cards or palm reading. At Longshan Temple, you can have your fate foretold by birds. These creatures freely hop on tables and choose pieces of bamboo or picture cards that symbolize the customer’s future.
Longshan Temple is at 211 Guangzhou Street. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tonghua Night Market and Shida Night Market
No trip to Taipei is complete without a visit to its night markets. But instead of trawling through the bigger and more popular ones like Shilin and Raohe, why not have a more subdued but no less interesting tour of its smaller markets?
Tonghua Night Market has everything a typical night market has, except the tourist traffic: a bevy of food stalls and shops selling clothes, shoes, and more.
Another less-crowded night market is Shida. It has most of the usual eats found in other markets, but there are quite a number of excellent coffee options including the cozy Sugar Man Cafe, which stays open 4 a.m.; Elsewhere Cafe, which also sells art-related books; and Nom Nom, which is known for its big windows. It’s also a good shopping area with stalls selling affordable clothes and accessories.
Taipei Tonghua Night Market is at Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang Street, Da’an District, Taipei. Shida Night Market is at Lane 39, Shida Road, Da’an District, Taipei.
Beitou Hot Spring
Taiwan is not only synonymous with milk tea and stinky tofu, but also known for having some of the best hot springs in the world. Taipei is one lucky city to have Beitou’s hot springs right at its midst. One need not stray too far from the city center to have a relaxing soak in sulphurous waters, which boast a myriad of health benefits, from improving skin tone to relieving arthritis. You can choose from among Beitou’s range of hot spring options—from luxurious private pools to humble outdoor public baths—whichever you choose ensures you’ll be calmed by boiling and bubbling waters.
To get to Beitou, from the Taipei Main Station take the Tamsui (Red Line) to Beitou station and transfer trains to Xinbeitou station.
Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines
For a little bit of history, the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines is worth a visit. This museum is far less crowded than the nearby National Palace Museum, but no less informative and interesting. It traces the culture of the 14 indigenous tribes recognized in Taiwan including their rituals, beliefs, and everyday life. The exhibits feature aboriginal handicrafts and audio-visual presentations that provide more in-depth information about Taiwan's pre-colonial history.
Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines is on 282 Zhishan Road, Taipei. Admission is NT $150. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A joint ticket with the National Palace Museum is at NT $320.
Bao’an Temple
Bao’an Temple has the distinction of being a recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. The honor comes as no surprise thanks to its exquisite southern temple art and architecture. The ornate rooftop decorations are awe-inspiring, the imposing pillars are equally opulent, and the shrines just as elaborate. It’s hard not to feel that you’re among the deities in this extraordinary temple.
Bao’an Temple also hosts the annual Baosheng Cultural Festival from March to June, highlighting traditional performance arts like the lion dance and Taiwanese opera. During the festival, Bao’an Temple also offers free Chinese medicine clinics.
Bao’an Temple is at 61 Hami Street, Yuanshan, Taipei. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Maokong
If you’ve grown tired of the hustle and bustle of central Taipei, you can head out to lush and scenic Maokong. A favorite quick getaway among locals, you can spend a leisurely day at Maokong sipping tea, cycling, or if you’re up for it, sightseeing aboard a gondola.
A worthy detour is Yao Yue Teahouse, which is open 24/7. It’s quite a walk from Maokong Station, but the reasonably priced menu rewards your efforts. Try the tea oil rice noodles, which goes well with the tea-fried spiced pumpkin.
To go to Maokong, you can take the Maokong Tour Bus (NT$15) and the BR15 (NT$15).
Liu Jia Pan-Fried Bun
You can’t say you’ve been to Taipei if you haven’t had a bite of its popular buns. And they make buns really well at Liu Jia Pan-Fried Bun. This nondescript store in Zhongzheng District has been churning out what is touted as the best fried bun in Taipei for more than three decades and counting.
Their bestsellers are their Chinese chive buns, cabbage buns, pork buns (all for only N.T. $15 each). The sumptuous fillings are enveloped in Liu Jia’s famous dough, which is handmade and allowed to ferment for two days, making it bouncier and chewier than other buns. Their homemade soy milk—rich and nutty—is also a must try.
Liu Jia Pan-Fried Bun is at No. 195, Sec. 3, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei.
Yangmingshan National Park
It’s quite hard to believe that you’re only 30 minutes away from Taipei when you come across Yangmingshan National Park. Taipei is blessed to have lush forests, soothing hot springs, and a legitimate national park within arm’s reach and easily accessible by public transportation.
Yangmingshan National Park is perfect for a day trip spent hiking on its enchanting trails amid a backdrop of rolling hills and grazing livestock or just whiling the time away soaking neck deep in a hot spring.
To get to Yangmingshan National Park, you can take the R5 bus (N.T. $30) from Jiantan MRT station to Yangmingshan Bus Station.