The Taiwan Bucket List: 20 Experiences to Tick Off
1. Eat pig’s blood cakes
Pig’s blood cake is made of glutinous rice soaked in — any guesses? — pig’s blood, and subsequently drenched in pork broth. Not so much like the cakes you are familiar with.
Where
Street food vendors, night market stalls
2. Hitchhike your way around
Taiwanese are a hospitable bunch and a stick of the thumb along the streets can testify that. Some hitchhikers get lifts to the train station down the road, while some ride their way to another county altogether.
3. Actually catch something at a claw machine
Extra points if you grab onto something unusual. Hmm, yikes, but why…
4. Turn pruney in wild hot springs
Where
Beitou hot springs, Wenshan hot springs, Wulai hot springs, Hongye hot springs, Fanfan hot springs, Pork Ribs River hot springs, Xiuluan hot springs
5. Spend a day in Taroko National Park
In the heart of Hualien county lies this mesmeric assembly of dramatic cliffs and forested canyons. There are many ways to explore Taroko National Park, and if you are up for a hike, sign up for one along the Zhuilu Old Road trail. The mountainous passage leads to a cliff-side path looking down at the gorge in its entirety. Think Taipei 101, but its sober, ethereal, almost transcendent cousin.
How
A fuss-free way to experience the Taroko National Park is via an all-inclusive tour. Services include transfers from Hualien city, trail permit, lunch and English guide (upon request).
6. Get your caffeine fix at the world’s highest Starbucks
Where
Starbucks Taipei 101
Address: 35F, №7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110
Additional notes: Reservations are required to be made at least one day in advance; there is a minimal charge of NT$200 per pax; the time limit for each pax is 90 minutes.
7. Eat out of a toilet bowl
Where
Modern Toilet Ximen restaurant
Address: №7, Lane 50, Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, 108
8. Kayak into the sunrise
While hoisting yourself off the bed at 4am is a big nope, kayaking into a postcard like such makes it well worth it. If there’s one thing on this bucket list you must check off, catching the daybreak while cruising through the idyllic waters shall be it.
Where and how
One of the country’s most iconic kayaking spots is Qing Shui cliff, located along Hualien’s northern coastline. Book your sunrise kayaking tour here, which includes guide/instructor, equipment, transfer services.
9. Release your own fireworks
To check this off the list, time your visit over the Chinese New Year period, and join the locals to set off firecrackers and fireworks through the night. Though frowned upon by many due to its danger and loud noise, nothing like the unfiltered racket of fireworks to celebrate this important traditional festival.
10. Dine atop literal waste
Where
Star Catcher restaurant (located above the viewing platform of the incinerator)
Address: Bei Tou Incinerator, №271, Zhoumei Street, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112
11. Go firefly-watching
Taiwan is a hotspot for firefly-watching and the prime season takes place from April to May every year. Some of the best spots to marvel at these illuminating critters include:
Where
Sheding Nature Park (Pingtung), Namasia (Kaohsiung), Meiling Scenic Area (Tainan), Liyu Lake (Hualien), Alishan Forest (Chiayi)
12. Spend hours (and all your money) at a night market
Night markets to Taiwan are the ramen chains to Japan, the casinos to Vegas, Eiffel Tower to Paris… you get the gist. A quintessential in this list to check more than once. Notable night markets to visit include:
Where
Dongdamen Night Market (Hualien), Fengchia Night Market (Taichung), Guanghua Night Market (Kaohsiung), Huayuan Night Market (Tainan), Ningxia Night Market (Taipei), Raohe Night Market (Taipei), Shilin Night Market (Taipei)
13. Zip through the forest on a motorbike
No Harley Davidson riding experience required to whiz through the wilderness here. Some of the best ways to explore Taiwan’s abundant nature landscapes are on these beginner-friendly trail bikes or ATVs, which allow for a more intimate experience with the surrounds.
Where and how
Taiwan’s east coast is host to many of the country’s nature attractions, and many travellers base themselves at Hualien county to explore the region’s forestry, hiking and biking trails, hot springs and the likes.
To book a biking/ATV trail, contact a local tour; prep yourself with the appropriate attire (long sleeve top and pants) and leave the nitty-gritty to them — guide/instructor, shuttle services, transfers, meals, etc.
14. Have a full course dinner at a convenience store
It’s no secret that one can throw a party in Asian convenience stores. Whether it’s three in the morning or a weekend grocery run, trust the convenience stores to not disappoint. The next time, challenge yourself to have a full course dinner here — from appetisers to desserts. Maybe seconds too.
15. Hop on a train to nowhere
High speed metros, touristy rail routes along coastlines, rickety trains through lazy suburbs. Rail transport in Taiwan comes in many forms and none lacks in its charm and adventure. Instead of planning for a destination, try hopping onwards nowhere the next time.
16. Take part as an audience in a local variety show
For fans of Taiwan’s entertainment scene, here’s your chance to catch a show live as an audience. Some variety programs post updates on their recording sessions on their Facebook pages, where you can monitor and register accordingly.
17. Experience a snowy Taiwan
While most places in Taiwan bask in a subtropical climate, there are a handful of destinations with higher elevations that snow in the winter. These include:
Where
Hehuanshan, Yangmingshan, Yushan, Alishan, Xueshan
18. Go cherry blossoms spotting
The cherry blossom season in Taiwan lasts from January through April, and definitely rivals the one in Japan. Be sure to do a triple check on the blooming forecast before your visit.
19. Have your fortune told by feathered tellers
Taiwan is dotted with fortune tellers often seeked by locals, sometimes curious tourists, to better their lots. One that might provide you sound advice on your quarter-life crisis, or the odds you have with that love interest of yours, is the White Java Sparrow. This feathered sidekick will pick out three cards for you, and the fortune teller will interpret the deck to your queries.
20. Snorkel in the country’s clearest waters
Where
Chaikou (Green Island), Shilang (Green Island), Shitiping (Hualien), Longdong (Taipei), Liuchiu Island, Kenting Island
