TAIWAN EVERYTHING

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVELING IN TAIWAN!

Find Travel in Taiwan articles published in earlier issues, complemented with colorful images, Google maps, and links to our social media sites, including Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram, and informative sites of other bloggers in Taiwan.

Taipei City HOTEL

Grand Hotel Taipei 圓山大飯店

Situated on Mt. Jiantan in Taipei, the Grand Hotel is a 14-story palace-style building constructed in 1970. There are two underground tunnels, under its east wing and west wing, respectively, which were designed as emergency escape routes for President Chiang Kai-shek. After opening the West Secret Tunnel earlier, receiving enthusiastic response by visitors, now, the 50-year-old East Secret Tunnel has been opened to the public as well. It has a length of 67 meters with a curvy design meant to prevent chasing soldiers from shooting at the fleeing parties, and walls with an uneven surface to enhance sound absorption. Since only a limited number of visitors can be accommodated, the East Secret Tunnel is only open to guests who come on corporate trips, attend state banquets, or opt for a special East Secret Tunnel Room Package.

No. 1, Sec. 4, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City ( 台北市中山區中山北路四段一號)

Tel: (02) 2886-1818 ext. 1818 [guided-tour department] www.grand-hotel.org

Taipei City HOTEL

Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel 台北士林萬麗酒店

Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel, which is located near Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence Park, is now promoting a special Executive Floor room offer. From now until March 31 a room for two on the 8th to 10th floors of the hotel is available at NT$6,199 per night (Sunday through Friday; an additional NT$800 is charged on Saturday and national holidays). The offer includes a buffet breakfast for two and a Happy Hour discount for two at the Executive Lounge. From the outdoor infinity pool on the top floor of the hotel you can enjoy views of the city and its natural environment, including the mountains of Yangmingshan National Park and the Taipei Performing Arts Center.

No. 8, Lane 470, Sec. 5, Zhongshan N. Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City (台北市士林區中山北路五段470巷8號)

Tel: (02) 8861-2389 www.gobooking.com.tw/Renaissance/ShihlinTaipei

Taitung County TOUR

Va Kang An Hot Spring Park 紅葉谷綠能溫泉園區

This season, Va Kang An Hot Spring Park Park presents the "Red Leaf Valley Asteroid 121 Set Meal." Diners can learn about indigenous Bunun culture through delicious local cuisine. Also available is a package that includes staying at the "Bishalu" guesthouse and an admission ticket to the park. Staying in one of the guestrooms that are decorated with driftwood art and elements of Bunun culture you will feel the passion of the homestay owner. Each weekend, you can also take part in six different localtheme activities. You are cordially invited to rediscover the splendor of the Red Leaf Hot Spring area. Taste a glass of tribal-style cocktail during your time in the valley and also visit the Red Leaf Little League Memorial Hall to complete your indigenous-culture tour.

No. 121, Honggu Rd., Yanping Township, Taitung County (台東縣延平鄉紅谷路121號)

Tel: (08) 956-1068 www.vakangan.com (Chinese)

Hualien City HOTEL

Fullon Hotel Hualien 福容大飯店 花蓮

No. of rooms: 257

Room rates: City View Rooms from NT$7,800; Japanese/ Western Rooms from NT$16,800

(room rates are subject to 10% service charge)

Desk personnel speak: Chinese, English Restaurants: Happy Garden (Chinese, Cantonese), Arcadia Café (Western style)

The hotel is located close to Hualien Harbor, allowing you to enjoy the most beautiful sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, the water’s color ranging from deep azure to light blue, the sun’s palette ranging from pale yellow to golden. Take in the marvelous views of the sun beautifully reflected by the sparkling sea from the infinity pool or one of the sea-view guestrooms. Staying at the hotel gives you easy access to the world-class scenic wonder that is Taroko Gorge as well as the bucolic East Rift Valley. Travel with friends and family and explore the mountains and the coast. Hualien will surely give you unforgettable memories!

No. 51, Minsheng Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County (花蓮縣花蓮市民生路51號)

Tel: (03) 823-9988 Fax: (03) 823-0077 www.fullon-hotels.com.tw/hl/en/

Taipei City HOTEL

Radium Kagaya Int’l Hot Spring Hotel 日勝生加賀屋國際溫泉飯店

Radium Kagaya is located close to MRT Xinbeitou Station with numerous well-known spots close by. The hotel is perfectly located for exploring Beitou’s tourist attractions or visiting Yangmingshan National Park for the calla lily and hydrangea season (March to June). The building was constructed using Japanese architectural techniques; a total of 850 artworks from Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan, including Wajima lacquerware, Kutani ware, and gold leaf items, were incorporated in its design. In addition to enjoying a white-sulfur hot-spring bath and a Beitou stone bath inside the hotel, you can also opt for a greensulfur hot-spring bath in its annex. The spring water is extremely acidic and contains radium, which is especially effective in relieving soreness. After soaking in the hot-spring pools, enjoy fine banquet dishes made with Taiwanese and Japanese seasonal ingredients while marveling at the exquisite tableware.

No. 236, Guangming Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City (台北市北投區光明路236號)

Tel: (02) 2891-1238 www.kagaya.com.tw

Sunny Buffet, which is now managed by FDC International Hotels’ Collection, is known for its 16-story high glass ceiling, which fills the space with natural light. The restaurant also has numerous green plants giving it an outdoor ambience. This February, the cuisine has been upgraded significantly; there are now 17 buffet stations instead of the original nine. Among the new dishes are Thai-style red-curry crab, traditional Chongqing-style spicy skewers, and Mongolian barbecue. From Monday to Thursday (noon), each diner receives an extra serving of garlic-flavor abalone with butter vermicelli. Meals are priced NT$980 + 10% on weekdays and NT$1,180 + 10% on weekends and holidays.

Yilan County HOTEL

Just Sleep – Yilan Jiaoxi 捷絲旅 宜蘭礁溪館

Just Sleep Yilan Jiaoxi now presents a special room offer. If you stay at the hotel before March 31, you can visit Niutousi Farm to enjoy a fun water buffalo farm experience. Learn about traditional farming in Taiwan through close interaction with cattle. The offer includes a buffet breakfast and staying in a guestroom with a large private hot-spring pool. When booking a room on the official website you will also enjoy a 20%-discount on High Speed Rail tickets.

No. 8, Lane 24, Deyang Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County ( 宜蘭縣礁溪鄉德陽路24巷8號)

Tel: (02) 7735-5005 www.justsleephotels.com

Humble Boutique Hotel 寒居酒店

Thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows Humble Boutique Hotel’s BeGood restaurant is filled with natural light. It also features a beach resort-style décor. The restaurant now offers a new brunch set menu starting at NT$1,180. It’s available on weekends from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Popular classic dishes such as Tiger Prawn Porridge and Three Cheese Flatbread have been specially added to the menu. The set menu includes a salad, a soup, a main dish, and a dessert or an energizing smoothie. This selection of Mediterranean-style creative dishes full of color and fresh flavors is perfect for a weekend full of energy and relaxation!

No. 116, Songjiang Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City (台北市中山區松江路116號)

Tel: (02) 2564-3577 humbleboutique.com.tw

Taipei City FOOD

Chinese Cuisine・Jiangsu and Zhejiang Dishes・ THE Shanghai

The Shanghai restaurant is located inside Taipei 101, the most popular sightseeing spot in Taipei. Combining the advantages of different regional cuisines of China, refining taste and presentation, and not forgetting to preserve the classic flavors while continuously striving for innovation, we satisfy diners’ senses and present new culinary trends. In the dish "Legendary Braised Dong Po Pork with Tea" a classic thick red sauce is paired with a cup of fragrant and sweet Oriental Beauty Tea, creating a fresh and non-greasy taste. "Crab Roe Sauce on Toast" is a soy milk toast topped with a rich and delicious crab roe sauce. The dish is a must eat equally loved by old and young diners!

4F, No. 45, Shifu Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (台北市信義區市府路45號4樓)

Tel: (02) 8101-8161

Hours: 11:30am ~ 2:30pm, 5:30pm~9:30pm www.facebook.com/THEShanghai101

Taipei City HOTEL

Caesar Metro Taipei 台北凱達大飯店

Taiwan’s well-known Caesar Park Hotels & Resorts chain has thoughtfully built the Caesar Metro Taipei hotel in Wanhua, a city district rich in culture and history, bringing new vitality to an old neighborhood. With its convenient location – sharing a building with TRA Wanhua Station and being close to MRT Longshan Temple Station – and having many historical and cultural sites close by, Caesar Metro Taipei is a top choice for travelers. With a total of 745 guestrooms, the hotel is the second largest in Taiwan. Exquisite double rooms are available for as low as NT$2,500 on weekdays; an additional NT$400 is charged on Friday and NT$800 on Saturday.

No. 167, Bangka Blvd., Wanhua District, Taipei City (台北市萬華區艋舺大道167號)

Tel: (02) 2306-6777 www.caesarmetro.com

Taipei City HOTEL

Le Méridien Taipei 台北寒舍艾美酒店

Le Méridien Taipei’s My Humble House Chinese restaurant has been included in the Michelin Guide for five consecutive years. Until March 31, the restaurant offers the "Golden Cantonese Duck Banquet," a set meal featuring duck prepared in four different ways. The meal is priced NT$3,980 per set, and reservations have to be made one day in advance. In addition, if you order this meal, you will also enjoy a special price of NT$99 for each additional Cantonese dim sum dish and dessert handmade by the restaurant’s dim sum team.

No. 38, Songren Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (台北市信義區松仁路38號)

Tel: (02) 6622-8018 www.lemeridien-taipei.com

Hot Pot TAKAO1972 打狗霸

From the stock to the ingredients to the spices, everything is carefully selected and strictly controlled.

In addition to Japanese style, hot and spicy, stone hot pot, and sukiyaki, there are also limited soup bases that are introduced according to the season.

Takao 1972 is the first restaurant to combine hot pot dining with Japanese cuisine.

In addition to the hot-pot selections, the restaurant serves freshly made Japanese dishes, including black tuna sashimi, temaki, and sushi. Diners can enjoy richer and more diversified choices.

Midtown Branch (德立莊店)

Tel: (02) 2311-1577

Add: No. 110, Yanping S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City (台北市中正區延平南路110號)

Kunming Branch (昆明店)

Tel: (02) 2331-3677

Add: No. 46, Kunming St., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City (台北市萬華區昆明街46號)