After my collaboration with the Taiwan Tourism Board ended, I decided to extend my trip to visit my relatives in Taiwan and enjoy a short Taiwian solo trip to recharge.
Before checking out of the hotel, I rearranged my luggage and arranged for it to be delivered to my next hotel in Taipei. This meant I didn’t have to carry so many bags around. The whole process was very easy. After making the booking, I just follow the instructions to attach the luggage tag with my destination hotel and contact details, then sent them a photo of my tagged luggage via WhatsApp. And they will handle the rest.
After that I head to the railway station and take HSR to Douliu, which is my mom’s hometown!
Visiting My Taiwan Relatives in Douliu
Taking Taiwan HSR Business Class
You can book the HSR via Klook (use my code “QiqiKlook” for an additional discount). I booked Business Class, to and back and the ride is about 1 hour 30 minutes to Yunlin. You need to arrive about 30 minutes earlier to collect your train ticket, but I arrived about 1 hour earlier in case there was a queue, to buy some snacks for the ride, and because I didn’t want to stress myself!
Taiwan HSR Business Class has spacious legroom, free snacks and drinks.
Things I Did and Ate In Douliu With My Relatives
Once arrived, my cousin went to pick me up to have lunch and went to cafe before heading back to my uncle’s place.
This is the cafe we went in Douliu. It’s a very cute cafe, 低头厝咖啡, direct translate is “low traditional house”, the house entrance is really low, but inside is very cozy and nice.
This cafe in general is nice, and very nostalgic. Their cakes are not too bad very good place to chill and relax.
Going back really feels like going back home. Although I didn’t get to explore Douliu this time around because the adults will always see me as a child, haha… but that’s okay. I know that’s their way of showing love. So we had a family dinner, and after that, I went to witness Douliu Mazu’s big celebration.
It’s just a one night stay in Douliu to see my relatives and after that I head back to Taipei.
Taipei Glamping Camper Van 茶厢露萤
Once I reached Taipei, I headed directly to my stay at 茶厢露萤, I’m going to stay here for 1 night. It’s a very special stay that I was really looking forward to because I love road trips, so I have always dreamed of staying in a camper van. Although this camper van can’t move, the experience of sleeping inside still excited me!
Since I’m alone, feeling as adventurous as ever, and only carrying one small luggage, I decided to take the train and bus to the location. It’s actually very convenient, but I don’t recommend doing that if you are bringing kids along and carrying a lot of luggage.
Once I arrived, the staff was very welcoming and friendly. He showed me around and brought me to my camper van. When I saw the van that I was going to stay in, I was so excited because it was very nice and cosy. It’s also very clean (including the toilet) and looks new.
Although it’s small, it doesn’t have a cramped feeling. There’s a sofa, a king-size bed, and it’s well equipped with a water flask, TV, and towels. However, the towels they provide are quite small, so if you are particular about towels, you can bring your own. Since I’m alone, the two small towels were enough for me to use.
They also have activities here like firefly watching, hiking, and tea plucking. Firefly watching is only available during certain seasons, and tea plucking is only available on weekdays, if I remember correctly. You can check out more details on their website.
For dinner, I had their BBQ set. The minimum order is for 2 pax, for about SGD$80 and I loved it because it comes with meat, vegetables, and mushrooms. If you need carbs, you may have to let them know in advance or bring your own.
Breakfast is a similar concept. You can toast your own bread and fry your eggs using the pan, and I love that they have boiled vegetables for breakfast. Very well balanced!
Can check out my full review post on my Instagram.
If you like nature and enjoy a slower pace of life, you should try glamping here. I was actually sitting at the table, looking out, and if you are lucky, you can even see Taipei 101. The feeling is so peaceful, listening to the birds chirping and looking out over the tea fields. It really does help to clear my mind and soul.
茶厢露萤 Taipei RV Glamping
231, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Xindian District,
Quchi Village, 湖子內路100號露營B區
Hotel Near Ximending – Oani Taipei Hotel
My next hotel stay was at Oani Hotel, which is about a 4 minute walk to Taipei Ximending and less than a 2 minute walk from MRT Station Exit 4. It’s actually very new hotel opened in 2025 and they have family friendly room and dormitory which is good for backpackers.
I stayed in a standard twin and the room size is spacious enough for me to put my 28″ luggage on the floor and one 23″ luggage, with still enough room to walk around without kicking my feet into the luggage.
Basement 2 is their loung with lots of ffree snacks, drinks and there’s also massage chair. The whole environment is very cozy and quiet. They also host daily Happy hour from 9pm – 10pm where you will have free flow Taiwan beer and Taiwan local dessert.
If you want to find a hotel near Ximending Taipei, you can consider Oani Hotel since it’s still pretty new. The rooms are clean with no weird smell. So far, the service has been good too. Most importantly, it’s near the MRT station and bus station.
You can use my code “QIQI” or just click the link below for extra discount.
Oani Taipei Hotel Taiwan
No. 69號, Baoqing Rd, Jianguo Village,
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100005
Taipei Cafe Hopping and Taipei Bar
TaKao 1972 Taiwan Hotpot
I had this hotpot for lunch before I check in. It’s not too bad, and it’s just a walking distance from the hotel. I spent like SGD$20 for this seafood hotpot set, which is not too bad!
TAKAO1972 Midtown Richardson Restaurant
Address: No. 110號, Yanping S Rd, Guangfu Village, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
All Day Roasting
If you are looking for a nice cafe to chill in Taipei, you can check out All Day Roasting. The coffee is really good, and the cafe has a cosy atmosphere that’s perfect for slowing down and taking a break. I went there for breakfast, but I saw a lot of people chilling and working in the cafe.
Hikari Coffee & Dessert
This is a very hidden cafe in Ximending. I ordered their passion fruit pudding and coffee. I find the passion fruit pudding is normal. According to Google, their Pistachio Tiramisu is highly recommended. I can’t remember why I didn’t order, maybe it was OOS, or I just didn’t order. But it’s good to try, and the environment is really cozy, even though there are limited seats.
Elsewhere Cafe
I found this book cafe called Elsewhere, and I really like the atmosphere. It’s quiet, cosy, and a great place to slow down, especially if you need a break from the busy streets of Taipei. There are a lot of books here, so you can just take one and slowly read to pass time.
I ordered their egg pudding, it’s very nice! I find it nicer than my favorite popular Taiwan Tong Yi Pudding.
Elsewhere Cafe
Address: No. 48號, Lane 125, Section 2, Wenhua Rd, Wenhua Village, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 22047
Opening hours: Please refer to their social media for updates
Wanderland Hirunomi
Wanderland Hirunomi is a cozy Japanese-style cafe and bar in Taipei. It has a very chill and laid-back atmosphere. You need to walk all the way into Xinfu Market in Wanhua District. What I like is how they combine the traditional Taiwan market and modern-style cafe together. You can actually buy snacks or food, excluding drinks, from the market and bring them into the bar. They even provide plates so you can share the snacks together with your friends. Just make sure you clear the mess before leaving.
The bar serves drinks, but mostly alcoholic, including Japanese sake, beer, fruit wine, and shochu. They have a minimum spending of NT800 (S$32) per person during Friday to Sunday, and you can sit for 3 hours. On normal days, when you order 1 round of drinks, it is 40mins, if you want to sit longer, you need to order another round of drinks.
Wanderland Hirunomi
Address: No. 70, Sanshui St., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Opening hours: Tues – Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Taipei Night Market
This time round when I went back to Taiwan, I didn’t go for the popular tourist night market. I went to Nanjichang Night Market instead. It’s actually a very small night market, with very few tourists selling authentic local food. I find that if you are a food lover, this place is really good for you to enjoy local night market food with no stress.
It’s just a small, simple one-lane, most of the stores have sitting place. You can actually walk one round first to decide what you want to have. They also have gender-friendly toilets.
I actually go to the popular Steam Chicken Rice store, which is right at the entrance. The steam chicken looks like our Singapore Lou Mai Kai, but it’s a very different style and taste. I also ordered their braised pork rice (lu rou fan), soup, and braised trotter. I actually like their braised pork rice more.
The grilled corn is actually one of the Michelin Guide. Not too bad, I choose the soft and chewy kind. You can actually choose the type of corn texture you want and the seasoning.
I suggest going there early, like around 6pm, because it starts to get really crowded for some of the stalls around 7pm.
Nanjichang Night Market
Address: Lane 307, Section 2, Zhonghua Rd, Zhongqin Village, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 12pm
