Taipei Solo Adventure: Day 2 Tea House and Jioufen
In February 2024, I went on a solo 3 days trip to Taipei from Osaka.
Check out the Day 1 Blog from here if you haven’t!
Today, I'd like to share my Day 2 experience during my stay in Taipei.
I woke up at 5 a.m. with one mission in mind: to try the most famous breakfast in Taipei at "Fu Hang Soy Milk 阜杭豆漿".
Despite the crazy lineup, it was definitely worth the wait.
Check out my blog post about Fu Hang Soy Milk here!
Fu Hang Soy Milk 阜杭豆漿
Address: 100, Taiwan, Taipei City, Zhongzheng District, Section 1, Zhongxiao E Rd, 108號2樓
After finishing breakfast, it was still early in the morning, around 8 am, so I decided to take a leisurely stroll and then catch a bus to a tea store to buy souvenirs for my friends and family.
The tea store is called Lin Mao Sen Tea Co. is known for its high-quality teas and traditional tea-making methods, Lin Mao Sen Tea Co. offers a wide selection of teas, including oolong, green, black, and herbal varieties.
Founded by Lin Mao Sen, a tea master with decades of experience, the company is committed to sourcing the finest tea leaves and ensuring the authenticity and purity of its products.
Lin Mao Sen Tea Co. 林茂森茶行
Address: No. 195-3, Section 2, Chongqing N Rd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
The owner allowed me to do some tea tasting, and I was particularly captivated by the aroma of the Jasmine tea. In the end, I purchased Jasmine tea and Baozhong tea as souvenirs from here.
Walking around the city was incredibly beautiful and surreal. I couldn’t believe how warm it was, and the sight of flowers blooming on every street corner added to the charm.
After walking around, I found myself craving some good coffee.
Knowing Taipei's reputation for quality coffee, I decided to visit Simple Kaffa (Huashan Flagship Store), a World Best Coffee shop recommended by my friend.
Although the price of the coffee was higher compared to common coffee shops in Asia and North America, I discovered that people here really savor the taste of coffee, treating it like a glass of wine.
The service and the interior of the store were also exceptional, almost resembling a restaurant.
Simple Kaffa Huashan Flagship Store
Address: No. 27, Section 2, Zhongxiao E Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
I just had a good quality coffee, but I didn't want to miss out on a traditional Chinese tea experience as well. I decided to stop by a tea house called Wisteria Tea House near National Taiwan University.
The tea house experience was incredibly unique and calming, and it became one of my favorite places in Taiwan.
Wistaria Tea House 紫藤廬
No. 1號, Lane 16, Section 3, Xinsheng S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tea houses are common in Taiwan, providing a serene and relaxing environment for tea drinkers to enjoy their favorite brews. These establishments often offer a wide selection of teas and may provide tea ceremonies or tastings for patrons.
I asked for a recommendation and decided to have Wild-Grown Black Tea.
One of the staff members explained about the tea and poured it in front of me. The small tea pot was filled with tea leaves, and I learned that I could pour it as many times as I wanted.
The syrup-dipped plums were delightfully sweet, creating a perfect harmony with the black tea.
I was so in love with the interior and it was incredibly relaxing to spend the afternoon here.
After indulging in numerous cups of tea, I made my way to Jioufen, Taipei's most iconic and famous tourist spot. Eager to witness the nighttime view, I opted to take a bus from the city center around 4 p.m.
The journey took approximately one hour by public transportation, as the bus made stops at various places before reaching Jioufen.
Jioufen 九份
Jioufen is a historic mountain town located in the Ruifang District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. Originally developed during the Qing Dynasty, Jiufen was once a thriving gold mining town. However, after the decline of the gold mining industry, Jiufen transformed into a charming tourist destination known for its nostalgic atmosphere, narrow alleyways, and stunning mountain views.
Today, Jiufen is famous for its picturesque streets lined with traditional teahouses, souvenir shops, and street food stalls offering local delicacies such as taro balls, fish balls, and sweet potato fries.
Jiufen is particularly enchanting at night when the lanterns are lit, creating a magical ambiance that transports visitors back in time.
SO MANY tourists on the stairs!!
After exploring Jioufen, I worked up quite an appetite. I opted to indulge in some douhua at one of the quaint shops nestled in the alleyways.
Douhua (豆花), also known as tofu pudding or soybean pudding, is a traditional Chinese dessert made from soybeans. It is a soft and silky dessert with a delicate texture, similar to custard or panna cotta.
After enjoying Douhua, I returned to Taipei city center by bus, a remarkably affordable choice of public transportation costing only around 1.2 Canadian Dollars round trip.
I found the public transportation in Taipei to be incredibly inexpensive compared to major cities like Tokyo, New York, London, and Paris.
The half-day trip to Jioufen left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to first-time visitors!
