I landed in Taiwan not really knowing what to expect. Taiwan was on my list for years. Even when I lived in China I never got the chance to visit it.
I’d seen photos, heard about the night markets, and read about Taipei being “underrated.” But I didn’t have a list or a plan. I just had a camera and a bit of curiosity.
Turns out, that’s all you need!
First stop: Taipei
Taipei surprised me. There are so many things to do, and although it’s really busy, it’s not in a stressful way. There’s a relaxing energy to it, especially in the way scooters flow through the streets like a flood. I found a spot where they all come together into a kind of scooter waterfall, it’s weirdly beautiful!
At night, I checked out some night markets. It’s not the flashy, touristy kind it felt local. The grills were going, and people were chatting. Folks were super open and friendly.
Chiang Kai-shek
I also stopped by the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. This was such an impressive sight! I didn’t expect the square to be so vast and the structures to be so big. It’s a place that really makes you pause. Whether you know much about Taiwan’s history or not, standing there makes you feel as though you’re in the center of something important.
Escaping the city to Yangmingshan Park
One of the best things about Taiwan is its nature. Drive 30–40 minutes from Taipei and suddenly you’re breathing in mountain air. We headed up to Yangmingshan National Park where we found water buffalos, birds and beautiful hills.
I hiked up to Xiaoyoukeng, a sleeping volcanic area where the ground literally breathes steam! You smell the stinky yellow sulfur before you see it. Kind of makes you feel small in a cool way.
It was a bit of a National Geographic moment for me, truly special to witness.
Locals tip: Xiaoyoukeng means little oil pit because the Japanese back in the days thought there was oil to be found, but there wasn't any.
Pinglin Tea Fields
Pinglin is a town surrounded by tea fields and forest. We rode out through the mountains, and suddenly everything was still. No scooters. No honking. Just green hills, tea plants, and the sound of the wind.
Longshan Temple
Right in the heart of a busy neighborhood stands Longshan Temple. I’ve seen a lot of temples over the years, but this one really stood out. The details were incredible with intricate carvings, colors, even a small waterfall. There was so much to see, I didn’t know where to look!
Yehliu Geopark
Although Yehliu Geopark was quite busy, it was like walking onto another planet. Wind-shaped rock formations everywhere, with waves crashing behind them. We found a hiking trail behind the rocks all the way to the end of the cliff. Really cool.
Behind the scenes
I didn’t storyboard this trip. I barely even took notes. I just shot what caught my eye. That meant lots of random stops, backtracking for a better angle, and some camera balancing on rocks. In every shot, I kept my camera still, aiming to make it look like moving postcards.
I composed the music myself and edited and color-graded the video solely in Final Cut.
Thinking about visiting Taiwan?
Among some of the hotels I stayed in Taiwan, The Grand Mayful was my favorite. We wanted to treat ourselves that time, and this was a nice and quiet getaway from the busy city.
The location was not that optimal, but it was fast to reach as it was just outside the busy city center, and the subway was only 15 15-minute walk. The room was huge, which was very convenient for our son so he could run around and play whenever we came back in the room from a long trip.
Overall, prices of hotels in Taipei were higher than I anticipated. This hotel was significantly more affordable than many others, yet it still offered a pool and breakfast included.
My recommended Hotels in Taipei 🛏️
The Grand Mayful Taipei
Taipei, Taiwan
$$ – Mid Range (but luxurious experience!)
Felt very luxurious for a good price- Breakfast was really good!
Felt very luxurious for a good priceFind out where to stay in Taipei below in this interactive map:
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