Taipei on Our Own

2019 Summer Trip to Asia

August 19, 2019 -- Taipei

We are on our own today and did not make any arrangements to meet with friends. It is nice to have some time on our own once in a while. We had no reason to hurry so we waited until late morning before leaving the house to avoid rush-hour traffic. Our plan was to pay a visit to the National Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall in downtown Taipei. But before getting there, we would have our lunch at the Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao which is located just across the street from the memorial hall.

Taking the bus was a relaxing way to get there now that not many people are utilizing buses. The MRT seems to be the way to go in Taipei. As for myself, I like to take the bus since there is so much to see on the way. Much more interesting than just riding underground.

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao

Since we were brought here by our guide, Scott Sung, while passing through Keelung on the Diamond Princess in 2018 for our one day stop in Taipei, I fell in love with this eatery and I wanted to bring MOR here for a meal. My personal opinion is that this is comparable to Din Tai Fung but without the high prices and crowds. This is really a good place to enjoy these little soup dumplings.

Menu in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean.

Easy to order with the pictorial menu.

We couldn't order too much since there were just the two of us, so we ended up with a bowl of hot and sour soup to share. This was one of the best hot and sour soup that I have ever had.

An order of their regular xiao long bao, 

and an order of the crab meat/crab roe ones.

Both very delicious. These crab ones are a little more expensive than the regular ones.

We also had a pot of shrimp with clear noodle. Quite enjoyable!

We ate too much!

There was a short line but not bad at all. Many Japanese tourists come here for their xiao long bao fix.

National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

After lunch we just crossed the street to the Memorial Hall and spent some time in the exhibition hall until it was time for the changing of the guard ceremony at the top of each hour up in the main hall. This is basically why visitors come here, to see the ceremony in person. 

A painting of Dr. Sun Yat Sen and President Chiang Kai-Shek in the center of the exhibition hall.

A picture of the younger President Chiang (Chiang Jing Kuo).

President and Mrs. Chiang

We wanted to make sure that we have a good spot for the ceremony, and we did.

I bet they are happy to be getting off soon.

Will of President Chiang.

Crowded with tourists waiting for the ceremony.

Here we go!

After the ceremony, we went back down to the exhibition hall to continue our visit there. I was a little tired so I just found a bench and waited for MOR to finish his exploration. We spent about two hours in there that day.

From the main hall looking down at the square of Democratic Boulevard.

National Concert Hall on the right and National Theater on the left. Liberty Arch straight ahead.

Memorial Hall

We just leisurely walked around and discovered an area we have never been before. The garden on site.

Such a pretty sight.

In the middle of the city.

National Theater

Taipei 101

It's time to look for dinner! We figured that Taipei 101 would be a good place with so many choices inside their food court. Walking around the huge, high-end shopping mall should be fun also.

Taking the MRT to Taipei 101.

Shopping mall inside Taipei 101.

We ended up having food from this hawker stand which we have not tried before.

Not bad for around $13 USD.

Soy Chicken and Roasted Crispy Pork

Came with soup and rice.

Also got some tofu pudding from the stand next door.

A Michilin one star hawker from Singapore.

Good dinner!

August 20, 2019

We did not do much on this day except to visit our friends, the Lins in Chunghe. Mr. Lin is a long time friend for over 45 years. We spent our day basically chit chatting and enjoying their collections of tea at their house. Dinner was at a small restaurant nearby for a fine family meal.

Mrs. Lin and the cute grand-daughter.

Omelette

Fresh summer bamboo shoot

Baby oysters and tofu

Pork belly

Relaxing evening inside the house where we were staying at.

We had the whole house, 5-story and all, to ourselves.

A comfortable and spacious retreat in Taipei, thanks to our host and hostess Mr. and Mrs. Shih, another long-time friend.

"Whoever loves God must also love his brother."   -- I John 4:21