Your Taiwan Summer is calling!

Heed that loud outcry inside your head and book that flight from Clark to Taipei City. Summer season is now up in the land of boba milk tea and the famed Meteor Garden series. Fly conveniently via Clark International Airport to Taipei City via Cebu Pacific Air and EVA Air, and soon with Starlux Airlines.

Taiwan is boosting its summer destinations and we are blessed to have it experience first hand. Create travel memories and share the awesome moments with your family, friends or colleagues as you saunter and indulge on what Taiwan has prepared for you.

SUMMERTIME IN TAIWAN!

Taking advantage of the fine weather, clear skies and constant temperatures, Taipei has transformed its tourist destinations into more breathtaking and captivating crowd-drawing events uniquely for the season.

YEHLIU NIGHT TOURS

Transforming one of the most loved natural parks in Taipei into an electronic summer wonderland, Yehliu Night Tours features state-of-the-art 3D mapping projection to the existing rock formation creating that new experience of aesthetic art of laser light, mist and water.

Soon as the sunset exudes its final warm embrace over the landscape, the Yehliu Geopark converts to an interactive theme park. Beginning at the entrance and main pathway to the rock formations, there are interactive light installations like digital light projections on the road, overhead huge flower fixtures and light bulbs shaped like huge pearls. These truly engage each and every guest.

During the Night Tours, the geopark is subdivided into different zones that feature different types of shows. Worry not since the pathways are illuminated are safe to trod after dusk.

Daily shows begin at 7:30PM and the Night Tours are until July 16, 2023 only.

DADAOCHENG SUMMER FESTIVAL

We all love fireworks show, and at the Tamsui riverside at Pier 5 in Dadaocheng, they have weekly fireworks (on a Wednesday) show that will culminate in a grander show on August 20, 2023. This is one of the crowd-drawing events as locals and international tourists flock to the riverside to marvel at the firework spectacle. The Dadaocheng Pier 5 transforms into a food wonderland as container vans convert to stationary food trucks offering local and international cuisine. Live entertainment keeps the guests engaged and there are carnival rides perfect for the young ones.

A few moments before the sun sinks on the horizon, the landscape and the sky seemed to dance against the changing hues of remaining light and lights from buildings afar flickered to life. The ingress of the crowd began as the hour of the firework drew near and the woks and pans below began their hard work to feed to growing hungry queue of customers.

Soon as the clock strikes 08:30PM, the festival begins unleashing low-altitude fireworks to the crowds’ amazement. From the balcony from where we are, we are greeted with a sea of crowds mostly hands high, doing some ways of recording. Spatters of light that truly awestruck its audience below caused simultaneous “ooohs” – it was like the light conducting the massive symphony. As the final grand sparks and embers consumed, the grand egress began. With that thick crowd hurrying to the exit, it took almost half an hour to empty halfway through the pier and glad to know that no one got hurt.

FULONG INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTURE ART FESTIVAL

Fulong Beach holds one of the best quality sand in Taiwan. Glittering gold to cream as it basks against the noontime sun, creating this sandy wonderland, but this time with the colossal sand sculptures awaiting its guests to be marvelled upon.

Arriving at the Fulong Visitor Center, we are greeted by the reception staff and glad that the air conditioning units are at full capacity. Refreshing done, we met our Fulong-based tour guide who led us to the beach. We passed by the famed Rainbow Bridge, crossing the long arch bridge above the calm waters Shanxi River where get to have a glimpse of the sand sculptures from there. We saw locals as well enjoying the waters.

Celebrating the 100 years of Disney, our most loved characters took the stage as the main works of art dotting Fulong Beach. With a defined footpath for the guests’ convenience, saunter the seeming maze of wooden pathways and marvel at the intricately made lifesized characters, from the classic princesses to the modern characters that defined each generation of youth.

The Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival will be on display during the Summer Season, so head out now to Taipei and experience this one-of-a-kind Art Festival.

TAIPEI 101 AND THE 89th Floor OBSERVATION DECK

Trying out my first experience with one of the fastest elevators in the world seems that a bit of my soul slipped from my body. Ears popped from the radical change of air pressure and that mere 47-second elevator ride took us up to the observation deck. It was an unprecedented experience as I stepped with shaky knees to the commanding and unparalleled view of downtown Taipei. The quick guided tour took us around the Observatory floor and shared insights about the iconic buildings we can see. Like the old operating airport in Taipei, the temples in the city and over the mountains, the public and government buildings and other tourist destinations in Taipei and surrounding districts.

Apart from the view, you can lounge and enjoy a cup of coffee at their in-house cafe. Also, the only massive damper that is open to the public which you can see for yourself with a two-story observation hall.

They have a roof deck on the 91st floor where blasts of wind would welcome you as you exit the doors and see the tall building mast above you.

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC TEA CEREMONY AT AMEI TEAHOUSE AT JIUFEN

Famed for its picture-perfect alleyways and the iconic teahouse that is certainly a crowd drawer, Jiufen is one of the must-visit destinations in Taipei. Having one of the best seats in the teahouse with a commanding view of the mountainscapes and seascapes, we experienced the Taiwanese way of serving tea. In quick succession, the teahouse staff explained to us the technicalities of holding a tea ceremony, with precise timing and motion to enjoy the delicate flavours of authentic Taiwanese Oolong Tea.

With a spare time remaining, we head out to the stores of Jiufen and experienced another market and shopping spree which almost all love. This is where I find cheaper trinkets and take-home treats for my family and friends.

CREATE YOUR OWN PINEAPPLE CAKE AT VIGOR KOBO

That ubiquitous Vigor Kobo Pineapple Cake in most Taiwanese souvenir shops which have the attention of international tourists and guests, is such a great experience to even make your own at Vigor Kobo main store in Taipei. Entering their main hall with the gigantic pineapple and hordes of take-home treats right in front of our eyes, we are greeted by their cheerful staff.

We are led to the second-floor workshop where we are to make our own pineapple cakes. Our instructor prepared us the main dough and the pineapple filling in a perfectly malleable state. After washing our hands, we began the lesson. Creating slabs into circles then oblongs until we are to fit the fillings skillfully with the main dough. After such, we pressed them against the molds provided, with designs depicting Taiwan Map, a Pineapple shape and Money pot. You have to remember the code of your mold so you can have the exact pieces you created after the baking process.

It was a cute and lovely experience at Vigor Kobo. We are able also to have a food tasting of their selections and truly all our delectable and promising. It was the Taro and the Seaweed that called my attention. We left the facility with smiles and a wave of the Philippine flag from their dear staff.

ENJOY THE NIGHT MARKET AT XIMENDING

One of the main shopping districts of Taipei City, many of the thoroughfares are to be governed by nothing but foot traffic. The alleyways and roads would be temporarily closed for vehicles to give way to the growing numbers of shoppers after dusk. Fret not as this busy district grid holds innumerable shops holding from global luxury brands to local stores fitting for all types of shoppers.

Apart from shopping experiences, there are many food stalls, tea houses and coffee shops you can dine at, from famed Starbucks up to local tea houses, you can truly enjoy what the best of Taiwan can serve right at the heart of Ximending. At night, there are performers and singers for your entertainment. There are street vendors too selling barbecues, cakes and refreshments. There are also art vendors which caught my attention.

I truly enjoyed sauntering around Ximending. The choices are seemingly endless and the surrounding sceneries are picture worthy.

FOOD TRIP WE DID IN TAIPEI

DIN TAI FUNG

At the base of the famed Taipei 101, we visited the Din Tai Fung branch where we saw quite a long queue of excited guests against the full dining hall. Our early reservation saved us from a long waiting time and momentarily we are seated by the window.

With the table service done in almost quick succession, our center table got filled nothing but dim sum and dumpling goodness. Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Pork, Chicken, Fish and Vegetable dumplings came in stacks that almost obscured our view. We also tried their Shao Mai, the flavorful Truffle and Mushroom Soup, tender Stir Fried Water Spinach and Shrimp Fried Rice. Capping our hearty lunch is Steamed Red Bean Xiao Long Bao and fresh hot tea.

I left Din Tai Fung with much memory and satisfaction, and big belly too.

MALA JAPANESE HOTPOT

Taiwan also has a strong Japanese influence which is evident with the number of Japanese hotpots in Taipei City. We experience having our first dinner at Mala Hotpot in Ximending which holds one of the great success stories of restaurants in the city. The hotpot buffet features a unique spread setup with multi-tiered dim sum, dumplings, vegetables and seafood hotpot portions.

You have a two-hour period to enjoy the hotpot buffet, and what is exquisite is that they serve unlimited premium cuts of beef like Angus. This is my favorite and ordered enough to fill my belly.

The meat orders is done electronically via a QR code provided by the staff per table and delivered in a few minutes. The staff are attentive to the level of your hotpot soup and would initiate refilling. This is one of the coolest Japanese hotpot dining experiences I had.

FUJI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Located a few meters from Fulong Beach, Fuji Seafood Restaurant serves authentic fresh seafood dishes you can have by the sea. The main dining hall is not that large and could hold a moderate number of dining guests. Prior to entering, we are welcomed with the live lobsters, fish and other crustaceans that you can choose for your meals.

We altogether fitted ourselves on their considerably sized round tables with rotating center table to share meals. A few minutes, our orders started to arrive. We tried the Abalone, which taste like a huge mussel. The Lobster Salad tasted exquisite with a good mix of salad dressing and vegetables. The Steamed Shrimp tasted really fresh and clean, truly devoid of any pungent aftertaste. We ended our lovely lunch with oyster and taro rolls.

HOTEL YEHLIU FISHERMAN’S KITCHEN

Before your Yehliu Night Tour experience, we have our early dinner at Yehliu Fisherman’s Kitchen which is actually a buffet restaurant. After transacting at the reception, we are seated by the window where get to enjoy the view of the Yehlie Geopark Main Entrance.

The buffet spread features local dishes like fried crabs, tofu dish, boneless chicken thighs and their signature fried rice, They have steamed dumplings and Shao Mai too. Additionally, they salad bar, choices of soup of the day, baked goods and bread, plus dessert!

The Thai Seafood Salad was a blast, and truly dissolved my food coma, thus, lending me more appetite for more returns at the buffet spread.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Clark International Airport and to Taiwan Tourism Bureau for making our Taiwan Summer Experience possible!