December 2023 – Roving Sun

December 31, 2023February 6, 2024

New Year’s Eve in Taipei

One of the reasons we decided to stay at the Grand Hyatt Taipei was for easy access for the New Year’s fireworks at Taipei 101. After going out for lunch and snacks, we returned to rest a bit before going out to the Taipei Civic Plaza, in front of the hotel, to get a good spot to watch the fireworks. It ended up being surprisingly windy and cold but we did get great spot where we had a clear view of the fireworks and were able to sit without anyone directly in front of us!

December 30, 2023February 5, 2024

From Longshan Temple to Ximending, and the Raohe Night Market

After breakfast as usual at the Grand Hyatt, we ventured out to the Lungshan Temple. After visiting the temple, we walked to the northeast to Ximending, having lunch and some snacks on the way. Later, in the evening, we had dinner at the Raohe Night Market.

December 29, 2023February 4, 2024

Beitou Hot Springs

Beitou, in northern Taipei City, is known for its hot springs. We visited to take a look at the thermal area and to soak at the Radium Kagaya, a hot spring hotel. We also had some good food throughout the day and ate at Din Tai Fung, possibly Taiwan’s most famous restaurant.

December 28, 2023May 7, 2024

Sun Yat-Sen and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorials

After having breakfast at the Grand Hyatt, we visited the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall again where we saw the change of guard twice and looked through the museum spaces inside. After an excellent beef noodle soup lunch, we visited the huge Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before having Singaporean chilli crab for dinner at Jumbo Seafood in Xinyi. We ended the evening by walking back to the Grand Hyatt, enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights on the way.

December 27, 2023January 31, 2024

Tea and Temples at Maokong

The weather forecast looked good again today so we headed to Maokong, a mountainous area just at the edge of Taipei, after breakfast at the Grand Hyatt. We ended up checking out a few temples, enjoyed the scenery, and bought some local tea as Maokong is a historic tea producing area.