I woke up to another rainy morning in Taipei. It was cold, about 19 degrees, but I thought the rain made the city even more beautiful. My photographer kept saying the streets looked like something out of Blade Runner. The billboards of Ximending reflected in the puddles, broken up by the raindrops. I felt a cosy sense of tranquillity, watching the rain create a soft curtain around the bustling city. Some might find such weather challenging. But for me, it evoked a sense of adventure, savouring the way the atmosphere shifted with each passing hour. Seeing Taiwan in both sunshine and rain made me appreciate how much the weather changes the look of the country.
Traveller Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you book a hotel, a flight, or purchase a tour through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend travel experiences and products I truly love or find valuable. Thank you for supporting my blog!
After a lazy start, I went back to Ximending to explore, since the rain had cut my last visit short. This time, I got off the MRT at Ximen, which is a great place to start walking around. My last day in Taipei had no focus, just to enjoy being in the city without the stress of trying to see everything at once. I wanted to find the Hello Kitty 7-Eleven, just a five-minute walk away. Themed convenience stores in Taipei change often, so I wasn’t sure what I would find. Luckily, the Hello Kitty store is huge and easy to spot since it had many statues. My luck didn’t end there because I also spotted the Open Chan small, Lays crisps (Walkers), and a rainbow-themed 7-Eleven. These themed stores are really fun to see, often with matching seats and merchandise.
Rainbow Road, a very colorful street, with a rainbow zebra crossing is a great photo spot. It is right across from the Red House, an eight-sided building built in English style in 1908. The Red House was closed when I visited, so I kept exploring the nearby streets.
Continuing my walk, I ended up in the Camera District without even realising it at first, only noticing all the camera company billboards later. As the rain intensified, I found shelter while my photographer headed to Heritage Bakery for lunch, choosing a sandwich over a steaming bowl of Taiwanese dandan mian. This choice marked an interesting travel rhythm, caught between the comfort of a sandwich and curiosity about local flavours. The bakery is small but serves tasty dishes and cakes, and the window seats are great for people-watching. I enjoyed my lunch, lingering for about an hour as I waited for the rain to let up before heading out again.
Luckily, Snow King was just around the corner, so I made a special stop for another ice cream. It’s one of my favourite places to eat in Asia because it’s unique and the staff are always friendly. The moment I took my first spoonful, the creamy yet slightly granular texture of the jasmine tea ice cream hit my tongue. Each bite was a delightful blend of savoury and sweet, reminiscent of earthy tea leaves touched by a hint of floral essence. If you remember just one thing from my blog, make sure to visit Snow King when you’re in Taipei and experience this unique delicacy for yourself.
As the weather got better, I took the MRT to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Walking under the huge Liberty Square Arch, I felt small compared to the history around me. Standing among the grand buildings made me think about how even big achievements are just a part of something larger. I, on the other hand, was reminded of how small I am in comparison with the world around me. A small, colourful bird was running around on the grass, in search of an afternoon snack.
On one side was the theatre, and on the other was the National Concert Hall, both in traditional Chinese style. Still, they looked small next to the massive memorial hall for Chiang Kai-shek, the former president of Taiwan. The view from the top of the stairs was great, but surprisingly, I couldn’t see Taipei 101 from any vantage point. I love exploring, but when the rain started again, the changing of the guard was cancelled. Disappointed as I was to miss this, I was also glad to head back to Da’an and get out of the rain for a while.
As it was my last day in Taipei, I chose to return to Xinyi for dinner whilst my photographer wandered around the shops. Of course, this involved a final dinner in Din Tai Fung. Vegan xiaolongbao are only available in Taiwanese branches, so I decided to eat as many as possible because I don’t know when I will next return to Taipei.
