Hsinchu to Taipei

We took a cab from Hsinchu (hotel) to the Gao Tie station (about 30 mins journey by car). The station is a separate one from the normal train station that we arrive at on the first day.The exterior & interior of the station resembles that of an airport.

Queuing to buy tickets from the counter.

Self-service machines are also available.

As we're not too sure, we bought the tickets from the counter to play safe.

view from the platform

Our train has arrived!!!

Onboard magazine

Cabbed to Miramar Hotel in Taipei. The traffic was very bad. A journey which would typically takes us around 10mins became about 30 mins due to the jam.

Lobby at Miramar Hotel

Our room

This hotel is adequate, nice, but is not as cosy as Hsinchu's hotel. Jones like it for the work table, but I find that this kind of room is more suited to one-person occupancy. Only a table for one, never thinking about their partners who may also want a place for her own laptop.


We went for dinner straightaway after checking in. We have to walk for about 15mins before finding places for dinner. According to Jones who walk around on his own the next day, he says there's more food on the other side of the hotel. We explored the right side of the hotel, but apparently most of the eating places are on the left side, no wonder we couldn't find much to eat.

We passed by this place and saw a long queue of people. They are queuing for mooncakes....we thought of buying from here, but the queue is just way too long..

 Dinner - ru rou fan (minced meat rice), fu yong egg, veg & the gong yuan soup (above pic).

Hsinchu Day 3

Its our last day in Hsinchu. We had to get back to Taipei that evening after Jones' work as he had a seminar to attend the next day before going back to Singapore the day after.
I can't bear to leave the hotel which was so nice and comfy but yet I know I have to make full use of my remaining stay in Hsinchu to shop more...haha..



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My favourite buy from Hsinchu is this top. It was going for 50% off at one of the nice boutique hidden in a corner at one small lane in Hsinchu downtown. The top is light & silky, cheerful colours, just perfect for a hot summer afternoon. It can be worn as a top with short or can be worn as a tunic as it is long enough. The shop belongs to the sister of the girl who served me on both days. It was such a happy experience shopping there that I went back again today & got a denim shorts from her as well, also one of the few pieces on 50% offer. Their items are limited and quality is good, but a little on the pricier side compared to the other shops there.

 The nice paper bag that comes with your purchases...

 The lovely shop owner's sister who provides great service...

 The shop...likes the decor ...warm & inviting...

 Look at the surrounding, its a nice shop smack right in the middle of not so nicely done up shops...

 me on my way from hotel to downtown hsinchu...

pass by these area when I was searching for a place to do lunch...

 Was looking for this place as I saw a crowd when my bus pass through. So happy I finally found this place as I have been going rounds & rounds looking for it, not knowing that it's just behind the wall that I keep on walking past.

My lunch

 Would say that this is more like a coffee shop selling very affordable Japanese food. No ramen, only bento, sushi & rice dishes available.

Since it's my last day in Hsinchu, I decided to go for a little sightseeing instead of more shopping after my lunch. Below are some of the pics along the way.

"Cheng Huang Miao"

This lingerie shop is just opposite the above featured temple - what an irony.

Went back to the hotel earlier than usual to pack for the trip to Taipei.

Lobby at Lau Ye Fan Tian

Good bye, Hsinchu...will miss this place especially because of this hotel.