With the Lunar New Year holiday beginning on Wednesday, there’s not much time to get your plans in order if you intend to travel around the country.
Both the Taiwan High Speed Rail (台灣高鐵, www.thsrc.com.tw) and the Taiwan Railways Administration (台鐵, www.railway.gov.tw) trains had seats available as of press time. For inter-city buses, Kuo-kuang (國光客運, www.kingbus.com.tw) runs extensive services.
The busiest days for traffic across the country are expected to be Lunar New Year’s eve, which falls on Wednesday, and on Feb. 7, when the official holiday ends.
In Taipei, most major shopping areas, movie theaters and museums will be open. For those looking to escape the cold weather, hot spring resorts in Beitou, Yangmingshan and Wulai are good options for day trips or an overnight getaway.
Remember that on Wednesday, most businesses will close early, usually around 5pm or 6pm, so it would be wise to do your shopping ahead of time. As for public transport in Taipei, all buses and the MRT are scheduled to maintain normal schedules for the entire holiday.
If you haven’t made plans or just like the quiet feeling of Taipei during the holidays, read on for a list of places to go and things to do.
Events and Performances
Taipei International Flora Exposition
Expect long lines for major attractions such as the high-tech Pavilion of Dreams and Pavilion of New Fashion, a building made of recycled plastic bottles.
Address: Main entrance near Yuanshan MRT Station (圓山捷運站). See event Web site for alternative entrances
Tickets: NT$300 general admission, NT$200 after 1pm
Hours: During the holiday, the Expo is open every day from 9am to 10pm, except on Wednesday, when it closes at 5pm for Lunar New Year’s Eve
Web site: www.2010taipeiexpo.tw
Cirque du Soleil — Varekai
Internationally renowned circus troupe Cirque du Soleil has returned to Taipei with another spectacular but expensive show. The lowest-priced seats are sold out but tickets at NT$3,100 and higher are still available, with two performances a day throughout the holiday.
Address: Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall (台北世界貿易中心南港展覽館), 1 Jingmao 2nd Rd, Taipei City (台北市經貿二路1號)
Tickets: NT$3,100 to NT$7,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
When: 3:30pm and 7:30pm from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5 and 1pm and 5pm on Feb. 6
Web Site: www.cirquedusoleil.tw
Places to Go in Taipei
Taipei 101
Address: 7, Xinyi Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市信義路五段7號)
Telephone: (02) 8101-7777
Hours: The Observation Deck is open from 9am to 6pm on Wednesday (last tickets sold at 5:15pm) and 9am to 10pm during the rest of the holiday (last tickets sold at 9:15pm). The mall is open from 11am to 6pm on Wednesday and 11am to 10pm for the rest of the holiday
Sogo Department Store (太平洋 Sogo)
Address: Zhongxiao Branch (忠孝館): 9F, 45, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段45號9 樓); Fuxing Branch (復興館): 300, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路三段300號)
Web site: www.sogo.com.tw
Hours: Both the Zhongxiao and Fuxing branches are open from 11am to 5pm on Wednesday and 11am to 10pm for the rest of the holiday
Breeze Center (微風廣場)
Address: 39, Fuxing S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市復興南路一段39號)
Web site: www.breezecenter.com
Hours: 11am to 6pm on Wednesday, 11am to 9:30pm on all other weekdays and 11am to 10pm on weekends
Hankyu Department Store (統一阪急百貨)
Address: B2, 8, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路五段8號B2
Telephone: (02) 2729-9699
Hours: 11am to 6pm on Wednesday, 11am to 10pm from Thursday to Sunday
Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園)
Address: 20 Jingye 3rd Rd, Neihu Dist, Taipei City (台北市敬業三路20號)
Telephone: (02) 8502-2208
Web site: www.miramar.com.tw
Hours: The ferris wheel, supermarket and stores are open from 11am to 6pm on Wednesday. Food court and restaurants are open until 9pm. Same hours from Thursday to Feb. 5, except for the supermarket, which is open until 10:30pm
Vieshow Cinemas Taipei Xinyi (台北信義威秀影城)
Address: 18 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路18號)
Telephone: (02) 8780-5566
Hours: Normal opening hours throughout the holiday. Visit www.vscinemas.com.tw for movies and screening times and to reserve tickets online
Miramar Cinemas (美麗華影城) and IMAX Theater
Address: 6F, 22 Jingye 3rd Rd, Taipei City (台北市敬業三路22號6樓)
Telephone: (02) 8161-1900
Hours: Normal opening hours throughout the holiday. Visit www.miramarcinemas.com.tw for movies and screening times and to reserve tickets online
National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院)
Address: 221 Zhishan Rd Sec 2, Shilin Dist, Taipei City (台北市至善路二段221號)
Telephone: (02) 2881-2021
Hours: 8:30am to 4pm on Wednesday, 8:30am to 6:30pm throughout the rest of the holiday
Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館)
Address: 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號)
Telephone: (02) 2595-7656
Hours: Open from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, and 9am to 10pm through the rest of the holiday
SPOT — Taipei Film House (台北光點)
Address: 18, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市中山北路二段18號)
Telephone: (02) 2511-7786
Hours: Closed Wednesday to Feb. 4. Open on Feb. 5, from 11am to 10pm. For a list of films and screening times, visit www.spot.org.tw
Hot Springs
Tien Lai (天籟溫泉會館)
Located near Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園), this hot springs resort has rooms for two starting from NT$9,000 during the holiday and day trip specials, including lunch and access to hot springs facilities for NT$1,388 plus 10 percent service charge.
Address: 1-7 Mingliu Rd, Chonghe Borough, Jinshan District, New Taipei City (新北市金山區重和里名流路1-7號)
Telephone: (02) 2659-6888
On the Net: www.tienlai.com.tw
Villa 32 (三二行館)
Spending the night at this Zen-inspired luxury hot springs resort in Beitou can cost from NT$16,000 to NT$25,000. But there’s no need to blow your New Year’s bonus — more affordable packages are available for a day visit that includes a meal and hot springs, at NT$2,540 for lunch or NT$3,540 dinner. Reservations are a must.
Address: 32 Zhongshan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City (台北市北投區中山路32號)
Telephone: (02) 6611-8888
On the Net: www.villa32.com
Wulai Spring Resort (烏來湯溫泉會館)
For sulfur-free hot springs, head to Wulai. The rooms at this hot springs hotel are fully booked, but you can still visit the public baths for NT$500 per person.
Address: 36 Laka Rd, Wulai District, New Taipei City (新北市烏來區啦卡路36號)
Telephone: (02) 2661-6161
On the Net: www.wulai-spring.com.tw
Spring City Resort (春天酒店)
All the rooms are fully booked at this Beitou resort, but the hot springs facilities are open to non-guests throughout the holiday. The public baths are open from 9am to 10pm for NT$800 per adult and NT$550 per child. Private bath and spa rooms are open 24 hours a day starting at NT$600 per hour for adults, NT$400 for children. No reservations needed, but be prepared to wait for a private room upon arrival.
Address: 18 Youya Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City (台北市北投區幽雅路18號)
Telephone: (02) 2897-5555
On the Net: www.springresort.com.tw
Restaurants and Bars
The following nightspots and restaurants will remain open throughout the Lunar New Year holiday. Note that some places close early on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and it’s always best to call ahead and confirm business hours.
Galley Gong Bistro (ㄍㄚ ㄌㄧ ㄍㄨㄥ餐廳)
Address: 24, Alley 295, Fuxing S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市復興南路一段295巷24號)
Telephone: (02) 2707-8001
Hours: Kitchen is open from noon to 2pm and 5:30pm until 10pm throughout the holiday. Bar also open during the holiday until late
JB’s
Address: 148 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路148號)
Telephone: (02) 2364-8222
Hours: Daily from 5pm to 1am or 2am. Kitchen closed on Wednesday and Thursday, but the bar will remain open
On Tap
Address: 49, Ln 308, Guangfu S Rd, Taipei City(台北市光復南路308巷49號)
Telephone: (02) 2741-5365
Hours: Daily from 6pm till late; kitchen will be closed on Sunday
Note: On Tuesday, On Tap is moving to 21, Alley 11, Ln 216, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段216巷11弄21號) and will be open for business at its new locale
Barcode
Address: 5F, 22 Songshou Rd, Taipei City(台北市松壽路22號5樓)
Telephone: (02) 2725-3520
Hours: Daily from 9pm to 2:30am, open from 10pm on Wednesday
Room 18
Address: B1, 18 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路18號B1)
Telephone: (02) 2345-2778
Hours: From midnight to 6am on Wednesday night and from 10:30pm to 6am Thursday through Sunday
Brass Monkey
Address: 166 Fuxing N Rd, Taipei City(台北市復興北路166號)
Telephone: (02) 2547-5050
Hours: Open the entire holiday, weekdays from 5pm to 1am, closes at 4am on Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays
Carnegie’s
Address: 100, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City(台北市安和路二段100號)
Telephone: (02) 2325-4433
Hours: Daily from 10:30am to 5am throughout the holiday
The Tavern
Address: 5, Ln 380, Keelung Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市基隆路一段380巷5號)
Telephone: (02) 8780-0892
Hours: From 5pm to 2am throughout the holiday
Jake’s Country Kitchen
Address: 705, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 6, Taipei City (台北市中山北路六段705號)
Telephone: (02) 2871-5289
Hours: Open from 7:30am to 3pm on Wednesday, from 9am to 9:30pm on Thursday and Feb. 4, and 9am to 11pm from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7
Grandma Nitti’s
Address: 8, Ln 93, Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路93巷8號)
Telephone: (02) 2369-9751
Hours: From 10am to 5pm on Wednesday, noon to 8pm from Thursday until Feb. 5
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