Where I Went in Taipei in May 2025

Staying at Hotel Fun - Linsen

Hotel Fun - Linsen (趣旅館 林森館 台北市中山區林森北路487號1樓) became my home away from home for the 5D4N Taipei trip. Conveniently located in the Zhongshan District, it provided easy access to public transport, with Zhongshan Elementary School MRT Station (Exit 3) just a 5-minute walk away. 

With friendly service, comfortable rooms, and a central location, this hotel is definitely an ideal option for tourists who want to explore Taipei without breaking the bank. I really don't mind staying at this hotel again if I'm visiting Taipei again with my family.

Getting Around with the MRT: Effortless and Convenient

To be honest, I don't take the public transport system when I'm in Malaysia. It's somewhat inconvenient and sometimes the time spent travelling by MRT is even longer than driving! However, Taipei's MRT system is truly an eye-opener for me. I'm not sure why, but I dare say navigating Taipei's MRT system is much easier than Seoul's. There are dual language (Mandarin and English) everywhere - around the stations and on the trains. Super reassuring!

Getting around Taipei was unbelievably convenient with my EasyCard. I used it to hop on and off the MRT to reach all the major spots from Ximending to Beitou, and even farther out to Tamsui. The convenience, affordability, and frequency of the trains made exploring Taipei smooth and enjoyable. I can vouch for this!

Ximending & Taipei 101

No trip to Taipei is complete without spending some time exploring Ximending, the vibrant shopping and entertainment district. I managed to eat a bowl of the iconic Ay-Chung flour-rice noodles with pork intestines (阿宗麵線). Of course, a visit to the iconic Taipei 101 is a must. I didn’t manage to go up to the observatory tower, so I just strolled along the surrounding area to feel the city's hustle and bustle.

A Scenic Day Trip to Yin Yang Sea, Jinguashi, and Jiufen Old Street

One of the highlights of my trip was a scenic day trip to the Yin Yang Sea, Jinguashi, and Jiufen Old Street. I hired a private driver for the one-hour ride from my hotel to Jiufen, which made the journey super convenient albeit the cost.

The Yin Yang Sea was especially mesmerizing with its golden shoreline on one side and deep blue ocean on the other. Right across from the sea was Jinguashi, a former gold mining site from the Japanese era. It honestly felt like walking through a living history lesson.

Then came Jiufen Old Street, where I wandered past rows of shops selling snacks, souvenirs, and everything in between. The atmosphere was charmingly chaotic in the best way. And yes, it was packed with tourists! I could hear Koreans, Japanese, Hong Kongers, Filipinos, Indonesians, Malaysians, among others!

Beitou & Tamsui

I took a break from the city bustle with a visit to Beitou, a district famous for its hot springs. Later, I ventured to Tamsui, where I strolled along the river.

What's Up Next?

What I Ate & Bought in Taipei - I'll add the link when it's ready.

My Favourite Activities in Taipei (Beyond Tourist Spots) - I'll add the link when it's ready.

My Taipei Bucket List: 9 Fun Things I Can't Wait to Do

I’ve put together a fun list of things I absolutely plan to experience during my trip to Taipei in early May 2025—a mix of local culture, food, sightseeing, and a little bit of cute adventures. Here’s what’s on my Taipei bucket list:

🚇 1. Take the MRT (with an EasyCard)

Getting around Taipei is incredibly easy for tourists thanks to their efficient MRT system. I've already booked my EasyCard through Klook for a hassle-free experience.

🏮 2. Collect Impression Stamps at MRT Stations & Attractions

One of the quirkiest and cutest things to do: collecting special stamps at major MRT stations and sightseeing spots. See this example:

Credit: Taiwanderers

🌈 3. Snap a Photo at Rainbow Road in Ximending

Ximending is known as the Harajuku of Taipei, and the famous Rainbow Road is the ultimate photo spot. Gotta snap some colourful shots!

🌙 4. Explore Different Night Markets

Of course, a trip to Taipei isn’t complete without visiting night markets! From Shilin to Raohe, hunting for local snacks and drinks is a must!

🍢 5. Eat Famous Taiwanese Food & Snacks

Beef noodles, crispy fried chicken cutlets, pepper buns, scallion pancakes, oyster vermicelli, guo bao, lu rou fan!

Credit: Taiwanderers Facebook

🧋 6. Drink All the Bubble Milk Tea

No shame here — I’m on a personal mission to drink my weight in bubble milk tea. I want to try different brands and flavors while I’m there!

🌄 7. Go on a Day Trip to Jiufen, Beitou & Tamsui

Stepping outside the city is a must. So I have shortlisted Jiufen, Beitou’s hot springs, and Tamsui to watch sunset.

🎁 8. Shop for Must-Have Taiwanese Souvenirs

From pineapple cakes to local crafts, I’m looking forward to picking up souvenirs that truly capture the spirit of Taiwan.

🏙️ 9. Take a Photo with the View of Taipei 101

Last but not least, catching the iconic view of Taipei 101 — either from Elephant Mountain or just finding a good city angle — is a must for my photo album!

🌟 Stay tuned for all the stories and snapshots from my journey!

My Mini Skincare Haul from Olive Young in Myeongdong

 

During my February 2025 trip to Seoul, a visit to Olive Young in Myeongdong was a must. The store was packed with both locals and tourists, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. With endless shelves of beauty products and helpful staff ready to offer samples or suggestions, it felt like skincare heaven.

 

I ended up spending a good hour browsing and narrowing down my favourites—and here’s what came home with me.

 

 

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 (SPF50+ PA++++) Twin Pack

 

I finally got my hands on the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 (SPF50+ PA++++). This sunscreen is lightweight, non-greasy, and leaves zero white cast—perfect under makeup or on bare skin. I loved that Olive Young offered a twin pack at a great price. It’s soothing, hydrating, and honestly feels more like skincare than sunscreen.

 

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (with Mini Set)

I picked up the Banila Co Clean It Zero cleansing balm in its classic pink tub—and to my delight, it came with four tiny versions in different variants! It melts makeup like a dream and leaves my skin soft and clean without stripping it. The mini balms are perfect for travel, and I love how gentle yet effective this cleanser is, even on waterproof eyeliner.

 

CLIO Kill Cover Skin Fixer Cushion

 

 

Next, I couldn’t resist the CLIO Kill Cover Skin Fixer Cushion. It’s got incredible coverage without caking and gives my skin a semi-matte finish that still looks natural. I’ve been using it for touch-ups too—it’s lightweight, portable, and long-wearing. Definitely a new holy grail base product in my routine.

 

BRING GREEN Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence (Squid Game Edition)

 

Okay, this was partly an impulse buy because… Squid Game edition! But the BRING GREEN Bamboo Hyalu Lip Essence turned out to be such a gem. It comes in a duo pack and is super nourishing without feeling sticky. My lips stayed soft all day, even in the cold Seoul air. Plus, the packaging is just too fun to ignore.

Tax Refund Tips for Tourists in South Korea

 

One of the perks of shopping in South Korea as a tourist is the ability to claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases. The standard VAT rate is 10%, and depending on the method of refund, you can reclaim a portion of this tax.​

To qualify for a tax refund, you must be a non-Korean resident staying in Korea for less than six months. Your purchase should be at least 15,000 KRW (about RM47) per transaction, and the total amount should not exceed 5,000,000 KRW (about RM15.5k) during your entire trip. Additionally, you must take the purchased goods out of Korea within three months from the purchase date. ​

There are two main ways to receive your tax refund: immediate refunds at participating stores or standard refunds processed at the airport upon departure.​

At Olive Young, you can enjoy an immediate tax refund at the time of purchase. Simply present your passport during checkout, and the VAT will be deducted from your total, eliminating the need for additional procedures later. ​

For purchases made at stores that do not offer immediate refunds, you can still claim your VAT back at the airport. Ensure you have the tax refund receipt provided at the time of purchase, your passport, and the purchased goods (preferably unused and in their original packaging). At the airport, visit the tax refund counter or use a self-service kiosk to process your refund. ​

Remember to check if the store participates in the tax refund program, usually indicated by a "Tax Free" or "Tax Refund" sign. By taking advantage of these refunds, you can make your shopping experience in South Korea even more rewarding.

Day 8: A Valentine’s Day to Remember — Flying from Seoul to Macau (14 February 2025)

 

From Incheon to Macau

 

Spending Valentine’s Day in the skies felt like the perfect way to start a new chapter of our adventure! 💕 We left Incheon International Airport in the morning, bound for Macau, feeling excited to swap the winter chill of Seoul for the bright lights of the casino city.

 

By the way, you may also check out my full summary post here for a day-by-day breakdown.

 

Unexpected K-Pop Encounter at Incheon International Airport!

 

What we didn’t expect? Our first encounter with an actual K-pop star airport moment! 😆 At the Air Macau check-in counter, there was a sudden flurry of excitement—journalists, fans with cameras, and airport security guards bustling around. We never found out exactly which star it was, but just experiencing the energy of a fan rush up close was thrilling!

 

 

The flight itself was about 4 hours, and surprisingly, the in-flight meal included kimchi! 😂 A little taste of Korea in the sky felt comforting as we said goodbye to Seoul.

 

 

Once we landed at Macau International Airport, figuring out how to get to Broadway Hotel was a bit confusing at first. Thankfully, we discovered the free shuttle service! The shuttle makes a loop from the airport to Galaxy Macau, then finally to Broadway Hotel. It was convenient once we figured it out, and soon enough, we were checking into our hotel, ready to start our Macau adventure.

 

Dinner at Broadway Food Street

 

For our Valentine’s dinner, we decided to skip the crowds and opt for something a bit quieter. Nestled along Broadway Food Street, we found a cosy restaurant serving Sichuan cuisine. The warm, spicy flavours of Sichuan peppercorn were perfect for the cool Macau evening. It wasn’t a fancy, candlelit dinner—but it was intimate, comforting, and exactly what we wanted after a travel-heavy day.

Exploring Macau at Night

 

After dinner, we took a leisurely evening walk from Broadway Hotel to The Venetian Macau. The night air was cool and breezy, making it such a pleasant stroll. There was a sense of quiet romance in the air, and we found ourselves just enjoying the moment, hand in hand. 💑

 

As we approached the Cotai Strip, the neon-lit skyline of Macau came to life in front of us. Bright lights, towering hotel façades, and dazzling digital billboards turned the skyline into a colourful masterpiece. The reflections danced across the water, and it felt like the whole city was alive and sparkling just for us. ✨

The Venetian itself was grand and full of life, but honestly, the simple joy of walking under the glowing Macau sky was more memorable than any attraction. It felt like the city was the perfect backdrop for our Valentine’s Day—glamorous, romantic, and just a little bit magical.

 

A Beautiful Ending to Valentine’s Day

As we ended the night, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this adventure. Here’s to many more Valentine’s Days around the world, together. 🌍💕💖