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A Cable Car and Zoo Visit in Taipei

A great day out in Taipei for all ages really ought to include a visit to The Taipei Zoo and the Maokong Gondola cable car. Combined, these will keep you busy and allow you to experience the beautiful scenery around the city, giving privacy in a busy city centre.

Breakfast

Dou Jian Da Wang

Sweet soy milk and Chinese-style pastries are popular choices for breakfast in Taipei, and there are numerous good places around the Da’an area that I go. One of them which I frequently go is Dou Jian Dah Wang (豆漿大王) . My favorite is their tasty water steamed buns and brown rice milk, a drink similar to soya milk but brown rice-based, very nutritious to start the day.

Morning

Taipei Zoo

Take a walk along Xinyi Road to get to MRT Da An Station. From there, get on the MRT Wenhu line and head towards MRT Taipei Zoo station. Follow the signs as you leave the station to walk to the Taipei Zoo, which is adjacent to the MRT station.

The zoo is home to many animals, birds and amphibians from Taiwan and all over the world. The must sees I suggest include the Giant Panda House, where a Panda couple from China lives (they now have a new baby Panda as well!), penguins and the local Formosa monkeys. There is a shuttle train that you can take as well to save walking up and down the different areas.

For more close up action with animals, try visiting Puerto Princesa’s wildlife parks.

Afternoon

MaoKong Gondola Station

Things to do in Taipei
Things to do in Taipei

Walk to Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo station on the other side of the MRT Taipei Zoo station to take the gondola up to Maokong. The Gondola system, which began operation in July 2007, stretches over 4km and has a ticket price of NT50 one way, is really good value for money.

Things to do in Taipei
Things to do in Taipei

In addition to standard cabins, I recommend trying out their Crystal Cabins where the bottom of the cabin is fitted with glass, so you can see the scenery below your feet as well. Once arrived, you can take one of the many walking trails in the area to visit tea farms, tea museums, temples or sit down for tea and snacks along roadside stalls or tea houses. I suggest a walk along the Camphor Tree Trail to visit the Three Stone Teapot Museum and the U-Theatre site, the home of a famous performing arts group in Taiwan!

Dinner

Ching Chuan Shan Zhuang

Things to do in Taipei
Things to do in Taipei

Ching Chuan Shan Zhuang (清泉山莊) is one of the best places to enjoy the view of Taipei city from Maokong over dinner during sunset, as it is situated on the slope above most other teahouses on the other side of road. You can enjoy many local delicacies with the sun setting in front of you.

What else are you going to do in Taipei? Check out Trip Tipping’s other suggestions.

Night

MaoKong at night

Taipei City night view
Taipei City night view

With such great scenery before your eyes, why not take your time to enjoy longer? Walk along the road to sit down in one of the cozy teahouses to enjoy a cup of famous hot Oolong tea grown right here in Maokong before taking the Gondola back to wrap up a beautiful day! Try out Teapot Café(大茶壺茶餐廳) for their location and great selection of teas.