Unique Taiwan: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

Are you up for a ride on the world’s fastest passenger elevator? How about a visit to one of the ten best restaurants in the world? Why not step out of your comfort zone and have a meal in the toilet? (Yes, you read that right.)

Whatever unusual Taiwan adventure you’re after, we’ve got you covered! Here’s the itinerary that Drew Arellano and the “Biyahe ni Drew” crew used.

Getting there
Taiwan is located north of the Philippines, two hours away from Manila via plane. You need a visa approval to visit Taiwan, the processing of which takes about three working days. To be sure, apply for your visa two weeks before your scheduled flight.

Our official airline partner Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights to Taiwan. For the latest updates on their seat sales, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Here are some biyahero tips to make your flight a little easier:
1. Wear lightweight shoes that are easy to take off during airport inspection.
2. For international flights, memorize or write down your passport number and other important details.
3. Don’t forget a jacket in case it gets cold in the plane.

Getting around
For first-timers in Taiwan, we recommend exploring their capital, Taipei City. From the airport, it’s a 45-minute drive to Taipei City.

There are two ways to get around Taipei. You can take the MRT that is interconnected throughout the city. The MRT has computerized ticket booths and is completely air conditioned, including the platform area.

You can also explore Taipei on a bike, which you can rent for NTD20 (P30) per hour, with the first 30 minutes free. You need an MRT card to pay for this rental, and you can return the bike in any of the 40 bike racks throughout the city.

Where to stay
Amba Hotel
Ximending City, Taiwan
Amba hotel is located in Ximending City, the first commercial district in the country.

A sizeable room with a kitchen, king-sized bed, and flatscreen television costs NTD3 500 to NTD6,500 (about P5,200 to P9,700).

This rather high-end hotel features interiors that play on light and dark colors, with light wood floors to dark wood furniture as accents. Drew loved the interiors so much that he even wanted it for his own home! “Pinakakakaibang hotel na pinag-stay namin ever in the history of our travel show,” says Drew.

Tip: Ask for a calling card of the hotel you’re staying in, which usually will have the name and address of the hotel and even a map or illustration. If you get lost, or get into a taxi whose driver does not speak much English, the card will serve as your guide to get home.

What to see and do



Taipei 101
Manhattan District, Taipei City
Once in Taipei, a visit to the third tallest building in the world is a definite must-see! Located in the business district of Taipei, their own “Manhattan”, Taipei 101 is named such for its 101 floors.

There are restaurants and shopping areas in the tower, but the real treat is the observation deck on the 89th floor, which gives you a 360-degree view of the entire city. Buy tickets at the 5th floor (P750 each), open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

How long does it take to get from the 5th to the 89th floor, you ask? 37 seconds! Taipei 101 is home to the Guinness World Record holder of the fastest elevator in the world — as fast as 1,010 meters a minute! Whew!

While there, head to the 92nd floor, which houses the tower’s “damper” or a shock absorber that protects the building during storms or earthquakes. It’s the only viewable damper system in the world.



Taipei Zoo
Wenshan District, Taipei City
Taipei Zoo is 45 minutes away from Ximenling via train. It is the largest zoo in Asia (165 hectares) so be prepared to walk. Not to worry though, there is plenty of shade when it gets too hot. Entrance is at NTD30 (P45) for kids and NTD60 (P90) for adults.

Don’t miss the adorable panda show, which features the first pandas in Taiwan. Fun fact: pandas sleep for 10 hours a day!

Feng Chia Business District
Taichung City, Taiwan
What’s a trip without a little shopping? Get your fill in the night market of Feng Chia business district, about two hours from Taipei City.

Where to eat
Din Tai Fung
G/F, Taipei 101, Manhattan District, Taipei City
According to the New York Times, Din Tai Fung is one of the 10 best restaurants in the world, so you can’t miss out on their Michelin Star-awarded food. “If you’re a foodie, mae-enjoy mo ang pagkain sa Taiwan,” said Drew. “Mas masarap daw ang Chinese food sa Taiwan kaysa sa Hong Kong.”

Din Tai Fung pioneered the Xiao Long Bao or steamed pork dumplings with hot soup inside. The dish is best with a prepared sauce (mix ginger with 1 part soy sauce and 3 parts vinegar), which Drew says enhances the flavor.

The price ranges from NTD 65 to NTD 540 or P100 to P800, with servings good for 2 to 3 people.

Miyahara
Central District, Tai Chung City
Two hours away from Taipei City, Miyahara is a clinic and optical shop converted to a cakes and pastry shop. Their walls are full of treats in unique packaging made to look like books, so it’s almost like you’re in Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.

Their ice cream is so popular that people fall in line for it even before it opens! Even better, the ice cream and toppings are both unlimited. Yum!



Modern Toilet
Ximending district, Taipei City
Here’s where things get a little crazy. Food is unusually presented — in a toilet bowl! Don’t worry, they’re not real toilets, just made to look like one. Drinks are served in urinals, customers sit on toilet seats… you get the picture.

For NTD230 to NTD380 (P345 to P570), you can have Szechuan hot pot with pork, shrimp, clams, and veggies or Hokkaido milk hot pot with pork, shrimp, veggies, and egg.


“It’s so taboo,” said Drew of his experience. “It’s a one-of-a-kind restaurant with a different presentation.”

Ning Xia Night Market
Taipei City, Taiwan
When in Taiwan, don’t miss out on their colorful street food in the Ning Xia Night Market.

For NTD50 to NTD100 (about P80 to P100), be on the lookout for treats like mochi and sesame cake. If you’re unsure of where to start, just follow the crowd and fall in line.



The crew even found a special hole-in-the-wall restaurant guaranteed to make things easier for hungry biyaheros. On the first floor, you’ll find 20 stalls of street food, while the second floor is an air-conditioned private room serving the best of the food from the stalls.

Drew had this to say about their street eats: “Wow.”

The restaurant’s set-up is perfect for a group of eight to 10 people who want to sample the best that Taiwan street food has to offer. — Aimee Dacanay/CM, GMA News

Photos by 'Biyahe ni Drew' segment producer Alan Ebora and cameraman Jeff Calayag