Taipei stopover: aquariums, night markets and nostalgia

On Day 72 we said goodbye to Thailand and hello again to Taiwan. After a frantic morning packing up our Bangkok apartment, we flew to Taoyuan and felt like we were returning to a second home.

Our first stop was X‑Park aquarium. The kids were mesmerised by whale sharks gliding by just metres away. Afterwards we sampled minced‑pork rice and gua bao buns in the mall food court. Taipei marries high‑tech modernity with authentic street food and verdant hillsides.

We spent the evening wandering through Shida Night Market, trying stinky tofu and mango shaved ice. The kids were wide‑eyed at the variety of games and toys. We finished with a stroll past the illuminated Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall.

Family travel tip: Visit X‑Park early to avoid crowds, hop on the MRT to explore night markets, and don’t miss the city’s parks and temples for free family fun.

What would your kids love most about Taipei? If you’re planning a short stopover, check out our Taiwan family itinerary for more ideas and insights from life on the road. Altogether, we spent about $171 for the day.