Tips of the Trade: Affordable Hotel in Taipei

If you're looking for a place to stay in Taipei and is on a budget, then, Ta Shun Hotel is for you.



There are just 2 reasons on why you ought to:

1. It received high ratings and great reviews as per TripAdvisor is concerned.

2. We stayed here and those TripAdvisor reviews? We can definitely vouch for the good words other people had.

Ta Shun was great for us because a few minutes walk would take you to a nearby train station, they have friendly and knowledgeable receptionists who also have good command of the English language, they have very clean rooms with complete amenities, they have nice spa shower in the bathroom, they also have more than a 100 TV channels for you to choose from and free breakfast is included during your stay (must-try: soymilk).

If you're just about decided to reserve a room or if you have inquiries, all you have to do is email reservation@tshotel.com.tw and most likely, Ms. Connie Su would promptly reply.

In Focus: Red Bean Paste in Japan

...found in many Japanese sweets as taken in Nakamise, Asakusa (Tokyo, Japan) on April 9, 2010.


Different flavors of koshian filling for mochi.

Another variation of mochi is Daifuku (大福), also a small round rice cake.

Dango (団子) is a Japanese dumpling related to mochi. Three to four dango (also filled with red bean paste) are often served on a skewer.
Red bean paste in Japan is commonly called Anko (餡子). Its consistency differs and one common type of consistency is koshian (漉し餡). Koshian is prepared by having the red beans pass through a sieve to remove bean skins.

In Focus: Japanese Fashion During Edo Period

Garments of the Japanese during Edo period are among those featured in the Highlights of Japanese Art Exhibit at the Tokyo National Museum.



These garments were once worn by men and women alike. Kosode (小袖), or those that were characterized with narrow cuffs or small sleeve openings, gained popularity at around late 16th and early 17th century. Different techniques paved the way for more decorative pieces during mid-Edo period.

Spotted: International Chains

...found in Danshui (Taipei, Taiwan). Taken March 6, 2010.

Spotted: Wooden Trinkets

...found in Nakamise-dori, Asakusa (Tokyo, Japan). Taken April 9, 2010.

In Focus: Martyr's Shrine Taipei

The Martyr’s Shrine is one of the must-see spots for your Taipei travel.

It was built to commemorate soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country during the War of Resistance against Japan and Civil War between the Chinese Republican and communist forces. The Martyr’s Shrine was built in 1969, with the main architecture designed similar to Taihe Dian Imperial Palace in Beijing's Forbidden City.

It covers 33,000 square meters of grass field and no admission fee is required.

Apart from the grand architectures and designs of the Martyr’s Shrine, another highlight of this scenic spot is the performance of shifting guards at the beginning of each hour starting at 09:00 and ending at 17:00.

To get here:
By bus: Take the No. 21, 42, 208, 247, 267, 287, 646, 667, 902, Red2, Red3 to the shrine.
By MRT： From Yuanshan Station take the No. 208, 247, 267, or 287 bus to the shrine.

Tips of the Trade: Taiwan Visa Application

As mentioned in the previous post, it is not so convenient to go to Taiwan because of visa restrictions. Thus a lot of Philippine passport holders opt to go to Hongkong or Singapore or other nearby countries that do not require a visa. However, if one wants something so badly, you just have to overcome whatever it is that is stopping you. Right?

Besides, it is not as difficult as most think for Filipinos to apply the visa. You just need to prepare the following requirements, in original and photocopied forms (as stated here):

1. Filled up Taiwan Visa Application form (download link). Put in N/A for questions that are not applicable to you.

2. Two (2) passport size photos: 1.5x2 with white background (taken w/in the last three (3) months).

3. Birth Certificate issued by NSO.

4. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO.

5. Supporting documents such as your financial statements (can be Income Tax Return and/or Bank Statements), and Certificate of Employment and/or Company ID or Certificate of Business Name Registration (whichever applies to you.) These are documents to show that you will return to the Philippines come what may.

Moreover, here are three (3) tried ways on how you can get your visa:

1. Rai's way: Apply through a travel agency. Submit the requirements to your choice of agency and pay the required application fee. The Taiwan visa fee is Php2400.00 as it is, but with an agency, you will probably have to pay a little more than that. In this case, Rai paid Php2800.00. It's a quick and convenient way albeit paying a few hundred peso more.

2. My Mom's way: Apply and submit requirements personally at Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).
This will require time as you have to go to TECO twice: first to submit the documents, and second, to return on the scheduled date to get the result (whether your visa has been approved or not). In effect, you will also need patience as you'll have to wait in line if you happen to go there late. As a tip from someone who went through application this way, be at TECO early. Submission of documents was scheduled to start at 8:45 and I was already there even before 8am. The same went during the release of visa, I was way early for the 1:45 start. In effect, I was able to not spend 2 whole days just to apply. Add to that, I only paid Php2400.00 for my mom's visa, no additional charges unlike with a travel agency.

3. My way: No need for submission of requirements only if you have (1) a Permanent Resident Card or (2) a Valid Entry Visa from any of the following: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Note that valid entry visa means it has not been used and it not yet expired. It happened that I had a pending Japan trip in which all I had to do was to go to this site and filled out the necessary info to acquire my visa.

If you happen to book your flight first just like we did (which we don't really recommend), be sure to apply your visa in less than or in thirty (30) days before your travel date as it would be useless if you apply very early only for it to be expired.   Processing of your visa usually takes less than five (5) working days in most cases by the way. 

Soon after you get a hold of your visa, congratulations because it's all systems go for you now!

Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines

Office hours: Monday – Friday 08:00 – 17:30, noon break 12:45 – 13:45

Address: 41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1200, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel: (63-2) 8876688

Fax: (63-2) 8877679

Email: phl@mofa.gov.tw