Photo courtesy: VisionThai
By Eunnese Jane R. Tapi-on | PTV-Sales Division
A stopover is usually something travelers endure between flights. But after five days moving through Taiwan, we found ourselves looking at it differently.
Together with fellow members of the media and content creators, PTV-4 traveled to Taipei and its surroundings to experience Taiwan 100 Ways: “Wave of Stopover” firsthand. What followed was a journey that took us from a striking new bridge and centuries-old temples to historic streets, creative spaces, tea plantations and one of Taiwan’s most recognizable landmarks.
The adventure begins in Tamsui, a district in New Taipei City
Here, you will find the impressive Danjiang Bridge, opened in May 2026. The bridge has already become a striking addition to the Tamsui landscape. Stretching 920 meters across the Tamsui River, with a 450-meter main span and a 211-meter-high tower, it is the world’s longest single-tower, asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge.
Standing along the riverside, we could see its distinctive single tower rising above the water. The bridge can be explored on foot or by bicycle, but even from the riverside, it was difficult to miss. As the sun began to set, the bridge became more than just a piece of infrastructure it became part of the scenery itself.
A Temple Through the Ages
Just a short distance away from the bridge is the Fuyou Temple, also known as the Tamsui Mazu Temple.
With more than 200 years of history, the temple is one of the oldest and most well-known in Tamsui and is considered the oldest among the four major temples in the area. Dedicated to Mazu, the goddess believed to protect people at sea, the temple has long been an important place of worship for the local community. Its connection to Tamsui’s history as a port also makes it an important part of the district’s cultural heritage.
One detail that caught our attention was the special area dedicated to the Matchmaking God. People come here to pray for good fortune in their romantic lives, adding a more personal and contemporary touch to a place deeply rooted in tradition.
Walking through Tamsui Old Street
From here, we moved on to Tamsui Old Street, which has been in operation since the Qing dynasty.
A historic commercial area with roots dating back to the Qing dynasty. Tamsui grew into an important trading port during the 19th century, particularly after the opening of the port to international trade in 1860.
Walking through the area, we found ourselves surrounded by old red-brick buildings, historic temples, local shops and stalls selling a variety of products and souvenirs. The street has changed with the times, but much of its character remains.
There was something refreshing about simply slowing down and walking through the neighborhood without rushing from one attraction to another. In Tamsui, history did not feel like something confined to a museum. It was right there in the buildings, streets and businesses around us.
A glimpse into Taiwan’s railway history
After exploring Tamsui, we headed back toward central Taipei, where our next stop brought us into a very different chapter of Taiwan’s history.
In the Xinyi District, we visited the National Railway Museum, a former repair workshop that has since been transformed into a museum dedicated to Taiwan’s railway heritage.
The site was established during the Japanese colonial period in the early 20th century and played an important role in maintaining Taiwan’s railway system. Its original buildings and railway facilities have been preserved, allowing visitors to see how railway technology and transportation developed over the years..
The building itself reflects its Japanese-era history, while inside, vintage trains, old-fashioned carriages and interactive exhibitions offered a glimpse into how Taiwan’s railway system developed over the years.
Walking around the museum, we found ourselves looking not only at the trains but also at the stories behind them. The exhibits made Taiwan’s railway history feel less distant and more tangible.
There was also a play area for children, making the museum a place that families could enjoy together.
For us, it was one of those stops that reminded us that traveling is not always about seeing the biggest or most famous attraction. Sometimes, learning how a place grew and changed can be just as interesting.
From tobacco factory to creative space
In the same general area, we visited the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.
What was once a tobacco factory has since been transformed into a hub for artistic and cultural activities. The old industrial buildings now have a very different purpose, creating a space where history, design and contemporary culture come together.
At the center of the complex is Eslite Spectrum Songyan, a store with a selection of books and other items connected to design and creativity.
Walking through the area, it was easy to see how the old factory had been given a new life. Instead of erasing the site’s industrial past, the transformation allowed that history to remain part of the space.
Dadaocheng and Dihua Street: Where history meets the present
From there, we made our way to Dadaocheng, with its historic Dihua Street. Dadaocheng is one of Taipei’s oldest commercial districts and became an important center for trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dihua Street in particular became well known for its trade in tea, herbs, fabrics, and other goods, which helped make the area an important part of Taipei’s commercial history.
Located in the heart of Taipei’s old district, Dadaocheng immediately gave us a different view of the city. Many of the area’s historic buildings and shop fronts remain intact, but behind them are now cafes, specialty shops and businesses with a distinctly modern character.
We walked through streets where the old and new seemed to exist side by side. The architecture told stories of another era, while the shops and cafes showed how the neighborhood continues to evolve. Rather than feeling like a place frozen completely in the past, Dadaocheng felt like a neighborhood that had learned how to carry its history forward.
From Cities to Mountains
We took the Maokong Gondola, which carried us above the treetops and offered a different perspective of Taipei and the surrounding countryside.
As the city gradually receded below us, the pace of the trip seemed to change as well. The buildings and busy streets gave way to greenery and mountain scenery.
At the top, we found tea plantations and had the chance to enjoy some of Taiwan’s locally grown tea. After several days of exploring the city, it was a welcome opportunity to slow down and simply take in our surroundings.
It was also a reminder of how close Taipei’s quieter, greener side is to the urban center. Within a relatively short trip, we had gone from the energy of the city to a mountain setting where tea and nature took center stage.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a grand and iconic Taipei landmark
Our final stop was the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, one of Taipei’s most famous and easily recognized landmarks. It was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, a significant figure in Taiwan’s modern political history, and was completed in 1980, five years after his death. This historical connection makes the memorial an important landmark in Taipei.
The scale of the place was immediately striking. The grand memorial building stands at the end of a large, open plaza, creating a view that feels both imposing and carefully designed. The site is particularly known for its Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place every hour. Watching the ceremony added another layer to our visit, as the carefully coordinated movements stood in contrast to the open space surrounding us.
More than just a stopover
Looking back at our five days in Taiwan, what stood out was not simply the number of places we managed to visit.
It was how different each stop felt.
We began beside a newly opened bridge in Tamsui, then moved into a centuries-old temple and a historic street. We explored Taiwan’s railway heritage, walked through a former tobacco factory turned creative hub, wandered around old Taipei and eventually escaped into the mountains for tea.
By the end of the trip, the idea of a stopover had taken on a completely different meaning. A stopover does not have to be a boring wait between flights. It can be a chance to discover a neighborhood, try something new, learn a little history or simply take a different route through a city.
And perhaps that was what made the journey memorable for us. We were not simply passing through Taiwan on the way to somewhere else. For five days, the stops themselves became the journey.
That is the idea behind Taiwan 100 Ways: encouraging travelers to create their own routes, discover different sides of Taiwan and turn a layover into an experience of its own.
Turn your layover into an adventure! Eligible transit passengers with a 7-to-24-hour layover can enjoy the Taiwan Free Half-Day Tour and discover the island’s culture, scenery, and local highlights before their next flight.
Learn more and plan your Taiwan Free Half-Day Tour experience here: Taiwan Free Half-Day Tour.
Discover Taiwan Day 2026 in Manila
For those looking to plan their own Taiwan adventure, the journey can begin much closer to home.
Taiwan Day 2026 will take place on August 22 and 23 at the second floor of One Ayala in Makati City. The event will give visitors an opportunity to discover more about Taiwan and find inspiration for future trips.
After all, sometimes the best journeys begin when we decide not to simply pass through. (PR)