Pingxi Old Street and Sky Lanterns is a food day trips in Taipei.
Pingxi sits at the end of the narrow-gauge Pingxi Branch Line. Lantern release year-round, with Pingxi Old Street stalls of fried gua bao and bamboo rice.
Tip: Pair with the Lantern Festival in February for the festival release. Day return easily.
Shenkeng Old Street is Taiwan's tofu capital, the stinky-tofu street southeast of Taipei. Dai's House of Unique Stink and Jin Da Ding are the marquee stalls.
Tip: Day-trip; about 90 minutes on the street is enough. Bring an open nose.
Yangmingshan National Park surrounds Taipei to the north with hot-spring resorts and mountain tea-houses. Calla lilies March to May, hydrangea June to July.
Tip: Allow a full day. Take warm layers; the mountain is 10C cooler than the city.
Wulai is the Atayal village 30 km south of Taipei, with bamboo-rice tubes, wild boar sausage and millet wine. Hot springs and a waterfall round the day.
Tip: Bring cash. Atayal mountain food sold along Wulai Old Street.
Beitou Hot Springs is Taipei's hot-spring suburb 30 minutes north on the Tamsui-Xinyi MRT line. Marshal Zen Garden heritage banquet plus the Hot Spring Park.
Tip: Allow a half-day. Pickups from Xinbeitou MRT can be arranged through Marshal Zen Garden.
Jiufen Old Street is the mountain mining town north-east of Taipei, anchored by Amei Tea House and Old Street snacks of taro balls and peanut-ice rolls.
Tip: Day-trip from Taipei. Weekends are heaving; weekday afternoons are easier.
Tamsui is the coastal terminus of the Tamsui-Xinyi MRT line. A-Gei stuffed tofu and Iron Eggs are the local specialties, plus a sunset harbour boardwalk.
Tip: End of MRT line. Iron Eggs sold from market stalls along Tamsui Old Street.