4am hiking in TAIPEI???? | Pt. 3
This is Pt. 3 of our travels to Taipei, Taiwan, during a layover from LA to Bangkok! Traveling outside of the airport during a layover can be extremely scary (especially internationally), but this was my 4th time doing a layover trip and I'm here to show you that it is definitely possible and can be so much fun! Have you ever explored during a layover/
would you? I'm curious to hear your stories and thoughts!! :)
🏃🏻♀️💨
After officially leaving the neighborhood, Kit asked, “do you want to take a short hike and see a great view?” And we said… why not! We started a trek towards the park- but of course not before stopping at a playground to get our late night jitters out. By this point, I think we had all pretty much been awake for 24 hours (if not more bc pre-trip day was hectic af) and honestly who knew wtf was going on in our brains. A lot of zoomies, for sure lol.
The park we visited was: Zhishan Park. It started with some easy steps but by the end of it, we didn’t realize how much fking steps it actually was. We were also carrying our backpacks (which definitely were over 35 lbs) so omg I would not recommend doing that. The mountain? The park tho? Beautifulllll. When we reached the top, there was a cute gazebo that kind of overlooked the city view, but once you go up a tiiiiny bit more, we got an awesome view and there was even a shrine! Even though it was 4-5am, there were already a few elders doing their morning walks and exercises. There was (thankfully) even a restroom at the top :) overall, super pretty, fun little hike and spot.
When we finished the hike, the sun was just starting to rise and it was 6:30am. At this point, we were pushing time but really had to make it back to TPE for our 9:30am international flight to BKK. So, we started our //walk// back to the Taipei Main Station so that we could hop on the airport link to TPE. Honestly, it’s kind of crazy that we made it and did all that walking considering that on the way to Shilin we ubered lol.
Once we made it to the airport link, it was time to say goodbye to Kit :( we were pushing time and after staying up all night with us, Kit still had work soon so it was a short goodbye. I don’t think he’ll ever read this, but it really meant a lot to spend time and do all that he did- especially for not even knowing most of us! Kit is good people, and I hope one day we cross paths again and maybe we can return the favor.
After getting some of our carry ons from the airport lockers, a windy route to the terminal, and a close call with ticketing - we FINALLY and MIRACULOUSLY made it to the gate with maybe 20-30 minutes to spare. Idk how we did all of that in 2 hours from the park to gate - but we did, and even more so: we successfully completed a great trip in Taipei, Taiwan, in (under) 14 hours :)
WHEW. If you for whatever reason stuck to read all of this - I hope it was a great story or at least cute aesthetic photos to look at of Taipei :) it might be a niche group of people who have enough woo woo energy but if you like layover trips and want to hear more or learn some tips / tricks I use - let me know! I’d also love to connect with you and hear about your layover trips too!
THE END ✨
#taiwantravel #bangkoktravel #taipei #traveltips #lemon8diarychallenge #hiking
Wow, reading about your 4 AM dash in Taipei brings back so many memories of spontaneous travel moments! It really shows that even a short layover can turn into an incredible adventure if you're up for it. Your experience at Zhishan Park sounds absolutely magical, especially getting those city views and seeing the shrine as the sun came up. It makes me want to plan a similar early morning hike next time I'm in Taipei! For anyone else inspired to try a layover adventure or an early morning exploration like this, I've picked up a few tips over my own travels that might help. First off, public transport in Taipei, especially the MRT, is a lifesaver. You mentioned taking the airport link back to TPE, which is super efficient. Before you even land, download a local transport app and map out your route. Knowing exactly which subway station you need and how to use the ticket machine can save precious minutes. Even for a 4 AM start, knowing your way to a taxi stand or ride-share pick-up is crucial if public transport isn't fully operational yet for your first leg. When it comes to picking a spot for an early morning hike like Zhishan Park, consider its accessibility and safety. Zhishan Park is fantastic because it's relatively central and offers rewarding views without being overly remote. Look for parks with well-maintained paths and some form of lighting if you're starting before dawn, as your photos of the 'lit path at night' show. It's also smart to check if there are any facilities like restrooms available, as you luckily found at the top! Don't forget that those 'wooden stairs' can be a workout, especially with a backpack, so be realistic about your fitness level and what you're carrying. Another big one for layover adventures: pack light! You highlighted carrying 35+ lbs backpacks, which is definitely not ideal for a quick hike and airport rush. If you can, store your main luggage at the airport lockers and only take a small daypack with essentials – water, a light jacket (Taipei can get humid!), a power bank, and your camera. This keeps you nimble. Finally, for managing your energy during these whirlwind trips, especially when dealing with jet lag, quick breaks are key. Even a few minutes at a playground (like you guys did!) or a brief stop for a local snack can make a huge difference. And always, always build in a buffer for getting back to the airport. Ticketing issues or navigating unexpected crowds in the airport terminal can eat up time faster than you think. Your 'close call with ticketing' is a perfect example! It's better to have an hour to spare than to be sprinting to the gate. These kinds of spontaneous adventures, like seeing that 'traditional shrine' or the 'bronze censer' at dawn, are what make travel so memorable. Thanks for sharing your incredible story; it’s a real motivator for embracing the unexpected during travel!
This is so cute to watch unfold! And fun!❤️