Want to visit something new in Taiwan? Here are hidden gems we found with ‘stopover’ tours

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MANILA, Philippines — Many travelers—not just Filipinos—see Taiwan as the place where they catch their next flight. But what if a layover became one of the most memorable parts of your journey?

That is one of the concepts behind Taiwan 100 Ways, a new tourism campaign that encourages visitors to discover the island through themed travel experiences. 

Philstar.com, together with fellow members of the media and content creators, traveled to Taipei to experience the campaign firsthand and explore the Taiwan 100 Ways’ Wave of Stopover.

Taiwan invites eligible transit passengers to turn a 7- to 24-hour stopover into part of the journey with its free half-day tour program. You can join a guided bus tour or explore at your own pace as you experience the country’s culture, heritage and everyday charm before boarding the next flight.

For eligibility requirements, tour schedules and reservations for the free half-day tour, visit https://halfdaytour.taiwan.net.tw/.

Among the newest itineraries is a route that showcases Tamsui, one of northern Taiwan’s oldest trading ports and a district where centuries of history blend nicely with contemporary life.

Where old and new Taiwan meet

Before reaching Tamsui, visitors are greeted by one of Taiwan’s newest landmarks—Danjiang Bridge.

Designed by the late world-renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid, the single-tower asymmetric cable-stayed bridge stretches more than 900 meters across the river.

Its graceful silhouette complements—rather than overpowers—the famous Tamsui sunset.

Although cloudy skies prevented us from witnessing the golden-hour spectacle, the bridge was no less impressive.

Framed by the river and the surrounding mountains, it reflects Taiwan’s ability to embrace bold modern architecture while remaining sensitive to the geography that defines it.

The bridge also provides a stunning backdrop to Tamsui’s picturesque waterfront, where the old port has found new life. Former warehouses have been transformed into stylish cafés and restaurants, making the riverside one of the town’s most photogenic corners.

From here, the best way to experience Tamsui is simply on foot.

Following the promenade leads first to the old fishing wharf. The leisurely walk then continues into red-brick buildings and colonial-era architecture.

Along the way are reminders of the town’s multicultural past, from the historic Mackay Street to preserved heritage buildings and museums that document Tamsui’s transformation.

Away from the river, Tamsui Old Street evoke the lively energy of Binondo, with generations-old businesses, snack stalls and temples drawing steady streams of visitors.

Taiwan’s famous iron eggs and freshly baked Castella cakes attract visitors weaving through rows of souvenir shops and family-run businesses. Shelves are filled with handmade crafts and local keepsakes, such as the traditional mesh bags.

Standing quietly amid the bustle is Fuyou Temple, a centuries-old shrine dedicated to Mazu, the goddess revered by seafarers.

Its intricate carvings, traditional roof decorations and centuries-old stone pillars offer a glimpse into Tamsui’s maritime heritage.

Surrounded by shops and local businesses, the temple beautifully illustrates how faith, commerce and everyday community life have coexisted here for centuries.

Continue walking and the street eventually reaches a fork.

One path leads toward MRT Tamsui Station, lined with even more local shops and eateries. The other opens to Golden Anchor Park, where the river once again becomes the main attraction.

While the free half-day tour introduces travelers to some of Taiwan’s loveliest sights, those with more time can venture even further.

From Dadaocheng—which is similar to Tamsui—to museums, creative hubs, even tea plantations up the mountain, there’s so many tours to experience Taiwan.

Preserving the past while creating something new

Leaving Tamsui behind, the journey continues to another side of Taiwan—one that celebrates how it preserves and reinvents its history.

One exciting stop is the National Railway Museum, where Taiwan’s railway heritage comes alive beyond displaying vintage locomotives.

Young school children and senior citizens wander among beautifully restored trains. We also stepped inside selected train cars and imagined what rail travel was like decades ago.

The exhibits also delve into the people who kept the railway running, including the story of a night watchman remembered for the poems he wrote while watching over the trains.

The former railway workshop has been thoughtfully repurposed, which allows visitors to appreciate both its architecture and its continuing cultural significance.

That same philosophy carries over to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, another successful example of adaptive reuse.

Once a tobacco factory during the Japanese colonial period, the complex has evolved into one of Taipei’s leading creative hubs without losing the character of its industrial past. And it feels like Manila’s Escolta!

Today, Songshan warehouses house art galleries, design boutiques, a library and workshops where visitors can watch creativity unfold in real time. During our visit, the cute Aranzi Aronzo studio stood out—and the artist was there to personalize canvas bags with her hand-drawn illustrations.

Elsewhere, hands-on workshops—from tea appreciation sessions to dried-flower arrangement classes—invite visitors to create something of their own.

The skyline in this part of Taipei also offers another reminder of the city’s blend of old and new. Across this historic tobacco factory complex is the Taipei Dome, while the Taipei 101 skyscraper remains visible in the distance.

Within the park is another cultural landmark: Eslite Spectrum Songyan, home to the celebrated Eslite Bookstore. It has been recognized by CNN as one of the world’s best bookstores. It’s open 24 hours, welcoming visitors to shop for books or read and immerse themselves in the cozy space.

The journey then shifts once more, this time to Dadaocheng and Dihua Street, another historic district that once thrived as one of Taiwan’s most important trading centers.

Like Tamsui, Dadaocheng preserves the atmosphere of old Taiwan while embracing a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Walking along Dihua Street feels like stepping into another era, with century-old shophouses and traditional Chinese medicine everywhere. Stores continue to sell dried seafood, teas, textiles and local delicacies as they did generations ago.

Among the many discoveries is Ten Cake Bakery, filled with traditional pastries and delicacies like pineapple cakes. Nearby shops also sell colorful woven bags, with their simple, nostalgic designs.

You can also rent traditional Taiwanese costumes and have your photos taken at the Dadaocheng Visitor Center—located just across the market and near the old AS Watson Building.

If you have extra time, you can drive further south and go aboard the Maokong Gondola, Taipei’s scenic cable car system that connects the Taipei Zoo to the tea-growing hills of Maokong.

The line has four stations, which allows visitors to stop at attractions such as the zoo and Zhinan Temple before reaching the mountain’s celebrated tea gardens.

At the summit, the tea houses overlook rolling hills and panoramic views of Taipei—this easily invites guests to stay a little while for a freshly brewed pot of tea.

We went to MeiJia Tea Garden, where we were introduced to local tea-making traditions. Of course, we sampled great teas: the robust, roasted Tieguanyin, which is traditionally rinsed before brewing, and the lighter, floral Pouchong.

The mountainside setting could feel almost cinematic or magical, but it would be better to walk there when it’s a little colder.

The winding paths, lush greenery, tucked-away tea houses and some empty streets sort of evoke the atmosphere of a Studio Ghibli film—where getting pleasantly lost can become part of the experience.

Our Taiwan journey concluded at the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, one of the country’s best-known landmarks, before we headed back to the airport.

After days of exploring riverside towns, restored industrial spaces, historic marketplaces and tranquil mountain tea gardens, we realized that Taiwan’s greatest discoveries sometimes lie beyond its most iconic attractions.

Explore themed travel experiences, discover new itineraries and gather inspiration for your next trip to Taiwan! Visit the Taiwan 100 Ways event happening at One Ayala, Makati City on August 22 and 23.

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Editor's Note: This #Brandspace story is created with Vision Thai and Taiwan Tourism. It is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsroom. 

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