Unusual Excursions: Traveler’s Guide To Quirky Taiwan
This post contains affiliate links to trusted partners. If you purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
For those looking for an unusual travel experience, Taiwan is full of them.
As you wander the streets of the various cities and villages keep your eyes open, as you can easily find something bizarre on every corner (honestly, it was difficult for me to narrow down this list to just 12).
After touring the country for two weeks, here are my top picks for quirky things to do in Taiwan.
Explore The Local Seafood Market
The seafood markets in Taiwan are nothing like you’re used to at home (unless, of course, you’re from Taiwan). For one, the seafood isn’t kept in tanks but open baskets where they climb and crawl around the shop. Moreover, the sea creatures themselves are nothing short of unusual looking, and seem to be much bigger and colorful than western fare. Instead of king crab you’ll find humungous blue flowered crabs with yellow floral patterns on the shell. Instead of red lobsters, you’ll find rainbow lobsters featuring a sky blue and purple body with neon orange dots, a green tail with black tiger stripes and black legs with ostentatious yellow polka dots (shown above). Instead of simple clams in a grey shell they have elephant clams which also feature giant trunks. Other typical finds in a Taiwanese seafood market include muletfish penis, horseshoe crabs, sea cucumbers, tank lobsters, papaya snails, fish intestines, fish skin and more. To see some of these crazy creatures for yourself, check out my photo essay on visiting a seafood market in Taiwan.Visit A Secret Cafe In Tainan — If You Fit Through The Door
Located across from the Confucius Temple Park on Nanman Road, you’ll probably pass by the Narrow Door Cafe without even noticing it. Keep your eyes out for an extremely narrow door — hence the name Narrow Door Cafe — that you’ll need to shimmy sideways to get into. Once you’re in the door, however, you’ll be able to move freely in a charming and comfortable cafe. After ascending the cement stairs, adorned with old wheelbarrow wheels, dangling plants and garden ornaments, you’ll enter a space reminiscent of a whimsical barn and the days of Ernest Hemingway with chipped painted walls, old fashioned tablecloths, antiques, handmade pottery and bookshelves with interesting titles. Not only is the decor interesting, but the tea offerings are, as well. Have a “Spicy Girl,” made with apple, lemon and Vitamin C, or the “Sexy Legs” made with rosemary, lemongrass and Stevia. Other interesting flavors include “Opulent Woman,” “Soft Surrender” and the “Pink Lady.” Sip your cocktail-esque tea while people watching from the upstairs windows.Anping Treehouse.Photo courtesy of Lordcolus.
See A House That’s Been Overtaken By Tree Limbs
The Anping Tree House was once a warehouse for Tait & Co. that became abandoned after WWII and overtaken by banyan trees. And when I say overtaken, I mean the trees are growing in the house and have wrapped around the walls, in and out of the windows and out of the roof. This combined with soil, red brick and concrete walls creates an unusual spectacle.Dine Or Stay At The Ostentatiously-Decorated Full House Resort Hotel
Full House Resort Hotel, located in the Riyue Village in Nantou on Sun Moon Lake, is one of the quirkiest hotels and restaurants you’ll ever see. Some typical decorations include a tiered centerpiece of apples, trees decorated with Christmas ornaments next to a pumpkin display, a moose head, banshee statues, random antiques, dramatic family portrait paintings and decorations in every color, texture and size you can imagine. In the rooms, beds are covered in gold and purple ruffled satin bedspreads for a pimped-out feel.Eat In a 40’s Themed Taiwanese Restaurant Moviehouse Museum
Located in Kaohsiung, New Taiwanese Original is one of the quirkiest restaurants in Taiwan. Walk into the main floor restaurant and you’ll think you’ve been transported back to the 1940s, as the decor features an old time general store, seating booths that replicate an old train station waiting area, historical black and white photos, antiques rickshaws and more. Upstairs you’ll find a seating area that makes you think you’ve walked outside, with a row of storefronts with banquette tables outside. In reality, you’re still in New Taiwanese Original and this is all part of the fun illusion they create. Another area of the restaurant houses a Cinema Museum, with artifacts, old equipment, black and white movie posters, memorabilia and old movies playing in the background. Best of all, the restaurant serves traditional dishes like sauteed pork with sugarcane roots, Chinese cabbage, fried oysters with salt and pepper, sauteed boar with green chili and more.Sleep In A Hello Kitty Themed Room
At the 5-star Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung — amidst their 540 guest rooms, giant swimming pool, relaxing sauna, 14 separate restaurants and well-equipped gym — you’ll find the “World’s Dreamiest Hello Kitty Room.” The room will immerse you in a world of pink, with a Hello Kitty bedspread, Hello Kitty shaped headboard, Hello Kitty curtains and upholstery, Hello Kitty memorabilia, a heart-shaped alarm clock, a Hello Kitty radio that plays Hello Kitty music, pink couches and more. Other Hello Kitty room experiences include riding around town in a pink Hello Kitty car, cycling on a Hello Kitty bike, having breakfast with Hello Kitty while enjoying aerial harbor views and receiving a complimentary limited edition Hello Kitty doll. For more on this, check out this photo essay on my Quirky Stay in Hi-Lai Plaza Hotel’s Hello Kitty RoomEat At The World’s First Barbie-Themed Restaurant
Located at 2F, 128, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road in Taipei, Barbie Cafe will immerse you in a world of princesses, tutus, glitter and cupcakes. Sit at a Barbie-themed table, complete with Barbie logo tablecloth, bustier-reminiscent chairs with lace-up backs and tutus, and teapot-contoured chandeliers, while being served by waitresses wearing tutus and tiaras and waiters dressed like Ken. Step into a life-sized Barbie box to feel like the iconic toy herself, order off a healthy menu designed by nutritionists to help you keep slender like Barbie, check out the impressive display of Barbie dolls and grab a drink at a stiletto-shaped bar. Moreover, while you dine on dishes like salmon salad, macaroons served in martini glasses, smoked salmon fish rolls, filet mignon spinach salad, sweet fried duck breast and super-sweet cocktails, you’ll hear girly tunes like Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” and Madonna’s “Material Girl.”An unusual meal from the toilet restaurant in Taiwan. Photo courtesy of Mega Hammond.