Taiwan has the kind of temperature that feels just right. The breeze is gentle, the sunlight unhurried, and the air by the sea carries both salt and sweetness. Every time I set foot on this island, I feel like I’m meeting an old friend full of stories—you never get tired of her, and in every season, she reveals a new surprise.
This time, I traveled across Taiwan again, from the north to the south, from the mountain towns to the coastlines, rediscovering this familiar yet ever-changing island. I didn’t make a tight schedule; instead, I let myself wander freely, stop when I wanted, and simply follow my mood. Every morning, I opened Uber Eats to order breakfast, watching the delivery rider weave through the morning light, bringing hot food right to my door. In those quiet moments, I thought—this is the real Taiwan: modern yet tender, convenient yet full of warmth.
1. Taipei: The Breath of the City and the Warmth of the Night
The air in Taipei carries a mix of coffee aroma and fallen leaves. The sunlight during the day is soft, and the nights are cool—the perfect weather for a long walk. I stayed in a small hotel in Zhongshan District, close to the MRT, where I could see the city skyline from my window. At dusk, the lights slowly flickered on, as if someone were lighting stars in the sky.
In the morning, I ordered soy milk and egg crepes through Uber Eats. The courier arrived quickly, everything neatly packed, and the soy milk was perfectly warm. Outside, the pale blue sky brightened, the streets filled with people, and the sounds of scooters and distant radio blended into a symphony of city mornings.
Taipei is a city that teaches you to slow down. You can stroll through Da’an Forest Park and watch the elderly practice tai chi, or spend an entire afternoon at Eslite Bookstore, surrounded by the comforting scent of paper. By evening, I headed to Ningxia Night Market. The smell of pepper buns, oyster omelets, and braised pork rice filled the air, but the crowds were thick. So I returned to my room and ordered Uber Eats again—braised pork rice delivered to my door. It was just as flavorful as it would have been fresh from the stall. Every bite was rich and comforting. Convenience, I thought, can also have warmth.
2. Taichung: Art, Desserts, and the Taste of Sunshine
Leaving Taipei, I took the high-speed rail to Taichung. Just an hour away, yet it felt like another world. The sunlight here was brighter, and the air carried a faint sweetness. The wind on the streets was soft—like sugar dissolving slowly.
My first stop was Calligraphy Greenway, a long, leafy boulevard that reminded me of European parks. People were cycling, walking dogs, chatting, and simply enjoying the day. By afternoon, I was hungry but too lazy to go out, so I opened Uber Eats and ordered the city’s famous bubble milk tea and meatballs. The delivery arrived quickly, perfectly packaged. The milk tea was just the right level of sweetness, cool and refreshing under the warm sun.
Later, I visited Shen Ji New Village, a creative cluster filled with boutiques and local artists. The aroma of coffee drifted from small cafés, and I spent hours there watching people stroll by as the sun stretched shadows across the walls.
3. Tainan: Where Time and Taste Intertwine
If Taipei is the soul of modern Taiwan, then Tainan is its time capsule. Every street, every wall, tells a story. The days are still warm, the nights gently cool, and the air carries the sweet scent of sugar water, tofu pudding, and herbal jelly.
I stayed in an old seaside guesthouse in Anping. Each morning, I liked sitting on the balcony, watching fishing boats move slowly across the horizon. One morning, I ordered Anping tofu pudding and Tainan beef soup through Uber Eats. The delivery arrived hot and fragrant—the tofu pudding was silky and sweet, the soup rich and flavorful.
In the afternoon, I rode a scooter to Chihkan Tower and the Confucius Temple, stopping by narrow alleyways lined with small shops selling handmade cookies. The streets of Tainan were narrow yet full of charm; flowers bloomed on old balconies, and the air smelled faintly of osmanthus. That night, I opened Uber Eats again and ordered coffin bread—a Tainan specialty made from thick toasted bread filled with creamy chicken stew. The first bite was crisp and buttery, filling the room with warmth. Watching the flickering lights outside, I thought: in Tainan, even time seems to move slower.
4. Kaohsiung: The Rhythm of Wind, Sea, and Night
Heading south from Tainan, the air in Kaohsiung grew saltier, freer. The sunlight in this port city was wide and dazzling, and the sea breeze carried a gentle hint of salt.
My first stop was the Pier-2 Art Center. The renovated warehouses were full of creativity—walls adorned with works by young artists, while the wind from the harbor drifted in, carrying a touch of moisture.
At noon, I sat on a bench by the sea and ordered papaya milk and fried chicken through Uber Eats. The delivery rider rode across the docks and handed the food to me. The sunlight shimmered on the drink cup, scattering warm reflections. The papaya milk was rich and smooth, and the fried chicken crispy on the outside and tender inside. Sitting there, eating and laughing in the sea breeze, I felt that this sense of freedom belonged uniquely to Kaohsiung.
5. Hualien: Where Mountains Embrace the Sea
Hualien has a way of slowing your breath. The air here is fresh, and the sea breeze gently taps against the window frame.
I stayed near Qixingtan Beach, where I could see the Pacific Ocean just by opening the window. That day, I didn’t feel like going out, so I opened Uber Eats and ordered a fried flying fish bento. To my surprise, even in such a remote guesthouse, the delivery arrived right on time. The fish was fragrant and crisp, the rice soft and warm—the flavor simple yet sincere.
In the afternoon, I rode an electric scooter to Taroko Gorge. The mist wrapped around the mountains like silk, and the rushing river below echoed between the cliffs. Sunlight slanted down through the peaks, scattering golden light on the rock walls. On the way back, dusk had already fallen.
I opened Uber Eats once more and ordered sea-salt coffee and mochi. Sitting on the balcony, I watched waves roll toward the shore, white foam glowing faintly in the dark. In the distance, fishing boats twinkled like drifting stars. The sea breeze carried a salty sweetness. I leaned back in my chair, letting the bitter aroma of coffee linger on my tongue, and felt a quiet satisfaction spread through me.
In that moment, I thought—perhaps the meaning of travel is to find your rhythm, even in unfamiliar places. And Uber Eats makes that feeling of ease all the more real. It’s like a silent companion, letting you feel the warmth of home no matter where you are.
6. Taitung: Where the Wind Sings and Time Sleeps
The train from Hualien to Taitung passed through some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’d ever seen—endless blue skies, golden rice fields, and the glittering coastline. Life here moves slowly. People speak softly, their smiles genuine.
On my first morning in Taitung, I woke up to the sound of birds and ordered breakfast—sandwiches and hand-brewed coffee—through Uber Eats. The courier rode his scooter through the rice fields to deliver it. Watching him from the window, I thought, maybe life itself can be a kind of scenery.
In the afternoon, I visited Tiehua Village, a creative space filled with local crafts, live bands, and street food. As the sun dipped low, the air grew warm and golden. That night, I sat on the balcony of my guesthouse, ordering beer and fried chicken through Uber Eats, watching the stars and listening to the waves. The simplicity of it all—the taste, the quiet, the starlight—was exactly what I had been looking for. The wind brushed gently against my face, whispering: “Don’t rush. Life is long.”
7. The Rhythm of the Island: Slowing Down to See Clearly
After visiting so many places, I realized what touched me most about Taiwan wasn’t just the scenery—it was the rhythm of life. The whole island seemed to glow with a soft, steady light. Whether in the bustle of cities or the calm of the coast, there was always a sense of balance.
And Uber Eats became my most trusted travel companion. It allowed me to taste authentic local food even on days when I didn’t want to go out, and to feel the warmth of human connection on quiet nights. I used it to order braised pork rice in Taipei, bubble milk tea in Taichung, tofu pudding in Tainan, papaya milk in Kaohsiung, flying fish bento in Hualien, and fried chicken in Taitung—each one carrying a piece of Taiwan’s heart and hospitality.
8. Journey’s End: What Remains Is Not Footprints, but Feelings
When the train rolled back into Taipei, my journey was nearly over. Outside the window, fields and mountains blurred together under soft sunlight. I opened Uber Eats one last time and ordered a hot latte. Taking that first sip, I realized that the beauty of this journey wasn’t about any particular place or meal—it was about the freedom to move at my own pace.
Taiwan has the sea, the wind, the food, and a rhythm that makes you feel at peace. It reminded me that travel doesn’t always mean going far; sometimes, all it takes is a cup of coffee and a delivered meal to rediscover the warmth of life.
