My First Day in Taipei, Taiwan (Mid-Autumn Festival) 🇹🇼

I spend my first day in Taipei, Taiwan, on the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival. At Lungshan Temple I observe the locals praying, before taking a short walk to a nearby night market, tasting some barbequed foods washed down with a famous Taiwanese bubble tea. I then travel to Da’an Park, soaking in the best views of the brightly lit moon. The following day, I try mooncakes from Taipei Leechi and visit the historic Dihua Street, soaking in street processions and paying a visit to the nearby Ningxia night market.
► If you enjoyed this video, please hit the like button above as this really helps me.
► Due to KZbin's ever-changing algorithm, please also turn on notifications and hit the bell sign, selecting 'All Notifications'. Otherwise you won't get updates.
► Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts - I reply to almost all comments left in the first 48 hours.
My Social Media
► Website ►►► www.jasonbillamtravel.com
► Instagram ►►► / jasonbillamtravel
► TikTok ►►► / jasonbillamtravel
► Facebook ►►► / jasonbillamtravel
► Sign up to Airbnb and get up to $42 off your first booking ► www.airbnb.com/c/jasonb22163?
► Get Month-by-Month Travel Insurance ►
safetywing.com/a/jasonbillamt...
I'm Jason, a full-time British Travel Vlogger and KZbinr who's been to 61 countries. I've been travelling around the world full-time since 2017.
I have travel series' from many of the world's best (and least) known destinations. I filmed the first vlogs on my channel in the summer of 2016 after spending a year living in China. A proper solo trip around Eastern Europe followed after graduating from University in the summer of 2017, taking me to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo. This marked the start of my efforts to turn vlogging into a full-time job.
After that European trip I explored much of Asia: visiting India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea and Kazakhstan.
I have also travelled to North Africa and the Middle East fairly extensively over the last five years, filming videos in Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine.
I've travelled to North America just once as a KZbinr, visiting Mexico in 2021. Though I have been to both the USA and Canada, this was as a child on family holidays.
In 2022, I took my first trip to Sub Saharan Africa, visiting Kenya and Tanzania, before heading to the Middle East, stopping in Dubai and Lebanon. Europe followed, covering both the Greek and Turkish sides of Cyprus, and afterwards going back to Italy for the second time to cover Milan and Sicily. I then visited the Caribbean for the first time, covering the Dominican Republic, before heading to both Brussels and Amsterdam, then covering Taiwan and the Philippines in Asia. I finished off the year with a trip around Morocco.
I started my travels in 2023 by finally visiting Paris, taking the Eurostar from London. I then headed over to Qatar for a few days, before heading to the south of India and Singapore.
#taiwan #taipei #travel

[@JasonBillamTravel]

As I mentioned at the end of the previous vlog from Singapore, this Taiwan series of videos that I’ll be uploading on the channel next were filmed in October last year (the Mid Autumn festival doesn’t happen in spring funnily enough). They’re coming out now because of a project I was involved in along with other content creators, and the deal was that they wouldn’t be released until spring this year. Hope that makes things a bit clearer. Cheers!

[@ilgirodelmondoconandrea]

Great job, Jason! I not only really enjoyed but also started thinking about visiting Taiwan!

[@andybaker2456]

Thanks for clearing that up, I did wonder why you kept saying "mid autumn" when it's mid May!

[@AlejandroDuran263]

Good job 👏

[@markkevinapalisok3680]

Jason i hope you visit Iloilo City philippines and Boracay beach

[@ting2hung]

Welcome to taiwan 🇹🇼!

[@sdarkao9297]

WELCOME to Taiwan!!✨🇹🇼👍🏻

[@rjhatch]

I'm flying to Taipei tomorrow. This came just in time, cheers! Can't wait!

[@louislin0926]

Hello, I'm from Taiwan. I'm glad you came to my hometown.

[@mreega4812]

Im traveling there soon. Are there many places that accept credit card or is it mostly cash payment transactions?

[@louislin0926]

@@mreega4812 Most stores accept credit cards Snack bars, street vendors and traditional shops mostly pay in cash so you can prepare some cash I wish you a pleasant experience in Taiwan

[@stoggafllik]

I didn't know Taiwan was a country. Lol

[@userr_aa]

Hi, I wanna ask, can we still experience autumn in late November? Can I see the yellowish maple leaves, especially around hsinchu province during that time? TIA!

[@teng-wuchang9305]

@@stoggafllik That's because you are ignorant

[@henryloo2448]

Hey Jason !! Welcome to my country. Thanks for sharing your visit and have a great time in this beautiful and fascinating country 🇹🇼🇬🇧🇹🇼🇬🇧🇹🇼🇬🇧

[@BrentTimm]

I just got to Taiwan! Looking forward to your videos.

[@marcusoconner2805]

You need to go back for the Lantern Festival!!!

[@JauneMacReady]

Great show! Seems like an awesome country 👍 well done mate 🙂❤️

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Thanks

[@wildwisdomjourneys7221]

Very interesting video on Taiwan’s Mid Autumn festival, Jason. Even in the crowded areas the energy seems peaceful and calm. I haven’t traveled to Taiwan, but it’s on my list. Looking forward to your next video on the indigenous people. Really appreciate the historical context and pertinent current informaton you share in your videos. Best, Sylvia

[@dennisdaniels2992]

Great video presentation, Jason Billam! This is you first time in Taipei, Taiwan!

[@suerobinson844]

Going there for the day next year on a cruise ship. One country i really want to go to . Interesting video. We had moon cake in Vietnam with whole boiled egg inside. Thanks from Queensland Australia

[@lilyd3944]

The bubble tea you had was with tapioca 😊 Usually milk teas come with it and fruity green/black teas come with fruit bubbles or jellies

[@StevesWeekender]

Hi Jason, here via Gabriel and your Hampi vid, Taipei is certainly an interesting city, subbed, cheers from down under, Steve :)

[@lily-dw5kn]

Middle Autumn Festival is still celebrated in China, Korea, Taiwan,Vietnam and some people in Malaysia, Singapore,Japan and Thailand these days. However people going to picnic and enjoying Barbecue is only unique to Taiwanese at this time of the year.

[@elizabethcraig5825]

Nice informing video, as usual. We look forward to the next place.😊

[@nielsrosink5051]

Been waiting for this series! Amazing first video Jason

[@danielvalenzuela9764]

Nice video Jason lots of people celebrating the moon festival. You picked a good time to visit. I am anxious to see more of Taipan. Thanks much and cheers

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Cheers Daniel

[@julezzzz5866]

Hey Jason! I love your videos, I have been watching for quite some time! Taiwan looks dope. I was wondering if you’d ever do a video talking about how you pack/ what you always bring with you/your must have travel gear type of video? I’ve been lucky enough to do more traveling of my own recently and have really struggled packing light. Anyways, love your work and take care!

[@pushpasharma5591]

Thankyou so much for beautiful vedio i have only heard about this place seeing first time through yr eyes.thanks a lot.

[@Jpkjr52]

Another good one Thanks again John in Chicago

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Cheers John

[@user-sk6iz9ll8s]

Welcome to Taiwan! Enjoy!

[@dennisdaniels2992]

Jason Billam, I think Taipei has a distinctive culture, history and architecture as well as the city's overall beauty!

[@vernadeth346]

Great!!!

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Very interesting

[@roumaissa_bdf1844]

♥️♥️you are the best

[@eddie_d1233]

When I went to Taipei I ate at one of those bbqs on the riverside. Delicious, and it was all you can eat. I also remember visiting Yamingsham Park and Wu Lai falls. It was very nice there.

[@chiehlilee9224]

Mung bean with pork cake is actually not a moon cake 😊 It is a traditional Taiwanese snack though. Red bean with the yolk is a moon cake. I’m not sure if the sesame actually is a Chinese character, I think it’s just random decoration.

[@jane0752]

Welcome to Taiwan

[@parkash9999]

Amazing video.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Thanks

[@angelopascual1502]

Very nice place❤

[@semsem4035]

Hopefully your Asian trip will lead you back to Malaysia again 😊

[@MartyChouTW]

Always go with tea when you eat moon cakes😃

[@justintemple7765]

Oh you definately have done your homework well before shooting this video. Or you had a wonderful tour guide to provide you with all the history and info. This video is hitting all the marks, bullseyes!! job well done, my friend!!

[@ExploringWithJason]

Are you going to Japan soon? I highly recommend Miyajima island in Hiroshima ✌🏻

[@KENTOchannel_from-japan]

good

[@CurryHuang-OA]

蛋黃酥❤️

[@viniciusvoon8564]

❤

[@hc434]

Make sure to grab some pineapple cakes - a national snack of Taiwan

[@death2putin718]

#Hardpass

[@viniciusvoon8564]

Lots of senior sitting along the MRT station

[@VesaJay]

7:47 they do those are called Popping Boba

[@bankerdave888]

13:54 I don't think the black sesame spells out any Chinese character. They sometimes use black or white sesame to denote the filling inside.

[@55jhjhjkjk]

finally finally finally 🙂

[@Heytno]

I wish I was roaming around Asia too 😢

[@viniciusvoon8564]

This is Guanchoa street nearby is Hwa Xi tourist market ibwas there in January 2023 i stay 28 days in Taiwan

[@user-sp9nr9oj3y]

تحية من العراق لك اخي الكريم

[@spitfirered]

👍👍💯💯👏👏

[@Jasmine_Shelby_art]

So happy you are in Taïwan ! I hope you will stay long for yourself and to share with us. Taĩwan is a beautiful island with beautiful people, and I would like to go but probably will die without travelling there. Will you cross the sea to go to continental China ? I would love if you also go there at countryside where there is stunning sights and beautiful ancient architecture. My best wishes to you for a memorable good trip 💖

[@riskydark1301]

My cantri you have

[@danoconnell81]

Moon cake says fortune, we think.

[@danoconnell81]

Video was probably taken Fall 2022?

[@pompem2140]

Is it hard to navigate and or order food if you don't speak the local language? Is English widely spoken?

[@marcusoconner2805]

You don’t need to speak Mandarin. People will do whatever they can to help you.

[@user-wg3sm4pu8v]

Don't worry it. Taiwanese will help you. They are kindly.

[@Skyjacker_]

Mooncake in Chinese is "Yuebing" pronounced "Yeah-Bing".

[@riskydark1301]

you can come to india

[@mozpanleen7872]

she is not chang yi, we call her chang e(嫦娥)。

[@Neroc20]

Why everyone have mask? Nice place to visit.

[@BEST-rz1qm]

สวัสดี

[@riskydark1301]

Hello ❤️ are

[@55jhjhjkjk]

how old is this video?

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Jason explains...see above.

[@riskydark1301]

I am Indian

[@nsnsns147]

many people wearing mask😅

[@2k2k2k8]

Are you good at Chinese?

[@clyou]

Sorry mate, i laughed so hard when you asked if anyone could tell you the character on the red bean/egg yoke cake… the answer is nothing. Its just some random pattern. Some moon cakes may have characters carved or printed on the surface.

[@JasonBillamTravel]

Haha, good to know

[@Loagz_Beatz]

Amazing everyone’s still wearing masks over there

[@heldifirdaus9]

Hello greetings from Indonesia, try to visit Indonesia, the 4th most populous country in the world, the number 1 Muslim country in the world, has the most 17,000 islands in the world, having diversity of tribes, languages, cultures and religions tolerant of each other, Indonesian is the official or unified language and the second language is regional languages ​​such as Javanese, Sundanese, Malay, Batak, Minang, and so on. Indonesia has the 2nd most languages ​​in the world after Papua New Guinea, has the most tribes and cultures in the world. The country of Indonesia has Indonesian culinary specialties such as Fried Rice, Rendang, Sate, Meatballs, Martabak, Chicken Noodles, Gado-Gado and so on.The largest cities in Indonesia are Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Bali, Aceh, Papua, Makassar, Manado, Lombok and so on. there is also Indonesia having "Little India" only only the cities of Medan (North Sumatra) Most of North Sumatra is of Indian Tamil, Punjabi and Sindhu descent and Jakarta. Don't forget you are visiting Indonesia, bro 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Andrelour]

It's incredible how these religious traditions is always to get dome kind of personal material gain..I wonder if they come ask for wisdom, strenght to be more compassionate and lucidity 😮

[@user-by8cz6jf9s]

Now,The Mid-Autumn Festival? Are you sure? Today is the 21st of May,2023. I am Chinese, Usually,we celebrate The Mid-Autumn Festival in 15th,August of lunar calendar . I am so confused.

[@chockalingamalagappan1693]

Park looks nice at night .Bubbles don't digest ,end up in stomach forever.Avoid eating the bubbles .please one picture of yours with pomelo fruit hat

[@baconlatte]

OMG, the face mask psychosis was still strong there (assume this is Sept 2022).

[@JasonBillamTravel]

That’s right, rules have been relaxed since.

[@bctvanw]

Before the pandemic of 2020, a lot of Taiwanese already wear masks. If you go to Japan, you see the similar situation.

[@90taetaeya]

Seems like mask wearing is still mandatory in Taiwan?

[@user-hx2tr7re4l]

Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and places that take care of the elderly are required to wear masks.

[@RDTravel4Life]

Sorry, I just don't enjoy watching travel videos where all the people's faces are covered up. One of the reasons East Asian destinations are off my list still at this point. It's sad, but a key part of my enjoyment of travelling is seeing and talking to the locals. Never seeing people's smiles would definitely detract from my enjoyment. I would feel disconnected from the people which is contrary to one of my purposes to travel.

[@annazhang8943]

Lol u don’t have to travel to these countries 😊 In most southeast and eastern Asian countries people wear mask even before pandemic. It is seen as a sign of respect in some cultures. If they have even the mildest cough they would wear it to protect other people.

[@ottawop]

@@annazhang8943 I have been to both eastern and southeastern Asia. Whereas perhaps 1 or 2% of the public were wearing face masks on any given day pre-pandemic when I've visited, it's quite different from post pandemic >95%! The difference between eastern and western cultures isn't respect for others (kind of offensive to insinuate such actually), it is a belief that wearing the face mask has a significant effect. Of course I don't have to these countries. I would like to. At least, to some of them like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Refuse to visit countries that are under dictatorships like China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, etc...

[@gorani_jusik]

China good

[@PURE.EVIL.]

A proud Englishman with an Indian PM walking in Taiwan!

[@raymondchow8722]

Although I am from Taipei therefore I am slightly partial. My opinion is that there is no need to travel outside Taipei if you are in the food scene. Taipei has the best specialties from every regions of Taiwan. This is from personal experience traveling. For example, Taichung and Tainan are just not as good as Taipei when it comes to food.