Entrance to Taipei Zoo in Taiwan with a stone wall, golden Chinese and English text, animal statues, and a slanted metal roof surrounded by greenery.

Back to the Wild: Taipei Zoo & Maokong Vibes

By | | EAST ASIA, TAIWAN, TRAVEL

Taiwannabe With You: The Comeback Trip 2024 – Part 2
A 3-day return to the island that once sparked a thousand dreams.
📅 Travel Dates: May 11–13, 2024
✨🇹🇼 Thank you for following my stories—your support means the world.

Exploring Taipei Zoo and Maokong Village

Before this trip, I already knew I wanted to revisit Taipei Zoo. My first experience there in 2019 left such a lasting impression—and this time, I was especially excited to ride the Maokong Gondola again. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend.

Entrance to Taipei Zoo in Taiwan with a stone wall, golden Chinese and English text, animal statues, and a slanted metal roof surrounded by greenery.
Crossing the threshold at Taipei Zoo felt like stepping into a story—golden letters welcoming me to a world of wildlife and wonder.

I hopped on the Brown Line MRT, heading toward Taipei Zoo Station. The ride itself felt familiar, like flipping through an old photo album. Entry to the zoo was NT$100, and I spent the whole day wandering through its lush paths and animal zones.

A Brown Line train passing behind an abstract bird sculpture in Taipei, with trees, a clear sky, and people in a public space near Taipei Zoo.
Watching the Brown Line glide past the soaring sculpture felt like a promise—every journey ending at Taipei Zoo begins with art and motion.

🐼 Hello again, Taipei Zoo!

I took the Brown Line (Wenhu Line) all the way to the end—Taipei Zoo Station. Admission to the zoo was still just NT$100, making it one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a full day in Taipei.

Entrance gates at Taipei Zoo in Taiwan with peaked roofs, numbered ticket booths, accessible entrances, electronic displays, and signage for Panda House.
Lining up at Taipei Zoo’s gates, I felt the anticipation build—each numbered booth a doorway to adventure, with the Panda House waiting inside.
Colorful Taipei Zoo brochure is held in front of the zoo entrance, featuring animals like tapirs, lions, and monkeys with biodiversity and conservation themes.
Holding the Taipei Zoo brochure felt like holding a promise—every page devoted to rewilding, every animal a reminder of what we protect.

From the moment I stepped through the gates, I found myself immersed in an oasis of greenery, wildlife, and childhood wonder. I strolled leisurely through the botanical gardens, watched families feed animals, and smiled at the little kids in awe of pandas and elephants.

Collage of bird species at Taipei Zoo: flamingos standing on a pond island with greenery and red flowers, two pelicans near a wooden fence and water, vibrant orange flamingos among dense vegetation, and emperor penguins on rocky ground in an Arctic exhibit.
A quiet island of flamingos—their stillness felt like a pause button in the middle of Taipei’s bustle.

There’s something calming about walking through the zoo, even when you’re an adult.

Group of five Przewalski’s horses standing under a shaded structure at Taipei Zoo, facing a stone wall with feeding troughs, surrounded by greenery.
Watching the Przewalski’s horses huddle together felt like witnessing resilience—rare lives preserved in the shade of Taipei Zoo.
Elephant standing near water at Taipei Zoo, trunk extended into a pond with rocks, vegetation, and trees in the background.
The elephant dipped its trunk into the water—a quiet ritual that felt both playful and timeless in Taipei Zoo’s sanctuary.”
Tortoise walking on sandy ground at Taipei Zoo, with its textured shell and scaled legs visible among rocks and twigs.
The tortoise moved slowly across the sand—each step a reminder that patience is its own kind of triumph.
Giant panda lying on its back at Taipei Zoo, eating bamboo among leaves and stalks, with a mural of a scenic landscape in the enclosure.
The panda reclined in a sea of bamboo—every bite felt like a celebration of survival, a quiet triumph in Taipei Zoo’s sanctuary.

The Giant Panda House was a highlight, as always. Yuan Zai, Taiwan’s beloved panda, still draws crowds with her sleepy charm. I also spotted Formosan black bears, red pandas, and flamingos—each encounter felt like a reunion.

Five giraffes standing near a rocky wall with a zebra grazing on grass in the Taipei Zoo enclosure, surrounded by greenery and hills.
The giraffes towered above while the zebra grazed below—a living contrast that felt like harmony in Taipei Zoo’s landscape.
Indoor tropical dome at Taipei Zoo with glass roof, steel framework, elevator shaft, walkway bridge, water, and lush vegetation.
Stepping into the tropical dome felt like entering another world—light pouring through glass, plants thriving in a sanctuary of wonder.
Ticket gates at Taipei Zoo in Taiwan with numbered entrances, accessible signs, colorful flags, and visitors queuing under a triangular roof.
The crowd gathered at Taipei Zoo’s gates felt like shared anticipation—each welcome sign a promise of adventure inside.

🚠 Maokong Gondola: Back in the Clouds

After spending a few hours in the zoo, I walked over to the nearby Maokong Gondola Station. A one-way ride costs NT$120—a small price for the panoramic beauty that awaits. Gliding above treetops, I watched as the city gave way to mountain slopes, tea plantations, and hidden temples. The cable car itself still makes me giddy!

Maokong Station in Taipei on a hillside with landscaped greenery spelling ‘Maokong,’ people walking, taxis and buses on the road, under a cloudy sky.
Arriving at Maokong Station felt like stepping into a hillside story—flowers spelling its name, clouds rolling in, and the gondola promising adventure above Taipei.”
Hillside town at Maokong in Taipei with murals, a road lined with taxis, pedestrians on the walkway, local businesses, and a dense green forest under a cloudy sky.
Walking through Maokong’s hillside town felt like stepping into a painting—murals brightening the road, taxis weaving below, and the forest rising above.
The Maokong Gondola cable car is suspended above green mountains with the Taipei cityscape in the background under a cloudy sky.
The gondola floated between city and mountain—a suspended journey where Taipei’s skyline met the forest’s embrace.

🍵 A Quiet Escape in Maokong Village

At the top lies Maokong Village, a peaceful tea haven tucked in the hills of Taipei. Famous for its traditional tea houses and picturesque trails, it’s the perfect spot to slow down.

Soft-serve ice cream in a waffle cone topped with a squirrel-shaped cookie at the Guanziling coffee shop in Taiwan, with the storefront and people in the background.
Holding the Guanziling cone felt like holding joy—a swirl of flavor crowned with a squirrel, playful and sweet in Taiwan’s hillside town.

This time, I wasn’t here for a tea ceremony—but for Maokong ice cream! I chose the milk tea flavor, which came topped with crunchy, cat-shaped cookies. There were other tempting flavors too—matcha green tea, chocolate, and more—but milk tea just felt right. It was a sweet and satisfying reward after the climb.

🏙️ Taipei 101: A Skyline That Never Gets Old

I took the gondola and train back into the city and made my way to Taipei 101, Taiwan’s iconic skyscraper. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, standing beneath Taipei 101 always feels surreal.

The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan, with a bamboo-inspired design, a green glass facade, tiered sections, and flags at the base under a cloudy sky.
Standing beneath Taipei 101, I felt its bamboo‑like rise echo growth and resilience—a tower of prosperity reaching into the clouds.

Inside, you’ll find luxury brands and endless photo ops. If you haven’t visited the observation deck on the 89th floor, add it to your bucket list—the night view is unforgettable.

🍱 Railway Bento and Milk Tea Moment

Back at Taipei Main Station, I finally did something I’ve wanted to do for a while—eat a railway bento from one of the station’s famous stalls. I went with a classic: chicken drumstick, veggies, and tofu—a hearty, comforting meal. Paired it with a CoCo Milk Tea (because milk tea is life!), and it hit the spot.

These bento boxes aren’t just food; they’re part of Taiwan’s rich rail culture, offering a taste of nostalgia with every bite.

A Taiwan Railway bento meal with rice, chicken drumstick, braised egg, pork belly, vegetables, and a CoCo drink on a rustic wooden table.
Unwrapping the Taiwan Railway bento felt like opening a story—flavors of tradition packed neatly into a bowl, ready for the journey ahead.

The Taiwanese railway bento (biàn dàng, 便當) is indeed a beloved part of Taiwan’s train travel culture—practical, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in local life. It’s more than just a meal; it’s part of the whole experience. The moment I spot those neat little boxes with steaming rice, braised meats, veggies, and maybe even a tea egg, I know I’m truly on a Taiwanese rail journey.

🌧️ Rainy Night in Ximending

I capped off the day with one last stroll through Ximending Walking Street. Despite the rain, the streets buzzed with energy. Neon lights reflected on the wet pavement, music drifted from street performers, and the night felt alive in that Ximending kind of way.

Night street scene in Taipei with neon signs, the HELLO TAIPEI column, umbrellas on wet pavement, and people walking under colorful lights.
Taipei’s streets glowed after the rain—neon signs reflecting on the pavement, every step alive with the city’s pulse.

I stood under my umbrella, watching locals and tourists alike enjoy the scene. Even the drizzle couldn’t dampen the spirit here.

Rainy night street in Taipei with pedestrians under umbrellas, neon signs in Chinese characters, wet pavement reflecting colorful lights, and EAK HAIR salon signage.
Raindrops shimmered in the streetlights as umbrellas moved like lanterns—Taipei’s night alive with color and rhythm.

The neon lights reflected off the wet pavement, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. It reminded me of the lively spirit of Ximending, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Even the drizzle couldn’t dim Ximending’s glow.

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