Getting there: Many international airlines fly to Taiwan from the United States and Europe, including Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, KLM, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, China Airlines and EVA Airways.
Entry: Taiwan grants 14-day, visa-free travel to citizens of the United States and most other Western countries.
Lodging:
Hotel Sunrise (5 star): phone (037) 941-988.
Hotel Chinshui (4 star): phone (037) 941-811.
Hotel Teng Long (budget): phone (037) 941-002.
To Ching Mei: Take the blue line subway to Fushing Chunghsiao Station. When you get off, walk in the direction the train was traveling toward the exit. After walking through the subway turnstile, follow signs that lead toward the Underground Pedestrian Mall. Walk through the mall until you reach Exit 11 Central Clinic Hospital. The stairs lead to Chunghsiao East Road outside the Tinghao Department Store, where Ching Mei is located. Look to your left when you come out of the subway exit, and you'll see the entrance to Tinghao. Walk into the narrow concave of shops and take your first escalator down to the basement food court. Turn right and then right again and you'll see Ching Mei nestled in the corner.
Expect to see a line of people waiting for a seat at Ching Mei. On most days you'll have to wait 10-15 minutes before you can get a seat. Ching Mei is open Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m. A bowl of sweet-and-sour noodles costs $1.44 and hong you dumplings are $1.30.
To Tu Hsiao Yueh: Take the blue line to Tunhua-Chunghsiao Station. After getting off the train, walk in the direction the subway was traveling toward the exit. After passing through the subway turnstile, use the Ming Yao Department Store exit. Take the escalator up to the street. After you come out of the exit, turn right at the first street. Walk about 50 yards and at the first intersection look to your left for a row of shops. Tu Hsiao Yueh is between the sportswear store Lorna Jane and the Coffee & Tea shop.
The eatery is open every day from noon to 11 p.m. A bowl of dan zai noodles costs $1.44.
On the Net: Taiwan Tourism Bureau: www.tbroc.gov.tw