Dear Diary | January 2023 Edition

Hello 2023 | Let’s make it worthwhile ❤

Surpassing the 30-year-old mark just two months ago, 2023 will be a year where I am determined to recalibrate myself and make little yet impactful changes to my everyday life, so that 2023 will be more meaningful.

In the past, I used to think that life has not been interesting enough for a monthly recap. But now I kinda shift my mindset and I think it would be good to take a pause, refocus and evaluate my happiness bar every month (hopefully). This also reminds me to live a life, to count my blessing and be grateful for the little things that make the sojourn of life interesting.

1 January 2023 | Fireworks by the Bay

January kickstarted with the spectacular 80-minute fireworks display and state-of-the-art lightshow during the New Year Eve countdown at the Esplanade, overlooking the picturesque Marina Bay Sands. The last NYE countdown I had was right in front of Taipei 101 in the year 2019 (going into 2020) before the pandemic kicked in and put a halt to such mega celebrations for two consecutive years.

I am glad that after much consideration, I chose to fly back to Singapore for this NYE countdown and experience such wonderful moments with my best friend. Nevertheless, experiencing NYE countdowns in Sydney, Paris or London are still in my travel wishlist to-date – looking forward to realizing these dreams soon!

Mental health check | Getting close to nature

Ever since moving to Singapore, I love going hiking during weekends albeit on my own, because it gives me an exceptionally rewarding feeling. Spending a couple of hours here not only calms my mind and soul, but also enables me to slow down and be in the present moment (that includes disconnecting myself from social media). My favourite hiking route thus far is the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk and Reservoir Park, but I am excited to explore more hiking trails around Singapore soon.

Light to Night Festival 2023 @ National Gallery Singapore

It is fun to experience different local happenings here, and one of the key highlights in January is the Light to Night Festival, a district-wide visual arts fest – an opportunity for spontaneous and ephemeral encounters with art.

And my favourite is the Ephemeral @ Padang, an immersive light and sound environment that aims to capture the concept of ephemerality in a visual form: the bubble. The idea behind these magical bubbles is to remind us that the world is a transient and fragile space, much like that of a bubble. Love the colorful vibes it exudes especially during the golden hour! 

兔(Tu)gether @ Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC)’s Roof Garden

You know the festive season is nearing when you see plenty of rabbit art installations in town. Among the cute ones is the “兔gether” rabbit-themed art installation exhibition to welcome the Year of the Rabbit using several characters from Chinese New Year mythology. Although the space is pretty limited, it is worth spending a good half an hour or so here to relive the inner child in me.

Tamashii | Abalone Truffle Donabe 

January is also filled with several memorable dinner dates including this one at Tamashii. It is an intimate counter dining experience seeing the chef cutting and cooking the seasonal ingredients right in front of us. While the food is good, all in all it is still the dining companion that matters most ❤

Chinese New Year 2023 | Year of the Rabbit

Spending 10 days back in Malaysia home for the festive season is not a bad decision after all. It takes me a few days to complete the social media work (P/S: Thank you brand partners for sending festive stuff to my Malaysia home!), then the remaining days are all well-spent with the family. ❤ That's the most precious thing to do ever. 

My precious ones in life. ❤

This Chinese New Year reminds me to treasure the family time – the tiny moments with the people I love, the home-cooked meals that I savour every bite, the places that make me feel whole and alive. It feels amazing for being present, immersing myself in the warm and soul-filling conversations that are becoming rare these days. Deep down in my heart, I enjoy seeing the jovial little one growing older each day, but there are also unavoidable, heart-wrenching moments to watch how my parents age day by day. 

Again, CNY reminds me to always count my blessing. While I often think I need to focus on big things in life, actually the things I cherish most are the smallest of all.

On a side note, CNY also gives me some room for self-reflection. I secretly make the same wish every year and somehow still get disappointed in the following year - and the cycle repeats. It’s okay, I will continue to try harder next year :’) 

❤ ❤ ❤

Anyway, January has been an eventful month and it marks a pretty good start of the year.

Looking forward to a more fabulous year ahead!

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Guide: Top Tips to Younger Skin

Aging is natural, and it can be beautiful. Premature aging, however, is neither of those things. Stress, pollution, poor habits, diet, and more can all cause your skin and body to age aggressively. Over a lifetime, this will mean poorer quality skin, more wrinkles, and a body that you have to fight against every day.

Fighting against aging and maintaining younger skin isn’t about vanity. While looking younger may be your goal, you will still be working towards a healthier, more fulfilled life in the future. That’s why everyone should use these top tips today:

Establish an Effective Routine

Everything to do with health is best done through a routine. The body needs consistent conditions to be met every day to be its healthiest, which also applies to your skin’s health. A great place to start is to be consistent with your skincare routine. If your skincare regimen doesn’t give you the results you want, go to a dermatologist before you buy a new product. You need to know what your skin needs and why so that you can choose the most effective products.

Your skincare routine, however, goes beyond the products you use topically. You also need to establish healthy diet habits and exercise regularly to see the full range of benefits.

Preventative Measures to Invest In

The best way to avoid premature aging and, in the process, look incredible at every age is to invest today in preventative measures. Start first with your routine. Simple steps like adding tretinoin or retinol to your night routine and then using sunscreen religiously throughout the day can make a big impact. Of course, your options don’t stop there. You can get Botox in Miami for a great price. Botox in Miami isn’t just a reversal treatment. It can help stop those fine lines from forming in the first place.

These simple preventative measures go a long way, but don’t think it’s too late to start any of them. The best time to get started was in the past, but the second-best time to start is now.

Wellness for Great Skin

Stress causes fine lines. It makes you look haggard. It messes with your diet, sleep cycle, and ability to maintain healthy habits. This, and many more, is why you need to invest in wellness. Before you try yoga, meditation, or any other type of meditative process, however, you first need to identify your sources of stress. Establish proactive measures against this stress first and foremost to help stop those physical symptoms. From there, you can then work on treating yourself to wellness-boosting activities and hobbies that will help regulate your emotions and hormones, which in turn can help you enjoy clearer, more beautiful skin.

Give Yourself Time

You need to give your body time whenever you try anything new in terms of products, a diet change, and so on. It takes several weeks for the skin to turn over fully, so if you aren’t maintaining a new habit for at least that long, you won’t see the real results of your efforts. If, after that period, you don’t notice a change, then you can switch it up.

4 Tips on How to Increase Your Confidence in Your New Job Role

Starting a new job can be highly stressful and even more so if you lack self-confidence. You will likely be entering a new building filled with strange people, and you are likely to be nervous about the job itself, remembering peoples’ names, as well as having to deal with new procedures.

However, here are some ideas that could help you find your feet and even gain confidence in your new job role.

#1 Dress Comfortably

Dress code can be a real stressor for the first couple of days at a new place of work. You will not want to turn up overdressed, but then again, you do not want to be so casual that you raise eyebrows from your superiors. If you were lucky enough to have been given a tour of the premises, you will likely have been shown a window into what type of attire is acceptable. However, if you did not, you will be going in totally blind.

In this scenario, you should make sure that you are comfortable and professional about your choice of clothing. Choose something that is not too tight, as this can make you feel self- conscious and uncomfortable. Stick to dark, plain colors and classic styles until you have an understanding of your co-workers’ apparel.

#2 Improve Your Vocabulary

It is not rare to feel a lack of confidence if there is a language barrier, pronunciation, articulation, or vocabulary issue amongst others. Most of these issues are carried forward from childhood, but can, with the help of a speech therapist, such as Physio Inq, be rectified. Consultations can take place in your own home, so you will have no inconvenience of traveling to or from a clinic.

If you have a stutter, for instance, you will find that it is more pronounced when you are stressed or nervous. These are just the feelings that you will experience when at your new place of work and can make answering or asking questions too much to bear.

#3 Know the Layout

It is highly unlikely that you will be provided with a map of the premises when you first enter the building, and yet, most businesses are so large that they can be daunting to a new employee. Once you have been directed to your new workstation, make sure that you are aware of the whereabouts of the nearest convenience to you, as well as any canteen or break room.

Most businesses will make sure that you understand the fire drill procedure and they may provide you with a rough map showing exits or meeting points. If you are struggling, draw yourself a map or write directions to instill more confidence when moving around.

#4 Understand What Is Required of You

You must understand what is required of you in your new job role. Adding a feeling of being out of your depth, as well as being in a strange place surrounded by new people is a recipe for disaster.

Hopefully, the business that you have now started to work for is compassionate toward their new workers and will provide you with a buddy to help get you settled, show you the ropes, and hold your hand for the first few days, but unfortunately, many businesses do not, and expect their new workers to hit the ground running.

Common Jewellery Mistakes to Avoid Making

When you are choosing jewellery and trying to look after it properly, there is plenty that you can be getting right, as well as an awful lot that you can end up getting wrong at the same time. The following blog post is going to be focusing on the latter issue, as it will help to ensure that there are not going to be any common regrets that come your way in terms of damage to your precious items. So, let’s dive deeper into this right here and now.

Failing to Choose Properly

The first potential issue that you could find yourself up against is simply a failure to choose properly. Essentially, this is going to mean that you are going to seriously struggle when it comes to knowing the quality of your items and how they need to be stored and cared for properly. Of course, buying jewellery online is always going to be a possibility, but you need to make sure that you are going for a seller that has proper accreditation, such as Ordekian Jewellery. You also need to look closely at issues such as style, cut, materials, and so on.

Not Cleaning Your Jewellery

Another common problem that people will often find themselves confronted with is that they simply do not clean their jewellery in the way that they should. Ultimately, this can easily create a situation in which it becomes dirty, and then this can lead to some damage further down the line. Of course, you still need to make sure that you are investing in the right cleaning agents and that you know all the proper cleaning techniques, as there is going to be no way that you would want to risk the issue getting any worse than it needs to be.

Wearing the Jewellery in Water

While some jewellery may be okay to wear in water, this is certainly not going to be the case for all of it, and there is no doubt that you are going to want to know all about the distinction. Otherwise, every time you keep on wearing that jewellery in the shower, you could risk making the issue worse. At the same time, you could easily lose it as well if you take it in the swimming pool or the sea with you.

Choosing Jewellery That Doesn’t Match Your Style

Essentially, you will certainly want to be choosing the type of jewellery that is going to accentuate your style as a whole, which also means that you can easily get this wrong. For example, you should be looking to choose the type of earrings that naturally go with your hairstyle. At the same time, you need to be thinking about your neckline when it comes to picking out the right necklace.

All of these are among the different common jewellery mistakes that are certainly all going to be worth avoiding wherever and whenever this is possible. All these common traps can be avoided.

How to Boost the Visibility of Your Small Business

As every small business owner knows, it can be extremely difficult to get past the first few years of trading and start to generate meaningful profit levels. Almost all markets and sectors are now highly competitive, and the explosive growth of online e-commerce has led to many small businesses needing to compete with rival firms from other areas or even other countries to gain customers. It is no surprise that around 50% of all small businesses fail within the first five years of trading. It is of paramount importance that every small business has a deep understanding of its target market and offers them a product that is suitably differentiated from the competition to allow them to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Many small businesses seek to boost the visibility of their company so that increasing numbers of potential customers are aware of what they offer. In this article, three ways to boost the visibility of your small business will be explored.

Attend Trade Shows

It is vitally important to search for and attend local or regional trade shows that are in the same sector of operations as your business. Ideally, you will want to reserve a space at the show where you can set up an area that gives other industry professionals and potential clients an idea of the products or services that you sell. If possible, create some corporate merchandise, such as mouse mats or pens, with your company logo and contact details on them. These can be given out to interested parties and may help to generate sales in the future. Trade shows are also a brilliant opportunity to network with other key players in the industry and to foster potential trade opportunities with business clients.

Company Uniforms

Another way to boost the visibility of your organization is to create custom work uniform for your staff that has the company logo or branding on them. Look for firms, such as Essential Workwear, that can create t-shirts and other items of work uniform for your design briefs. Having all staff kitted out in company uniform promotes a higher level of professionalism whilst also acting as an advertisement for the company and building your brand image. The logos and branding on these items of clothing must match your company logos exactly so that you present a consistent corporate image that is mirrored by both your customer touchpoints and all staff members.

Grow Your Web Presence

As a final example, it can be immensely beneficial to grow your web presence online. If you have a company website, one of the key aspirations should be to get the site ranking highly on organic web searches by potential customers. To do this, it is important to ensure that your website is SEO-friendly. All web pages need to load quickly and have a range of high- quality content such as professional-looking product images and videos. Consider writing regular blogs on topics of interest to your customer base and ensure that these are well- researched and authoritative. See here for more tips and strategies to boost the SEO of your company website.

[BEAUTY] Review: Melano CC Vitamin C Enzyme Face Wash

New year, new skincare! ❤ I am excited to hear that Melano CC, the No. 1 whitening essence brand in Japan has recently introduced the first tube-type enzyme face wash in the market!

Melano CC Vitamin C Brightening Enzyme Face Wash @ RM39.90

The Vitamin C Brightening Enzyme Face Wash is an effective solution to deep cleanse the pores while retaining the skin’s natural moisture and enhancing the skin radiance.

What does it contain?

❤ Enzyme

– To gently exfoliate and remove blackheads, dead skin cells and impurities to revitalise dull skin

❤ Kaolin Clay

– To absorb excess oil, dirt, and impurities from pores.

❤ Vitamin C 

– To retain skin’s moisture, brighten skin tone and lighten pimple marks.

❤ Free from Irritants such as Alcohol, Paraben, and Silicon 

– Gentle and suitable even for sensitive skin

The special enzyme ingredient containing active bacteria is something that interests me here. Melano CC uses a unique technology to reduce its water content thereby preventing live enzymes from deactivating while still in the tube. 

Unlike the powder-type enzyme face wash which takes time to foam after mixing with water,

the tube-type face wash foams up quicker and easier.

How to use:

1. Squeeze a sufficient amount onto your palm.

2. Lather with water.

3. Massage onto the face and rinse thoroughly with water.

I love how dense and smooth the foam is. It melts gently on the skin, and washes away the excess sebum and dirt very well without feeling dry on the skin. It helps unclog pores for smooth and clear skin too.

The result? I am happy with the fresh, clear and smooth-looking complexion it gives after wash. Plus, it comes with a refreshing Yuzu fragrance which soothes the soul too! So relaxing and convenient to use!

Beauty tips:

Pair it with Melano CC range of products including

lotion, essence, moisturizer and face mask, for the best result. 

Verdict:

If you like to have a relaxing face wash with rich and dense foam for clear, smooth and radiant complexion, this is definitely something for you. It is suitable for all skin types.   

Melano CC Vitamin C Brightening Enzyme Face Wash is available at Watsons outlets nationwide and at its official online stores (Lazada, Shopee, Watsons, Hermo).

Find out more about the product at:

Website: https://melanocc.com.my/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelanoCCMY
Instagram: @melanoccmy

[K-Pop] Yippi LIVE Broadcast x 32nd Seoul Music Awards 2023

The 32nd Seoul Music Awards 2023 is back. ❤

Let's watch the LIVE Broadcast for FREE with Yippi!

As the brand new year just kickstarted, K-pop awards fever is here again to lure the fans of K-Pop. One of the longest-running awards ceremonies, the 32nd Seoul Music Awards 2023 (서울가요대상), will be held on 19 January 2023 at the Olympic Park’s Olympic Gymnastic Arena in Seoul, South Korea.

The Seoul Music Awards is one of the biggest annual music awards in the industry and has been hosted by the local newspaper Sports Seoul since 1990. During the event, artists of all genres, including ballads, hip-hop, R&B, and bands, are honored for their professionalism and diversity over the past year. 

A list of nominees was announced on December 6, 2022, through the official website. A few of the notable and highly-anticipated artists shortlisted to receive the Main Award (Bonsang) include BTS, (G)I-dle, Lim Young-woong, Blackpink, Girls’ Generation, Twice, Ateez, Kang Daniel and Monsta X. 

For me, I think Lim Young-woong will be bagging home a few awards this round! His latest debut album, "I'm Hero" is one of my recent favourites. And the songs are so amazing that the album surpasses 1 million sales in less than a week.

Feel free to vote for your favourite artists in each category here: 

https://www.seoulmusicawards.com/vote

 

To ride on the ever-growing K-wave, the Seoul Music Awards partnered up with Yippi to air a Live broadcast for the public. I am sure this will be a big bang for K-pop fans! Nothing is better than a FREE Livestream for fans to watch their idols slay the stages.

How to watch the 32nd Seoul Music Awards Livestream?

❤ Download Yippi app on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

❤ Sign up for a Yippi account. 

❤ Access the 32nd Seoul Music Awards Livestream by tapping tin to “Yippi Live”.

❤ The Red Carpet event will begin at 4pm +8GMT, followed by the actual event at 6pm +8GMT.

If you do not already know, Yippi is an e-reward SuperApp that allows users to earn and spend Yipps points. Yipps have an array of purposes, not only they can pay for utility and mobile bills, but point redemption can also be used in F&B, online shopping, travelling, entertainment, beauty and healthcare.

Besides, Yippi also includes features like social media, instant messaging and live broadcasts for users’ enjoyment. Apart from the free Live broadcast, Yippi will be organising contests for its users, making the Livestream all the more fun and engaging!

Yippi LIVE Broadcast x 32nd Seoul Music Awards 2023 Merchandise Giveaway

❤ Exclusive Live in Yippi, 19th January 2023 (Thursday)

❤ Prizes: 20 different sets of Kpop Merchandises (albums, photocards, photobooks, keyring, plush doll,

pouch)

❤ Prize worth USD 50 each

❤ Duration: Till 19th January 2023, 8.00 pm +8GMT

❤ ❤ ❤

Exclusive Contests by Yippi

❤#1 Download Yippi & Win 

• 10 lucky winners from new downloads / registrations with special referral code: SMAMalaysia will win special merchandises (Drawn using random generator) 

How to join:

1. Install the Yippi app from the App Store or Play Store.

2. Sign up and type in the special referral code: SMAMalaysia.

3. Once registered, wait for the giveaway winner announcement via Yippi message. 

❤#2 Share, Tag & Win 

• 10 lucky winners who share Yippi's Facebook post and tag 3 other friends will win special merchandises 
• Applicable on Yippi Official Facebook Page ONLY
• Lucky winners will be notified via Facebook message

How to join:

1. Share a post from the Yippi Official Facebook page regarding the SMA giveaway contest.

2. Tag 3 friends in the comment alongside hashtags (#Yippi #SMAMalaysia #SMA #SuperApp

#SocialMessaging #LettheWorldKnowYou #SocialRewards #Kpop #YippiLive).

So, download Yippi app now, then register a free account and

begin enjoying the benefits brought to you by Yippi! ❤

Don't forget to follow the Seoul Music Awards Official Yippi account to stay tuned for

updates on the upcoming event and exciting merchandise giveaways.

For more information, please visit:

Seoul Music Awards: https://www.seoulmusicawards.com/

Yippi’s Official Website: https://www.yippiweb.com/

Yippi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yippiofficial

Yippi’s IG: @yippiofficial

#Yippi #SMAMalaysia #SMA #SuperApp #SocialMessaging

#LettheWorldKnowYou #SocialRewards #Kpop #YippiLive

Why you might choose to move your struggling family member into specialized care

There are many different reasons why you should move your loved one into specialized care, and just as many why you shouldn’t feel bad about doing it. It is a big decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration, especially if your loved one can’t make that decision on their own. This can, in turn, affect your own decision-making powers, which can make a complicated process even harder.

However, by carrying out the appropriate research and looking into the needs of your loved one, you might find that you are making the right choice with their wellbeing and safety in mind. This can cause a huge sigh of relief for your whole family, and it can help you feel more confident moving forward, especially if you have made the best decision that you can regarding whose care you place your loved one in.

You are putting them into professional care

If they only have visitation care, or they don’t have a nurse in their home at all – and are perhaps entirely reliant on their spouse or various members of their family – you might find that there is an awful lot of stress for everyone involved.

This might be due to a lack of coordination with care, giving support in the wrong areas, or not noticing things that can actually be dangerous due to a lack of care knowledge. You are likely to find that placing your loved one into professional care can be a great choice if it becomes too stressful for yourself or your relative, or they are getting worse and things are slowly becoming unmanageable – especially if their main carer is also elderly or disabled.

They are being monitored 24/7

By putting your loved one into care, they will be monitored by trained professionals at all hours of the day and every day of the week. In contrast, if they live alone or in a warden- assisted home, you might find that they aren’t getting the support that they need. This is a vital component in the overall level of care that they receive, and it can be crucial if medical difficulties occur or if they have a fall. 

They will be in a specially designed, safer environment

You might be concerned about them leaving the familiar environment of their (or your) home, but you will find that they are going to a specially designed space that matches their needs perfectly. This is likely to have better disability access, more even ground so they can avoid stumbles and falls, and far better medical equipment. This can be vitally important if your loved one is beginning to struggle with walking, getting out of bed, and eating without help. In short, they will need to be in a safer environment that is looked after and cleaned for them, so they don’t have to worry about that anymore. 

They will be surrounded by their values and beliefs

These spaces don’t have to just suit their physical needs; they can be facilities that fit their morals and can help them live as they did in their prime. For example, you can find care solutions that are more tailored to their values and beliefs and help them to maintain these, even if they can’t look after themselves anymore. You will find that having specialized homes – such as Catholic Care Center as a good example of the kind of specialist establishments available – can be an appropriate environment for a religious loved one. In such a place, you know that they will have their specific needs taken care of by people who share their faith and enable them to practice their faith as they did when they lived independently. 

They become part of a loving community

In this new environment, they will be surrounded by people of their age and become part of a loving community that will see to their many needs. They will be able to make many different friends which can give them a new lease of life, especially if they felt isolated and lonely before when they lived on their own. It can provide you with peace of mind that they aren’t alone and that they are surrounded by people who might share their interests, leading to a fulfilling social life throughout their golden years.

Final thoughts

There are many different reasons for an elderly family member to go into care. Whether they cannot live on their own due to disability or illness, or they are slowly losing touch with who they were, you will find that you have many options to help them. Faith-central homes are available along with specialized care for specific illnesses, age groups, and disabilities, which can help them enjoy a better quality of life with dignity and help reduce the stress that you, their loved one, faces, too.

[TRAVEL] Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Taipei, Taiwan

Hello, Taipei! ❤ I am happy to be back to Taipei City during Winter 2019 after my first trip there in Spring 2017. As you may already know, Taipei is always a food and shopping haven, but I am not going to bore you with a list of places of attractions in Taipei which you would've already known.

In this post, let's focus on the must-have photographs that will become part of your travel memories later. So here are 10 Instagram-famed spots in Taipei that you must not miss!

1. Rainbow Road in Ximending (西門町)

How to go: Exit 5 of MRT Ximen (西門) Station

At the intersection road in the bustling Ximending aka Taipei's hipster town, surely you'd spot this colorful stretch of road once you get down from the train. But it can get super busy at times, so be patient to get the perfect shot you want.

2. Tsutaya Bookstore, Songshan Branch

How to go: 1 minute walk from Exit 5 of MRT Songshan (松山) Station

It is a Japanese bookstore located a stone throw away from the popular Raohe Night Market (饒河夜市). The staircase photo spot is the bomb, but be discreet and try not to disturb others who are enjoying the books and coffee there.

Travel Tips: In fact, Taiwan has plenty of similarly beautiful libraries and bookstores - good luck in hunting!

3. Sunset by the Sea in Danshui (淡水)

How to go: Exit 1 of MRT Tamsui Station

Thanks to the beautiful sunset, Danshui (or Tamsui) is my all-time favourite in Taipei, although it requires a 45-minute train ride from Taipei Main Station. Danshui has 2 best spots for sunset – One is along Danshui Riverbank, another is at the Fisherman's Wharf (淡水漁人碼頭).

The sun usually sets around 6pm here, but remember to stay until the sky turns purple / pink and orange before it goes completely dark!

Travel Tips: Check out my previous blog post for the 10 things to do in Danshui.

4. Historical Railway at Jingtong (菁桐)

How to go: Take TRA Fuxing Shuttle from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (瑞芳火車站),

then switch to Pingxi Line (平溪线) to Jingtong Station

For those who make a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen, I'd strongly recommend you to stop by at Jingtong (last station of Pingxi Line)! Here you can get a full shot of the railway, locomotive train and also historical ruins without having to face the overwhelming crowd like those in Jiufen or Shifen. Take your time and just chill!

5. Peak of Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Lookout Point)

How to go: Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station then follow 

the 20-minute Xiangshan Hiking Trail (象山登山步道)

Don't worry, the hike is easy peasy. As you arrive at the peak, there are 2 photo spots where you can catch the magnificent Taipei 101 standing at the background: (1) Wooden viewing platform with railings, and (2) Big rock. Be sure to come on a sunny day to avoid slippery steps and misty background.

6. Taipei 101, Xinyi District

How to go: 15 minutes walk from MRT Xiangshan Station to arrive at 

this Japanese restaurant along Song Ren Lane:

竹村居酒屋, 台北市信義區松仁路253巷1弄2號

Taking a shot of Taipei 101 right in front of the building is too mainstream. If you want to capture Taipei 101 with a different feel, it takes some extra effort to hunt for this restaurant with a clear backdrop of Taipei standing prominently between the alleys. An evening shot would be perfect!

7. Taipei 101 Backdrop at National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館)

How to go: Exit 4 of MRT Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station

For a closer view of Taipei 101, there are a couple of locations worth going for. The open space in front of Taipei City Hall or Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall give an equally good, unobstructed view.

8. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念公園)

How to go: Exit 5 of MRT Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station

There is something artsy to capture at this most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan. You can angle your camera from the direction of Liberty Square (自由廣場) towards the CKS Memorial Hall, so you will get a picture of the Memorial Hall "framed" by an arch.

Anyway, the open space is real huge here, so be creative and have fun!

9. Raohe Rainbow Park / Bridge

How to go: 1 minute walk from Exit 1 / 2 / 5 of MRT Songshan (松山) Station

Not many people would stroll along the Rainbow Park when the famous Raohe Night Market is full of delicious temptations. But be sure to take a walk here and you'll love the serenity amidst myriads of lights in the evening. Perfect for lovebirds to spend some quality time together too.

10. Cute cafes in Dongqu ('East District') (東區)

How to go: Exit 3 of MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Station

Welcome to Taiwan's version of Singapore Orchard Road where all the cutesy cafes and beautifully-concepted eateries are located at. Plenty of Instagram-famous locations are spotted here, including the famous Rilakkuma Cafe (拉拉熊咖啡廳) (unfortunately, it has closed down now).

#BONUS. Chaojing Park (潮境公園), Keelung

How to go: Take TRA Fuxing Shuttle from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, then switch train to Badouzi Railway Station (八斗子火車站), then take free shuttle to Chaojing Park (only available during weekend)

If you have one day to spare, head up to Keelung and mark the following Instagram spots:
❤ Badouzi Railway Station (八斗子火車站)
❤ Chaojing Park (潮境公園)
❤ Wangyougu (望幽谷)
❤ Badouzi Seaside Park (八斗子海濱公園)
❤ Zhengbin Fishing Port Nostalgia Pier (正濱漁港-懷舊碼頭)
❤ Heping Island Park (和平島公園)

....and you'll be satisfied with your photo collection for this trip!

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