Alright, you guys! A few years ago, I totally fell for this Taiwanese drama, ‘In Time With You.’ Ariel Lin and Bolin Chen starred in it. I was obsessed! So, I absolutely had to plan a trip. I mapped out every single one of its iconic In Time With You filming locations.
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Kaochi Shanghai Cuisine
First up: Kaochi Shanghai Cuisine. This is *the* iconic restaurant. Remember when Li Da Ren (Bolin Chen) got totally stood up by Cheng You Qing (Ariel Lin) in episode one? Yep, it happened right here! Kaochi is a Taipei legend. It’s a classic Zhejiang-Shanghai spot. Honestly, it gives Din Tai Fung a serious run for its money. Their Xiao Long Bao and pan-fried buns are amazing. Trust me on this: the radish pastry and crab shell buns are absolute must-tries!
Kaochi has a rich history. Its founder was a Zhejiang native. He trained under a famous Shanghai chef. His family eventually moved to Taiwan. They opened their first dim sum stall on Yongkang Street. Generations later, that humble stall is now a big restaurant. They offer a huge, refined menu. You can find Kaochi on Fuxing and Zhongshan Roads in Taipei. Plus, they even have locations in Shanghai!
FYI: My first Kaochi visit was to their Nanjing East Road branch. A colleague showed me all the best dishes! Later, I took my parents to the Yongkang main branch. But honestly, my picks weren’t quite as good. My colleague’s choices were stellar! Lesson learned: always trust a local’s recommendations!
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Daan Forest Park
Next up, Daan Forest Park! The drama’s leads would grab takeout here. Then they’d chill and eat. Locals call this spot “Taipei’s Green Lung.” And it’s true! It has so much lush greenery. There are awesome facilities too. It’s truly perfect for a leisurely stroll. Or you can get a great workout in!
Remember that scene? Cheng You Qing and Li Da Ren were on a park bench. They were scarfing down food and chatting. This is where they made that infamous bet! Who would get married first before turning 35? The loser owed a cool NT$100,000 red envelope. And get this – Ariel Lin actually got married! Bolin Chen totally paid up the NT$100,000! How awesome is that?
Also, this park has an outdoor amphitheater. It has hosted tons of celeb concerts. Mayday even played their first-ever outdoor gig here!
FYI: I actually visited Daan Forest Park at night. So, the lighting wasn’t great for pics. But hey, it was still super cool to stand where Mayday first rocked out!
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Zhucun Izakaya
Let’s talk about Zhucun Izakaya. This spot is in Songren Lane, Xinyi District. It was Li Da Ren and Cheng You Qing’s favorite watering hole. They had all their deep talks and drinks here.
Word on the street is the show’s director loved this place. He was a regular! He dug the vibe, the food, and that amazing Taipei 101 view. So, it became a filming spot naturally. After the drama blew up, this izakaya got insane! Fans totally flocked here. Locals couldn’t even snag a table anymore.
I actually went there once myself. It was with a colleague during a Taipei business trip. We ordered a ton of food, pretty much all their signature dishes. We had some drinks too. Honestly, Taiwanese yakitori wasn’t really my thing. So, once I checked it off my list, I haven’t been back.
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The Sherwood Taipei
Okay, let’s talk about The Sherwood Taipei. In episode six, Maggie set up Cheng You Qing on a blind date here. It was with her cousin! Fun fact: The Sherwood used to be my company’s corporate hotel. I stayed there once. But honestly, the place felt pretty dated. The facilities were a bit old school. So, I never went back. However, one colleague totally loved its retro charm. Especially the marble vanity in the bathroom!
Remember that iconic street scene? Cheng You Qing was heartbroken after the date. Li Da Ren quietly followed her. That’s Taipei’s famous Dunhua North Road! I actually walked that road constantly. When I first started business trips to Taiwan, I’d often walk from my office or hotel to the Taipei Arena after work. It was a great way to unwind.
Now, there were a few other super classic spots. Sadly, I didn’t get to visit them all.
Taipei Confucius Temple: This temple is super important. It’s where Cheng You Qing and Ding Li Wei first met. Plus, Cheng You Qing did her famous dance here!
Jiannan Mountain Night View, Neihu, Taipei: This is where the leads had their late-night heart-to-hearts. It was super close to my hotel! But darn it, I never made it there. Total bummer!
Tai-an Onsen Resort, Miaoli: This resort is in Tai’an Township, Miaoli County. Li Da Ren, Cheng You Qing, and Maggie all stayed here during their trip. It’s totally perfect for a hot spring soak in winter!
Tai-an Shuiyun Suspension Bridge:
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