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Jan
11
Taipei Travel & Sightseeing Guide
January 11, 2008 |
Shi Lin Night Market in Taipei. Photo courtesy Kyle Mullaney, Wikipedia
A trip to Taipei
Taiwan’s capital city has grown to be a popular holiday destination for its rich cultural offerings and gorgeous natural setting among the Yangming and Central mountains. The many ethnic groups that have immigrated to Taipei from China brought with them myriad festivals and celebrations, making exciting parades and fireworks a frequent occurrence.
Flights to Taipei
Taipei’s main airport for international flights is Taoyuan International Airport, while Taipei Songhan Airport handles only domestic flights. The international airport handles flights from destinations worldwide, particularly European, Asian, and Asia-Pacific regions. Frequent shuttle buses run from Taoyuan to the city, stopping at the train station and the domestic airport as well. Taxis are widely available and provide the quickest way to get into Taipei. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Taipei try Thomas Cook.
Within the city, public transport is much more efficient than the congested roads. Extensive train and bus systems are easily accessible.
Taipei
Sightseeing in Taipei
Taipei has several sites worth visiting, both modern and historical in nature. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is something of a national symbol, with two guards who remain motionless until the hourly changing of the guards. The gorgeous surrounding grounds are a popular place for visitors and locals alike, with the National Cultural Centre and National Concert Hall located on site.
At 101 storeys, the Taipei International Financial Center (also known as Taipei 101) is the tallest completed building in the world. The fantastic views from the observation deck are worth the visit alone, but a huge shopping centre and bookstore are available as well. Old Taipei, also known as Wanhua Area, is home to the traditional Longshan Temple, a wonderful oasis in the middle of this bustling city. This neighbourhood hosts a large night market with all sorts of things for sale.
The Shant-tao Temple, constructed during the Japanese occupation, holds a prized wooden statue of the Goddess of Mercy that is more than a thousand years old. The Chy Ing Temple was built in the 19th century and is decorated with intricate detail. The Da-An Forest Park and 228 Peace Park offer large expanses of attractive greenery in the middle of the city. The Natural History Museum is located within the 228 Peace Park. The city’s botanical gardens provide another peaceful city escape.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
It seems impossible to go hungry in Taipei as snack stands and restaurants abound on every street corner. Local cuisine is the typical offering, with many cheap restaurants cooking up delicious meals. International food is also widely available.
The diverse nightlife in Taipei boasts bars, nightclubs, karaoke joints and cafés. Trendy nightclubs are popular with tourists as well as locals and are generally geared toward a younger crowd. Numerous lounge bars offer a less hectic atmosphere, with live music often being performed.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Taipei’s picturesque location in the basin of the impressive Yangming and Central Mountains makes excursions into nature easy to plan. The city also offers many hot springs in the form of public baths and more luxurious spas.
Several festivals in Taipei, such as the Lantern Festival and the Moon Festival are internationally renowned and bring a whole new level of fun to the city. Other festivals are planned year-round, adding to the joyous ambience of Taipei.
Sleek modern malls give shoppers a chance to indulge, with many international stores and local boutiques on display. The numerous local markets offer a more traditional shopping route that should not be overlooked.
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