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Jan
11
Taipei Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Taiwan
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.
Daytrips
Just a short drive from Taipei will lead visitors to a wealth of attractions. There are a number of sights to see, including mountains, waterfalls and national parks among other natural wonders.
Yang Ming Shan National Park has been transformed into a traditional Chinese style park complete with cherry blossom trees, stunning Chinese buildings and hot springs. It is a short drive from the city and a great place to enjoy picnics, stunning gardens and clean air.
The city of Keelung is under an hour away by car and features a 72-feet tall statue of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy. There is also a picturesque harbour, Yehliu Park, and ancient rock formations which have been shaped by many years of wind and rain.
For something completely different, head to Wulai Aboriginal Village. Located in the
mountains, the village offers insight into the Atayal tribe who live here. Native tribes-people put on daily shows which include traditional dancing and rituals. Enjoy the views by taking a cable car all the way up the mountain before heading to Dreamland, an amusement park found at the top.
Must-see attractions
Taipei is a bustling metropolis and home to a number of sights. The Wanhua Area is often referred to as ‘Old Taipei’ as it is the oldest district of the city. It is home to abundant attractions such as Lungshan Temple, a night market and Snake Alley.
Martyr’s Shrine can be found in the middle of beautiful countryside and was built in honour of all those who have lost their lives fighting for their country. Another must-see is the Fort San Domingo. It was built by the Portuguese in 1628 and houses a museum and a shop.
There are a number of temples throughout the city, but two of the best are Shan-tao Temple and Chy Ing Temple. The former houses a wooden carving of the Goddess of Mercy which dates back over 1,000 years and the latter was built in 1867 to worship the protector god, Paoy It Sun Wang.
Chiang Kai-shek’s Residence is located on one of Taipei’s busiest streets. While the house isn’t open to the public, the gardens are and are well worth a visit. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial is the most striking monument in Taipei. It boasts beautiful gardens, the National Cultural Centre, the National Concert Hall and a museum which displays artefacts of Chiang Kai-shek’s life.
Best time to go
Taipei experiences four distinct seasons. Summer lasts from May until August and the weather at this time is usually hot and humid with occasional scattered showers. This is the most popular time to visit, although temperatures can get uncomfortable.
If you prefer cooler weather, September and October are more pleasant and the city’s streets are not so busy with tourists. Winters are short but can be very cold. Many businesses close up for the winter season as there are so few tourists.
Rainy day suggestions
The rainy season begins in April and lasts for a month or so; however, showers often begin in January and carry on until September. If you are caught in the rain, you may be looking for indoor attractions, of which there are many. Taipei is home to some excellent museums with the best being: the National Museum of History; the Fine Arts Museum; Chang Foundation Museum; Taipei Fine Arts Museum and Taiwan Provincial Museum.
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