Taipei is Taiwan’t largest city as well as its economic, political and cultural centre. Taipei is a tough little city whose beauty lies in its blend of Chinese culture with a curious fusion of Japanese, Southeast Asian and American influences.
PLACES TO VISIT
1.NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM
The museum displays the world’s largest and finest collection of Chinese art. The collection covers treasures paintings, calligraphys, statuary, bronzes, lacquerware, weapons, teaspots, jewellery, ritual objects, ceramics, jade and religious objects.
2.TAPEI 101
The Tapei 101 is the world’s tallest building. Observations decks are on the 88th and 89th floors with an outdoor deck on the 91st floor. The basement and first five floor are taken up by one of Tapeips swankiest malls.
3.BAO’AN TEMPLE
The temple is loaded with prime examples of traditional decorative arts. The traditional yearly folk arts festival is a showcase of the performance art.
4.CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL
The hourly changing of the guard is the most poplular sight to see. Inside the hall is an artefact museum with Chiang's two Cadillacs, various documents and articles from daily life.
5.MINIATURES MUSEUM OF TAIWAN
The museum is located in the basement of a nondescript tower block. Dozens of doll-house-sized replications of Western houses, castles, chalets, palaces and villages, as well as scenes from classic children's stories such as Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland are on display.
6.HOBE FORT
The Hobe Fort was built for military action in 1886. This heritage spot has thick earthen walls, massive gates, four batteries and steep steps to its ramparts to deter intruders. The fort was never see any military action and was only used as a base for artillery firing practice.
7.TAIYUAN ASIAN PUPPET THEATRE MUSEUM
This museum is an interaction museum, workshop and theatre. The Asian puppet collection is the largest in the world. All performances have English subtitles on projected screen.
8.SU HO PAPER MUSEUM
The four-storey museum displays a working traditional paper mill and temporary exhibits, as well as overviews of paper making around the world. At the museum shop you can buy cards, poster and other designs constructed from handmade paper.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT
- Dihua Street
- Huashan 1914 Creative Park
- Confucius Temple
- Museum of World Religions
- Land Bank Exhibition Hall
- Formosa Vintage Museum Café
- Zhongshan Hall
- Yinshan Temple
- Guandu Temple
- Addiction Aquatic Development
- Tonghua Night Market
- Yongle Market
- Lao Mian Cheng Lantern Shop
- Qingshan Temple
- Tianhou Temple
- National 2-18 Memorial Museum
- Maokong Gondola
- Lungshan Temple of Manka
- Yangmingshan
- Ximending
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Daan Forest Park
- Tapei’s Children’s Amusement Park
- Tapei Zoo
- Tapei Astronomical Museum
- New Tapei City Yingge Cereamics Museum
The best way to get around in Tapei is by bus, MRT, taxi, bicycle and foot.
The best times to visit are during the fall (September – November), when the weather is a little cooler, and rainfall is at its lowest.
