Somewhere in a majestic and beautiful island country in Asia lies the city of Taipei. In the eyes of many tourists, this place is a must experience in their to-do list. It has the perfect blend of the old and the new, be it in culture, dishes, apparel, art, music etcetera. You can know for sure that a place that has a blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures infused with its indigenous heritage is sure to birth a unique cultural ecosystem. Without further ado, let’s dive in to get a clear picture of what Taipei has to offer.
The 101
Landmarks play a huge role in maintaining the relevance of a place and giving it its unique identity. When you mention the Eiffel tower, Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Burj Khalifa, your mind quickly zip from one location to the other because of the ties between these phenomenal landmarks and their location. If you’ll be visiting Taipei, a name that you’ll encounter most often is that of Taipei 101. This is the name of the once tallest building in the world; at least it had the privilege of holding the title. The building received a name change from Taipei World Financial Center. It has an elegant design, featuring an anti-earthquake stabilizing system that comprises of a ginormous ball hanged at its topmost floors. This cutting edge technology is one that only a few buildings in the world can boast to have. Besides being equipped with supersonic lifts that take 37 seconds to cover 84 floors, it’s recognized for being the largest green complex in the world.
Chiang Kai-Shek
“What’s this place; I want to go there – pronto.” These are just some of the common reactions most people give the moment they see photos of this place. It’s no secret that the Chiang Kai-Shek museum is extremely beautiful, surpassing any description or expression. No wonder it’s the second most notable landmark in Taipei, and it surely doesn’t disenchant. Themed with blue and white, the lush green vegetation is yet another aspect that adds just the right amount of color and spice to give the whole surrounding a magnificent vibe. The monumental buildings consist of a concert hall and the National Chinese Theater. The place is normally opened between 9 am to 6 pm with the entrance being free. If by any chance you’ll be in the area till early evening, you’ll be dazzled by the lighting of the whole area which is utterly breathtaking.
Elephant Mountain
You can call this place the perfect location for getting the best panorama over the city of Taipei. It’ll take you approximately half an hour to hike this peak. If you’ve fallen for its name like many tourists, there are other three peaks named the Lion, Tiger, and the Leopard mountains which offer jaw-dropping shots of the whole city skyline. Unlike the popular Elephant mountain, these additional three mountains normally experience less tourist traffic. You can opt for them if you might be looking for some refreshing lone time hikes. The most awestruck time to be in these areas is during sunsets; if you’re lucky enough to be here during the New Year’s Eve fireworks event -oh that would transform your journey into a trip of a lifetime.
Night Markets
It’s amazing how any way Taipei twists or turns, it charms tourists far and wide. The markets of this city normally rest during the day, but when it comes to nights they awaken with vigor. It attracts many folks, locals and visitors alike. There’s an endless variety of meals sold at a very affordable price, this is why the markets are always packed. Make an effort to tryout fried chicken fillets, shaved ice, and stinky tofu when visiting. Some of the most popular markets include Raohe, Ningxia, Liaoning street, and the Huaxi street night markets. A very familiar arear in the Huaxi night market is a place known as the Snake Alley. If you’re trying to figure out how the place got its name, you aren’t far from the answer. It gained its name because one of the common delicacies being sold there is snake blood and meat. Mind-boggling right? Nonetheless, be advised that this particular area is a red light district.
Taipei is utterly fascinating, exhausting this place will definitely take you countless of trips. If you’re planning a trip here, be sure every penny you spend would be worth it.
