TOP Go to the main content section

Taipei Travel

6 Things to Do in Taipei That Should be on Every Visitor's Bucket List (TAIPEI QUARTERLY 2018 AUTUMN Vol.13)

Anchor point

Post date:2018-09-11

2528

6 Things to Do in Taipei That Should be on Every Visitor’s Bucket List
 

Article Taiwan Scene

Photos Taiwan Scene, iStock, SHE-YI-LU

 

There’s no shortage of things to do in Taipei’s dynamic capital city, but if you’re only here for a short time and need to winnow it down to six must-have experiences, these are our picks:


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: Taiwan Scene)

Looking Out Over the City From Taipei 101

It’s impressive, iconic, and represents the spirit of Taiwan in more ways than one. Visiting Taipei without checking out the view from the top of Taipei 101 would be like visiting NYC and not heading to the top of the Empire State Building.

The green tinted glass exterior recalls a stalk of bamboo, uniting the island’s agrarian past with its high tech present (while simultaneously paying homage to both). Though the structural design, which mixes elements of flexibility and rigidity is a practical necessity, the design also symbolizes the resiliency of the Taiwanese people to bend without breaking, to adapt to all circumstances, and to grow and thrive come what may.

★Insider tip

Line at Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) too long? Taipei 101 Mall’s (台北101購物中心) basement food court has some excellent choices for dining on the fly!


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: iStock)

Eating Your Way Through a Taipei Night Market

Taipei’s night markets are famous. These large, noisy maze-like streets serve an insane variety of delectable dishes. Night markets are where you’ll be able to taste the latest in Taiwanese culinary trends, so don’t be afraid to experiment. From standard Taiwanese dishes like meat on a stick and stinky tofu to distinctly more esoteric fare, if Taiwanese people are eating it, you’ll find it at a Taipei night market.

★Insider tip

Taipei’s three most popular tourist night markets are Raohe (饒河), Shilin (士林) and Ningxia (寧夏), but if you’re looking for a less touristy experience Take the Green line to MRT Jingmei Station (捷運景美站) and check out the way more local Jingmei night market.


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: iStock

Talking to the Daoist Gods in Lungshan Temple

Home to flower selling monks, a tranquil flowing waterfall, fish swimming in the lotus pond, smoke from the incense lazily rising through the air, this 350-year-old temple can arguably be called Taipei’s spiritual heart. It’s where locals come to seek advice from the spirits by throwing crescent wood blocks on the ground. Stick around long enough and someone will teach you how to make a divination on your own.

★Insider tip

After you leave the temple, be sure to stroll around the “old village” nearby to see what Taipei looked like a century ago.


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: iStock)

Basking in History at the Grand Hotel

After Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in 1949, he felt the need to build a large and extravagant monument to Chinese culture in which to entertain visiting dignitaries. This hotel, among the largest classical Chinese building ever built, remains an unrivaled icon of Chinese architecture. Even if you don’t spend the night here, it’s worth visiting just to stroll among the ornate pillars inside the lobby. There’s an excellent HK style restaurant here as well.

★Insider tip

The Grand Hotel Taipei’s (台北圓山大飯店) two 180m air raid tunnels were kept secret for decades. Though still not technically open, members of the press and public are occasionally invited inside.


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: SHE-YI-LU)

Seeing the Treasures at the National Palace Museum

Chiang Kai-shek didn’t come to Taiwan empty handed, bringing with him on his retreat much of the treasures of China for safekeeping. Much of these treasures are now located at the National Palace Museum , an impressively large and majestic building flanked by huge stone lions. Despite the enormity of the collection, items on display represent only a small fraction of items brought over from China.

★Insider tip

After checking out the crowded National Palace Museum, head across the street to the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines (順益台灣原住民博物館) for a completely different side of the Taiwan story.


TAIPEI AUTUMN 2018 Vol.13

(Photo: SHE-YI-LU)

Experiencing the Changing Face of Taiwan at Liberty Square,
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and 228 Peace Park

The blue and white facade of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂) is iconic, and inside you can snap a selfie in front of a two-story high statue of the man himself. But the fact that the lovely park surrounding the shrine is now called Liberty Square (自由廣場) tells a great deal about the evolution of Taiwanese society in the 21st century. Should you wish to gain an even fuller picture of Taiwan’s history in the tumultuous 20th century, head over to nearby 228 Peace Park (二二八和平公園) and visit Taipei 228 Memorial Museum (台北二二八紀念館), which lead to 38 years of martial law in Taiwan.

★Insider tip

Feet sore from all the walking? Both Liberty Square and 228 Peace Park have excellent stone foot massage paths. Take off your shoes and have a stroll!

 

This article is reproduced under the permission of Taiwan Scene. Original content can be found at the website of Taiwan Scene (https://taiwan-scene.com).

Gallery

Popular Articles

Top