The city
Taipei City is the capital and largest city of Taiwan. It is located in the northern part of the island and is known for its modern architecture, street food, and night markets. The city has a population of over 7 million people and is a major economic and cultural center in East Asia.
Historically, Taipei City has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. In the 17th century, the area was colonized by the Dutch and later by the Ming and Qing dynasties of China. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan by China, and Taipei became the capital of Taiwan under Japanese rule. After World War II, Taiwan was returned to China and Taipei became the capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
A fact about Taipei City is that it is home to the Taipei 101, which was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010. The skyscraper stands at 1,667 feet and is an iconic symbol of the city's rapid development and modernization.
Do & See
There are many things to see and do in Taipei City, Taiwan. Some of the must-see places and activities include:
Taipei 101: This iconic skyscraper was once the tallest building in the world and offers great views of the city from its observation deck.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: This grand monument honors the former president of Taiwan and is a popular spot for tourists to learn about the country's history and culture.
National Palace Museum: This museum houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts in the world, including ancient ceramics, jade, and bronze works.
Shilin Night Market: One of the most famous night markets in Taipei, it offers a wide variety of street food, clothing, and other goods.
Longshan Temple: This temple is one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan and is known for its intricate architecture and colorful decorations.
Yehliu Geopark: This unique geological park features unique rock formations and is a great spot for hiking and nature photography.
Beitou Hot Springs: This area is known for its hot springs and is a popular spot for relaxing and rejuvenating.
Elephant Mountain: This mountain offers great views of the city and is a popular spot for hiking and taking in the scenery.
Taipei Zoo: This zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Taiwan, it's home to over 400 species of animals, including pandas, elephants, and monkeys.
Taipei Fine Arts Museum: This museum showcases contemporary art from Taiwan and around the world and has a great collection of artworks.
Note that some of the places may have been closed or have limited access during the time of pandemics, so it's better to check the current situation before planning your trip.
Explore Taipei
Exploring Taipei City, Taiwan can be done in a number of ways, depending on your interests and budget. Some options include:
Walking: Taipei City is a great city to explore on foot. Many of the main sights and attractions are located within walking distance of each other, and the city has a good network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Public Transportation: Taipei City has an efficient and affordable public transportation system, including buses, metro, and trains. This is a great way to get around the city and see different neighborhoods.
Bicycling: Taipei City is a bike-friendly city and it has a number of bike rental stations where you can rent a bike for the day. This is a great way to get around and see the city at a leisurely pace.
Taxis and Car Rental: Taxis and car rentals are also available in Taipei City, but they can be more expensive than public transportation.
Tour Guides: If you prefer having a guided tour, there are many tour companies that offer guided tours of the city, both on foot and by bus.
Food Tour: Taipei City is known for its street food and night markets. Taking a food tour is a great way to experience the local food and culture.
Whichever way you choose, it's advisable to plan ahead and make a list of the places and activities you want to do so you can make the most of your time in Taipei. Also, it's good to note that most of the signs and public announcements in Taipei City are written in Chinese, so it would be useful to have a translation app or to travel with someone who can read Chinese.
Dining
Taipei City, Taiwan is known for its vibrant food scene, with a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences to choose from.
Street Food: Taipei is famous for its street food, which can be found at night markets and street vendors throughout the city. Some must-try street foods include stinky tofu, oyster omelette, and bubble tea.
Night Markets: Taipei's night markets are a popular dining destination and offer a wide variety of food options. Some of the most famous night markets include Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, and Tonghua Night Market.
Traditional Taiwanese Cuisine: Taiwan is known for its traditional cuisine, which is heavily influenced by Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Some must-try traditional Taiwanese dishes include braised pork rice, beef noodle soup, and oyster vermicelli.
Fine Dining: Taipei City also has a thriving fine dining scene. Some must-try restaurants include:
Din Tai Fung: This world-famous restaurant serves some of the best xiao long bao (steamed dumplings) in the city.
Fu Ho Restaurant: A Michelin-starred restaurant that serves traditional Taiwanese cuisine with a modern twist.
Le Mout: A fine dining restaurant that specializes in contemporary French cuisine.
RAW: a vegan fine-dining restaurant, that serves plant-based cuisine that's inspired by the flavors of Taiwan.
Japanese Cuisine: Taipei City has a lot of Japanese restaurants that serve authentic Japanese food, some of the must-try Japanese restaurants include Sushi Kanesaka and Sushi Amane.
Chinese Cuisine: Taipei City also offers a wide variety of Chinese cuisine, such as Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hunan. Some must-try Chinese restaurants include Din Tai Fung and Fu Ho Restaurant.
Note that some of the places may have been closed or have limited access during the time of pandemics, so it's better to check the current situation before planning your trip.
In addition, it's worth noting that many restaurants in Taipei City are cash-only and may not accept credit cards, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
Cafes
Taipei City, Taiwan has a thriving café culture, with a wide variety of cafes to choose from. Some of the top cafes in Taipei City include:
The Guest Café & Bar: This café is located in a beautiful colonial-style building and serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
Cama Coffee & Books: This café is located in the historic Dadaocheng area and serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as a selection of books and magazines.
The Caffeine Laboratory: This café is known for its specialty coffee, and it's a great spot for coffee enthusiasts to try different types of coffee.
Coffee Alley: This café is located in the trendy Ximending neighborhood and serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Little One: This café is known for its cozy atmosphere and serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Caffeine Workshop: This café is a specialty coffee shop that serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Diner: This café is located in the trendy Da'an district and serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Chair: This café is a specialty coffee shop that serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Roaster: This café is a specialty coffee shop that serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
The Hidden Fung: This café is a hidden gem in Taipei city, it's a cozy and rustic café that serves a variety of coffee and tea, as well as light meals and desserts.
Note that some of the places may have been closed or have limited access during the time of pandemics, so it's better to check the current situation before planning your trip.
Bars and Nightlife
Taipei City, Taiwan has a vibrant nightlife scene, with a wide variety of bars and lounges to choose from. Some of the top must-try bars and lounges in Taipei City include:
LUXY: This is one of the most popular nightclubs in Taipei City and features international DJs and a variety of music genres.
The Roof: This rooftop bar offers great views of the city and serves a variety of cocktails and light snacks.
Brown Sugar: This bar is known for its live music and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
Taroko: This bar is located in the trendy Ximending neighborhood and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
Barcode: This bar is located in the trendy Da'an district and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
The Living Room: This bar is known for its cozy atmosphere and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
The Red House: This bar is located in the historic Dadaocheng area and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
The Rooftop: This rooftop bar offers great views of the city and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
Room 18: This bar is known for its live music and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
The Brass Monkey: This bar is known for its cozy atmosphere and serves a variety of cocktails and beers.
It's worth noting that the last call for drinks is usually around 1:00 am, and also keep in mind that some places may have been closed or have limited access during the time of pandemics, so it's better to check the current situation before planning your trip.
Shopping
Taipei City, Taiwan is a shopper's paradise, with a wide variety of shopping options to choose from. Some of the best budget-friendly places to shop in Taipei City include:
Night Markets: Taipei City is famous for its night markets, which offer a wide variety of goods at affordable prices. Some of the most famous night markets include Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, and Tonghua Night Market.
Department Stores: Department stores such as SOGO, Mitsukoshi, and Far Eastern Plaza offer a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices.
Wholesale Markets: Wholesale markets such as Wufenpu and Gongguan offer a wide variety of goods at wholesale prices.
Eslite Bookstore: This bookstore offers a wide variety of books, magazines, and stationery at reasonable prices.
Ximending: This is a trendy shopping district that offers a wide variety of goods at affordable prices, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Taipei Main Station: This shopping area offers a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Taipei 101 Mall: This mall offers a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Baimiwu Fabric Market: This market offers a wide variety of fabric and textile goods at affordable prices.
Zhongxiao Dunhua: This is a shopping area that offers a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Taipei Expo Park: This shopping area offers a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Keep in mind that while shopping in Taipei, haggling is not as common as it is in other parts of Asia, but if you know the local language, you may be able to negotiate a better price for certain items. Also, it's good to note that most of the signs and public announcements in Taipei City are written in Chinese, so it would be useful to have a translation app or to travel with someone who can read Chinese.
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