Taipei city is a modern metropolis located on the northern tip of Taiwan. As a capital city, Taipei is known as a prominent economic and cultural hub. This island has a lot to offer with years of contested and exciting history. Being among the best in design and shopping to a city full of ancient museums and traditional markets, Taipei is considered to be the heart of Taiwan. With a strong Japanese and Chinese influence, and some tinge of Western flavor, Taipei is a friendly city which can easily be adapted to by all the travelers.
Thousand Island Lake
8 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Taipei
8. It is Asia’s 2nd Most Prosperous City per Capita
Most of Taipei residents do enjoy a high quality of life in a city that is developing at a fast rate. As one of the world’s leading cities in researching and producing electronics, Taipei city is known for its new wealth. Most of the leaders in the tech industry world are based.
7. Home to Worlds’ 5th Tallest Building
Taipei boasted to have the worlds’ tallest building from 2004 to 2010 until Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed. Taipei 101 building is currently ranked 5th tallest building and the tallest in Taiwan. Measuring 508 meters, Taipei 101 dominates the city skyline and features unique design modeled after the traditional pagoda and bamboo styles.
6. Best Time to Visit Taipei is in the fall and spring
Taipei experiences a humid and subtropical type of climate. The summers are always humid and hot and are usually impacted by typhoons. The best time for anyone to visit this town is during the spring and fall. Visitors can expect shiny and mild weather during March to May. Presence of many gardens makes spring a perfect time to visit the city.
Yehliu Geopark
5. Its Transportation System makes it Easy for Tourists to navigate
Transportation is never a problem when you land in Taipei. With the Taoyuan International Airport being 20 kilometers from Taipei, 10 line MRT subway and a high-speed train line connecting it to various cities, getting around in Taipei are very easy. Flights to Taipei are easy to come by and direct, especially if you are from Europe or US.
4. Taipei offers a Bike Share Program
Since its introduction back in the early 2000s, Taipei bike share program has been growing ever since. Tourists and locals enjoy biking on the historical paths, and the friendly streets within its system are eco-friendly and will only cost you a few cents an hour. The program which is popularly known as Youbike has over 200 stations around the city.
Bitan Taipei River Park
3. Home to Amazing Street Food
Street foods are becoming popular in Europe and North America with pop-ups and food trucks being the highlight of the local food sites. In Taipei city, street food can be found in every corner. Shilin market in north Taipei is one famous market for the street food. This area offers hundreds of food stalls at cheaper rates that attract huge crowds witnessed in the evening. When visiting Taipei do not fail to try out the classic Stinky Tofu or a variety of other Taiwanese dishes from the local vendors.
2. Perfect For Smartphone Lovers
The city offers free public WiFi to every person visiting or living here. All you have to do when in this city is to sign up got a free account and you will be ready to go. It can be a lifesaver if you intend to purchase a local sim card or phone to keep you connected.
1. No VISA is Required for US Passport Holders
There is no visa requirement for US citizens who are interested in visiting Taiwan. Taiwan will only need a valid visa that will see you off your stay. Visitors are allowed to stay for 90 days before moving on: this gives them enough time to explore Taipei.
Cenotaph Taipei Capital
Taipei Points of Interest
9. Taipei 101
With 101 floors commemorating the renewal of time, this massive skyscraper is an excellent way for one to see Taipei from above the clouds. This tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. According to the Chinese, number eight is associated with good fortune, abundance, and prosperity.
8. National Palace Museum
The palace museum and the National palace share same roots from the old palace museum in Belgium which originates from the Chinese civil war. Considered to be one of the largest museums in the world, it contains a permanent collection of more than 696,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts.
7. Mengjia Longshan Temple
Mengjia Longshan Temple is considered to be the most famous temple in Taiwan. Constructed back in 1738 by Fujian settlers, it is more than just a worship place since it was also a gathering place for the Chinese immigrants. This temple has successfully managed to stand a test of time which lasted through several wars and natural disasters.
6. Shilin Night Market
Considered to be among the most popular markets, one can shop and feast at their desires from this night market. Although there is a massive selection of accessories and clothes, most tourists are known to patronize this market due to its famous local street foods such as ribs stewed in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Oyster Omelets, Shilin Super Size Sausages and Paopao Ice.
5. XiMenDing & Red House Theatre
XiMenDing is popularly known as the mecca for youth culture. It does not matter if it is on a weekday or a weekend, you will always find crowds of people at the labyrinth engaged in a variety of activities. Never get fooled by the Red House Theatre, it comprises of interesting Taiwanese indie art shops on the interior.
4. Tamsui Old Street
Here you will find three culinary treasures, the fried fish crackers, creamy bean curd and iron hard preserved egg. It is adjacent to the Keelung port, and there will never be any shortage of fish ball varieties on this street. The creamy bean curd, which is stuffed with vermicelli made from bean starch, is an exclusive food on this street.
3. Shimen Wedding Plaza
As the first wedding place in Taiwan, this plaza is distinctive due to its Mediterranean inspired architecture which contains bell towers and white corridors. Opened back in 2008, this plaza features endless sea as a backdrop responsible for producing dreamlike photographs. With crystal clear waters and the blue skies, its natural landscape adds to a sense of extravaganza to the construction. This place is made for couples and families.
2. Xizhi Star Bridge
This bridge is characterized by its unique microphone shape supports. It stretches across the Keelung River and is considered to be a landmark of Xizhi. The bridge was designed explicitly for pedestrians and cyclists, and it offers a great night scene along the coast. There are neon lights and prism-shaped skyscrapers flashing in turn. There is a spot which changes its color every second creating a romantic ambiance. It also gets the tourist's eyes hooked as they enjoy the strolling along the river bank.
1. The Tianyuan Temple
Idols at Tianyuan Temple
For sure your eyes will feast on the pink oriental cherries that blossom with an inviting aroma at the Tianyuan Temple especially when you visit the place mid-March every year. At this time, you will get an event that attracts several visitors who have traveled from every corner of the world just to come and savor the views. This temple is surrounded by the Datun Mountain and the Taiwan Strait. This temple features excellent scenery together with well furnished ‘Tien Yuan’ tower of divinity. In case you are unable to see this temple in March, you can opt for Jen Yuan altar to worship the gods.