Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is the city's financial centre and was once the
world's tallest building. Designed to resemble a gigantic bamboo
stalk, it is Taipei's major landmark. There are observation decks
on the 88th and 89h floors.
The building's lift takes a thrilling 40 seconds to get from
ground level to the 89-th floor, where a spectacular view awaits
visitors. Decent restaurants and some of the city's swankiest malls
make up the lower levels.
Address: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District,Taipei
City
Transport: MRT Red Line (Xin-Yi Line) TAIPEI 101 Station, Exit
No.4. About a 10-minute walk from the MRT Blue Line (Nangang
Line).
Opening time: Daily from 9am-10pm
Taipei 101
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Shilin Night Market
Taipei's biggest and best night market is not just for shopping.
Instead, it is a cultural experience that every visitor should
enjoy. The action begins when the sun sets and thousands of stalls
and stores open for business. They sell everything from clothing to
pets, souvenirs and DIY tools. It's wise to visit with an empty
stomach, given the array of tempting treats on offer.
Address: The neighbourhood of Dadong Rd., Danan Rd., Wenlin Rd. and
Jihe Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City 111.
Transport: MRT Jiantan Station, or any one of numerous
buses
Opening time: Late afternoon to early morning hours
daily
Shilin Night Market
Arun
National Palace Museum
Taipei's National Palace Museum houses an astonishing collection
of Ancient Chinese artefacts and artwork. Representing over 5000
years of Chinese history, it is the largest and perhaps finest
collection of Chinese art in the world.
Once displayed in the Forbidden City, Beijing, the collection
was moved to Taipei as a result of the Chinese Civil War. Visitors
can view world-famous exhibits such as the 'Jade Cabbage' (a piece
of jade carved to resemble a cabbage head), and a valuable copy of
the Qingming Scroll.
Address: 221 Zhi Shan Road, Sec. 2, Shilin
Transport: MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station and then bus R30
(Red 30). Other routes that will take you to or near the Museum
plaza are buses 255, 304, Minibus 18 and Minibus 19.
Opening time: Daily from 8.30am-6.30pm. Free guided tours in
English at 10am-3pm daily.
National Palace Museum
eazytraveler
Longshan Temple
Longshan is one of the most popular temples in Taipei. Dedicated
to Guanyin the Goddess of Mercy, it is an excellent example of the
architecture commonly seen in Taiwan's older buildings.
Built in 1738 to be a place of worship for Chinese settlers, its
troubled history has seen it destroyed several times. To date, it
has suffered damage by earthquakes, fires and even American bombers
during World War II. Undaunted, Taipei residents have rebuilt it
each time, and it remains very much in use.
Address: 211 Guanghzhou Street
Opening time: Daily from 6am-10pm
Longshan Temple
Tomas Fano
Taipei Zoo
Taipei Zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including local
Taiwanese species such as the flying fox, Formosan black bear and
Chinese pangolin. Arranged into different habitat sections that
contain their native species, the zoo lets visitors see African
savannah wildlife, tropical rainforest creatures and more in
context. Visitors should set aside at least three hours to take
everything in.
Address: No. 30, Sec.2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei
City
Transport: MRT Wenshan-Neihu Line: Get off at Taipei Zoo Station.
MRT Nangang/Banqiao/Tucheng Line: Get off at Taipei City Hall
Station, and then take bus route G1, BR18 or BR21 to Taipei
Zoo.
Opening time: Daily from 9am-5pm (closed on Chinese New
Year)
Tiger at Taipei Zoo
pelican
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park is the pride of Taipei. Built in
memory of the former Taiwanese President, the walled complex
contains an impressive, pyramid-shaped monument to Chiang Kai-shek.
It's also home to the National Concert Hall and National
Theatre.
Everything stands inside a lovely park, which is fronted by a
vast plaza where folk performances or other events often take
place. The Memorial is also the main venue for Taipei's famed
Lantern Festival, Shangyuan. It draws thousands of lantern-carrying
revellers to mark the Chinese New Year.
Address: Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Transport: MRT lines Danshui-Xindian, or Beitou-Nanshi, alighting
at the CKS Memorial Hall Station
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park
Gavin Anderson
Taipei has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are warm, sunny
and humid, with average daytime highs reaching 90°F (32°C). Winters
are cool and mild, with temperatures of around 61°F (16°C). Due to
Taipei's location, it is affected by the Pacific typhoon season,
which occurs between June and October.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Location: The airport is situated about 24 miles (38km) southwest
of Taipei city centre.
Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The Skytrain provides free transport between Terminal 1 and
Terminal 2, and a shuttle bus also connects the two terminals.
There are regular buses to Taipei's other international airport,
Songshan.
Getting to the city:
Several bus companies provide services to Taipei and other
destinations around Taiwan. The journey to Taipei takes about 55
minutes. Travellers can buy tickets at counters in the arrivals
section, and the bus platforms are located outside the
terminals.
Buses depart from the airport roughly every 20 minutes. Metered
taxis are available 24 hours a day, but are more expensive. Also,
there's a shuttle bus to the high-speed rail service that connects
travellers to various stations in the city.
Travellers can find English-speaking assistance at a Visitor's
Desk in the Arrivals hall.
Car Rental:
Car rental service counters are located in the Arrivals lobby of
both terminals.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis from the airport to downtown Taipei are available all day
and night, but fares vary substantially depending on traffic,
distance and route. Taxis are metered.
Fascilities:
The airport's banks have bureaux de change and ATMs. Travellers
will also find a post office, wifi, information desks, and a
tourist-services desk.
Both terminals have Asian and Western-food outlets, as well as
bars and restaurants. There is ample duty-free shopping, with
several boutiques stocking a wide range of goods. A business lounge
offers VIP service, and there are good facilities for the
disabled.
Parking
Plentiful parking is available. It is free for the first half
hour, thereafter rates start at TWD 30 for 60 minutes and TWD 20
per half hour thereafter. The daily rate is TWD 490.
Public transport in Taipei relies on the MRT (subway), and the
city's vast bus network.
The MRT covers most tourist spots and is generally the best
option for transport. All MRT stations have ticket machines, with
prices ranging from about TWD 20 to TWD 65, depending on the
distance. Travellers can purchase day passes, while the
rechargeable EasyCard is a good option for those spending more than
a few days in the city.
The bus network is a bit confusing for foreigners and most get
by without using it. Metered taxis are available, though drivers
rarely understand English. Travellers should have destinations
written down in Chinese if they plan on using taxis.
The soaring Taipei 101 Tower is the capital's greatest
engineering feat, and one of its best-loved sights. It's also the
city's international financial centre.
Another popular attraction is the National Palace Museum.
Through its collection of ancient artefacts and artwork, it
showcases some fascinating aspects of Chinese culture. For
travellers interested in Taiwanese spirituality and religion, a
visit to the Longshan Temple is a must.
As the sun goes down the night markets open up. They're usually
packed with tourists and bargain-hunters, who throng the alleyways
in the heavy, humid night air. Taipei also has many bars and
nightclubs.
If the city becomes too stifling, visitors can relax at one of
the spas in the northwest. They utilise the Beitou area's hot
springs. Hikers can enjoy the Yang Ming Shan National Park.
Taipei 101
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Shilin Night Market
Arun
National Palace Museum
eazytraveler
Longshan Temple
Tomas Fano
Tiger at Taipei Zoo
pelican
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park
Gavin Anderson
