Things to do in Taiwan
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National Palace Museum
Considered by many a must-visit, this museum is home to what could quite easily be termed the world's largest and finest collection of Chinese art. This vast collection (much of it liberated from mainland China during the last retreat of the KMT) is far too large to exhibit at any given time, so most of the museum's treasures are on rotation.
Among the treasures to be seen at the National Palace Museum are painting, calligraphy, statues and ceramic and jade. Some pieces date back thousands of years into Chinese history and even prehistory. The museum also has an amazing collection of Buddhist artefacts inherited from the Forbidden City. Some of the most popular items are…
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Dintaifung
With Taipei's most celebrated dumplings, Dintaifung is deservedly popular for Shanghai-style treats made fresh to order. Try the classic xiǎolóng bāo (steamed pork dumplings). Very popular with locals and visitors alike, so either phone in reservations (they speak enough English) or prepare to queue up.
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Taipei 101
Towering above the city like the gigantic bamboo stalk it was designed to resemble, Taipei 101 is impossible to miss. At 508m, Taipei 101 held the title 'world's tallest building' for a number of years, though it now must be content with second-place status. The pressure-controlled lift is quite a rush; at 1010m per minute it takes a mere 40 seconds to get from ground level to the 89th-floor observation deck.
Buy a ticket (NT$400) to the indoor and outdoor observation decks on floors 89 to 91, where you'll also be able to see the massive gold-coloured iron ball that keeps the tower stable through typhoons and earthquakes. In the basement of the structure is an excellent…
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Taroko Gorge
An awe-inspiring canyon with marble-walled canyons, lush vegetation and cliffs so giant they block out the sky, Taroko covers 120,000 hectares with mountain peaks rising to 3700m. The environment of this massive park is filled with high mountain peaks and the Liwu River, which cuts through the centre of the gorge, forging many deep valleys, ravines and waterfalls in its course. There are an abundance of hiking trails that lead visitors to shrines, temples, hot springs and panoramic vistas of the mountains and the sea.
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Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
This iconic monument with its white walls and blue octagonal roof still stands as a grandiose, ostentatious and perhaps fitting memorial to the man who, in life, was known in some circles as 'General Cash-my-check'. On the ground floor you'll find a museum dedicated to Chiang's life, with an assortment of military uniforms, medals, paintings and manuscripts, along with two humungous black, bullet-proof Cadillacs he used. You'll also find in this museum an interesting version of history in which Chiang's Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party) forces nearly single-handedly defeated the Japanese empire, and the Chinese communist revolution is reduced to a mere speed bump in…
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Taipei Story House
the Taipei Story House was built in 1914 by an aristocratic tea trader. Its style was said to have been inspired by a building he saw while visiting the 1900 Paris Expo. Today the house is an exhibition space for Taipei nostalgia and history. Exhibits change frequently and might include goodies such as toys, matchboxes and comic books.
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Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store
Most older locals remember when this housed a prison and an execution room, not an upscale mall.
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Shilin Night Market
Considered by many to be the king of Taipei's night markets, the sprawling Shilin Night Market is a nightly carnival of snacking and shopping. Teeming with stalls selling delectable edibles far beyond our ability to describe, the latest in trendy clothing from shoes to hats (and everything in-between), games of skill and chance and much, much more. If you have only one night to spend in Taipei, spend it here.
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Longshan Temple
Religious life in Taiwan is alive and kicking seven days a week at Longshan Temple. Though not the biggest temple in the city, there is something unique and beautiful about the vibe at Longshan that keeps people coming back.
The temple dates back to 1738. As the story goes, a passer-by left an amulet of Guanyin (goddess of mercy) hanging on a tree on the site of the present temple, and the amulet shone so brightly, even after dark, that all who passed by knew the site was blessed. Nearly three centuries later, the spot still exudes a certain warmth. The stones that line the courtyard of the temple were originally ballast on the ships that ferried immigrants from Fujian…
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Taipei Astronomical Museum
Opened in 1997, this museum houses four floors of constellations, ancient astronomy, space science and technology, telescopes and observatories. Though a good place to while away an hour with the kids, what keeps this otherwise excellent museum from being a must-visit is a dearth of English content. Although every exhibit features English and Chinese, most of the actual information is in the latter language only. A recorded English-language guide is available, though the information is fairly basic. More English-friendly attractions (at an extra charge) are an IMAX theatre, a 3-D theatre (presentations change frequently) and the 'Cosmic Adventure', an amusement-park ride…
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2-28 Memorial Museum
Located inside 2-28 park, the 2-28 Memorial Museum offers an explanation of the events of 28 February 1947 massacre and of the repercussions that followed. Acknowledgment of the 2-28 incident was a pivotal part of Taiwan's transformation from dictatorship to democracy.
Though there is little in the way of English signage in the museum, a multilingual walking tour device is available. However, there are generally bilingual volunteers on hand willing to walk you through and explain the significance of various events and displays. The building itself is significant, for it was from this, the former KMT radio station that officials tried to calm the masses as panic swept the…
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Shakadang Trail
Formerly the Mysterious Valley Trail, this flat 4.4km hike follows the crystal-clear Shakadang River as it winds through marble canyons and boulder-strewn flats. The curving riverbed creates massive pools of bluish green water, and many outdoors groups from Hualien come here in summer to swim and river trace (although the park's board is not entirely happy about that).
Coming from the direction of the National Park Headquarters, the trailhead is to the right after emerging from the first tunnel. Follow the stairs down to the river to access the path.
The Shakadang Trail officially ends at 3D Cabin. However, if you have permits you can (theoretically) continue on the …
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Taiwan Museum of Art
The museum is one of the best in Taiwan, and surprisingly for both kids and parents. The open modern design is visually sophisticated (though not pretentious), and there are high-quality exhibits of both Taiwanese and foreign artists. Exhibits change often, though unfortunately there is almost no English signage.
For children there is a wonderful hands-on play area and fantasyland library that includes an igloo, castle and rainforest area (and of course loads of children's books). One expat father we know described it as the best children's library he has ever seen.
To get to the museum take UBus 75.
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Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
Bigger is better, so some say; but not at the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, where quite the opposite is true. This small, private museum is dedicated to the exhibition of the minuscule, the tiny, the 'I can't believe someone had the patience and steadiness of hand to create something so small and intricate!'. Among the items on display are dollhouse-sized replications of some of Europe's most classic structures, as well as dolls in full period regalia. The gift shop, though small (naturally) is also fairly impressive.
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National Museum of History
Just outside the Botanical Gardens, Taiwan's first National Museum Of History is still an anchor of local arts and culture housed in an elegant Japanese-era building. 'History' is actually a misnomer - Chinese art history would be more accurate, with thousands of Chinese artifacts from Tang, Shang and other dynasties. The tea room on the 3rd floor has views of the Botanical Gardens' lotus pond. A tour in English takes place each afternoon.
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Bongos
Have a hankering for poutine (French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) and pasta, or perhaps some salad served with a secondhand science-fiction paperback? In addition to serving good Western-style lunches and dinners, including the aforementioned Canadian favourite, Bongos has a comfortable reading area, outdoor seating and a huge collection of used books for sale.
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Taroko Gorge Full-Day Tour from Taipei
by Viator
lt;pgt;See one of the seven wonders of Asia, the Taroko Gorge. Take a short plane trip to Hualien from Taipei to see this great wonder, a must-do while in…Not LP reviewed
from USD$168.99 -
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Discovery Centre of Taipei
The Discovery Centre of Taipei is a good place to get your bearings on the city and its history. You can see maps and models depicting Taipei's evolution from a walled, gated city in 1882 to the bustling metropolis it is today. Discover more about its geography, topography, commerce, famous residents and natural resources. There's a free audio guide in English, and guided tours are available with advance notice.
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Tainan Tan-tsu-mien
Odd though it may seem to have rooms decorated like Versailles and Vienna in Snake Alley, that's what you'll find here. Select your own fish and seafood out the front and the chef will suggest a preparation method (grilled, steamed, fried etc). Don't forget to try the shop's namesake noodles (made with ground pork).
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Dakeng
To the east of the city is a hilly area known as Dakeng. If you are going to spend any time in the city, Dakeng is worth exploring, as there are pleasant hiking trails and even a few hot springs.
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Chocoholic
Leave room for desert. This tiny, brightly painted café is an old favourite, dating back to the days when good chocolate was impossible (as opposed to merely inconvenient) to find. Expect cakes, chocolate drinks and a clientele of smiley young things galore.
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Willy's Second Base
Loud and fun, with good British pub fare on offer (meals NT$200 to NT$300).
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Armory Pub
A staple of the bar scene. Serves meals with a decent range of vegetarian options.
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Amigo Mexican Food
Got a hankering for Mexican? Amigo has tacos, burritos, home-made soups and other 'south of the border' favourites. Dishes are served with flair matching a genuine taco-stand ambiance.
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Chung Tai Chan Temple
Completed in 2001, the massive Chung Tai Chan Temple is more than just another modern temple - it is an international centre of Buddhist academic research, culture and the arts.
The temple is 150m tall and sits on a 60-acre lotus hill outside Puli. It took 10 years and the donations of countless members of the Chung Tai Chan Buddhist community to complete. Chung Tai Chan is an international branch of Buddhism founded by the Venerable Master Wei Chueh - the Master who is said to have revived the Zen tradition in Taiwan.
From the start, the Master was determined to build something grand, something that would appeal to the modern eye as much as the soul. To achieve this,…
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