Taipei is the Republic of China’s (or Taiwan’s) capital city. It is located in East Asia and is one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations for several reasons. Besides the numerous tourist sites, it is also Taiwan’s cultural, political, educational, and economic center. When many people hear of Taipei, they think of Taipei 101, which was once the tallest building globally. However, there is a lot more to Taipei than that. Here are some great reasons to add ‘Visit Taipei’ to your bucket list.
The architecture.
When you visit Taipei, there are some remarkable architectural landmarks you do not want to miss. First, there is the world-renowned Taipei 101. There, stop by Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, which has blended traditional Taiwanese architectural forms with modern architecture. Next, take the MRT to Taipei Main Station and witness another blend of conventional Taiwanese architecture with contemporary. Even if you are not staying at the Grand Hotel, don’t hesitate to stop by just for the view. This fantastic building has been host to many famous dignitaries worldwide.
There are hundreds of Temples in Taipei, and it is highly recommended that you take your time to visit some of them. You will see some jaw-dropping temples such as the Longshan Temple, one of the town’s oldest temples dating back to 1738, Bangka Qingshan Temple, Bangka Qingshui Temple, Taipei Tianhou Temple, among many more.
Great destinations to have fun with kids
One of the biggest fears some parents have when traveling with their kids is that there won’t be enough fun places to take them. Here are two examples of kid-friendly destinations to take your kids when in Taipei.
The Modern Toilet Restaurant
Not for everyone, but your kids will marvel at this toilet-themed restaurant. They sit on toilets to eat, look through toilet-themed menus, and eat and drink from toilet-themed paraphernalia. This is a visit they will want to tell their friends about.
The Taipei Children’s Amusement Park
What’s not to love about a children’s amusement park? They will play in the playgrounds, enjoy more than ten fairground rides, and visit the children’s theatre. Some rides you and your kids can enjoy include bumper cars, the carousel, the Ferris wheel, and the spinning teacups. Moreover, some indoor activities are also available when it rains.
Interact with nature
If you love being out in nature, there are some places you would enjoy in Taipei. For example, you could visit the Da’an Forest Park. Here, you will find a serene environment to walk in as you see some animals, such as egrets, turtles, squirrels, and ducks. If you have kids, you can all enjoy a wonderful day at the Taipei Zoo, one of Asia’s largest zoos. You will see many wonderful animals, such as lions, giraffes, elephants, and pandas. If you love to hike, you could also go hiking up Elephant Mountain. The hike provides good exercise to burn off all the fantastic food you will try in Taipei, and the view from the top is amazing.
Go shopping
Two alternatives are available for you when it comes to shopping in Taipei. First, you could visit actual shops to do your shopping. For example, you could shop in Taipei 101 in some brand shops like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. You could also visit Core Pacific Living Mall, the underground East Metro Mall, or Ximending and shop till you drop. If you are a tech lover, please consider visiting the Guanghua Market and perusing through all the amazing technological devices they offer.
Alternatively, you could also do your shopping in the night markets. Taipei is famous for them, and they are one of Taipei’s greatest tourist attractions. The vendors can turn ordinary streets into colorful places for shopping, eating, and interacting. Whether you want food, accessories, or clothes, you can find them in the night markets. Some famous night markets are Shi Lin and Liaoning.
The food.
Food lovers will not feel left out in Taipei. There are so many foods to try here; don’t be surprised if your clothes fit tighter when you go home. First, there are a lot of street foods you can try. Second, the night markets allow the Taiwanese people to showcase their delicious delicacies to the people, including tourists. For example, the Liaoning market is famous for the comprehensive array of seafood they serve. Third, many restaurants are littering the town, needs, and shopping centers; you will be spoilt for choice.
The nightlife
If you are going to Taipei to party, you will soon understand why Taipei is known as the city that never sleeps. Whatever music makes you want to move, a club is probably playing it in Taipei. You will experience all-night clubbing followed by a morning metro ride home. Visit the 45 Pub, explore the Barcode, M Taipei, or other clubs, and dance away your worries.
The lantern Festival
This is another thing that attracts many people to Taipei. Marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the festival is one you may not want to miss. Taiwan’s tourism bureau hosts the famous Taiwan Lantern Festival every year. It is a spectacular event, and many tourists flock to Taipei to witness the beautiful high-tech light displays and the blend of culture and folk art.
The weather
Just like most of Taiwan, Taipei experiences favorable weather year-round. It is warm most of the year but shares mild winter and light spring rains. This makes Taipei one of the best tourist destinations all year round as far as the weather is concerned.
The fantastic thing is that this article does not cover all the great things you could see in Taipei. For example, there is a market specifically for book lovers. The people are also amiable. It would help if you considered getting your Cathay Pacific flight tickets and boarding that plane to Taipei for these and more reasons. It’s time to make some amazing memories.
