Taipei, Taiwan’s crowded capital has a unique personality. One of the most underrated tourist destinations of Asia, distills the best of what Asia has to offer. Vibrant night life, great food, hot springs, beautiful mountains, one of the best collections of Chinese art. It has a large number of museums, temples and many more places of tourist attractions. Both old and new are represented within the city limits. While old neighbourhoods, on one side of the city, sport narrow alleyways and traditional Chinese architecture, Taipei’s other half is littered with malls and office complexes. In between are the hectic roadways and nonstop commerce of this vibrant city. Sightseeing in Taipei can be a wonderful experience. At sunrise, many Taiwanese head to the nearest park to practice Tai Chi, the slow moving exercise meant to enhance both body and mind by moving chi (a kind of life energy) throughout the body.
The National Palace Museum
This is believed to be the finest repository of Chinese art in the world. It houses artefacts dating back to the earliest days of Chinese civilization. The collection includes oracle bones, which have the first known written Chinese ideograms, as well as ritual bronze vessels, Ming Dynasty pottery and jade sculptured into the shapes of cabbage and fatty pork.
Yangmingshan National Park
The vast nature park includes 11,455 hectares spanning five mountains, with hot springs in various places in the reserve. Every visitor to Taipei must experience the vastness and the beauty of this pristine park. The abundance of wildlife and vegetation is set to provide maximum tourist value for everyone. Yangmingshan National Park is located just to the north of Taipei and is easily accessible from the city. After an hour's drive, stops can be made at volcano site and Yangming Park. Then, drive downhill to Peitou area to experience one of the best hot spring bath in Taiwan. Bathing in the hot-spring water has a relaxing and refreshing effect. It helps to relieve muscle pains, nervous pains, digestive problems, arteriosclerosis and other ailments. Doing this tour can take upto a maximum of 4 hours.
Lung Nai Tang Hot Springs and Beitou Hot Springs Museum
To immerse yourself even more in Taiwanese nature treats, the Lung Nai Tang Hot Springs is another site you must visit. There are several hot spring facilities in Taipei, but this was its first bath house, having been built in 1896. Its legacy continues today as one of the grand old bath houses in the city.
Those who want to extend this bathing experience to a learning one can visit the nearby Beitou Hot Springs Museum. The building was actually built in 1913 as a hot spring bath house. It was then used for numerous other purposes before being renovated in 1998. It was then that the building was renamed. It contains different information about hot springs in Taipei, including interesting scientific knowledge and the history of the surrounding area. A visit to this museum makes for a complete hot spring experience.
Half Day Wulai Aboriginal Village Tour
Wulai, about 10 miles south of Pitan, is the most accessible area from Taipei to view the aboriginal tribesmen who once were the head hunters of Taiwan. Drive along scenic mountain road following aborigine and ride in unique push-car to the top of a deep ravine. This is Wulai where aborigine girls will tell you of their lives in graceful song and dance. It takes about 4 hours into your sightseeing time to do this tour.
Lungshan Temple
Eastern religion has long been a source of interest for foreigners. Evidence of spirituality in Taiwan can be found in Taipei’s ancient temples. The Lungshan Temple is a great place to begin your journey into Taiwanese spirituality. The distinctly Buddhist temple with Chinese-style building is a masterpiece of Taoist design and shows Chinese architecture at its best. Built by the Ching dynasty, it is now classified as a historical site as well.
Taipei 101
Immerse yourself in modern Taipei by going deep into the belly of the second tallest building in the world, the 1,670-foot Taipei 101. The first five floors, with stores like Armani, Louis Vuitton and Sogo, should satisfy any shopping urge. Take a high-speed elevator to the indoor and outdoor observation decks, starting on the 89th floor, for unparalleled views of Taipei and its environs. In every direction lie city blocks and avenues winding among concrete-and-glass towers, with verdant hills rising in the distance. Wisps of cloud float past the windows. Beware of vertigo.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an imposing tomb and shrine to Taipei's most famous leader which also houses Taipei's main venues for the performing arts, the National Theatre and National Opera House in its large grounds.
Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall
The huge Sun Yat-sen Memorial is a giant structure that was built to honor the Republic of China’s (Taiwan’s) founder, Dr Sun Yat-Sen. It is an interesting place for history buffs as it is stocked with many photographs taken during the early part of the 20th century in mainland China. He was born in 1865 and the memorial was built 100 years later in 1965. It sits in the quiet Zhongshan Park and is an absolute must-see for all.
Yushan Mountain or Jade Mountain
In the center of Taiwan Island, Yushan Mountain, also known as Jade Mountain and Mt. Yu, extends to the west of the Central Mountain. It runs approximately north-south for about 280 km. They belong to the Yushan Range. Jade Mountain has gained the name 'Roof of Taiwan' because most of its peaks are over 6,500 feet high. Jade Peak is the main peak of Jade Mountain. With an elevation of nearly 4000 meters (about 13,000 feet), it is not only the highest peak in Taiwan, but also the highest one in eastern China. In the winter, Jade Peak is often capped with thick snow which makes the entire peak shine like stainless jade, hence its name. At the top of Jade Peak, one can overlook the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean. One can climb the mountain on foot or drive a car to enjoy the landscape along the road. One should also be well equipped before the climbing. Prepare clothes to resist the cold on top of the mountain and take medicine for mountain sickness. It takes about 7 hours to go to Yushan from Taipei.
Bicycle Tours
Bike tours are also emerging as a good way to see Taipei's less congested areas. The tourist board recommends a bike ride on the cycle path alongside the Danshui River. Bikes can be hired from nearby Giant Bikes, 159 Bowuguan Road, Bali Township, Taipei County.
There is still lots more to do in Taipei. Many night markets which are a must visit. Many Buddhist temples, beautiful, intriguing, calming the mind. The best parks to visit are outside of the city where you can enjoy hot springs and climbing or walking in the fresh air. There are so many excursions one can take around Taiwan from Taipei which one must take. Some must visits of Taiwan are the Sun Moon Lake, the largest natural lake in Taiwan, Mt. Yangming, Mt. Yushan. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful island country. You won’t regret it at all.
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