Traveloka PH
02 Aug 2018 - 6 min read
Standing tall at 508 meters, Taipei 101 is an engineering marvel that not only withstands earthquakes and typhoons - but is also a symbol of technology and Asian tradition fused. The tower’s double-deck elevators set a record in 2004 by traveling from the the first floor to the observation deck in only 37 seconds.
Built in 1738, Longshan Temple is one of the biggest and oldest temples in Taiwan - it has survived damage from World War II and natural disasters. Worship at this temple entails a mix of Buddhism, Taoism and that of deities like Mazu. There is no entrance fee to the temple. However, a donation for its upkeep is appreciated.
Originally built within Beijing’s Forbidden City in 1925, the National Palace Museum was moved to its current location following the Chinese government’s relocation in 1949. The National Palace Museum has been fitted with technology that helps preserve over 600,000 Chinese artefacts. Not all artefacts are displayed at once, they are rotated and spread across four floors and two exhibition halls to avoid wear.
In memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China, this monument and and tourist attraction was erected in 1980. The octagon-shaped white building stands at 76 meters, with its eight sides representative of the number “eight” which in Chinese culture is synonymous with fortune and wealth. There are two sets of 89 steps leading up to Chiang Kai-shek’s bronze statue which is under military guard around the clock - the number of steps represent the age at which Chiang passed away.
Located in the Dalongdong Culture Area, the Taipei Confucius Temple is the symbol of Chinese Confucian culture. Established in 1875, it holds a celebration every September 28 to celebrate Confucius’ birthday and to commemorate Teacher’s Day.
Considered Taipei’s biggest and most bustling night market, locals and tourists alike can buy a myriad of knick knacks here. But when push comes to shove, the real reason why people come here is for the food - from tempura, bubble tea, giant fried chicken steak, fried buns, stinky tofu and more, there’s so much to eat that you might leave two pants sizes bigger.
Maokong is a quaint mountain top village that has a scenic view of Taipei City. Known for its locally grown teas, tea aficionados make the trip up via gondolas to visit the many tea houses and stores. Locals also make a trip to the top for a quick break from the city - the getaway usually entails a cup of tea, dinner and fresh, crisp air.
The Beitou Public Hot Springs stems back to the Japanese occupation, wherein the area began developing resorts, inns, tea houses, parks and public baths. As a result, a train line and station were erected to accommodate visitors from afar to the relaxing and therapeutic hot waters. There are three types of springs that can be found in the area: springs with either green sulfur, white sulfur and iron sulfur.
What was once an elementary school building, then the Taipei City Hall, is now home to several contemporary art pieces. Although the building itself is a work of art, not to mention historic, many keep coming back to enjoy paintings and scultupres by local and foreign artists alike. While you can opt to have a guide walk through the museum with you, there are also free audio guides that you can avail of.
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