Taipei: Where Ancient Temples Meet Futuristic Skylines

Saturday, May 3, 2025

🇹🇼 Taipei: A City of Lanterns, Skyscrapers, and Street Eats

🗼 Taipei 101: Touching the Sky

Once the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101 remains a symbol of Taiwan’s innovation. Its bamboo-inspired design combines architecture and tradition, while the observatory deck offers jaw-dropping 360° views of the city and beyond.

Don’t miss:

The 89th-floor indoor observatory
The world’s fastest elevator
Luxury shopping mall and fine dining

🛕 Longshan Temple: Spiritual Heart of Taipei

Built in 1738, Longshan Temple is a cornerstone of local faith and culture. Nestled in the Wanhua District, this temple is a spiritual hub for both locals and visitors, blending Buddhist, Taoist, and folk traditions.

Highlights:

Ornate dragon columns and waterfall at the entrance
Daily incense ceremonies
Peaceful courtyard for reflection

🌃 Night Markets: The Soul of Taipei

Taipei's night markets are legendary—bursting with lights, aromas, and local energy. The most famous, Shilin Night Market, offers everything from bubble tea to stinky tofu and deep-fried squid.

Must-visit markets:

Shilin Night Market – for a full sensory street food experience
Raohe Street Night Market – compact but packed with flavor
Ningxia Night Market – ideal for food lovers and locals alike

Must-try dishes:

Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice)
Oyster omelet
Gua Bao (Taiwanese pork belly buns)

🧖 Beitou Hot Springs: Nature’s Warm Welcome

Escape the city buzz with a short MRT ride to Beitou, a district famous for its natural hot springs. Perfect for a relaxing day trip, Beitou is home to public and private bathhouses, beautiful parks, and a Hot Springs Museum set in a preserved Japanese bathhouse.

Top spots:

Beitou Thermal Valley – steaming geothermal pools
Millennium Hot Springs – popular public bath
Beitou Library – one of the most eco-friendly libraries in Asia

🎨 Taipei’s Art & Culture Scene: Past and Present Collide

Taipei is bursting with artistic energy. From calligraphy scrolls to pop art murals, the city’s creative spirit lives in museums and neighborhoods.

Key places:

National Palace Museum – housing over 700,000 ancient Chinese artifacts
Huashan 1914 Creative Park – a cultural hub for exhibitions, design shops, and performances
Taipei Fine Arts Museum – for contemporary Taiwanese and international art

🚈 Getting Around: Seamless and Scenic

Taipei boasts one of the cleanest and most efficient public transport systems in Asia.

Taipei MRT – easy, fast, and bilingual
YouBike – affordable city bike rental system
EasyCard – rechargeable card for all transport

🛍️ Shopping in Taipei: From Boutiques to Tech Malls

Whether you want designer fashion or quirky souvenirs, Taipei delivers.

Ximending – a vibrant youth district with fashion, pop culture, and street performances
Taipei Main Station’s Underground Mall – endless corridors of electronics and accessories
Guanghua Digital Plaza – Taiwan’s electronics paradise

🏨 Where to Stay in Taipei

Taipei offers everything from five-star luxury to cozy boutique stays.

W Taipei – ultra-modern with skyline views and nightlife nearby
Kimpton Da An – chic, centrally located boutique hotel
Meander Hostel Taipei – budget-friendly with a hip, social vibe

🌄 Day Trips from Taipei: Nature & History Nearby

Taipei is ideally located for scenic escapes:

Jiufen Old Street – a mountain village with lantern-lit teahouses and anime-style charm
Yehliu Geopark – unique rock formations sculpted by wind and sea
Tamsui – a riverside town perfect for sunset strolls and seafood

⭐ Travel Tips for Taipei

Best time to visit: March–May & October–December
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Languages: Mandarin (English widely used in tourist areas)
Weather: Humid subtropical; summers are hot, winters mild
Fun fact: Taipei’s garbage trucks play classical music—just like ice cream trucks!

✈️ Why Taipei?

Taipei is a city of contrasts: a neon-lit tech capital with ancient temples and lush mountains. Whether you’re sipping tea on a rainy street or taking in a view from 500 meters up, Fly All Over to Taipei and experience a destination that never stops surprising.