Taipei 101

Once the largest skyscraper in the world – it’s now No. 2 – this behemoth can be seen from just about anywhere in Taipei. From its 86th floor observation tower you get uninterrupted views of this often underrated city and the great thing about Taipei 101 is that’s almost earthquake proof. The elevator ride up is right up there with an amusement park ride.
   

Night Market
 
Taipei has lots of them and the one called Shilin is a favourite because it offers lots of regional dishes, like stinky tofu, which many tourists find hard to swallow but the locals love. The night markets offers lots of great dishes like oyster omelets, spring onion pancakes, mango ices and honey glazed cherry tomatoes. There’s always a festive atmosphere hanging over these markets.
 

Hot Springs

Taipei is blessed with a number of natural hot springs that are very popular on weekends. It’s a relaxing experience but the smell of sulphure can get to you after a while. The Beitou Hot Springs are very close to the downtown core and easy to reach.
   

National Palace Museum
 
This houses the greatest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world and the Chinese would love them back but there’s little chance Taiwan is about to give up the treasures found in its No. 1 tourist attraction. The jade collection is worth admission alone. Ironically, the place is always crowded with Mainland Chinese tourists anxious to get a look at what was taken from them by Chiang Kai Shek.

 

Ding Tai Fung

If you’re in Taipei you must eat at the restaurant that introduced this fascinating dumpling dish to the world. The steamed pillows are filled with meat and fish and a soup broth that’s totally delicious. You can’t just eat one. The original restaurant is located on Shifu Road and it’s always busy with tourists and locals. There’s even instructions on how to eat the lethal dumplings that will squirt hot soup in your face if you’re not careful.
   

Dan Shui
 
Take a ferry to this fishing wharf where locals come to get their fresh seafood that was plucked out of the ocean just a few hours earlier. The Love Bridge is one of the attractions here and when it’s lit up at night it’s quite stunning.
 

Longshan Temple

Built in 1738, the temple has become one of the most popular tourist sites in Taipei. Its columns, inscriptions and plaques draw a lot of attention.
   

Yangmingshan National Park
 
Not many cities in the world have a national park right in the middle of it but Taipei’s Yangmingshan is one of the most popular gathering spots for locals and tourists alike. It’s especially popular in cherry blossom season and the variety of plants you’ll find here is truly remarkable.

 

Jiufen

The views one gets from atop the mountains surrounding this lovely town are breathtaking and any visit to Taipei must include a visit to Jiufen. The narrow old streets are filled with hawkers selling everything from fruits and vegetables to souvenirs. The air is always charged with excitement in Jiufen and domestic tourists love coming here to enjoy treats like taro balls, black sugar rice cakes and fermented tofu.
   

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
 
The statue of the man considered to be the “Father of Modern China” is very impressive – it stands almost 6 metres high – and the changing of the guard ceremony held throughout the day is very impressive.