Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Ten Places to Visit in Taipei (Taiwan)


guest post by Flight Centre

If you are thinking of taking a vacation in the near future and the call of cultural alarms are ringing in your head, you may want to start checking flights to Taipei. Located on the Tamsui River, Taipei is the economic, cultural and political center of Taiwan. There are many diverse attractions to be found for tourists in Taipei, and certainly something for everyone to enjoy. Here are ten popular attractions that are worth exploration.

For museum buffs, the National Palace Museum is a must-see place to be. With over 680,000 artifacts from the ancient Chinese period, this collection is one of the largest in the world. Pieces include bronzes, ceramics, paintings, jades, documents in Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan, as well as calligraphic works, tapestries, coins, and carvings. Some of these relics can be traced back to the 10th century. For historians that may be interested in a more specialized type of art, the Museum of Jade Art may be of interest. It is the first museum in the world devoted specifically to jade art.
Outdoor adventurers may want to consider Yehliu, a cape located on the north coast of Taiwan that canopies 1700 meters into the ocean. Its distinguishing features referred to as hoodoo stones, are tall pinnacles that extend from a dry terrain, where rocks and soil have been abraded by water and wind.

For those not faint of heart, the Taipei 101, at 509 meters high, or 1670 feet tall may just what the fearless ordered. Until the Burj Khalifa was built in Dubai, the Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building with 101 floors above ground, five floors below, multi-level shopping with a deluge of restaurants, stores and clubs. Elephant Mountain is also an easily accessible hiking trail with great views of Taipei 101 and downtown Taipei. Maokong Mountain is great for viewing the entire city of Taipei and is also well known for its tea plantations and tea houses.

The National Revolutionary Martyrs Shrine is a great testament built in the memory of 330,000 men who died during the revolutionary years. It is located on the slope of the Chingshan Mountain overlooking the Keelung River. It is guarded by military officers trained to remain unflappable in the presence of visitors. The ceremonial changing of the guard is very popular at this site. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built to memorialize the former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek. It is covered in blue, white and red, the colors of the Taiwanese flag, and it embodies equality, independence and universal love.

Religious connoisseurs may be enticed by the Longshan Temple. It is often called the meeting place of the gods due to the affluence of the gods that worshiped there. Those who loved to be entertained should certainly investigate the Taipei Eye. This attraction is the home of the Traditional Chinese Performing Arts and the show includes folk music, folklore, aboriginal dance, opera and much more.

As you plan your next trip for business or pleasure and continue to consider flights to Taipei, just remember, your perfect pastime artistic pleasure awaits your arrival.

Photo Credits: night, Yehliu, guards, Longshan Temple

8 comments:

Bridal Cars For Rent said...

Wow very nice places !!

Estate Agent said...

Taipei is one of the most intriguing place in Taiwan and the National Palace Museum is the pearl in its crown!

Flat or Apartment said...

I knew that Taiwan had many attractions to catch the eye of travelers but had no idea they were so fabulous. Super!

Shanghai Experiences said...

Taipei 101 was a blast, and I wish there would be a viewing platform at the top floor, and not only the 89th or so. Still, I guess it doesn't make a huge difference, and the view is SO amazing.

Mark H said...

@flat or apartment: Looks like a lot of places and sights to attract visitors.

@shanghai experiences: I can't beleive that the view would be much different from the 89th floor as the 109th floor but I know what you mean...

Ramesh Roy said...

Taipei is great place to visit. Can you let me know, best month to visit Taipei ?

Thanks,
Ramesh Roy
http://travelpackcanada.com/

Mark H said...

@ramesh roy: Many of the sights are available all year. I'd avoid the typhoon season (late summer) and travel either side of that when the weather is moderate (esp the autumn period from October-January).

kunzang said...

Some of the most beautiful photos and and great information you have here

Bhutan.

 
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