Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is situated in a basin in northern Taiwan that was inhabited by aboriginal peoples until settlers from China moved into the area about 300 years ago. It also offers the most modern architecture, infrastructure and technology alongside the historic and traditional aspects which make it an extraordinary city to experience. Here, the modern face of Taipei shines through, with its glass and steel skyscrapers, wide boulevards, and the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101.
Taipei also boasts dozens of world-class performance venues, where you can enjoy world-class theater and concert events. The city also offers a wide range of other diversions - shopping malls, nightclubs, live-music bars, quality hotels, and exotic restaurants.
With natural sceneries, convenient transportation and delicious cuisine, whether you're just stopping over a route to another Asian destination, or planning a longer stay, Taipei will make your trip enjoyable and unforgettable.
Tour Information
This memorial hall was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China. Work on the hall began in 1976, a year after President Chiang passed away. Design by C.C. Yang, who was also the architect for The Grand Hotel, the memorial hall is white with a blue roof, representing the dominant colors in the ROC flag; while the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) adorns the vaulted ceiling. A bronze statue of Chiang looks west symbolically to the Presidential Office Building and mainland China. The front plaza of the hall is also a major venue for democratic assemblies.
The National Palace Museum houses the world's largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the museum's 620,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Sung dynasty. National Palace Museum is protecting and preserving the 5000-year cultural legacy of China with advanced technologies; cooperating with private connoisseurs and ushering in exhibitions from China; bringing the Museum's collection to the global community and welcoming arts of the world to the Museum.
Longshan (lungshan) Temple is a famous old temple in Taiwan. It is for worshiping Guanshiyin Budda and other divine spirits. Longshan (lungshan) Temple is facing the South. Its architecture is a three-section design in shape. There are the front hall, the rear hall and the right/left dragons protecting the middle hall. The layout is square and serene. The temple was built in Qianlong 5th year in Qing Dynasty. Due to natural disaster and damages caused by men, the temple was restored for several times. The doors, beams, and poles are beautifully decorated. There is a pair of bronze dragon poles in the front hall, four pairs of dragon poles in the middle hall. The sculptures are delicate. There are also exquisite wood sculptures. Among them, the well and Budda setting in the main hall are highly appreciated. The temple has many Chinese poems, verses and lyrics on signs. These add a touch of literature in addition to the religious and sightseeing value.
There are great decorative lamp fairs and temple activities on historical festivals. On each 1st and 15th day each month of lunar year, regular visitors will come to the temple for worship ceremony. The temple attracts many people. At normal times, there are domestic/foreign tourists visiting the temple. Longshan (lungshan) Temple is not only a temple, a sightseeing attraction, but also a second-degree historical site. There are traditional streets/shops, antique shops, Buddhists article shops, and Chinese medicine shops surrounding the temple. These places are great to visit due to their richness in folk art.
Transportation
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system run by the city government provides the most convenient commuting service between downtown and the suburbs of Taipei.
Website: https://english.metro.taipei/
The THSR goes through 10 main cities along the western part of Taiwan at the moment.
Website: https://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en
Trains on the round-the-island rail network provide extremely convenient services. Tickets may be purchased three days in advance.
Website: https://tip.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip?lang=EN_US