August 16 – August 18 : Taipei

Taipei is a smaller capital compared to its neighbors, with a less extensive subway network. Some destinations may require combining buses, making travel slightly slower, especially if you’ve just experienced hyper-connected Tokyo. However, Taipei is charming, and two days are enough to explore its key points of interest.

A personal experience I want to share is about earthquakes in Taiwan. Not accustomed to them, I was quite surprised when, shortly after arriving in Taipei and waiting at the luggage claim, the ground started to rumble for about 15 seconds. At first, I had no idea what was happening, but then I realized it could only be an earthquake. People glanced around but didn’t react much, so I assumed it wasn’t a big deal. Later, I learned it was a magnitude 5.8, which is quite significant.

The next morning, at 07:35, I was woken by another earthquake. This one felt stronger as I was on a higher hotel floor and the walls creaked. It turned out to be magnitude 6.1.

So, I was welcomed to Taiwan by two notable earthquakes within my first 24 hours. These two remained the ones I experienced during my stay although there were several more of magnitude 4 or less but those could not be noticed in my respective locations.

• Taipei 101: Once the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101 offers stunning panoramic views of the city from its observation deck. Don’t miss the high-speed elevator ride and the impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks display if you’re visiting in December.
• National Palace Museum: Home to one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts, the National Palace Museum showcases over 8,000 years of Chinese history. Highlights include exquisite jade carvings, ancient scrolls, and intricate ceramics.
• Shilin Night Market: Taipei’s largest and most famous night market, Shilin is a food lover’s paradise. Sample a variety of Taiwanese street food, from stinky tofu to bubble tea, and browse stalls selling clothes, accessories, and souvenirs.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: This grand monument honors Taiwan’s former leader, Chiang Kai-shek. The sprawling complex includes a large memorial hall, beautiful gardens, and two impressive pavilions, offering insight into Taiwan’s history and architecture.
• Longshan Temple: A historic and culturally significant temple, Longshan is known for its intricate carvings and vibrant religious ceremonies. It’s a serene spot to experience local spiritual practices and admire traditional Taiwanese temple architecture.
• Elephant Mountain: For a breathtaking view of Taipei, hike up Elephant Mountain. The short but steep trail leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Taipei 101 and the cityscape, making it a popular spot for sunset views and city photography.