In Taipei, the food is excellent, the people are friendly, the shopping is paradise and there are some scenic sights no traveller should miss.
Taipei offers some of the finest Chinese cuisine in the world. There are good restaurants with reasonable prices and finding a good meal is not difficult. For gourmet lovers, every major hotel boats excellent Chinese restaurants. For budget travellers, there are numerous fast-food outlets, countless snack centres (generally in the basements of department stores) and a variety of light meals available at night markets.
In Taipei you can buy almost anything you can think of, from designer names to antique curios, up-to-date electronics, original jewelries, hand-painted scrolls, fragrant tea, and quality children's toys. Department stores, boutiques, and small stores all offer quality at reasonable prices. Night markets are fun to shop in and accept cash only. Vendors rarely speak English, but shoppers can bargain. Taipei's notable shopping districts offer a good selection of shops where visitors can get good buys. Places worth considering visiting are; Chungshan North Road , Dinghao Market (Clothing, Jewellery, Footwear, Souvenirs) Chinese Handicraft Mart and Holiday Jade and Flower Markets (Curios, Trinkets, Handicraft). The Holiday Jade Market is open Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Kuanghua Market (Computers and Parts, CDs, Curios), Shihlin Night Market (Clothing, Foot-ware, Souvenirs, Local Snacks), just to name a few.
Taipei has many interesting sights such as monuments, buildings, places of worship, parks, gardens, wildlife reserves and hot springs. Places of interests include; Botanical Gardens, Chang Foundation, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Chingtiangong Village, Yangmingshan National Park, Confucius Temple, Hwa Yi Chuen Hot Spring, Jao Ho Street Night Market, etc.
The vast majority of people in Taiwan are ethnic Chinese. Generally, the Taiwanese people are fun loving and hospitable.
Places of Interests:
Night Market 20 minutes by car
One of the most popular night markets in Taipei County, the more than thirty years old Night Market has the combination of the old renown food vendors and new foreign cuisine for visitors to choose from. Enjoy the local delicacies while strolling through shops of clothing, shoes, accessories, and much more.
Global Mall 15 minutes by car
Global Mall is the largest shopping center in Taipei County with department stores, boutiques, theme restaurants, movie theaters, and children’s entertainment area, making it a perfect place to visit for the whole family.
Hong Lu Di 25 minutes by car
The most well known God of Earth temple in northern Taiwan is a popular place for worshippers from all over during day and night as the night scenery over looking Taipei City is an attraction itself.
The Lin’s Family Residence at Panchiao 20 minutes by car
Listed as a Second Grade Historical Sites by the Ministry of Interior, The Lin family garden was built between 1888 and 1893 during the Qing Dynasty. The garden was closed for 5 years and reopened to the public. It is one of the undisputed most beautiful historical garden in Taiwan.
Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum 30 minutes by car
Having two hundred years of ceramic skills, Yingge is the first ceramic museum established by the county government. It presents a history of ceramic from Taiwan pre-history ceramic to ceramic pots of aboriginal and skills bought in by immigrants from Mainland China and during the Japanese Occupancy Period. The amazing showcase of ceramics and wide variety of souvenirs to choose from makes it a top attraction choice!
