As a Universiade athlete, we got so many privilege. One of it was we get a small group tour around Taipei for free. After the competition over, I booked the tour for my team, two days later we have a go. If you're travelling solo in Taipei, dont worry, it is very easy to get around here. There so many subway station to almost all tourist attraction, and also English signage everywhere, pretty much like in HK or Singapore. But since they offered with this Universiade ID card, we went every where by bus.
First stop was Taipei 101,
it is known as World's tallest bulding 2004, until Burj Khalifa beat in 2010. But still, it is one of the highest. it has high speed elevator that can take you from 5th floor to 89th floor in just 37 seconds, whut?! IT IS 60,6 km/h!
The building design was inspired by bamboo structure, it is a Taiwan native plants. It has a giant mas damper, to stabilized and withstand typhoon wind and earthquake.
You can visit the observatory at the 89th floor and seeing Taipei city, thou it cost a pretty expensive NTD 600 to go up there, but as we a univesiade athlete, everything went all free and express for us, no need to wait in line, as it was such a damn long line. But it is worth the price, as the city is so beautiful up there
Next, National Palace Museum.
well i am not a fan of a museum actually, but this was worth visiting. it has a lot of Chinese ancient imperial artifact and artwork, it has roots from the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the price of these things was ridiculous. I found a Chinese tea cup from thousand years a go could sold million of dollars. But as you can see, the art piece in here is so rare and beautiful, you wouldnt imagine these art work were thousands years ago. how did they craft these things.
But as we were going with a tour group, the museaum is huge, we didnt visit so many, we only visited some of the most famous pieces of the museum like the Jadeite Cabbage. this small art, most valuable piece of ceramics craft, was made in the 19th century. I was amazed by this small art (18.7 cm × 9.1 cm), but you can see the details and a small insect on the cabbage.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
To get here, you can exit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station.
this memorial was build in the memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, the former president of Republic of China. The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Liberty Square. The structure is framed on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall.
Inside the main blue building there is a statue of Chiang Kai-shek in the main chamber of the Memorial Hall.
Shopping in Taipei
Ximending Night Market
to get here please exited Ximen Station.
Ximending is a place if you wanna buy shoes, clothes, and Taipei original snacks (mochi). I saw so many gift shop (but they are fixed price), big brands (adidas, nike, asics), and many more restaurants. this area is huge, like Mongkok market in HK. So do not get lost in here, as every blocks look the same.
Shilin Night Market
the closest MRT is Jiantan Station
if on late night you still craving for some food, this is best place to go. so many streets food, starting the famous Shilin XXL Fried Chicken, small crab fried, and oysters. so many traditional snacks you can choose here.
