In the last few years, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, has embraced modernity with elegance. It’s not just the technology and the “Made in Taiwan” logo that showcase the city’s modernity, Taipei — a city that is awake all the time — is also home to the tallest building in the world, and has an expanding subway and rail train system.
The essence of today’s Taipei, however, is Taipei 101, currently the world’s tallest completed building. The number 101 is an indication toward the number of floors that the building has. Its postmodern style combines Asian and international modern and traditional elements. It is designed to resist typhoons and earthquakes.
A shopping mall adjoining the tower consists of hundreds of fashionable stores and restaurants. Taipei 101 was the first tallest building completed in the 21st century. The next will most likely be Burj Dubai. An 800-ton massive ball of welded steel hanging inside the top of the building helps stabilize the tower in high winds and earthquakes. It also provides a magnificent view of the city’s lights at night from the top floor.
Similar to other Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. These are open-air bazaars, usually in a street or an alley, with vendors selling all sorts of cheap goods.
Taipei has a dozen of them, which are usually crowded and feature a variety of shops selling the same items.
One can watch the sunset through the clouds from up high while strolling along the traditional street market of Jiufen. The market is also particularly ideal for eating in the open-air roof terrace of traditional teahouses. Traditional Taiwanese food is sold everywhere. Trying out a popular Taiwanese dessert is so different from Arabic ones. Taiwanese desserts are fluid, fresh and digestive. Their ingredienets are gummy rice balls made of sweet potato and taro, and served in red bean soup or cold with crushed ice.
In Taiwanese cuisine, seafood is the permanent feature. For someone who is experimental and likes to try new kinds of food, Taiwan is the place. The country is home to a mixture of Chinese and Japanese specialities. Big bowls have three or four mixtures inside — for example, shrimps, fried rice, seaweed and noodles mixed together with salty spices sprinkled on top. Wherever one goes, green tea is served first. Unlike the way tea served in the Middle East, Taiwanese tea contains no sugar. It is a kind of Chinese green tea taken with meals and throughout the day.
Just like other night markets in Taipei, Huaxi Street Night Market provides local snacks and is home to small seafood restaurants that serve delicious local dishes.
Huaxi Street Night Market is different from other markets as it has a lot of stores selling snakes. Some owners of snake stores occasionally perform snake shows. In addition to the big yellow snakes, there are also stores that offer massage parlours and beauty treatment.
Near Huaxi, stands one of the most spectacular temples in Taiwan. The Longshan Temple was built in 1783 and took five years to complete. It is a center of worship and social and commercial activities. One of the oldest and largest temples in Taiwan, this is a classic example of fine Chinese architecture. Longshan Temple has magnificent bronze dragon pillars and skillful woodcarvings under its roofs, and beautiful, lively paintings on its walls, all of which are crafted in the style of a traditional Chinese temple.
If one wants to buy gifts, no place will be better than Taiwan’s Handicrafts Promotion Center. It was established in 1957 as a non-profit social oriented organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the handicraft industry in Taiwan. If one is looking for dragons, Chinese zodiac, art furniture, jewelries and general gift items, then this is the place.
A one-day trip to Beitou hot spring village is a must for a tourist. The hot spring water spreads sulfur mist all year round. The place is bestowed with rich hot springs. Hot spring hotels in this area are large and numerous. Temperatures of the springs are in the range of 55 to 58 Celsius. The springs are very effective in healing skin ailments. Locals believe that a witch had cast a spell on the water because of its high temperature, which doesn’t change even in winter.
You can spoil yourself in a wide range of resorts and spas while passing by hills close to Beitou village. If one is looking for a premium resort to escape from city stress and bask in the beautiful scenery of mountain pastures, maples trees, and of course, the hot springs in a luxurious haven, the Maple Landis Resort and Villa 32 are a good choice.
The open space throughout the property offers wonderful views of the surroundings from each room. Walking through the doors of these two luxurious resorts creates a feeling of tranquility and relaxation.
What makes the resort unique is the four villas, which are different from the other guest houses. Each one is named after a season and each has more to offer than the other.
While the Maple Landis Resort offers four distinguished suits, Villa 32 has Japanese-designed Matsu Suite and Sakura Suite.
After spending half a day at Beitou and enjoying steam of the hot spring water and smelling the sulfur, a total relaxation at the Orient Retreat Wellness Village Inspection and Spa Treatment is a wonderful experience.
In the lounge guests can treat themselves to complimentary fresh fruits, crackers and herbal tea before starting their treatment.
An indulging foot massage is just relaxing after walking around Taipei city for hours.
