Discovering Taipei: A City of Contrasts
- Dan Romano
- Mar 15
- 6 min read
The drive from the airport to downtown Taipei was a journey through time, a captivating blend of old and new. The city unfolded like a faded photograph, with a unique charm that hinted at a rich history and vibrant future. As we traveled around the city streets, people moved with a gentle rhythm and seemed focused on the simple pleasures of daily life, with little regard for the world around them. The blend of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers created a unique urban experience.
The distinct character of Taipei can be seen at the sites, markets, and restaurants that hummed with vibrant energy and a symphony of sounds from bustling traffic, the gentle hum of conversation, and sizzling street food. The most bizarre site was the unusual number of claw machine stores! In the city, their bright neon lights entice one to enter with the promise of winning a wide variety of items. If you decide to take the three-hour direct flight to Taipei, here are five attractions to consider and more.
Liberty Square
A trip to Taipei would not be complete without visiting Liberty Square which is a great first stop. The square includes the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, two brilliantly colored National Performance Halls, and the Gate of Integrity with many beautiful gardens and walking trails. The memorial hall is dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek who was the President of the Republic of China. When they were defeated by the Communist Party in 1949, he retreated from mainland China to Taiwan where he continued to lead and develop the Republican Party of China until his death in 1975. This is a significant factor in why Taiwan has developed differently and considers itself separate from China.
Temples of Taiwan
It should be illegal to visit Taiwan and not take a trip back in time at one or more of the temples! Most of Taipei’s early settlements were developed around a temple. The temples are much of the centerpiece of the cities today and have remarkable inscriptions, ceramics, and statues to admire. Here are three temples to consider for your visit.
Lungshan Temple
If you are looking for mercy, blessings on the sea or in war, or are getting married, Lungshan Temple, also known as Dragon Mountain Temple, is the temple to pray. A centerpiece for tourists, it is where many Taoist, Buddhist, or Confucian worshippers pray. They give offerings such as food, flowers, or incense to the deities in exchange for blessings or answers to prayers. There are many different gods that worshippers pray to including Guanyin 觀音, goddess of mercy, Mazu 妈祖, goddess of the sea, Guan Yu 關羽, the god of war, or Yue Lao 月下老人, the god of marriage. This temple is located closer to the city center, so expect it to be crowded.
Dalongdong Baoan Temple
If you are looking for good health and quick recovery, Dalongdong Baoan Temple, also known as Taipei Baoan Temple, is where to go. While Longshan Temple is dedicated to several gods, this temple is dedicated to one, Baosheng Dadi 保生大帝, who is the god of health and medicine. Naturally, worshippers bring gifts and pray for good health, full recovery from illness, and protection from disease. In 2003, Dalongdong Temple was recognized by UNESCO and inducted into the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.
Temple of Confucius
If you are hoping for a good grade on that test or academic success, the Confucius Temple, also known as Kong Miao or Temple of Literature, is the temple for you. This temple is dedicated to the values and educational principles of the philosopher K'ung Fu-tzu (i.e., Confucius). Worshippers and students come here to pay respect and ask for blessings for academic success! The teachings of Confucianism can benefit us in other ways too. It is a system of beliefs that can positively impact our behavior and lives by practicing five virtues: kindness, goodness, honesty, modesty, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Confucianism considers family as more important than any individual and has a profound respect for parents. Confucianism is not a church with religious leaders or holy beliefs, it is a way of life that comes from within everyone.
Taipei Botanical Garden
The Taipei Botanical Garden is in the middle of an urban area and includes more than 3,000 plant species in one of 17 distinct gardens with several ponds and waterfalls. It is a place for anyone to appreciate the sprouting of spring, summer lotus flowers, or fall leaves. As the seasons change, so do the gardens as various planets grow. It also serves as an academic research center and offers visitors several educational programs and events. The garden is a beautiful place to spend the day walking under the canopy of trees and enjoying its natural beauty. The botanical garden is only one of about ten parks in the city worth visiting.
Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail Station
Located in the city’s center, it is the largest railway station in terms of building scale and traffic volume. Today it is considered the most significant transportation hub in northern Taiwan. The station is popular with an eclectic range of people and is a place to try some of the many different dishes Taipei has to offer. The centerpiece of the station is the huge beautiful grand concourse with marble walls and floors where commuters transit, folks sit to rest and children play. It is surrounded by many restaurants, cafes, and boutique pastry stores. On the second floor, you will find a wide variety of authentic Asian restaurants with two food courts and dozens of other restaurants to choose from. The station is worth a visit for a meal, coffee, or to buy boxed pastries for the road! While we did not venture on the city’s mass transit, the taxis and the hop-on-hop-off bus were very convenient!
Claw Machine Arcades
It was evident Taipei had a peculiar obsession with claw machines! These arcades filled with claw machines are a common site, so why not try this Taipei experience? Even if you are not a claw machine expert, for a few dollars it is a guaranteed laugh. We estimated that Starbeary, which is the largest store in Taipei, has upwards of 200 machines to choose from. You might walk away with a giant plushie, cosmetics, a food or drink item, or even a toy for your pet! If you are lucky, you might win something, but you are guaranteed to leave with an interesting experience.
Make Taipei Your Next Trip
There is no shortage of day and night markets to explore where you can snack on local favorites or feast at Su Hung near Liberty Square or any of the other 4-star Michelin restaurants. Visitors should experience the view of the entire city from the top of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest building. If you’re into art and culture, add the National Palace Museum to your itinerary, it has the world’s largest collection of Chinese art treasures. Be sure to walk through nature or take in a concert at Da’an Park, and visit the nearby Flower and Jade Market. Maybe you can get lost in the nightlife or visit (or stay at) the Grand Hotel, a popular historic five-star hotel known for its Chinese palace architecture and culture. Taipei has a lot more to see and do!
Navigating Potential Language Barriers
Before embarking on any trip, I always contemplate the potential language barriers, and this trip was no different. I wondered if the barrier would be significant since I only know two Chinese words: ‘hello’ and ‘thank you,’ which I contend are the most important words to know in any language. Throughout this trip, these words combined with a lot of pointing and nonverbal kindness served me well, and as expected, there were no issues. One day, a truly kindhearted lady, who only spoke a few words of English, encapsulated the essence of overcoming language barriers with three simple, yet profound words.
She said, ‘smile world same.’
This is a perfect reminder for any traveler that a smile transcends all language barriers and can help unite us in kind ways. Taipei, smile, and go check it out!
Travel Resources
Theater Travel Requirements, Travel Tracker/Individual Antiterrorism Plan (TT/IATP)
US Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs - A visa is not required for a stay of less than 90 days with a US Passport.
Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government
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