National Park
Yangmingshan National Park
Yang Ming Park is located in the north of Beitou. Yang
Ming Shan was called Tsaoshan (Grass Mountain) during
Japanese occupation of Taiwan, because it was covered
with grass and seldom visited. After World War II, the
KMT government renamed the mountain Yang Ming Shan and
built a park here. Yang Ming Park is the only park in
Taiwan that has volcanic geography and hot springs. It is
next to Sha Mao Shan and Chi Hsing Shan with Ta Tun Shan
on the right and Kuan Yin Shan in front. The magnificent
mountainous scenery and comfortable weather have made
Yang Ming Park a perfect summer resort. Total area of the
park is 125 hectares, designed in traditional Chinese
style. The natural beauty of the part has won it the
reputation as urban forest and the Taipei garden.
The park is characterized by a large clock made of
flowers with a diameter of 22 feet. Water runs around the
flower clock and music is played every hour. The clock is
the characteristic of Yang Ming Park. Opposite the clock
is a statute of late president Chiang Kai Shek; on both
sides of the statue are the cypresses planted by
president Chiang himself. The Hsin Hai Kuang Fu Lo was
completed in 1971, right in the center of the park. In
addition, there is a statue of Wang Yang Ming, the famous
Chinese scholar in the 17th century.
Farm/Scenery
The Presidential Office Building
The Presidential Office Building is located on Chungching
S. Road and facing Ketagelan Boulevard. On the back it is
Bo Ai Road, on the left it is Bauching Road, and on the
right it is Gueiyang Street. The Presidential Building is
close to Taipei Main Station and Hsimending. The building
was built during Japanese colonization period. It was the
governor's mansion at that time. During the ending period
of World War II, the building was seriously damaged due
to bombing. After Taiwan was reclaimed by R.O.C., the
building was re-constructed in 1946. The building was
re-named as "Giashou Building" in celebration of the 60th
birthday of former president Mr. Chiang Kai-shek. The
building has been used as the presidential mansion after
the central government of R.O.C. was re-instated in
Taiwan.
The main body of the Presidential Office Building is a
five-floor structure and the central tower is
eleven-floor high. The area is 6,930 square meters. The
outer portion is covered with steel concrete. Gravel is
used as decoration horizontally. A sense of grandeur and
vigorousness is presented via the red-white composition.
The Presidential Building was announced by the President
as "national historical site" in 1998 and was open for
public tour since then. The general public will be able
to see in person the location where the president works.
The distance between the President and his people will be
shortened.
After touring the Presidential Office Building, one can
further visit the following interesting nearby sites:
Taiwan Bank, NTU Hospital, Taipei Guest House and
February 28 Peace Park.
Tianmu
Tienmu Business District is located in Jhongshan N. Road,
Section 6 amp; 7, Tienmu E. Road, Tienmu W. Road, Tienmu
N. Road and Chungcheng Road. It is centered on Tienmu
Square. In the early stage, it is a residential area for
expatriates and foreigners. Taipei American School and
Taipei Japanese School are located here. The streets are
enriched with signs of foreign language and creative
shops. There is exotic flavor. In recent years, the
district has become a trendy place in Taipei for clothes
and cuisine. Fashion sensitive young people gather here.
Tienmu is a good place for shopping, dining and sight
seeing.
Jhongshan N. Road has evolved to be a market in north
Taipei for classy furniture. There are abundant window
displays of furniture. There is also antique furniture
with Chinese flavor such as tradition armchairs and
delicate dressers. The pieces are pricey but with good
quality. The place is frequently visited by foreign
tourists. In addition, the export apparel shops on
Jhongshan N. Road north of Tienmu Square are a big
attraction. There are many brand-name boutiques on Tienmu
E. Road and Tienmu W. Road. Hidden in the alleys are
restaurants with foreign flavor, large chain restaurants,
pubs and coffee shops.
Chungcheng Road is the base for large Japanese department
stores. You can find may Japanese restaurants, outdoor
beer houses or barbecue shops. When the night comes, such
restaurants with beautiful lights form a special scene.
The new Tienmu Stadium is the new landmark of Tienmu. On
holidays or sport events, the stadium is filled with
crowd.
Ximenting
The name of Ximenting came from the period of Japanese
colonization. At that time most local residents live
within Taipei City. Ximenting is the center for
recreation. In 1896, the first theater "Tokyo Stand" was
set up. In 1922, the place was officially called
Ximenting.
In early years, the main business activity in Ximenting
was going to cinema theater. At that time, most cinema
theaters are on E-mei Street, Chengdu Road and Shining S.
Road. They were the center of Ximenting's development.
After the central government of R.O.C. was reinstated in
Taiwan in 1949, a large sum of capital was poured into
Ximenting. Other than cinema theaters, there were
department stores and other entertainment attractions.
After the completion of Junghua Business Buildings,
Ximenting became the largest business and entertainment
center in the country.
In 1990s, the business and entertainment activities of
Taipei gradually shifted to East District. Later, Junghua
Business Buildings were torn down for road construction.
Ximenting became silent for a while. Then, MRT Pan Nan
Line was completed. Junghua Road was converted to be a
prosperous main street under the planning of Taipei City
Government. Furthermore, there are many emerging squares
and activity locations. On holidays and at weekends,
people gather here for art, culture events or sports,
music performance. The business opportunities and people
are coming back to Ximenting.
Ximenting not only is a witness to history, but also a
leader of trend for the new generation. Many middle age
or senior people with nostalgia come here to reminisce.
The young people come here for fashion. Two totally
different life styles meet here. Ximenting fulfills the
needs of different groups of people.
Guandu Nature Park
"Guandu Nature Park" is a low-lying land area located
southwest of the Guandu Plain in Taipei Basin, where the
Keelung River joins the Danshui River. The main
environments of the park are freshwater ponds, brackish
ponds, swamps, rice paddies and mounds. Because of the
diverse ecological environment, the area is home to
numerous varieties of animals and plants. The Guandu Park
was established to help preserve the precious natural
resources of this land. The area of the park is about 57
hectares, including the main facility area, core reserved
area, and the outdoor observation area. With the aid of
wooden trails, bird-watching cabins and tour guides,
Guandu Nature Park will open the gateway to nature and
allow you to experience the natural world close up.
After years of effort spent, finally on December 1, 2001,
the Wild Bird Society of Taipei was entrusted by the
Taipei City Government with the authority to manage the
park; becoming the first nonprofit organization to do so.
This is an excellent example of a governmental
organization and a civic organization working together to
achieve environmental preservation as well as public
education.
After enjoying the beauty of the park, we hope that you
will join us in cherishing and protecting this natural
wetland.
The Blue highway
Besides the many scenic spots on land, travelers must
remember that Taipei is a city by the sea, and crossed by
the Danshui and Keelung rivers. The "Blue Highway",
launched in February 2004, will open its new line between
Dadaocheng and Danshui Fisherman's Wharf starting July
17th. This line will take you from the city of Taipei to
Taipei County. Seen from the waters, it is a different
scene indeed. During its trial period, the ferry will run
twice a day during weekdays and six times a day on
weekends and holidays. Travelers please note: not every
run stops in Gunadu. Please check with the ticketing
office bulletin on the day of your journey to ensure no
great inconvenience to your travel plans.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world, with a
mass of shops on the lower floors, incorporating many top
brands under the LVMH group, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior,
Celine, etc. The fourth floor houses the Page One
bookstore from Singapore, with the highest-roofed coffee
house in Taipei and many fine restaurants.
Taipei Flower Auction
Taipei Flower Auction is the largest flower cutting
market in Taipei. The most distinct feature that
separates it from other flower markets is that it opens
for business at 4 o'clock in the morning. Since Taiwan
offers the perfect environment for flower growing in
every season, numerous flower and plant exhibitions can
be seen all year. Large parking lots and a number of bus
stations are just around the corner to provide convenient
access to this location.
Jianguo Holiday Flower Market
On every weekend and holiday, the Jienguo Holiday Flower
Market, located under the overpass of section 3, Xinyi
Rd. and Jianguo S. Rd., is always packed with people.
With a good mood of non-working holidays, everyone wants
to purchase some flowers to brighten their homes. Besides
flowers and plants, Jienguo Holiday Flower Market also
sells floral instruments and seeds. This is obviously a
heaven for gardening lovers. The Daan Forest Park is
sited just right beside the Jianguo Holiday Flower
Market; hence it is definitely the best location to
admire or buy flowers.
Nan Gang Tea Processing Demonstration Center
The representative tea in the Nangang District is the
"Paochung Tea." 150 years ago, a Fujian man, Xi Cheng
Wang, produced Paochung Tea into Anxi Tea in accordance
to the production method of Wuyiyan Tea. After it was
produced, the tea leaves were folded into rectangular
shapes and packages with the corresponding rectangular
Fujian bamboo writing paper, both on the inside and
outside. The name of the tea and the store seal were
stamped on the outside of the package, which was how the
name "Paochung" came to place. The Nangang Paochung Tea
is half fermented. The tea leaves are blackish green, and
the fragrance is relatively pleasing.
Sec. 2 of the Jiuzhuang Street has clear labels to
indicate the tea farm. In order to further enhance the
standard of Nangang Paochung Tea production, the
department of economic development of Taipei City has
mapped out the Nangang Tea Leaf Production Demonstration
Factory in Jiuzhuang area ever since 1991. The factory,
covering 2.9 hectares, was officially opened in 2002. The
facilities within the factory consist of the tea leaf
production mechanical instrument showcase section, the
tea appreciation section, and a brief presentation room,
and the outdoor facilities consist of observation
platforms for the surrounding beautiful scenery
Miramar Entertainment Park Ferris Wheel
The Miramar Entertainment Park is a new-age shopping and
entertainment complex built with the idea of offering
enough consumption and entertainment options to keep
visitors occupied for a full-day stay. The most striking
feature of this park, which was opened only at the end of
2004, is a 95-meter-high, 70-meter-in-diameter Ferris
wheel that light up at night to add a strong touch of
romance to the Taipei skyline.
Taipei Children's Recreation Center
This is a recreational park that integrates drama and
education. The park is divided into three areas, "World
of Yesterday," "World of Tomorrow," and "World of
Amusement."
Aside from its traditional Taiwanese and Cantonese
architecture, "World of Yesterday" employs countryside
play, scenes from Chinese legends and folk instruments in
order to reconstruct the lives of people in the past. It
is also possible to personally experience walking on
stilts, spinning tops and other traditional arts. "World
of Tomorrow" is an ecological film experience in an IMAX
theater. The landmark, "World of Amusement," is a
seven-color single-arm Ferris wheel. On vacation days,
the park organizes many arts performances and public art
classes that all are invited to attend.
Y17 Taipei Youth Recreation Center
Y17 is a multi-purpose building that satisfies various
needs including entertainment, meetings, activities and
arts and skills education. The building houses the
largest roller skating rink in Taiwan, a rock climbing
facility of international caliber, animation DVD library,
Internet access area, an international meeting auditorium
that can also serve as a film theater. These facilities
are suitable for the whole family to enjoy. The
recreation center also provides a diverse array of
specialized classes and children's camps and is able to
host birthday parties for children. This is an open
space. Fees are based on the event, activity or
facilities on each floor. For details, please inquire
with Y17.
Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Garden
Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Garden is located across
from Yangming Hospital. The park's grounds include a
lake, hundred-year old fragrant trees and other elements
of natural landscape, as well as a 360-degree
environmental model that explains the development and
relationship between Zhishanyan and the city of Taipei
around it.
The ecological green house is used for the cultivation of
many kinds of native plants, and the aquarium enables
visitors to observe tree frogs and other animals up
close. The archaeological exploration classroom displays
an actual excavation in cross-section, in which visitors
are able to see how the different levels each represent a
different culture, thus serving as "living" teaching
material for the instruction about cultural history of
Taipei.
Daan Park
Situated in the urban center, Daan Forest Park officially
opened in 1994, bordering JianGuo South Road in the east,
XinSheng South Road in the west, HePing East Road in the
south, and XinYi Road in the north. Covered in
grasslands, trees, flowers and foliage plants, there is a
Buddha Statue and a bamboo forest in the south, an
open-air theatre for art performances in the center, and
an accessible recreational area surrounding it attract
many park visitors. Known as the "lungs of Taipei City",
the park is a green world unto itself. Besides shaded
trails for pedestrians and joggers, the park is equipped
with a wide range of recreational facilities, including a
public square, public bicycles, open-air music stage,
children playground, kiosks etc, providing Taipei's
citizens with a valuable green space and the best venue
for exercise and recreations.
Forest is the homeland of water sources. In addition to
providing various recreational functions to the public,
the park is a place where priceless water resources are
nourished. Therefore, the Water Resources Agency,
Ministry of Economic Affairs, hopes to educate citizens,
by means of formative influences, to cherish the limited
water resources; the means include water saving apparatus
installed inside the park, the public toilet demo system,
and the water purification plant experiment; and to make
the park the best showcase of water preservation
Yoyo Story House
The Taipei Arena is another paradise for children. Here
you will find the "Yoyo Story House," where stories are
told to children. The fantasy dreamland is divided into
three areas, Playful Forest, Fruit Park, and Yoyo Star.
Each of the three rooms possesses its own special
atmosphere. Stories are told every day, and the Yoyo
Story House and nationally known "IF Kids Theater Group"
are working together so that artistic performers can lead
children to listen and have fun at the same time.
Taipei Arena
Taipei Arena is the first multifunctional stadium in
Taipei. It has a total area of 34,643 pings and 15,000
seats. Because of its sheer size, its glass curtain outer
walls not only add a sense of transparency to the
building, but also integrate the spirit of the stadium
and the event space around it, making it the most
important sports center in Taipei.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden was established in 1921. It has been
part of the memory of Taipei citizens. Many people come
here to appreciate the lotus in summer and falling leaves
in winter. The Botanical Garden was established on
January 22, 1921. In 1930, there were 1129 species in the
garden, serving greatly to academic research and natural
science. However, the garden was deserted during World
War II. After the war, the garden was rearranged and new
plants were introduced. Currently, the garden is well
maintained and has over 100 species of plants.
Taipei (Mu Cha) Zoo
The Taipei Zoo is the largest city zoo in Asia. Upon
entering the grounds, you will find an extremely popular
panda facility on your left. If you can't find the cute
pandas, don't worry; they're probably sunning themselves!
Next, take the visitors' tram. Listen to the recorded
guide as he takes you along to the bird sanctuary, the
Amphibians and Reptile House, the Penguin House and other
areas such as the Tropical, African, Australian, Desert
Animal Areas. In the Insect House, it is possible to come
in contact with insects up close.
On holidays, explanations are given at each site.
Free-guided tours are also available upon advanced
reservation. And if you love animals, you can consider
adopting an animal and becoming its babysitter!
Night Market/Snack
Shihlin Night Market
Shihlin Night Market is the one of the largest night
markets in Taipei. The market is centered on Yangmin
Theater and Tsicheng Temple. The night market is formed
by many prosperous shops on Wenlin Road, Datung Road and
Danan Road, etc. Among them, Shihlin Market was built as
early as in 1899 and the market is famous for various
snacks and eatery. Many visitors have come to Shihlin
Night Market to enjoy the delicious foods, such as large
pancake enfolding small pancake, hot pot on stone or
Shihlin sausage. Shihlin Night Market has become a
renowned place for great foods.
Because the night market is close to many schools,
students are the main customer group. Goods are sold at
less expensive prices as compared to regular stores.
There are special areas for furniture, clothing, photo
shops or pet shops. The finery shops and cold dessert
shops in "lover's lane" attract most student customers.
Shihlin Night Market covers a large area. When one walks
in the turning lanes and alleys, he (she) would often
find something unexpected. The night market is packed
with many people during holidays. We can often see
families carrying many things from shopping and enjoying
good meals. Their satisfaction is fully shown from their
happy expressions.
Huahsi Street Night Market
Haushi Street Night Market is located nearby Lungshan
Temple. The night market, together with night markets on
Guangjou Street, Wujou Street and Shichen Street have
formed a large unique market. Various commodities are
sold here and it is one of the favored sites of tourists.
In the early years, Huashi street is famous for
congregated porno shops. After prostitution is banned by
Taipei City Government, the sightseeing quality is
greatly uplifted and the place becomes safer.
A Chinese traditional post stands at the entrance of
Haushi Street Night Market. Chinese traditional lamps are
hung along the street. There are old, historical shops
along the street that provide great dishes. For example,
the tansi noodle restaurant, the favorite of Japanese
tourists, started its business here. Other great dishes
like meat soup and squid soup attract many people. In the
summer, chopped ice plates and fresh juice are in great
demand. In the winter, dishes with Chinese medicine
attract many visitors.
Huashi Street Night Market is famous for snake shops.
There are about 2 to 3 snake shops that demonstrate snake
processing and snake fights at nights. The shows usually
attract a large crowd. However, due to environmental
protection consideration, snakes of endangered species
are not sold here. There are special sales conducted
frequently by other shops here. The loud promotion for
sales reflects the vigorous and hearty lives of Taiwan
people
Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area
Here's a premium shopping trip for you: know that in
Taipei "value for money" in clothing and accessories
means the Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area . Located in the
eastern part of Taipei City, here your tourist dollar
travels far.
The literal translation of "Wufenpu" is "five parcels of
open land," indicating that in pioneering days the first
Chinese settlers bought up a large plot here in modern
Taipei's Songshan District in a group of five. To today's
Taipeier, however, the place name is synonymous with a
renowned wholesalers' district stuffed to the brim with
quality inexpensive clothing and related adornments --
and stuffed with happy bargain-hunters most every day. It
is now rightfully gaining recognition on the tourist map
as well.
Some people release the stress accumulated in the
workaday world by climbing mountains (read this issue's
article on hiking). Some find release by sitting quietly
and reveling in the appreciation of the more delicate
beauties created by Mother Earth (see our article on
birdwatching). And some "many" seems more appropriate
find blissful release by going out for a day of ardent
purchasing of material goods, taking possession of items
they may or may not have known in advance that their
little heart desired.
Wufenpu officially called Wufenpu Garment Wholesale Area
is just the antidote, then, for those in the last
category seeking pure joy, and just the thing for those
in all categories in need of clothing necessities or
gifts for those waiting back home.
Dihua Street
A walk through the Dihua Street Area gives visitors a
feel of Taipei city's past. The old-town market has
scores of shops selling a variety of traditional goods
such as Chinese medicines and herbs, temple icons and
incense, spices and dried food, colorful bolts of cloth,
and bamboo and wooden crafts. A fascinating patch of the
past.
Guanghua Market
Guanghua Market opened in 1973 under Guanghua Bridge
between Bade Road and Civic Boulevard in Taipei. It was
originally occupied by used book shops relocated from
Guling Street and unlicensed shops moved from Bade Road.
Business at the market took a while to pick up due to the
limited choice of items on sale. This began to change
with the arrival of antique, jade and electronic supply
shops in 1979; and in the 1990s the market consolidated
its reputation as the go-to place in Taipei for computer
equipment and other electronic gadgets, with over a
hundred shops selling these high-tech items. On January
18, 2006, Guanghua Market was relocated to a new facility
at 77 Jinshan North Road. In addition to computers and
other electronic peripherals, the new market sells
branded sportswear and athletic gear, DVDs and CDs,
posters, PC and console games, books, stereo equipment,
mobile phones and more. The market is known for its wide
variety, low prices and convenient comparison shopping,
making it a magnet for budget-minded student shoppers.
Raohe Street Tourist Night Market
Historical Background
Raohe Street Tourist Night Market is located on Raohe
Street, Taipei, 600 meters in length. This area was
called Kou and was a business center because of its
location and transportation. However, with the
development of transportation, Jao Ho Street has become a
secondary road and the business has also declined.
Therefore, the government set up a night market in 1987.
It is the second tourist night market in Taipei. Various
products and local foods are sold in the night market.
Cultural Highlights
Raohe Street Tourist Night Market is 600 meters in
length, near Shongshan Railway Station. There is a
decorated-archway in front of the entrance. There are
various shops and stands in the night market. It presents
Taiwanese characteristic and is definitely a place worth
visiting.
Hot Spring
Beitou Hot Springs Region
Broadly speaking, the Beitou hot springs region refers to
an area covering the Hell Valley, Longfong, Fonghuang,
Hushan Village and Singyi Road. In a narrow sense, the
region mainly refers to an area consisting of Jhongshan
Road, Guangming Road, Sinmin Road and Cyuanyuan Road
surrounding the Beitou Hot Springs Waterside Park. The
hot springs hotels in this area are larger both in scale
and number, and the natural and humanities resources are
also the most plentiful here.
Hours: Open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., except Mondays and public holidays
Museum/Gallery/Memory
Martyrs Shrine
The Martyrs Shrine, resting on the slopes of the
Chingshan Mountain and overseeing the Keelung River, is
located right next to the Grand Hotel. It was built in
1969 and covers a large area. Its grand and magnificent
architectural style is similar to that of the Taihe Dian
Imperial Palace in Beijing, Mainland China, and
symbolizes the martyrs' brave spirit.
More than 10,000 ping (33,000 m2) of grass fields
surround the structure, and protected by the neighboring
mountains it breathes a serene atmosphere which even more
emphasizes its solemn and stately character. The 330,000
men who sacrificed their lives to the revolution before
the establishment of the Republic of China and who fell
during the Sino-Japanese war and the Chinese Civil war
are worshipped here. Plates of these brave and loyal
martyrs have been inserted into the four walls of the
main building in testimony of their heroic deeds.
Each spring and autumn the president of Taiwan leads both
civil and military officials in a public worship, while
leaders from Taiwan's befriended countries come and pay
floral tribute. Each year in October groups of overseas
Chinese also come to visit the site.
Worth mentioning are the military police officers who
guard the main gate, and who have been rigidly trained to
stand like expressionless statues and remain unmoved by
the teasing of tourists. Tourists alike are amazed at
this display of composure and flock to see the ceremonial
changing of the guards.
The guard-changing ceremony begins at 9:00 AM and is to
be held the hour. But the last one is at 4:40 PM
Taiwan Folk Arts Museum
The Taiwan Folk Arts Museum was first opened in 1983 as
the Taiwan Folk Arts Antique House. In 1984 the premises
were converted to their present use as a museum of
Taiwan's early folk arts and popular artifacts. Over
5,000 items are on display including 5,000 folk arts,
aboriginal arts, and tranditional costumes and
embroideries.
Chang Foundation Museum of Fine Arts
This newly opened private museum in Taipei displays a
skillfully selected collection of exquisite Chinese art
dating from 300 BC to the eighteenth century.
Chinese Postal Museum
The Chinese Postal Museum houses exhibitions on the
history of ancient China's postal service, Chinese and
foreign stamp collections, and a library.
Sung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines
The Sun Ye Formosan Aborigine Museum is a museum of
ethnology. The museum mainly works to collect, research
and display items related to Taiwan's aborigines, as well
as engage in educational and promotional activities in
order to aid the process of retaining the unwritten
history of this island's aboriginal peoples and promote
understanding and mutual respect between different ethnic
groups living on the island. It does this by broadening
their horizons and displaying the vast diversity of
Taiwan's native culture.
National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum houses the world's largest
collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which
spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the
museum's 620,000 art objects were part of the Chinese
imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in
the early Sung dynasty.
Tittot Glass Art Museum
On September 9,1999 Tittot Glass Art Museum, the first
glass art museum in the Great China area, was open to the
world. As the base of developing the education, it tends
to attract more art lovers to experience the beauty of
Chinese glass art. Cultural interchanges brought by the
museum's international exhibitions and the art programs
make it by far beyond a local center but embodying
international perspectives in it.
In order to provide more space to display its growing
collections, holding activities, and implementing the
necessary improvements, Tittot Glass Art Museum was
refurbished in spring 2002. The museum is now re-open to
the public later the year, and becomes not only the art
center but the main city attraction to all visitors. In
hopes to make the art be part of life and bring the
education to maturity, Wang's efforts to achieve the
goals will never end.
Chinese Handicraft Mart
Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center established in 1957,
is a non-profit social purpose organization dedicated to
the development and promotion of the handicraft industry
in Taiwan.
Chinese Handicraft Mart, an operating unit of the Taiwan
Handicraft Promotion Center, provides a one-stop shopping
place. Largest in its kind covering more than 20,000
different items of art furniture, jewelries, home
furnishings, and general gift items, and services of
money exchange, packing and shipping.
Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
Sharing a Passion for Culture and Art
Although it seems at first sight that Taipei is a busy
city occupied with business and commerce, in fact the
cultural scene is at least as rich as the commercial one.
This is evident in the fact that the city has a
significant number of museums, including larger and
widely known facilities such as the National Palace
Museum, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and the National
Museum of History, as well as countless smaller museums
and galleries often founded and managed by successful
businessmen who want to give something back to the
community and share their passion for culture and the
arts with the general public.
The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan is one such example.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Lin Wen-ren and his wife, the
museum has become one of the most fascinating small
museums in Taiwan. The idea for the museum originated
during the couple's extensive travels abroad. Their love
for buying souvenirs in the form of miniature art brought
to their attention works by artists in the US and Canada,
and after acquiring a number of masterpieces in the
genre, the museum was opened to give the people of Taiwan
a chance to appreciate an art form that wasn't widely
known here.
Dollhouses and Room Boxes
The art of creating miniature models of subjects from the
real world is said to have been originated in Germany,
where dollhouses were made as early as 400 years ago.
Interestingly, most of these early dollhouses consisted
of only a living room and/or a kitchen, showing that they
were meant to be an educational tool for young girls
learning how to do housework. In the 19th century this
kind of miniature art was introduced to England and
quickly became popular. Soon more advanced methods for
modeling architectural works and furnishings were
invented, and with the development of a new style of
dollhouse, called a "room box," N miniature art became
more sophisticated. Artists began to specialize in
specific elements of rooms, such as furniture, paintings,
lighting, upholstery, porcelain, glasswork, and so forth,
their aim to create masterpieces that were as similar in
look and as historically correct in detail to the
original as possible.
A Collection Growing in Size and Popularity
Since its unveiling in 1997, the collection has been
expanded significantly and is still growing. Mr. Lin has
created a place where intricate handicraft work and
infinite realms of the imagination come together,
providing a unique experience for visitors. Although all
the works of art are small in size, it is remarkable how
wide a spectrum of life and fantasy the collection
covers. In addition to intricate dollhouses and room
boxes, which provide insight into the imaginations of
artists and aristocrats from centuries past, there are
also antique cars, boats, and many other pieces of
intricate handiwork.
The models are all built to scale, with the 12:1 scale
dominating, but with some models at 24:1, 48:1, and even
120:1. The museum exhibits more than 150 dollhouses and
room boxes, the majority created by artists from the US
and Canada as well as England, Scotland, and other
European countries. There are also works by Taiwanese and
Japanese artists.
Highlights of the Collection
Upon entering the museum, visitors will see one of the
most prominent pieces in the collection, the Rose
Mansion. This model, built by American miniaturist
Reginald Twigg, is based on a now-gone landmark of Los
Angeles, a luxurious mansion named after its builder,
rich businessman Leonard John Rose. The 12:1 scale model
took 4 years to complete.
As it is in the real world, Buckingham Palace is one of
the most precious structures of the exhibition. You can
see many of the palace's famous rooms, including the
Queen's throne room, the drawing room, the state dining
room, and the gallery, as well as the grand staircase.
The largest exhibit is the Colorado Mountain Street,
which depicts a village in the American west, in 1912,
being subjected to a sudden thunderstorm. If you look
closely, you'll see that in each house there is something
special going on. The exhibit done on the smallest scale
(120:1) is the Treetop Mine, which remarkably has all
items needed to make a mine work, including a little
train carrying loads of ore coming out of the mine shaft.
Despite their size, all of the exhibits invite you to
pause and take in the scene from different angles, and
you will be surprised how much time and effort the
artists have invested to not only get the details as
close to the original as possible but also to tell
humorous stories and present places and structures of
historic significance. From the ruins of ancient Rome to
the salon of the French King Louis XV, from an old
English tavern to a scene from the Phantom of the Opera,
you will travel through time and through the
architectural styles and fashions of different centuries.
In the end you will feel like you've actually been to all
these fascinating places.
In order to promote miniature art in Taiwan, the museum
also arranges classes where children can get acquainted
with creating scale models on their own. In the shop of
the museum visitors can either buy ready-made miniatures
or DIY kits, including railroad models as well as
miniature articles such as furniture, accessories,
electrifying material, and lighting fixtures.
Puppetry Art Center of Taipei
The Puppetry Art Center of Taipei is located next to
Living Mall. It is a multi-purpose space offering
puppetry exhibitions, performances, classes, collection
and sales of puppetry-related items. The Taiwanese
Puppetry Area exhibits different types of performances
such as Jinguang Drama and Jiandan Drama. Musical
instruments and puppet head production are also exhibited
backstage. The puppetry area not only displays
differences in the form and function of puppets from
northern and southern Taiwan, visitors also have an
opportunity to try manipulating the puppets on their own.
In addition, there is also a Shadow Puppet Area, Special
Theme Exhibit and other fun and interesting exhibition
areas.
Lin Liu-Hsin Puppet Theatre Museum
The Dadaocheng Puppetry Center was originally housed in
an old Western building on Minyue Street. At the end of
2005 it moved to its current location on Xining North
Road and was officially renamed, "Lin Liu-Hsin Puppet
Theatre Museum."
Visitors are able to appreciate different kinds of
puppets from all over the world, understand the history
and culture of puppetry, and experience the fun of
performing a Taiwanese puppet show or a marionette show
using their own hands and voice. The "Natto Theater" next
door offers Taiwanese and traditional Italian hand
puppets, enabling both children and adults to experience
the appeal and art of puppetry. Please access the website
for the latest performance information.
Taipei Water Park
The Taipei Water Park located in the busy Gongguan
district of Taipei, is one of few the few recreational
water parks within the city. The park is divided into
different theme areas, and the flower garden closest to
the main gate is a great place for children to engage in
water play. And you are able to take in the beautiful
night view of Taipei City and Taipei County from lay-bys
located along the paths on Guanyinshan.
The Water Museum within the park is a classic and elegant
building in Baroque style. The original water equipment
is preserved within the facility along with the
historical documents regarding Taipei water. This
tranquil and serene spot is also a popular place for
wedding pictures.
Discovery Center of Taipei
The Discovery Center of Taipei is located in Taipei City
Hall. Although it was originally the Documents Hall for
the city government, after the re-design, it has become a
city museum dedicated to the historical development of
Taipei.
The facility employs a large amount of visual and
auditory data as well as interactive exhibits. When
children visit the Discovery Center, they are not just
able to listen; they are also able to see, hear and try
for themselves. The fourth floor exhibits all of Taipei's
historical records, and the installation include a model
of a city wall, replicas of important articles, a folk
custom experiential area and a 360 degree silver screen
"Discovery Theater" which provides visitors with a full
sensory experience. The third floor leads visitors on an
active exploration of the streets and buildings in
Taipei. Regardless of whether one starts from the first
floor and proceeds upward, starting from the present and
traveling into the past, or from the fourth floor down to
the first, taking a tour from the past to the present,
one is sure to receive a stirring tour of Taipei.
Su Ho Paper Museum
Founder of Chang Chuen Cotton Paper Mr. Su Ho Chen had
always dreamed of establishing a museum devoted to paper.
Unfortunately, he passed away in an airplane crash in
October 1990, and only afterwards did the Su Ho Memorial
Paper Culture Foundation established the "Su Ho Paper
Museum" and simultaneously realized his greatest hope.
The museum includes exhibits on beautiful handmade paper,
basic knowledge about paper, precious ancient paper that
has lasted through the ages, and paper manufacturing
process. The government provides a bag containing all
different kinds of paper to be used in experiments. These
small experiences enable the visitor to get a greater
understanding and appreciation of the unique qualities of
paper. In addition, the museum also provides papermaking
and paper art classes.
National Taiwan Science Education Center
The National Taiwan Science Education Center takes
science out of the laboratory and into everyday life,
enabling you to discover the enjoyment of science in the
world around you. The center not only responds to the
curious and inquisitive nature of children by answering
the question, "Why?" it also opens up the unlimited world
of science, employing simple language to enable you to
understand the profound mysteries of the world.
From the life science and natural science exhibition
areas on the third and fourth floors, one can come to
understand the process of evolution of mankind and the
mysteries of genetic inheritance. And on the fifth and
sixth floors one finds many different installations for
experiencing "force and exercise" in the world of science
play. On other floors there are many kinds of fun and
stimulating exhibitions and installations. Here you will
discover that science is not one bit difficult, and that
it certainly can be a lot of fun!
Children's Museum of Taipei
The concept of the Children's Museum of Taipei is that
each exhibition and event encourages learning and
stimulates children's curiosity. And Taiwan's first
children's museum opened in 2005 as the "Children's
Museum of Taipei."
When adults take children to the museum, they are able to
explore fifteen areas arranged by five themes: Science,
Art, Culture, Society and Children's Discovery. In one
moment they become a fire fighter, and in the next, a
dentist. Children have the opportunity to doodle and
exercise their creativity. Parents are also able to
discuss and interact with their children. The center also
offers classes and performances especially for children.
National Taiwan Museum
The National Taiwan Museum inside the 228 Memorial Peace
Park is on the original site of a Matsu Temple, a center
of worship during the late Ching dynasty. The Japanese
demolished the temple and built the Kodama Gotou Memorial
Hall in its place. Following Taiwan's restoration to
China this building became the National Taiwan Museum.
Since its inauguration in 1915 the museum has
concentrated its collections and studies on Taiwan,
southern China, and the South Pacific. Its various
departments encompass history, aboriginal peoples,
zoology and botany, anthropology, geology, South Pacific
cultures, and other subjects. It is the oldest natural
history museum in the entire Taiwan area. Its Greek-style
architecture also makes it one of Taipei's most unique
buildings.
National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall(Chiang Kai-shek
Memorial Hall)
National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall(Chiang Kai-shek
Memorial Hall) is located in the heart of Taipei City.
The area is 250,000 square meters and it is the
attraction most visited by foreign tourists. Outside the
gate of National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall(Chiang
Kai-shek Memorial Hall), there are poles carrying the
sign of true rightness. The architecture of the National
Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall(Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
Hall) is inspired by Tientam in Beijing. The four sides
of the structure are similar to those of the pyramids in
Egypt. The material is white marble. The roofs are
decorated with deep-blue glass as part of the reflection
of blue sky and bright sun. It adds a touch of grandeur.
The garden is planted with red flowers. As a whole, the
colors of blue, white and red express the National Flag
and the spirit of freedom, equality and brotherhood.
The great building has become a landmark of Taipei City.
There are also places for international art performances.
They are National Theater and National Concert Hall.
World famous musicians (such as the great cello performer
Yo Yo Ma and the great violinist Shao Lian Lin) and
renowned playgroups have conducted performance here. The
garden with beautiful flowers, miniature hills and
plants, ponds, ornamental bridge and waterfalls as well
as green grass present scenery beauty. The walls
surrounding the area are with nostalgic design. The place
is enriched with the beauty of traditional Chinese
gardens. There are various activities taking place in the
square. There are the concert of the world renowned three
tenors, the decorative lamp festival, school bands
performance, cheerleaders performance and fairs. One can
pay respect to the historical great leader, as well as
participate in the relaxation activities of local
residents. The place provides a precious plain view among
the tall buildings of Taipei.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in 1972. It is
located in east side of Taipei and is close to Taipei
City Government. The memorial hall was built to
commemorate the great founding father of R.O.C., Dr. Sun
Yat-sen and was built on the 100th birthday of Dr. Sun.
The building is inspired by structure of Chinese palace.
It is grand and beautiful. There is a statue of founding
father in the building for the public to pay their
respect. There are exhibitions of historical items
related to creation of R.O.C. The memorial hall has a
concert hall that can accommodate more than 3,000 people.
It is equipped with excellent facilities and hardware
items and has become an important place for performance.
The lecture room in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall frequently
hosts academic and other lectures. The main building is
surrounded by a long, winding porch. Four great
exhibition rooms frequently host works of famous artists
and various exhibitions.
Outside the main building there is great space. You can
usually see people flying kites here. The colorful,
high-flying kites add touch of vigor to the serene hall.
There are many roller skaters gathering here to practice
their techniques. It is a good place for the public for
sports and ecreation. The willow trees along the lake in
Zhongshan Park, the garden with lush flowers, and the
beauty of Chinese garden attract many visitors. There is
a library in the main building housing 400 seats and
140,000 books. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a place of
commemoration and also a park for outdoor, recreational
and art activities.
National Museum of History
Historical Background
The National Historical Museum was founded in the year
1955 . Here collections are primarily the historical
materials from the middle of China districts and also few
from the other local areas. Majority of them are from the
take-over from the Ho Nan Museum when it moved to Taiwan
in the 1956-1957 period, and from the hand-over by the
Japanese after the Second World War. Among these
historical materials are: copper utensils unearthed in
the San Cheng, Fui Yuen and On yang areas in the Ho Nan
Province, Mainland China; the string- pattern pottery of
the Chin Dynasty dig-ups from the Lok Yang areas; the
Green-Paint Pottery of the Han Dynasty, the Music and
Dance Statues of the Six Dynasties, the art-craft of the
Tang Dynasty, etc.With the allocation of fund by the
government and the donations from more than 400 private
collectors, contents of the Museum has been very much
enriched. Besides, as a result of years hard work of Mr.
Bao Jun Peng, the first head of the Museum, and his
successors, it has now been developed into an
establishment with a very solid foundation. The
Historical Museum is a place which presents the
re-occurrence of past events and the development progress
of human beings. Owing to the limited space of the
Museum, an enlargement plan is now under review. The
authority intends to divide the Museum into three main
parts in conjunction with the development of the Nan Hai
Scholastic Park Project After completion, the three
separate museums, namely, the Middle China Hall, the
Local Hall and the Overseas Hall, will comprehensively
exhibit the historical progress of our cultural heritage.
It is hope that through this, we will appreciate more on
our culture and that our quality of life will advance.
Also, with such common interest, the whole human cultural
development will move a step further.
Cultural Highlights
The National Historical Museum is inside the Nan Hai
Scholastic Park, Taipei City. At its eastern side are the
Taiwan Institute of Art Education and the Taiwan
Institute of Science Education. Its western neighbor is
the Taiwan Province Forest Test Laboratory. In the front
of the Museum, separated by a street, is the Chien Kuo
Middle School and at its back is the botanical garden and
the lotus pond. The place picturesque surroundings
attract sight-seeing visitors coming here all the year
round .
228 Memorial Peace Park
Historical Background
The 228 Memorial Peace Park was called Taipei Park at
first and then changed to New Park in the past. The park
was established in the Ching Dynasty and is the oldest
park in Taipei. After World War II, the KMT government
took over Taiwan. However, economic monopoly and
corruption of the government led to civil resistance. On
February 27, 1947, people gathered in front of the police
department but were shot by the soldiers. The next day,
people gathered in the Taipei Park and broadcast the
movement at the radio station. The KMT government used
military force to restrain the protesters and arrested
alleged participants afterward. In order to relieve this
historic pain, the park was renamed to 228 Memorial Peace
Park in 1996.
Cultural Highlights
In order to remember the innocent people sacrificed in
the event, a monument was set up in the park. Creator of
the monument, Cheng Tze-Tsai, also suffered during the
movement. He had studied in the USA in 1962 and learned
the importance of democracy and freedom. Thus, when he
came back to Taiwan, he decided to improve Taiwan human
rights and independence. Cheng even tried to assassinate
President Chiang Ching-Kuo when he visited the USA. Cheng
became an exile for over 20 years ever since. The
monument has detailed description of the 228 event in
1947, hoping that people can learn from this painful
lesson.
Taipei Ocean Aquarium
Historical Background
Taipei Ocean Aquarium is located across Shi Lin Night
Market. It is the first urban aquarium featuring deep
ocean fishes. The aquarium is spacious with 7 indoor and
outdoor exhibition areas: coral reefs, sharks, migration,
rivers, shallow sea, ray fish and contact. The main
purpose is educational, recreational, informative and
entertaining. It is a place suitable for family visits.
Cultural Highlights
Taipei Ocean Aquarium has an 18-meter deep underwater
tunnel. Walking in the tunnel, you can see fishes and
sharks swimming around you. There are 7 indoor and
outdoor exhibition areas with 15 theme tanks, introducing
over 80 species of fishes, such as the shark tank. In
addition, the aquarium also provides films and multimedia
equipment to introduce lives in the ocean.
Taiwan Art Education Institute
Historical Background
In order to promote art education and culture, the
government established Taiwan Art Education Institute in
Nan Hai Shueh Yuan. The main purpose of the institute is
to stimulate the interaction of people and art. The
institute has promoted research on art education and
cooperated with Taiwans art education reform. Through the
promotion of general art education, social art education
and professional art education, the institute hopes to
enhance and improve peoples knowledge and application of
art.
Cultural Highlights
The Art Education Institute has three major facilities,
that is, a concert hall, Nan Hai Art Gallery and Chung
Cheng Art Gallery. The concert hall and the galleries are
within the same building. The concert hall is 479 square
meters in area with 530 seats on the first floor and 127
on the second. The gallery is 240 square meters in area,
providing advanced equipment and space for artists and
exhibitions. In addition, the outdoor gallery and the
performance square are 1,004 square meters in area. The
institute has made great contribution to Taiwans art
education.
Taipei Astronomical Museum
The Taipei Astronomical Museum took over the
responsibilities of its predecessor, the Taipei City
Observatory. The dome is made up of geometrically
identical pieces joined together and an avant-garde cover
that takes advantage of natural lighting. Together with
an altazimuth and solarium, it embodies the Taipei
Astronomical Museum's design concept - a symbol of the
immensity and profundity of space.
The IMAX Theater is a spherical building 35 meters in
diameter topped by a gold-covered aluminum dome. It not
only shows the entire sky, but also employs sound, light,
electric and other instruments to give visitors a feeling
of being at the scene. If you would like to take a
relaxing visit to the sea of stars and appreciate the
beauty of space at the same time, make a visit to the
Taipei Astronomical Museum - it can impart to you a sense
of space that you've never experienced before.
Taipei Fine Art Museum
Taipei Fine Art Museum opened on December 24, 1983.
Located in Yuanshan, It is the first museum of modern art
in Taiwan. The main tasks of the museum are to organize
exhibitions and to collect valuable works at home and
abroad. The museum also makes efforts to exchange art
views and works with international art museums. The
museum has special designs and the scenery near the
museum is also very beautiful.
The art museum holds regular exhibitions and works with
schools to introduce art works to the students. The
virtual reality art museum provides a 3D interactive
environment for museum-goers. The MOD system provides a
digital random system by which visitors can choose DVD
and tapes to watch.
Heritage/Temple
Shihlin Official Residence
Located on Jhongshan North Road, the Shihlin Official
Residence was the former home of the late President
Chiang Kai-shek. In 1996, it was placed under the care of
the city government and partially opened to the public,
lifting the veil of mystery that had hung over the estate
for nearly half a century. The expansive and elegant
garden has a romantic European feel, with rose beds and
tree-lined paths, making it a popular place for taking
wedding photographs. A long flight of steps offers a
panoramic view of Chihsing Mountain and is a favorite
spot for couples.
Taipei Confucius Temple
The Taipei Confucius Temple is right across Talung
Street. This temple honors one of the greatest
philosophers and teachers of all time, Confucius, as well
as other philosophers. Confucius valued simplicity, and
simplicity is the dominant characteristic of his temple.
Here you see none of the densely rich decor of many other
temples; even the usual stone lions are missing from the
entrance. The columns, doors, and windows here are
alsodifferent, in that they bear no inscriptions. This
indicates, it is said, that nobody dares flaunt his
literary prowess before the Master. Nor are there any
images in this temple. In ancient times, Confucius
temples contained images of the Sage, but different
craftsman carved them in different likenesses. This lack
of uniformity upset Emperor Tai Tsu (reigned A.D. 1368)
of the Ming dynasty, who decreed that all new Confucius
temples would henceforth contain only memorial tablets
and no images. Later on, during the reign of emperor Shih
Tsung (1522-1586), it was decreed that all existing
images of Confucius be replaced with memorial tablets.
This rule is still followed today. Standing outside of
Tacheng Hall, the main hall of this temple, you can see a
pair of upright cylinders in the center of the roof.
These are called "book-hiding barrels," and there is a
story behind them. In ancient times, the first Emperor
(reigned 246-214 B.C.) of the Chin dynasty wanted to keep
his people illiterate so that they would not challenge
his rule; he had books burned and scholars killed. To
save their beloved books, students hid them in rooftop
containers built to look like chimneys.
Hsuehhai Academy
Hsuehhai Academy. Taipei's only remaining school of the
Ching dynasty era. is located at No. 73 Huanho S. Rd..
Sec. 2.Today it serves as the Kao family's ancestral
shrines. which is the traditional meeting place for
clans. Even today the concept of clan
Taipei Chingshan Temple
Built in 1854, this temple is home to the god King
Chingshan. According to legend, fishermen from Huian in
mainland China brought the god's image to Taiwan; when
they carried it past Old Street (today's Hsiyuan Road)
they suddenly found themselves brought to a halt; the god
refused to move any further. Throwing the oracle blocks
to find out what the matter was, the god's devotees
discovered that he wanted to stay there, where they later
built the temple. An epidemic was raging at the time, but
prayers to King Chingshan were sure to bring a recovery;
thus the god's grateful devotees increased, and they
contributed money to build a new temple-the one that
exists today. The temple is home to two guardians,
General Hsieh Pi-an and Fan Wu-ti. In the early days the
chains in their hands were often heard clanging in the
temple and the streets nearby, or the generals were seen
patrolling the streets. Thus there were very few thieves
in the neighborhood. The celebration marking the birthday
of King Chingshan is held on the 22nd day of the 10th
lunar month (Dec 10, 1998; Nov 29, 1999; Nov 17, 2000).
On that day all of the other temples in the area also
celebrate the occasion, helping make it one of the most
interesting festivals in Manka. The approach to this
temple takes you past some of Manka's most interesting
architecture. Sec. 2 of Kueiyang Street, which stretches
between Chingshan Temple and Chingshui Temple, is lined
with red-brick shops in the Taisho-style. These were
built during Japan's Taisho reign period (1912-1925), a
time when Japan administered Taiwan as a colony.
Taipei Chingshui Temple
This temple, also known as the Divine Progenitors
Temple, was constructed in 1787 when seven images of
Divine Progenitors were brought over by immigrants from
Anhsi. The most powerful of these is believed to be the
Penglai Divine Progenitor, also called the "Nose Dropping
Divine Progenitor". Legend has it that when a disaster
was about to happen the nose of this image would fall off
as a warning to his devotees, and would resume its
position only after the calamity was over. Chingshui
Temple's long history is reflected in its decoration. As
you enter the temple you are greeted by a pair of large
dragon pillars in front of the central doors of the front
court; the brick carvings on both sides of the outer wall
date from the late 18th century and early 19th century,
making them the oldest pieces of art in the temple. Also
of interest are the inscriptions of Ching Dynasty reign
periods on the beams, stone walls, and dragon pillars.
Chingshui Temple has been called the most characteristic
example of mid-Ching temple architecture in Taiwan.
Taipei Tzuyu Temple
This temple, built in the mid-18th century, is the
cradle of development of the Songshan district. The story
goes that a monk once roamed this area, carrying a gilded
image of Matzu, Goddess of the Sea, as he begged for
alms. One day at Hsikou- the old name for this district-
the monk came upon a number of people, all Matzu
believers, from his old home. Together they planned
construction of a temple to honor the goddess, and after
raising funds for more than 10 years they were able to
realize their dream. Construction started in 1753 and was
completed in 1757.
The top of the temple roof is richly ornamented; in
addition to human figures, there is also a flying dragon
placed there because dragons were believed to have the
power to prevent fires. Inside the temple are layer after
layer of oil lamps lighted by devotees in the hope that
Matzu will grant their wishes. The side altar to the
right of the Matzu image enshrines the Earth God, who is
protected on either side by flag-gearing Tiger Lords. The
side altar to the left is devoted to Chusheng
Niang-niang, the Goddess of Birth. This goddess is
normally accompanied by 12 female aides, but here she has
13.The extra aide is Tu Yu-niang; in life she was a
midwife who never accepted money for helping women with
childbirth, so after death she was deified because of her
kindness and skill.
Taipei Hsing Tien Temple
This very busy temple is devoted to Kuan, a famous
deified general who lived (A. D. 162-219) during the
Three Kingdoms period. Aman, who valued loyalty and
righteousness above all things, Kuan Kung is worshipped
as the God of War; since he was adept at managing
finances, he is also worshipped as the patron saint of
businessmen. This is young temple, built in 1967, with a
simple and dignified appearance. In front of the hall is
a censer with a somewhat unusual design, its two handles
in the shape of flying dragons and its four sides adorned
with dragons'heads streatching toward the sky. The
courtyard of the temple is usually busy, with crowds of
worshippers bowing their heads or kneeling in devotion.
On the main altar you will see offerings of only fresh
flowers and tea, since the temple forbids the killing of
offering of animals. The temple also discourages the
burning of ritual paper money as an offering to the
deities and the spirits of the deceased, the staging of
operas for the gods, the presenting of gold medallions in
gratitude to the deities, and the like. The temple
supplies free candles, and there is no donation box-a
first for traditional religion in Taiwan! Many believers
feel that this is a very efficacious temple, and it is
frequently thronged with people praying for help and
seeking divine guidance by consulting oracle blocks. Even
the pedestrian underpass outside the temple is filled
with fortune-tellers and vendors who take commercial
advantage of the temple's popularity.
Taipei Shantao Temple
The Japanese introduced a number of schools of Buddhism
during their 50-year occupation of Taiwan, but due to the
language barrier these efforts were not particularly
successful. This temple was established by the Pure Land
school in 1935 (it was originally named the "Pure Land
Mission"), and today is the largest of Taipei's seven
most prominent Buddhist temples.
Compared with most Chinese Taoist and folk-religion
temples, Shantao Temple is simple in appearance and the
atmosphere inside is one of quiet solemnity. Construction
of a nine-story pagoda beside the original temple was
begun in 1981 and completed five years later; four of its
floors are used for the storage of books and scriptures,
and the other four are used to display works of Buddhist
art dating all the way back to the Six Dynasties period
(A.D. 220-589). Notable among these treasures is a wooden
carving of Kuanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, which was
created during the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1279). This
carving has great historic value and has been exhibited
at the famous National Palace Museum. The temple's
display area is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except
Mondays.
Guandu Temple
About a 15-minute walk from Guandu MRT Station is the
Guandu Temple. The temple, first built in 1661, is
dedicated to Matzu, goddess of the sea. Beside the temple
is a kind of Buddhist chapel dedicated to the Buddhist
goddess of mercy, Guanyin of Thousand Arms and Eyes.
Outside the temple there are numerous stalls selling
products such as spirit money used in religious
observances, as well as snack foods and souvenirs.
The hillside above the temple provides excellent views of
the river and the mangrove swamps. The dike that
stretches from Guandu in both directions toward Taipei
and Danshuei is an ideal place to take a stroll or enjoy
the scenic beauty afforded by the wide expanse of the
river. Founded in 1661, this is the oldest Matzu (goddess
of the sea) temple in northern Taiwan; its original name
was "Ling-shan (Mt. Ling) Temple," since it is located
atop Mt. Ling. According to legend, in 1895 three old
banyan trees standing at the temple's entrance died
suddenly during the same night; local residents believed
that this might have been a message from Matzu warning of
impending disaster- and sure enough, the area was soon
occupied by the Japanese.
Guandu temple is filled with exquisitely carved dragon
pillars, stone lions, and wall sculptures. Even the door
gods are in the form of relief carvings, in contrast to
the usual paintings. The rafters and beams are also
beautifully carved and painted. On the main altar sits an
image of Matzu, the benign expression on her face in
sharp contrast to the fierce visages of the guardians who
flank her, Eyes that See a Thousand Miles and Ears that
Hear on the Wind.
To the right of the temple is an 80 meter Buddha cave, at
the entrance of which is a symbolic mortar that is
supposedly able to suppress all evil. The sides of the
cave are lined by 28 devas, and at the rear is a thousand
armed, thousand-eyed Guanyin, or goddess of Mercy. To the
rear of Guanyin is the cave's exit-and a fine river view.
Red Theatre
First opened in 1908, the Red Playhouse existence dates
back over 90 years. It once was the first model public
market, as well as a performing arts center, and
moreover, a major movie cinema in the Shimentin downtown
area of Taipei, Taiwan. However since its prime in the
70s, the Red Playhouse has declined and seems to be
fading out of people's memory. However, in 1997 the Red
Playhouse was designated by the government as a historic
building. In the year 2002, the Paperwindmill Cultural
Foundation has been commissioned to manage the Red
Playhouse reopened it on July 26 the same year.
Located on first floor of the theatre are the exhibition
area and the Paperwindmill Cafe, a living space where
modern art and everyday life meets. All theatre related
images like old pictures and movie projectors are
imbedded into the installation art as part of the
interior design, making the cafe a easy carefree place
for dining and hanging out.
People that first set foot at the theatre are often time
amazed by the look of ancient red brick walls restructed
by steel columns. The weekend teahouse theatre opens at
8pm. Free hot tea and antique imitation wooden chairs are
relaxing and enhance the spirit for the night's
performance. The weekend teahouse open every Sunday. With
only NT100, one can enjoy tea at the historic building as
well as appreciate the beauty of the red brick
architeture.
Taipei Story House
During the Japanese colonial period in 1913-1914, a
prominent tea merchant named Chen Chao-chun constructed
this Western style building on the banks of the Keelung
River, overlooking the scenic forested hill of Yuanshan
on the northern edge of Taipei. The building served as a
meeting place for Taipei's local gentry, political
figures, and tea merchants.
Since then, the Villa has gone through many changes.
After Taiwan was returned to China in 1945, it was once
used as a residence by Huang Kuo-shu, former President of
the Legislative Yuan. It also at one time served as an
art gallery. In 1979, the building was purchased by the
Taipei city government and managed by the Taipei Fine
Arts Museum. In 1990, it was converted into an artist
activity center, a role that it played until 1998 when
the Villa was formally designated a historic site and
closed down for renovation.
The first storey of this lovely Western-style building is
constructed from brick, while the second storey is
fashioned in wood. The building??s facade is adorned with
branching wooden beams, in the style of English
Tudor-style architecture. The villa??s staircase is
constructed like a mini-pagoda, its roof fashioned from
copper plates, the surfaces of which are discolored with
a green patina of age. The area over the entrance is
adorned with green, yellow, and red stained glass. Inside
the villa are lovely fireplaces, as well as hanging
lanterns and tiles with floral patterns in bas-relief.
These architectural forms are very rarely seen in
historical Taiwanese structures.
The first storey of this lovely Western-style building is
constructed from brick, while the second storey is
fashioned in wood. The building's facade is adorned with
branching wooden beams, in the style of English
Tudor-style architecture. The villa??s staircase is
constructed like a mini-pagoda, its roof fashioned from
copper plates, the surfaces of which are discolored with
a green patina of age. The area over the entrance is
adorned with green, yellow, and red stained glass. Inside
the villa are lovely fireplaces, as well as hanging
lanterns and tiles with floral patterns in bas-relief.
These architectural forms are very rarely seen in
historical Taiwanese structures.
Hsiahai City God Temple
Hsiahai City God temple is not particularly large, but it
is usually packed with worshippers; it has never been
expanded, and has retained its original appearance for
more than 100 years. The birthday of the Hsiahai City God
is celebrated on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month.
On this day, devotees organize all kinds of processions
and ceremonies to greet visiting deities and to express
their gratitude to the City God for his divine help. This
is the biggest and most boisterous temple celebration in
Taipei.
Dalongdong Baoan Temple
Located at the confluence of the Danshuei and Keelung
rivers, Dalongdong developed very early. The center of
worship here is Baoan Temple, built in 1825. This is a
large temple, and its construction was different; in
addition, all of the wood and stone materials--and even
the artisans--had to be brought over from mainland China.
For these reason, the temple required a full
quarter-century to complete.
This temple features the usual dragon pillars, and also a
pair of stone lion that are not so usual. Normally, of
the two lions (one male, one female) that guard a temple,
the male has an open mouth and the female a closed mouth;
here, however, both have open mouths. It is said that
they are not lions at all but a "humane beast" and a "law
beast," stationed there as an appeal to respect the law
and carry out good government.
Zhinan Temple
Zhinan Temple in the Wenshan District is one of the main
religious institutions in Zhinan.
The name "Zhinan Temple" includes two important meanings:
1) that the god, Lu Enzhu resides at the Southern ("nan")
temple in the Heavenly Court; and 2) that in order to
determine who on Earth needs help, he uses a compass
("zhinan").
In the same area, there is also Fude Temple, dedicated to
the land god. In front of the temple, there is Qixing
(Seven Stars) Pond, which was designed according to
fengshui principles and also serves as a receptacle for
believers to place their monetary contributions. Taking
the stone steps, it is possible to reach Zhinan Temple
Corridor, as well as see the entire Muzha tea farm
landscape.
This temple is known to foreigners as " the Temple of a
Thousand Steps." This is no exaggeration--there are
actually around 1,200 stone steps up to the temple--and
there is a saying, "live an extra 20 seconds for each
step you climb." If this is true, you can add more than
six hours to your life by climbing all of the steps.
The main deity in this temple is Lu Tunpin, one of the
Eight Immortals of Chinese legend. He is a well-loved
deity, despite a reputation for somewhat randy behavior.
He is said to return frequently to the mortal world to
bring salvation to the faithful.
Zhinan Temple sits on Monkey Mountain and, in addition to
the steps, is accessible by a paved road. But the stone
steps are worth a trip in themselves; they are flanked by
rows of stone posts topped by stone lanterns that were
donated by devotees during the period of Japanese
occupation (1895-1945).
Longshan Temple
Lungshan Temple is a famous old temple in Taiwan. It is
for worshiping Guanshiyin Budda and other divine spirits.
Lungshan Temple is facing the South. Its architecture is
a three-section design in shape. There are the front
hall, the rear hall and the right/left dragons protecting
the middle hall. The layout is square and serene. The
temple was built in Chianlung 5th year in Ching Dynasty.
Due to natural disaster and damages caused by men, the
temple was restored for several times. The doors, beams,
and poles are beautifully decorated. There are a pair of
bronze dragon poles in the front hall, four pairs of
dragon poles in the middle hall. The sculptures are
delicate. There are also exquisite wood sculptures. Among
them, the well and Budda setting in the main hall are
highly appreciated. The temple has many Chinese poems,
verses and lyrics on signs. These add a touch of
literature in addition to the religious and sightseeing
value.
There are great decorative lamp fairs and temple
activities on historical festivals. On each 1st and 15th
day each month of lunar year, regular visitors will come
to the temple for worship ceremony. The temple attracts
many people. At normal times, there are domestic/foreign
tourists visiting the temple. Lungshan Temple is not only
a temple, a sightseeing attraction, but also a
second-degree historical site. There are traditional
streets/shops, antique shops, Buddhists article shops,
and Chinese medicine shops surrounding the temple. These
places are great to visit due to their richness in folk
art.
Yangming House
Historical Background Yang Ming Academy was a hot-spring
villa during Japanese occupation of Taiwan. Late
president Chiang Kai-Shek loved the beautiful scenery
here and built Chung Hsing Hotel to accommodate foreign
guests and to spend summer; the hotel was later
reconstructed as Yang Ming Academy. As Yang Ming Shan
Chuang and Chung Shan Lo were constructed nearby,
important government officials often gathered here,
making Yang Ming Shan the decision center for the
government. After the death of Chiang in 1975, historical
KMT documents were moved from Li Yuan in Caotun, Nantou
to Yang Ming Shan for exhibition in memory of Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen and late president Chiang Kai-Shek. As late
president Chiang had respected and admired Mr. Wang Yang
Ming, the building was named ang Ming In 1996, KMT
donated the Academy to the Ministry of Interior,
providing a recreational and educational space for Taipei
citizens.
Cultural Highlights.
Yang Ming Academy is a 2-story, traditional Chinese
building. The theater, VIP rooms, offices, and restaurant
are on the first floor. The second floor was used by Mr.
and Mrs. Chiang and their paintings and some personal
belongings can still be found here. On the wall of Chiang
bedroom, there is a wedding photo taken in Shanghai on
December 1, 1927. In addition, there are other photos of
the couple visiting different places.
Lin An-Tai Historical Home
Historical Background
Lin An-Tai Historical Home is located in Pin Chiang Park.
The house is a traditional Chinese courtyard house with
elegant decorations and is one of the few traditional
houses preserved in northern Taiwan. The Lin family came
to Taiwan in the 18th century and engaged in trade in
northern Taiwan. With the money they made, they built a
house and named it Today, the house is over 160 years
old. It is the best-preserved and maintained ancient
house in Taipei City.
Cultural Highlights
Lin An-Tai Historical Home is famous for its delicate
carvings; one of the examples is the creative dragon
carving on the front door. There are six dragons,
representing the six sons in the family. The carvings of
vases and bats carry the meanings of good luck, wealth
and safety. Some of the tiles and bricks of this ancient
building have been restored due to its long history, but
the stones and woods have remained intact over the long
years. The crescent shaped pond in front of the building
was used for defense, raising fish, prevent fire, water
supply and keep a moderate temperature.
Farms
Maokong / Muzha Tea Garden
Maokong is located in the southwest of Gatou Mountain in
Wunshan District of Taipei outskirts. It is facing the
shield of more than 500 meters high. It is said that tea
farmers from southern China came her to open teahouses.
Later, the teahouses declined and customers no long came.
The domesticated cats ran away and thus the place was
called "Maokong". However, Maokong has developed its
unique sightseeing and tea tasting industry because
students of nearby Chengchi University frequently hold
activities here and the students' nightlife brings about
prosperity in the region.
The tea farms here are famous for Bochon tea and Taiguan
Ing. There are many teahouses with diversified styles.
They are good places to visit no matter during day or
night. In the daytime, there are tea trees and hills
forming green scenery. Many citizens visit the place by
taking the mountain tracks. After dusk, Maokong is like
an enchanting, mysterious lady. Colorful light bulbs are
lit in front of every building. Visitors taste tea, chat
with each other and admire the nightfall. Sometimes
groups of young people have parties and the laughter
brings a touch of vigor to Maokong.
The tea farms (open for sightseeing) are scattered around
Lane 34, 38, 40 of Shihnan Road, Sec. 3, and the former
half of Shihnan Road, Sec. 3. Most tea farms provide tea
tasting or meals. Recently, the sightseeing industry
blooms here. Many residents develop other means of
livelihood other than tea farming. For example, they
raise mountain chickens or provide country cuisine.
Visitors coming here may also want to try the delicious
dishes.
Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tie Kuanyin Tea and
Paochung Tea:
What, actually, do the famous Tie Kuanyin and Paochung
teas of Muzha look like? How are they grown? In what
manner should one brew the teas to bring out their
optimal flavor? All the answers can be found at the
Promotion Center currently managed by the Liu-Kung
Agricultural Foundation.
The Promotion Center includes a display area, an
instructional area, an ecological pond and so on. The
display area includes information regarding the tea
manufacturing process, the proper way to brew it and the
way to store it. The center also provides information
concerning the distribution of Taiwanese teas and
lectures on the art of tea for the tea novice. While
appreciating the diverse variety of plants and flowers
cultivated in the outdoor instructional area, one also
acquires an understanding of the importance of land and
water preservation.
Add: No.8-2, Lane 40, Zhinan Rd. Sec. 3, Wenshan
District, Taipei City
Tel: (02)2234-0568
Open: Tues. ~ Sun. 9:00~17:00
Mall
Breeze Center
Joining the world's top brands, a spacious shopping
environment, and friendly service, Breeze Center has
become the benchmark for cutting edge fashion in Taipei's
retail world. Stroll through the ground floor shops
showcasing upscale international brands and you may think
you've teleported to New York's Fifth Avenue.
The capacious retail space at Breeze Center is divided
into two main areas. On its nine above ground and two
basement levels, the high-ceilinged Area A boasts a
six-screen multiplex theater, supermarket, food court,
and a six-floor department store. At Area B, the first
floor is called Luxury Ave, and aptly so with shops
specializing in some of the fashion world's biggest
brands. The shops on the Ground Floor "Cinderella City"
sell everything needed for the princess-to-be, from
cosmetics and jewelry to shoes and accessories. Sunlight
bathes down to the B1 level through the transparent roof,
adding a bright note to the spacious shopping environment
covering 66,000 square meters in all.
Breeze Center also regularly arranges a number of fun
activities frequently to add a festive note to your next
shopping spree.
Asiaworld Shopping Mall
Located at the interaction of Dunhua N Rd. and Nanking E.
Rd., this shopping center is very convenient.
The Mall
Taipei's first international standard shopping
mall--filled with sunlight, trees, and flowing
water--sits next to the Far Eastern Plaza Hotel
C.P.C. Living Mall
The structure incorporated a special spherical design
spanning over 135,000 square-meters of shopping space,
with over 15,000 square-meters of lawn surrounding the
building. The fourth floor is a Broadway-themed music
café, Elite books on the tenth floor, and Xland on the
12th floor all operate until 2am.
New York New York Shopping Center
Designed with a futuristic theme in mind, this shopping
center aims to provide the ultimate leisure place while
offering customers a one-stop for all their fashion need.
Department Store
Sunrise Department Store
The Fuxin Sunrise Department Store equal to 3000
square-meter which incorporating many top brands, food
courts, fine dinning. Just imagine after buying what you
need- fresh produce, regional specialties from all over
the island, clothing, gowns, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or
whatever else you may need- you can sit comfortably down
to rest and have a bite to eat. Browsing, eating, buying
and playing- the shopping centers are certainly not a
place for boredom.
Ming Yao Department Store
With the importation of world class brand name branches
into Taiwan; Taipei fashion is now in sync with Paris,
Milan, and New York. You can get it all here. Ming Yao is
definitely a fine place and absolutely must for urban
life.
Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store(Taipei Station
Store)
Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store (Taipei Station
Store) is the biggest department store in West Taipei,
which is the centre of the transportation; therefore it
becomes a perfect shopping center
Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store (HsinYi Store)
Part of a major department store chain, the fun design of
the arcade on the 1st floor and outdoor fountain at the
top floor of this venue makes shopping here a new and
refreshing experience.
D'Mark Department Store
D'Mark department store located at Taipei Neihu district
Chenggong Rd. section 4, 180, which is a good place for
the entire family to spend their leisure time on the
weekend and also a high quality shopping center where is
very convenient to get to.
Far Eastern Department Store
Pacific SOGO Department Store
SOGO is the first Japanese-Taiwanese joint-venture
combination shopping center in Taipei, including the
Zhongxiao main building and Dunhua new building. Above
the entrance to the main building is the landmark Disney
Small World cuckoo clock from Tokyo that gives passers-by
a show of dolls from all over the world every hour, on
the hour. The new building houses name brands such as
Tiffany, Prada, Gucci, Dior, and many others.
Idee Department Store
The Idee Taipei and Idee S buildings are the first
shopping mall designed especially for women in Taipei.
Restrooms in the mall have warm water, nose-powdering
counters, perfume, lotions, and many other free feminine
supplies for shoppers, placed first for three years
running as the top public restrooms in Taipei by the city
government!
DAYEH Takashimaya
The med., This a shopping center for the entire family.
The center includes a courtyard aquarium. The One and
Tsiyao Pottery Works, two exquisite stores of local
designer collections, are located on the fourth floor.
Exceptional service: Employees with red arm bands speak
either Japanese or English.
Shopping Area
Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao)-Dunhua Shopping Area
The area around the intersection of Zhongxiao (Jhongsiao)
and Dunhua South roads has become a major shopping area
in Taipei's east district thanks to its convenient
location.
High-end boutiques are packed along Dunhua South Road
between Xinyi (Sinyi) and Zhongxiao East roads,
presenting a tempting array of brand clothes, jewelry,
shoes and leather items. The section between SOGO
department store and Taipei Metro The Mall is an
especially good bet for the fashionably acquisitive, with
Cartier, Louis Vuitton, DKNY and other top brand
boutiques to choose from.
Xinyi (Sinyi) Planning District
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Reservation: reservation@lmho.net 
