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The capital of Taiwan, Taipei, is a hive of activity and a mecca for foodies. As a result, Taipei has a lot to offer tourists, whether they want to learn about the city’s history or appreciate the creative arts, historic temples, or mouthwatering street cuisine at one of the city’s world-famous night markets.
Regardless of where you are, including Canada, it’s easier to enjoy your flight from Toronto and go to Taipei for your dream vacation. It’s that time of the year, and you need quality time to unwind. But how are you going to get there? That’s where Cathay Pacific comes into play. Get to enjoy 5-star service from the airways as you fly all smiles to Taipei.
It would be a disservice only to provide a few things to do in this fascinating city when it has so much to offer. So, in this guide, we’ll talk about Taipei activities that you may find in the town and its environs.
Cuisine
Even though much of Taiwan’s cuisine comes from China, calling it “Chinese food” is a misnomer. A slew of new dishes and culinary techniques were introduced to Taiwanese cuisine when the first Han immigrants came from China. They incorporated local ingredients and traditions with the recipes and cooking skills they had learned from their native countries.
Potatoes, sea fish, and vegetables are common ingredients in traditional Taiwanese sit-down meals. In addition, a wide variety of meals is available at roadside vendors and night market stalls for people who want to eat outdoors.
If you’re a foodie, a night market in your city may be a good place to try some of Taiwan’s best cuisine. The best night market in Taiwan is located about 45 mins outside of Taipei in Keelung. Products and signs in English are represented in various ways, making it both clear and occasionally amusing.
The Night Markets
You may find the commotion and congestion overwhelming if you’ve never been to a night market before. But, along the route, you’ll stop to eat street food and pick up knick knacks, and that’s how you’ll be addicted to it.
Taiwan’s Shilin Night Market is one of the city’s largest. So take a sip of pearl milk tea, and on your way out, what’s stopping you from grabbing an oyster omelet?
The Hot Springs
Take a break from the city’s commotion by visiting a hot spring. It’s easier taking the Mass Transportation System (MRT) to Beitou. There is a hot spring museum in the vicinity that you can access easily. A hot spring hotel is a great option if you need that alone time. Like my grandmother always suggests, carry an egg with you when you leave the house, and you’ll have yourself a nicely boiled egg when you are done with the visit.
Chronic fatigue, eczema, and arthritis are all believed to be improved by visiting a hot spring. It is one of China’s most popular hot spring bathing destinations, with public and private facilities. Bring a swim cap to the hot springs because most individuals don’t cover up when taking the dip.
You’re likely to come across a wonderful natural hot spring wherever you go on the island. Visitors to Taiwan get the pleasure of visiting Green Island. It’s home to a one-of-a-kind seawater hot spring, Sunrise spring.
The People
Taiwanese are among the friendliest people you’ve ever met. Taipei is a safe and welcoming city if you’re looking for a good time. When asking for directions, don’t be surprised if someone helps you get there or if you start a discussion and end up drinking till the wee hours of the morning.
Taipei, Taiwan’s lively and cosmopolitan capital city, offers far more than that. Taipei has many things to do, such as shopping, climbing the former world’s tallest building (Taipei 101), sipping tea, and taking part in unique festivals.
Museums
The rich museum culture of Taipei’s capital is one of Taiwan’s lesser-known attractions despite the island’s abundance of educational possibilities. Taoyuan’s National Palace Museum features a vast collection of Chinese art (which Nationalist troops confiscated, or rescued, depending on who you ask), and it is the most well-known. Unfortunately, it is only possible to see a limited section of this enormous collection at a time. Paintings, scrolls, and antique porcelain and statues are all included in this category.
Traditional Breakfast
Breakfast in Taipei consists of soy milk and deep-fried youtiao. You should try Fu Hang’s soy milk for breakfast. If you’re running late, expect long waits outside the building. The early bird catches the soy milk; as they are already open by 5:30 am in the market building on the first floor. On-site, they produce one of the world’s best soy kinds of milk. The taste of soybeans is particularly appealing. Moreso, they are known for the dan bing (egg omelet) and Shao bing (clay oven rolls). When you’re most likely exhausted from a long flight, drop by, and the experience will be worth it.
Scenery
A photographer’s dream, Taiwan is a visual feast. East Asia’s highest mountain is found in the country’s spine, the Central Mountain Range (Jade Mountain). Thousands of photographers visit Yushan every day to capture the “cloud sea” moving over the mountains at sunrise. In addition, there are some of the best surfing and windsurfing in East Asia at Taipei’s beaches.
The East Coast Highway of Taiwan connects the Central Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in a narrow strip of land. It’s one of East Asia’s most beautiful bike trips.
It’s a Good Place to Party
The nightlife in Taipei, whether in a club or indoors, is comparable to that in any major Asian metropolis. In addition, the cost of living in Taipei is significantly lower than in other East Asian cities. Despite the reputation around Ximen as the city’s gay district, various clubs and eateries draw in people of all ages. The financial district of Xinyi is also home to a wide variety of nightlife establishments.
Temples
Buddhist and Confucian temples abound in Taiwan, serving as sacred places of worship and attracting tourists. Visiting the Longshan and Guandu temples in Taipei is a must and is available through the metro railway. In addition, temple enthusiasts should make a pilgrimage to Tainan, located in southern Taiwan. Finally, those willing to fly 40 minutes to the Penghu archipelago can see some of East Asia’s most spectacularly flashy – and least visited – Buddhists places of worship.