As a tourism destination, Taiwan's capital city often gets overlooked compared to its flashier neighbors such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. A thorough tour of Taipei, however, can appeal to a variety of interests. History buffs can explore museums and landmarks, shoppers can browse outdoor markets and tony malls, foodies can sample street cuisine or fine restaurants and outdoor enthusiasts can take a mountain hike.
Taipei tours often begin at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a three-story white marble monument and museum dedicated to the former leader of China and Taiwan. Taipei's National Palace Museum maintains hundreds of thousands of relics from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, including pottery and sculpted jade. The city houses several traditional Taiwanese temples, one of the most notable being the Longshan Temple, which features statues and shrines dedicated to Taiwanese gods. For a bird's-eye view of the city, visit the observation deck at the 1,671-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper, once the world's tallest building.
Taiwan's night markets date to the nation's agricultural days, and you'll find several of them in Taipei. The busiest is Shihlin Night Market, which includes sections for food vendors and durable goods. If you arrive before sunset, you'll beat the seemingly impenetrable crowds. Other Taipei night markets include the Jianguo Jade and Flower markets and the quieter Raohe Night Market near the Ciyou Matsu Temple. Taipei also has a vast network of underground malls connecting its metro stations. Electronics buffs can sate their cravings at Nova Electronics Center near the Taipei Main Station. If you're in the mood for high-end shopping, the first five floors of Taipei 101 features brand boutiques including Armani, Versace and Dior.
A tour of Taipei's food scene can range from quick snacks at the night markets to pricey restaurants and trendy clubs. Daring diners at the street markets can sample one of the many varieties of Taiwan's signature "stinky" tofu, a foul-smelling, brine-fermented tofu that nonetheless tends to attract a long line of customers. You'll also find oyster omelets, barbecued fish, pearl milk tea and fried ice cream at the markets. Tea houses also are a staple in Taipei, including De Ye Cha Chi near Shandao Temple, where you can brew your own tea. Higher-end restaurants include the Shanghai Pavilion in the Far Eastern Hotel, the Japanese-style Fireweeds and Shin Yeh, a restaurant located near the top of Taipei 101 that requires reservations. If you're still full of energy after dinner, Taipei has several swanky nightlife spots, including the dance club Myst in the Xin Yi district and the small but usually packed Spark 101 at the base of Taipei 101.
On the northern edge of Taipei, you'll find the green, gently sloping dormant volcano Yangmingshan. From the visitor's station there, you can plan mountain hikes or journeys to bathe in one of the public natural hot springs around the mountains. If you desire a shorter walk, you can visit Taipei Botanical Garden or Da An Park, the city's largest public park, where locals often practice tai chi in the morning. You also can catch a panoramic view of the city and surrounding nature with a ride on the Maokong Gondola's crystal cabins -- clear-bottomed sky cars that run almost 3 miles from Maokong Station to the Taipei Zoo.
