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Longshan Temple (2 hrs)
There are many temples in Taipei, but the most famous temple to visit for tourists is Longshan Temple. The temple was built in Qianlong 5th year in Qing Dynasty. Due to natural disaster and damages caused by men, the temple was restored for several times. Nowadays temple was rebuilt after a bombing during the Second World War.
You can easily go there by MRT, station Longshan Temple, exit Longshan Temple. The temple is open to visitors from 6 am to 8:30 pm.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (1 hr)
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous monument, landmark and tourist attraction erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China.
This memorial hall is not really a museum where you can learn about the history of Taiwan, it’s just a tribute to the former president. But it’s still nice to see this huge building, the surroundings and the national theatre and concert hall besides the memorial.
You can go there by MRT, National Theatre station. The opening hours are from 9 am to 6 pm.
EarthQuake Museum Taichung (1 day)
One of the worst disasters that have hit Taiwan is the Chi-Chi Earthquake in 1999. The Taiwanese have strived to learn from this disaster. The damage done by the 1999 earthquake has been preserved in the Earthquake Museum in Tai Chung City.
The actual ruins of a school housed in the museum show how buildings respond to seismic forces. Findings from research on the ruins of the earthquake have served as guides in structural designs of buildings after 1999.
The opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. A ticket costs NT$ 50 per person. Best way to go there is to take a high-speed train from Taipei to Taichung. For directions to the museum click here.
Nature in Hualien (1 day)
A very comfortable two-hour commuter train ride from Taipei Main Station will bring you to the (east) coastal city of Hualien. This city is renowned for its marble and jade market but the real attraction is the beautiful nature in the surroundings.
From Hualien you can take a taxi and make a trip to Taroko Gorge. The natural beauty of the Gorge is spectacular. This is literally Taiwan's version of the Grand Canyon. The crystal clear mountain streams are beautiful and if you visit shortly after a monsoon you'll see spectacular (temporary) waterfalls cascading through the mountains.
Yehliu Geo Park (1 day)
Yehliu is a cape on the north coast of Taiwan in the town of Wanli between Taipei and Keelung. Yehliu Geopark is famous for its sea-erosion landscape.
The place is truly beautiful. By walking along the seaside you get to see the beautiful landscapes and all the different structures of rock created by the waves. A number of rock formations have been given imaginative names based on their shapes. The most well known formation is the ‘The Queen's Head’, an iconic image in Taiwan and an unofficial emblem for the town of Wanli. Other formations include ‘The Fairy Shoe’, ‘The Bee Hive’, ‘The Ginger Rocks’ and ‘The Sea Candles’.
The opening hours are seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm (6 pm in summer). The entrance fee is NT$ 50 per person. You can go there by bus or by car from Taipei. To see the directions click here.
(Don’t mistake this geo park with organized trips to the northeast cost. They will bring you to Nanya Rock Formations which is way less impressive than the Yehliu Geo Park.)
Taipei 101 (1½ hr)
Taipei 101, also known as the Taipei Financial Center, is the icon of modern Taipei. The building ranked officially as the world’s tallest building from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.
The name of the tower reflects its floor count. Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. It was the first building in the world to break the half-kilometre mark in height with 509 metres.
Taipei 101 features an Indoor observatory (88th floor) and an outdoor observatory (91st floor). Both offer a 360-degree view and the view is absolutely breathtaking.
The indoor observatory is open seven days a week from 9 am to 10 pm. The outdoor observatory is open during the same hours as weather permits. Tickets may be purchased in the shopping mall at the 5th floor. Tickets cost NT$ 450 and allow access to the 88th through 91st floor via a high-speed elevator.
Maokong Gondola (2 hrs)
Maokong is located in the Wenshan district in Taipei. The area used to be the biggest tea growing area of Taipei. Nowadays it's a popular place for tea culture and viewing the night scenery of Taipei. There are many footpaths; which have been used to transport tea. But it’s wonderful to see from above as well.
The Maokong Gondola System is shaped like the number seven and extends over four kilometres of hills south of Taipei. It is a great way of transportation and a very relaxing way of sightseeing. Just sit down and enjoy the view on the city and the mountains. A complete ride will take about 25 minutes. But you can make a stop at Taipei Zoo South and Zhinan Temple stations.Including walking around it should take approximately 2-3 hours. (We have to tell you that there are not many attractions at the last stop, so the main attraction is just the cable car itself.)
A one-way fare to Maokong is NT$ 50, a bargain for this type of transport. You can go to the Gondola with the brown MRT line to Taipei Zoo, it’s the last stop. The gondola is directly next to the station. Sometimes theCable car will be closed due to weather circumstances. If so and you are in the gondola, they will arrange shuttle busses from all three stops. The gondola is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm but it is closed on Mondays.
Sun Moon Lake (1 - 2 days)
The ‘Sun Moon Lake’ is located in Nantou County in the middle of Taiwan. It is the largest freshwater lake and the most beautiful alpine lake in Taiwan divided by the tiny Lalu Island. As the east part of the lake looked like the sun and the west part looked like the moon, it was named as Sun Moon Lake.
Its crystalline, emerald green waters reflect the hills and mountains, which rise on all sides. Numerous cultural and historical sites enhance the natural beauty.
If you want to discover the many faces of Sun Moon Lake, take a stroll along its shores and let your soul be moved by its inexhaustible beauties. You can also ride a bicycle along the road circling the lake, and soak up the tranquility and peace of nature. Or you can board a boat and cruise over the waves as you take in the glories of the mountains and waters. A map with places of interest can be seen here.
From Taipei you can take a high-speed train from Taipei Main Station to Taichung. This will take less than one hour. From there you can take a bus to Sun Moon Lake.
Hot springs in Beitou (½ day)
Beitou is a northern district of Taipei and it’s famous for its hot springs. Thanks to Taipei’s public transport system, heading out for a quick soak in perfect 60 degree Celsius waters has never been easier.
Xin Beitou (New Beitou) is the area around Xin Beitou MRT station and Qinshui Park that was developed as a hot spring resort during the Japanese era. Besides enjoying the hot spring you can visit the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, which is a hot spring bathhouse that was built in 1913. Visitors may browse the historical bathhouse with the hot spring bath facilities. Bring your own bathing suits. Otherwise you’ll have to buy a very ‘beautiful’ one in one of the shops around. If you don’t want to go to the bathhouse, you can enjoy the hot water in the small river as well, for free!
It’s also possible to stay overnight as well. Here you will find a list of resorts where you can stay overnight and enjoy the wonderful hot springs.
Hsing Tian Kong Temple (1 hr)
Another great temple to visit is Hsing Tian Kong temple. This temple is devoted to Guan Yu, the patron god of businessmen, and is relatively recent in origin. It was constructed in 1967.
The temple is situated at 109, sec 2, Minquan East Road near the centre of the city. Sculptures of dragons feature prominently in this temple's design. It covers over 7,000 square meters.
The temple and its surrounding is served by the MRT Xingtian Temple Station, take exit 3 and go right. The temple is open daily, best time to go there is in the morning or late afternoon. Entrance is free but donations are highly appreciated. They should be registered at the counter.
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Language of the world
Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Taipei.