April 5, 2020Taipei - a bustling metropolis with ultra modern skyscrapers, tons of temples and religious sites, plus several shopping options and thriving open markets. With endless things to do and places to explore, no wonder Taipei has enough draw for tourists in this age of travel and global exploration.
Taiwan’s capital city and home to almost 3 million people, Taipei welcomes over 10 million visitors each year with much anticipation to what the city has to offer. Not bad for a small country compared to some of the more renowned tourism giants on Earth. Landmarks showcasing a fascinating mix of rustic architectural designs while embracing the inevitable diffusion of the contemporary. Modern transportation offerings provide a highly efficient means of moving around the city as well as discovering scenic countrysides and small towns.
Our trip to Taiwan was a brief 2-day adventure prior to returning to the United States after a 3-week stay in the Philippines. We’ve done some research to maximize our short Taipei staycation. If Taipei is within your travel radar, here are some noteworthy landmarks you should visit.
#1 Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
Arguably the most renowned national monument located in the heart of Taipei, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall was erected in honor of Taiwan’s first president. President Chiang’s legacy lives on through the course of history as a nationalist, politician and a great military leader.
The courtyard leading up to the main hall is breathtakingly immense. Within its perimeter is a library and a museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career. The main hall is a massive white structure with an octagonal roof, a number deemed in Chinese numerology as one that brings luck and good fortune. Leading to the main hall are two sets of white stairs with a total of 89 steps representing President Chiang’s age at the time of his passing.
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
No. 21號, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
+886 2 2343 1100
Hours: Opens daily 9am – 6pm
#2 Bao’an Temple
Declared a Secondary National Heritage Site, the Bao’an Temple sits on the Datong district of Taipei and is devoted to the worship of Baosheng Dadi, meaning “Great Emperor Protecting Life”.
The Bao’an Temple is one of Taipei’s most alluring temples with amazingly intricate details engrained in its architecture. Each corner sparkling in great detail as deep patterns envelop rooftops decorated with dragon statues symbolizing guardianship and power of clarity. On some days, the temple feels crowded with visitors and worshippers offering prayers and burning incense. Be sure to check out the Confucian Temple located just across the street from the Bao’an Temple.
Dalongdong Bao’am Temple
No. 61, Hami Street, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
+886 2 2595 1676
Hours: Opens daily 6:30am – 9:30pm
#3 National Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine
A grandiose shrine built to commemorate the fallen Kuomintang soldiers after the Chinese Civil War. Within its walls are approximately 390,000 spirit tablets honoring the lives and sacrifices of KMT soldiers during the war against the Chinese communist government.
Watch for the hourly change of guards ceremony held at the start of each hour from 9am until 4pm. The front gate is guarded by an active military personnel who stands absolutely still until the next guard change where all movements are done in applaudable military precision. As a brief reminder, photographs of the guards may be taken after the ceremony has concluded and guards stand motionless at their assigned stations.
For those bearing a fascination for history and stunning archaic architecture, the shrine mirrors the Ming Dynasty design of Beijing’s Taihe Dian Imperial Palace. Be sure to take a deep breath and admire the almost meditative scenery with plenty of photo opportunities within.
National Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine
No. 139號, Beian Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491
+886 2 2885 4162
Hours: Opens daily 9am – 5pm
#4 Wuji Tianyuan Temple
Interestingly enough, the Temple of Heaven, a 200 meter high pagoda takes center stage with twin stairs making it a worthwhile climb to the top. The view from the top is just spectacular. The air smells crisp and fresh especially during mid spring mornings when the temple becomes a magnet for tourists and locals who want to witness the first blooms of Sakura trees.
Due to the romantic and heavenly sight of cherry blossoms found on and along the temple perimeter, the temple has gained notoriety for one of the best places to witness the vibrant pinkish hue of cherry blossoms in Taipei. The trees are said to be planted by a hundred volunteer workers back in 1970. Spring blossoms peak around late February to early March each year. Be sure to search for the spring blossoms calendar each year so you can witness this one of a kind wonder when visiting Taiwan.
Wuji Tianyuan Temple
No. 36, Section 3, Beixin Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
+886 2 2621 2759
#5 Dahu Park
A mesmerizing park situated in Taipei’s Neihu district, the Dahu Park is known for its large scenic lake covering an area of 13 hectares crossed by the Moon Bridge. The lake is named Bailuhu or Egret Lake due to the large number of egrets that used to inhabit the area. The park is located at the base of Mt. Bailushan or translated as Egret Mountain.
The lake at Dahu Park makes a perfect photo opportunity with the clear lake projecting a mirrored image of the lush greenery. The Moon Bridge got its name from its own reflection in the water resembling the perfect roundness of a full moon.
The park also features a recently renovated swimming pool and a recreational facility building for the use of Neihu residents.
Dahu Park
No. 31號, Section 5, Chenggong Road, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114
Hours: Opens 24 hours
#6 Songshan Ciyou Temple
Adding to your list of Taipei’s most stunning historical sites, this enticing 18th century folk temple in Songshan district was built in dedication to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. The Songshan Ciyou Temple stands tall with six stories and a triple-tiered roof embellished with identical dragons facing three immortals depicting wealth, happiness and longevity. The exterior teems with intricacy in each minute detail. Just absolutely amazing to look at.
Inside you will behold fascinating rows of oil lamps lit by worshippers asking for protection from the goddess Mazu. On the left, you’ll find an altar dedicated to the goddess of birth, while on the right an altar devoted to the Earth god.
To honor the goddess Mazu’s birthday, the Xikou Cultural Festival is celebrated between January 15 up to March 26. At this time, various religious ceremonies, parades and opera performances are some of the popular sights to behold.
Songshan Ciyou Temple
No. 761號, Section 4, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
+886 2 2766 3012
#7 National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is home to the world’s most extensive collection of Chinese art and antiquities ranging from paintings, calligraphy and statuary to ceramic, jade and other religious objects. It’s collection spans 5000 years of history with most of the museum’s collection of over 600,000 art objects a part of the Chinese imperial collection dating back a thousand years during the Song dynasty.
The museum was formerly established as the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City and has gone through several renovations through the years to house its vast collection of relics and rare artifacts. It’s white exterior showcases feats of Chinese architecture along with a spacious courtyard with a lovely garden.
National Palace Museum
No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Hours: Opens Sunday – Thursday from 8:30am – 6:30pm, Friday – Saturday from 8:30am – 9pm
#8 Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
A perfect rainy day option especially for those who easily become fascinated with the unique world of miniature art collections. Enjoy various displays of scale sized models and art pieces all exhibiting such attention to detail and levels of miniaturized intricacy that is simply astonishing.
The museum is located at the basement of an office building. It houses various high end artwork done by renowned artists from all over world, most of them from the United States. Founders Mr Lin Wen-ren and his wife built this museum in Taipei’s Zhongshan District to share with the world the beauty of miniature art through the many pieces the couple has garnered through the years.
Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
b1, No. 96號, Section 1, Jianguo North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10489
+886 2 2515 0583
Hours: Opens Thursday through Sunday from 10am – 6pm, Closed Monday – Wednesday
