The bustling city of Taipei is one of Asia's largest and most important centres of commerce and business. It is the capital of the Republic of China, otherwise known as Taiwan, and is located in the northern reaches of the island. Taipei is surrounded by mountain ranges, including the Yangming and Central mountains.
Landmarks are found throughout the city, and Taipei hotels are constantly busy with domestic and international tourists. Flying into the city of Taipei is done through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which sits about 30kms from the city centre. However, there is a smaller, domestic airport known as Songshan Airport that processes domestic and some international flights.
Upon arrival into Taiwan's capital, visitors can find many things to keep busy. These range from the shopping districts found throughout the city, to the wonderful hot springs that overlook the basin that is Taipei.
Shopping: shopping within the city of Taipei is basically an activity of contrasts. In the western part of the town, which is often referred to as the Old Town, is characterised by narrow streets and an exhaustive list of street-side shops. However, to the east, Taipei boasts a more modern shopping culture, with wider streets and shopping malls dominating the landscape. There are several shopping malls found within the eastern districts of Taipei. The Xinyi district is the most popular haunt for shopaholics, as some of the massive, contemporary shopping complexes are found, including Taipei 101 Shopping Centre. Other areas worth visiting to shop include Ximending, Zhongshan North Road, and Shilin Night Market.
Hiking: there are several hiking trails within the surrounding area of Taipei. The most popular place to enjoy a wonderful day of hiking is the Yangmingshan National Park, which sits close to the city of Taipei. Blessed with a mountainous landscape and stunning natural attractions, Yangmingshan National Park is well worth at least a daytrip. The Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail is for more inexperienced hikers, and is a lot closer to the downtown area of Taipei.
Theme Parks: Taipei boasts a number of family friendly theme parks within the city. Some of these include the Children's Recreational Centre, Taipei Water Park, Taipei Zoo and Leofoo Village Theme Park, which is located just outside Taipei, in the town of Guansi. The Taipei Water Park is only opened in the summer months, but during this time, it is usually packed out with 'overheating' locals.
Taichi: Taipei is renowned for its abundance of taichi, the ancient form of exercise art. There are no clubs as such within the city, but several parks located around Taipei have taichi groups every sunrise and sunset.
Language lessons: while in Taipei, there are plenty of places to study the local language. Mandarin is the main language spoken in Taipei and Taiwan, and visitors will not only find it rewarding to try and learn the language, but also quite useful, as the language is starting to grow in significance throughout the business and education world.
Hot Springs: the mountain ranges of the encircle Taipei are home to a variety of natural hot springs for visitors and locals to enjoy. There are selections of hotel spas that use natural springs for their spa services. However, the areas of Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park contain numerous natural outdoor hot springs that are well worth a visit. However, it is important that visitors follow strict rules for hygiene and cleanliness.
Cooking: why not learn something when visiting Taipei that will enable you to take part of the Taiwanese culture back home? Cooking lessons can be found throughout many of the community colleges in the city, and some of restaurants within Taipei offer classes. Some restaurants will publicly advertise lessons, so it is important to keep an eye open when dining.
Landmarks are found throughout the city, and Taipei hotels are constantly busy with domestic and international tourists. Flying into the city of Taipei is done through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which sits about 30kms from the city centre. However, there is a smaller, domestic airport known as Songshan Airport that processes domestic and some international flights.
Upon arrival into Taiwan's capital, visitors can find many things to keep busy. These range from the shopping districts found throughout the city, to the wonderful hot springs that overlook the basin that is Taipei.
Shopping: shopping within the city of Taipei is basically an activity of contrasts. In the western part of the town, which is often referred to as the Old Town, is characterised by narrow streets and an exhaustive list of street-side shops. However, to the east, Taipei boasts a more modern shopping culture, with wider streets and shopping malls dominating the landscape. There are several shopping malls found within the eastern districts of Taipei. The Xinyi district is the most popular haunt for shopaholics, as some of the massive, contemporary shopping complexes are found, including Taipei 101 Shopping Centre. Other areas worth visiting to shop include Ximending, Zhongshan North Road, and Shilin Night Market.
Hiking: there are several hiking trails within the surrounding area of Taipei. The most popular place to enjoy a wonderful day of hiking is the Yangmingshan National Park, which sits close to the city of Taipei. Blessed with a mountainous landscape and stunning natural attractions, Yangmingshan National Park is well worth at least a daytrip. The Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail is for more inexperienced hikers, and is a lot closer to the downtown area of Taipei.
Theme Parks: Taipei boasts a number of family friendly theme parks within the city. Some of these include the Children's Recreational Centre, Taipei Water Park, Taipei Zoo and Leofoo Village Theme Park, which is located just outside Taipei, in the town of Guansi. The Taipei Water Park is only opened in the summer months, but during this time, it is usually packed out with 'overheating' locals.
Taichi: Taipei is renowned for its abundance of taichi, the ancient form of exercise art. There are no clubs as such within the city, but several parks located around Taipei have taichi groups every sunrise and sunset.
Language lessons: while in Taipei, there are plenty of places to study the local language. Mandarin is the main language spoken in Taipei and Taiwan, and visitors will not only find it rewarding to try and learn the language, but also quite useful, as the language is starting to grow in significance throughout the business and education world.
Hot Springs: the mountain ranges of the encircle Taipei are home to a variety of natural hot springs for visitors and locals to enjoy. There are selections of hotel spas that use natural springs for their spa services. However, the areas of Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park contain numerous natural outdoor hot springs that are well worth a visit. However, it is important that visitors follow strict rules for hygiene and cleanliness.
Cooking: why not learn something when visiting Taipei that will enable you to take part of the Taiwanese culture back home? Cooking lessons can be found throughout many of the community colleges in the city, and some of restaurants within Taipei offer classes. Some restaurants will publicly advertise lessons, so it is important to keep an eye open when dining.