Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is a landmark of Taiwan, once known as the tallest building in the world. This 101-story building boasts a unique exterior that combines modern design with traditional elements. The upper part of the building is a modern reinterpretation of traditional Chinese architecture, and its unique design stands out. The observatory at the top offers a panoramic view of Taipei, known especially for its beautiful night view. The cityscape is impressive even during the day, providing various attractions. Additionally, Taipei 101 houses numerous luxury brands and restaurants, making it a great place for shopping and dining. It's an opportunity to buy luxury brands at reasonable prices and experience Taiwanese cuisine at various restaurants.

Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market is one of the most famous night markets in Taipei, where you can enjoy various foods and products at reasonable prices. It's renowned for Taiwanese street foods like oyster omelets, bubble tea, and steak. You can also find clothing, accessories, and more. This is an excellent place to taste various foods that locals enjoy, with the freshness of ingredients and low prices being a great advantage. The vibrant atmosphere of the night market offers a great chance to experience local culture. Especially on weekends, the market is crowded with people, giving you a sense of its lively energy. There are also various game and merchandise booths where you can enjoy shopping and entertainment at the same time.

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taipei, showcasing a unique style that combines Buddhism and Taoism. Its splendid architectural style and intricate carvings catch the eye, attracting many locals and tourists who come to make wishes. Although it is a religious site, it is also famous as a tourist attraction due to its artistic architecture and historical value. The interior of the temple is filled with ornate decorations and delicate carvings, and you can see people finding peace of mind here. Especially at night, the temple is beautifully adorned with lanterns of various colors and shapes, offering a mysterious atmosphere to all visitors.

Rainbow Village

Rainbow Village was originally a run-down village, but it transformed into a tourist attraction when a war veteran painted the village walls in vibrant colors. It feels like stepping into a fairy tale, making it a popular photo spot. The various characters and unique drawings on the walls delight visitors. This place is not just for artistic appreciation but is also seen as a symbolic spot showing the transformation of the community. The village's beauty and uniqueness attract many visitors, with each painting telling its own story, stimulating the imagination of those who visit. The colorful hues create a lively atmosphere throughout the village.

Gaomei Wetlands

Gaomei Wetlands is one of Taichung's representative natural landscapes, famous for its beautiful sunset. The extensive wetlands and the wooden deck that allows you to walk on it make it a perfect place for a stroll. Here, you can observe various birds and plants, and the scenery at dusk is a spectacle. The reflection of the sky on the water when the wind is calm is as beautiful as looking into a mirror, making the sunset at Gaomei Wetlands an unforgettable memory. A walk in the wetlands makes you feel one with nature, making it a recommended course for families and couples.

Love River

The Love River is a representative river in Kaohsiung, with a beautiful promenade along its banks. Especially in the evening, you can enjoy a romantic atmosphere by taking a river cruise to see the night view. Various artworks are displayed along the river, making it enjoyable to take a walk and appreciate them. Here, you can see locals enjoying leisurely walks or cycling, living their everyday lives. There are also many cafes and restaurants around the river, where you can enjoy drinks or meals while admiring the beauty of the riverside.

Cijin Island

Cijin Island is a small island accessible by ferry from Kaohsiung, known for its beautiful beaches and fresh seafood. This place is a popular resort spot to escape the city's hustle and bustle and spend a leisurely time. You can rent a bicycle to tour the island or relax at the beach. Climbing up to the Cijin Lighthouse gives you a panoramic view of the island and the surrounding sea. Here, you can also enjoy marine sports like snorkeling and fishing, making it a recommended spot for travelers who want to engage in various activities in nature.

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is a globally renowned dim sum restaurant, especially famous for its xiaolongbao. The thin skin and rich broth make it an unforgettable taste once you try it. Besides xiaolongbao, Din Tai Fung offers a variety of dim sum and noodle dishes, all made with fresh ingredients and meticulous cooking methods, ensuring excellent taste and quality. With branches throughout Taiwan, it's a popular restaurant always crowded with customers. A meal at Din Tai Fung will be a special time to experience Taiwan's high-end culinary culture.

Night Market Delicacies

Taiwan's night markets are a paradise of various street foods. You can enjoy oyster omelets, beef noodle soup, bubble tea, dumplings, and more at affordable prices. Especially famous are the Shilin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, and more, where you can taste various foods while getting a glimpse into local life. Night markets offer not only food but also various goods and accessories, adding to the shopping fun. The unique flavors of Taiwanese street food, using various spices and ingredients, captivate travelers' taste buds.

Pineapple Cake

Pineapple cake is a representative Taiwanese dessert with pineapple jam inside. Its crispy exterior and sweet filling create a harmonious taste, making it a must-try food during your trip to Taiwan. It's also a popular souvenir, with many travelers buying it as gifts. Various brands sell pineapple cakes, each offering slightly different tastes and textures, making it enjoyable to compare. Some workshops even offer the experience of making pineapple cakes, creating a special travel memory.

Using Public Transportation

Taiwan's public transportation is relatively convenient and affordable. The Taipei MRT is particularly useful for moving around major tourist attractions. It connects the entire city, making it possible to visit most attractions by subway. Purchasing the EasyCard, a traveler's transportation card, allows you to use the MRT, buses, and some taxis conveniently. The EasyCard is rechargeable, helping save on transportation costs and facilitating easy movement. Taiwan's bus system is also well-established, making intercity travel relatively convenient.

Weather and Clothing

Taiwan has a subtropical climate with mild weather throughout the year, but summers are humid and rainy, so it's advisable to bring an umbrella. During the rainy season, it may rain all day, so bringing waterproof clothing and shoes is also a good idea. Although winters are not particularly cold, it can get chilly with the wind, so packing outerwear is recommended. In mountainous or northern regions, there can be temperature differences, so it's advisable to bring a light outerwear even in summer.

Language and Communication

In Taiwan, Chinese is primarily spoken, and English is only partially used in hotels and major tourist spots. Learning simple Chinese greetings or using a translation app can help with communication during the trip. Locals are generally friendly and willing to assist travelers, so there's no need to worry. Knowing basic Chinese greetings or simple expressions can greatly help in interacting with locals, enriching the travel experience.

Taipei Lantern Festival

The Taipei Lantern Festival is held annually on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, illuminating the city with various lanterns of different shapes and colors. This event celebrates Taiwan's traditional customs, wishing for peace and happiness in the new year through lanterns. It's a popular event where you can appreciate diverse works ranging from traditional lanterns to modern designs. During the festival, the entire city glows with colorful lights, offering various programs to enjoy with family, friends, and partners, immersing in the festive atmosphere.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the traditionally important holidays in Taiwan, featuring dragon boat races and eating zongzi, among other events and customs. The dragon boat races, accompanied by the sound of drums, are a spectacular sight. During the festival, you can watch the races or participate in making zongzi with locals. Zongzi is a special food made by steaming glutinous rice, meat, beans, etc., wrapped in bamboo leaves. Visiting Taiwan during this period offers a great opportunity to experience traditional culture with locals.

Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan, known for its clear blue water and the surrounding mountains. The lake is named for its shape, with the east side resembling the sun and the west side resembling the moon. There are well-maintained bicycle paths around the lake, making it a great place for cycling or taking a boat tour on the lake. Various activities like kayaking or boating are also available, offering different ways to experience the lake's beauty.

Alishan

Alishan is one of the most famous mountains in Taiwan, characterized by its alpine climate and beautiful forests. The sunrise and sea of clouds are particularly stunning, attracting many to climb the mountain early in the morning to see the sunrise. The Alishan Forest Railway is famous for its narrow tracks and winding routes, offering a unique experience of climbing the mountain by train. Built in 1912, the railway is a unique travel course that allows you to feel Taiwan's history. Alishan shows different attractions each season, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall, making it a year-round tourist destination.

National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is a place where you can see Taiwan's history and culture at a glance, housing the world's largest collection of Chinese art. It displays various art and artifacts from ancient China to the modern era, providing a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. The museum exhibits a variety of artworks, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings, allowing you to appreciate the rich artistic traditions of China. The National Palace Museum is considered one of the four great museums in the world for its scale and the value of its collections, making it a must-visit for those interested in art and history.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built to commemorate the achievements of Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of Taiwan and the founder of modern Taiwan. It is an important place to understand Taiwan's modern history and political changes, with its grand architecture and beautiful gardens attracting many tourists. The changing of the guards, held every hour on the hour, is very popular among visitors. Here, you can see the disciplined movements of the guards and the solemnity of the ceremony, offering a special experience to glimpse Taiwan's history and tradition.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a former brewery that has been transformed into an arts and cultural space, hosting various exhibitions and performances. It supports the creative activities of young Taiwanese artists, offering a great place to experience modern art and design in Taiwan. The park is a space where modern and past coexist, with remnants of the old brewery found throughout the building, blending with contemporary art pieces.

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts represents modern art in Taiwan, showcasing various works both domestic and international. It exhibits the works of modern Taiwanese artists and international artists, making it a recommended place for those interested in art. The museum regularly hosts various exhibitions and events, providing insight into Taiwan's artistic trends and global art movements. The building itself is also of artistic value, creating a space where architecture and art come together harmoniously, loved by many.

Traditional Markets and Modern Shopping Malls

In Taiwan's traditional markets, you can taste various local foods and purchase souvenirs at affordable prices. These markets offer a glimpse into traditional Taiwanese lifestyle, providing a closer look at locals' everyday lives. On the other hand, modern shopping malls offer the latest fashion items and various brand products, making them popular among shopping enthusiasts. The malls feature international brands and local Taiwanese brands, allowing you to shop for a variety of products. The restaurants and cafes within the malls let you enjoy Taiwan's modern culinary culture.

Traditional Arts and Modern Performances

Taiwan offers a variety of traditional and modern performances. You can experience Taiwan's history and culture through traditional music, dance, puppet shows, and more at performance venues, which help in understanding Taiwan's cultural diversity and depth. At the same time, you can enjoy modern musicals, theater, and concerts, experiencing Taiwan's artistic dynamism. These performances showcase the efforts of Taiwanese artists in combining tradition and modernity to create new cultural expressions.

Basic Items

• Passport: Although Taiwan allows visa-free entry, a passport is essential. Check the validity of your passport and prepare it. It's also a good idea to keep a copy of your passport with you or save it online in case of loss.
• Travel Insurance: It’s advisable to purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected situations. Overseas medical expenses can be high, so choose insurance that covers medical costs and accidents.
• Travel Guidebook or App: It's helpful to research Taiwan's major attractions, restaurants, and transportation in advance. Using a travel guidebook or app can be convenient. Especially, installing an app that works offline will allow you to travel without worrying about data usage.

Clothing and Footwear

• Seasonal Clothing: Taiwan has a subtropical climate, so pack light clothing for summer and light outerwear for winter. Especially in summer, it's good to have breathable clothes due to the high humidity.
• Comfortable Shoes: Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking, bring comfortable shoes or sandals. At night markets or tourist attractions, you may need to walk for extended periods, so it's important to choose shoes that don't strain your feet.

Other Essentials

• Electronics Chargers: Taiwan's voltage is 110V, so prepare a plug adapter. Don't forget to bring chargers for your phone, camera, etc., and a power strip can be handy for charging multiple devices at once.
• Personal Hygiene Items: Although basic toiletries are provided in Taiwan's accommodations, bring any personal items you may need. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to bring the products you usually use.

Taroko Gorge Trekking

Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan's most famous natural tourist attractions, where you can admire the beautiful scenery of sheer cliffs and clear rivers. Several trekking courses are available, recommended for those who love nature. Walking along the gorge, you can feel the grandeur of nature, with observation decks providing a panoramic view of the gorge's beauty. Trekking in Taroko Gorge offers a special experience of relieving stress and feeling at one with nature.

Hot Spring Experience in Taiwan

Taiwan is famous for its hot springs due to its volcanic geography. You can enjoy hot springs in various areas like Beitou and Keelung, where you can relax and spend leisurely time. Hot springs are a natural feature of Taiwan, known for relieving physical fatigue and promoting health, making them popular among locals. Especially, relaxation in an outdoor hot spring is a special memory of the Taiwan trip. You can feel the healing of the body and mind in nature, which is a unique attraction of traveling in Taiwan.

Night Market Tour

Taiwan's night markets are famous for their lively atmosphere and diverse foods. Enjoy various street foods and experience local culture on a night market tour. There are several night markets, including Shilin and Huaxi Street, each offering different attractions. Night markets provide not only the joy of eating but also a closer look at local life, allowing you to feel Taiwan's culture and sentiment. A tour of night markets offers more than just shopping; it provides travelers with an opportunity to experience the vibrant everyday life of Taiwan.

Traditional Craft Experiences

In Taiwan, you can learn about local culture through traditional craft experiences. Various programs like pottery making, paper crafts, and tea culture experiences offer special experiences. These programs provide hands-on learning, offering an opportunity to feel Taiwan's tradition and art personally. Handmade souvenirs can be great travel memories. The crafts you make are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, leaving you with a special memory of your trip to Taiwan.

Shopping for Local Specialties

Taiwan offers various specialties, making shopping enjoyable. You can purchase items like pineapple cakes, tea, tea utensils, and Taiwanese-made clothing, with tea being especially popular as a gift due to its excellent quality. Taiwanese tea is renowned worldwide for its great taste and aroma, and buying it with tea utensils makes it an even more special gift. Additionally, local markets and shops offer products that capture Taiwan's unique design and sensibility, enhancing the joy of shopping.