TAIWAN, ASIA HOLIDAY, TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
HOTELS IN TAIPEI CITY

Magical Taipei: Capital of Taiwan   by John Hacking

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, has evolved through many stages since its founding in the eighteenth century. Rice fields have yielded to skyscrapers, and a modern, commercial city of millions has grown out of once quiet settlements.

After climbing 508 metres up the Taipei 101 tower, the highest structure in the world, it can be seen easily from anywhere in the city, one can look down on the genuine Taipei amidst all the modern buildings: temples, markets, the National Palace Museum and in between them, the many old streets and lanes where everyday life in Taipei actually happens. First steps There was a swamp at the site of Taipei about 300 years ago, right where one of Asia's most modern cities now stands. Only the Pingpu, the original people of Formosa, who lived in the higher lying regions around the Taipei Basin, were able to reach this area by canoe. Han Chinese from China came later to fish and trade, but they stayed on the banks of the Tarsui River and did not venture into the area of modern Taipei. In 1709, a Chinese farmer named Chen Lai Chang from Chuanchou laid the foundations of a farm house in Takala, which is now central Taipei. From that point onwards, the number of settlers continually grew. The original settlement was known as Manka.

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From Manka to Tataocheng

The administration of Manka and the surrounding area was mainly handled by immigrants from various parts of mainland China. Because of differing views regarding the future of the administrative structure, tensions between the residents soon escalated. The violent confrontations that resulted came to an end in 1823.

One of the groups that was defeated fled from Manka, on the bank of the Tamsui River, to Tataocheng. There they began to make the land farmable land laid the foundations for a flourishing community. Tataocheng surpassed Manka in the nineteenth century, and became the centre of Taipei Prefecture in 1875.

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Fast modernisation When the Japanese colonised Taipei in 1895, they built their main district in Taipei, and the city continued to develop steadily thereafter, even after the departure of the occupiers in 1945 and after the break with mainland China. Within a hundred years, the once rural district had developed into the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Taiwan. Manka, Tataocheng and Chengnei have all lost their original appearance, but a number of historically important sites have been preserved, including the Lin Family Villa and Garden, once the home of a very powerful clan in the nineteenth century, as well as the Peace Park and the 1919 Presidential Palace.

Modern city with established traditions

Today, all glass office high rises, luxury condominiums and modern shopping districts are situated along wide, tree lined boulevards. Elegant restaurants, stylish nightclubs and appearances by international stars are all part of people's lives. Yet the traditional culture and way of life carries on below the contemporary surface.

Everywhere you go, you stumble on timeless scenes: believers praying to their gods in ancient temples, long religious processions winding their way through the streets to the accompaniment of firecrackers, and little shops offering herbal medicines that have been relied upon for millennia. Clearly, this is one of the oldest cultures in the world.

Dining in Taipei - a refreshing experience   by Pushpitha Wijesinghe

A city of many shrines, monasteries and places of worship, Taipei has a rich cultural history behind it and a bright future ahead. Blessed with a friendly local population and sub tropical climatic conditions, this treasure trove of a city is a haven for adventurous globe trotters who fancy a taste of Asia.

Known for being a city that has one of the highest densities of restaurants in the modern world, Taipei is a wonderland for those of us who actually appreciate the finer things in life. Cuisines from all over the world can be found here, with absolutely no discriminative boundaries.  While a gourmet restaurant would show you the more tender side of the city by serving a myriad of delectable meals one after the next, the ever popular night markets of Taipei will take you on a rollercoaster ride where mouthwatering treats enlighten your taste buds to sensations never felt before. Rest assured that choosing either of these options will not disappoint the food critic in you.

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Most food items served in these little market stalls and open air eating joints are safe to eat so travellers need not be too wary about what they sink their teeth into. Local visitors to these markets often carry around a little foldable stool because most shops do not have the luxury of offering dining spaces. Some of the most popular night market delicacies are oyster omelets, tianbula, stinky tofu, mango ice, pan fried pork buns, Taiwanese sausages on a stick, pearl milk tea and braised soy bean with tea eggs.

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On top of these sumptuous delights you can also sample a host of other dishes from Japanese, Korean, Chinese and even Indian cuisines which invariably come with that unmistakable Thai touch which in turn adds extra zest to the experience. Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei is another place where you can have the luxury of sampling some local cuisine. Boasting magnificent views of the city, this outstanding hotel in Taipei also promises many conveniences to the traveller. This elegantly appointed Taipei hotel offers a range of amenities and comforts which will make your stay a memorable one.

Taipei Featured Hotels

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TAIPEI FEATURED HOTELS, TAIWAN