Taipei
If you want to immerse yourself in the authentic Asian urban modern lifestyle, then one of the best places to do it is Taipei. City, which often stays a little out of sight of western tourists, but attracting crowds of Chinese, Japanese and other Asians. A place with still controversial international status, but of great economic importance to the whole of the East Asian region. And although Bulgaria does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country, and maybe that's why, Taipei is one of the most interesting destinations in Asia, which you can visit.
Strict rules, adherence to discipline and orderly life are inherent in the peoples of East Asia, but they always impress Balkan tourists like us. Buses in Taipei run in the middle of eight-lane boulevards and follow exactly their schedule, and no one thought to enter their lane, to save congestion. In the subway, everyone is lined up on the right of the escalator and patiently waiting in line at the trains. The messages in the trains for the upcoming stops are constantly going on, as well as warnings to give way to pregnant women, old or elderly people. Talking on the phone is not desirable, so as not to disturb others. You are not allowed to eat or drink anything on the subway, even water. Street trash cans are extremely rare, but so is the garbage. And the recipe for compliance with all the rules are high and uncompromising fines, which naturally or forcibly make Taiwanese and Taipei residents live in excellent order, peace and respect for each other and for the world around.
One of the paradoxes is, that life in Taipei is not at all quiet, and the geographical location of the city predisposes to constant turmoil and problems, but the feeling is somehow quite different. Typhoons and devastating storms are a common sight, but the locals are apparently so used to it, that even after the strongest hurricane it takes no more than a few days, so that no trace of him remains. And life in Taipei continues to boil - from the crowds on the high floors of Taipei Tower 101 Japanese and Chinese tourists, through ancient temples and rich museums, art neighborhoods and night markets, which are a favorite place of young people.
Taipei 101 it is no longer the tallest building in the world, but as there are no former presidents, and such remarkable buildings will always have a place in history and culture. 509-the meter-tall skyscraper held the first place in between 2004 and 2010 year, but even today, although displaced in height, has not lost its popularity and brilliance among visitors to Taipei. The building has a curious shape of bamboo and is home to the fastest elevator in the world, which passes 90 floors for 39 seconds, without causing you terrible nausea. Another attraction inside the building itself is the 730-ton stabilizing ball, to support the balance and stability of the building in case of earthquake. On calm days, the giant orb looks unshakable, but you don't want to be around and watch it shake during an earthquake. But the important thing is, that Taipei 101 can withstand an earthquake from 7 by Richter. Tourists can climb between the floors 88 and 91, as on the 91st there is even a zone, in which you can go outdoors. The truth is, that because of the many safety barriers, the view from there is not always the best. But in the other tourist areas you can enjoy the panorama through the windows, to take pictures and buy souvenirs.
There is a shopping center on the lower floors of the tower, in which you can spend a fortune, but to get the collections of luxury world brands. Or dine in one of the fine restaurants, who, though insanely expensive, will offer you some of the best dishes, which you can try in Taiwan.
Probably the second most recognizable building in Taipei is the memorial to former Chinese leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.. It was built in 1980 g., 5 years after the dictator's death, ruled China first, and then the state, which we now call Taiwan, but it is officially called the Republic of China and, according to many documents, is still part of the People's Republic of China. For these, who do not want to delve into the history of China and Taiwan, we will say, that the building is one of the biggest attractions in the city, extremely impressive in appearance, decorated with parks and streams, and inside is a small museum and a bronze statue of the leader. For Taiwanese, it is one of the most historically significant places.
The memorial is located on Freedom Square, and around it are the traditional Chinese-style buildings of the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.
Taipei is an attractive place and a paradise for art lovers. With its rich museums and artistic districts, it attracts lovers of beauty from all over the world. Collects both manifestations of contemporary art, and works with a thousand-year history.
The National Palace - Museum of Art is considered one of the most important in the Chinese-speaking world. In it can be found over 700 000 in the artifact, created for over 8000 years of Chinese history. The roots of this museum go back to the Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing, from where many of the artifacts were transferred during the last years of the Chinese Civil War.
Another artistic place in the city is "Treasure Hill" (Treasure hill) - artistic district, a former settlement of civil war veterans. Today there you can find many local and foreign artists and visit exhibitions or musical performances. You will notice many galleries, left open for visitors, without anyone in them.
Huashan Art Park is another attractive place in the city, built on the site of an old winery, and today a base of artists and NGOs. Another similar place is the cultural and creative park Songshan, which also utilizes old buildings for art purposes, in this case a former tobacco factory. In the area is one of the most famous bookstores in Taipei - Eslite. 44 South Village is the name of another artistic zone, very close to Taipei 101. There used to be barracks there, and today a cozy cafe, shop and bakery.
THE TEMPLES OF TAIPE
Temples are one of the most visited places by tourists around the world, regardless of religion. They enchant with their remarkable architecture and decoration, with attention and deep devotion, with which they are created. This feeling persists over the years and centuries and millions of tourists visit temples around the world, just to enjoy their beauty.
Longshan Temple is one of those places of attraction. It was built in 1738 r. and attracts tourists from all over the world with its exquisite architecture, details, colors.
Mengchia Chingshui is another remarkable temple with smaller dimensions, but no less beauty, famous for its carved roof and facade.
One different, but an equally spiritual place is the Fagushan Nongchan Temple, in which you can find unearthly peace. The building was built in 1975 r. for a monastery and is surrounded on all sides by water.
The night street market can be exotic in Europe, but one of the very typical things about Taiwan and Taipei in particular. Open from sunset to sunrise, some of them are located in locations, built specifically for markets. But others are simply occupying streets and pedestrian areas, which are loaded during the day, but in the evening they subside. Almost everything is sold there - clothes, food, all kinds of household utensils and everything, which you may need in everyday life. These markets are usually noisy and busy places, where you can feel the spirit of the locals in Taipei.
Night markets are also one of the places, where you can have a late dinner or a second dinner, to have a drink with friends or just for a walk. You will find many stalls with street food or small shops - snack bars.
One of the most popular places to gather Taiwanese with friends are the places, known as Quick Fry or Hot Fry (kuai chao, Quick fry).These are something like makeshift fast food eateries, which, however, sometimes expand and cover space as for several stores. There, usually large groups of friends gather and sit at low round tables and small chairs, they drink beer and eat fried seafood.
Taipei is one of the best places outside of Japan, in which you can enjoy the cherry blossoms. In Taipei, they bloom from late January to early March. One of the best places around Taipei for this purpose is Yanminshan National Park. Another attraction for flower lovers are the fields with mud, which can also be seen in Yanminshan National Park in the spring. Azaliite, the national flower of Taiwan, also decorate the capital in the spring.
Yanminshan (Yangmingshan) is the closest national park to Taipei. It is located in the Yangming Mountain Range, with the highest peak Qixingshan - 1120 meters. The peak is actually a dormant volcano, erupted for the last time before 700 000 years. Because of the volcano, the region is very rich in hot springs.
The climate in Taipei is tropical and the best seasons to visit are spring, autumn and winter. Summers are hot and humid, and the rain can rain and stop several times a day. Autumn and winter are calmer and you will avoid the crowds of tourists. During these less popular seasons you can also find great prices on hotels and plane tickets, and Taipei will welcome you with warm and pleasant weather.
This article was written with the assistance of BulTravel and Agent Express EOOD.
Author : Ivan Rashkov
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