The capital of Taiwan, Taipei is known for its many night markets and lively street food scene. It also boasts contemporary buildings and Japanese colonial lanes.
Xinyi
The Xinyi District is one of Taipei’s most developed districts. It is also a business and financial hub. This district has some of the highest property values in the country.
The Xinyi Special District is home to luxury shopping malls and trendy nightclubs. There is also an onsite marketplace that sells Taiwanese cuisine and arts and crafts.
The Xinyi District is also home to the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC). This complex is home to four exhibition halls that are open to the public for special events throughout the year.
Xinyi is also the home of the Taipei City Hall. The building is a conspicuous presence on the city’s skyline. Visitors can see the changing of the guard ceremony here.
Xinyi is also home to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. This monument was constructed to honor Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s centenary. The building is in Chinese palace style and has a dramatic yellow-gold roof.
Xinyi is a neighborhood with high property values and an abundance of office space. These apartments and condominiums tend to be occupied by foreign business people and executives from multinationals.
Zhongshan Metro Shopping Mall
The Zhongshan Metro Shopping Mall is Taipei’s first underground mall. It links the central Taipei Metro stations. You can easily get to it by taking the Tamsui-Xinyi Line or the Zhongshan MRT.
There are a lot of interesting and fun things to see and do at this mall. For example, you can check out a free art gallery. Also, there is a small garden with water features to enjoy.
If you are in the market for a souvenir or two, this is the place to do it. You can find everything from stickers to charms to shirts and purses.
There is even a book store! Eslite, a bookstore chain known for its 24-hour Dunhua location, has redeveloped the Book Street section of the mall. This has become a hit with the locals.
There is also a large food court at the Breeze Center. A cinema is located at the same location.
The Raohe Night Market is a popular tourist attraction, as it is a good place to try out some of Taiwan’s most popular dishes.
Taipei 101 skyscraper
Taipei 101 is one of the most impressive skyscrapers in Taiwan. This tower is the tallest in the nation and was the world’s tallest until the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai beat it in 2007.
The structure of Taipei 101 is reminiscent of a pagoda. It is built to withstand major earthquakes and typhoons.
Construction of the Taipei 101 started in 1999. In May 2003, Taipei 101 was ceremonially opened. As of 2007, the Taipei skyscraper had a total height of 508 meters.
Taipei 101 is situated on Hsinyi Road in the center of Taiwan’s capital. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Millions of tourists visit the tower every year.
The building’s facade is made of green glass walls. Energy-efficient lighting systems are installed. A state-of-the-art dynamic LED lighting system is also used. Green glass reduces heat gain by half.
Taipei 101’s exterior is complemented by mega-columns and high trusses. The building is designed with local symbols.
Street food
The Taiwanese capital, Taipei, is known for its street foods. These are tasty and affordable meals that are available for locals.
Street food in Taipei is a blend of Chinese, Japanese, and aboriginal cultures. It can be spicy, sweet, or both. Some of the best options include zha ji pai (fried chicken fillets), gua bao (Taiwanese hamburger), and green onion cakes.
Zha ji pai is made by pounding chicken cutlets flat and marinating them in soy sauce. It’s then topped with a sour and spicy sauce. You can find this in hole-in-the-wall noodles shops throughout Taiwan.
Aiyu jelly is made from the seeds of the fig tree. It’s a refreshing treat for hot summer days.
Another Taiwanese street food is pigs blood rice pudding. It’s served as a savory dish with a sweet syrup sauce. This dessert is often paired with exotic snails.
Gua bao is also a popular Taiwanese street food. You’ll find this sandwich in night markets and hole-in-the-wall restaurants across the country. In Taiwan, it’s topped with ground peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and cilantro.