The tropical island of Taiwan with a high standard of living has always attracted thousands of tourists who dream of exoticism. Unique sights, untouched nature, modern buildings - all this makes the paradise attractive in the eyes of travelers. It is interesting, but several decades ago it was considered a real backwater, until in 1949 the Chinese elite escaped here from the Communists, turning the island into a thriving shopping center in Asia, whose independence China does not recognize.
Taipei (Taiwan): Description of the city
The history of the metropolis began in the XVIII century, when immigrants from the Chinese province of Fujian settled on the territory. Scattered settlements in a hundred years turned into a single administrative center. After 67 years ago the government of the Republic of China was located on the island, its economy began to actively develop due to foreign investment. In dynamic Taipei, many industrial enterprises were located, and today, the original pearl of Taiwan is recognized as the main center for the production of electronic equipment and high technology.
In the city, which is the capital of the island, and to be completely accurate, the capital of the Republic of China (not to be confused with the PRC), there are the main banking and trading establishments.
Features of the megalopolis
Modern Taipei (Taiwan), where life is raging even at night, cannot be called a popular place for tourists, although lately interest in the young metropolis has begun to increase. The densely populated capital surprises with an unusual combination of Orthodox churches and Taoist temples, and the cathedral mosque is recognized as the main attraction of the city, in which different cultures and traditions are mixed.
Residents are distinguished by their hospitality and are friendly to all foreigners. Fifty years, the village was occupied by Japan, but no one feels any hostility towards this country.
The city of Taipei (Taiwan), the description of which is presented in the article, is famous for its colorful musical performances and festivals.
National cuisine and tea ceremony
Speaking about the features of the city, one can not help but mention the national cuisine, which incorporates both Chinese and Japanese recipes. Tourists who visit Taipei (Taiwan) admit that they saw a real gastronomic variety with many unusual dishes. The main products are rice, fish, oysters, vegetables, sweet potato, noodles.
Recently, dishes that use tea and flowers are gaining popularity, which is very surprising for Europeans. For example, in restaurants you can try deliciously delicious shrimp served with olive flowers, herbal soups or an unusual salad of rose petals. But tea is what the meal begins with and ends with. Products for export began to be sold domestically about 35 years ago, and at that time the first specialized establishments were opened to promote the culture of drinking tea.
Now the city of Taipei (Taiwan) is famous for the fact that in the local shops you can buy incredible varieties of the drink, recognized as the hallmark of the island. In the mountainous regions, the most fragrant oolong is grown, which cannot be cheap. Tourists are warned about the possibility of fake tea, so if the drink is sold at a low price, it means that you are trying to slip a fake from Vietnam.
Main skyscraper Taipei 101
The vibrant metropolis, in which there are practically no tall buildings, is proud of the main skyscraper that attracts the attention of all tourists. The giant structure was built in an active seismic zone, and all the characteristics of the terrain were taken into account when designing the object. The opening of the skyscraper, inside which there is a multi-ton ball that prevents the structure from falling during strong winds, took place on New Year's Eve 12 years ago.
High-speed elevators dominate the upper floors of tourists, and from there guests admire the wonderful sight of the city at night, illuminated by colorful lights. In a 101-story skyscraper 509 meters high, there are shopping centers, office space, luxury restaurants, entertainment clubs, in short, all that Taipei is famous for - the capital. Taiwan, whose sights are truly unique, did not skimp on the construction of a skyscraper, which became an exact copy of the Tower of Babel and a symbol of the city.
Kaishi memorial
Residents of the metropolis are incredibly kind to the founder of the Republic of China - a politician, Chiang Kai-shek. In order to perpetuate the memory of the Generalissimo, a memorial was built with a huge area of 250 thousand square kilometers. Taiwan, all the time trying to overtake China in its achievements, was guided by the Beijing Temple of Heaven.
The towering memorial, made of white marble and blue tiles shimmering in the sun, looks solemn and elegant. Near the erected bronze monument to the great military commander, a guard changes every four hours, and a crowd of foreign guests with bated breath watches the honed movements of soldiers with detached faces. There is also a curious exposition dedicated to the life of Kaisi.
Funicular
For those who are ready to tickle their nerves, and want to explore the surroundings of the city, a funicular in the Maokong area has opened. A cable car with a length of four kilometers and transparent cabins through which the capital of Taiwan living in a rapid rhythm is perfectly visible will not leave anyone indifferent. Taipei, a bird's eye view, fascinates with its bright and unusual beauty, and the funicular ride is remembered for a long time.
Interesting Facts
- In a dynamically developing city there are night markets, which are very popular. The most famous of them is Shilin imprisoned for tourists, where you can buy not only clothes, but also various delicacies whose aromas are in the air. Visitors and noisy companies of local youth roam here.
- Taipei (Taiwan) is called the city of mopeds, and they allocate a special zone for them, where the path is closed to pedestrians.
- A well-developed metro system confuses those who first find themselves in a metropolis. Trains running throughout the city run not only underground, but also along street racks.
- The local population loves cute pandas and tries to reach the hearts of other people, conveying the idea that these animals need to be protected. In the center of Taipei there are paper sculptures of charming animals, and there are as many images as there are 1600 in the wild.
- The metropolis is loved by all the shopaholics of the world. There are boutiques with expensive and affordable brands on every corner, and many fashionistas come here only for shopping.
- Since ancient times, Taipei (Taiwan) has been famous for its local ceramics - an important heritage of Chinese culture, so no tourist leaves without crafts of talented artists who create real works of art.
The mysterious island, shrouded in legends, has already been loved by many foreigners. According to researchers, in 2016, an exotic corner will receive more than 10 million tourists from around the globe. Well, it is recommended to start your journey with a colorful capital, which can amaze with contrasts and a special atmosphere.