In Taipei, where to visit?

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. In Chinese, the word "taipei" means northern of Taiwan and Vietnamese name of this city is Đài Bắc. I had visited Taipei during 2006 to 2008, some for traveling, some for working in international conferences or business trip with Vietnamese professors. This evening, after checking in my mobile disk, I found some pictures which bring me good memories of Taipei. So I want to share with you story of my visits in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall , Taipei 101 tower and the Taiwan National Palace Museum during my stay in this beautiful Formosa.

1. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall 
The Memorial Hall locates in downtown of Taipei. This hall was built to memorize the late president of Taiwan and to express the honor and esteem of Taiwanese to their president Chiang Kai Shek, who inherited Sun Yan Sen's idealism. The architecture is based on Chinese majestic beauty in old times, representing through the gates and palace roofs. Let's enjoy the beauty of the Memorial Hall in my trips.

The 30-meter high Gate on the gateway. "Shang zhi  zhong ta" (正 至中大) means great centrality and perfect uprightness. 

I came to CKS in both winter and summer. Every time of my visits, the Memorial Hall holds its unique beauty. 

  Its summer beauties

 And its winter beauties

Even though being located in Taipei downtown, CKS is really Taiwanese national tranquility, a peaceful area out from the bustle of a modern city. This Hall occupies an area of 250 000 m2 of various gardens, majestic Chinese-style houses, walks and long hallways. In afternoon, many local Taiwanese come to walk, watch the changing guard at 6h30pm or feed the pigeons.

Walking through the broad yard of CKS Memorial Hall, you are heading to the upper floor of the Hall, where CKS statue locates. Inside the upper floor of the hall situates a bronze statue of Chiang Kai Shek. The ceiling of the Hall is unique because of typical Taiwanese national flat symbol, but sorry in my picture, it's not clear to see the symbol in center.

Anyway, later you have great impression to see the sunset out there.

How to get to CKS Memorial Hall:

By MRT, stop by exit no 5 & a short walk of 2-3 mins to reach the Hall. By bus, there are many local Taipei buses which can bring you to CKS Hall. Check it out the itinerary of any bus in your nearest bus station to choose your most convenient bus to be there. No 15, 18, 20, 22, 37, 204...are some of them.

2. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 landmark skyscraper is the pride of Taiwanese, Taipei city and Taiwan.

Now let's check it out view of Taipei in the Observatory floor.

It took me only 31 seconds to go up to 373m in height without dizziness when I was in elevator. I came to Taipei 101 Observatory in both day and evening time, which brought me different feelings to come. Taipei city was so beautiful from this height to see.

View of Taipei in day time



View of Taipei city at night

The mass damper keeps the tower balanced from strong wind


Interior of shopping area in other floors

3. National Palace Museum

Originally founded in Beijing in 1925, in order to avoid the ravages in Japanese war later on, the goverment shipped hundreds thousands of treasured works of art from Beijing to Taiwan, where now the collection was stored and displayed in their home in Waishuangxi area of Shilin, Taipei, where NPM is located now.

There's also another museum in Taibao, Chiayi opened this year as the NPM's southern branch.

The admission fee is 160 NT. For exhibition area, it's open from 9am to 5pm daily, except Saturday later to 8h30pm. There are free daily tours guided in Mandarin and in English but you need to register in group.

Over here, a huge pieces of more than 600 0000 treasured art works like painting and caligraphy, historical books, gems, antiquities, historical statues...are exhibited, making it the finest collection of Chinese art and culture in the world.

 

How to get there:

 Site for bus stop to NPM

By MRT, take the Dansui Line to Shilin Station. From there take the bus 255, 304 or minibus 18/19

To and from Dazhi or Neihu, take busess 213, 620 and 645

Even though visiting Taipei some times, I still wish to come back in future to see my friends there again. If you have chance to visit this city, let's explore Taipei & share me how Taipei touch your heart. Then these 3 places are highly recommended for your visit.

Fun Kenting Day 2

On the second day in Kenting, we had breakfast in hotel and checked out. Our itinerary was to visit Maobitou, the southernmost tip of Taiwan & the Eluanbi Lighthouse,  the light of East Asia among the complex of Kenting National park. Built in 1984, Kenting national park is Taiwan's oldest and southernmost national park, covering the southernmost area of the Taiwan island.

 

Our bus took us to Maobitou., whose name in Mandarin meant cat's nose and head. This place is on the southeast corner of the peninsula Hengchun in Pingtung. It is nice to wait for the sunset here. Therefore, Maobitou is one of the eight notable sceneries of Hengchun.

 

The bus ran across the beach then stopped to let us out visiting a giant piece of coral which is jutting out the sea. This is an excellent place to see the seashore with magnificent waves coming sometimes.

 

There was a little dog enjoying watching Maobitou with us too. We continued our journey to explore another attraction in Kenting called Eluanbi Light house.

The path from main gate to go see the Lighthouse

There were many beautiful unique souvenirs made by colorful seashells here.

The scene of the Eluanbi area were gorgeous under the sunshine & wind

Here we are the Light house. Our Taiwanese friends said this place was renowned as the Light of East Asia, because of its height & wide optical power. The 4-floor lighthouse  is covered white, and shaped cylindrical. When we came, it was closed to go up the top of Light house. So we missed the chance to get wider view to ocean, which I bet it would be so great.

 

With a height of 21-meter and spreading out a circumference of 110 meters, its optical power of light can reach 20 miles far. Therefore, Eluanbi has been considered as the most intensified lighthouse in Asia.

From this area, we could take walk in wooden path across the seashore - the thing which made us feel so nice to see & hear the wave & beautiful ocean view.

 

Leaving Eluanbi Lighthouse, we stopped by a Go-Kart place, which is quite common in Kenting for one of popular amusement activities here. Each of us had our own go-kart. And it was cool to try this game. We left Kenting with such nice impression.

Kenting is really a fascinating and affordable destination. For any expats living  in Taiwan  the 2 day trip to Kenting like my trip would cost about 2300-3000 NTD

Transportation: 800-1000 NTD (KHH to Pingtung & local transportation)

Eating & accommodation (1 night 2 days): 1200 -1800 NTD

Amusement ticket: 300 NTD