Taipei 101

Taiwan has many large cities and towns.  One of the most well known building in Taiwan is Taipei 101 also known as the Taipei World Financial Center.  It was officially recognized as the world’s tallest in 2004. 

I have visited Taipei 101 several times when I was in Taiwan and every time I visited, it really surprised by how tall this building is.  It was very pleasing to see the structures of Taipei 101 as well. 

Taipei 101 is designed to withstand the typhoon winds and earthquake tremoes that are common in the east area in Taiwan. 

Here is the view from the Taipei 101.  

What’s more surprised me was that within Taipei 101, there was a 660-tonne steel pendulum that serves as a tunes mass damper.  According to the guide, it cost US $4 million to create it.  In addition, this sphere is considered as the largest damper sphere in the world, consists of 41 circular steel plates of varying diameters.  This sphere serves as to prevent damage to the structure due to strong wind loads.  Just from this sphere, I felt the struggle and efforts that workers have put to build such astonishing building like this 660-tonne steel pendulum and Taipei 101. 

Night Market in Taiwan

As in many Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. Night markets are open-air markets, usually on a street or alleyway, with vendors selling all sorts of wares on every side.  Night markets in Taiwan have become famous for their xiaochi, a name of Chinese food which translate to as “small food”.  As it is exactly defined as small food, xiaochi is served in small portions, more of similar to fast food portion.  What’s interesting is that instead of serving xiaochi as carry-out items, many food stands sellers provide small folding tables and stools to sit for customers who would like to eat right away.  This is not the only thing that I found it very interesting.  What surprised me the most is how cheap these xiaochi are.  These dishes are offered at low prices, usually around $30NTD to $50NTD (in USD, it would be between the $1 and $1.75).  So visitors like you, who expect to enough to be full during a trip to night market can spend only around $100NTD to 300NTD (between $3 to $10 USD).  Most night markets also have some small restaurants, which provide a number of simple courses that allow people to finish a full meal without having to eat their way through the entire market.    

Places that you should visit in Taiwan

People tend to think of Taiwan as a small crowded island nation filled mostly with electronic factories, and if you stay in Taipei or along the west coast you might indeed maintain that impression. However, the island nation is also home to high mountain ranges, great beaches and stunning national parks - many with hot springs.

•   Alishan(阿里山) - misty forests of giant cypresses and amazing sunrises at the center of the island, reached by a scenic narrow-gauge train

This is the picture of tea garden at Alishan hill and sunrise

There are many national park located in Taiwan, such as Kenting National Park(墾丁國家公園),  Shei-pa National Park(雪霸國家公園), and Yangmingshan National Park(陽明山國家公園).

•   Kenting National Park(墾丁國家公園) - located at the extreme southern tip of the island, this park is famous for its beaches and lush vegetation. 

View of beaches from the Kenting National Park and festival is hold in every March

•   Shei-pa National Park(雪霸國家公園) - a park spanning mountains and rivers located in Hsinchu County- great hiking trails.  

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it is really popular spot for people who like to hike.  I believe it is one of the best hiking spot in national park in Taiwan

•   Yangmingshan National Park(陽明山國家公園) - spanning a mountain range overlooking Taipei. At Yangmingshan National Park, people can enjoy a picnic either in the open air or a nature walk.  Hikers can also spend several hours crossing through sub-tropical rain forests, evergreen, broad-leaved forests, and silver-grassed plains.  Hiking at the Mt. Qixing can help you to discover a volcano with geysers and hot spring! and it is very interesting to see this hot spring.

•   Sun Moon Lake(日月潭) - nestled at 762 m (2,500 ft) in lofty mountains in Nantou County, this lake is famous for its clear sparkling blue water and picturesque mountain backdrop.

•   Taipingshan(太平山) - a historic logging area and one of Taiwan's most scenic spots. Located in Yilan County. Mostly covered in mist that sometimes it is hard to see cuifent lake. Interesting spot for Taipingshan is that there is a historical trails around the lake as well as forest called "ancient forest".  However, some of the historical trails are blocked midway.  As for hikers, I suggest to bring own lunch before heading for the mountain because at cuifent lake visitors center, the choices for food are very limited because of short supply of food.  

•   Yushan(Jade Mountain/玉山) - at 3,952 m (12,966 ft) the highest mountain in not just Taiwan, but all East Asia.  Unlike other mountain in Taiwan, hikers are required to have both a park entry permit from the park authorities and a mountain climbing permit from the police.  What attracts Taiwanese mountain climbers and climbers from all over the world is because of Yushan's stunning scenery.  Sea of clouds often cover the valleys giving people a feeling of being on top of the world.  

Gives an impression that you are standing on top of the world

Night Market in Taiwan

I believe the most of people may hear it or visited before to Taiwan.  Taiwan is a sovereign state in East Asia and a small island nation located off the coast of southwest of Okinawa, Japan and north of the Philippines.   Taiwan has some very impressive scenic sites and its capital, Taipei, is a vibrant culture and entertainment hub and I am going to talk about various things that I found when I visited Taiwan.

As in many Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. Night markets are open-air markets, usually on a street or alleyway, with vendors selling all sorts of wares on every side.  Night markets in Taiwan have become famous for their xiaochi, a name of Chinese food which translate to as “small food”.  As it is exactly defined as small food, xiaochi is served in small portions, more of similar to fast food portion.  What’s interesting is that instead of serving xiaochi as carry-out items, many food stands sellers provide small folding tables and stools to sit for customers who would like to eat right away.  This is not the only thing that I found it very interesting.  What surprised me the most is how cheap these xiaochi are.  These dishes are offered at low prices, usually around $30NTD to $50NTD (in USD, it would be between the $1 and $1.75).  So visitors like you, who expect to enough to be full during a trip to night market can spend only around $100NTD to 300NTD (between $3 to $10 USD).  Most night markets also have some small restaurants, which provide a number of simple courses that allow people to finish a full meal without having to eat their way through the entire market. 

Most famous night markets: 

Famous night market that I am going to introduce is Shilin Night Markets (士林夜市 or 士林市場） .  It is one of the most famous and largest night markets in Taiwan, located in Taipei, capital of Taiwan.  In my experience, this night market is the busiest market I have ever been to in Taiwan.  The night market wakes up in the late afternoon and early evening, and as soon as shops start opening, waves of people like tsunami rushed into street.  I was astonished by how lively people were in Shilin Night Markets.  Locals people often came with family and friends to eat, and I was able to observe how friendly the locals were to everyone, even to a tourist like myself.  As I walked along the street of Shilin Night Market, I found a route to the National Palace Museum, making it a good next stop for museum for tourists.  

Here is the most famous snacks and my favorite snacks:

雞排 (jīpái) is a deep-fried chicken breasts seasoned with various spices

I really liked this fried-chicken because it was really soft and crunchy even though it was made from chicken breasts. 

Oyster Omelets: (蚵仔煎 ó āh jiān – It is made from eggs, oysters and the leaves of a local chrysanthemum, topped with sweet red sauce.

大腸包小腸 dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng (grilled Taiwanese sausages, small sausage wrapped in large sausage)

There are also drinks that visitors should never miss it in Shilin Market.  There are drinks such as pearl milk tea known as 珍珠奶茶 Zhēnzhū nǎichá, Chinese herbal teas, and juices made with fresh local fruits and vegetables.   

"CoCo" is one of the most popular beverage shops in Taiwan