From ancient temples to towering futuristic skyscrapers, Taipei is more than just a city – it is a cultural kaleidoscope where tradition coexists harmoniously with modern technology and innovation.
Taipei is a metropolis full of life, boasting cultural treasures, culinary delights, and a vibrant tapestry of experiences that captivate the senses.
The Bruneian, along with several representatives from other media representatives, recently had the opportunity to explore the various facets of the vibrant city.
A glimpse into the newly-built Taipei Dome
On the first day, we had the privilege to step foot into the newly-built Taipei Dome, a multipurpose stadium located in the Xinyi District.
Opened in October 2023, the Taipei Dome took 30 years in the making and is set to become a new landmark that offers sporting events, entertainment, dining, and retail experiences
The newly built indoor stadium can host about 40,000 spectators for baseball events. While it is primarily designed to host the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), the stadium can also hold up to 60,000 people for concerts.
Moreover, the baseball stadium is designed around a Major League Baseball field with five levels of functions required for a world-class indoor sports venue.
The Taipei Dome will also serve as a social space, with restaurants, department stores, and cinemas slated to open by the end of 2024.
Experiencing new heights at Taipei 101
Our next stop was Taipei 101. Towering 101 stories above the ground at 508 metres, the skyscraper takes center stage in the thriving district of Xinyi.
Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2007 and remains an iconic symbol of Taiwan’s modern architecture.
The design of the skyscraper was inspired by Chinese elements and the pattern of a bamboo stalk that symbolizes both learning and growth.
As you step into the base of the Taipei 101, you are greeted by a multi-level shopping mall specialising in high-end stores from around the world.
The journey, however, begins with a high-speed elevator ride that takes you to the 89th floor in less than 40 seconds.
Stepping out of the elevator, you are greeted by the floor-to-ceiling glass window offering a 360-degree view of Taiwan’s sprawling urban and natural landscape.
Not only that but we also got a chance to see the world’s largest wind-damping ball in action, known as the “Tuned Mass Damper” (TMD) on the 88th floor. The 660-ton steel pendulum has helped Taipei 101 withstand earthquakes and typhoons.
Taking it to the next level, we also had a chance to marvel at Taiwan’s iconic skyline from the outdoor observatory deck on the 91st floor. From above, you can see a unique blend of modern and traditional architecture.
Visiting the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Contrasting the modern skyscrapers, our next destination was exploring the national historical site of Taiwan.
The rich cultural heritage, architectural wonders, and treasure trove of historical settings make the city a perfect destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.
The first national monument we visited during our trip was the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a symbol of Taiwan’s transition to democracy. It is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists.
The memorial park also includes the Liberty Square Archway, Main Plaza, Hall, National Theater, National Concert Hall and several gardens and pavilions.
We spent a few minutes strolling around the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, admiring the traditional Chinese architecture with its white structure and blue octagonal roof, both colours representing the national flag.
We also climbed up the white stairs that lead to the main entrance, with each 89 steps representing Chiang’s age at the time of his death.
Inside, the hall houses a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek surrounded by calligraphy that represents Chiang’s political values of ethics, democracy and science.
We also had a chance to witness the changing of the guard ceremony at the Memorial Hall.
However, according to the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan, as of 15 July 2024, the ceremonial guards will no longer be performing the changing of the guard ceremonies around a giant statue. The performance will be moved outdoors to Taipei’s Democracy Boulevard.
During the visit, we also got to explore the library and museum that showcased Taiwan’s complex historical journey and various artifacts from Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career, ranging from his uniform to his luxury Cadillacs.
National Palace Museum: a treasure trove of historical gem
There are many reasons why Taipei is such a great travel destination for history buffs and art lovers, the National Palace Museum is one of them.
Spreading over four floors and two exhibition halls, the National Palace Museum houses the world’s largest collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese art and artifacts including calligraphy, porcelain, bronzes, paintings, jades and many other artifact
A museum full of rich stories, we had the opportunity to journey through 8,000 years of history, from the neolithic age to the modern period.
The museum’s exhibition continuously rotated. We had a chance to see the beautiful and intricate ceramic craftsmanship from each dynasty from the Pottery figure of a standing lady from the Tang Dynasty to the Pillow in the shape of a recumbent child from the Northern Song dynasty.
Another highlight from the visit was seeing rare and the most celebrated porcelain throughout the centuries, the Chicken Cup from the Ming Dynasty in person.
Although we did not have enough time to explore every corner of the museum, we also managed to see furniture made from rare high-density red sandalwood at the ‘Legacy of Magnificent Glory Usual Scenes from Qing Palace’ exhibition.
A vibrant evening in Taipei
Further into the day, we had the chance to explore the city at night.
Taipei is an adventure for the senses, the city is known for its vibrant night markets, where you can indulge in tantalizing street food, shop for unique souvenirs and immerse yourself in the lively nightlife.
Enchanting visitors with colourful neon lights and a charming ambiance, Shilin Night Market is one of the popular night markets in Taipei to visit. It is also one of the oldest and largest night markets in the city.
Being one of the largest and oldest markets in the capital, you will find almost anything you can think of here.
Its vibrant alleyways are lined up with food stalls and vendors offering a wide array of tempting street foods from delectable oyster omelets to stinky tofu.
From dart shooting to goldfish scooping, there are many games and activities to do at the night market.
If you walk further into the heart of Shilin Night Market, you will also get a chance to see the famous 3D tiger billboard.
Another highlight of Taipei is its themed 7-Eleven store. We had the opportunity to visit the Sumikko Gurashi-themed store.
Inside the store, you will find all the Sumikko Gurashi characters decorated everywhere from the seating area to the display cabinet. The store also has a good selection of character-themed merchandise like plushies, water bottles and more
Reflecting back, Taipei is a beautiful juxtaposition of the traditional and the modern.
There are countless reasons to visit and many things to do in Taipei. The city offers a kaleidoscope of sights, activities and a rich cultural scene with a treasure chest of museums and markets that come alive in the evenings.
All and all, the city has been quite an eye-opening and sensory fun experience.
THE BRUNEIAN | TAIPEI, TAIWAN
