Sightseeing in Taipei - what to see. Complete travel guide

Taipei is the capital of the island of Taiwan and its eponymous municipality. The amazing city with a beautiful authentic culture and a unique modern style has long attracted tourists with its unique historic monuments, rich cultural life, and variety of entertainment. Present Taipei is one of the most densely populated and expensive cities in the world. The permanent population of the city and its environs is more than 6 million people. A huge number of cars and the city's bustle cannot violate its traditional harmony and cheerful atmosphere.

Many travelers who have visited Taipei note a very friendly attitude of local residents. Many of them live their whole lives with the only dream to acquire their own housing in the dynamic metropolis. For many years, one of the main problems of the city has remained the critical shortage of real estate. The modern metropolis can seem chaotic and tedious only at first glance but it's quite easy to get used to the rhythm of its life. Travelers from distant countries begin feeling welcome here in a matter of days.

One of the best ways to join the national culture is to visit one of the national restaurants. It is believed that classic Chinese cuisine can be tried in Taipei. One of the main distinctive features of local restaurants is the unbelievable cooking speed. The thing is that local chefs use the simplest cooking methods, which take a minimal amount of time. Most of the national treats are cooked together and should be slightly roasted. However, boiling products is extremely rare among local cooks. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Besides the national cuisine, another amazing feature of Taipei is its multifaceted architecture. The city has preserved examples of classical Chinese buildings: spectacular architectural monuments of the last century, as well as incredibly beautiful modern skyscrapers. One of them - Taipei 101 - is one of the world's tallest buildings that was officially opened in 2003. The height of the 101-story skyscraper is 509.2 meters. It houses offices, as well as popular restaurants, shopping pavilions, and entertainment facilities.

The modern city is also known for its unique cultural centers. The National Palace Museum is a landmark of world significance with an exposition consisting of more than 700 000 priceless exhibits. Beautiful memorial complexes and ancient temples, fabulous parks and botanical gardens - such a variety of sights attracts thousands of curious travelers to Taipei every year. The ancient city's surroundings are also full of interesting historical sites and natural attractions. The wonderful city with a centuries-old history is sure to appeal to travelers who prefer active recreation.

Taipei is rich in unique museums that will get travelers acquainted with the rich cultural traditions of the region and its history. The National Palace Museum is also located in this area. This museum is present in the top 10 list of the most frequently visited museums in the world. The opening of the museum took place in 1925 in Beijing, but once the civil war ended, it was decided to transfer the unique collection to Taiwan. The museum exhibits precious historical and artistic artifacts, the age of some of which is more than six thousand years. The museum also has a large collection of archaeological artifacts that belong to the Neolithic age. A collection of the oldest calligraphic items is also worth the attention of visitors. In order to see the museum’s collection entirely, visitors will need more than one day because there are more than 700,000 exhibits in the museum.

Fans of art will enjoy a visit to the Art Museum that is known as one of the newest in the city. The opening of this museum took place in 2001. It is located in an attractive historical building that once belonged to the city’s administration. Works of local artists make up the basis of the museum’s collection, and the majority of items were made after the end of the World War II. The fabulous museum frequently hosts exhibitions dedicated to different areas of modern art.

Travelers with children and everyone keen on nature will find it incredibly interesting to attend the Taipei Zoo. It was founded in 1914 and remains the oldest zoo on the island. The gorgeous zoo occupies an area of 180 hectares. Tourists can explore only half of this giant area. In order to make it more comfortable for visitors, the large territory is divided into several thematic areas. Every year, more than 4 million people visit Taipei Zoo.