If you're looking for a taste of old Taipei, then head for the Wan Hua district. Located on the Dan Shui River, Wan Hua was an important Chinese trading post and the prosperity of the period is reflected in its ornate temples, one of which is the Lungshan temple. Another historic part of the city is the Da Tong (Tatung) district. Among the winding alleys you will find European style colonial buildings standing beside intricate Chinese temples.

Take a stroll down Di Hua Street, which is lined with traditional shops selling all manner of potions and cure-alls! The Shi Lin (Shihlin) district is renowned for its bustling night market, whilst Taipei's vibrant night scene bumps and grinds until the early hours in nearby Da An (Ta An). In the bustle of modern Taipei, Zhong Shan (Chungshan) the former commercial centre is now known for its shops, bars and cultural sights, which include the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. The current hub of commercial activities, Song Shan (Sungshan) is also one of the most cosmopolitan districts and packed with foreign restaurants. Zhong Zheng (Chungcheng), the political centre, is home to municipal parks and museums, of which the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is the most renowned.

Facts

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1. Longshan Temple

Originally built in 1738, this is the oldest and most popular worshipped temple in Taipei. It has bronze dragons on pillars symbolizing protection, and Buddha sculptures in the main hall. A visit to this magnificent temple will grant you an understanding of Chinese architecture and religion.

Address: 211 Guangzhou Street, Taipei

2. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. The building standing at 508 m / 1,667 ft! This Taipei landmark was designed in eight sections, since the Chinese lucky number is just that. The building has 101 floors with some of the fastest elevators in the world, travelling at a speed of almost 61 kilometres per hour.

Address: 8 Sung-Chih Road, Taipei

3. Dan Shui Riverside Cycle Path

A well maintained path running from Tam Sui MRT to the Hung Shu Lin MRT. Beautiful scenery and access to one of the region's few remaining mangrove swamps.

Address: 40 Roosevelt Road, Taipei

4. Fine Arts Museum

If you love art then this is the place for you. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum has something for any art enthusiast. It opened its doors in December 1983 and was the first museum of modern art in Taiwan. Today it has more than 4000 pieces of art works.

Address: 181 Zhongshan North Road, Taipei

5. Maokong Gondola

Take the glass bottom gondola all the way to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy stunning views of the city. At the top you will find food stands, tea shops and some paths for hiking. The ride takes about 20 minutes to the top.

Address: Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo Station, Taipei

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The regional cuisine is a mix of Chinese, Japanese and aboriginal Hakka styles. It is also influenced by its island geography and the scarcity of arable land. Fish and poultry, therefore, play a large part in the local cooking. However, the basis of all the dishes is the array of seasonings that is particular to Asian cooking such as soy sauce, rice wine and sesame oil, supplemented by Black beans, peanuts, chilli peppers and a local variety of basil.

1. Tainan Tan-Tsu-Mien

This seafood restaurant has a european ambiance with an interior design reminding you of Vienna or Versailles. Their cuisine holds a high standard and the menu is quite varied.

Address: No.31 Hua-Hsi Street, Taipei

2. Ji Pin

Ji Pin is a renowned seafood restaurant. Specialities include shark fin, abalone and mushroom and scallop dumplings. The restaurant has a modern New York-style decor.

Address: 236 XinYi Road, Taipei

3. Flavors

Flavors is an excellent option if you're getting tired of the exotic Asian food. Try the swedish twist: Swedish meatballs, meat of deer or a rhubarb dessert perhaps?

Address: Ren Ai Road, Section 4 No.13 Alley 26 Lane 300, Taipei

4. Shin Yeh

Shin Yeh serves authentic regional cuisine. The fish dishes are excellent, particularly the sweet and sour shrimps. The friendly and cheerful staff makes you feel at home.

Address: 34-1 Shuang Cheng Street, Taipei

5. Din Tai Feng

Din Tai Feng is internationally renowned for its selection of delicately steamed dumplings. High quality raw material is one of their secrets. This is a very popular restaurant so you might have to wait but the staff are very friendly and efficient.

Address: No.45 Shifu Road, Taipei

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Taipei is a shopping extravaganza that caters for every budget. For those who are looking for an authentic Taipei shopping experience and who likes a bargain, then the night markets are the places to head for. At Shi lin (Jiantan MRT) you can find everything from clothes to traditional regional foods.

Stop for a bite to eat at one of the roadside food vendors, whose specialities include oyster omelettes. Hua Xi St, or Snake alley as it is better known, is located in the Wan Hua district and is more a bizarre tourist attraction than a real market. Ophidiophobics beware! Here you will find everything - snake-performances, snake blood drinks and all manner of snake dishes.

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Taipei has a large selection of hotels in all price ranges – from the highest luxury to simple and inexpensive rooms. Whether you are planning a holiday, a special weekend or a business meeting, Taipei surely has something that appeals to you.

1. Regent Taipei

This luxury hotel lies in the very heart of Taipei and offers spacious and beautifully designed rooms. The premises include a Wellspring Spa urban resort, a Health Club & Sauana and a rooftop pool.

Address: No. 3, Lane 39, Section 2, ZhongShan North Road, Taipei

2. Donghwa Hotel

In a central location on the Puxi side of the river, 88 is chic boutique hotel with Chinese tones. There's a pool, gym, squash court and so on, and the rooms have kitchen facilities.

Address: No.156, Section 4, Nanjing East. Road, Taipei

3. KDM Hotel

KDM Hotel is a budget hotel with a very convenient location, close proximity to shopping, restaurants and entertainment. The interior design goes for simple, yet elegant, and on-site facilities include a Chinese restaurant, a business center and availability to ADSL internet access.

Address: 8, Section 3, Zhong Xiao East Road, Taipei

4. Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel

Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel is an Asian-inspired five star hotel with 43 impressive stories towering over Taipei's business district. The views are amazing and the service outstanding.

Address: 201 Tun Hwa South Road, Section 2, Taipei

5. Eight Elephants Hostel

This hostel was rated best hostel in the region a few years back, and they haven't lost that quality. Clean, homey and stylish centrally located in a cool student district.

Address: JinJiang Street, Lane 48, Alley 4, No.6, 1F, Taipei

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1. Airport

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is located 40 km southwest of Taipei. There are several buses to choose from between the airport and Taipei. The buss number 1819 goes to Taipei Main Station and the journey time is 55 minutes. It departs from the airport every 15-20 minutes between 05.40-01.30 (03.00 additional departure). Tickets are sold at bus counters. There is also the buss number 5201 that runs between the airport and to Taipei City every 15-20 minutes.

The most efficient transport from the airport to Taipei is the high-speed train and it takes around 22 minutes. Frequent shuttle buses (leaves every 15-20 minutes) transport passengers between the high speed train station and the airport from 06.20 to 23:15. Ticket price full fare NT$30, half fare NT$15.Tickets must be purchased ahead for each journey. Tickets are sold at the Taoyuan Airport: UBUS service counters at Arrivals Lobby of Terminals 1 and 2.

At the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport taxis are located at the north side of the Terminal 1's Arrivals Lobby and the south side of the Terminal 2's Arrivals Lobby. Taxi fare is based on the meter plus a 15% surcharge.

2. Public Transport

Subway (MRT) is easy and fast to use around the city. Depending on the distance, the fares ranging from NT20 to NT65. You can buy your ticket from the machines located in every MRT station (coins and bills are accepted). An underground (MRT) one day pass ticket without limits on journeys, distance and can be used on all routes. Hours 06:00-24.00.

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