Taipei Travel

DREAMING OF A CLEAN, GREEN NEW YEAR Once the serenity of fall starts to fade, winter sets in. In Taipei and around the world, 2020 has given us a lot to think about. With all we’ve been through as a global community these past 12 months, one of those things we’re left to ponder is how we can treat ourselves, each other, and our planet better than we have before. When the world does start to open up again, one of those ways we might help ourselves and the world at large is to practice sustainable travel, as well as adopting an eco- friendlier lifestyle. Taipei is one of the global leaders aiming to become both sustainable and eco-friendly, promoting tours, sites, and shopping that promote an earth-first mentality. But what exactly is sustainable travel? Find out in our cover story, which maps out in detail three routes travelers can take through the capital while partaking in eco- conscious transportation, accommodation, and consumerism all the way. Tackle the Four Beasts Mountains on foot, get a sense of local culture by bike, and reduce your carbon footprint by taking the MRT to an all-natural hot spring area. It might surprise you, but Taipei City has its very own “farm country” — more than one, actually. From the tea plantations of Maokong to the tourist farms of Baishihu, growers know that as vital as it is to keep the tourists coming, we’ve only got one planet, and they are dead set on protecting it. And of course, we can’t forget the fabulous New Year’s celebrations in our beloved capital. From the fireworks at Taipei 101 to an invigorating New Year’s Day stroll through the city streets, let us guide you on a tour of the best of the best for ringing in the new annum. Sustainability flows into the Taipei art scene as well, and we’ll take you through some of the city’s finest secondhand clothing shops, filled with fabulous finds, as well as introducing you to some fine options for green Christmas gifts. Also, meet some of the excellent people behind some of the city’s leading environmental initiatives, from the Taiwan SPCA, the founder of a sustainable paper business to a person dedicated to ending unnecessary food waste. Of course, we’ll never forget Taipei’s food. Join us on a journey through the growing vegan and vegetarian sector of the local grub scene. All this and more as we wave goodbye to 2020 in the pages of TAIPEI, and look forward to a prosperous and safe 2021.

WHEN PAST MEETS PRESENT Taipei is a city where old meets new, and where the traditions of the past mingle with the evolving customs and attitudes of the present. It is a place where time- honored culture and history is passed on from generation to generation, and though the proverbial seasons may change, just as summer turns to present autumn, that immovable bedrock of identity remains. To get a sense of just where Taipei derives its unique identity and to experience the history and culture from which it stems, let us take you on a journey through the five distinctive eco museums of this modern metropolis — enclaves charmingly preserved in the ways of old amidst the advent of progress and change. From Beitou in the north, through Dadaocheng and Bangka, on to North and South Towns, our cover story this season unveils these Taipei treasures that heave with stories of yesteryear. In keeping with the theme of discovering the past, continue on to our feature on the Discovery Center of Taipei, or our “deep dig” on record stores in Taipei. If those are not enough to satiate your craving for Taipei’s past, delving into three more historical neighborhoods will be more than enough to fill your future itinerary. This autumn, art lovers can revel in our guide to modern and contemporary art spaces, while architecture buffs can experience the city’s rapid evolution in our exploration of Taipei’s building evolution. Of course, though these pieces explore the changing face of Taipei, it wouldn’t be the autumn issue without a piece on the Moon Festival. It is precisely this juxtaposition of holding onto history while allowing the stimulation of new, fresh culture that makes Taipei one-of-a-kind, and the city is filled with special people who spur those new aspects of urban life on. TAIPEI takes you to meet some of those culture curators at Blue Note, ground zero for Taipei jazz. Meanwhile, we also take a peek behind the curtain of Taipei’s “sickening” drag scene (and that’s a compliment, believe me). Finally, we take a gluttonous trip through Taipei’s Street Food 2.0 scene, where past night markets and street stall staples are given a culinary makeover. We also take a look inside Taipei’s traditional markets, which for decades have served not only as the centers that feed the city, but also as places that facilitated social networking well before the days of Facebook and Instagram. Past, present — why not appreciate both? In Taipei, you can.