Taipei Travel

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.  

TAIPEI — A CITY FULL OF FAMILY FUN We’re a fortunate bunch, those of us who call Taipei home. Though the capital is every bit a sprawling, urban metropolis, it somehow retains the spirit of a family-friendly little burgh. From the public transportation network allowing quick and easy travel to every corner of the city, to kid-friendly restaurants, to everyday life itself, there’s hardly anywhere you can’t take the whole gang. And for this family-themed issue, we could think of no one better than popular blogger Kathy Cheng (Tricky Taipei) to share her top picks for family-oriented activities in our beloved hometown (or home away from home, as the case may be). Also, in case it wasn’t obvious enough from the heat, summer is here! Some may be scrambling for anywhere with air conditioning, but why limit yourself to the indoors when there is so much to do outside? From temple visits to tea tastings, and parks to museums, we’ve got family-fun day trips for days in the pages ahead, leaving the adults spiritually satisfied, and the kids wonderfully spent. Summer doesn’t just mean skyrocketing temperatures. It also means it’s time for one of the most visually spectacular and gastronomically fulfilling holidays of the year — Dragon Boat Festival. Not only is this the time to watch the dramatic and colorful dragon boat races, but it’s also the holiday when one of Taiwan’s most beloved treats, zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, are enjoyed by the ton. Also, speaking of things enjoyed by many, why not check out our feature on Taiwan’s traditional toys? Whether you’re looking to try out the diabolo, or wanting to try your hand at making your own D.I.Y. bamboo gun, this informative and fun-filled piece is for you. During this season of family togetherness (the kids are out of school, after all), it’s a great time to be reminded that there are many in Taipei for whom family is their highest priority. We’ve spent the lead-up to the hottest months of the year getting to know some of the hottest trendsetters when it comes to fashion, literature, and traditional folk arts. We’ll bring their stories of how family has influenced them in their varied pursuits to you in our features on Maison Temps-Rêves, a store specializing in picture books, the Shadow Legends Drama Group, who keep the tradition of shadow puppetry alive, and Ángeles Studio and Shop, a boutique with one-of-a-kind designs for children (and parents) of all tastes and types. All this running around the city will no doubt work up an appetite. Whether you’re a true gourmand or just looking for something the kids won’t turn up their noses at, flip through to our story on Taipei’s best family-friendly restaurants, places where the food is fresh, activities for the kids are aplenty, and the prices are more than fair. Be sure to leave room for dessert, too, as our guide to the top desserts of the summer season will leave you salivating. So, as you can see, Taipei is a city that welcomes visitors of all ages. And whether you’re a kid, or just a kid at heart, this is a place that will always take you in with open arms.