Taipei Travel

THE CITY OF LIGHT  Winter is a busy season in Taipei, with the city’s major events easily filling up people’s calendars. In the spirit of these festive times, all of these happenings are imbued either with illuminated decorations or alluring lights.  We begin with our cover story, focusing on the 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei themed “Light Up the Future.” As Taipei’s first major international event in 2023, the festival’s significance is undeniable as the city welcomes back tourism and international exchanges.  While the Taiwan Lantern Festival adds a luminous winter vibe, this issue also introduces six beautiful city and outdoor night scenes in Taipei as we delve further into the theme of “light.”  Bald cypresses are a beautiful part of the winter scenery. We have selected the best places for bald cypress-viewing that can be reached via public transportation within Taipei City as weekend destinations.  It should also go without saying that Taipei is a creative city! Taiwanese designer Apu Jan shares with us the development and status of the fashion scene in Taipei from a cultural point of view. And two music shops that have contributed to the music renaissance movement uncover the reasons behind their preference for audio cassettes and CDs rather than digital music.  Taipei is taking big strides toward becoming green. We'll look at the city government’s efforts to pursue environmental sustainability, and also introduce an innovative zero-waste shop, “San Shi Living Lab,” that has been promoting packaging-free and plastics reduction for years.  We will also introduce selected restaurants from the 2022 Michelin Bib Gourmand Award list for Taipei and late-night restaurants in the districts where the Lantern Festival's main exhibitions are located.  Lastly, we invite Japanese editor/reporter Yaeko Kondo, a long-time resident of Taipei, to speak about the reasons why she loves living in this capital city.  This winter issue brings together a variety of “light” in different fields, and each article shines with its own color.  COVID-19 ALERT  Please follow the epidemic prevention regulations imposed by the government during the pandemic.  ★★★Join our lucky draw to win a prize by completing TAIPEI's online questionnaire! Please click here for more details.

BIG CITY DREAMS Autumn is harvest season in Taiwan, and in Taipei, it's the time when workers from many different fields capitalize on all the hard work they've put in through the summer months, utilizing the city's many resources and opportunities to reap an unforgettable third quarter. It is in this spirit that we bring you the stories of many in the Taiwan capital who have been able to carry their dreams from vision to reality. Fall has creativity-infused happenings scattered all across the event calendar. It's no wonder that Taipei has served as inspiration to everyone from dancers to fashion designers and musicians. In our cover story, TAIPEI invites three artists to share how they made their big city dreams come true. As the weather cools, there is no better time to enjoy some outdoor activities. A few of our feathered friends stop by, making Taipei a haven for birds and birdwatchers alike. Kids can enjoy one of the city's many inclusive playgrounds. And for those who prefer to get away from it all, how about a hike to the secluded waterfall wonderlands of Yangmingshan? As for other equally stimulating pastimes, the Taipei comics scene is thriving, and TAIPEI has invited the noted up-and-coming author of Pataauw to share his vision of a Taipei daydream. As night falls, get to know the culture of Ba Jia Jiang, the guardians of the god, and the mysterious mainstays of the vibrant Qingshan King Festival. Attitudes are changing in Taipei as well, and companies such as Yo Wash are leading the charge. Find out how this progressive business is helping the unhoused of Taipei, and challenging stereotypes towards those who have fallen on hard times. Fall is full of local flavors, too, and whether it's fermented kombucha filled with local ingredients, or freshly-baked bread, TAIPEI has the food scene covered. Finally, many Taipei pet parents dream of leading a carefree life with their fur babies, yet the road to harmony is often littered with potholes. Fortunately for us, an animal behavior expert extraordinaire is here, helping man and beast alike to live their best lives. All this and more, as TAIPEI tumbles into fall.