Taipei Travel

Notes from a Taipei Spring Spring has sprung in Taipei, a time of constant change and renewal. For this issue, celebrating the fairest of all seasons in the Taiwanese capital, we here at TAIPEI are showcasing the rich diversity of our city, a quality that can be experienced in innumerable ways by those who pass through our quaint back alleys and bustling thoroughfares. For the travel section, we’ve designed five specially-themed tours curated to let you experience Taipei in several different ways. With themes like food, outdoors, relaxing, LGBTQ-friendly, and culture, visitors can appreciate this unique place from a myriad of perspectives. For flower afficionados, the spread on flower viewing in spring — prime time for those who like to literally stop and smell the azaleas (or calla lilies and hydrangeas) — is your guide to the best gardens, mountainside vistas, and parks for experiencing the floral magic of Taipei. For cyclists, we present a few different bike tours that will have you checking out the different districts on two wheels. Retail therapy fans, take warning — our feature on shopping in the glitzy East District may test your credit card limit. Spring is also the season of religious festivals, when the many temples of Taipei abound with the joy of polytheistic revelry, and we’ve got your guide to a few of the main godly shindigs happening around town. Moreover, traditional acrobatic performances are often a big part of those celebrations, so we also sat down with some key figures from the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe to get a behind-the-scenes look at how this storied artform continues to amaze in modern times. Diversity in Taipei also means fostering an inclusive society, where people from around the world of any race, faith, and sexual orientation feel completely at home and at ease. TAIPEI spoke with NGOs working toward achieving such an environment for the tens of thousands of Southeast Asian migrant workers in the capital, an Imam who has witnessed the history of the Islamic faith in the capital, and a loving couple, two dads, who recently celebrated the first anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan. And finally, everyone knows Taipei is a paradise for food and drink lovers. So, we’ve put together a roundup of the best and brightest from the beverage scene, above and beyond the usual bubble tea. What’s more, we’ve secured the services of a renowned chef, who will provide all the culinary secrets to success in making some of Taiwan’s most treasured dishes — featuring spring ingredients, of course! Bon appetit, and welcome to spring!

Notes from a Taipei Winter Winter is upon us in Taipei, and when the weather cools down, thoughts inevitably turn to the arrival of a brand new year. In Taiwan, as it is throughout much of Asia, the term “New Year” takes on a double meaning (and double the reason to celebrate). As there is of course the standard New Year’s Eve, according to the Gregorian calendar, to ring in. But then there is also the Lunar New Year to commemorate with great food, friends, and family.   In this issue, TAIPEI has invited a pair of seasoned experts to discuss both New Year’s Eve and the Lunar New Year holidays from the Western and Eastern point of view, along with intros to the hottest hotels in town to take in the New Year’s Eve festivities, and the best Lunar New Year shopping markets in the city, too.   For long-term expats and short-term visitors alike, the Lunar New Year can be a confusing time, full of unfamiliar customs and many an opportunity for an unintended cultural faux pas. If you happen to be the guest of a local family at this wonderful time of year, TAIPEI also has you covered with our comprehensive guide to Lunar New Year etiquette. And don’t worry, it’s not all familial obligations and somber ceremony. Winter also marks the arrival of the wondrous Lantern Festival — a shining spectacle that is well worth a visit.   Yes, the humid Taipei air can get downright chilly during the winter months, a time when ten degrees Celsius feels closer to freezing. But there’s no better remedy than stepping out and feeling the warmth of the local people, and there’s no better place to do so than at some of the city’s most storied shops. In the pages to follow, we’ve got the stories (and storytellers) of three such traditional establishments — Rui-Cheng, Ri Xing, and Hoshing —which might sell different products, but share a common love for keeping the welcoming, hospitable nature and old-school craftsmanship of our beloved capital alive.   Another great way to warm up in winter is by having a nice, steaming bowl of tangyuan, and we’ve got your guide to this favorite winter staple. And for those homesick expats, we’ve got you covered as well, with five restaurants serving up Western and Japanese fare that will make you feel right at home just when you might be missing it the most.   Happy New Year to one and all, from our family to yours, during this, the most festive of seasons in Taipei.