Taipei Travel

CITY OF CONTRASTS To some, winter seems a gloomy season. But in Taipei, it's a joyous time of fun and festivities, a contrast of color and culture emerging against the gray backdrop of the colder months. For this issue of TAIPEI, our theme is "Of Cool and Contrasts," and we invite you to discover all that surprises this city has to offer as we usher in this festive time. Winter often gets us thinking about endings and new beginnings. So, it follows that our cover story takes a look at the end of a day, a season, and a year in Taipei, and the subsequent starts to each that follows quickly on their heels. Jump next into our City Scene section, where we showcase the contrasts, twists, and turns created by the capital's unique mix of old and new. From the glory days of the Taipei railway system to the way ancient and modern sit side by side in the Shilin neighborhood, you won't want to miss these amazing stories. Daily life, too, has its fair share of contrasts in Taipei. From the way in which old religious customs, such as worshipping the Tiger God, are kept alive, to the digital trends that are reshaping creativity in the city, we've got features exploring the many ways in which Taipei is keeping its past alive while embracing the future. Another thing Taipei has come to embrace in recent years is accessible travel for tourists and locals with mobility issues. Check out our article on DuoFu Holidays, an agency opening up a world of travel to a segment of the population overlooked no more. Of course, we can't get through winter without some good comfort food, and this season we're running the gamut through the sweet, the sour, the savory and the spicy, to make sure you know how to warm both body and soul when the weather turns cold. And finally, we introduce you to a fascinating man, a brilliant professor who has brought the worlds of science and art together in ways you can't imagine. All this and more, as TAIPEI takes winter in a warm embrace. COVID-19 ALERT -Please wear a mask and follow the epidemic prevention regulations imposed by the government when going out during the pandemic. -There are many private profile pictures published in this issue, hence no masks are worn by the figures present.  ▶Join our lucky draw to win a prize by completing TAIPEI's online questionnaire! Please scan the QR Code or click here.  

BREEZING INTO A SOOTHING SEASON It's autumn in Taipei, and as the temperature cools and the first winds of a softer season start to blow, you can almost feel the city breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that the optimum time for calming, meditative activities and soothing sorties is at hand. Apropos of this season of chilled out vibes, our cover story takes you on a tour of the capital's best places for stress-releasing exercise, body-soothing massage, and Zen-inducing meditation, as well as thoughtful guidance for relaxing at home. To get to know Taipei's serene side, we meet the minds behind some of the city's most masterful modern architecture — buildings designed with the aim of creating warm, cozy places in which to live and work. From there, move on to the open-air oases of this tantalizingly green metropolis, its many parks and riverside trails serving as a revitalizing presence amidst the urban sprawl. In this quarter, we delve into Taipei's bustling LGBTQIA+ scene and its unique culture as well, the heart of which beats within the walls of GinGin Store, a bookstore that does far more than selling books. We also take a look at a rather fascinating subculture, the swing dance scene, a throwback that is enjoying a booming renaissance among Taipei urbanites both young and old. Taipei is also a pet-friendly city. With our furry friends in mind, we take you to "Lang Lang Don't Cry," a café that also doubles as a halfway house for animals looking for their forever home. No issue of TAIPEI would be complete without some fantastic food and drink recommendations, and this is no exception. We've got a guide to the best farm-to-table establishments in town, a primer on the many wonderful and flavorful varieties of rice on offer, and a look inside one of the trendiest spots to enjoy a cool, crisp highball on a glorious autumn evening. Finally, we take a look at the world of artist Ling Ko, whose ink works are inspired by the countless, tiny aspects of the rarely-seen in this city that many of us might overlook, and yet bring fantastic sensations to those lucky enough to find them. All this and more, as we usher in the cool comfort of autumn in Taipei. ANNOUNCEMENT OF COVID-19 MEASURES •Please wear a mask and follow the epidemic prevention regulations imposed by the government when going out during the pandemic. •There are many private profile pictures published in this issue, hence no masks are worn by the figures present. ▶ Join our lucky draw to win a prize by completing TAIPEI’s online questionnaire!