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Sustainable Travel in Sustainable Taipei (TAIPEI Quarterly 2020 Winter Vol.22)

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Post date:2020-12-14

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TAIPEI #22 (2020 Winter)

Sustainable Travel in Sustainable Taipei


Words by: Adam Hopkins
Photos by: Pitua Sutanto, Gao Zanxian, Taiwan Scene, Supasit Chantranon, Suriya Desatit, GoranQ, Department of Information and Tourism,Taipei City Government


pitua-sutanto-FMOf6a96L8M-unsplash▲Surrounded by green mountains, the metropolis of Taipei welcomes every traveler to enjoy a sustainable trip in the city. (Photo/Pitua Sutanto)

Taipei is an incredibly popular tourist destination with, 2020 aside, millions of tourists visiting the Taiwanese capital each year. While this sounds like a positive for the economy and many local businesses, all this human traffic could be detrimental in the long run.

This is why tourism needs to be sustainable, meaning that it should be maintained long-term while not causing too much harm to the natural and cultural environment. For sustainable travel to be successful, it needs to take into account three important elements: caring for local industries and the economy, recognizing its impact on the ecosystem and natural environment, and it must be able to be carried out in an eco-friendly and responsible manner.

HOW TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IN TAIPEI AND BEYOND EAT LOCAL
Bypass the big restaurant chains and eat locally. Taipei is full of small, family-run restaurants that have been around for generations. By eating there, not only are you supporting a local business, you’re more than likely going to get a good meal made from quality local ingredients.

At night markets in particular, many stalls have been specializing in one specific dish for years, and you better believe they’ve perfected it. Also, to take things to the next level of sustainability, consider bringing your own reusable chopsticks and straws. A lot of places in Taipei have forgone using plastic straws and single use cutlery, so you might as well do the same.

BUY LOCAL
Support local businesses that sell locally-made products. Sure, when you’re shopping in Ximending (西門町), it’s tempting to fill shopping bag after shopping bag at international retail stores like H&M and adidas, but why not check out a small specialist clothing store instead? You’ll probably be able to find a whole host of one-of-a-kind bargains. Also, do consider using a local travel agent when booking tours or tickets. After all, they definitely know Taipei best.

STAY GREEN
When deciding where to stay, consider choosing one of the “green” hotels recognized by the Taipei City Government. They offer special deals for customers who opt to stay without the hotel having to provide any amenities such as toothbrushes and razors, as well as being OK with sheets and towels not being changed throughout their stay.

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Not only is public transportation convenient, it is good for the environment. Taipei has an expansive metro (MRT) system, as well as a huge fleet of taxis that will take you anywhere in the city. The city is also pedestrian-friendly and pretty flat in the center, so walking is also a good option, while there are also plenty of cycling routes to be enjoyed with the public bicycle rental system YouBike, which is cheap, convenient and user-friendly.


THREE DAY TRIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRAVELERS IN TAIPEI

TACKLE THE FOUR BEASTS MOUNTAINS
1070425_015_虎山步道_高讚賢攝
▲The Four Beasts Mountains hike starts from Hushan Hiking Trail, with many trees providing shade along the way. (Photo/Gao Zanxian)

Take a day to explore nature in Taipei in the best way possible by going on a hike. The Four Beasts Mountains (四獸山) is a group of four small mountains that can be climbed one after the other: Hushan (虎山, Tiger Mountain), Baoshan (豹山, Leopard Mountain), Shishan (獅山, Lion Mountain), and Xiangshan (象山, Elephant Mountain).虎山步道1▲With well-designed hiking trails, hikers can easily finish the Four Beasts Mountains hike.

The route starts at the trail entrance of Hushan, a 15-minute walk from MRT Houshanpi Station (捷運後山埤站) near Songshan Cihui Temple (松山慈惠堂) and ends at Xinyi District’s famous Xiangshan. The whole hike, if undertaken at a regular pace, will take between four and five hours. Easily accessible from downtown Taipei, a trip up the Four Beasts will also provide you with a great view of Taipei’s cityscape from above.象山▲The Liu Ju Shi ( 六巨石 , Six Boulders) viewing platform, located at the peak of Xiangshan, is a popular check- in point for many hikers.

EAT
Gym Breakfast 浩克健身早餐
Gym Breakfast specializes in sandwiches with tons of vegetables and protein to power your hike. Be sure to bring lots of water too, as hydration is important while hiking.
🏠 153-3, Yanji St., Daan Dist. IMG_1617▲Grab a sandwich at Gym Breakfast before starting your hike.

BUY
GOMT.山也行
 If you require hiking gear, check out the eco-friendly and reusable equipment on sale at outdoor equipment store GO MT.
🏠 5F, 11, Songshou Rd., Xinyi Dist. 

STAY 
Green hotels like City Suites Taipei Nandong ( 城市商旅南東館 ) are delightful options for guests who can do without single-use amenities or are willing to forgo changing the bed sheets during their stay.
City Suites Taipei Nandong
🏠 411, Sec. 5, Nanjing E. Rd., Songshan Dist.
TAIPEI Winter 2020 Vol.22 300dpi_8_1▲Tackle the Four Beasts Mountains


EXPLORE LOCAL CULTURE IN TAIPEI BY BIKES
IMG_1792-1
​​​​​​​▲The cycle paths along the riverside parks in Taipei are well-organized and safe routes, away from road traffic.

Getting to know local culture and respecting its unique customs are both a part of being a responsible traveler. And there is no better way than to get to know the city than by bike, as Taipei is full of excellent cycle paths and bike routes. Starting at MRT Gongguan Station (捷運公館站), hire a YouBike and head towards Treasure Hill (寶藏巖), a repurposed military dependents’ village that now houses many art spaces and exhibitions. Home to works and artists from all over the world, the advent of the artists’ village saved the area from destruction and has stood in its present form since the 1970s.寶藏巖​​​​​​​▲Formerly a military dependents’ village, Treasure Hill is repurposed as an art space.

From there, continue along the riverside to Longshan Riverside Park (龍山河濱公園) before continuing over to Ximending, Taipei’s hotspot for both hipster and LGBTQ culture. Continuing on your biking trip, follow the cycle path in Yanping Riverside Park (延平河濱公 園) and enjoy the riverside views that lead you to the cultural hub of Dadaocheng (大稻埕), one of the city’s most historic sites.西門-supasit-chantranon-pj9p_cpQT3I-unsplash​​​​​​​▲Stop by Ximending, Taipei’s LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood rich in pop culture. (Photo/ Supasit Chantranon)

EAT
Xiao Xiao Place 小小蔬房
During your ride, stop at vegan restaurant Xiao Xiao Place, where the ingredients are all purchased from local farms.
🏠 125, Sec. 2, Hankou St., Wanhua Dist.IMG_8756​​​​​​​▲Try Xiao Xiao Place in Ximending, a vegetarian restaurant that cares about local farmers and brands.

BUY
Artyard197 聯藝埕
You can’t miss out on a spot of shopping at Dadaocheng’s Artyard197, a select shop featuring native cultural and local branded products.
🏠 195, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist. 

STAY
There are great “green” hotel options in the Wanhua and Dadaocheng area. Beimen WOW Poshtel ( 北門窩泊旅 ) near Dadaocheng will give guests a souvenir if they forgo single-use amenities. Caesar Metro Taipei ( 凱達大飯店 ) in Wanhua provides a special offer for those who choose not to change the bed sheets during their stay.
Beimen WOW Poshtel
🏠 2-1, Ln. 92, Taiyuan Rd., Datong Dist. 
Caesar Metro Taipei
🏠 167, Bangka Blvd., Wanhua Dist.TAIPEI Winter 2020 Vol.22 300dpi_10_1​​​​​​​▲Explore Local Culture in Taipei by Bikes


REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AT THREE FAMOUS TAIPEI LOCATIONStaipei-attraction-longshan-temple▲As the most spiritual spot in Taipei, Longshan Temple is a great place to learn more about the religious culture in Taiwan. (Photo/GoranQ)

Offset your carbon footprint by visiting three of Taipei’s most environmentally-friendly tourist attractions. Start your day at Longshan Temple (艋舺龍山寺), one of Taipei’s “big three” temples. Housing fine examples of traditional folk art and altars dedicated to ten different deities, the temple no longer burns incense in an effort to reduce air pollution.

Next stop is Taipei 101, the world’s tallest green building. At 508 meters high, the Xinyi District landmark is the world’s tallest energy efficient skyscraper, saving 995 metric tons of reduced CO2 emissions each year.帆布-無彩虹​​​​​​​▲Enjoy the view of Taipei City from the observatory of Taipei 101, one of the tallest green buildings in the world. (Photo/Department of Information and Tourism,Taipei City Government)

Your final stop will be Thermal Valley (地熱谷) in Beitou District, Taipei’s natural hot spring area at the foot of Yangmingshan (陽明山, Mt. Yangming).

Thermal Valley, sometimes known as Hell Valley, is a direct source of the area’s sulfuric hot spring water. Don’t expect to go for a swim, as the water bubbles away at close to 100 degrees Celsius.Suriya Desatit​​​​​​​▲Located in Taipei’s volcanic hot spring area, Thermal Valley is the source of the hot spring water in Beitou. (Photo/Suriya Desatit)​​​​​​​

You can travel around the city on Taipei’s MRT system, with all these locations easily accessible from nearby stations. MRT Longshan Temple Station (捷運龍山寺站) is on the blue line. To reach Taipei 101, transfer once at MRT Taipei Main Station (捷運台北車站) to the red line. Finally, hop on the red line again to head to Thermal Valley at MRT Xinbeitou Station (捷運新北投站), where you need transfer once at MRT Beitou Station (捷運北投站). 

EAT
DELI DAY 橄欖油健康餐盒
Eat healthy at DELI DAY for salads, soups, stews and more tasty, nutritious options. It’s takeaway only, so we recommend taking your food to nearby Xiangshan Park ( 象山公園 ), where you can admire the Taipei 101 skyscraper while you eat.
🏠 2, Aly. 1, Ln. 253, Songping Rd., Xinyi Dist. 

BUY
San Shi Living Lab 三時生活實驗室
If you’re in the mood for some sustainable shopping, have a browse around San Shi Living Lab, where you’ll have to bring your own bag or container if you want to buy items ranging from fair trade coffee beans and natural handmade soaps to locally grown tea.
🏠 106, Jinzhou St., Zhongshan Dist. 

STAY
For your hotel in Beitou, try “green” option On My Way Hostel ( 途中.台北國際青年旅舍 ). Or if you’re there for a private hot spring bath, check out Hotel Double One ( 北投俩人旅店 ).
On My Way Hostel
🏠  82, Guangming Rd., Beitou Dist. 
Hotel Double One
🏠 
11, Youya Rd., Beitou Dist.TAIPEI Winter 2020 Vol.22 300dpi_13_1​​​​​​​▲Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Three Famous Taipei Locations

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