Taipei Travel

A City of Bright Minds



We welcome you for summer fun under our warming Taipei sun! In our three feature articles in this issue, you're headed to "summer school" – i.e., learning about the scenic, shopping/eating, and educational attractions in and around Taipei's universities and other tertiary institutions.



Our main article focuses on the tourist attractions you will find on the lovely, expansive campuses of three of the city's universities: National Taiwan University, Taipei National University of the Arts, and National Chengchi University. Next is sample outings through the dynamic college towns beside the National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University, percolating with affordable food, funky cafés, independent bookstores, stylish boutiques, and intriguing cultural-arts spaces. And finally, learn about the high-quality institutions where you can study Mandarin, even if visiting Taipei for just a short time.



In our two regular A Day in Taipei articles, enjoy walkabouts in two dynamic neighborhoods that tourists find especially attractive. First up is Shilin District, in the north, home to such major draws as the Shilin Night Market, Taipei Astronomical Museum, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, and Shuangxi Wetland Park. Next is the quarter around downtown's MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, with such walkabout headliners as the Syntrend 3C product mall, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, and the Qidong Street Japanese Houses & Taiwan Literature Base.



Time now for encounters with the city's natural world. As always, we present two Out in Nature explorations. It's "Mt. Jinmian and Beyond" as you tackle the probing finger of mountainous green on Taipei's north between the urban areas of Shilin and Neihu districts. And in our popular "Untamed Taipei" photo feature we introduce the Formosan Giant Flying Squirrel and Formosan Masked Palm Civet.



Other experience possibilities awaiting you in this issue: a DIY class in traditional bamboo handicraft weaving, contenders for Taipei's best silky gelato and innovative shaved ice, two bars taking you back in time, and a centenary visit to the world-renowned National Palace Museum.