Asia - Taiwan - 3 Days in Taiwan - Day 1

The bustling metropolis of Taipei is where you’ll find shiny skyscrapers and ancient temples hazy with incense standing side by side. Spend your day taking in the view from up above at the Taipei 101 before shopping your way down the streets of Ximending (with a bubble tea in hand, of course). As night falls, eat your way across the numerous night markets. From the XXL fried chicken cutlets to the stinky tofu, the street food here is addictive and will leave you hankering for more.

You could spend months exploring Taiwan’s Buddhist temples, villages, cities, and mountains and still barely scratch the surface of all the island has to offer. Here Confucius meets C-pop in a cultural mash-up of a place where traditional festivals are as important as hip-hop and cell phones. Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung each burst with opportunities to explore, learn, shop, and dine. Don’t miss breathtaking natural features like Sun Moon Lake, the hot springs of Tainan, and Taroko Gorge.

The National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is the most extensive & most fine collection of Chinese Art. This museum is incredible, Spectacular pieces of art, the amount of Chinese treasures they have here is well-curated. Gives you an insight into Chinese art and culture.

This is a view of the countryside from the balcony of the Palace. We took a walk to the entrance of the Palace.

Chinese guardian lions at the entrance of the Palace.

A treat for history buffs. Well organized sections on different floors. The audio guides were informative and precise. It is a bit overwhelming because they have many everything; rooms and rooms of jade figurines, including the Jadeite Cabbage with insects (1644-1911).

Photo provided by Wikipedia

 Same with paintings, calligraphy, vases, and sculptures... they have everything.  So plan for at least half a day's visit—no pictures allowed inside the building.

Photo provided by Wikipedia

The statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, National Father of Taiwan, is in the lobby of the Palace.

National Revolutionary Martyrs ShineThe shrine is gorgeous to look at and is based on a building in the Forbidden City of Beijing.

The shrine was built in honor of the war dead of the Republic of China.

 

This is by far the best place to see Taiwan's changing of guards, simply because of the expanse of the area.  It takes place every hour, so be sure to get there at the right time. (15 minutes before).
 

We visited a temple and the grounds are beautiful and very well maintained.  Set against a backdrop of hills and greens away from the bustle of the city, it is a peaceful place. 

I really like the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall! It is a very elegant, Taiwanese monument with a gorgeous blue roof and white walls. The entrance is monumental! The change of guard is every hour on the hour. There is no entrance fee.

I suggest to visit the Memorial Hall in the afternoon. Fist, visit the gardens and other opulent buildings such as the Gate of Peace, the National Opera, and the National Theatre. Then walk upstairs and see the change of guard. There is not a lot of people around 1600. Then visit the museum. You will learn a lot on the modern history of Taiwan through the history of Chiang Kai-Shek. Then head to the top again and watch the change of flag and the sunset! Everything together is memorable. Finish the evening at a wonderful, casual restaurant inside the National Theatre listening to Jazz in Taiwan!

There is no entrance fee. Everything is so well described. You do not need a guide or a tour. In fact, I encourage to visit this place on your own.

It is quite easy to get there by metro. I will go back!

The architecture was fascinating.  Nice place to relax and walk around.  Great place to take pictures.
 

 Grand Hotel

This is a beautiful building. C.C. Yang was the architect of the famous Grand Hotel overlooking the city from a hill above the Keelung River.

The Red carpet in the lobby is very nice.  A very grand entrance and staircase. Impressive. 

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Beautiful ceiling

 Stopped for lunch, the Buffet spreads are served at the Grand Garden Restaurant, the food was presented wonderfully.

Happy New Year!

Waiting to get the door for you with a beautiful smile. 

Chiang Hai Shek Memorial

This memorial hall was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China. Work on the theater began in 1976, a year after President Chiang passed away.  Designed by C.C. Yang, who was also the architect for The Grand Hotel. The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is the most famous national monument and one of the landmark of Taiwan. A must visit destination if we go to Taipei, Taiwan.

 

The memorial hall is white with a blue roof, representing the dominant colors in the ROC flag, while the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) adorns the vaulted ceiling.

National Theater and Concert Hall sits at the entrance to the Memorial

The museum showcases everything about  President Chiang Kai-Shek, from his personal life to the civil war between his Nationalist government and Mao's communist government in China. 

 It also shows all the medals he had received, the car he was chauffeured in, and the clothes he wore during his lifetime. This car traced back to 1972-1975, and it was the final car used by President Chiang Kai-shek. The sedan chair used to carry Chiang when he inspected military bases on and around Taiwu Mountain in Kinmen.

This is a photo of Eleanor Roosevelt in front of the White House with Madame Chiang Kai-shek in February 1943.

General MacArthur visited Taiwan on July 20, 1950, after the Korea War began, reaffirming US Military support to Taiwan.

A bronze statue of Chiang looks west symbolically to the Presidential Office Building and mainland China. The front plaza of the hall is also a major venue for democratic assemblies.

At 101 stories high, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper boasts spectacular views and high-end shopping boutiques including Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. There's also a Din Tai Fung on the basement level.

Taipei 101 - A symbol of modern Taiwan. Nearly 1,500 feet, this skyscraper was once the tallest in the world.

It is amazing to stand and lookup.

I had a wonderful day in Taipei City, Taiwan.