What to do in Taipei?

So you are stopping by Taipei for whatever reasons and need to kill time. You heard that this is a vibrant city that offers many, many fun activities. The problem is that you don’t know any of them.

Here are my recommendations:

• The Palace Museum (æ•…å®®): If you would do only one thing in Taipei, go to this museum. Take a taxi and prepare to spend at least 3 hours. There are English speaking docents, I don’t know if they take reservations.

• Taipei 101: I know it is kind of cheesy, but the observation deck is worth visiting on a clear day. The gem of this tower is actually its food court in the basement. This is not your normal mall food court, almost everything here is delicious.

• Chiang Kai-shek memorial park: (This park was, I think, renamed. But most knew it by this name.) If you are a performance art kind of a person, check out the events at the concert hall and opera house and try to get tickets. Early morning or dusk to early evening are the best time.

• Night Markets (夜市): There are four to five night markets, they are all adventures of your life. Bring cash, full appetite, and an open mind. Best to have a Chinese speaking companion, but that is actually not required. Any college age kid will gladly help you out.

• Yong Kang St. (永康街): This is the epicenter of the artisan eateries. Try a chocolate or dessert shop, or anything that appears to serve only one kind of food.

Been to all of the above and still looking thing to kill a day?

• Find one of those artisan coffee shops and hang out with a friend for a couple of hours. There are so many of those that will grind and brew your coffee on the spot and use one of those fancy brewers. You can choose your own beans.

• Hike YangMing shan (陽明山): A well developed park that is a bit hilly. Good casual stroll and nice views. There are local eateries along the way. Explore them.

• Hike Elephant Hill (象山): This is a vigorous, but short, hike. You are likely to sweat profusely. Bring water and wear light clothes. The view to Taipei 101 is unbeatable.

• Eat Beef Noodle (牛肉麵): Taipei has an annual beef noodle festival. Find a winner. I like mine spicy.

• Eat 燒餅油條: I honestly don’t know how to translate. It is like salty churrors wrapped with Indian Naan. Don’t forget the soybean milk, or custard, that goes with it.

• Visit a temple: I recommend either XingTian Gong 行天宮 Temple for Guan Gong 關公, an ancient hero turned god. Or LongShan Si 龍山寺. You get to experience Chinese indigenous religions.

• Dan Shui (æ·¡æ°´): Take the subway and visit this village at the river delta. Arrive near sun set time. Hike up to the university before sun set. Make sure to visit the ferry pier and have a bowl of fish balls.

• JiuFen (九份): A gold-mining town with lots of charm and history.

• HuaLian (花蓮): This east Taiwan town has break-taking view, nice beaches, and lots of indigenous arts and foods. Better plan to stay over-night.