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COMPASS MAGAZINE, June 2002

cover story:

Exploring the Beauty and Diversity of Taipei

By Josephine Lin Translated by Rebecca Jeng

How long has it been since you've been to Taipei? Thanks to its rapid growth, chances are that it has changed a lot since your last visit. As a result, there's no better time to head north and experience the excitement of this ever-changing city!

East Taipei - including the ZhongXiao Business District and XinYi Business District

Called "the front-line of Taipei's pop culture", this bustling area is famous for its food, fun and shopping.

Shopping and Entertainment

The ZhongXiao Business District is located along ZhongXiao East Road, section 4, and includes two SOGO department stores. SOGO's ZhongXiao branch targets the general public, while the DunNan SOGO caters to high-end consumers. Likewise, Ding Hao City specializes in selling exquisite imports. Name-brand flagship stores can be found in the Breeze Center, a spacious new shopping center located on the corner of FuXing South Road and Civic Boulevard. The Far Eastern Shopping Center, located next to the Far Eastern Hotel, also contains name-brand boutiques.

The XinYi Business District is the hippest destination in East Taipei. It not only includes the Warner Village entertainment complex, but also two branches of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, American-style shopping mall New York, New York, and Core Pacific City which, according to management, is the largest shopping center in Asia. Whether this is true or not, Core Pacific City's magnificent architecture alone makes it well worth a visit.

Food

Rice Porridge Street: Open from evening until the wee hours of the night, this stretch of restaurants between XinYi and HePing East roads provides Taiwanese snacks, rice porridge and soy milk.

West Taipei - including the Taipei train staion, Hsimenting and YungKang Street
Taipei's western side is a cultural hotspot. It not only houses the Presidential Office and many government agencies, but is also home to landmarks such as the 2-28 Peace Park, the Taiwan Museum (2, ShiangYang Rd.; tel. (02) 2382-2699), the LongShan Temple, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Hsimenting is a favorite gathering place for Taipei's youth, while YungKang Street is known for its artistic atmosphere.

Shopping and Entertainment:

Daya and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department stores provide shopping entertainment for tourists coming from the Taipei train station. For those who like to read, there is a concentration of over 10 bookstores along ChongQing South Road, section 1. Photography and sound equipment can be found from HanKou Street and BuoAi Road to the Taipei Post Office. Lastly, clothing and cosmetics outlets can be found behind the train station (on TaiYuan Road and HuaYin Street).

Hsimenting is one of the best places to experience Taipei's pop culture. On XiNing South Road, "Wannien Tower" and "Hsimen New Dwelling" provide eclectic, unconventional merchandise to young customers. Meanwhile, WuChang Street's collection of theaters has earned it the title of "Movie Street".

YungKang Park marks the center of YungKang Road, near the intersection with XinYi Road, section 2. Many of Taipei's more famous restaurants such as Dingtaifeng (194, XinYi Rd., section 2; tel. (02) 2321-8927) and Ice Monster (15, YungKang Rd.; tel. (02) 2394-8279) are located here. Around these eateries are beautifully decorated European-style cafes that provide a romantic atmosphere both day and night.

Food

Beef Noodles Street: If you're in the mood for beef noodles, try one of the many eateries along Lane 38, ZhengZhou Road for this inexpensive, filling and tasty dish.

South Taipei- including KungKuan, Mucha, MaoKong
This area is said to be Taipei's "college town". It includes the National Taiwan University, National Normal University, National Cheng-Chi University and Shi-Hsin University. The relative tranquility of this region puts it in stark contrast to the noise and bustle of East Taipei.

Shopping and Entertainment

Mucha is best known for the Taipei City Zoo, the largest zoo in Asia. Recently, the Zoo Mall opened next door. KungKuan attracts its customers with its Southeast Asian and other exotic cuisine. "MaoKong" the nickname for the tea-growing area of Mucha, located in the hills behind National Cheng-Chi University. This is a favorite nighttime spot to relax and enjoy a pot of tea with friends.

North Taipei- includes DiHua Street, YuanShan, Asia World Business District
Northern Taipei is a mix of tradition and modernity. It contains the famous ShingTien Temple, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and DiHua Street. Asia World and Idee department stores are just two of the major shopping destinations in this area.

Shopping and Entertainment

The ShingTien Temple at the intersection of MinChuan East and SongJiang roads is frequented by many believers and is said to be the center of faith for Taipei's Taoists. Another type of center is the Asia World Business District between NanJing East and FuXing North roads, which is comprised of three department stores--Asia World, ChungHsing, and Idee. After store hours, street vendors take over to create a fascinating nighttime atmosphere. A mix of unique pubs add to the local color of this area.

DiHua Street is one of the oldest and most well preserved streets from the pages of Taipei's history.

Suburban Taipei: including Peitou, Yangminshan, ShihLin, Tienmu.
Journey to Peitou and Yangmingshan for hot springs, or find good local and international cuisine in ShihLin and Tienmu.

Shopping and Entertainment

The FINS Taipei Sea World (128, JiHe Rd.; tel. 02-2880-3636) near the ShihLin Night Market is great for the whole family. The once-mysterious Presidential Residence (1, Lane 460, ZhongShan North Rd., section 5; tel. 02-2881-2512) may also catch your fancy. Just make sure to leave some time for the National Palace Museum (221, Zhi Shan Rd., section 2, WaiShuang Xi; tel. 02-2881-2021), which boasts the fourth largest collection of any museum in the world, the world's largest collection of ancient Chinese art, and is famous for its beautiful displays of items from imperial China.

Situated in the hills above Taipei, Peitou is known for its hot springs. There is a wide variety of places to indulge in these, from the historical to the highly luxurious, including the Spring City Resort (18, You Ya Rd.; tel. 02-2897-5555), Yin Song Ko (21, You Ya Rd.; tel. 02-2891-2063), and the Peitou Hot Springs Chin Shui Park (8, ZhongShan Rd.; tel. 02-2894-6196.

Yangmingshan National Park provides a refreshing change of scenery for city inhabitants. Included in the park are Bamboo Lake, the Horse Stables, Jingtien Hill, and Daduen Park. Around ChingShan Road, there are also many restaurants such as Ching Shan Town (67-1, Lane 101, ChingShan Rd.; tel. 02-2861-8080) and Under The Tree (26, PingChing St.; tel. 02-2861-2784).

Tienmu, with it large foreign community, has long been the most international part of Taipei, consisting of Tienmu East Road, Tienmu West Road, ZhongShan North Road sections 6 and 7 and ZhongCheng Road. The Dayeh Takashimaya Department Store is located at 55, ZhongCheng Road, section 2 (tel. 02-2831-2345). Mexican, Swiss, European, American and Korean restaurants and open-air pubs are also widely found in Tienmu.

Taipei Night Markets: including ShihLin, TongHua Street, ShaoHe Street, HuaXi Street

The ShihLin Night Market is the largest and most structured of Taipei's markets. Come here for great deals on food, clothes and a vast variety of others items.

TongHua Street Night Market is located at the intersection of XinYi Road, section 4, and JiLong (Keelung) Road. Its interesting mix of stores and vendors make it unique among all of the city's markets.

The ShaoHe Street Night Market is located between BaDe Road, section 4 and FuYuan Street. Containing about 400 vendors, the market is known for its traditional crafts and food. XiHua Tourist Night Market is situated around LongShan Temple, XiYuan Road, and HuanHe South Road, and is known to some foreigners as "snake alley". Snakes are the specialty of this market, with all types of snake products and foods to be found here.

Whether you're familiar with Taipei or not, you will find it a fascinating place full of constant change. This summer, be sure and head for the capitol city and discover the unique mix of traditional charm and modern activity that makes Taipei a great place to visit.

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