Taipei: Run-Down, Cramped, and Costly... But Damn Right I'm Coming Back!
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Hello, I've just returned from Taiwan after attending a friend's wedding, and I have some thoughts to share with you all:
- Taipei is smaller than what I had anticipated.
- The downtown area is fine, but the main attractions are mainly the Taipei 101 skyscraper (the former world's tallest building! ).
- The city's bustling hub is relatively concentrated. So, if you're expecting a mega-metropolis like Shanghai, there might be a bit of a letdown upon arriving in Taipei.
- Many parts of Taipei appear to be old-fashioned and even a little chaotic, unlike the glossy and ultra-modern sense in a metropolis such as Shanghai.
- It also lacks the weighty historical royal vibe like Beijing's (such as the Imperial Palace).
- However! Taipei has its very special "flavor."
- How do you describe this "flavor?"
- It feels like a blend of Southern China, Japan, and Southeast Asian atmospheres.
- On one hand, you can sense the legacy of many traditional Chinese cultures still being passed down; on the other hand, you can also see numerous old buildings left from the Japanese colonial period.
- Plus, with its unique subtropical climate and natural scenery, it presents a distinct charm.
- Here is my advice for friends visiting Taiwan:
- Take your time and wander around the streets and alleys of Taipei randomly.
- Don't forget to explore the beautiful seaside.
- Try starting with those humble (sometimes even somewhat rude) roadside food stalls — their flavors are truly great; then proceed to experience the upscale restaurants with excellent service. This contrast might provide an interesting experience altogether!
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Expectations matter here! - If you seek jaw-dropping sceneries, or magnificent sites, many places in Mainland China may provide stronger impressions.
- As an example, the thousands-of-households Miao Village in Guizhou (a grand ethnic village with a remarkable architectural layout), feels more impressive than Jiu Fen Old Street near Taipei (a small mountain town famous for its popularity via the movies "A City of Sadness" and due to similarities with the scenes featured in "Spirited Away").
- Similarly, the Forbidden City Museum in Beijing, when it comes to the grandeur of architecture and picture quality for photos, could be a better choice compared to the Taipei Museum of Fine Arts' richness of artifacts.
- However! These factors do not detract from my love for Taipei and urge to visit again!
- For me, Taiwan is like a finely crafted handicraft.
- Though it may have some minor imperfections and perhaps isn't as flawless as industrially manufactured items, it possesses its own uniqueness and beauty.
Thanks, Taiwan, for allowing me to meet your beauty once again. See you next time!
- Taipei is smaller than what I had anticipated.
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Living in Taiwan, I'd be thrilled to meet visitors from the mainland. I'd love for them to ask me for directions or just strike up a conversation!
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Hope to meet you someday.
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Taipei isn't dirty, is it?
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It might seem a bit old, perhaps without the flashy modern facades, but Taipei is a very clean city. And speaking kindly of others is a blessing in itself.
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If you haven't stayed at The Grand Hotel, can you really say you've truly experienced Taipei?
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Bro, to be honest, many Taipei locals have only gone up the hill to see The Grand Hotel, but haven't actually stayed there themselves.
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Taichung, Taiwan!
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Seeing this reminds me of the Calligraphy Greenway area!
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As a Taiwanese, after reading your review, I find it incredibly accurate and well-put. You're welcome back to Taiwan anytime!
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Oh, and I highly recommend exploring Taiwan's local delicacies! For instance, Changhua's ba-wan (savory rice-flour dumplings) have their own unique character, and you'll find an unbelievable number of braised pork rice (kong-bak-png) vendors in the Changhua area, all thriving. I hope you get the chance to come and discover these rich cultural flavors and see what makes them so special.
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Many Taiwanese people I know who are over 50 and live in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region don't want to return to Taiwan. Individually, I find Taiwanese people very nice and polite. However, when considered as a collective, the traits they sometimes exhibit are less commendable—often seeming selfish, conservative, and some can even come across as rather unsavory.
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They made a deliberate choice to go to the mainland, so naturally, they might not want to 'go home.' But many return to Taiwan when they get older to use the National Health Insurance.
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I absolutely adore Taiwan's local culture and the warmth of its people. Drivers in the smaller towns are so kind, their cars are spotless, and they readily help with luggage. The Hakka people are wonderful—so polite and warm. I've visited more than ten times and I'm still eager to go back; I even dream of marrying someone and moving to Taiwan!
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Do you really have to marry someone to move to Taiwan? If you want to settle there, just go for it and find a job.
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Living in Taipei truly fills me with happiness every day. Currently enjoying afternoon tea at Forty-Four South Village (Si-Si Nan Cun)...
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I feel incredibly happy in Xiamen too! There are many places offering free tea.
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Taiwan may not compare to the newly affluent cities on the mainland, but it has preserved a rich cultural atmosphere and a strong sense of human warmth!
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Compared to the overwhelming, almost suffocating density of skyscrapers in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, I much prefer it here.
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You'd probably like Xiamen then.