Travel to Taiwan

Hsiahai City God Temple

A tiny but very active shrine, Hsiahai Temple is often missed by tourists visiting Dihua Street because it is hemmed in on three sides by food vendors. Dedicated to the "city god" who is believed to watch over the neighborhood, the history of this shrine is linked to the migration of Chinese people from a particular part of Fujian province on Mainland China, to Taiwan in the 19th century. There are dozens of icons and well-preserved paintings inside the temple, but the most important activity  is the constant trickle of worshipers and the rites conducted by Taoist priests. AMAZING!

Lungshan Temple

This temple was originally built in 1738 in order to worship Kuanyin, the goddess of mercy. For more than two centuries, it survived earthquakes and war. This days it's one of the most popular temples in Taipei, and it is always filled with visitors from all around the island. Smoke fills the chambers as worshipers burn incense for the goddess. The Ching-dynasty style buildings are decorated with huge, complex sculptures and colorful paintings. The Lungshan temple is visited for its architectural merits and also as a house of worship. A really wonderful place!

Shin Kong Observatory

After a rapid ascent of 46 floors in 30 seconds to the top of the 244.15 meter-high Mitsukoshi Tower, an astounding panoramic view of the Taipei Basin awaits you. In the enclosed top floor, you can pick out Taipei's downtown area and highway systems; you can probably even find the restaurant where you ate dinner the night before. To accompany the sight, black and white photos detailing the last hundred years of Taipei history are placed randomly about the room. Drinks, snacks and souvenirs are also available.

City Zoo

The Taipei City Zoo was previously located within the city, across the street from the

Fine Arts Museum. Fortunately, the City Government decided to move the zoo out to a mountainous area in Mu Zha where the animals have fresh air to breathe and more room to move. Polar bears and koalas have only just been introduced to the zoo, which was designed by the American firm that also designed the San Diego Zoo.