Travel to Taiwan

Peitou Hot Spring Museum

In 1913, the Taipei State Government  built the Peitou Hot Spring Public Baths to honor what was claimed to be the largest hot spring baths in all of East Asia. In 1997, the Public Baths became the Peitou Hot Spring Museum. Eleven large exhibition rooms are full of documents, pictures, and items describing the history and culture of Peitou. Volcanic smells from the hot spring encompass this  stone structure, and the British influence on style is strong. You can virtually see, touch, smell, hear and feel the history.

Shan-tao Temple

The Tokyo-based Pure Land Mission established this Buddhist shrine during the Japanese colonial period. Compared to many Taiwanese temples, the interior is austere and solemn. The nine-story pagoda beside the temple is used to house religious books and scriptures, and hosts a display of Buddhist art which is open to the public every day except Monday. The highlight is a wood carving of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy almost a thousand years old.

Peitou Hot Spring Museum

In 1913, the Taipei State Government  built the Peitou Hot Spring Public Baths to honor what was claimed to be the largest hot spring baths in all of East Asia. In 1997, the Public Baths became the Peitou Hot Spring Museum. Eleven big exhibition rooms are full of documents, pictures, and items describing the history and culture of Peitou. Volcanic smells from the hot spring encompass this Peitou stone structure, and the British influence on style is strong. You can virtually see, touch, smell, hear and feel the history and the best part is that the admission it's free!

Lovers' Day

Ironically, the Chinese equivalent of St. Valentine's Day falls during Ghost Month. The tradition for Lovers' Day, has been to go out for the evening with your lover and recently, to give small gifts of flowers, or candies. Almost all the restaurants, pubs and discos are packed on this night, so reservations for are required if you want to have a nice romantic night.  Later in the evening, the parks are totally full with young lovers trying to find a little peace and quiet among the hundreds of other couples. Lovers' Day always falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

Farmer's Day

According to ancient tradition, the first day of spring falls in the first month of the lunar calendar. Wise lawmakers in the Chungking government recognized how important the change in seasons is to a largely agrarian society, and they issued a decree in 1941 creating an official commemorative holiday recognizing the efforts of farmers. Nowadays, spring rites are celebrated on February 4, largely outside Taipei, with government ceremonies, including the whipping of paper oxen stuffed with grain, symbolic of good harvests to come. Prayers are also said for good health, fertile land, fair weather and pest-free crops

Armed Forces Day

In 1955, the Ministry of National Defense felt that there should be an "Armed Forces Day" to honor all divisions of the military. Celebrated on September 3, Armed Forces Day memorializes the valor and sacrifices of all branches of the military during the eight-year war that ended in victory for China on that day. There are performances and activities, which all can observe and there are educational activities as well. Some of the activities include a troop-cheering activity, and armed forces performances and parades. Perhaps most important to Taiwan's men in uniform is the rare day off granted by the Ministry of National Defense to military personnel on this occasion!

National Concert Hall Performances

The National Concert Hall is placed across from The National Theater on the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The art of music is celebrated within this hall, where both Chinese and international symphony orchestras and choirs perform. The Recital Hall, is located on the basement level. A gallery, also on the basement level, celebrates Taiwanese artistic and musical talent through pictures and other exhibits.

Changing of the Guard

Every two-hours approx. (it is never accurate) visitors are treated to the changing of the guards at the Martyr's Shrine. Two rifle-carrying military police stand rigid at attention and then end their shift with a robotic march. Half of the fun of this daily event is watching some of the more daring, or depending on your point of view, the more annoying, tourists try to taunt the guards into flinching while they stand at attention, or join them when it comes time to march.

Snake Alley

Only a half block away from the Lungshan Temple, you will find Taipei's famous Snake Alley. Along this food court-like street, there are plenty of snack shops offering an impressive range of Asian style eats. But the alley is better known for its snake shops - you can have snake soup or even sip snake blood here!. From the Chinese-style hamburger to the bean curd junket, this is the right place to experience typical Chinese fast food.

Chingtiangong Village

Chingtiangong Village is a small community of farmers overlooking the hot springs resort of New Peitou. It is a good place hike, take a gentle stroll or simply enjoy some calming scenery. On weekends the hills are crowded with hikers, but on weekdays the area is amazingly quiet. The village lies inside Yangmingshan National Park and can be reached by car or by a public minibus service, the "little number 6," which stops across the road from the New Peitou MRT station.