escape
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Revel in Taipei’s newfound urban culture as the city celebrates its centennial year.
eep, dark, and mysterious,
the sensuality of Taipei exists not in the elusive way it has reinvented itself, but with the charms of its urbannature dichotomy. For a city once known for cheap electronics, it has now embraced it’s urban destiny, arching itself high with skyscrapers and a sultry dynamism in the language of its streets. As the city celebrates its centennial year, let’s revisit our favorite spots.
1.
Taipei 101 Much of the city, and its adjoining districts, references itself to Taipei 101—room values are computed against the view of the skyscraper, each new building adjusts to be able to catch a glimpse of this once tallest building in the world (now the 2nd). With commercial
stores at the podium level and offices midway, there’s a certain thrill in the air as you step inside the lift that goes zooming from the fifth floor to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds.
2.
Fine cuisine Taipei is
starting to be known as a food city, offering delicacies from stalls in night markets to Michelin-worthy fine dining restaurants. One such place is YEN Chinese Restaurant on the 31st floor of W Taipei where classic Cantonese and Taiwanese dishes are served in its snazzy interiors. With high ceilings and French-style windows that overlook the streetscape, the transparent compartment at the middle complements all design elements to enhance the dining experience.
3.
Food haven
Check out Din Tai Fung, the legendary xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) that started with a small store in Xinyi Road, which is still in existence today. Now with branches in over 10 countries including the United States and Australia, there’s nothing like
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METRO / october 2011
10 things
we love about
Taipei
What was once a place known for cheap electronics is now a sensual, vibrant city that fuses nature with modern life Text and photographs by Geolette Esguerra trying out these dumplings in the place where it all began. Ming Fu in Zongshan district is another such gem, and with just six tables, the line outside stretches far for locals who want to savor their famous “monk jumps over the wall” consommé, sautéed fish with onions, and red crab fried rice. For the adventurous, visit the small stands in front of the Longshan Temple that sell minced pork rice cake, ginger flavored braised lamb
soup, or savory and sweet pancakes unique to the city.
4.
Art If you yearn for art and culture, you must see Taipei’s National Palace Museum located in Shilin District. The collections are at par with those of the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, earning its place as one of the four best museums of the world with its 677,687 pieces of ancient