SYLVIA @ TAIPEI
Although Taiwan was not open for individual tourist from mainland China, I was so lucky to have an interesting trip there as a Hong Kong resident.
Surprisingly, you will find Taipei more similar to mainland cities rather than Hong Kong, because cars are driven on the right, and the buildings are not that tall. But more importantly, people in Taiwan speak mandarin, which will make mainlanders feel at home.
Ok, Let me told you some places you should not miss in Taipei.
A. Taipei palace museum. (In Chinese 台北故宫)
Actually, antiques in Beijing palace museum are either too big to move or of lower value, the essential works of Qing emperor collections are all in Taipei now. Among those artifacts, Lady Chin’s (In Chinese 瑾妃，珍妃的姐姐 sister of the famous Lady Pearl) “Jade Cabbage with Insects” is the most valuable. So, do not forget to buy some “cabbage” imitations as souvenirs! Only 100 New Taiwan dollar for a piece (around 23 RMB)! (Reminder: You cannot use video instruments in the museum; neither can you use cell phones inside)
B. Shilin night market. (In Chinese 士林夜市)
Want to gain weight? Then come to Shilin night market! I bet you will get 5 pounds after spending a night there. Please keep this "highly recommended snack list", if you have a Taiwan traveling plan, or you will get lost in the sea of snacks.
- Power and money toast (官財板)
- Soup with ten ingredients（十全排骨湯 ）
- Oyster pancake（蚵仔煎）
- Sticky Rice Rolls Stuffed With Sausages（大肠包小肠）
- Multilayer Pancakes (大饼包小饼)……
C. Eslite Bookstore. (In Chinese 诚品书局)
In the famous 24 hour bookstore in Taipei, you will find books from every corners of the world. Kind reminder, you could read any book you like there but make sure not to bring sensitive books back. Indeed, I recommend you to buy some Taiwan magazines, because books are expensive and most of them could be found elsewhere.
D. Taipei 101. (In Chinese 台北101)
101 is the tallest building in Taiwan and used to be the tallest in Asia. Just like Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl, it is the best place to see the whole city, and a place designed for tourists, so do not complain the expensive price there. Anyway, the night view of Taipei city is spectacular!
Forget about Hsimenting(西门町), it looks like Shenzhen’s “Dongmen old street”, only if you want to help those “made in China” back home.
On the plane back to Hong Kong, I thought up a slogan for Taiwan Travel Bureau to conduct mainlander- targeted promotion, that is “Taiwan, a place worth visiting by all Chinese”.
In fact, what I want to say is, do not let politics be the barrier, every mainland Chinese should go to Taiwan at least once in a lifetime.