The area where Taipei stands used to be a lake thousands of years ago. After the lake dried up, the area became a dry basin, dotted with swamps and grassy lowlands. In the elevated areas around the basin lived the people of the Pingpu tribe, who probably descended from Pacific Islanders. They fished in the swamps in canoes. Several hundred years ago a group of Han Chinese settled in the area. They also made a living fishing in the waterways, but they kept some distance from the Pingpu tribespeople, keeping to the banks of the Tamsui River.
Large scale migration into the area started after a farmer from Fukien Province on the Chinese mainland established a farm at Takala, in what is now central Taipei, in 1790. Several other settlements were founded soon after and the most concentrated area of settlements became known as Manka. More Chinese mainland farmers arrived and settlements such as Talungtung, Sungshan and Shihlin sprang up. Immigrants from different areas of Mainland China controlled different parts of the region and frequent armed clashes occurred. In 1853 a large battle was fought and settlers from Chuanchou fled north to Tataocheng on the banks of the Tamsui River. There they started a new community and their farming efforts made them very prosperous. By the end of the 19th century they dominated Manka. Most trade took place along the Tamsui River and products that were traded included tea and camphor. Both Manka and Tataocheng grew in importance because of their proximity to the Tamsui River. The river was a vital force in Taipei's earliest development and served as an important artery in the city's expansion.
In what is now Taipei's Chungcheng District, the Prefecture of Taipei was established in 1875. Most of the city's original buildings consisted of traditional Chinese dwellings. Mountains backed the city, while walls protected it to the east and west. The Hsintien River served as a natural barrier in front of Taipei. Five city gates provided entrance to Cheng-nei ('inside the city walls'), the area within the city walls. Administrative and financial agencies were established during the Ching Dynasty. In 1895 the Japanese colonized Taiwan. They established their administrative headquarters in Taipei and under Japanese rule the city continued to expand. Taipei's development has evolved rapidly; in just 100 years the area changed from wide open countryside into Taiwan's administrative, economic and cultural center.
The Japanese built roads and other infrastructure and developed Taipei as if it would have been any other Japanese city. Life under the Japanese was harsh though and widespread dissatisfaction emerged. During WWII large parts of the city were destroyed by Allied bombing and by the end of the war, the Taiwanese economy was in shatters. After WWII Taiwan came under Chinese rule, as a result of the Yalta Agreement. The Chinese sent the corrupt General Chen Yi to serve as governor, but his rule triggered widespread anti-Chinese riots in 1947. The uprising was brutally repressed and some 30,000 civilians lost their lives. Martial law was implemented and the event, known as '2-28' was a forbidden topic until 1987, when the martial law was finally lifted.
In 1949 the Communists took over in China, forcing then Chinese ruler Chiang Kaishek to flee to Taiwan and set up government there. The PRC (Mainland China) never invaded Taiwan (ROC) as it became too entangled in the Korean War during the 1950's. Chiang Kaishek's administration always claimed that their presence in Taipei was temporary and that they were China's true government. No political opposition was allowed until they would 'retake' the mainland. Most native Taiwanese were not happy with the government, but the ROC's rebuilding program and rapid industrialization in the 1960's brought prosperity and the government could stay in power. By the 1970's, Taiwan has become one of Asia's wealthiest countries.
Under Chinese (PRC) pressure, the ROC lost its seat in the United Nations to China in 1971. Eight years later the U.S. and most other countries (also because of Chinese pressure) withdrew recognition of the ROC government. Unofficially, most countries continued to support the ROC and Taiwan stayed on the track towards free market capitalism. In 1986 opposition parties were finally allowed and a year later martial law was lifted. High-tech industries developed and the ROC quickly recovered from the Asian economic crises in the 1990's. In 1994 Taiwan started lobbying to re-instate its seat in the UN, but this went too far for the PRC. The Chinese launched several missiles that crashed into the ocean, 25 km (15 miles) off Taiwan's coast, but that did not dampen the island's resolve. The Taiwanese even invited the spiritual ruler of Chinese-occupied Tibet for a six-day visit in 1997. An earthquake caused some damage in Taipei in 1999.
Tensions remain between the PRC and Taiwan and the Chinese government sticks to its point that Taiwan must accept it is a part of China before anything can be discussed.
Taipei is a huge, boisterous and expensive city. Real estate is virtually unobtainable, as most people and businesses have the notion that if one is to prevail in Taiwan, he must set up in the heart of the capital. Once someone obtains real estate there, he won't easily sell it. The government is trying to encourage businesses to set up elsewhere in the country, but it will take many years before people's notions change.
Taipei is a bustling place, full of people and cars. The city's air is filled with toxic smog and you will see many people wearing cloths over their mouth to be able to breath, but despite of that they wouldn't dream of settling somewhere else, far away from Taipei's renao (liveliness). The capital's people are friendly and food is excellent. There are also some interesting sights in and around Taipei.
Upon first arrival, Taipei seems like a confusion of sprawls and roads, but after a while you will start to understand the city's layout and you will find it quite logical. The problem is because most directions are written in Chinese and in a system of Romanised Chinese characters (known as the Wade-Giles system). Frequent calls have been made to replace the unintelligible system with that of 'Pinyin', which is used in Mainland China. The calls are mostly met with staunch opposition, as the thought goes that if it is used in mainland China it must be a bad system.
Taipei is divided into twelve urban districts that aid in navigation. Chungshan Road bisects the city into east and west, while other roads are labeled; depending on which side of Chunshan Road they are situated. There are many shops on Chungsan N Road, as well as numerous restaurants and bakeries. The narrow lanes and alleys which run off the main road are full of tiny Chinese restaurants, where cheap delicacies are sold. Taipei is divided into north and south sections by Chunghsiao and Pateh Roads.
Taipei has a sub-tropical climate and can be visited all year round. There are two seasons, rather than four, but the possibility of rain is always high. From November to April temperatures are cool and an intermittent drizzle causes a high humidity. During that time of year there is an almost constant cloud cover over the city. The rest of the year rains come in short, torrential bursts that are usually followed by a period of bright sunshine. The combination of hot weather and a high humidity makes the summer quite uncomfortable in Taipei. The best time to visit is in October and November, when there is less rain and temperatures are pleasantly warm. In October typhoons are still a possibility though.
On 10 October (10.10) National Day is celebrated, so it is often referred to as 'Double 10 Day'. During the festivities military parades are held not far from the Presidential Building and during the night fireworks are set off along the Tamsui River. There are many other interesting festivals and celebrations in Taipei, including numerous solar and lunar festivals that include large amounts of fireworks.
Ghost Month is held during the 7th lunar month. Devout believers think that hosts from hell walk the earth during that time, so they avoid going outdoors as much as possible. As a result during that time, less people are about in Taipei, so if you want to avoid the crowds, visit the city during that period! At the start of the lunar year, Chinese New Year is celebrated. The celebrations last for several days and accommodation is tights during that time of year.
The Dragon Boat Festival in June is also quite interesting and on 25 December Constitution Day is celebrated. Founding Day is on 1 January.
The National Palace Museum is home to the world's largest collection of Chinese artifacts and regarded as the center of Chinese culture and tradition. The entire collection consists of some 750,000 items, including artworks made from jade, bronze, enamel, porcelain, lacquerware, tapestry and embroidery, as well as priceless documents and books containing ancient Chinese calligraphy. Only 15,000 of them are on display at any time. Every three months the displays are changed, so over a period of 12 years all artifacts are show to the public. In October there are special showings of rare and fragile items.
The collection was first mentioned in 960 and has been steadily growing ever since. For 500 years, the artifacts were shuttled between Beijing and Nanjing, until they were finally housed in Beijing's Forbidden City. There they stayed another 500 years, while the collection continued growing. In 1931 all the artifacts were sent to Nanjing and then to Shanghai, to prevent them from falling into invading Japanese hands. When the Japanese were on the verge of invading Shanghai, the collection was moved back to Nanjing and partly ended up in the remote southern village of Emei in 1939. Another 10,000 crates were kept aboard a ship, moored on the Yangzi River. After the war, the collection was reunited and back on display in Nanjing. In 1949 it was shipped to Taipei to keep it out of Communist reach. This final move was organized in such a hurry, that some 700 crates were left behind, but even without them it is still a massive collection that is one of the world's greatest testaments to Chinese tradition, culture and ingenuity.
Lin Antai Old Homestead is one of the few old residences that have survived destruction in the wake of Taiwan's development. It was originally built in 1783 making it one of the oldest remaining traditional residential buildings in Taipei. In 1978 it had to be removed for the construction of a freeway. The building was taken apart stone by stone and rebuilt six years later at its current location in Pinchiang Park.
There are several quite sanctuaries in Taipei where one can escape the city's bustle, noise and pollution. The Botanical Gardens are one of them. They are situated on Nanhai Road just south of the central city area and include a beautiful lotus pond. Nearby are the Museum of Natural History, the National Science Hall and the National Arts Hall.
The Museum of Natural History is a sort of scaled-down version of the National Palace Museum. It boasts a large collection of artifacts, especially pottery.
The bustling tourist trap of Huahsi Night Market is better known as Snake Alley. It is just southwest of Taipei's central city area and around 7 PM the area starts to come alive with vendors that taunt live cobras before serving them up to you, either boiled, fried or pickled. Apart from snake meat itself, numerous derived snake products are available. They include snake bile, which is sold by the cup, powdered gall bladder and snake penis pills that presumably revive your potency. Many consider Snakes an aphrodisiac and as a result the area around Snake Alley had accumulated all sorts of illegal brothels and seedy figures. When things had gone far enough the government decided to clean up the area and nowadays the only thing that sets you off are the exorbitant prices. The Shihlin Night Market, on the south side of Chungcheng Road, is one of the largest markets in Taipei and also worth a visit.
Yangmingshan is the scenic mountain range that backs Taipei at its northern fringe. Wealthy Taiwanese and Westerners, who prefer the cooler cleaner air above the city's pollution, live in expensive US-style housing projects on the lower slopes of the mountains, but most of the area is protected from such development and an excellent place to get away from the city's noise, bustle and pollution. There are good hiking opportunities in Yangmingshan and in springtime the area sees blossoming cherry trees and azaleas. There is a restaurant and you will also find several thermal areas, including a hot-springs resort. Camping possibilities are available, as is hotel accommodation.
The Sungshan Nature Reserve is a large, densely forested park southeast of Taipei's city center. It is perfect for hiking and includes countless trails. There are some temples and the reserve includes four mountains. Elephant Mountain is the smallest of the four. It is a good place for beginners to stroll, while expert hikers can use it to warm up before the 'real' work. The other three mountains are Lady Finger, Tiger's Head and Nine-Five Peak, which, with its 325 m (1066 feet), is the highest one. The reserve can be reached in many ways, but the most popular is taking the but from the city center to Sheng'en Temple, from where it you can climb any of the four mountains. The interesting Mucha Tea Park is not too far away, on the southern side of the city. It is sprinkled with tea plantations and over 60 teahouses.
There are not a whole lot of activities available in Taipei, but the many parks and reserves surrounding the city center are excellent for hiking. Because of the city's climate, it is a good idea to find some indoors activities, such as tenpin bowling, which is available at numerous 24-hour alleys open. If you have bigger-than-average-Taiwanese feet it is a good idea to bring your own shoes! Taipei is a paradise for shopping.
Taipei's international airport is served by a wide range of carriers. All Asian countries have flights to Taipei, while countless intercontinental flights arrive there as well. Many international airlines are represented by a different name in Taiwan to avoid 'offending' the Chinese. For example, British Airways is called British Asia Airways in Taiwan and Japan Airlines becomes Japan Asia Airlines. Taipei's airport is located on the city's northeastern fringe. Taxis from the airport to the city center are relatively cheap, but the drivers don't usually speak any English. It is a good idea to have some paper with you, with the name of your destination written on it in Chinese.
The capital's main rail link is Taipei Train Station, which is situated in the central-western part of the city. The train network serves most large cities in Taiwan.
A cheaper way to get around the country is by bus. Four major bus terminals, named after their cardinal compass points, surround the railway station. In general you can go to the bus station, named after the direction in which you're heading when you want to go out of town. Taipei's extensive and regional bus service is stunning. For example, more than 100 buses run the 2Å hour trip between the capital and Taichung every day.
Transportation in Taipei is by bus or taxi, although a MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) system operates on some lines too. The rail system was planned in 1975, but construction did not begin until 1988. It is possible to rent a car in Taipei, but unless you have been staying there for several months it is not advised to drive yourself through the hectic traffic.
There is a wide variety of hotels, hostels and pensions available in Taipei. There are also countless bars and restaurants scattered all over the city. Taipei is in the north of Taiwan.
Hours from UTC: 8
Daylight savings time: n/a
City phone code: 2
Country phone code: 886
| Temperature | Precipitation | |
| January | 9.7°C (49.5°F) | 9.7 cm (3.82 in) |
| April | 21.4°C (70.5°F) | 13.5 cm (5.31 in) |
| July | 28.9°C (84°F) | 22.4 cm (8.82 in) |
| October | 23.3°C (73.9°F) | 14 cm (5.51 in) |
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