The awesome lamb hot pot notwithstanding, I can’t say I’m too sorry to have swapped the biting wind of Beijing for the more benevolent climes of Taipei.
Category Archives: Taiwan
Retail past and future at Eslite Spectrum Songyan
When Eslite (誠品) opened its first store on Dunhua South Road in 1989, I rapidly became a loyal customer not just because of its great selection of books (many of which were unavailable anywhere else on the island) but also its great ambiance. Continue reading Retail past and future at Eslite Spectrum Songyan
Return to Jiufen
How time flies! It must be at least four years since I last visited the old gold mining town of Jiufen (九份), even though it’s only about an hour away from Taipei. Continue reading Return to Jiufen
Maker Faire Taipei 2015
Maker culture is taking off in Taiwan in a very big way judging by the huge crowds at Maker Faire Taipei 2015 today. Continue reading Maker Faire Taipei 2015
straw dog
A straw dog (芻狗) or rather a hemp pig waiting to be sacrificed in Ruifang (瑞芳) yesterday. Continue reading straw dog
Taipei Explorations: Luzhou
The densely-populated suburb of Luzhou (蘆洲) isn’t exactly at the top of any lists of Taipei tourist hot spots, but the street market around the Baohe Temple (保和宮) and Yonglien Temple (湧蓮寺) does have a certain chaotic charm to it with its colorful stalls and raucous vendors. Continue reading Taipei Explorations: Luzhou
Taipei Xiahai City God Temple
Located on Dihua Street, the delightful Xiahai Chenghuang Temple is home to statues of the Taipei City God Chenghuang and his wife, as well as a legendary Chinese matchmaking deity and 600 other gods. No surprise therefore that it is said to have the highest statue density of any temple in Taiwan (though I am not sure who measures such things). Continue reading Taipei Xiahai City God Temple
Taipei Dihua Street
If you decide to visit the Taipei Xiahai City God Temple, it’s also worth taking a stroll around the surrounding Dihua Street. Continue reading Taipei Dihua Street
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-Shek may not enjoy quite the same reputation he had when I first came to Taiwan over twenty years ago, but the memorial hall that was built to commemorate his death still stands in a pristine state with its white marble walls and octagonal glass blue roof standing proudly over the surrounding square and gardens. Continue reading Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Taiwan Northeast Coast Railway
You can enjoy some spectacular views of the glorious countryside of Taiwan’s Northeast Coast when you take the train from Taipei to Fulong. Continue reading Taiwan Northeast Coast Railway