How to Spend 5 Days in TAIPEI, TAIWAN (Underrated!)

Summary

In this engaging video, the traveler explores the vibrant city of Taipei, Taiwan, uncovering its rich history, culture, and delicious cuisine. From visiting the renowned National Palace Museum, with its vast collection of Chinese artifacts, to sampling fresh seafood at Addiction Aquatic Development, the trip highlights Taipei's fusion of the traditional and modern. The traveler also discovers the Taipei Dome, a sports hub, and the creative energy of the Songshan Cultural Park. Ultimately, the video showcases Taipei as a unique and underrated travel destination with diverse attractions and flavors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Taiwan is known for having some of the best Japanese food outside of Japan, thanks to its long colonial history with Japan.
• 🍣 Fresh sashimi and sushi are popular, with a variety of options at local restaurants like Addiction Aquatic Development in Taipei.
• 🎨 The National Palace Museum in Taipei houses one of the largest collections of Chinese artifacts, most of which were moved from Beijing during the Chinese Civil War.
• 🏛 The National Palace Museum is a must-see attraction in Taipei, with over 700,000 pieces of art to explore, though it’s impossible to see everything in one visit.
• 🍴 The museum’s Silk Palace restaurant offers creative dishes inspired by famous pieces of art from the museum's collection.
• ⚾ Baseball is hugely popular in Taiwan, and the Taipei Dome hosts various events, including baseball games and large international events.
• 🥇 The upcoming World Masters Games, similar to the Olympics but open to athletes over 30, will be hosted in Taipei in 2025.
• 🏙 The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a creative hub housed in a former tobacco factory, offering design shops, boutiques, and a design museum.
• 🖤 Taipei blends modern, trendy elements with its historical roots, creating a dynamic atmosphere where old meets new in various ways.
• 🍽 The food culture in Taipei is a major highlight of the city, with a diverse range of flavors and fresh ingredients like seafood, vegetables, and adventurous dishes like frog and pig kidney.
• 🎽 The video ends with a local stir-fry seafood feast at a lively restaurant, showcasing the delicious and adventurous food scene in Taipei.

Q & A

What is the unique concept of the market and restaurant in the video?

The market allows customers to pick fresh seafood and have it cooked on-site at the attached restaurant. Alternatively, customers can also order from the menu for a more conventional dining experience.

Why is Taiwanese sushi considered among the best in the world?

Taiwan is said to have the second-best Japanese food globally, after Japan itself, due to its long colonial history with Japan. The sushi culture established during the Japanese occupation has remained strong in Taiwan.

What is the significance of the National Palace Museum in Taipei?

The National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of Chinese artifacts and artworks in the world. Many of these pieces were moved from the Forbidden City in Beijing to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War.

How many artifacts are housed in the National Palace Museum?

The National Palace Museum is home to approximately 700,000 pieces, making it nearly impossible to see everything in one visit.

What is the World Masters Games, and why is it significant for Taipei?

The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event for people aged 30 and above, allowing non-professional athletes to compete. Taipei will host the 2025 event, marking it as a significant sporting occasion for the city.

What is the Taipei Dome, and what is its primary function?

The Taipei Dome is a large indoor sports arena that mainly hosts baseball games, which are extremely popular in Taiwan. It is also set to host the upcoming World Masters Games in 2025.

What is the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, and what can visitors do there?

The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a creative hub located in a former tobacco factory from the Japanese colonial era. It features boutiques, design shops, and a museum, offering visitors a mix of art, culture, and shopping.

What did the traveler appreciate most about Taipei's blend of old and new?

The traveler noted the city's seamless blend of historical and modern elements, observing how Taipei harmoniously integrates traditional culture with contemporary design, which makes it an intriguing destination.

What unique food items did the traveler try at the seafood stir fry restaurant?

The traveler tried various dishes including stir-fried vegetables, bamboo shoots, clams, mussels, baby squid, frog, and pig kidney, which added an adventurous element to their culinary experience.

Why is Taipei considered a unique destination in Asia?

Taipei is considered a unique destination due to its distinct combination of rich historical sites, modern attractions, diverse food culture, and a harmonious blend of old and new, which sets it apart from more commonly visited cities like Bangkok or Tokyo.