Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, sits in a river basin surrounded by steep hills and mountains. The city’s former shoreline is now marked by terraced tea farms and dense forests, creating a landscape where nature remains close despite the growth driven by the technology industry.
The contrast is visible across the city. Daan Park offers tropical greenery in the center, while bike lanes connect Taipei 101 with Tamsui, the seaside district at the mouth of the Tamsui River. On the northern edge, Yangmingshan National Park provides numerous hiking trails, several of which lead to geothermal hot springs.
Taipei’s food culture is centered on brightly lit night markets and traditional restaurants serving dishes such as lu rou fan, or braised pork rice, and beef noodle soup. A younger generation of chefs is also placing greater emphasis on Taiwanese ingredients and childhood food memories. At Yu Kapo, chef Masa Chung combines those ingredients with a Japanese kappo-style experience, preparing multicourse meals in front of diners seated at a counter.
The Zhongshan district has become one of the city’s emerging areas for dining and independent culture. Once known as a red-light zone during the 1950s and ’60s, it now features independent boutiques, cafes and galleries.
Fashion designer Jason Wu, who spent part of his childhood in Taipei’s Neihu neighborhood, recalls a much quieter area with few cars. He says Neihu is now home to art galleries and technology companies, reflecting the city’s transformation.
Taipei’s character also reflects the many influences that have shaped Taiwan’s history. Wu describes the city as an accumulation of Japan, Hong Kong and China, while noting that the island was ruled at different times by the Qing dynasty and Japan. Despite the political tensions frequently associated with Taiwan, daily life in Taipei is defined by its restaurants, shops, cultural spaces and access to the surrounding landscape.
Sources: The New York Times Travel.