Life in Taipei

Three years ago my boyfriend and me moved from our home country Holland to Kuwait and after Kuwait we moved to Taiwan. Ever since we arrived here in Taipei I have developed a love and a little bit of a hate relationship with this city. Don't get me wrong, Taipei must be the most peaceful and safe Asian city I have ever lived in. I love its people, I cherish its food and I love the peacefulness that this city seems to breathe. But I really dislike its summers. The long months of unearthly hot temperatures and the inevitable airconditioning way of life that turns everyone into a sunavoiding vampire that only comes out when the sun is completely vanished (or is it only me?).

Winters are best here in Taipei, which allows me and everyone else to truly enjoy what this city has to offer.

On the next page you will find three examples of how people in Taipei have somehow found their key to wellbeing in everyday life.

Jioufen Teahouse | 142 Jishan Street, Ruifang District | New Taipei City

With the winter gently passing over, the best way to truly experience Taiwan is by visiting one of the many teahouses up on the mountains. With a winter temperature at a comfortable 18 degrees, the fresh breeze of the mountain wind, the winter sun, sipping warm tea while traditional music is playing gently in the background, it's almost like life doesn't get any better than this. Up on the mountains and surrounded by the sea is the small village of Jioufen. This small town was a centre of gold mining during the Japanese era. In the 1930s Jioufen was so flourishing it was known as ›Little Shanghai‹. This old village is rich in decorative old teahouses, Japanesestyle homes and traditional narrow lanes.

Back and far hidden in the village is a beautiful teahouse. It's name: ›Jioufen Teahouse‹, as you might have guessed. The owner claims that his teahouse is a 90 year old building and that is was the first teahouse in Jioufen. It serves a broad selection of teas like Oriental Beauty and High Mountain Black Tea. There is indoor and outdoor seating, which makes it very hard to decide where to drink your tea. I choose the outdoor garden, because of the amazing view you can enjoy and the perfect weather of that particular day. A teapot is placed in the middle of your table, kept warm by glowing charcoals and your teapot will be filled with fresh hot water every 20 minutes. So you can have endless teas, while enjoying the view, until late after dark.

Many locals visit teahouses during the weekend and bring their friends or family. They wander around the mountains and small mountain villages, have long tea breaks in teahouses, endless chats and relax their way through the day.

Jioufen Teahouse 142 Jishan Street, Ruifang District | New Taipei City

Open from: 9am-8pm on weekdays 9am-10pm in weekends

Longshan Temple | 211 Guangzhou Street, Taipei

Religion is a very important part of life in Taiwan. Seven days a week the Longshan Temple in Taipei is packed with worshippers gathering, praying and chanting in a hypnotic way. The best time to visit the temple to experience this, is every morning at 6 am, 8 am and 5 pm. The Longshan Temple dates back to 1738. The story goes that a passer-by left an amulet of Guanyin (goddess of mercy) hanging on a tree on the site of the present temple and the amulet shone so brightly, even in the dark, that all those who passed by knew the site was blessed. Nearly three centuries later the spot still gives a certain warmth.

Like many temples in Taiwan, the Longshan Temple is multi denominational. Along the back wall are several bays containing different gods, like the patron of scholarly pursuits, the god of military pursuits and business people. The goddess Matsu, located in the centre of the temple, provides for the safe return of travellers by sea or land. Sometimes you will see someone throwing red coloured, moon shaped blocks up in the air, looking at it while they fall down on the floor. These blocks are known as ›Jiaobei blocks‹ or ›moon blocks‹ and are used to receive an answer to a question asked by that particular person throwing the blocks in the air. There are four possible answers that the blocks can give: a divine answer (yes), an angry answer (no), a laughing answer (no; the gods are laughing at the question or the gods laugh at the person who is asking the question because they know he or she already knows the answer) or a standing answer (the gods do not understand the question).

I know many Taiwanese locals who visit the temple to ease their minds when something important is going on. They might be dealing with problems in their relationship, problems at work or when a relative is sick. Couples will come to pray to the gods when they have problems having a baby or businessmen who seek advice about a certain business deal. The temple is swamped with students during exam period. But even when there is no trouble or problem that's haunting their minds, they still visit the temple to say thanks or enjoy it as a welcoming retreat. Like me, I like to visit the temple's square during off peak hours and just sit on the stairs to enjoy the silent and spiritual vibe the temple offers right in the middle of the city.

Addiction Aquatic Development | No. 18, Alley 2 | Lane 410 | Minzu East Road | Zhongshan District, Taipei City

Taiwanese people know how important it is not only to feed your body well, but also that good food is best for the soul. It is very hard to find bad quality food here in Taipei. The quality of meat is something I had never experienced before. And I have eaten in many good places before!

Taiwanese cuisine itself is often associated with influences from mid to southern provinces of Mainland China. A Japanese influence also exists due to the period when Taiwan was under Japanese rule.

Seafood is very important here in Taipei. The sea surrounds Taiwan and ocean currents flow by just off the island’s coast, creating good fishing grounds and enriching Taiwan’s marine resources. In addition, research in breeding technology has improved the variety and quality of seafood available in Taiwan, giving people more choices when selecting seafood as an ingredient. This is why seafood has become a basic element of daily life in Taiwan.

There is one special place in Taipei: It is a fish market, supermarket, indoor and outdoor restaurant in one. This place could be compared to Japan's Tsukiji Fish Market but on a much more affordable rate. The entrance is to the left into the fish market section. It's not scary and smelly but it's very open, clean and organized with large tanks for different fish, shellfish and giant spider crabs. Salmon and fresh oysters can be found in the rows of fridges that offer more than I just listed.

Once you passed the fish tanks you enter the sushi bar area and the rows and rows of sashimi, Japanese and Taiwanese liquors, fruits, vegetables and Japanese ceramics in the supermarket area. Fruit smoothies and fresh coconuts are available outside, close to the bbq garden. Hundreds of Taiwanese people come here to feast during lunch or dinner time. A good meal that is not only delicious, a feast for the eye and also healthy and nutritious is probably one of the most important factors that makes a good day in Taipei.

Addiction Aquatic Development | No. 18, Alley 2 Lane 410 Minzu East Road Zhongshan District, Taipei City

Open from: 10am-0pm