weekend
Taipei Rocks
The unflagging energy of Taipei draws you into its heady mix of yummy eats, vibrant nightlife and fabulous shopping. words JOYCE HUANG
image SHUTTERSTOCK
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t was our first night in Taipei and we had just finished a shopping marathon along Shilin Night Market. Our hands were laden with purchases, our tummies filled with yummy street food. It was close to midnight and we hadn’t had a break since touching down and checking into our hotel that morning. But nothing was going to stop us – there was no time to be tired. We flagged a cab and headed to a club for drinks with as much gusto as we did dishing out dough at the night market. It is hard to explain, and it is probably best to experience it yourself, but it is as if the air of Taipei is spiked with caffeine. There is a palpable energy in this capital city of Taiwan and it is addictive. Taipei is the country’s largest city and home to a population of over 2.6 million. As the political, economic and cultural centre of Taiwan, Taipei keeps tourists busy with a good range of cultural and historic attractions, a cosmopolitan and burgeoning culinary scene, and lots of shopping. A clean, efficient and accessible subway system makes travelling around Taipei easy, safe and fast – something you’ll appreciate as you check off your endless Taipei ‘to-do’ list.
Taipei 101