Day 1: Taipei 101 & Shilin Night Market:
Taipei 101 is the worlds second largest skyscraper only surpassed in height by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Taipei 101 was officially the tallest building until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in January 2010. The tower is shaped like bamboo and features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese-speaking cultures the number eight which is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortunes. 101 is also a symbol for the binary system used in digital technology.
Shilin Night Market: it rained, but this didn't stop us trying some fried tempura squid served in a plastic bag or a rolled savoury wrap with spoonfuls of brown sugar mixed into it.
Day 2: Wulai
What do you get when you mix the 70's, a theme-park, and Taiwanese mountains? A themed hotel resort sparkling with faded 70's glory perched high up in the Taiwanese mountains above Wulai water-fall that could only be reached by a 70's style cable car. A groovy concept in its day, it is a shame to see it whither away...it didn't stop us, however, having a go on a pirate swing.
What Wulai is better known for are its hot springs and they are awesome. Free pools of hot spring water right next to the stream in a valley surrounded by picturesque mountains and full of friendly locals. You heat up in the hot pools and then you cool down in the cold river - very refreshing!
Day 3: Yongminshan National Park & Shida Night Market
The weather wasn't on our side as fog enveloped the mountains and visibility was low. Our hike up Mt Cising was great though and we got to see some sulfur vents and fumaroles.
Shida Night Market is a trendier, upmarket version of Shilin and it is right where we are staying. The food around us is tasty and very interesting. Watch our dinner being prepared in two parts....
Day 4: Urbaneering & Beitu
Taipei has been urbaneered! As a slight twist to the star-map idea we used the emblem of the Kuomintang, the ruling party of the Republic of China (aka Taiwan). We overlaid the star on a map of our 'hood' and visited the twelve tips of the star, below is a selection of photographs of our sites :). In the afternoon we went to Beitu, unfortunately the Thermal Valley was closed, but we got to soak in another hot spring spa.
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