24 hours in Taipei
Immense, cosmopolitan, monumental, imposing, historic, overwhelming... There are many adjectives associated with the capital of Taiwan.
However, perhaps what best defines ** Taipei ** is a noun: mixture. Strolling through its streets means meeting a kind of infinite contrast where majestic temples coexist with skyscrapers and gigantic shopping centers in total harmony.
In the night markets, locals and tourists share a table savoring the traditional dishes: from fried noodles to stinky tofu culminating with the famous pineapple cake and washing it all down with the instagrammable bubble tea.
We are not going to lie to you, Taipei is unfathomable in 24 hours, in a week and even in a month, but with this guide you will squeeze every minute of your day in the capital of the island known as 'formosa'.
A day in Taipei: difficult but not impossible!
9:00 a.m. Taiwanese breakfast. Taipei's streets don't sleep – except for the occasional nap from time to time – so you'll be able to find a place to eat both late at night and at dawn.
Before starting your adventure through the Taiwanese capital, go have breakfast like the locals at Yong He Dou Jiang, a chain that has stores throughout the city open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
And since we've come here to play, let's try a little of everything! The salty soy milk and the egg rice rolls They are a classic but don't miss them either. youtiao , some fried bread sticks that will hook you. All exquisite!
The famous youtiao salty sticks
10 a.m. Once we have a full stomach, we are going to visit one of the places that you cannot miss on your visit to Taipei, even if you are only there for 24 hours: the ** National Palace Museum **, located in the Wai neighborhood -shuang-hsi in Shilin.
Considered one of the most important museums in the world, the National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art in the world.
The star pieces of the museum are the jadeite cabbage (a piece of jade carved in the shape of Chinese cabbage), the meat shaped stone (a small agate object in the shape of pork) , Mao Gong's ding (a bronze tripod cauldron) and the hundred horses (a painting made in 1728 by Giuseppe Castiglione) .
National Palace Museum
12 noon we go to the Sanctuary of the National Martyrs, on the banks of the Keelung River, dedicated to the soldiers who died during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Civil War between Chinese Republican and Communist forces.
don't miss the changing Of The Guard, which is held every hour until 5pm at the front door.
2 p.m. One of our favorite moments: eating! And since a day is a day, we have reserved a table in The Palais, the hotel restaurant ** Palais de Chine **, led by chef Chan Wai-Keung, who has three Michelin stars. The roasted duck crispy Cantonese style is just wonderful.
If you are looking for a more informal option, you do not need to leave the hotel, on the sixth floor we find the rotisserie, an elegant French restaurant where east meets west on the palate.
Le Palais roast duck, a delight
4 p.m. In the afternoon it's time to go up in the elevator of the eighth tallest building in the world: the Taipei 101 (508 meters). In less than 40 seconds you will have the city at your feet.
A ten minute walk from Taipei 101 we find the Sun Yat-sen Memorial, a monument that is considered the national father of the Republic of China and whose bronze statue presides over the building that is also a museum.
6 p.m. We headed to **Xiangshan (Elephant Mount)**, a 15-minute walk from Taipei 101 to watch the sunset and enjoy one of the best views in Taipei. There are several viewpoints but our advice is to climb the steps to the end. It will be worth it.
The popularly known as 'Elephant Mountain' has several hiking trails to enjoy nature and escape from urban chaos. But there is no time to relax, we continue our Taiwanese adventure!
The views from Elephant Mountain
8 p.m. It's time to recharge your batteries in one of the most famous attractions in Taipei: its ** night markets .** There are many options to choose from but we are left with the best known: Shilin Night Market. Strolling through its food stalls becomes an experience that you cannot miss.
Where to start? Applying the maxim "wherever you go do what you see". So let's start by tasting a oyster omelette followed by some fried noodles and we will dare, oh yes, with a piece of stinky tofu!
For dessert? A delicious mochi ice cream will put the end to a day of the most intense.
We will be back!
Shilin night market, the most famous in the city