Why you’ll love Taipei
Given a set of options as to the best stops in Asia, it wouldn’t be surprising for even the most seasoned travelers to give a list that goes something like “Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore and Tokyo”.
Taipei isn’t on the list of top destinations in the region, but that’s what makes it awesome.
Asian cities are generally super interesting, but culturally homogenous. Taipei trumps the “Koreanness” of Seoul and the “Japaneseness” of Tokyo with a ton of different influences and a history that is all over the place.
The city is often cited as the best place for creative cuisine in Asia – why open a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo when you can do it for about one-eighth of the price in Taipei? But these high-class eateries also give way to the never-ending list of street food that even the locals spend a lifetime trying to exhaust.
Check out reasons why you may dislike Taipei City in Taiwan.
Sightseeing is similarly diverse. You’ll get a look at temples from not one but several different styles, interpretations and combinations of Buddhism and Daoism. Contrast that with the tallest building in the world (unless you count the uninhabited Burj Dubai), and you’re starting to get what makes Taipei so cool.
Basically, Taipei has everything you’re looking for, but given to you conveniently. Not only do you get great food, but it’s cheap. Not only do you get to see a modern, cosmopolitan city, but you can do so without constantly being afraid about getting mugged. Not only do you have a huge range of shops, night markets, performance venues and sights to see, but you can reach all of them easily with mega-convenient public transportation. Not only do you get fantastic local Taiwanese specialties, but you can also sample the finest in Asian cuisine.
Taipei, therefore, is the destination for those of us who hate destinations.
Welcome to my Taiwan & Taipei travel blog! I hope you enjoy the info I share with you!