Taipei
Taipei is Taiwan's largest city as well as its economic, political, and cultural centre. It is a lively and diversified modern cosmopolitan metropolis. It's buildings provide much architectural splendour and visitors who are fond of historic sites and old streets will not want to miss the work of traditional master builders evident on Doha Street in the Debauching area or the Longhand Temple in the Washes district, as well as other places.
The internationally renowned National Palace Museum has a collection of precious historical Chinese arts and artefacts. Taipei is also home to many other fine museums, including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, National Museum of History, and the Postal Museum.
On the city's outskirts, the Yangmingshan National Park has unique volcanic terrain, a rich variety of forest vegetation, and an extensive network of hiking trails, making it a popular destination for visitors from the Taipei area and elsewhere. Yangmingshan is one of the places in the Taipei area where you can indulge yourself in a hot mineral bath; you can also go to the hot springs of Beitou or Wulai.
Taipei also has the largest zoo in Taiwan, where you can see the rare Formosan black bear, cuddly koalas, and stately king penguins. The city's comprehensive rapid transit system takes you quickly to the zoo or just about anyplace you might want to go in the metropolitan area.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall) is located in the middle of Taipei City. It has an area of 250,000 square metres. Outside the gate, there are poles carrying the sign of true rightness. The architecture is inspired by Tientam in Beijing.
The four sides of the structure are similar to those of the pyramids in Egypt. It is made from white marble. The roofs are decorated with deep-blue glass as part of the reflection of blue sky and bright sun. The garden has been planted with red flowers which commemorates the colours in the National Flag, which are blue, white and red, these represent the spirit of freedom, equality and brotherhood.
Presidential Office
The Presidential Office Building is a very important building for the people of Taiwan. The building has 5 stories and is constructed in a European Renaissance style and has a double-courtyard plan. The redbrick and gray-stucco facade and the front gardens are well maintained to give it a dignified, classical appearance. State ceremonies are held in front of the building on New Year's Day and National Day each year.
Martyrs' Shrine
This was completed in 1969. The Martyrs Shine was built in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the founding of the Republic of China. A memorial plaque and historical pictures in the shrine attest to their heroic spirit. Every year, in the spring and fall, the president of the country and leading government officials come here to pay their respects to the martyrs.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101is a 101-floor landmark skyscraper located in Taipei. It height is 509.2 m (1670.60 ft). The building is the world's tallest completed skyscraper.
Taipei 101 received the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2004. It has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World and Seven Wonders of Engineering . The building serves as an icon of Taipei and Taiwan as a whole.
Taipei 101 is designed to withstand the typhoon winds and earthquake tremors common in the area. Planners aimed for a structure that could withstand winds of 60 meters per second and the strongest earthquakes likely to occur in a 2,500 year cycle.
