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Taiwan's capital, Taipei, is situated at the country's northern tip.
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The city sits in a basin between the Central and Yangming Mountains,
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and is surrounded by the larger, but quite distinct, New Taipei City.
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In recent decades, Taipei has busily transformed itself
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into one of the region's most livable cities and into one of Asia's premier travel destinations.
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Today's Taipei has one foot striding towards a futuristic utopia
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and the other respectfully rooted in ancient Chinese traditions.
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It's easy to fall in love with this friendly city.
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The aroma of Chinese street food fills the air.
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Scooters and bicycles roll the streets.
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And surrounded by nature, tranquility is never more than a bus ride or hike away.
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Start your day with a slice of classic Taipei.
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Situated in the city's oldest neighborhood, Wanhua,
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the Longshan Temple is the spiritual heart of Taipei.
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It's a place where generations of locals have come to seek good fortune, health,
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and even guidance on who to marry.
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Taiwan's political heart is the district of Zhongshan.
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Built from white marble and glass tiles to reflect the Formosan sky,
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the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall honors the memory of former president of the Republic
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of China.
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Memorial Square is also home to one of the city's most important cultural sites,
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the National Concert Hall, a stunning example of neo-classical Chinese architecture.
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Just a short stroll away is 228 Peace Park,
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a tranquil memorial to the 1949 uprisings that sowed the seeds of Taiwan's independence.
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Step even further back into Taiwan's past at the National Taiwan Museum
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and discover the country's rich, natural, cultural and political history.
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Hop on Taipei's excellent MRT and head to the National Palace Museum,
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home to the world's greatest collections of Chinese art and antiquities.
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Once reserved for the private pleasure of emperors, today these treasures can be enjoyed
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by all.
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There are plenty of riches to be found on Taipei's streets too.
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Enjoy the blooms and haggle for jewelry at the flower and jade markets.
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Hunt down bargains in giant department stores like SOGO,
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or cruise the smaller boutiques and restaurants in Yongkang Street.
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Once you've explored Taipei's streets,
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rocket to the heavens aboard the high-speed elevators of Taipei 101,
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one of the world's tallest skyscrapers.
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While some have suggested that the design resembles a stack of noodle boxes,
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the tower is widely regarded as a stunning example of oriental revivalist architecture.
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There are plenty of natural vantage points around the city too.
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Just a fifteen-minute walk from Taipei 101 is Elephant Mountain, the most accessible
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of the city's peaks.
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There are no high-speed lifts here, but the 20 minute climb to the top is worth it, especially
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at sunset.
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For more great views, head to Maokong Mountain.
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The mountain's gondola service starts at the Taipei Zoo, the largest zoological collection
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in Asia.
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This zoo holds a special place in the hearts of locals,
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and the animals are treated like members of Taipei's extended family.
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From the zoo, step aboard a gondola and glide over the forest canopy to Maokong Mountain.
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With villages and temples to explore, Maokong makes a fabulous day trip.
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As an important tea growing area,
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it's also the place to learn the finer points of tea tasting and appreciation.
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You'll have to walk to get to Taipei's highest peak,
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Mount Qixing which lies just to the north of the city in the Yangmingshan National Park.
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Climb the one thousand steps, up through the subtropical forest
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and into the grassy highlands that gave the area it's original name - Grass Mountain.
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All that hiking and mountain air can build up an appetite.
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So when it's time to return to the city, head to the Shilin Night Market.
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At times it seems half the population is here, doing what Taipei locals do best,
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enjoying great food, hunting down bargains and simply enjoying their incredible city.