My recent trip to Taipei was, unfortunately, short, and there are definitely spots I’d like to see on a return visit, including some of the city’s markets. I had one day to explore the city, so I made sure to stop and see as much as I could!

Naturally, my tour started with Taipei 101. The building was the tallest in the world for more than five years before Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The building still boasts the Guinness Book of World Records title for fastest passenger elevator. As I roamed the observation deck listening to the self-guided audio-tour, I acquainted myself with the unfamiliar city from my perch high above it.

Next, I headed to the National Palace Museum. The museum houses a large collection of cultural artifacts. I was able to take a peek at some of the must-sees in the museum, which is full of collections from the Royal Family, including the pork-shaped rock and the jadeite cabbage; the Mao Gong Ding bronze cauldrons with inscriptions from the Emperor; and Zong Zhou Zhong, a musical instrument for government ceremonies that can only be rung by high-ranking officials.

After lunch at the museum and an afternoon respite at the foot massage parlor, I made my way to Longshan Temple, which translates to Dragon Mountain Temple. The oldest in Taiwan at 250 years old, it was crowded with worshippers of both Buddhism and Taoism.

Visitors to Taiwan should also be sure to check out the changing of the guard at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. It was very warm during my visit and the hall was extremely crowded, but the importance of the ceremony was felt given the reverence in the room. It was an interesting and important ceremony to see.

If you have the opportunity to venture into the Taipei suburbs, be sure to see the Langyang Museum in the Yilan province. The museum serves as a gateway to learning about the area. The architecture is also worth checking out!

— Kim Krol, managing editor