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What can you do other than visit night markets, enjoy nature, and see the Taipei 101 in Taiwan’s weird and wonderful capital city?
There are so many unusual things to do in Taipei, so we’ve narrowed down the top eight of them to make sure you see some of the best (and sometimes strangest) things you didn’t know Taipei has to offer.
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1. Dress up in retro costumes for photoshoots
When one thinks of traditional Chinese clothing, the elegant “Qipao” might come to your mind. There is no specific clothing which represents Taiwan due to its history of different colonial masters and the coexistence of various ethnicities on the island. However, the qipao emerged in Taiwan during the 1920s, gaining popularity alongside the influx of Han Chinese immigrants.
Renting a Qipao is typically quite costly. Fortunately, the Dadaocheng Visitor Center offers a free rental service for qipao and retro suits specifically made for photoshoots. The center also provides delicately designed vintage sets that take you back to bygone eras.
If you’re feeling game, you can also walk around Dadaocheng old street. Wearing your retro costume on the photogenic street creates a truly nostalgic atmosphere.
Make sure to reserve online to ensure you get the joyous experience of immersing fully into the history of Taiwan.
2. Visit Treasure Hill Artist Village
When you arrive at Treasure Hill, you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world that stands in stark contrast to the bustling shopping area that’s just beside it.
Treasure Hill Artist Village really is a hidden treasure, a blend between the traditional and the innovative.
The village that sprawled out from Treasure Hill Temple began as a settlement in 1945. The population grew in the village during the 70s; however, these houses were categorized as illegal buildings. Facing the threat of demolition by the government, activists took the lead in a series of preservation campaigns for households to continue to live there and preserve its historical significance.
Luckily, after the protests, the government designated it a historical settlement and organized it into an artist village, becoming a multifaceted tourist destination. Nowadays, visiting Treasure Hill really is one of the most unusual things to do in Taipei.
Many of the old residents are still happily living here, while local and international artists coexist here and host art events. Today, the historical, twisted alleyways of Treasure Hill are marked by incredible art installations that you won’t find elsewhere on the island. The serenity of the coexistence between history, art and nature is a unique experience that slows down your footsteps.
After taking a stroll in this village in the afternoon, you can visit the Gongguan night market nearby and grab some food to end the day perfectly. But if you’re willing to make the trek, you can jump on the MTR and visit Shilin night market.
3. Watch a traditional Chinese opera performance
To get a close-up experience of Chinese cultural arts, you absolutely must watch a Chinese opera show performance in the TaipeiEYE Theater which holds performances Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the evening. For those of us that haven’t mastered Mandarin Chinese just yet, you can buy tickets online for performances with English subtitles.
In the show, you’ll get to see everything from singing to acrobatics accompanied by live Chinese instrument performance. What distinguishes TaipeiEYE Theater from other theaters is that you can get very close to the performers which makes it all the more inviting an experience.
Local tip: Make sure to arrive 30 minutes before the show begins for something extra special.
If you arrive earlier, you’ll get to see the performers apply their special makeup and costumes. You’ll even have the opportunity to try on some costumes yourself. I’m not sure there is anything more culturally interesting than seeing one of these performances which really is one of the most unusual things to do in Taipei.
During the show, you can choose whichever seat you want and take pictures of the amazing scenes. Don’t miss out on the chance to take photos with the performers after the show.
4. Take a Gondola ride
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a great view of Taipei city from above? (This is a cable car gondola, not the gondolas you’re thinking of in Venice.) There’s only one spot to take a gondola ride in Taipei: Taipei Zoo Gondola Station. And it’s very easy to get there via the metro.
The best time to take a ride on the gondola depends on whether you prefer the daytime view or the night view. Daytime views offer a clear view of the landscape (pollution notwithstanding), while the night time view is illuminated by Taipei’s beautiful lights.
At the station, there are two options for the gondola cabin: Regular Cabin and Crystal Cabin. The Crystal Cabin is a more expensive cabin car with glass floors which lets you see all the way to the bottom. It really isn’t for the fainthearted because the Taiwanese like to make sure everything is squeaky clean – and that applies to the glass floor.
The 30-minute ride is smooth and quiet as you view Taipei city from afar and the lushy green plantations below and is one of the most unusual things to do in Taipei.
Travel tip: Avoid the Maokong Gondola if it’s too rainy, and check for updates including possible closures.
The Maokong Gondola line has four stations. I recommend stopping at the last station, Maokong (貓空), which is at the very top. Maokong was formerly the largest tea-growing area in Taipei, which is why there are many traditional tea houses and tea-flavored ice creams for you to get a taste of its tea culture.
5. Sing in a KTV center
Instead of going to nightclubs or bars for nightlife, why not spend the night singing with friends at a KTV (karaoke television) center?
“Singing KTV,” as it is phrased in Taiwan, is one of the most quintessentially Taiwanese ways of bonding and spending an evening. KTV centers are institutions in Taiwan. Once you’ve visited one in Taiwan, any KTV centers outside of East Asia will pale in comparison. You’ll be able to reserve a private room for you and your friends complete private bathroom, couches and large tables.
You can even bring your own food or order it in the KTV to enhance the experience. Virtually all KTV centers are the same setup. You’ll find a dark room with a large TV screen and a song selection machine (don’t worry, there are always English songs).
Let go of all your worries and sing all night long like the Taiwanese. If it’s not one of the most unusual things to do in Taipei, it is absolutely a critically important thing to do if you want the full Taiwanese experience.
6. Attend a New Bloom’s event
If you’re interested in civic participation and social movements in a relatively new democracy, there’s a budding new community which will fill your trip with deep insights.
It’s hard to get involved in knowing the social issues if you don’t understand the local language. The good news is that there’s an online magazine founded by a group of young activists called “New Bloom” which holds events mostly in English. They focus on the three pressing issues in Taiwan: the economy, politics and social inequalities.
New Bloom has an English newsletter which captures these issues with a touch of the international perspective. They also run a community space cafe/bar called “Daybreak”. Daybreak cafe also often holds events and lectures in their downstairs venue seeking to foster political and intellectual transnational dialogue.
No matter what your political stance is, check out their upcoming events and engage in discussions on social awareness conducted in English. Given the geopolitical importance of Taiwan, attending one of these sessions is a particular enlightening and unique thing to do in Taipei.
7. Ride a bike along Tamsui’s Cycling Path
Clear a day and take a bike to ride along the Guandu bike trail all the way to Tamsui’s old street. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful view of Tamsui river, Guandu Bridge, mangrove wildlife and scenic mountains.
You could stop by at the Guandu Temple and explore the different deities worshipped there. Or climb to the very top of the floor and see the wholesome view from above. What is particularly satisfying is your reward for finishing up the bike ride in Tamsui Old Street: rewarding your tummy with delicious food while enjoying the unique beauty of golden sunset in Tamsui.
8. Watch a Baseball Tournament
Among all sports played in Taiwan, baseball is considered the major sport in Taiwan, having been introduced by the Japanese during their 50-year colonial rule. Watching a baseball match in Taiwan is more than the sport: it’s about the cheerleaders, energy and the hype.
In big tournaments, you might even think the cheerleaders and the fans get more exercise than the players.
In around Taipei, Xinzuan Stadium (New Taipei City), Tianmu Stadium and Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium (Taoyuan City), with their home teams for the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL): Fubon Guardians, Wei Chuan Dragons, Rakuten Monkeys. Check CPBL’s website schedule for planning your visit to the matches and prepare to cheer for the team.
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