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| This is a very basic guidebook. |
| The information in it was compiled from various reliable sources to serve as a quick reference for your journey. |
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| What's inside? |
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Has Taipei made it to the top of your "to visit" list yet? It should! If you take the time to look more closely underneath that hypermodern exterior, you'll unveil bewitching ancient Chinese heritage and a melange of cultural influences. If you need an easy way to figure out what Taipei has to offer, just pick up our travel guide, it's a quick and convenient reference for people on-the-go! We'll show you where to go and tell you what you should look out for, from internationally-renowned museums and the world's tallest building to the best shopping destinations in town. You simply mustn't miss out on Taipei's best kept secrets!
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| Help Save the Formosan Black Bear! |
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| Fund collecting in progress... |
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| The Formosan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus, or Selenarctos thibetanus formosanus), also known as the white-throated bear, is a subspecies of the Asiatic Black Bear. Endemic to Taiwan, it is the largest animal, and only bears to be found on the island. Formosan Black Bears are omnivorous, feeding primarily on leaves, buds, fruits, roots, insects, small animals, and sometimes, carrion.
These solitary animals can weigh up to 440 pounds, and are characterized by their large, round head, strong forelimbs, short claws evolved for tree climbing, and a white "V" on its chest. Formosan Black Bears do not hibernate, but they do prefer hunting and foraging at dusk and during the night. Now an endangered species, they are threatened mainly by habitat loss and poaching, as they are hunted for their galls and paws. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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Taipei, the largest city in Taiwan, has served as the de facto capital of the Republic of China since 1949. The city lies in the relatively narrow, bowl-shaped valley of the Danshui River and two of its main tributaries, the Jilong (Keelung) and Xindian (Sindian).
Though known as a major industrial area, Taipei is home to a large number of museums and heritage sites. One of its most popular landmarks, a must for all visitors, is the National Palace Museum, which houses a collection of ancient and rare Chinese artifacts. Other notable museums include the National Taiwan Museum; the Taipei Fine Arts Museum; the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei and the Armed Forces Museum.
Famous monuments include the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, erected in memory of the founding fathers of the Republic of China. In contrast to these historical sites, is the award-winning Taipei 101, a 101-floor modern skyscraper that claimed the title of world's tallest building when it opened in 2004.
Other than its impressive landmarks, Taipei also has many attractive parks, green spaces, and nature preserves, such as: the Yangmingshan National Park, famous for its cherry blossoms, hot springs and sulfur deposits; Taipei Zoo, founded in 1914, which is a 165 hectare animal sanctuary; and Da-an Forest Park.
Taipei is also home to many ornate Buddhist, Taoist, and folk religion temples and shrines, which demonstrate southern Chinese architectural elements and influences. Many annual festivals are held in Taipei, like: the Taipei Lantern Festival, commonly held at the Memorial Square, Taipei 101, and the Zhongshan Hall in Ximending; Tomb-Sweeping Day; the Dragon Boat Festival; the Ghost Festival; the Double Ten Day; and the Mid-Autumn Festival. If you enjoy cultural performances, do make your way to the the National Theater and Concert Hall, at Taipei's Liberty Square, which often hosts performances by international artists.
A shopping haven, the city has numerous night markets. The most famous is the Shilin Night Market, which is often crowded, and open until well past midnight. Other popular shopping and entertainment areas include Ximending, which boasts a concert hall and a historic cinema; the Xinyi District, home of the Taipei 101 building; as well as malls like the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi complex, the Taipei 101 mall, the Eslite Bookstore's flagship store, the Living Mall, the New York New York shopping mall, and the Vieshow Cinema.
Other popular shopping destinations include the Zhongshan Metro Mall, Dihua Street, the Guanghua Bazaar (electronics and comics market), and the Core Pacific City. There is also a thriving shopping area around Taipei Main Station, which includes: the Taipei Underground Market and the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store at Shin Kong Life Tower. The Miramar Entertainment Park, meanwhile, is famous for its large ferris wheel and Imax theater.
Taipei is served by two air terminals. Songshan Airport, located in the heart of the city, serves mainly domestic flights, while international flights are served by the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in nearby Taoyuan County. The city's public transport system includes the Taipei Metro (MRT), the Maokong Gondola, and an extensive city bus system.
Some foreign nationals will require a visa to visit Taipei; whilst others may be exempt, especially is their stay is no longer than 30 days. This period cannot be extended, and applies to both tourist and business visas. A single-entry visa typically costs US$50, and is valid for up to three months. Multiple-entry visas, on the other hand, cost US$100, and are valid for up to six months from date of issue. For more information on visa requirements, costs and extensions; do get in touch with a Taipei Representative Office near you.
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