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10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The "Traditional" Asia

Taipei is a city which has a reputation for being a modern East Asian metropolis. For this reason, the city is often overlooked by foreign travelers in favor of more traditional Asian cities, such as Bangkok or Kyoto. But, if one does a bit of research, they can still experience traditional Asian culture, within this bustling modern metropolis.

Here are 10 places to go in Taipei if you want to experience the "traditional" Asia.

1. TAIPEI EYE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

If you aren't super adventurous, don't want to deal with the hassle of navigating the city, or are only staying for a couple days, a visit to the Taipei Eye will be your best bet for experiencing traditional Asian culture.

This theater, located north of the city's Zhongzheng District, hosts a variety of performances several times a week, which include everything from folk dances by the island's indigenous tribes, to traditional puppet shows, and performances by Chinese acrobats. The most popular and most impressive however, is the world renowned, Beijing Opera. These performances are held most frequently, and feature a team of actors and acrobats, all of whom are male, acting out popular Chinese folk tales. You will see a lot of the same costumes worn in local street festivals, and get a taste of traditional Chinese culture. If you show up half an hour before the show, you can attend a pre-show make up session, where you'll have an opportunity to try on costumes and pose for pictures with the actors. It is an experience NOT to be missed!

https://www.taipeieye.com/en/

2. NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Located in the city's upscale Shilin district, this massive, 3 story museum contains over 650,000 artifacts showcasing 8,000 years of Chinese history and culture, the largest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world. Originally founded within the walls of Beijing's Forbidden City, the museum and many of its artifacts were relocated to Taiwan by Chiang Kai Shek during the Chinese Civil War of the late 40s, so that they wouldn't be plundered by the Communists.

The museum is the largest and most popular on the island, and is an absolute MUST for any history buffs looking to learn about traditional Chinese history.

Just be prepared to be pushed and shoved by inconsiderate Mainlanders.

https://www.npm.gov.tw/en/

3. LONGSHAN TEMPLE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Taipei has no shortage of traditional temples, in fact, I will mention a few more later, but the oldest and most famous is Longshan Temple, located in the Bopiliao Historic District.

Built in 1738 during the reign of the Qing Dynasty by settlers from mainland China, it was originally built to worship the Buddhist "goddess of mercy" Guayin. These days however, Taoist deities such as Matsu and Guan Yu are worshipped here as well. Sadly, the original temple was bombed by American forces during WWII, after receiving reports that the Japanese were hiding weapons inside the temple. The temple was rebuilt in all its splendor, and today it is the most popular temple in the city. If you're fortunate enough to arrive during prayer time, you will be treated to a mesmerizing cultural experience, you'll never forget.

4. CONFUCIAN TEMPLE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Located in the city's historic Datong District, this is one of five major temples on the island dedicated to the great Chinese philosopher, and the only such temple in Taipei. The original temple built in 1879 under the Qing Dynasty, and was modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, China. In 1907 during the Japanese rule of the island, the original temple was torn down to built a girls' school. In 1930, the temple was rebuilt, but due to lack of funding only one section was rebuilt.

This peaceful temple feels worlds away from the bustling streets of modern Taipei. If you're fortunate enough to time your visit right, you may witness Confucian monks performing a traditional blessing ritual.

5. DALANGONG BAOAN TEMPLE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

This is another impressive temple located in the historic Datong District, and this one happened to be my favorite. The current temple dates from 1804 and replaced an earlier wooden temple. It is dedicated to Baosheng Dadi, the Taoist god of medicine. Each April and May the temple hosts a cultural festival featuring traditional music, theater performances and religious processions, an excellent time to experience traditional Asian culture. However, even if you don't time your visit during the festivities, it's still likely that you will see some locals praying, or that the peace and quiet will be broken by traditional drumming and music, as a truck carrying incense stops by to bless the temple.

6. RINZAI ZEN-BUDDHIST TEMPLE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Also located in Datong District, this wooden temple is a relic of Japanese colonialism. It was built in 1912 by the Japanese during their occupation of the island. It is one of only few examples of traditional Japanese wooden temples on the island, and one of only few that's dedicated solely to Buddhism. Unless you have solid plans to visit Japan anytime soon, it's worth stopping by to experience the traditions of another East Asian country.

7. ABANDONED NEIGHBORHOOD IN DATONG

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This mysterious spot is located close to the Renzai Zen-Buddhist Temple. Clearly, not much happens here these days, and most locals don't even know when it was built or when and why it was abandoned. There isn't even anything inside the buildings, however as the area is open to the public, visitors can wander the deserted streets, and get a feel for what the city was like, before modern Taipei was built.

8. LIN AN TAI ANCESTERAL HOME

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Located in the old Datong District, this is the most famous historic estate in the city. One of the oldest homes in Taipei, it was built in 1785 by a wealthy railroad owner who was also the son of Lin Chin-Ming, a native of Fujian province who helped his families immigrate to Taiwan. The side buildings (seen here) were added in 1823. He named his estate "An Tai" after Anxi County in China's Fujian Province, where his family lived. Due to its absence from the city's historic registry, the house was almost torn down in 1978 to build a highway, but thanks to petitions of local residents and scholars the building was saved. However, it was taken apart and reassembled about a mile from its original location. The home itself is quite small, but it displays some traditional period furniture and items, as well as a beautiful lily pond. It's also a popular destination for local photographers, so you might see some traditional puppets or locals in traditional clothing.

9. MUZHA ZHINAN TEMPLE COMPLEX

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

Located near the Taipei Zoo, on a large hill overlooking the city, this impressive temple complex was founded in 1882. Built atop Muzha or "Monkey Mountain", the complex is a rare sight in Taiwan as it hosts all 3 of Taiwan's major religions in one place, Buddhism, Taoism and Confuciunism. The Lingxiao Hall (pictured here), was built in the 1960s, and is the most impressive of the complex's three main temples. The multilevel temple is dedicated to Taoism, and although not that oldest or largest, is the most impressive of the three main temples located in the complex. As it is located outside the city center, you will truly feel that you're in the traditional Asia, especially when the temple bells chime. The area is most pleasant at dusk, when most of the crowd has gone, and the atmosphere is serene. Although it is possible to walk the 1,000 steps up to the temples, most visitors prefer to catch the gondola from Taipei Zoo. If you REALLY want to immerse yourself in traditional Asian culture, monks occasionally let travelers sleep at the temple, in exchange for doing a few chores.

10. NISHI HONGANJI TEA HOUSE

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The

This teahouse is located near the city's famous Ximen shopping district, on a reconstructed Japanese plaza. Visitors can arrange in person, for a fee, to take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. A MUST for someone who is REALLY interested in immersing themselves in traditional Asian culture. Note, reservations must be made in person in advance, as the ceremony will only be held if they have willing participants. As the ceremony is staged specifically for clients, the "true authenticity" factor remains in question, but regardless it's still a memorable experience not to be missed.

10 Places In Taipei Where You Can Experience The "Traditional" Asia
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