Taipei, Taiwan Trip 2011 [Metro Blue Line]

These are the places we visited using the Taipei Metro Blue Line [from Yongning station to Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center].  Very convenient using the metro but have to walk a lot.

1.  Longshan Temple - Take MRT on the Banqiao Line and exit Longshan temple station.  Check the location at MRT station for exit number.  This temple was originally built in 1738 and is now Taipei's best known temple.  Its host diety is Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and presiding in its rear court is Matzu, the Taoist Goddess of the Sea.  They are accompanied by a host of other divine personages.  The structure includes unique dragon columns cast from bronze.  Despite World War II bombing and several reconstructions, the temple remains one of the city's best example of traditional temple architecture.

A very busy area - temple front

Altar of Mazu [Goddess of the Sea]

Amazing fountains opposite Longshan Temple attracts many people to watch their spectacular changes

Preaching on a  3 wheeled cart in front of temple

2.  Hwahsi Street Tourist Night Market - Longshan temple station [please refer my posting on Hwahsi Street Tourist Night Market, Taipei

3.  Zhongxiao Dunhua Commercial Area  - Zhongxiao Dunhua Station Exit 2.  The commercial quarter centered on Zhongxiao East Road between  S. Road and Guangfu S. Road has become the busiest area packed  with crowds of people coming for shopping.  This area is bustling with activities day and night with Sogo, Mingyao Departmental Stores along Zhongxiao E. Road. 

MRT exit on the right

Early Morning road scene of Zhongxiao East Road

Sogo Departmental Store, Zhongxiao Road, Taipei [one of the more popular shopping complexes]

Night scenes at Zhongxiao Road, Taipei

4.  Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall - Exit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station and walk a short distance.

Dr Sun Yat-sen

100 years Independence Day Celebration on October 10, 2011

Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei

5.  Raohe Tourist Night Market - Songshan District - please see my posting on Taiwan night markets on this.

6.   Taipei 101 and Taipei World Trade Centre [TWTC] - Taipei City Hall station and take a shuttle bus to Taipei 101 [the 2nd tallest building in the world] and TWTC.

Taipei 101 Exterior View

Taipei 101 by night time

Taipei 101 Interior

Display in front of Taipei 101

Taipei World Trade Centre, next to Taipei 101 

TWTC by night time

Buidlings opposite Taipei 101

 Food around Zhongxiao East Road [Lunch and Dinner]

Taiwan Old Street - Danshui Taipei

Danshui MRT terminal

Danshui, Taipei is also a lovely place to visit.  Here at Danshui, you can visit the Danshui Old Street for food, watch sunset at Boat's Wharf and visit the historical sights like Hongmao Castle, Fishermen's Wharf, Little White Castle and Red Castle etc.

To get there, take Metro [Red Line] to Danshui Station.  At the exit, hop on to Shuttle Bus Red No. 26 that takes you to the historical sites.  Then take the bus back to Danshui Metro station, walk across the road from the station exit to Danshui Old Street to try the local delicacies and to Boat's Wharf to watch sunset by evening. 

Junction to Danshui Old Street

Danshui Boats' Wharf

Danshui Boats' Wharf

Site to view sunset at Danshui

Sunset at Danshui in October

Red Castle, Danshui

All about Danshui in pictures.  Not many shots taken because we were busy tasting the delicacies and shopping.  

View from Danshui MRT station

Route to Danshui Old Street

Danshui Old Street

Pickled Plums

Handicraft shop - See Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia

Iron egg shop - if you are a Malaysian, don't bring this back.  Customs will confiscate them, not allowed entry to Malaysia