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Taipei

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Taipei is a major city in northern Taiwan.

Taipei Skyline 2023-03-19
Taipei Skyline 2023-03-19

It serves as the capital and a special municipality. Most of the city sits inside the Taipei Basin. This basin was once an ancient lakebed.

The area is bordered by several rivers. The Xindian River runs along the south side. The Tamsui River flows along the western border.

Aerial panorama of Taipei's west from the perspective of Tamsui River
Aerial panorama of Taipei's west from the perspective of Tamsui River

To the north, the land rises toward high mountains. Qixing Mountain is a very tall, dormant volcano. It is part of the Yangmingshan National Park.

The city is a huge center for many things. It is a hub for politics, education, and culture. Taipei is also a major part of a high-tech industrial area.

Neihu during 2015 winter solstice
Neihu during 2015 winter solstice

People can travel easily through the city. Railways, highways, and bus lines connect Taipei to the rest of the island. Two different airports serve the area. These are Songshan and Taoyuan airports.

Taipei Songshan Airport 1st Terminal Building 20090926
Taipei Songshan Airport 1st Terminal Building 20090926

This makes the city a very busy place to visit.

Taipei has a long and changing history. Before many people arrived, the Ketagalan people lived there. They were a Plains Indigenous people. Later, Han Chinese colonists began to settle in the basin. In 1887, Taipei became the seat of Taiwan Province.

North Gate of Taipei City, 2023 (01)
North Gate of Taipei City, 2023 (01)

During Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, the city was called Taihoku. The Japanese built many new buildings and railroad links. Some of these buildings still stand today. The Presidential Office Building is one example.

大島久滿次
大島久滿次

Many people live in and around Taipei. In March 2023, the city had about 2,494,813 people. The larger metropolitan area is even bigger. It includes New Taipei City and Keelung.

2014-02-23 台北 Taipei from 貓空 01
2014-02-23 台北 Taipei from 貓空 01

This whole area has over 7,000,000 people. It is the 40th most-populous urban area in the world. About one-third of all people in Taiwan live in these metro areas. This makes the region very crowded and lively.

There are many famous landmarks to see in Taipei. You can visit the very tall Taipei 101 building.

Taipei 2012 3 amk
Taipei 2012 3 amk

Another famous place is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

Chiang Kai-shek memorial amk
Chiang Kai-shek memorial amk

For history lovers, there is the National Palace Museum.

National Palace Museum Taipei1
National Palace Museum Taipei1

If you like food, you can visit night markets.

Shilin night market alley
Shilin night market alley

The Ximending district is also a popular place for shopping.

Ximending at night
Ximending at night

The city is full of different sights and sounds.

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🖼️ Images & Media (34)
File:North Gate of Taipei City, 2023 (01).jpg
North Gate of Taipei City, 2023 (01).jpg
File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-6550514-taihoku-east-2422-iii.jpg
Txu-pclmaps-oclc-6550514-taihoku-east-2422-iii.jpg
File:大島久滿次.jpg
大島久滿次.jpg
File:Taipei_2012_3_amk.jpg
Taipei_2012_3_amk.jpg
File:Chiang Kai-shek memorial amk.jpg
Chiang Kai-shek memorial amk.jpg
File:美國總統艾森豪於1960年6月訪問臺灣台北時與蔣中正總統-2.jpg
美國總統艾森豪於1960年6月訪問臺灣台北時與蔣中正總統-2.jpg
File:Aerial panorama of Taipei's west from the perspective of Tamsui River.jpg
Aerial panorama of Taipei's west from the...
File:2014-02-23 台北 Taipei from 貓空 01.jpg
2014-02-23 台北 Taipei from 貓空 01.jpg
File:Taipei Skyline 2023-03-19.jpg
Taipei Skyline 2023-03-19.jpg
File:Shilin night market alley.jpg
Shilin night market alley.jpg
File:Aerial panorama of Taipei City's west.jpg
Aerial panorama of Taipei City's west.jpg
File:Bellavita and CPCCT head office 20100907.jpg
Bellavita and CPCCT head office 20100907.jpg

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