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If you are planning a trip to Taiwan for the first time, there are several areas worth visiting to make the most of your trip. While there are multiple beautiful, historic areas, the following are my personal favorites for Taipei travel. Please feel free to use this as a sort of personal Taipei travel guide when planning your Taipei vacation.

Taipei 101


We start our Taipei tour at Taipei 101. This is a skyscraper located in the Xinyi District. In 2004, it was listed as the world's tallest building at 1,671 feet. It held that title for 6 years until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai eclipsed Taipei 101 in 2010. The tower boasts 101 stories and features an outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor like the Empire State Building in New York City where you can see beautiful views of the surrounding areas.

The bottom five floors of Taipei 101 feature a luxury shopping mall with upscale shops such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton. On the 88th floor indoor observatory, you can see the 730-ton mass damper, basically a giant ball that acts like a pendulum to counteract the buildings sway during high winds. Without this damper, people on high floors can actually suffer from motion sickness from the constant swaying of the building! Taipei 101 is a city icon that is visible for miles across the city. Every New Year, Taipei 101 attracts tens of thousands of visitors to see its spectacular fireworks display.

Ximending Shopping


If you are into shopping, you can't go wrong with Ximending. This is the shopping area in the Wanhua district of Taipei and is considered to be the fashion capital of Taiwan. On weekends, Ximending streets are closed to traffic and become a pedestrian shopping mall. The area is popular with street performers of all types and, because it is a hotspot, you can catch celebrities hosting small outdoor concerts, album launches, and other events.

Ximending is also famous for its "Theater Street" where there is a concentration of several movies along Wuchang Street. For history buffs, though, the most famous theater in the district is the Red House Theater which was built in 1908 during the Japanese occupation and is still an operational theater with regular performances.

Yangmingshan National Park


If beautiful sights are what you look forward to when travelling, then I can't recommend Yangmingshan enough. It is the largest natural park in Taipei. Yangmingshan is great for hiking and has numerous trails that can last an entire day or just a couple of hours. Popular trails include Seven Stars Peak which will take you to the highest peak in Taipei at 1120 meters (3600 feet) or see the stunning waterfall of the Juansi Waterfall Trail. 

Each February through March, Yangmingshan is the site of the Yangmingshan Flower Festival when several varieties of flowers such as azaleas, camellias, and especially cherry blossoms reach their peak bloom. Every evening of the festival, cherry blossom trees are illuminated for a particularly romantic sight. Visitors can also have lunch and dinner at one of many restaurants such as The Top or Grass Mountain Chateau for spectacular vistas of Taipei below.

Between the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the views of the city, Yangmingshan is a well-known romantic spot for lovers all over Taipei. From April to May, when calla lilies reach full bloom, you can pick your own lily flowers for only a few dollars at one of several flower farms.

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Lastly, don't miss out on Yangming Shuwu, also known as Yangming Villa, the beautiful summer retreat of the late president Chiang Kai-shek. Yangming Villa house and gardens are maintained as they were when occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Chiang. The house is a two-story traditional Chinese home, with reception rooms and offices on the first floor and the Chiang's personal residence on the second floor where their paintings and personal photographs are still displayed. The gardens are especially beautiful in the Spring when the flowers are in bloom. As a bit of trivia, it's been noted that several bushes are planted in bunches of five - to symbolize the "5-star" rank of General Chiang.

National Palace Museum



Next, we find ourselves at the National Palace Museum which opened in 1965. If you love history, this is the place to be! National Palace Museum has a humongous collection of 700,000 permanent exhibits of Chinese Imperial history and artwork that spans over 2000 years plus prehistoric Chinese artefacts and artwork that dates to the Neolithic era, or better known as the "Stone Age".


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The most popular item in its collection is the Jadeite Cabbage. Carved during the 19th century, it is a piece of jadeite that has been shaped to resemble a head of Chinese cabbage and has a locust and a grasshopper camouflaged in its leaves. Legend says the sculpture is a metaphor for female fertility, with the white cabbage stalk representing purity, the green leaves of the cabbage representing fertility, and the insects representing children.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall



Another historically significant landmark on our trek to learn about the history of Taiwan is the Chiang Kia-shek Memorial Hall. This is a national monument that was built in honor of former Republic of China President Chiang Kai-shek. The memorial marks the geographic and cultural center of Taipei. It is the most visited attraction by foreign tourists. The pagoda style memorial hall has a presidential library and museum on the ground level.

The main hall features a large, seated statue of Chiang Kai-shek, much like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial hall and its surrounding Liberty Square plaza encompasses 60 acres and includes many ponds and garden spaces. The plaza also houses two of Taipei's performance art buildings, the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.

Beitou Hot Springs and Public Library



My favorite place to visit while in Taiwan is an area called Beitou. Beitou is a mountainous district north of Taipei City and is most known for its hot springs and its magnificent public library. The mineral waters from the many natural geothermal vents in Beitou are famous for their healing and therapeutic properties. An entire industry of hot springs bathhouses and hotels have sprung up in Beitou offering aromatherapy, massages, and hydrotherapy. There are a lot of places where tourists can soak their feet in the hot springs stream. Be sure to visit the Hot Springs Museum. When it was built in 1913, it was the largest public bathhouse in Asia at that time. Today, the museum offers a glimpse at its bathhouse facilities and Beitou's history.

Next, visit the Beitou public library. Its wooden structure that fits seamlessly into its Beitou Park setting. Through the use of eco-friendly features and design, the library is Taiwan's first "green" building. The library opened in 2006 and was built to reduce the usage of water and electricity. To do this, architects used large windows to allowing in natural light and a solar panel roof to provide the electricity needed for operation. Also, the library collects rainwater to be stored and used to flush its toilets.

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf



Our final stopping point is Tamsui. Tamsui is located on the western tip of Taipei and our favorite place was the Fisherman's Wharf. We learned that not only do the restaurants that dot the Fisherman's Wharf boardwalk provide the freshest seafood available, it also provides breathtaking sunset views. Fisherman's Wharf still functions as a harbor for local fishermen and they proudly provide harbor for 150 vessels! Our favorite walk is across the "Lover's Bridge" pedestrian bridge, named as such because it opened on Valentine's Day 2003.

Its architecture resembles a sailing ship's masts. It was about a 3-minute walk across the bridge, which at sunset is magnificent. Lover's Bridge is also a great place to catch the yearly fireworks show and concert that the city hosts each year to celebrate Chinese Valentine's Day (which occurs in August and not February 14th). Another way to experience Tamsui is to take a ferry from the Tamsui Ferry Pier and disembark at the Fisherman's Wharf. The ferry is a cheap way to see terrific views of the Tamsui waterfront. A one-way fare costs only $2 USD and takes only about 15 minutes.

Though our Taiwan vacation seems to have been over in the blink of an eye, it was amazing! While there is so much more to see, we feel we made the most of our travels in Taipei. I hope that your trip proves to be just as educational and encompassing as ours.

 Author: Bob Tom

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When you decide to head to the coastal area of Texas, you may find yourself saying out loud, "Huh, I forget Texas has a coastline." However, for the folks in the know who appreciate what the Lone Star State has to offer in terms of tourism, you'll head to the city of Kemah, TX, where your new refrain will be, "Gee, there are a lot of fun things to do in Kemah, TX!"

You'll love exploring this beautiful city just outside of Houston, TX. Now, depending on whether you're traveling with kids or just on a couples getaway, you'll probably be looking for a chance to have some 'couples only' time. Luckily, you're in the right place as Kemah has some amazing ways to make that little romantic spark burn bright.

Here are seven fun things you and your special someone can sink your teeth into when visiting Kemah, TX:

1. Friday Night Fireworks - No doubt you're traveling during at least part of the weekend, and if that happens to include Friday night during the summer, you are in luck. If you happen to be a fan of great live music & a heck of a fireworks show, this is the place to be. There's nothing more romantic than fireworks by the water.

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2. Salsa Sundays - If you're in town during the summer, you'll be able to catch one of the more unique but very romantic offerings in town. Salsa Sundays offers a chance all summer for folks to get free salsa lessons, enjoy salsa & Latin-themed music, dancing, and even shows put on by professional dancers.

3. Rock the Dock - Maybe you and your sweetie like to rock. Check out the best in rock music during Rock the Dock. You'll be treated to all types of rock music from the first week of May nearly all through August.

4. Art of Coffee - Take in some quiet time over a nice cup of Joe by checking out the Art of Coffee. It's a favorite among visitors and permanent residents alike, providing great atmosphere & drinks to all.

5. Boardwalk Beast - If you're looking for some thrills as a couple, look to the Boardwalk Beast. You'll cruise out in Galveston Bay at nearly 40 mph, all while enjoying music, the bay breeze, and you're sure to get a little wet.

6. Clear Creek Vineyards - Since 2007, this award-winning winery has been making stellar wine. You and your significant others can choose to take a tour or even try out a wine tasting. Better yet, Clear Creek offers a picnic lunch for two or Gourmet Cheese Boards that can be purchased directly from the winery.


7. The Boardwalk Fantasea - The Boardwalk FantaSea is a chartered yacht & is the perfect way to celebrate in just the right way. Because it is a chartered yacht, you're privy to having a private cruise by reservation. You can collaborate with the cruise coordinator on a menu and entertainment options for the perfect event.

It's not hard to find fun things to do in Kemah, TX, especially for couples. With proximity to Galveston Bay and a great balance between fun & romantic, you and your special someone are sure to find exactly what you're looking for to make your trip perfect.


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There are married couples looking for destination tips for their travels. Reading tips from people who have actually gone to the places they have aptly described in their reviews can make their recommendations a lot easier to digest and believable. Married couples seem to be wiser than first time honeymooners and so are more inquisitive when it comes to spending their holidays or vacations so that they get the best deals for their budget.

But before anything else, why do married couples look for romantic destinations? Well, for the top of the list reason, most of these married couples would want to catch the spark again in their relationship. Some just want to enjoy each other's company again after having kids and other big responsibilities. And even some just want to rediscover each other after being hit with the bus called reality. With all these underlying reasons for married couples, giving the best tips in destination is more like a manual to them. Maybe they have been busy too much to even know what are the most top most romantic getaway places to be.

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For married couples, they would want some place with the three essential factors: food, relaxation, and generous accommodations. After being married for quite some time, they would want a destination that can make them feel excited and relaxed in each other's company.

First choice would be the Antigua in the Caribbean. Relaxation to most couples would mean sunny beaches that spells laid back and relaxation to most. This is a small island with small but intimate hotels that offer spas and other body treatments that can loosen all those tensed muscles and free the thoughts of their visitors. The best part of it is that it is in the tropics and so you can expect sunny weather all year-round.

Second would be surprisingly near, the Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. If your spouse is into golf sports or deep-sea fishing for fun, then this is your first choice. There are also luxury hotels that can accommodate you in the best and most fashionable way in the area.



The City by the Bay or San Francisco city in California is considered to be the most accessible romantic city in all of the states. If both of you just cannot consider an exotic getaway and would prefer a very cosmopolitan destination, then this is the place to be. Also fits the bill for most couples who are tight on the budget. Checking into their five-star hotels or dining in their world-class cuisine restaurants can allow you to go back to your romantic days with your spouse.

Napa Valley in California is best suited for married couples who share the love for wine tours and tasting. This is also a chance to get to know other couples who happen to share the same hobby that you might have or for you to discover the world of wine together. The charming valley town can look like Italy and the warm people with the high-class hotels can keep you comfortable in your stay.

Married couple should learn to enjoy each other's company to keep their romance alive. Learning new activities together or indulging in your favorite destinations can make your bond stronger. You will always appreciate being married to each other every after trip you make.



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During the Chinese New Year, young people who greet their elders with a happy and abundant new year are handed lucky red envelopes by the elders. These envelopes are really good luck for a youngster because these have money inside. The lucky red envelopes are called "hong bao" in Mandarin, or "lai see" in Cantonese.

The symbolism of the Lucky Envelope

Giving money during Chinese New Year is considered lucky for both the giver and the receiver. Those who give will also invite the flow of money in during the entire year. Giving these envelopes also symbolize that the family luck is also passed on to the children and the unmarried teens/ adults.

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Red as usual is the luckiest color, as it symbolizes life, so it's appropriate that Chinese New Year items are colored red. Hong paos have assorted designs, such as that of happy children, Chinese characters for abundance and greetings, animals of the zodiac, etc. The Chinese word for red ("hong") also sound like "plenty". Thus it is believed that money wrapped in red will make money multiply.

The money inside the hong bao is called Ya Sui Qian. Ya mean suppress; Sui sounds somehow like an evil spirit. Qian means money. Therefore, Ya Sui Qian means money that can suppress evil spirits. It is believed that this lucky money can also help kids be safe and healthy for the year.

Giving the Hong Bao/ Lai See

Money in even amounts, except for 4, is considered lucky. 4 is not a good amount to put into the lucky envelopes because the Chinese word for "four" sounds similar to the sound of "death". A good way to gauge the amount to put into a hong bao is roughly the same amount as a candy bar. An adult can give 1 envelope, while married couples usually give 2 envelopes. It is said that in some parts of China, only mothers give away the hong bao.

The young people accept these lucky envelopes graciously on Chinese New Year with a sincere thank you (that's "xie xie" in Mandarin or "doi jeh" in Cantonese.) They often give thanks while kneel-bowing 3 times.


For good manners sake, the hong bao should not be opened in the presence of the giver. The receiver may only do so after leaving the giver.

The lucky money inside the hong bao is recommended to be kept and not spent immediately. Young people are encouraged to save their money. And besides, it is believed that this money brings luck and wellness so might as well keep it.

Author: RR Ritchey

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