"Taipei City Walk: Discover New Taipei in Architecture and History"

#TaipeiItinerary Taipei is a city full of art and history. Every time you travel around this city, you will discover new things. On this trip, at first I started walking around cautiously because of the earthquake in the morning, but I also experienced some unexpected surprises. From the Taipei Performing Arts Center to art galleries, to relaxing in hot springs, my trip to Taipei was full of unexpected surprises and gains. 1. Taipei Performing Arts Center—humanized design and shock-absorbing architecture The Taipei Performing Arts Center is more user-friendly than I expected. As a newly completed building, it is very well designed in response to the site and open to the public. In particular, the discussion on architectural design and shock-absorbing systems during the tour added a lot of topics. That day, I was the only tourist who signed up for the guided tour, so it became an exclusive VIP experience. I was taken to multiple corners to see how materials and structures are used inside buildings to enhance earthquake-resistant design, which was a completely new perspective for me. After the tour, we also experienced the tour loop that is open to the public. You can walk freely and experience this modern architectural space. 2. Taipei Fine Arts Museum—Exploring the History of Taiwanese Architecture At the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, I happened to catch up with an exhibition about Taiwanese architecture - "Taiwanese Architecture 1949-1983". This exhibition features large-scale models and displays many Taiwanese architectural works that I had never heard of before. These buildings not only reflect Taiwan's cultural and economic changes from the postwar period to the 1980s, but also reflect the evolution of architectural styles at that time. From the exhibition, I learned about many unique architectural designs and concepts in Taiwan, especially those design styles influenced by Japan and the West, which gave me a deeper understanding of the diversity of Taiwanese architecture. 3. Beitou Branch—a representative work of green architecture Next, I came to the Taipei Municipal Library Beitou Branch, which is one of the representative green buildings in Taiwan. The design of this library pays great attention to environmental protection and energy saving. Despite the hot weather, indoor lighting relies almost entirely on lights. This design is to avoid excessive direct sunlight and reduce indoor temperature. I strolled through the library, surrounded by the smell of books and reflections of natural light. The design here not only complies with the standards of modern green buildings, but also incorporates harmonious symbiosis with the natural environment. It is a building with both functionality and aesthetics. 4. Hot springs and relaxation - relaxing time in Beitou In addition to its beautiful library, Beitou also has famous hot spring resources. After visiting the library, I went to a hot spring hotel to experience the authentic Beitou hot spring. The hot spring water is crystal clear and rich in minerals. Soaking in it makes you completely relaxed. The process of soaking in the hot spring made me temporarily forget about my busy work and feel the ultimate comfort. 5. Shintomi Town Cultural Market and Totomi Talk—a fusion of modernity and retro During my trip to Taipei, I also visited Xintomi Cultural Market and Fufu Huahe. There are both new modern buildings and old renovated spaces. Walking in the market, casually looking at these stalls and shops with Taiwanese characteristics, you can feel the diverse integration of this city's culture. Summary: Taipei, the fusion of architecture and culture This trip to Taipei made me deeply feel the unique charm of this city in terms of architecture and culture. From modern performing arts centers to historical art galleries to close-to-nature hot springs, I discovered a different Taipei at every stop. As a traveler suffering from "occupational disease", I can't help but pay attention to the design and story behind every building, which makes me even more fascinated by the city of Taipei. Tips: 1. The architectural design of the Taipei Performing Arts Center is very unique and it is worth booking a guided tour in advance. 2. The architecture exhibition at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is very suitable for architecture lovers, and the model details in the exhibition are worth viewing carefully. 3. The Beitou branch and the surrounding hot spring area are a good place to relax. It is recommended to take a bath in the hot spring after visiting. 4. When visiting the Shintomi Cultural Market, you can feel the unique cultural atmosphere of Taipei just by walking around. Don’t miss it. Taipei is not only a modern city, but every building and street is full of historical traces and cultural atmosphere. Here, architecture and humanity complement each other, and every moment is worth savoring.