As the capital of Taiwan, Taipei is a vibrant blend of traditional culture and cosmopolitan life. Taipei is the political, economic, educational and recreational center of the country, offering an array of significant cultural sights.

The city is situated in a basin in northern Taiwan that was inhabited by aboriginal peoples until settlers from China moved into the area about 300 years ago. The first permanent settlements were in the present-day districts of Wanhua and Datong, in western Taipei. These areas still retain many of their old customs, as visitors can readily see in the architecture, sculptures, and ceremonies of the old streets and temples.

A more recent cultural focal point in the city is the National Palace Museum, which houses hundreds of thousands of Chinese antiques and art works. The museum is located in the north of the city and is a must-see for lovers of ancient Chinese culture.

Eastern Taipei was largely underused fields until the nineteen-seventies, when the city began to develop the area as a financial and commercial district. Here, the modern face of Taipei shines through, with its glass and steel skyscrapers, wide boulevards, and the Taipei 101. Taipei also boasts dozens of world-class performance venues, where you can enjoy world-class theater and concert events. The city also offers a wide range of other diversions -- shopping malls, nightclubs, live-music bars, quality hotels, and exotic restaurants.

With the wealth of interesting and fun activities available in Taipei, and its warm hospitality, visitors are certain to have an unforgettable experience in this remarkable city.

Taipei has a subtropical climate, with an average temperature of 22^oC(72^oF). Summer lasts from May until September and is typically hot and humid. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 29^oC(84^oF). Autumn, from October to November, is probably the most pleasant time to visit Taipei, with average temperatures of 23^oC (73^oF). Winter lasts from December to February. January average temperatures are about 15^oC(59^oF), but there is often a strong wind and rain, which can make the weather seem quite chilly. The rainy season lasts from April to May, but sometimes extends into September. In the spring, Taipei blooms with dazzling azaleas and temperatures around 20^oC (68^oF).

You may check the latest weather forecast through Central Weather Bureau .

Taipei City and its nearby attractions help you grasp Taiwan's cultural face, unique natural scenery, and metropolitan flavor. The following tour spots are located around Greater Taipei Area, and each of them takes about half day to explore.

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The National Palace Museum contains the world's largest and most valuable collection of Chinese art and artifacts covering 5,000 years of history, from Neolithic times down to the end of the Cing Dynasty in the early 20the century. The treasures here include porcelains, bronzes, jades, sculptures, paintings, and calligraphy — almost 650,000 items in all. It is listed among the world's four top museums. The exterior of the museum mimics that of the original in Beijing , and the displays in its main exhibition building are categorized into bronzes, ceramics, painting and calligraphy, and jades. Here visitors can observe how the Chinese are evolved throughout history. There is also a modern gallery that displays modern and contemporary works. The Jhihsan Garden that graces the approach to the museum was designed according to a description by the famous ancient calligrapher Wang Si-jhih and is a complete manifestation of the beauty of classic Chinese gardens.

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This is one of the few national parks in the world that are located so close to a major metropolis. The Yangminsha area is comprised mainly of the Datun volcanic group, one of Taiwan's biggest volcanic distributions, where you will find unique geological features such as thermal vents craters, and crater lakes. Hot springs and geothermal activity are among Yanmingsha National Park 's most important scenic resources. In the autumn the landscape is dominated by miscanthus blooms and embellished by red maple leaves. This is also a favored place for bird-watching in the spring and autumn seasons.

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This impressive monument in central Taipei has a roof, designed one the Altar of Heaven in Beijing, topping a pyramidal body. The vast surrounding gardens, which contain a variety of plants and carp ponds, have become a favorite leisure venue for the city's residents. The large plaza that fronts the memorial hall is flanked by the classical Chinese-style National Theater on one side and the National Concert Hall on the other, two institutions that present a regular program of domestic and international art performances.

Tamsui is an intensely historic town. Its role as a busy seaport has long since receded into the past, but on Tamsui Old Streets you can still see remnants of those prosperous day. On the old streets you can also savor such local delicacies as fish balls, "iron" eggs, and sour plum drink, and restaurants offer fresh, inexpensive seafood. Fisherman's Wharf is located on the right side of the mouth of the Tamsui River. This relatively new attraction features a system of wooden walkways, riverbank coffee shops, and a large harbor park. The mouth of the harbor is spanned by a white “Lovers' Bridge,” offering a new lace from which to watch the famous sunset of Tamsui.

Night markets are among Taipei's most popular tourist spots. These markets get under way around dusk, with vendors offering everything from jewelry and clothing to snacks and carnival games. If you want to try the special delicacies of different areas, a night market is the place to do it. The biggest of the lost is the Shihlin Night Market, and an additional attraction is the its proximity to the night scenes and hot springs of Yangmingshan.

Here are some famous long-distance tour spots in Southern, Central and Eastern Taiwan, where a tropical climate makes all the difference. A carefree and relaxed holiday ambiance is well known to be created there but it is the natural resources providing great academic values distinguishes themselves from other ordinary tour spots.

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This lake, nestled in the mountains at the center of Taiwan, is the island's largest lake and one of its most beloved scenic spots. Viewed from the top of Chihen Pgoda, the eastern part of the lake resembles the disk of the sun while the west side looks like the crescent moon. The lake's famous scenery can be enjoyed from its surface, by boat, or from the highway that circles it.

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The subject of a well-known song, Alishan is one of Taiwan's top tourist resorts and well worth a visit. The area is famous among residents and visitors as one of Taiwan's best places to watch the sunrise. The views are impressive in practically every direction. Craggy mountain peaks jut out of a sea of fluffy white clouds, which gradually turn a fiery mass of purples, reds, and oranges in a magnificent light show created by the first rays of dawn as the sun rises above the peaks. The area was first discovered during the early years of the Japanese occupation (1895-1945) for its abundant cypress forests. There are five things at Alishan that the tourist cannot miss: the railway, the beautiful cypress forests, the "sea of clouds," the sunrise, and the sunset.

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This wild and wonderful gorge is Taiwan 's best known National Park and premier tourist attraction. A broad marble gorge with precipitous cliffs framing a wild white water river, Taroko is a great spot for hiking and trekking, in addition to visiting natural hot springs, remote shrines and temples and Ami Aboriginal villages. There are numerous hiking trails through the gorge, with options ranging from short walks to longer multi-day hikes, with campsites and bungalows along the way.

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The beautiful beaches and forests of Kenting were Taiwan's first National Park, gazetted in 1984. This tropical region makes for an excellent escape from winter in the mountains, but the heat is always eased by a constant, refreshing sea breeze. The verdant forests of Sheting meet the sea in a long line of beaches, each one more beautiful than the next. The coastline is dotted with a wide range of hotels and resorts. Kenting is a great place to relax, but there's also plenty to keep you active; Water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving on the coast, as well as forest trails and bird watching inland. As soon as the sun goes down, the bars, clubs and pubs liven up the nights.