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Taiwan's pre-eminent institution of higher education. The campus grounds are surrounded by several blocks of shops, bookshops, cafes and tea houses popular with students and scholars. Browse through the stalls and booths directly across the street from the main entrance of the university (don't forget there is a lot more just behind the main street), grab a bite or two of the popular snacks, such as fresh fruit, spice-cooked meats, soy goodies, sky-high ice cream cones, sweets, shaved ice, tapioca teas or fresh bread. You can also sample the yummy Taiwanese fried chicken chain Ding Gua Gua. Try a "Gua Gua Bao," a flavorful sticky rice pouch. There are many American fast food restaurants across the street on the right of the University, right next to several wonderful bookshops.
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自來水園區
The park is built around the Museum of Drinking Water, housed in the former pumping station building and showcasing some of the machinery used to provide water to the city. Many facilities are all about water. The most popular are water slides and swimming spas. But the facilities are open only in summer (entry included with the museum ticket)
寶藏巖國際藝術村
Another artist village.
自來水博物館
The Museum of Drinking Water was completed in 1908, and is the first pumping station and filtration plant in Taipei. The museum is in the Taipei Water Park.
中正紀念堂
The memorial hall is a famous but controversial symbol of both Taipei and the Republic of China, as expected of its namesake. Every morning, at 06:00 in the summer and 06:30 in the winter, the nation's flag is raised in the square in front of the memorial. The huge courtyard serves as a place for both national celebrations as well as a platform to voice one's disapproval of the government. The memorial consists of a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, watched over by two motionless honor guards who are replaced every hour in a rifle twirling ceremony. Downstairs, there is a museum. One exhibit is of Chiang's life, complete with his cars and uniforms. The other exhibit is on life under Chiang's rule, focusing on martial law and the suppression of speech and political opposition. Even if you are not into memorials, the gardens, with their Chinese-style ponds, are definitely worth a visit. The grounds of the memorial are also a favorite place for locals to gather and practice martial arts, though you'll have to be there early if you want to see this. Most people begin their work-out at around sunrise, and will have left for the office before 08:00.
齊東街日式宿舍
A street of well-preserved Japanese-style wooden houses which date back to various periods during and before the Japanese colonial periods.
國家戲劇院 and 國家音樂廳
Located in the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, it is an excellent place to see performances of a Taiwanese play or a dance troupe. They also host many international events. Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra performs at the National Concert Hall. The building's neo-classic Chinese architecture is especially stunning when flood-lit at night.