Taipei Pictorial: Yangmingshan Spring Flowers

The February 2009 issue of the Taipei Pictorial is now available. Published by the Department of Information and Tourism (TPEDOIT), the latest issue features flowers and springtime events in Taipei.

The topics in this issue include Yangminshan Flower Festival, locations to observe blooming flowers, as well as tips and information on buying flowers at local flower markets.

In addition to a feature article on the annual flower season in Yangminshan, the issue also offers three “insider spots” for flower watchers to enjoy specific types of flowers, including:

- cherry blossoms along Fuxing 3rd Rd. at Beitou District

- calliopsis at Dajia Riverside Park

- roses at Shilin Presidential Residence

Taking into account the possible rise of demand for floriculture products during Valentines’ Day, Taipei Pictorial also introduces readers to four major flower bazaars in Taipei.

These markets include Jianguo Holiday Flower Market, Taipei Flowers Auction Corporation, Taipei Pot Plant Auction, and Shezi Flower Market. Readers will also find many tips on selecting flowers in this issue.

Readers can pick up a free copy of the magazine at the following locations: - Taipei City Hall (information counter on the first floor) - Taipei Visitor Information Center (all branches) - MRT stations - Offices of city-affiliated agencies

Residents can also read the online version at the website of TPEDOIT (http://www.tpedoit.taipei.gov.tw). For more information, please call 1999, ext. 7564 or 7570.

Source : Taipei City Gov.

Taipei Easy Go

Taipei City Government's Department of Information Tourism (DOIT) introduces five themed routes to experience Taipei for potential visitors from Singapore and Malaysia. DOIT Commissioner Yang Hsiao-tung, Malaysian singer Fish Leong, the spokeswoman, attended the tourism campaign named "Taipei Easy Go" on February 10th.
The routes represent different aspects of Taipei city. The hot spring route is excellent for visitors who are looking for a relaxing vacation. Nature and plant lovers could consider the Yangmingshan route, while fashion enthusiasts go shopping in the metropolitan areas such as Chung Hsiao and Hsin Yi districts.
Yang remarked on the nostalgic route which features artistic and historical sites such as Spot Taipei and Astoria coffee shop for visitors who have interests in Taipei in the olden days.
Leong has been living in Taipei for more than a decade. She recommended shopping in the small shops located in the alleys of Chung Hsiao East Road, snacks from Tonghua night market, beef noodle and shaved ice with mango on Yong Kang street. Besides food and shopping, she added that the establishment of 24-hour bookstore shows Taipei a city that never sleeps.
Over a dozen of travel agents from Singapore and Malaysia gathered in the press conference to meet local representatives from travel agencies and airlines and discuss tourism promotion on both sides. China Airline announced that the company will introduce travel packages with discounts later this month.
DOIT expects "Taipei Easy Go" campaign to attract 12,000 tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.
Pictured are DOIT Commissioner Yang Hsiao-tung, center, and Malaysian singer Fish Leong, right, introducing the promotion.

Source : Taiwan News

Guided Tours of Historical Sites Taipei

The Taipei City Archives is proud to offer guided tours of many of Taipei's most fascinating historical sites, to help citizens and visitors alike better understand Taipei's history, to encourage participation in the city's cultural and recreational activities, to broaden people's cultural horizons and enhance their spiritual lives, and to familiarize everyone with Taipei's roots, as well as the city's newest features, so we all will cherish and protect the land in which we live.

1.Procedures governing Guided Tours

Participants: 

(1) Those interested in exploring historical sites may form groups.

 (2) Foreign dignitaries (no restrictions to number of participants).

※Applicants are prohibited from charging payment from tour members or accepting any form of gratuity.

Groups should include 15 to 30 participants.

Registration: Register one week before the tour date.

Registration Office: Taipei City Archives Committee Office

(7th Fl. No. 33, Sec. 2,Chengde Rd. , Datong District, Taipei City)

Contact person & Tel. Number: Mr. Liu Chang-chuan, (02) 2556-4966#26.

※Tours are FREE OF CHARGE. However, participants should arrange their own travel insurance.

2.Regular Guided Tours:

The Taipei City Archives offers two regular guided tours at the following locations: Longshan Temple in Wanhua, and Huiji Temple in the Zhishanyan area. Taipei City Archives guides are available from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

3.Guided Route Tours

(a)Beitou Hotsprings Tour: Hot Springs Museum, Thermal Valley, Taiwan Folk Arts Museum, Old Ruins of Tiangou Temple, Puji Temple.

(b)Zhishanyan Tour: Rock engraving, Zhishanyan Gate, Zhishanyan Prehistoric site, Huiji Temple, plants, fossils, Funerary Temple.

(c)Dalongdong Tour: Confucius Temple, Baoan Temple, Shuren Academy, Chen Yueji Ancestral Mansion.

(d)Dalongdong Riverfront Culture Tour: Historical sites and ruins along the Keelung River near Yuanshan Bridge, Fanzai Canal, Yuanshan Prehistoric site.

(e)Dadaocheng Tour: Cisheng Temple, Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church, Dihua Street, Xiahai City God Temple.

(f)Sun Yat-Sen Historical Site & Memorial Hall Tour: Zhougshan Presbyterian Church, the “Six Avenues” district of Taipei, Kangle Park, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall.

(g)Mengjia (Wanhua) Tour: Dizang Temple, Herbal Medicine Lane, Longshan Temple, Yimen Gate, Hsuehai Academy.

(h)Old Taipei Tour: Taipei Prefecture Hall (Control Yuan), Jinan Presbyterian Church, National Taiwan University Medical College, Taipei Guest House, Presidential Office Building, Old East Gate.

(i)North Gate Tour: North Gate, Mansions of FuYa Street, Taipei Assembly Hall (Zhongshan Hall), Nichi Nichi Shinbun news agency building.

(j)2-28 Memorial Peace Park Tour: National Taiwan Museum, stone tablet collection, Radio Taiwan transmission tower, 2-28 Memorial Plaque, Qing-era Memorial to Liu Mingchuan and Hong Tengyun.

(k)National Taiwan University Campus Tour: NTU Gate, Literature Building, Library, Administrative Building, and the Fu Garden.

(l)Old Jingmei Tour: Zushi Ancestral Temple, Memorial to the Settlement of Jingmei, centenary tree, Old Jingmei Town, Jiying Temple.

(m)Xinyi Rail Factory Tour: Taiwan Railway Administration Taipei Railyard Bathhouse (visits by approval of the TRA).

(n)Songshan Trail Tour: Zhaoming Temple, old tree, Ciyou Temple, ferry pier, SungShan Church.

(o)Old Neihu Tour: Fu De Temple, Guo Family Residence, Bihu Park.

(p)Old Nangang Tour: Old shop of Lin Desheng, Zhongnan Street, Que Family

Source : Taipei City Gov.

MRT to Taoyuan International Airport

As per the statement of "Bureu of High Speed Rail", Taiwan "Fast economical development and urbanization in recent years, the travel demands of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area have rapidly increased, and the existing transportation system was unable to meet the need of the populace. In order to prevent the worsen situation in future, and taking into account of the need to link with the High Speed Rail stations in the west corridor of Taiwan, improving the public transportation system and controlling the growth of private transportation as well, the Government therefore plans to construct a comfortable and convenient MRT system. It will promote the whole prosperity and the balanced development of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area."

"The long-term network includes red, blue and green lines. The total length is approximately 48.6km. There are 36 stations. The red line is from Jhongli City to Gueishan, the blue line is from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Longgang, and the green line is from Zhuangjing Road to Danan. The priority line is the section of blue line from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (B1) through the HSR Taoyuan Station District to Jhongli Railway Station(B10), which is approximately 17km long with 11 stations"

MRT to Taoyuan International Airport

As per the statement of "Bureu of High Speed Rail", Taiwan "Fast economical development and urbanization in recent years, the travel demands of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area have rapidly increased, and the existing transportation system was unable to meet the need of the populace. In order to prevent the worsen situation in future, and taking into account of the need to link with the High Speed Rail stations in the west corridor of Taiwan, improving the public transportation system and controlling the growth of private transportation as well, the Government therefore plans to construct a comfortable and convenient MRT system. It will promote the whole prosperity and the balanced development of the Taoyuan Metropolitan area."

"The long-term network includes red, blue and green lines. The total length is approximately 48.6km. There are 36 stations. The red line is from Jhongli City to Gueishan, the blue line is from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Longgang, and the green line is from Zhuangjing Road to Danan. The priority line is the section of blue line from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (B1) through the HSR Taoyuan Station District to Jhongli Railway Station(B10), which is approximately 17km long with 11 stations"