Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei, 台北, is located in northern Taiwan and is the capital.  Officially it is Taipei City and it was was first settled in 1709.  Taipei has a population of +2,65 million people while the greater metro area is home to more than 7 million people.



The area had been inhabited by aborigines until the early 18th century when Han Chinese immigrants began arriving.  The Qing Dynasty made Taipei-fu the provincial capital in 1894.  When Japan annexed all of Taiwan in 1895 the city was renamed Taihoku.  The Japanese embarked on an extensive urban planning programme and a railroad network that laid the groundwork for the city today.

In 1949, Taipei was declared the provisional capital of the Republic of China when Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang fled mainland China at the end of the Chinese Civil War.  Today Taipei is Taiwan's business and financial Bub and the city is a global player in technology and electronics.

The city's landmark is Taipei 101 which was formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Centre.  The skyscraper is 101 floors and is 508 metres (1,667 feet) tall.  From 2004 to 2010 it was the world's tallest building.  Now it number 11.

However, it has next level energy efficiency and recycling making it the world's tallest green building.  The skyscraper is designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoon winds of 216 km/h (134 mph).

The North Gate was built in 1884 as part of the Taipei City Wall.  It was originally built following an attempted Japanese invasion.  It was renovated in 2017.



Lungshan Temple was built in 1738 by Chinese immigrants from Fujian during the Qing Dynasty.  The Buddhist temple has alters for several Chinese deities.

The Fa Zhu Gong Temple was built in 1869.  The temple's main god is believed to have once protected the local immigrant population from a terrible disease.  The current location was completed in 1988.

The 228 Peace Memorial Park was originally established in 1900 as Taihoku New Park.  It was the first European-style urban park in Taiwan.  In 1947, Taiwanese protestors took over the radio station that was here to protest the brutal police action of the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist) government.  From February 28, 1947, an estimated 5 000 to 28 000 Taiwanese died and began what was known as the White Terror where tens of thousands of other Taiwanese were killed, imprisoned or went missing.  In 1998 the former radio station became the the 228 Memorial Museum and the park was renamed.



Liberty Square was completed in the late 1970s.  The plaza is huge at more than 240,000 square meters (59 acres).



It was a gathering place in the 1990s when Taiwan transitioned from one-party rule by the Kuomintang to a modern democracy.




At the east end of the square is the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.  The hall dedicated to the former president was completed in 1980.

National Theatre

Liberty Square is also home to two performing arts halls that were both completed in 1987.

National Concert Hall

These were two of Asia's first major modern performing arts facilities.




The Presidential Office Building was completed in 1919.  It was originally used by the Governor-General of Taiwan during the Japanese Colonisation.  The building was restored in 1950 and became the Presidential Office.

The Xiao Hai City God Temple was built in 1859.  It is only 152 square metres (1,615 square feet) but it is home to more than 600 deities.  I believe this is a popular temple to pray to the Chinese cupid for a mate.

The Ximen Red House was originally built as a public market.  There are lots of trendy local shops and bars that are popular amongst the city's LGBTQ community.


The Republic of China Armed Forces Museum opened in 1961.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go in because for some reason it's closed 10.8. - 18.10.2019.



The Taipei Dome is a multi-purpose stadium that is still under construction.  It will be primarily used for baseball but will include a shopping mall, movie theatre, a hotel and office space.  Originally construction was to begin in 2007 and be completed by 2011.  Work didn't begin until 2011 and the city ordered a halt in 2015.  There is still no date on when it will be completed.

The National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was completed in 1972.  The museum covering his life is really interesting.

Every hour there is changing of the guards

Xiangshang is "Elephant Mountain" is worth a visit.  It is 183 metres (600 feet) tall with a few walking trails.  A hike up to the top provides a nice view of the city and of course another photo of Taipei 101.

The night markets are awesome.  I like the local markets but the Shilin Night Market is one of the largest and most famous.  Lots of shopping around but the food is the best part.

Scallion pancakes

The food court has over 500 different stalls and they stay open past midnight.

Oyster omelette 

Bubble Tea was invented in Taiwan.  My favourite is the brown sugar bubble tea.  Oh so good!

Soup Dumplings

All of the food in Taipei is just simply incredible.  I even did a food walking tour so that I didn't miss out on anything.

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

On Monday, I flew from Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Seri Begawan and met my favourite Kiwi for a new country adventure.

Bandar Seri Begawan, بندر سري بڬاوان, is the capital of Brunei.  The city has a population of 100.700 with the greater metro area is home to almost 280.000 people.

Until 1970 it was known as Bandar Brunei which translates to "Brunei Town."  Locals simply call it "Bandar" or BSB.

The city lies on the northern bank of the Brunei River.

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque was built in 1958.  It is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful mosques in the world.

The mosque has an artificial lagoon with a replica of a 16th century barge.  The barge was completed in 1967.

The 1968 Coronation Arch commemorates the coronation of the sultan.  It was originally built somewhere else moved here in October 1993.

The Timepiece Stone Monument was built in 1959.  It functions as a zero-mile-clock to indicate the distance starting point from BSB and other places in the country.

The Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque is known as the pyramid mosque.  It's huge and sits on the southern bank of the Brunei River.

The Brunei History Centre opened in 1982.  Lots of information about the history of the royal family.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for the propagation of Islam and for upholding it as the state religion.

Tamu Klanggeh is the open air market that dates back to the 1980s.  Lots of fresh local produce.

The Raja Ayang Mausoleum honours a couple who were severely punished for committing adultery.

The General Post Office was built in 1952.  Inside is the Brunei Stamp Gallery.



The Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is a large stadium used for ceremonial events.  This is where the country proclaimed independence in 1984.



The Royal Regalia Museum is all about the sultan.  It was built in 1992 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Sultan's accession to the throne.  It documents the sultan's life and is full of display about his coronation and Silver Jubilee.  It's a shame that photography isn't allowed because the chariots used for his coronation have to be seen to be believed.



The Teng Yun Temple is the only Chinese temple in the country.






The Brunei Legislative Council was established in 1959.





The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge opened in 2017.  It is the 2nd longest single-pylon cable-stayed bridge in the world.



Kampong Ayer is the water village built on the Brunei River.  It's been called the "Venice of the East."  It's basically stilt homes that are connected with wooden and concrete bridges and walkways.




The village was founded 1000 years ago.  It's the world's largest stilt settlement with about 2000 homes and 30.000 residents.



One of the easiest ways to get around is by water taxi.  There are jetties along the river.

We hired a chap to take us out on the river for a bit.  We had a few stops under the mangrove trees to see the endangered proboscis monkeys which are only found in Borneo.

We also got a glimpse of Istana Narul Iman which is where the sultan lives. It's the world's largest residential palace but it is not open to the public.

Chicken feet for lunch

BSB was an interesting place.  With the whole controversy about the sultan making homosexuality punishable with death by stoning, several of my mates were really shocked that I was going to visit.
Granted I was with Nat but I didn't see or hear anything about it.  What I did love is that once I showed up there was a big gay rainbow.