Taipei’s attractive appearance does not disappear into the
darkness with night’s arrival. Instead, the darkness cloaks the
metropolis in an altogether different kind of allure. Whether wandering
through its areas of natural beauty or exploring the streets of the
urban center, you will discover that at night, in every corner, Taipei
glitters with sparkling radiance and color.
Yangmingshan (阳明山), Xiangshan (象山), and Maokong (猫空) present
nightscapes that are not to be missed, and in this issue we provide you
with an introduction to the first of these. If you’ve a mind to enjoy
gorgeous night views from one of the world’s 25 greatest engineering
achievements, the Taipei 101 Observatory (台北101观景台) beckons. The Grand
Hotel (圆山大饭店) brims with classical-style beauty, inspiring the
imagination in the still of night. Moreover, the city’s sleek
river-spanning light-sculpture bridges, accompanied by sparkling
reflections on the water and glittering stars in the sky, create a
dream-like sense of fantasy.
Taipei 101 Observatory ˉ Magnificent Nighttime Views
The Taipei 101 (台北101) tower, in Xinyi District (信义区), is one of
Taiwan’s foremost tourist landmarks. It has been declared one of 25
mankind’s greatest engineering achievements by CNN, which also placed
the elevator ride up the tower 9th in its list of “49 journeys that’ll
change your life.”
The Taipei 101 Observatory night-viewing experience is in every
way extraordinary. Passengers are whisked up in super-fast elevators
declared the world’s fastest streamlined pressurized elevators by
Guinness in 2004. The observation deck on the 89th floor is reached in
just 37 seconds. The deck offers splendid views of Taipei from a
different angle. As the stars pop up and flicker high in the sky, the
lights of the city flicker to life far down below, presenting a
bedazzling landscape.
On New Year’s Eve, a grand countdown party is held in the area
below the tower, and Taipei 101 itself is the launch pad for a
tremendous fireworks show that rings in the New Year. The celebration is
very popular with foreign tourists and expatriate residents, and you
are heartily invited to join in the fun.
Light-Sculpture Bridges ˉ Riverside Lights and Radiant Flowing Lines
The light-sculpture bridges that span the Tamsui River and its
tributaries between Taipei City and New Taipei City are major players in
shaping the charm of Taipei at night. The city currently has 12 such
bridges on its rivers. From north to south: Guandu Bridge (关渡大桥),
Chongyang Bridge (重阳桥), Taipei Bridge (台北桥), Huajiang Bridge (华江桥),
Wanban Bridge (万板大桥), Huacui Bridge (华翠大桥), Huazhong Bridge (华中桥),
Zhongzheng Bridge (中正桥), Yongfu Bridge (永福桥), Fuhe Bridge (福和桥), Wanshan
Bridge (万善桥), and Bao Bridge (宝桥). Decorated with energy-efficient LED
lighting, they splendidly enhance the city’s riparian zones.
Guandu Bridge spans the Tamsui River between Taipei’s Beitou
District (北投区) and New Taipei City’s Bali District (新北市八里区). Renowned
for its bright-red arches, it has a sightseeing walkway from which
inspiring river views can be enjoyed. Rays of light shoot upward to
envelop the bridge has rounded form, adding even more to the night
beauty of the Tamsui River estuary.
The cable-stayed Chongyang Bridge also spans the Tamsui River,
connecting Taipei’s Shilin (士林) with the suburb of Sanchong (三重). The
body of the bridge was originally painted red to contrast with the
silver of the steel cables, giving rise to its well-known reputation for
“red-column peaks, rainbow bridge spanning the sky” (红柱凌霄，虹桥跨天). The
main part of the bridge was later painted lily-white as part of the
nighttime light-sculpture plans ˉ and the nightly show is indeed
dazzling.
Yongfu Bridge, located near the Gongguan Riverside Plaza
(公馆水岸广场), has an arch bridge right beside it with a large water pipe on
top, used to transport drinking water. This has led to its being called
the Yongfu Water Pipe Bridge (永福水管桥). The look of the architecture is
unique, and on clear days, the rainbow lighting is reflected off the
water’s surface to lovely effect. The Gongguan Riverside Plaza is
Taipei’s only riverside area without a dike as part of the landscape,
and the Taipei Water Park (自来水园区) and Gongguan Commercial District
(公馆商圈) are close by, so you can end a fine day spent in the park and/or
shopping by heading over to the river to view the light-sculpture art.
Taipei at night offers all the elements that make for perfect
travel outings long remembered ˉ stargazing, breezy drives, pleasant
strolls, and great food. Set up your own night-tour itinerary and enjoy
that unique Taipei feeling of carefree freedom amidst the glittering
city nightscape.
The Grand Hotel ˉ A Raising Red Hillside Icon of Retro Grandeur
Taipei’s venerable Grand Hotel is a 14-story structure built in
classical Chinese palace style. Standing lofty and majestic on the flank
of Yuanshan (圆山), it’s a Taipei landmark known worldwide. At night, the
hotel glows with light, as through dressed in a striking red gown, a
modern beauty of classical aesthetics.
Because of its elevated location, look to the right from the
second-floor garden-view terrace and you’ll get a clear view of the
distinctive architecture of the Chientan Youth Activity Center
(剑潭青年活动中心) and of the coruscating Shilin nightscape. Look left and
you’ll enjoy a tranquil and expansive night view of Dajia Riverside Park
(大佳河滨公园), Dazhi Bridge (大直桥), and far-off Taipei 101. When the
weather’s nice you can walk from MRT Jiantan Station (捷运剑潭站) to the
hotel, along Zhongshan North Road (中山北路). After walking about 500 meters
or so you’ll see the entrance and stairs that lead up into the Yuanshan
Scenic Area (圆山风景区). Climb up to the viewing platform on Jiantan
Mountain (剑潭山), where you’ll be greeted with the beauty of the sparkling
Taipei nightscape. The Grand Hotel is having a big countdown party on
New Year’s Eve, on the 12th floor, and you should consider this your
personal invitation to both party fun and great nighttime views.
Information
Taipei 101 台北101大楼
Add: 45, Shifu Rd. (市府路45号)
Observatory Hours:
Daily 09:00~22:00 (last ticket sales and entry at 21:15); tickets
sold on 5F, Taipei 101 Mall (台北101购物中心), immediate access to
Observatory.
Tel: (02)8101-8898
Website: www.
Taipei Light Sculpture Bridges
Guandu Bridge 关渡大桥
Between Fude Borough, Tamsui District, New Taipei City
(新北市淡水区福德里) and Longyuan Borough, Bali District, New Taipei City (新北市八里区龙源里)
Chongyang Bridge 重阳桥
Between Shilin, Taipei City (台北市士林区) and Sanchong, New Taipei City (新北市三重区)
Yongfu Bridge 永福桥
Between Siyuan St., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (台北市中正区思源街) and Fuhe Rd., Yonghe District, New Taipei City (新北市永和区福和路)
Grand Hotel 圆山大饭店
Add: 1, Sec. 4, Zhongshan N. Rd. (中山北路4段1号)
Tel: (02)2886-8888
Transportation:
Take Taipei Metro Tamsui Line (淡水线) to Yuanshan Station (圆山站),
take Exit 1, walk diagonally to Yumen St. (玉门街), take free shuttle bus
where indicated among other public-bus stops.
Website: www.
