We took a taxi to Dihua Street
This street has historical connections. It was constructed in the 1850s by merchants who fled Wanhua area after being on the losing side of an ethnic feud. After the Second Opium war (1856-1860) Taiwan’s ports were opened and western tea merchants arrived, building mansions and trading stores. The Japanese also controled the area and their influenced the architecture here as did Baroque and modernist, making it a most diverse street.
Our first encounter was Yongle Market, where the matrons of Taipei were shopping and take away rice appeared to be a great hit!
We next encountered the Xinhai City God Temple, built in 1856 to house the City of God statue, the City of God’s wife and the matchmaker. At the entrance the faithful had a choice of offerings they could purchase for the City God.
As we walked along the street, we saw evidence of entrepreneurship. The area had been upgraded and young people have set up businesses - some in sophisticated, air conditioned premises
others of the more traditional type.
The oldest house/shop on the street is No 156 and differed in its architecture from its classical neighbours.
We intended to take the nearest MRT ( Metro) to Main Station. However , somehow we missed the entrance and ended up walking about 3km in the underground shopping complex back to Main Station by the hotel!
We took the MRT from there to Dazhi station. The National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine marks the memory of 400,000 soldiers who died for the Republic of China (ROC). On arrival, such is the organization that a sign informed us what exit to take and the bus numbers that would take us to our destination. The bus driver kindly dropped us in front of the gate rather than at the bus stop further on.
The Changing of the Guard was spectacular.
It occurs on the hour every hour. I had sympathy for the uniformed soldiers standing for an hour in 30+ degrees heat and 90+% humidity.
The Changing of the Guard complete, we took a bus back to the station from whence we came and on alighting at the MRT, we met an English family who informed us that a bus to the National Palace Museum was due. What luck - 20 minutes later, we were at the Museum.
Lunch was required so at the Museum cafe we tasted a Bubble Cafe Latte. It appeared as if it included coffee beans but in fact the beans were what I can only describe as the nearest thing to jellies but not quite so. It was cold and really refreshing.
We entered the museum. It was very impressive with its wide staircases and beautifully tabulated exhibits.
It is laid out on three floors. On the first floor room was an introduction to the history of Taiwan, with its dynasties and kingdoms.
The main attraction is the Jade Cabbage, which luckily was on display. It can at times be on loan to other museums. Luckily too there wasn’t a queue so we could enjoy the exhibit in comfort.
Another attraction was an exhibit that appeared as a near shaped stone.
And there were the distinctive blue vases
jewellery
and furniture.
One could pass hours here and not do the museum justice, such are the treasures within. After c 2 hours, we quitted the Museum and at the Museum bus stop, locals advised what bus to take to Shilin Station and from thence the MRT to Main Railway Station and so to our hotel. It had been a long exhausting day but we got a real flavour of the city.
Having booked our ticket to Alishan National Park tomorrow, before we leave, we have one nearby site to visit - Chiang Kai- shek Memorial Hall. The neoclassical building was Chiang’s response to the Cultural Revolution’s destruction of China under Mao. There is another changing of the Guard there!! In 2007, the Park was renamed Liberty Square in honour of Taiwan’s long road to freedom and democracy.
One of the hotel’s receptionists suggested we eat a the famous Dim Sum restaurant close by the hotel
As we arrived at 21.00, a queue of about 20 had formed ouside. We were the last to order and then waited to be seated, which queue moved rapidly. The food was delicious - more refined than last night with small beautifully cooked delicacies.
Later, we decided to check out our platform for tomorrow’s train - an excellent decision. The station is very large and confusing. However, we have now established where to collect our tickets booked online but only for the help of a staff member, we would never have navigated the complicated online system, further complicated by the fact that there was a separate area for bookings by foreigners!!
Til tomorrow then ... good night dear reader.
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