Taipei (Day 1 – Part 3) A Bit of Xinyi and Daan District

From Longshan Temple Station, I took Bannan Line to reach Taipei Main Station and from there I change to Tamsui-Xinyi Line train to reach Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Station. I get off the station and saw a different kind of world compared to Wanhua District.

IMG_1467_s

Taipei 101

First thing that I saw was Taipei 101 Tower which famous in the world. Though I was already in the ground just outside of the building, I  never went inside the building nor I visited its observation deck to see the city from the top,  at that time it’s not my plan, I just wanted to walk around the place. The ground was my starting point to see the district and took some photos of art works being displayed just outside the tower.

IMG_1465_s2

IMG_1466_s

Taipei 101

Some of the public artworks that can be seen outside the tower are “Infinite Life” by Kang Mu-Hsiang and “The Rising Sun-The Shooting Stars” by Doug Duff. Below are the photos of the art and its description.

IMG_1471_s

“Infinite Life”

The tightly coiled lines of 「Infinite Life」trace out the image of life in its original form, a steel embryo reborn from the towering structure from which it came. As a reflection on the circle of life, using retired cable from the TAIPEI 101 Observatory high-speed elevator to create beauty from otherwise discarded material, the sculpture stands as testimony to TAIPEI 101’s philosophy of environmental protection.

IMG_1477_s

“The Rising Sun-The Shooting Stars”

An egg-shape waterscape occupying the gentle slope on Sung-Ren Road, water forms different flows along the angles the leaning egg-shaped fountain creates. On the top, a 90cm- diameter granite ball rolls as water whirls. Around the egg, water jets light up the night. The waterscape is formed by a three-dimensional granite assemblage, of human height and proportioned to create a congenial atmosphere that puts pedestrians at ease. A wind speed sensor is included to turn down the jet power during windy times.

IMG_1469_s

“Partners” by Taipei Financial Center Corp

Additional art that I captured has title “Partners”. These are colorful blocks stands in the front and made by Taipei Financial Center Corp.

IMG_1468_s

IMG_1473_s

IMG_1474_s

IMG_1475_s

Some snapshots taken just outside the tower

Taipei 101 was formerly known as Taipei World Financial Center and was once the Tallest Tower in the world from 2004 to 2009 until Burj Khalifa broke the record. But the tower still holds the record as the Tallest and Largest Green Building in the World. Another interesting note that I learned about it is, it holds the Platinum Certification which is Highest Certification in (LEED) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design with that said, I truly respect government and businesses that considers environmental design in every infrastructure they built.

IMG_1493_s

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Taipei 101 from a distance

Taipei City Government and Shopping Areas

I walked from Xinyi Road and then turned left to Songzhi Road not knowing what to see. While walking along Songzhi Road, I found the Taipei City Hall. I reached the end of Songzhi Road which is Songgao Road where Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Mall (Xinyi Place) is located. I walked in the walkway between buildings and I felt overwhelmed because I found a lot of high-end boutique stores in the area which I can say a haven for people who love shopping.

IMG_1478_s

Looking towards ATT 4 Fun Shopping Mall along Songzhi Road

IMG_1480_s

IMG_1482_s

IMG_1481_s

Taipei City Government Park

IMG_1483_s

IMG_1485_s

Taipei City Hall

IMG_1488_s

Songzhi Road towards Songgao Road

IMG_1489_s

Songzhi Road corner Songgao Road

IMG_1494_s

IMG_1495_s

IMG_1496_S

IMG_1498_s

IMG_1499_s

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Mall (Xinyi Place)

After my eyes had been blown-away by high-end international stores in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, I walked to another area not really far from where I came from which is Vie Show Square Taipei Hsin Yi where I witnessed a public entertainment show of some kind of anime character (forgive me if I cannot identify the character, its familiar to me, but not sure who is the character it portrays).

IMG_1521_s

Vie Show Square Taipei Hsin Yi

IMG_1514_s

IMG_1518_s

IMG_1520_s

Photos while walking at Vie Show Square Taipei Hsin Yi

Lin Jiang (Linjian) [Tonghua] Street Night Market

From Vie Show Square Taipei Hsin Yi, I took a bus going to Lin Jiang Street Night Market because I was already hungry from walking.  I get off at Sanxing Elementary School near the night street,  just a few steps away from it. So I passed the street and walked back. I ate some meats and veggies while walking on the street and bought some sweets to take home as my snacks.

IMG_1528_s

IMG_1523_s

IMG_1524_s

Lin Jiang (Linjian) [Tonghua] Street Night Market

So, overall I enjoyed my first day in Taipei walking around in Wanhua and experiencing a bit of Xinyi and Daan District. I know that these are not all what these districts has to offer but I just have limited time in Taiwan. Until then.

 

 

Taipei, Taiwan

Published by

DBA Mountaineer

An IT Professional who is in love to travel to learn more about our world, like natures a lot specially mountains.

One thought on “Taipei (Day 1 – Part 3) A Bit of Xinyi and Daan District”

  1. I love the architecture and art! Art always makes things so much more lively and interesting. The building itself though, that’s fantastic as well.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.