Monga Chingshui Temple

Monga Chingshui Temple, also known as Monga Tzushih Temple, is dedicated to the god Qingshui Zushih and is classified as a Third Grade Historical Monument. Located at No. 81, Kangding Rd., Wanhwa, Taipei, this temple has been deeply influenced by both Taoism and Buddhism. In addition to Master Chingshui Tsushih of the Song Dynasty, it is also dedicated to Mazu, Guangong, Wenchang, Ksitigarbha, Kuaixing and Fute Earth God. Monga Chingshui Temple, Monga Longshan Temple and Dalongdon Baoan Temple are known as Taipei's Three Major Temples.

Chingshui Tsushih used to be the guardian of the Anxi ancestors. Long ago, the Taipei Basin was mainly developed by the people of Anxi, so there were many Chingshui Tsushih Temples built in the greater Taipei area. Monga Tsushih Temple, Sanxia Tsushih Temple and Danshui Tsushih Temple are called the Three Major Tsushih Temples; amongst them, Monga Tsushih Temple has the most historical characteristics, which symbolize the fourth immigrant power and the Anxi people, as well as those from Chuanzhou Sanyi, Tongan, Changzhou and Hakka cultures. It was also a witness to the famous gangster fight, the "Dingxiajiao fight".

The Taiwanese film "Monga", which was released in February 2010, directed by Director Nio Cheng-ze, and featured Ethan Juan, Mark Zhao and Rhydian Vaughanwas, was filmed mostly at Tsushih Temple, some even in front of the Tsushih Statue.

Bo-Pi Liao

The place "Bo-Pi Liao" began to be called as such during the post-war period. There are two stories for the origin of this place's name. According to "Taipei City History", "there was a North Bo-Pi Liao St., also named Bo-Pi Liao in Monga. Behind the street was a pond where people killed animals and peeled animals' skin for leather manufacturing of cases, pillows and drums." Bo-Pi comes from the meaning of skin peeling."

However, according to the local elderly community, the name comes from people importing cedar wood via Fuzhou commercial ships and peeling the wood here during the Ching Dynasty. The section near the intersection of Kangding Rd. and Guangzhou St. was called "coal city" since it was a market for the coal business and used to be a busy area full of western buildings and houses. The street was established during the Ching-governed period in the 1850s; during the Japanese-governed period, the government straightened and widened the narrow crooked lanes. It has been preserved with its historical space characteristics and urban context ever since the Ching Dynasty.

Monga Longshan Temple

Long ago, Monga's environment was infested with a fatal disease. In 1738, the ancestors from Chuanzhou Sanyi brought the Guanyin Bunrei from JingJiang Longshan Temple in Chuanzhou, Fujian to Taiwan and built the Longshan Temple. The temple was reconstructed after a massive earthquake in Taipei during the Jiaching Period, and was repaired again after severe storm damage in 1867. After that, Longshan Temple shared a similar architectural style with Monga's Chingshui Tsushih Temple, which was built in the same year. During the Japanese-governed period, the temple was used as a school, military camp and temporary office. In 1919, Master Fuchi raised funds from local gentlemen to rebuild the temple and recommended Koo Hsien-jung to be the president in charge of reestablishment affairs. The temple commenced reconstruction the next year with the prototype of today's Longshan Temple. The main hall was completely destroyed in 1945 during World War II and was repaired after the war. Longshan Temple was classified as a National Second Grade Historical Monument in Announcement No. 74Tai Nei Ming 33809 of the Ministry of Interior, with Monga Ksitigarbha Temple declared a Third Grade Historical Monument.

This temple is built in the Siheyuan Chinese Palace style and covers an area of 1800 ping, oriented on the north-south axis. Along the central axis arranged in sequence are the main gate, front yard, front hall, court yard, main hall, back yard and back hall. There are two side yards known as the Left-right Guardian Dragon or West-east Wings, and a Bell Drum Tower on the top. The front hall, main hall, back hall and guardian yard enclose themselves as the Chinese character "回(Hui)", while the corridors connecting main hall and guardian yards are combined as the Chinese character "日(Ri)". In addition to those, there are also new buildings in the East, West and North: by the Guardian Dragon side yard is the "Master Han Fu Chi Memorial Hall"; by the Guardian Tiger side yard are restrooms, a furnace pavilion and a clock tower; and in the rear of the back hall is a restaurant. On the left and right sides along the front yard are waterfalls and fountains. Longshan Temple itself represents a palace of crafted art. Characteristics such as Caisson and the only cast copper dragon column in Taiwan decorate the front hall. There is also a rare round spiral Caisson supported by golden columns in the main hall. The carved stones, carved wood, paintings and layouts are all good examples of the beauty of Taiwanese temples with great artistic value. The temple's address is 211 Guabgzhou St. In the west is Xiyuan Rd. Sec. 1, a street famous for selling ritual implements. In the south is Guangzhou St., while Monga Park, Longshan Temple Underground Shopping Street, MRT Longshan Temple Station, Longshan shopping mall, Wanhwa District Office, and Wanhwa Railway Station can be found further south. Monga Chingshanwang Temple and Monga Tsushih Temple are in the same neighborhood. This convenient area offers transportation, commercial activity, leisure and living facilities.

CKS Memorial Hall

CKS Memorial Hall is located at No. 21 Chungshan South Rd. Taipei, Taiwan. The whole park is classified as a National Historical Monument (except for the surrounding walls); it is also considered the biggest building among those in memory of Chiang Kai-shek and has been one of the most famous landmarks in Taipei since its completion. The park and plaza are not only for people’s recreation, but is also where large cultural and artistic activities are held and where rallies gathered after martial law was declared. On the north and south sides of the park and plaza are the National Theatre Hall and the National Concert Hall.

After R.O.C .President Chiang Kai-Shek passed away on 5 April 1975, the Executive Yuan organized a funeral committee. In June, the funeral committee members decided to build the CKS Memorial Hall in Taipei in order to commemorate the memory of our great leader. The preparatory committee chose a site west of Hang Jhou South Road, east of Jhong Shan South Road., north of AiGuo E. Road., and south of SinYi Road as the ideal location for the construction of the Hall. The building uses many architectural elements from Nanjing's Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum.

The entire area of CKS Memorial Park covers nearly 250,000 square meters. Besides the 76-m tall main building, the National Theatre Hall and National Concert Hall (known as the Two Halls) are on the grounds, as well as the main entry passage, the central cultural square (known as Liberty Square), winding corridors, and the Chinese garden (with Guanghwa Pond and Yunhan Pond). The buildings' exteriors are mainly blue and white. There are 84 granite stairs in front of the hall and five stairs in the lobby, for a total of 89 stairs. Between the stairs is the imperial path, featuring the R.O.C. national emblem, which can only be seen in palaces or temples with traditional Chinese architecture. The bronze gate stands 16 meters high and weighs 75 tons. An elaborate caisson is set into the ceiling. A large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, which is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional Chinese attire, dominates the main hall. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure are the Chinese characters for Ethics, Democracy, and Science. Inscriptions on the side walls read "The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity" and "The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe". Representatives of the armed forces guard the main hall during its hours of operation. The changing of the guards takes place every hour, and the spectacle attracts many visitors.

The lower floor displays Chiang Kai-Shek's clothes, documents, pictures and vehicles, whereas the spacious gallery and exhibition spaces can also be leased for exhibitions or foreign guest receptions.

• Display room: displays Chiang Kai-Shek's clothes, documents and pictures.
• Central corridor: displays two of Chiang Kai-Shek's vehicles.
• Conference hall: for professional or academic lectures.
• Huien Gallery, Chungcheng Gallery and Juiyuan Hall: for art and cultural works exhibitions.
• Library: for collections of Chiang Kai-Shek's documents and recent historical documents.
• Chiang Kai-Shek's Memorial Chamber：displays the interior of Chiang Kai-Shek's presidential office.

Taipei Botanical Garden

Taipei Botanical Garden, located on Nanhai Rd. in Taipei, Taiwan was established in 1921 during the Japanese-governed period by the Regenerative Products Bureau, Governor–General of Taiwan. Its goal is to cultivate tropical plants so that people can become acquainted with the plants and the ecological environment of Southeast Asia. Therefore, plants that are not native to Taiwan, such as palmae plants (royal palm and Alexandra Palm), are grown in the garden. Taipei Botanical Garden covers an area of 8.6 ha., is affiliated with the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, and is both a research institute for tropical economic plants and a famous recreational park in Taipei. The National History Museum and the Water Lily Pond inside the Garden are also well-known tourist attractions.

228 Memorial Park

228 Memorial Park, originally named Taipei New Park, is situated in Chungcheng District, Taipei. North of Hsiangyang Rd., south of Ketagalan Blvd., west of Huining St. and east of Gongyuan Rd., the park covers an area of 71,520 square meters and is/ adjacent to such important buildings as The President's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NTU Hospital and Taiwan Guest House. In addition to the National Taiwan Museum in the north, the 228 Memorial Monument in the center and Taipei 228 Memorial Hall in the southeast, there are also outdoor music stands, arched bridges, landscaped ponds and green footpaths that were built in the Japanese-governed period. The Chinese style pavilions were built after the war, where the outdoor music stand had been expanded to the semi-circle stage that is seen now. In the 1970s, it was the major stage for folk performances. Moreover, many historical objects are displayed throughout the park.

• The first steam locomotive used in Taiwan (Tengyuen and Taiwan Railway #9).
• "Chi Gong Hao Yi Archway" built during the Ching Dynasty and moved into the Park during the Japanese-governed period; "Huang's Jie Hsiao Archway" and the two stone lions from in front of the Taipei State Office (demolished).
• The two bronze snails, a present given to the Governor–General of Taiwan by Manchukuo in 1935 stand at the front gate.
• The bronze horse moved from Taiwan's Gokoku Jinjya.
• The Torii in front of the grave of the 7th Governor of Taiwan Akashi Motojirō, which was originally situated in the Japanese Graveyard in Taipei.

Due to its proximity to Boai District, it is enclosed by surrounding walls and fences. Though demolishing them has been suggested, such a project remains unrealized. The later extension of the MRT NTU Hospital Exit was set next to the park gate, which is rare for parks in Taipei. However, Jieshou Park, opposite this park across Ketagalan Boulevard, is in a totally different situation where there are no fences or bars at all. On special occasions, it will be segregated by barded barricades or razor wire barriers.

Dihua Street

Dihua St. was first established in the 1850s. Since the 19th century, it has always been an important wholesale market for North-South goods, tea, Chinese medicinal ingredients and cloth.

"Dihua" was named after the capital of Hsinjiang Province by the R.O.C. government in 1947. The whole street actually includes South Street, Central Street, Central North Street (North section, North Street), Puyuan St., and Shetsu St. Nowadays, the locals tend to refer to the street north of Minsheng W. Rd. as North Street, and the street south of it as South Street. After surviving the discussion of demolishment in the 1980s, Dihua Street, still with its original appearance, has become the oldest street, as well as the biggest street for New Year's shopping, in Taipei. Moreover, this street still maintains its wholesale business. According to statistical data, there are more than 100 spinning & weaving companies, more than 300 cloth companies and more than 200 Chinese medicinal ingredient stores with a total annual revenue of more than 300 million US dollars.

Wufenpu

For 13 years after World War II, Wufenpu remained a farming village. During the August 7th Floods of 1958, almost all of Taipei City was under water. In order to settle the homeless veterans living around the train station, the Taiwan Provincial Government offered Wufenpu to the Ministry of National Defense, and the Veteran Affairs Commission funded the building of 1200 one-and-half-story houses with about 6-8 pings of space each.

After the 1960s, many people from Fangyuan, Changhwa came to rent the veterans' houses for the clothing industry, using the second floors for living and work processing. A few years later, the veterans gradually moved out of Wufenpu and the area was replaced with people from Fangyuan for the clothing industry. Till now, most of the residents are still Changhwa descendants, though many of the stores have changed owners. With the characteristics of a traditional market, this has always been the major wholesale market for most of the licensed street vendors in Taipei.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Wufenpu was known as the major production and wholesale center for Taiwanese domestic clothing sales, along with Wan Hwa, Shalu and Tainan. However, due to the rise of labor cost after the 1980s, most of the factories have left Wufenpu, leaving this place mainly for wholesale. The stores are now importing clothes from Japan, Korea and mainland China.

Due to the rearrangement of Taipei Railways' underground development, most of the long-journeyed trains have been transferred to Songshan Station as the beginning and the end station. The nearby Songshan Rd., Songlong Rd. and Chungpo South Rd. have been widened for busier traffic and better traffic flow, which also helps to attract a lot of wholesalers.

Hwaxi Street Night Market (Snake Alley)

The entrance of the market welcomes visitors with a traditional Chinese structural gate, with traditional red lanterns hanging to create a distinctive national feature. All the stores located within the market are old branding, and even high-profile dishes have placed their forts here, such as the Japanese favorite Tainan Danzai noodles, Dading thick pork soup and Lianxi thick squid soup. The seafood restaurants are also well known here, especially for their distinctive wine shrimp.

Some locations for tourists to get foot massages have also made their home here in recent years. Because it was the red light district, Baodo, in past years, the Yang fortifying dishes are also featured in the snake and turtle restaurants here, such as roasted snake, snake soup, fried snake livers, and snake wine. The herbal stores and Ling zhi tea stands are also well-known features of this market.

• Dan Zai noodles
• Wine shrimp
• Snake dishes
• Herbal tea
• Thick pork soup
• Fried rice noodles
• Rice cake bowls

Xinyi Commercial Center

Located in the urban renewal area in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan, Xinyi Commercial Center has been considered the prime CBD in Taipei since the 1980s. Many important facilities, such as Taipei’s 101 Tower, Taipei’s City Government and Taipei’s World Trade Center, as well as crowded department stores, hotels, luxury mansions and headquarters, reside in this area. As a prime international location, this area is usually known as Xinyi Commercial Center and alternatively as the “Taipei Manhattan” because of its prosperous finance business headquarters.

Taipei's City Government aims to develop this area not only into Taipei CBD, but also into the center within the urban downtown center. In order to regulate development in this area, every potential development project should be reviewed by the board of urban development activity permission, so that all the individual development projects comply with the development goal of the Xinyi development area to regulate all the developers with sequence, safety and order regulations for each individual project.

The development inside Xinyi Development Area has been almost entirely completed. In addition to Taipei's World Trade Center and Taipei's 101 Tower, there are also many enterprise headquarters, such as Cathay Financial Center, China Trust Headquarter, Nanshan Life Insurance, Farglory Headquarters, ING headquarters, Aurora Corporation, Capital Square, and CPC headquarters, as well as many department stores and entertainment facilities, such as Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place, Vie Show Cinemas Taipei Xinyi, ATT 4 FUN, Eslite flagship store (XinYi Branch),Grand Hyatt Taipei, W Hotel and Le Méridien Taipei. Taipei's City Government and City Council moved into this area in 1994 and 1990, respectively.

Due to problems with traffic congestion, the Taipei MRT Xinyi Line has been under construction and is expected to be completed in December 2012 on the south side of Xinyi Rd., in addition to the existing Taipei MRT Bannan Line on the north side of ChungHsiao E. Rd.

Taipei East End

Taipei's East End is referred to as the new eastern urban area of Taipei City, known simply as the East End. The entire area of the East End covers east to Fuhsing South Rd. and west to Neihu and Nangang. The general idea of the East End commercial center is referred to as the area along Zhongxiao E. Rd. Sec. 4, covering east to Fuhsing South Rd., west to Yanchi St. and between Civic Blvd. and Renai Rd., inside of which are SOGO, Wellcome and Mingyao Department Store. However, due to the city government policy regarding well-known East End branding, some real estate developers even in Nangang, Xichi and Keelung call their project sites "New East End". Surrounded by many headquarters, department stores and large commercial centers and adjacent to Xinyi Development Area, the East End has become the new downtown center in the greater Taipei area.

• SOGO: There are a total of three branches in Taipei, including Zhongxiao, Dunghwa and Fuhsing. (Open in 2007, co-structured with Taipei MRT Zhongxiao Station.)
• Mingyao Department Store
• Tonlin Department Store
• Breeze Center: In addition to the main store between Civic Blvd. and Fuhsing N. Rd., there is a new location on Zhongxiao E. Rd. Sec. 4.
• Wellcome
• East End underground street
• Elite Dunghwa S. Branch: The first Elite branch and the first 24-hour book store, known as a cultural landmark in Taipei.
• Bistro 98: a building filled entirely with restaurants
• Lane 216: Lane 216, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., connecting to Lane 223, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., in which Dingtaifung Zhongxiao and Home Steak are located; there are also various restaurants in the alley extending through the lane.
• Renai Dungnan Traffic Circle: the intersection of Renai Rd. and Dunghua S. Rd., the second biggest traffic circle in the world, which is used as the decoration location for the Lantern Festival; many boutique shops are located in the neighborhood.