Page 55 iGap Travel Guide 2022
P. 55
iGap Travel Guide | Asia
55
Luckily, it is still possible to enjoy the facilities at
one of the private resorts without needing to be
a guest at the hotel. Taipei Spring City Resort sells
day passes which include access to nine hot spring
pools with various functions and temperatures, as
well as one cold plunge pool, a
ganbanyoku
(heated
stone slabs which, when laid upon, help improve the
body’s circulation), and plenty of sun loungers. It also
provides a complimentary shuttle service back to the
MRT station afterwards. A top tip for savvy travellers:
look them up on KK Days (an Asian equivalent of
Groupon) where you will find exactly the same day
passes at a considerably cheaper price.
Bathing in the rich minerals of the natural thermal
water is sure to leave you feeling fully rejuvenated
and ready to soak up Taipei’s history, culture, and
sightseeing. Wherever you are in the city, chances
are the Taipei 101 building will be shimmering and
gleaming somewhere in the skyline. At a grand height
of 1,667ft, it was officially recognised as the tallest
building in the world at the time of construction – a
record it held until the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai in
2010. Once a year, fitness enthusiasts can take part in
the race to the top – which sees hundreds of runners
compete to climb the 2,046 steps in the fastest time.
However, for a more leisurely experience, visitors can
take the elevator up to the observation deck on the
89th floor for a stunning panoramic view of the city.
Taipei is one of the most densely populated cities
in the world and as such, the skyline is filled with
towering skyscrapers that ensure spectacular views.
The only downside is that the most impressive building
to gaze upon also happens to be the very building
which you are gazing from. However, the same can
be said for most viewing platforms around the world,
from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Petronas Twin
Towers in Kuala Lumpur. While Taipei 101 is certainly
worth visiting, you might want to consider following
it up by heading to Elephant Mountain for a different,
but equally remarkable vantage point.
One thing you will discover in Taiwan is that mountains
and hiking opportunities can be found in all of the
biggest cities; and that all of the biggest cities have
their own particular favourite. Well, this is Taipei’s.
Also known as the Nangang District Hiking Trail,
Elephant Mountain is an easy and accessible hike that
typically takes less than half an hour to complete. The
1.5-kilometre trail reaches an elevation of 600ft, where
visitors are rewarded with the best views of Taipei 101
and the city’s skyline. The views are pretty at any time
of the day, but it is most popular at sunset as the skies
produce a picture-postcard setting with its smooth
blend of reds and oranges.
Taipei 101
Elephant Mountain
55
Luckily, it is still possible to enjoy the facilities at
one of the private resorts without needing to be
a guest at the hotel. Taipei Spring City Resort sells
day passes which include access to nine hot spring
pools with various functions and temperatures, as
well as one cold plunge pool, a
ganbanyoku
(heated
stone slabs which, when laid upon, help improve the
body’s circulation), and plenty of sun loungers. It also
provides a complimentary shuttle service back to the
MRT station afterwards. A top tip for savvy travellers:
look them up on KK Days (an Asian equivalent of
Groupon) where you will find exactly the same day
passes at a considerably cheaper price.
Bathing in the rich minerals of the natural thermal
water is sure to leave you feeling fully rejuvenated
and ready to soak up Taipei’s history, culture, and
sightseeing. Wherever you are in the city, chances
are the Taipei 101 building will be shimmering and
gleaming somewhere in the skyline. At a grand height
of 1,667ft, it was officially recognised as the tallest
building in the world at the time of construction – a
record it held until the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai in
2010. Once a year, fitness enthusiasts can take part in
the race to the top – which sees hundreds of runners
compete to climb the 2,046 steps in the fastest time.
However, for a more leisurely experience, visitors can
take the elevator up to the observation deck on the
89th floor for a stunning panoramic view of the city.
Taipei is one of the most densely populated cities
in the world and as such, the skyline is filled with
towering skyscrapers that ensure spectacular views.
The only downside is that the most impressive building
to gaze upon also happens to be the very building
which you are gazing from. However, the same can
be said for most viewing platforms around the world,
from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Petronas Twin
Towers in Kuala Lumpur. While Taipei 101 is certainly
worth visiting, you might want to consider following
it up by heading to Elephant Mountain for a different,
but equally remarkable vantage point.
One thing you will discover in Taiwan is that mountains
and hiking opportunities can be found in all of the
biggest cities; and that all of the biggest cities have
their own particular favourite. Well, this is Taipei’s.
Also known as the Nangang District Hiking Trail,
Elephant Mountain is an easy and accessible hike that
typically takes less than half an hour to complete. The
1.5-kilometre trail reaches an elevation of 600ft, where
visitors are rewarded with the best views of Taipei 101
and the city’s skyline. The views are pretty at any time
of the day, but it is most popular at sunset as the skies
produce a picture-postcard setting with its smooth
blend of reds and oranges.
Taipei 101
Elephant Mountain
