A World Class City of Tomorrow
Story / Photography by Tony Pupatello
Landing in Asia hits differently. Taipei delivers on multiple fronts. This trip began with a cold December night departure from Toronto Pearson, flying Eva Air across the Pacific and onward to Vietnam, before finally arriving in Taiwan. After covering such distance and time zones, you start to wonder how people manage daily life—working, commuting, eating, and simply living.
Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city is often praised for its culinary diversity and progressive social values. Experiencing it firsthand gave insight into the character of Taipei and its people. The deep cultural heritage reflects nearby influences, especially from the Han Chinese and Japanese. But it’s equally important to highlight Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, who primarily live in the southern regions of the island. I was lucky enough to attend an Aboriginal-style wedding during my visit—an unforgettable celebration filled with vibrant traditions still cherished and passed down today.
“Taipei” literally means “Taiwan North.” Respect, kindness and strong public etiquette define local culture. People are fashion-forward and health-conscious; something you notice quickly, especially while commuting. On the world-class MRT system, subway riders form neat single-file lines before boarding. It’s astonishing to witness such order, quite the opposite of many major cities. Eating, drinking and phone calls are all prohibited on the train. Even in traffic, on sidewalks or in public spaces, there’s a calmness and a collective sense of organization that’s refreshing and rare. Cleanliness and calmness dominate the urban rhythm, “orderly” is putting it mildly.
Downtown Taipei, particularly around the “101” area, is safe and easy to navigate on foot. This season, the weather was pleasantly cool; mornings slightly breezy, hovering between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. Taipei is globally known for its bustling street food scene, which comes alive nightly in the many open-air markets around the city.
Transportation
Taipei’s transportation system is a standout. Whether you’re within the metro area or exploring beyond, the network is designed for efficiency and affordability. The entire country can be traversed within three hours thanks to high-speed trains that run direct or connect with ease. From the moment you land at the international airport, the infrastructure supports seamless travel. Trains run frequently, with extended operating hours that cater to all schedules. The management and design of the entire system is smart and reliable, making travel across Taiwan incredibly user-friendly.
Shopping & Education
Shopping is also a major draw here. From local markets to high-end international brands, Taipei’s retail experience covers all tastes and budgets. Local craftsmanship stands out, especially in garment making. The city’s creative energy is also reflected in its many universities, several of which are internationally ranked and scattered throughout urban areas adding youthful energy to the cityscape.
Despite the calm flow of daily life, there’s clear pride in personal and professional efforts here. Before arriving, most might associate Taipei with semiconductors and electronics manufacturing. But it’s much more. The city also boasts a strong finance sector and regularly hosts international exhibitions, making it a central hub for Southeast Asian trade and tourism. And the cost of living is favorable to visitors, $1 CAD equals about 22 TWD, which stretches Western spending power quite a bit.
Temples & Urban Parks
Longshan Temple is a must-see. It’s Taipei’s oldest and most respected temple, having withstood earthquakes, fires and human destruction. Still, it has always been lovingly restored, retaining its original essence.
Da’an Park, a massive green space, is where locals often go for mid-day breaks. Environmental sustainability is clearly prioritized, with numerous small parks peppered across the city.
For those who love to climb, Elephant Mountain offers breathtaking views. After hundreds of stone steps, lookout points provide panoramic shots of Taipei and glimpses of nearby temples. On New Year’s Eve, it’s a popular spot to watch the fireworks around Taipei 101. The Maokong Gondola is another gem. Suspended in glass-walled cable cars, you ride through misty valleys and mountainous terrain. Along the way, you’ll find charming tea houses and open-air restaurants with spectacular views overlooking the city.
Night Markets & Street Food
Taiwanese cuisine is impressively varied; seafood, meats, vegetables and grilled skewers abound. Spice levels are adaptable to your preference. At the Raohe Night Market, I sampled niu rou mian (beef noodle soup), xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and gua bao (Taiwanese-style pork belly buns). My personal favourite was orh luak (a spicy snail dish and the oyster omelet), with phenomenal flavour.
Taipei 101
Then there’s the iconic Taipei 101, a visual feat of architecture and engineering. It’s a marvel in human ingenuity. Once the tallest building in the world (2008–2012), it stands over 500 meters tall in a bamboo-pagoda-inspired design. Ground-level entrances welcome you into a space of luxury retail, office floors and hospitality zones. A standout feature is the ultra-fast elevator that takes just 37 seconds to reach the observatory deck. Built to withstand earthquakes, its internal mass damper ball is a key highlight in the resistance of quake movements. Taipei 101 also hosts one of the world’s most dramatic New Year’s fireworks shows. The number “8,” symbolizing good luck, is intricately woven throughout its design. It’s a place I didn’t want to leave.
(A Day Trip to) Jiufen
On Taipei’s east side lies Jiufen, a scenic town just 40 minutes by bus. It offers beaches, hot springs and excellent hikes. Amei Teahouse is perched with an unforgettable view of the sea and mountains. In nearby Beitou, the famous sulfur bathhouses provide spa-like relaxation. Old Street and its gold mine heritage sites offer historical context with eco-conscious trails.
Taipei left a deep impression on me. It exceeded expectations in every way. If there’s a model city with fewer than 3 million people that exemplifies peace, progress and quality living, it’s this one. Reflecting back, what stood out most was the city’s high level of livability. I highly recommend putting Taipei on your travel list.
In this year’s ‘Happiest Cities Index of 2025’, Taipei comes in at the “Top” 10 with solid #8 ranking. It should also be noted that Taiwan itself has another 8 cities included in the “Top 200 List”. According to sources at Happy-City-Index.com and BBC World News.
Published in the Summer 2025 edition.
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