It starts dry, well combed, perhaps with a good perfume on you, because they are fresh from shower. We return, inevitably soups of sweat, with the shirt to be squeezed, the crazy hair, the questionable smell.
It is likely that the Elephant Mountain It is called this for the Elefantiaco effort that requires: not so much for too many steps, all in all with regular heights and reasonable numerousness, but for that mixture of humidity and effort that sends the body into tilt, transforming it into an unstoppable fountain.
Still, it is the inevitable stage, that triumph of nature in the heart of the city, a green orchestra that distracts the view from the litany of cement. And there is no better perspective to scrutinize the Taipei 101 (Opening photo), the beautiful skyscraper of the Taiwanese metropolis, with that mirrored skin of blue reptile that stands, immobile, to climb the clouds.
Getting on it, going inside, is the usual worry of the visit to the symbolic constructions: you catch the interior, you lose your gaze on the protagonist. Inside, there is a huge steel egg, they say it is the largest sphere in the world, the pivot of a refined anti -seismic system. The fact remains that the panorama, from up there, is not who knows what, it is better to put aside the sense of hygiene and climb the elephant mountain for a sensational memory photo.
Taipei, despite China’s predatory aims, has not lost its rebellious soul. It is a not particularly seductive landing, but it is so full of life, so easily navigable, that it deserves a stop in this piece of the world on par with Singapore, Hong Kong and the other large airport hubs from which to continue towards other destinations, from Thailand to Australia.
It is not always hot, but humidity in summer and rain in winter are constant presences. A perennial wet risk that becomes an element skill, transversality between peoples, level of census and age. So inherent in the place as to represent a part of the identity, a necessary nuance.
Like the row from Din Tai Fungfor its ravioli full of hot broth (do not worry, they are consumed indoors with an air conditioning from lawsuit), yet another gastronomic temptation that turns into an irresistible dependence.
The chain has various locations, the most crowded one is the most obvious on the slopes of Taipei 101. By connecting to the official website You can know in real time how much you need to wait for other restaurants. It is a good strategy, especially when the tail exceeds two hours. However, it is worth it, even just to read the instructions and understand how to suck the broth without getting dirty. SPOILER: you skim anyway, better to wear a dark shirt. Or go there immediately after the descent of the Elephant Mountain (you can easily get there), you will have to send everything to the laundry.
Unlike other Asian cities, Taipei does not have an overabundance of historical sites, you can see the essentials without the regret of having left behind something fundamental. Starting with thebuilding in memory of Chiang Kai-Shekthe former president, to whom an imposing monument from the pointed roof on a gigantic square is dedicated. Every hour there is the changing of the guard, but it is nothing unmissable.
Instead, a deviation to the Longhan Templesacred, opulent and dachshund between buildings with a brutalist scent, proof that real estate needs are prevalent to these latitudes. Taipei is a city to live more than in the night than during the day: after sunset the light signs light up and soften certain building ugliness, making them forgive to the most demanding eye that dives into a mosaic of indecipherable writings (for those who do not chew the language), giving an immediate exotic effect.
Until late evening you eat In the colorful “night markets” Which do not have the obsessive hygiene of Singapore, but represent alternatives at little price to put some local specialties under their teeth. Although liquid gold for natives is The “bubble tea”tea with the pearls of Tapioca, proposed in dozens of variants in street shops that boast, everyone, to be inventors or at least the custodians of a long tradition. A clue to avoid the trap for tourists: privilege those who only accept cash and do not have a menu in English. If there is the automatic machine to order with the integrated credit card reader, it is advisable to turn away.
In Taiwan gay marriage has been legal since 2019 and the country was the first in Asia to recognize him. It is a signal of the general and widespread libertarian spirit that you can breathe in the streets of the nightlife when it begins to become late, the old bicycle olds already sleep, on a par with the children expected by another day of school. Nothing too extravagant, but there is no lack of evasions.
Taipei is an caught, softened China, which gladly squeezes the eye to the West: English is spoken everywhere in a acceptable way, from the restaurants to the chioschetti that give information on the subway. There are art centers such as “Huahan 1914 Creative Park»Or the”Songshan Cultural and Creative Park»Where former factories, industrial buildings and abandoned barracks have been transformed into design shops, ateliers, cultural centers and meeting points frequented by young people who feel” cool “because they could dress in Paris as in New York in the same way.
Unless you go into the country, two or three days are sufficient. Maybe adding a couple of trips out of the Jiuphendelicious mountain village that seems to have come out of a cartoon by Hayao Miyazaki, for his narrow alleys and lanterns agitated by the wind. The only negative note: it is straping with Asian tourists, in the top hours you walk with difficulty. The other stop is lo Yehliu Geoparkwith its rock sculptures reminiscent of an extraterrestrial landscape. Here too the crowds are the rule, but at least the large space makes everything more tolerable. Also because, after the rocker of the Elephant Mountain, it is clear that the discomfort is something else. Much more sweat.
How to get there
The airline Eva Air Connect the Taipei International Airport with Milan Malpensa with a direct flight which, from January, will become daily. It is currently operating 4 times a week. On board, among the various available classes, there is also the new Premium Economy. Ample space between the seats (106.68 centimeters), enough to get to comfortable destination, reclining to rest better. The armchair, however, flows forward and does not disturb the other guests. Among the equipment, a 15.6 -inch high resolution screen (supported by quality headphones), sockets and doors to recharge your devices, side panels on the headrests to increase privacy. For the meals service, the pottery is signed by the Italian Guzzini, while each passenger is distributed a courtesy kit to hydrate the skin during the journey.
The company also organizes the Eva Air Marathon, a highly anticipated competition that involves up to 25 thousand runners and this year it is scheduled for October 26.
Where to sleep
Taipei offers accommodation for every budget. To deal well, an excellent choice is the Mandarin Orientalfirst of all for its position: it is located 10 minutes of Uber (which has very convenient rates) or 20 of the metro from the main station, from which the train that leads directly to the airport starts. The Taipei 101 skyscraper is instead about a quarter of an hour. The hotel does not go unnoticed, with its majestic European flavor architecture. It has 47 suite and 256 rooms, all very spacious – it starts from 55 square meters – and furnished with welcoming colors and refinement.
Among the services, an outdoor swimming pool where you can relax after a long day, a large spa and a selection of luxury boutiques to satisfy sudden shopping temptations. The Italian restaurant Bencotto provides for the nostalgia of the house, even if the meal not to be missed is at the starred restaurant Ya GE, which revisits Chinese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere in a contemporary key. Among the strong dishes, classiconi such as the Pechinese duck, but also baked crab and fried lobster in the wok. After dinner we move for a cocktail to the Mo Bar with its Art Déco furnishings, while breakfast, with a generous buffet and various proposals à la carte, is made at the café a deux trois. Among the mirrors of the main room, the silhouette of a rhinoceros appears. A wild logical prelude, however unexpected, of the elephant mountain.
