Taipei 101: Take the world’s fastest passenger lift to the viewing platforms of Taipei 101, soaring 508 metres above the ground. Enjoy the 360? panorama, see the giant pendulum counteracting earthquakes, browse the coral exhibition and designer boutiques.

Marty’s Shrine: Watch the changing of the guard at the Martyrs’ Shrine, a colorful complex resembling a Ming palace with bell towers and pavilions, red colonnades and lofty carvings.

Chiang-Kai-shek Memorial Hall: See the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall with its lovely landscaped grounds popular with city folks and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial, the ‘Father of the Nation’, especially at dawn or dusk when locals practice taichi in the grounds.

Longshan Temple: Visit Longshan Temple, where Taiwanese of all faiths worship the Goddess of Mercy. There are offerings and huge clouds of incense, precious carvings, calligraphy and a miraculous statue. It’s a living traditional temple and a must-see in Taipei.

National Palace Museum: Browse the National Palace Museum in the northern suburbs, with its 6000 works of art spanning over 5000 years of Chinese talent. Some 700 000 items are stored in the vaults and displayed in rotation. See the porcelain, ceramics, bronze, paintings and carved miniatures.

Maokong: Head out of town to the Maokong tea plantations, with demonstrations on production and brewing and lots of lovely tea houses where one can sample the most famous brew, a variety of oolong known as the Iron Goddess.

Beitou: Do as the locals do, especially in winter, and relax in the hot springs of Beitou, a lush hill resort north of Shilin, accessed by MRT, mass rapid transit. Local hotels offer hot soaks and massage combined and one can view the sulphur pits at Hell Valley.

Shilin Night Market: Explore the Shilin night market, packed with Taiwan T-shirts and shoes, jewellery, gadgets and food stalls serving fresh fruit juice, noodle soup, oyster omelette and all kinds of delicacies. There are massage parlours and fortune tellers and a temple for luck.