Exhibition Building Opening Hours: 9am-5pm everyday; extended evening hours - Sat. 5-8:30pm (free admission during these extended hours)

Admission Ticket: NT$160 (about US$5) per person for general public.
Free English Guided Tours: 10am and 3pm daily (usually lasts about 1.5-2 hours)
Audio tour devices in Mandarin Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean are available with a small rental fee.

Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
Walk about 5 mins. to Jiantan MRT Station (劍潭站) , then follow the direction on
http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/visiting/transportation/transportation.htm

- Considered to be the largest and most famous night market in Taipei, well received by tourists as well as the locals. You will see a wide selection of clothes, shoes, accessories, gifts, toys, CDs and DVDs...inexpensive and good quality; you can also see and taste various local food from different stands and shops - definitely a Taiwan experience you will remember.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilin_Night_Market
http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/articles/0201/0201CoverShiLin.htm

Business Hours: 5:00pm-1am everyday (peak hours: 7:30pm-11:00pm).
Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Shilin Night Market area is just a 10 mins. walk from the Chientan Youth Activity Center. When you go out of the main gate of the center area, turn left. (nearby the Jiantan MRT Station)

At Wanhua District - First built in 1738, one of the oldest, biggest and famous temples in Taiwan, Long Shan Temple exhibits the best traditional Chinese temple architecture. It serves as the center of worship, social and commercial activities in the Wanhua area. Everyday, many people from Taiwan visit here to worship their Buddhist and Taoist gods. A cultural spot you don’t want to miss.

Tel: (02) 2302-5162
Address: 211 Guangzhou St, Wanhua District, Taipei
台北市萬華區廣州街 211號
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longshan_Temple
http://www.wintimes.com.tw/play/100/100-13-1.htm
http://tourguide.sinotour.com/scenery190.html

Opening Hours: 9am-10pm
Admission: Free
Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Walk about 5 mins. to Jiantan MRT Station (劍潭站) MRT Station → take the MRT Danshuei line (red) to Taipei Train Station → transfer to Banqiao Line (blue) heading to Yongning and get off at Longshan Temple Station (龍山寺站) Exit 1 (MRT one way ticket US$0.75; Time fr Jiantan to Longshan Temple Station 20 mins) → Walk (3 mins.)

b) Taxi (US$6-8; 30-40 mins.)

The 2nd tallest building in the world. You can ride the fastest elevator from 5th to 89th floor observatory in just 37 seconds. You will enjoy the 360 degree view of Taipei city. The only skyscraper in the world that shows you a giant steel pendulum that serves as a tuned mass damper to protect the building from storms and earthquake. IAF Asia Conference international visitor can get a free ticket to visit the observatory, please check with Registration Desk during the conference.

Shinyi Shopping District 信義購物區: You can also consider taking a walk at the vicinity where different modern department stores and shops are located. You can also drop in to the Taipei World Trade Center and check out the trade shows (Oct. 14-16 is Innovative Textile Application Show; Oct. 16-19 is New Century Furniture Exhibition).

Tel: 8101-7777
Address: 45, Shifu Rd, Taipei 台北市市府路45號
http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/index_en.htm

Opening Hours:
Observatory觀景台 - 10am-10pm everyday (last elevator up at 9:15pm)
Mall (1st-5th floor) - Sun - Thurs 11am-9:30pm; Fri/Sat/Holiday 11am-10pm
Admission Ticket: Observatory NT$400/adult (about US$11.50); ticket sold at the 5th floor. Audio guide of English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, German and Spanish is complimentary at 89th floor.

Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Take the MRT Danshuei line (red) to Taipei Train Station → transfer to Bannan line (blue) to Taipei City Hall Station Exit 2 (US$ 1; 25-30 mins.)→ Free shuttle to Taipei 101 (every 15 mins. on weekends; every 20 mins. on weekdays) or you can walk about 10-15 mins. to the building.

b) Taxi (US$9-10; 30-40 mins.)

Located along the Danshui River, this pedestrian shopping area offers tourists a wide selection of restaurants, arcades, and stores specializing in traditional handicrafts. Visitors can sample Danshui's local specialties: A-Gei (crystal noodles stuffed in fried bean curd, served with a mild hot sauce), fish ball soup, and "iron eggs" (eggs which have been stewed in a mix of herbs and spices until pickled). The area is located right outside the north side of the MRT Danshui Station and stretches north to the ferry docks. Walk along by the river in old town and watch the sun set over the opposite bank of the river,

http://wikitravel.org/en/Danshui
http://traveling.network.com.tw/Taiwan/point/952.html

Business Hours: 11am-9:30pm
Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
Take the MRT Danshuei line (red) to Danshuei Station (end of the line) (US$ 1; 20 mins.)→ walk 5 mins.

Just 15-20 mins by MRT from our meeting site, you will be treating yourself a relaxed and rejuvenating dip at one of the popular hot spring spots in Taipei. Some points of interest and recommendations of hot spring dipping places:
→ Beitou Hot Springs Museum(北投溫泉博物館):
Tel: (02) 2893-9981, Address: No. 2, Chung-Shang Road, Beitou, Taipei
(Opening hours: 9am-5pm (Tues-Sun.); Free Admission).
This beautiful Euro-Japanese style building used to be the Communal Bath House of Beitou during the Japanese Occupation(1895-1945). Built in 1913, it was converted into a luxury resort in 1923 for the Prince of Japan for his visits to Taiwan. Become Beitou Hot Spring Museum in 1998.
Transportation: 5-10 mins. walk from the XinBeitou MRT Station on the Danshuei line (Red line).

→ Di-Rer Valley (地熱谷):
Opening hours: 8am-5pm (Tues-Sun); free admission; end of Chung-Shan Road at Beitou District
Originally known as Hell Valley, it was formed by hot underground water in the volcanic layers of New Beitou flowing out of the earth’s crack. The temperature of the water is around 90℃ and the heat causes the entire place to be filled with smoke. The hot spring water here has an acidic pH of 1.4 and contains special radiation elements.

• Hot Spring Hotels Recommendations：
  a) SweetMe Hotspring Resort 水美溫泉會館
  http://www.sweetme.com.tw/English/1_About/default.php
  b) Maple Garden Landis Resort Beitou 北投楓漾麗緻飯店
  http://beitou.landishotelsresorts.com/facilities.php
  c) Spring City Resort 春天酒店
  http://www.springresort.com.tw/en/news.php
  d) Villa 32 (32 行館)
  http://www.villa32.com/frameset-en.htm
  e) Aqua Bella Hotel 漾館時尚溫泉
  http://www.aquabella.com.tw/about_en.php

For more Taipei hot spring resorts, you can click into http://www.smarttravelasia.com/taipei.htm

A famous monument erected in memory of Chiang, Kai-Shek, a former President of the Republic of China. Officially opened in 1980, the monument is surrounded by a beautiful park and framed on the north and south by the National Theater and the National Concert Hall. In 2007, a new name for the structure, "National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall" was announced by former President Chen, Shuei-Bien. According to the news from China Times on January 22, 2009.[the original plaque for the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will be reinstated in July this year. http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shek_Memorial_Hall
Opening Hours: 9am-6:30pm everyday; Admission Free
Changing of the Guard at the Hall: After a hiatus of more than one year, the honor guards returned at the beginning of this year. Don’t miss the 10-minute changing of the guard ceremony every hour between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.

Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Walk 5 mins. to Jiantan MRT Station → take MRT Danshuei line (red) to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station (US$0.85; 20 mins.) exit 5 takes you right at the corner of the memorial park.

A walk through the Dihua Street Area gives you a feel of Taipei city’s past. The old-town shops carry a variety of traditional goods such as Chinese medicines and herbs, temple icons and incense, spices and dried food, fabrics, Chinese tea as well as herbal and floral tea, bamboo and wooden crafts. Local people go there to purchase the goods regularly as well as before Chinese New Year. http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=66

If you want to see a type of authentic Taiwanese culture, Lin-Liu Hsin Puppet Theatre Museum is the place for you. Located in the Dihua Street area, you can see different puppets in different time of Taiwanese history. There is also a puppet workshop where craftsman is making the puppet all by hands.
http://www.taipeipuppet.com/english/about.html

Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Take MRT Danshuei line (red) to Shuanglian Station (US$0.6; 6 mins.), then take a taxi which will take only about 5-7 mins.

The best traditional style garden in northern Taiwan. The garden was built during 1888 to 1893. Classified as a second degree historic site, the well-kept compound exhibits characteristics of gardens and residences of Ching (Qing) Dynasty.
http://en.linfamily.tpc.gov.tw/web/Home?command=display&page=flash
http://www.taiwan.com.au/Envtra/North/Taipei/report02.html

Transportation from Chientan Youth Activity Center (劍潭青年活動中心):
a) Take MRT Danshuei line (red) to Taipei Train Station then transfer to Banqiao Line (blue) to Fuzhong Station (US$1.1; 30 mins.), then walk bout 5-10mins.
b) Take a taxi (1 way US$9-10; 30mins)

http://www.go2taiwan.net/79_4.php - US$20 for an exciting half day tour Taipei City Tour

Or Taipei Tour Bus that runs 3 different tourist routes for shopping, culture and nighttime fun. http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/shopping/0209/0209wnTourBus.htm

There are different links you can check to know more about Taipei:
http://tiscsvr.tbroc.gov.tw/en/index.htm
http://wikitravel.org/en/Taipei

Taipei’s most famous restaurant that serves delicious small steamed or boiled dumplings and much more that are the love of both locals and visitors. Closest restaurant: newly opened Tien Mu branch: http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/news_list.asp

Fine Taiwanese cuisine in a contemporary setting. http://www.shinyeh.com.tw/taiwan.htm (in Chinese, but you can see pictures of some dishes)
Original Location (closest to our meeting site): Tel: (02) 2596-3255, Address: No. 34-1, Shuang-Cheng Street, Taipei
Opening Hours: 11-00:30. Credit Card accepted. 10% Service Charge.

Both in the Grand Hotel Taipei which is a walking distance from our meeting site. The Grand Hotel Taipei has been known? as the “Imperial Kitchen” since its establishment in 1952. If you don’t feel like eating, just pay a visit to the hotel is worth a short visit and photo shoots.http://www.grand-hotel.org/newsite/html/e/cd0102.htm

http://www.easyhouse.tw/html/visit_02.asp

Shanghai/ cuisine
www.ju-rurestaurant.com.tw

Peking duck roasted golden-brown plus many other delicious Beijing style of dishes all for you. An over 30 years restaurant proud of its loyalty from long time customers and many foreign visitors..