Trip to Taipei on July 13-14

On July 13-14, the American teachers traveled to the capital city of Taipei with Jerry and Ellie Fussell as their tour guides.  They hopped on the High Speed Rail at Zuoying, and reached Taipei after a 90-minute train ride (a 4-5 hour ride by car!). Their time was planned wisely for the two-day trip to maximize their opportunities to experience the very best tourist sites in Taipei!

The first stop was the renowned National Palace Museum. The Museum is cited as one of the top four museums in the world.  Founded in 1925 in the Forbidden City in Beijing, the museum is home to about 680,000 precious centuries-old art and cultural objects. In 1949, civil war was raging between the Nationalist Government and the Communists.  In order to protect the treasured items from the war, the government shipped 600,000 works of art to Taiwan.  The permanent collection of over 680,000 pieces has been stored in the current museum in Taipei since 1965.  The pieces document more than 8,000 years of Chinese history. The displays are rotated every three months, and about 60,000 pieces can be viewed at a time.

Thousands of people visit the museum to see the documents, calligraphy, sculptures, ceramics, carvings, and numerous other items from the Neolithic Age to the Song, Yan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.  The collection provides a unique look into the rich history of both Taiwan and mainland China. The Jadeite Cabbage, the Ivory Ball with concentric ivory spheres, and the Chinese Bronzes were some of the most popular draws for both foreign and native tourists!

Next stop:  the Martyrs' Shrine.  This monument was built in 1969 and is dedicated to the 330,000 men who died fighting during the Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, before the establishment of the Republic of China.  The structure resembles the Tiahe Dian Imperial Palace in Beijing, with a formal and stately style, and lovely pagodas on the sides. 

Military police stand guard at the main entrance, and there is a periodic ceremony for the changing of the guard.  The guards are trained to stand very rigidly, without expression or movement.  Their composure and trance-like state is impressive!  Despite the fact that many tourists stand close to them, talking and taking pictures, they remain absolutely still and focused.

Next stop:  Taipei 101. The Taipei 101 Observatory is one of the tallest buildings in the world. The teachers traveled up to the 89th floor in the world's fastest high-speed elevator and viewed the extensive city of Taipei in all directions. The Observatory holds the world's largest wind damper, and is built to resist the strongest earthquakes and gale winds. It was exciting to be up that high, and the view of Taipei was amazing! 

The teachers dined in the Taipei 101 Grand Market food court, which seats up to 1,200 people---and it was so crowded that nearly every seat was taken! 

Last stop:  The Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center.  On Sunday, the teachers shopped at the four-story Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center.  They purchased special Taiwanese souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. In the late afternoon, they returned to the high speed rail station, and in 90 minutes, they were back "home" in Kaohsiung,  ready to rest and prepare for another week of teaching English!