View source for Taipei

{{redirect|Capital of Taiwan|the capital of streamlined [[Taiwan Province]]|Zhongxing New Village}}
{{redirect|Capital of the Republic of China|historical capitals of the Republic of China|Nanjing|and|Chongqing}}
{{about|the capital city|other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = {{raise|0.2em|Taipei}}
|official_name = Taipei City
|native_name            = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|zh-hant|臺北市}}}}}}
|settlement_type        = [[Special municipality of Taiwan|Special municipality]]
|image_skyline          = Taipei City montage.PNG
|imagesize              = 280px
|image_caption          = Clockwise from top: Taipei skyline, [[Grand Hotel (Taipei)|Grand Hotel]], Far Eastern Plaza, [[National Palace Museum]], [[Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]], [[Jiantan Station]]
|image_flag             = Flag of Taipei City.svg
|image_blank_emblem     = Emblem of Taipei City.svg
|etymology              = {{lang-zh|táiběi}} (Taiwan north)
|nickname               = The City of [[Azaleas]]
|image_map              = Taiwan ROC political division map Taipei City (2010).svg
|mapsize                = 200px
|map_caption            = Taipei's location within the Taiwan islands
|image_map1             = Space Radar Image of Taiwan.jpg
|mapsize1               = 200px
|map_caption1           = Satellite image of Taipei City
|latd                   = 25 
|latm                   = 02 
|latNS                  = N
|longd                  = 121 
|longm                  = 38 
|longEW                 = E
|coordinates_region     = TW
|coordinates_display    = inline,title
|subdivision_type       = [[Country]]
|subdivision_name       = {{flag|ROC|name=Republic of China}}
|subdivision_type1      = Region
|subdivision_name1      = northern Taiwan
|established_title      = Settled
|established_date       = 1709
|seat                   = [[Xinyi District]]
|parts_type             = [[District (Taiwan)|Districts]]
|parts                  = 12 districts
|p1                     = [[Beitou]]
|p2                     = [[Da'an District, Taipei|Da'an]]
|p3                     = [[Datong District, Taipei|Datong]]
|p4                     = [[Nangang District, Taipei|Nangang]]
|p5                     = [[Neihu District|Neihu]]
|p6                     = [[Shilin District|Shilin]]
|p7                     = [[Songshan District, Taipei|Songshan]]
|p8                     = [[Wanhua District|Wanhua]]
|p9                     = [[Wenshan District|Wenshan]]
|p10                    = [[Xinyi District|Xinyi]]
|p11                    = [[Zhongshan District, Taipei|Zhongshan]]
|p12                    = [[Zhongzheng District|Zhongzheng]]
|government_type        = Taipei City Government
|leader_party           = Independent
|leader_title           = [[Mayor of Taipei|Mayor]]
|leader_name            = [[Ko Wen-je]]
|total_type             = [[Special municipality of Taiwan|Special municipality]]
|area_footnotes         = <ref>{{cite web|script-title=zh:《中華民國統計資訊網》縣市重要統計指標查詢系統網|url=http://statdb.dgbas.gov.tw/pxweb/Dialog/statfile9.asp|accessdate=13 June 2016|language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Demographia World Urban Areas PDF |date=April 2016 |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2016-06-06}}</ref>
|area_magnitude         = 1 E8
|area_total_km2         = 271.80
|area_water_km2         = 2.7
|area_water_percent     = 1.0
|area_urban_km2         = 1140
|area_rank              = [[List of administrative divisions of Taiwan|16 out of 22]]
|population_total       = 2704974
|population_as_of       = 2016
|population_footnotes   = <ref>{{cite web|script-title=zh:土地人口概況|url=http://w2.dbas.taipei.gov.tw/NEWS_WEEKLY/express/E01.pdf#a|accessdate=11 June 2016|language=zh}}</ref>
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_urban       = 8500000
|population_urban_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Demographia World Urban Areas PDF (April 2016)|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|publisher=Demographia|accessdate=2016-06-06}}</ref>
|population_density_urban_km2 = auto
|population_rank        = [[List of administrative divisions of Taiwan|4 out of 22]]
|timezone               = [[National Standard Time]]
|utc_offset             = +8
|postal_code_type       = Postal code
|postal_code            = 100–116
|area_code              = (0)2
|iso_code               = TW-TPE
|blank_name_sec1        = Bird
|blank_info_sec1        = [[Formosan blue magpie]] (''Urocissa caerulea'')
|blank1_name_sec1       = Flower
|blank1_info_sec1       = [[Azalea]] (''Rhododendron nudiflorum'')
|blank2_name_sec1       = Tree
|blank2_info_sec1       = [[Banyan]] (India laurel fig, ''Ficus microcarpa'')
|website                = [http://english.gov.taipei english.gov.taipei] {{En icon}}
}}
{{Chinese|title=Taipei City
|pic=Taipei Chinese Characters.png
    |piccap="Taipei" written in [[Traditional Chinese]]
    |picsize=110px
|t={{linktext|臺北|市}} or {{linktext|台北|市}}|s={{linktext|台北|市}}|l=Northern Taiwan City
|bpmf=ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄕˋ|w=T'ai²-pei³ Shih⁴|p=Táiběi Shì|tp=Táiběi Shìh|mps=Táiběi Shr̀|gr=Tairbeei Shyh
| showflag = poj
|poj=Tâi-pak-chhī|tl=Tâi-pak-tshī|h=Thòi-pet Sṳ|buc=Dài-báe̤k
|j=toi⁴ bak¹ si<sup>5</sup>
|wuu=de<sup>平</sup> poh<sup>入</sup> zy<sup>上</sup>
|kanji=台北市|kyujitai=臺北市|kana=たいほくし|romaji=Taihoku shi}}

'''Taipei''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|t|aɪ|ˈ|p|eɪ}}), officially known as '''Taipei City''', is the capital city and a [[Special municipality (Taiwan)|special municipality]] of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] on [[Formosa|Taiwan]]. Sitting at the northern tip of the state, Taipei City is an [[enclave]] of the municipality of [[New Taipei|New Taipei City]]. It is about {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of the northern port city [[Keelung]]. Most of the city is located on the [[Taipei Basin]], an ancient lakebed bounded by the two relatively narrow valleys of the [[Keelung River|Keelung]] and [[Xindian River|Xindian]] rivers, which join to form the [[Tamsui River]] along the city's western border.<ref name="tcggeo">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?categid=36&recordid=9152 |title=Taipei City Government: Home – I. Geographic Overview |publisher=Taipei City Government |date=2006-10-23 |accessdate=2009-08-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209004331/http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?categid=36&recordid=9152 |archivedate=December 9, 2013 }}</ref> Since 1949, Taipei has been the been the [[temporary capital]] of the ROC after losing the [[Mainland China|mainland]] to the [[Communist Party of China|Communists]] in the [[Chinese Civil War]]. 

The city proper is home to an estimated population of 2,693,672 in 2009,<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=http://sowf.moi.gov.tw/stat/month/m1-07.xls|script-title=zh:鄉鎮市區人口及按都會區統計|publisher=Taiwan Ministry of Interior|date=December 2009|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> forming the core part of the [[Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area]] which includes the nearby cities of New Taipei and Keelung with a population of 6,900,273,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.stat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=4597&ctNode=1627|title=Methods and Term Definitions|publisher=Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics|accessdate=2009-08-04}}</ref> the 40th most-populous urban area in the world. The name "Taipei" can refer either to the whole metropolitan area or the city proper.

Taipei is the political, economic, educational, and cultural center of Taiwan, and one of the major hubs of the Chinese-speaking world. Considered to be a [[global city]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2008t.html|title=The World According to GaWC 2008|accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> Taipei is part of a major high-tech industrial area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020821044_taiwansamsungxml.html|title=Taiwan tech industry faces up to South Korea’s Samsung|publisher=The Seattle Times|date=April 2013|accessdate=2015-01-16}}</ref> [[Rail transport in Taiwan|Railways]], [[Taiwan High Speed Rail|high-speed rail]], [[Highway system in Taiwan|highways]], airports, and bus lines connect Taipei with all parts of the island. The city is served by two airports – [[Taipei Songshan Airport|Taipei Songshan]] and [[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport|Taiwan Taoyuan]]. Taipei is home to various world-famous architectural or cultural landmarks which include [[Taipei 101]], [[Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]], [[Dalongdong Baoan Temple]], [[Hsing Tian Kong]], [[Mengjia Longshan Temple]], [[National Palace Museum]], [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Office Building]], [[Taipei Guest House]], [[Ximending]], and several [[Night markets in Taiwan|night markets]] dispersing over the city. Its natural features such as [[Maokong]], [[Yangmingshan]], and [[Taiwanese hot springs|hot springs]] are also well known to international visitors.

As the capital city, "Taipei" is sometimes used as a [[synecdoche]] for Taiwan. Due to the ongoing controversy over the [[political status of Taiwan]], the name ''[[Chinese Taipei]]'' is designated for official use when Taiwanese governmental representatives or national teams participate in some [[international organizations]] or international sporting events (which may require [[Member states of the United Nations|UN statehood]]) in order to avoid extensive political controversy by using other names.

==History==
{{main article|History of Taipei}}
[[File:Old street, Taipei.jpg|thumb|left|Old street in Taipei in 2013]]
Prior to the significant influx of Han Chinese immigrants, the region of Taipei Basin was mainly inhabited by the [[Ketagalan]] [[Taiwanese plains aborigines|plains aborigines]]. The number of Han immigrants gradually increased in the early 18th century under [[Taiwan under Qing rule|Qing Dynasty rule]] after the government began permitting development in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1084524&ctNode=29490&mp=100002|title=Taipei's History and Development|publisher=Taipei City Government|date=November 2014|accessdate=2015-01-15}}</ref> In 1875, the northern part of the island was incorporated into the new [[Taipeh Prefecture]].

The [[Qing dynasty]] of China made Taipeh the temporary capital of [[Taiwan Province#Qing Dynasty|Fujian-Taiwan Province]] in 1886 when Taiwan was separated from [[Fujian Province]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/580809/Taipei/231554/History |title=Taipei (Taiwan) :: History – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |accessdate=2010-07-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Davidson |first1=James W. |authorlink=James W. Davidson |title=The Island of Formosa, Past and Present : history, people, resources, and commercial prospects : tea, camphor, sugar, gold, coal, sulphur, economical plants, and other productions |year=1903 |publisher=Macmillan & co. |url=https://archive.org/details/islandofformosap00davi |location=London and New York |ol=6931635M |ref=harv |page=245}}</ref> Taipeh was formally made the provincial capital in 1894.

[[Japan]] acquired Taiwan in 1895 under the [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]] after the [[First Sino-Japanese War]]. Taiwan became [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|a colony of Imperial Japan]] with ''Taihoku'' (formerly Taipeh) as its capital, in which the city was administered under [[Taihoku Prefecture]]. Taiwan's Japanese rulers embarked on an extensive program of advanced [[urban planning]] that featured extensive railroad links. A number of Taipei landmarks and cultural institutions date from this period.<ref name="marsh1" />

Following the [[surrender of Japan|Japanese surrender]] of 1945, control of Taiwan was handed to the Republic of China (ROC) (see [[Retrocession Day]]). After losing [[mainland China]] to the [[Communist Party of China|Chinese Communist Party]] in the [[Chinese Civil War]], the ruling [[Kuomintang]] (KMT) relocated the [[Government of the Republic of China|ROC government]] to Taiwan and declared Taipei the [[provisional capital]] of the ROC in December 1949.<ref name="ng" /><ref name="bbctimeline-retreat" /> In 1990 Taipei provided the backdrop for the [[Wild Lily student movement|Wild Lily student rallies]] that moved Taiwanese society from one-party rule to multi-party [[democracy]]. The city is today home to Taiwan's democratically elected national government.

===First settlements===
The region known as the [[Taipei Basin]] was home to [[Ketagalan people|Ketagalan]] tribes before the eighteenth century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=109|title=History|publisher=Taipei City Government|date=2004-03-29|accessdate=2009-08-11 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050507005944/http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=109 |archivedate = May 7, 2005}}</ref> [[Han Chinese]] mainly from [[Fujian]] Province of Qing dynasty China began to settle in the Taipei Basin in 1709.<ref name="kelly">{{cite book|last=Kelly|first=Robert|title=Taiwan|publisher=Lonely Planet Publications|year=2007|page=46|isbn=1-74104-548-7 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref name="tcghistory">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=108 |title=History of Taipei |publisher=Taipei City Government |accessdate=2009-08-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526012848/http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=108 |archivedate=May 26, 2007 }}</ref>

In the late 19th century, the Taipei area, where the major Han Chinese settlements in northern Taiwan and one of the designated overseas trade ports, [[Tamsui District|Tamsui]], were located, gained economic importance due to the booming overseas trade, especially that of [[tea]] export. In 1875, the northern part of Taiwan was separated from [[Taiwan Prefecture]] and incorporated into the new [[Taipeh Prefecture]] as a new administrative entity of the Qing dynasty.<ref name="marsh1">{{cite book|last=Marsh|first=Robert|title=The Great Transformation|publisher=M. E. Sharpe|year=1996|page=84|isbn=1-56324-788-7|ref=harv}}</ref> Having been established adjoining the flourishing townships of [[Wanhua District|Bangka]], [[Dalongdong]], and [[Twatutia]], the new prefectural capital was known as ''Chengnei'' ({{zh|c=城內|p=chéngnèi|poj=siâⁿ-lāi}}), "the inner city", and government buildings were erected there. From 1875 (still Qing era) until the beginning of Japanese rule in 1895, Taipei was part of Tamsui County of Taipeh Prefecture and the prefectural capital.

In 1885, work commenced to create an independent [[Taiwan Province]], and Taipei City was temporarily made the provincial capital. Taipei officially became the capital of Taiwan in 1894.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} All that remains from the Qing era is the north gate. The west gate and [[Taipei City Walls|city walls]] were demolished by the Japanese while the south gate, little south gate, and east gate were extensively modified by the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT) and have lost much of their original character.

===Empire of Japan===
[[File:大島久滿次.jpg|thumb|The [[Taihoku Prefecture]] government building in the 1910s (now the [[Control Yuan]])]]
As settlement for losing the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], China ceded the island of Taiwan to the [[Empire of Japan]] in 1895 as part of the [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]]. After the Japanese take-over, Taipei, called '''Taihoku''' in Japanese, was retained as the capital and emerged as the political center of the Japanese Colonial Government.<ref name="marsh1" /> During that time the city acquired the characteristics of an administrative center, including many new public buildings and [[Qidong Street Japanese Houses|housing for civil servants]]. Much of the architecture of Taipei dates from the period of [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese rule]], including the [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Building]] which was the Office of the [[Governor-General of Taiwan]].

During Japanese rule, Taihoku was incorporated in 1920 as part of [[Taihoku Prefecture]]. It included [[Wanhua District|Bangka]], [[Twatutia]], and {{nihongo||城內|Jōnai}} among other small settlements. The eastern village of {{nihongo4||松山庄|Matsuyama|modern-day [[Songshan District, Taipei]]}} was annexed into Taihoku City in 1938. Upon the Japanese defeat in the [[Pacific War]] and its consequent surrender in August 1945, the [[Kuomintang]] (Chinese Nationalist Party) assumed control of Taiwan. Subsequently, a temporary Office of the Taiwan Province Administrative Governor was established in Taipei City.{{sfnp|Marsh|1996|p=85}}

===Republic of China===
[[File:美國總統艾森豪於1960年6月訪問臺灣台北時與蔣中正總統-2.jpg|right|thumb|With President [[Chiang Kai-shek]], U.S. President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] waved to a crowd during his visit to Taipei in June 1960.]]

In 1947 the KMT government under [[Chiang Kai-shek]] declared island-wide [[martial law in Taiwan]] as a result of the [[February 28 Incident]], which began with incidents in Taipei but led to an island-wide crackdown on the local population by forces loyal to Chiang. Two years later, on December 7, 1949, Chiang and the Kuomintang were forced to flee mainland China by the [[Communist Party of China|Communists]] at the [[Chinese Civil War]]. The refugees declared Taipei to be the provisional capital of a continuing [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], with the official capital at [[Nanjing]] (Nanking) even though that city was under Communist control.<ref name="ng">{{cite book|last=Ng|first=Franklin|title=The Taiwanese Americans|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1998|page=10|isbn=0-313-29762-2}}</ref><ref name="bbctimeline-retreat">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/enwiki/static/in_depth/asia_pacific/2000/taiwan_elections2000/1949_1955.stm|title=Taiwan Timeline – Retreat to Taiwan|year=2000|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-07-13}} Taipei has never been declared the official capital but Kuomintang loyalists today generally regard it as such. In 2004 elementary textbook references stating "Nanjing is the capital of the Republic of China" were replaced with "Taipei is the location of the central government of the Republic of China."</ref>

Taipei [[Military dependents' village|expanded greatly]] in the decades after 1949, and as approved on December 30, 1966 by the [[Executive Yuan]], Taipei was declared a special [[Direct-controlled municipality|centrally administered municipality]] on July 1, 1967 and given the administrative status of a province.<ref name="tcghistory" /> In the following year, Taipei City expanded again by annexing [[Shilin District|Shilin]], [[Beitou District|Beitou]], [[Neihu District|Neihu]], [[Nangang District, Taipei|Nangang]], [[Jingmei]], and [[Muzha District|Muzha]]. At that time, the city's total area increased fourfold through absorbing several outlying towns and villages and the population increased to 1.56 million people.<ref name="tcghistory" />

The city's population, which had reached one million in the early 1960s, also expanded rapidly after 1967, exceeding two million by the mid-1970s. Although growth within the city itself gradually slowed thereafter{{sfnp|Marsh|1996|p=85}} — its population had become relatively stable by the mid-1990s — Taipei remained one of the world's most densely populated urban areas, and the population continued to increase in the region surrounding the city, notably along the corridor between Taipei and [[Keelung]].

In 1990 Taipei's 16 districts were consolidated into the current 12 districts.<ref name="yearbook">{{cite book|title=Republic of China Yearbook|publisher=Kwang Hwa Publishing Co.|year=2002|page=120|isbn=957-9227-35-7}}</ref> [[Wild Lily student movement|Mass democracy rallies]] that year in the [[Liberty Square (Taipei)|plaza]] around Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall led to an island-wide transition to multi-party [[democracy]], where legislators are chosen via regularly scheduled popular elections, during the presidency of [[Lee Teng-Hui]].

==Geography==
[[File:TaipeiViewFromMaokong.jpg|thumb|The city of Taipei, as seen from [[Maokong]].]]

Taipei City is located in the [[Taipei Basin]] in northern [[Taiwan]].<ref name="taipeiprofile">
{{cite web | url=http://www.taipeitravel.net/user/Article.aspx?Lang=2&SNo=04000078 | title=About Taipei – Taipei Profile | publisher= Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government | accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> It is bordered by the [[Xindian River]] on the south and the [[Tamsui River]] on the west. The generally low-lying terrain of the central areas on the western side of the municipality slopes upward to the south and east and especially to the north,<ref name="tcggeo" /> where it reaches {{convert|1120|m|ft|0}} at [[Qixing Mountain (Taipei)|Cising Mountain]], the highest (inactive) [[volcano]] in Taiwan in [[Yangmingshan National Park]]. The northern districts of [[Shilin District|Shilin]] and [[Beitou District|Beitou]] extend north of the [[Keelung River]] and are bordered by Yangmingshan National Park. The Taipei city limits cover an area ranked sixteenth of twenty-five among [[List of Taiwanese counties and cities by area|all counties and cities in Taiwan]].

Two peaks, [[Qixing Mountain (Taipei)|Cising Mountain]] and Mt. Datun, rise to the northeast of the city.<ref name="geopop">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=116|title=Geography/Population|publisher=Taipei City Government|date=2004-03-29|accessdate=2009-08-11 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050127015838/http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?recordid=116 |archivedate = January 27, 2005}}</ref> Cising Mountain is located on the [[Tatun Volcano Group]] and the tallest mountain at the rim of the Taipei Basin, with its main peak at {{convert|1120|m|ft}}. Mt. Datun's main peak is {{convert|1092|m|ft}}. These former volcanoes make up the western section of Yangmingshan National Park, extending from Mt. Datun northward to Mt. Caigongkeng (菜公坑山). Located on a broad saddle between two mountains, the area also contains the marshy Datun Pond.

To the southeast of the city lie the Songshan Hills and the Qingshui Ravine, which form a barrier of lush woods.<ref name="geopop" />

===Climate===
Taipei has a [[monsoon]]-influenced [[humid subtropical climate]]<ref>[http://tigp.sinica.edu.tw/taipei_taiwan.html Taipei City] - Academia Sinica</ref><ref>[http://web.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/mtcweb/index.php?option=com_guoyu&task=show_information&id=84&menuid=74&lang=en Living in Taipei] - Mandarin Training Center, a subsidiary of National Taiwan Normal University</ref><ref>[http://sistercities.lacity.org/html/14.htm Taipei, Taiwan; the sister city of Los Angeles] - Los Angeles City Council</ref> ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: Cfa).<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/
|title=Köppen−Geiger Climate Classification}}</ref> Summers are long-lasting, hot and humid, accompanied by occasional heavy rainstorms and typhoons, while winters are short, generally warm and generally very [[fog]]gy due to the northeasterly winds from the vast [[Siberian High]] being intensified by the pooling of this cooler air in the Taipei Basin. As of the rest of Northern Taiwan, daytime temperatures of Taipei can often peak above 26 degrees Celsius during a warm winter day, while it can dip below 26 degrees Celsius during a rainy summer's afternoon. Occasional cold fronts during the winter months can drop the daily temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, though temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weather History for Sungshan, Taiwan|url=http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/RCSS/2014/1/1/MonthlyHistory.html|website=Wunderground|accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref> Extreme temperatures ranged from {{convert|-0.2|C}} on February 13, 1901 to {{convert|39.3|C}} on August 8, 2013, while snow has never been recorded in the city besides on mountains located within the city limit such as [[Yangmingshan|Mount Yangmingshan]]. Due to Taiwan's location in the Pacific Ocean, it is affected by the [[Pacific typhoon]] season, which occurs between June and October.

{{Taipei weatherbox}}

===Air quality===
When compared to other [[Asia]]n cities, Taipei has "excellent" capabilities for managing air quality in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/13786.html|title=Pollution is a major threat for Asian cities, says new report|publisher=EarthTimes|date=2006-12-14|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref> Its rainy climate, location near the coast, and strong environmental regulations have prevented air pollution from becoming a substantial health issue, at least compared to cities in southeast Asia and industrial mainland China. However, smog is extremely common and there is poor visibility throughout the city after rain-less days.

Motor vehicle engine exhaust, particularly from motor scooters, is a source of [[air pollution]] in Taipei. The levels of fine [[particulate]] matter, including [[polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons|PAHs]], are consistently more serious in the mornings as there is less air movement; sunlight helps clear up some pollutants, which tend to be trapped close to the ground.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oung |first=Angelica |url= http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/05/04/2003359365|title= Taipei air pollution alarming: scientists|publisher=[[The Taipei Times]] |date=2007-05-04 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref> Occasionally, [[dust storm]]s from [[Mainland China]] can temporarily bring extremely poor air quality to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2008/03/01/145206/Poor-air.htm|title=Poor air quality forecast due to Chinese sandstorm|publisher=The China Post|date=2008-03-01|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
{{Panorama
|image = File:Taipei from Tiger Mountain.jpg
|height = 220px
|caption = <center>Taipei viewed from [[Tiger Mountain, Taipei|Tiger Mountain]], with [[Taipei 101]] on the left.</center>}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|type = Taiwan
|footnote =Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.ris.gov.tw/zh_TW/346|publisher=[[Ministry of the Interior (Taiwan)|Ministry of the Interior]] Population Census|title=Populations by city and country in Taiwan}}
|1985 	|2507620 
|1990 	|2719659 
|1995 	|2632863 
|2000 	|2646474 
|2005 	|2632242 
|2010 	|2618772 
|2015 	|2704810 
}}
[[File:Shilin night market alley.jpg|thumb|Crowd in the [[Shilin Night Market]]]]
Taipei City is home to 2,686,516 people (2013), while the [[Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] has a population of 7,028,583 people.<ref name="population" /> The population of the city has been decreasing in recent years while the population of the adjacent [[New Taipei]] has been increasing. The population loss, while rapid in its early years, has been stabilized by new lower density development and campaigns designed to increase birthrate in the city. The population has begun to rise since 2010.<ref name="population" /><ref name="demographics">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1084529&ctNode=29491&mp=100002|title=Demographical Overview|publisher=Taipei City Government|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1193132&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng|title=
Premier agrees to suspend sales of state-owned prime city land|publisher=Central News Agency|date=2010-03-02|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref>

Due to Taipei's geography and location in the [[Taipei Basin]] as well as differing times of economic development of its districts, Taipei's population is not evenly distributed. The districts of [[Da'an District, Taipei|Daan]], [[Songshan District, Taipei|Songshan]], and [[Datong District, Taipei|Datong]] are the most densely populated. These districts, along with adjacent communities such as [[Yonghe District|Yonghe]] and [[Zhonghe District|Zhonghe]] contain some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the world.<ref name="demographics" />

In 2008, the [[birth rate|crude birth rate]] stood at 7.88% while the [[mortality rate]] stood at 5.94%. A decreasing and rapidly aging population is an important issue for the city.<ref name="demographics" /> By the end of 2009, one in ten people in Taipei was over 65 years of age.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1163105&lang=eng_news|title=Taiwan's elderly population reaches one in 10: interior ministry|publisher=Central News Agency|date=2010-01-23|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> Residents who had obtained a college education or higher accounted for 43.48% of the population, and the literacy rate stood at 99.18%.<ref name="demographics" />

Like the rest of Taiwan, Taipei is composed of four major ethnic groups: [[Hoklo people|Hoklos]], [[Mainlander (China)|Mainlanders]], [[Hakka people|Hakkas]], and [[Taiwanese aborigines|aborigines]].<ref name="demographics" /> Although Hoklos and Mainlanders form the majority of the population of the city, in recent decades many Hakkas have moved into the city. The aboriginal population in the city stands at 12,862 (<0.5%), concentrated mostly in the suburban districts. Foreigners (mainly from [[Indonesia]], [[Vietnam]], and the [[Philippines]]) numbered 52,426 at the end of 2008.<ref name="demographics" />
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Age Distribution !! Men !! Women
|-
| 0-4 || 73680	 || 69574
|-
| 5-9 || 57701	|| 53004
|-
| 10-14 || 67345 || 61491
|-
| 15-19 || 77974 || 72110
|-
| 20-24 || 78552 || 73103
|-
| 25-29 || 78447 || 80882
|-
| 30-34 || 105245 || 118719
|-
| 35-39 || 107951 || 123852
|-
| 40-44 || 96222 || 111729
|-
| 45-49 || 96535 || 112049
|-
| 50-54 || 98411 || 112322
|-
| 55-59 || 96092 || 110635
|-
| 60-64 || 87691 || 100472
|-
| 65-69 || 55867 || 64949
|-
| 70-74 || 40087 || 50018
|-
| 75-79 || 28413 || 39123
|-
| 80-84 || 23314 || 26760
|-
| 85+ || 26109 || 25887
|}

==Economy==
[[File:Bellavita and CPCCT head office 20100907.jpg|thumb|Bellavita Shopping Center and [[CPC Corporation, Taiwan|CPC]] Building at Xinyi Business Area]]
[[File:Neihu during 2015 winter solstice.jpg|thumb|Taipei Neihu Technology Park]]
{{See also|Economy of Taiwan}}
As the center of Taiwan's largest conurbation, Taipei has been at the center of rapid economic development in the country and has now become one of the global cities in the production of high technology and its components.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kwok|first=R. Yin-Wang|title=Globalizing Taipei: the political economy of spatial development|publisher=Routledge|year=2005|page=163|isbn=0-415-35451-X}}</ref> This is part of the so-called [[Taiwan Miracle]] which has seen dramatic growth in the city following [[foreign direct investment]] in the 1960s. Taiwan is now a [[creditor]] economy, holding one of the world's largest [[List of countries by foreign exchange reserves|foreign exchange reserves]] of over US$403 billion as of December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.stat.gov.tw/point.asp?index=5|title=National Statistics, Republic of China – Latest Indicators|publisher=Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics|accessdate=2010-03-15}}</ref>

Despite the [[1997 Asian Financial Crisis|Asian financial crisis]], the economy continues to expand at about 5% per year, with virtually full employment and low inflation.{{As of|2013}}, the nominal GDP per capita in Taipei city is lower than that in Hong Kong by a narrow margin according to The Economist(Nominal GDP per capita in HK is US$38181 in 2013 from IMF).<ref>http://i.imgur.com/4Mcv6ZY.png</ref>
Furthermore,according to Financial times,GDP per capita based on Purchasing Power Parity(PPP) in Taipei in 2015 is 44173 USD,behind that in Singapore(US$84900 from IMF) and Hong Kong(US$56689 from IMF).<ref>http://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201512165010-1.aspx</ref>

Taipei and its environs have long been the foremost industrial area of Taiwan, consisting of industries of the [[Secondary sector of the economy|secondary]] and [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary]] sectors.<ref name="tpctoday">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?categid=36&recordid=600 |title=Taipei City Today |publisher=Taipei City Government |date=2004-08-17 |accessdate=2009-08-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104064528/http://english.taipei.gov.tw/TCG/index.jsp?categid=36&recordid=600 |archivedate=November 4, 2013 }}</ref> Most of the country's important factories producing textiles and apparel are located there; other industries include the manufacture of electronic products and components, electrical machinery and equipment, printed materials, precision equipment, and foods and beverages. Such companies include [[Shihlin Electric]], [[CipherLab]] and [[Insyde Software]]. Shipbuilding, including yachts and other pleasure craft, is done in the port of [[Keelung]] northeast of the city.

Services, including those related to commerce, transportation, and banking, have become increasingly important. Tourism is a small but significant component of the local economy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admin.taiwan.net.tw/statistics/File/200812/table16_2008.xls|title=歷年觀光外匯收入統計|publisher=Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communication|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://admin.taiwan.net.tw/statistics/File/200812/tourist_spots_2008.xls|title=97年臺閩地區主要觀光遊憩區遊客人次月別統計|publisher=Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communication|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> with international visitors totaling almost 3 million in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euromonitor.com/Euromonitor_Internationals_Top_City_Destination_Ranking|title=Euromonitor International's Top City Destination Ranking|date=2010-01-20|accessdate=2010-01-26}}</ref> Taipei has many top tourist attractions and contributes a significant amount to the US$6.8 billion tourism industry in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?ID=201007140032&Type=aLIV|title=Taiwan's tourism revenue on the rise: survey|publisher=Focus Taiwan News Channel|date=2010-07-14|accessdate=2010-07-15}}</ref> National brands such as [[Asus|ASUS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/201004/5135/ASUS-set-to-storm-eBook-reader-market|title=ASUS set to storm eBook reader market|date=2010-01-25|accessdate=2010-01-26}}</ref> [[Chunghwa Telecom]],<ref>"[http://www.cht.com.tw/CHTFinalE/Web/AboutUS.php?CatID=246&NewsID=193&Page=HotNewsDetail Chunghwa Telecom 2008 Form 20-F filed with the U.S. SEC]." Chunghwa Telecom. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.</ref> [[Mandarin Airlines]],<ref>"[http://www.mandarin-airlines.com/english/contactus.htm Contact Us]." [[Mandarin Airlines]]. Retrieved on March 15, 2010. "台北總公司: 105台北市民生東路三段134號13樓."</ref> [[Tatung Company|Tatung]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tatung.com/en/about.asp|title=Company Profile|publisher=Tatung Company|accessdate=2010-01-24}}</ref> and [[Uni Air]],<ref>"Directory: World Airlines." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 30–5 April 2004. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200331.html?search=%22Uni%20Air%22 88].</ref><ref>{{Wayback |date=20080103131836 |url=http://www.uniair.com.tw/uniairec/about/employment_01.htm |title="關於立榮航空."}} Uni Air. January 3, 2008. Retrieved on March 15, 2010.</ref> [[D-Link]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlink.com/corporate/operations|title=Global Operations – Global Headquarters|publisher=D-Link Corporation|accessdate=2010-10-20}}</ref> are headquartered in Taipei City.

==Culture==
[[File:Chiang Kai-shek memorial amk.jpg|thumb|right|The [[National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]]]]

===Tourism===
{{See also|List of tourist attractions in Taipei}}
Tourism is a major part of Taipei's economy. In 2013, over 6.3 million overseas visitors visited Taipei, making the city the 15th most visited globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Mastercard_GDCI_2014_Letter_Final_70814.pdf|title=2014 Global Destination Cities Index|publisher=MasterCard|accessdate=2014-07-10}}</ref> The influx of visitors contributed $10.8 billion USD to the city's economy in 2013, the 9th highest in the world and the most of any city in the Chinese-speaking world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201407090030.aspx|title=Taipei makes list of world's top 15 tourist destinations: survey|publisher=Focus Taiwan News Channel|date=2014-07-09|accessdate=2014-07-10}}</ref>

====Commemorative sites and museums====
[[File:National Palace Museum Taipei1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[National Palace Museum]]]]
The [[National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]] is a famous monument, landmark and tourist attraction that was erected in memory of General [[Chiang Kai-shek]], former [[President of the Republic of China]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/index.php|title=National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall|date=2009-05-05|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> The structure stands at the east end of Memorial Hall Square, site of the [[National Concert Hall (Taiwan)|National Concert Hall]] and [[National Theatre (Taiwan)|National Theater]] and their adjacent parks as well as the memorial. The landmarks of Liberty Square stand within sight of Taiwan's [[Presidential Building (Taipei)|Presidential Building]] in Taipei's [[Zhongzheng District]].

[[File:National Taiwan Museum.JPG|thumb|right|The [[National Taiwan Museum]]]]
The [[National Taiwan Museum]] sits nearby in what is now [[228 Peace Memorial Park]] and has worn its present name since 1999. The museum is [[Taiwan]]'s oldest, founded on October 24, 1908 by Taiwan's [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese colonial government]] (1895-1945) as the Taiwan Governor's Museum. It was launched with a collection of 10,000 items to celebrate the opening of the island's North-South Railway.<ref name="ntminfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.ntm.gov.tw/en/about/1a.aspx|title=National Taiwan Museum: History|publisher=National Taiwan Museum|accessdate=2009-08-09 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080422025208/http://www.ntm.gov.tw/en/about/1a.aspx |archivedate = April 22, 2008}}</ref> In 1915 a new museum building opened its doors in what is now [[228 Peace Memorial Park]]. This structure and the adjacent governor's office (now [[Presidential Building (Taipei)|Presidential Office Building]]), served as the two most recognizable public buildings in Taiwan during its period of [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Japanese rule]].<ref name="ntminfo" />
[[File:Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines in Taipei.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines]]]]
The [[National Palace Museum]] is a vast [[art gallery]] and [[museum]] built around a permanent collection centered on [[Ancient China|ancient Chinese artifacts]]. It should not be confused with the [[Forbidden City|Palace Museum]] in [[Beijing]] (which it is named after); both institutions trace their origins to the same institution. The collections were divided in the 1940s as a result of the [[Chinese Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/newshour/news/story/2007/02/070208_taipei_museum.shtml |title= Taipei's National Palace Museum |accessdate= 2008-06-04 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="npmwashpo">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/03/AR2007060300069_pf.html|title=Ancient China's treasures go digital|publisher=Washington Post|date=2007-06-03|accessdate=2009-08-09 | first=Dan | last=Nystedt}}</ref> The National Palace Museum in Taipei now boasts a truly international collection while housing one of the world's largest collections of artifacts from ancient China.<ref name="npmwashpo" />

The strikingly designed [[Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines]] stands just 200 metres across the road from the National Palace Museum. The museum offers magnificent displays of art and historical items by [[Taiwanese aborigines]] along with a range of multimedia displays.

The [[Taipei Fine Arts Museum]] was established in 1983 as the first museum in Taiwan dedicated to [[modern art]]. The museum is housed in a building designed for the purpose that takes inspiration from Japanese designs. Most art in the collection is by [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] artists since 1940. Over 3,000 art works are organized into 13 groups.

The [[Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall|National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall]] near [[Taipei 101]] in [[Xinyi District]] is named in honor of a founding father of the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]], [[Sun Yat-sen]]. The hall, completed on May 16, 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yatsen.gov.tw/english/briefintro.htm?PHPSESSID=fccc2846014d126b531db8a98c3694b0|title=History and Introduction of the Hall|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> originally featured exhibits that depicted revolutionary events in [[China]] at the end of the [[Qing Dynasty]]. Today it functions as multi-purpose [[social center|social]], [[educational]], [[concert]] and [[cultural]] center for Taiwan's citizens.

[[File:台北當代藝術館.JPG|thumb|left|[[MoCA Taipei|Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei]], aka "old city hall"]]
In 2001 a new museum opened as [[MoCA Taipei|Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei]]. The museum is housed in a building that formerly housed Taipei City government offices.<ref name="tfaminfo">{{cite web|url=http://www.mocataipei.org.tw/_english/1_about/0_overview.asp|title=From History to Contemporary|publisher=Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref>

[[File:Taipei 101 at night.jpg|thumb|left|Night view of a fully lit [[Taipei 101]]]]

====Taipei 101====
[[Taipei 101]] is a 101-floor [[landmark]] [[skyscraper]] that claimed the title of [[World's tallest structures|world's tallest building]] when it opened in 2004, a title it held for six years before relinquishing it to the [[Burj Khalifa]] in [[Dubai]]. Designed by [[C.Y. Lee & Partners]] and constructed by [[KTRT Joint Venture]], Taipei 101 measures {{convert|509|m|ft|abbr=on}} from ground to top, making it the first skyscraper in the world to break the half-kilometer mark in height. Built to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors, its design incorporates many engineering innovations and has won numerous international awards. Taipei 101 remains one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world and holds [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]]'s certification as the world's largest "green" building. Its shopping mall and its indoor and outdoor observatories draw visitors from all over the world. Taipei 101's [[New Year's Eve]] fireworks display is a regular feature of international broadcasts.

====Performing arts====
[[File:National Concert Hall, Taipei.jpg|thumb|Taiwan's [[National Theater and Concert Hall|National Concert Hall]] at night]]
The [[National Theater and Concert Hall]] stand at Taipei's [[Liberty Square (Taipei)|Liberty Square]] and host events by foreign and domestic performers. Other leading concert venues include [[Zhongshan Hall]] at [[Ximending]] and the [[Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall]] near [[Taipei 101]].

A new venue, the [[Taipei Performing Arts Center]], is under construction and slated to open in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Basulto|first=David|title=OMA’s Taipei Performing Arts Center breaks ground|url=http://www.archdaily.com/209174|publisher=ArchDaily|accessdate=9 August 2012|date=12 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Reid|first=Robert|title=Taipei Performing Arts Center will feature seismic isolators and projecting auditoriums|journal=Civil Engineering|date=June 2011|pages=14–16}}</ref> The venue will stand near the [[Shilin Night Market]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1102380&lang=eng_news&cate_img=240.jpg&cate_rss=news_Supplement_TAIWAN|title=Taipei Performing Arts Center promises to become world-class architecture|publisher=Taiwan News|date=2009-11-08|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref> and will house three theaters for events with multi-week runs. The architectural design, by [[Rem Koolhaas]] and [[Office for Metropolitan Architecture|OMA]], was determined in 2009 in an international competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=899161&lang=eng_news|title=Winning designs for Taipei Performing Arts Center on display|publisher=Central News Agency|date=2009-03-21|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref> The same design process is also in place for a new [[Taipei Center for Popular Music]] and [[Taipei City Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/07/25/2003418450 |title=Taipei invites architects &#124; Taipei Times, 2008.07.25 |publisher=Taipeitimes.com |date=2008-07-25 |accessdate=2010-07-04}}</ref>

====Shopping and recreation====
{{Main article|Shopping in Taipei}}
Taipei is known for its many [[Night markets in Taiwan|night market]]s, the most famous of which is the [[Shilin Night Market]] in the [[Shilin District]]. The surrounding streets by Shilin Night Market are extremely crowded during the evening, usually opening late afternoon and operating well past midnight. Most night markets feature individual stalls selling a mixture of food, clothing, and consumer goods.

[[File:Ximending at night.jpg|thumb|right|The busy streets of [[Ximending]] at night]]

[[Ximending]] has been a famous area for shopping and entertainment since the 1930s. Historic structures include a concert hall, a historic cinema, and the [[Red House Theater]]. Modern structures house karaoke businesses, art film cinemas, wide-release movie cinemas, electronic stores, and a wide variety of restaurants and fashion clothing stores.{{sfnp|Kelly|2007|p=99}} The pedestrian area is especially popular with teens and has been called the "[[Harajuku]]" of Taipei.<ref>{{cite book|last=Iwabuchi|first=Kōichi|title=Feeling Asian modernities: transnational consumption of Japanese TV dramas|publisher=Hong Kong University Press|year=2004|page=111|isbn=962-209-632-8}}</ref>

[[File:Taipei Rushhour birdseye.JPG|thumb|left|[[Eastern District of Taipei|Eastern district]] at night]]

The newly developed [[Xinyi District]] is popular with tourists and locals alike for its many entertainment and shopping venues, as well as being the home of [[Taipei 101]], a prime tourist attraction. Malls in the area include the sprawling [[Mitsukoshi|Shin Kong Mitsukoshi]] complex, Breeze Center, Bellavita,  Taipei 101 mall, [[Eslite Bookstore]]'s flagship store (which includes a boutique mall), The Living Mall, ATT shopping mall, and the Vieshow Cinemas (formerly known as Warner Village). The Xinyi district also serves as the center of Taipei's active nightlife, with several popular lounge bars and nightclubs concentrated in a relatively small area around the Neo19, ATT 4 FUN and Taipei 101 buildings. Lounge bars such as Barcode and nightclubs such as Spark and Myst are among the most-visited places here.

[[File:Eslite Bookstore Xinyi Store 20091010.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eslite Bookstore]] in [[Xinyi District]]]]

The thriving shopping area around [[Taipei Main Station]] includes the [[Taipei Underground Market]] and the original Shin Kong [[Mitsukoshi]] department store at [[Shin Kong Life Tower]]. Other popular shopping destinations include the [[Zhongshan Metro Mall]], [[Dihua Street]], the [[Guang Hua Digital Plaza]], and the [[Core Pacific City]]. The [[Miramar Entertainment Park]] is known for its large Ferris wheel and [[IMAX]] theater.

Taipei maintains an extensive system of parks, green spaces, and nature preserves. Parks and forestry areas of note in and around the city include [[Yangmingshan National Park]], [[Taipei Zoo]] and [[Daan Forest Park|Da-an Forest Park]]. [[Yangmingshan|Yangmingshan National Park]] (located {{convert|10|km|mi}} north of the central city) is famous for its cherry blossoms, [[hot springs]], and sulfur deposits. It is the home of famous writer [[Lin Yutang]], the summer residence of [[Chiang Kai-shek]], residences of foreign diplomats, the [[Chinese Culture University]], the meeting place of the now defunct [[National Assembly of the Republic of China]], and the [[Kuomintang]] Party Archives. The [[Taipei Zoo]] was founded in 1914 and covers an area of 165 hectares for animal sanctuary.

[[Bitan]] is known for boating and water sports. [[Tamsui District|Tamsui]] is a popular sea-side resort town. Ocean beaches are accessible in several directions from Taipei.

====Temples====
[[File:Longshan Temple - Right entrance.jpg|thumb|Built in 1738, [[Mengjia Longshan Temple|Longshan Temple]] is one of the oldest temples in the city.]]
[[File:Street corner shrine, Taipei 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Street corner shrine, Taipei 2013]]

Taipei is rich in beautiful, ornate temples housing [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Taoism|Taoist]], and [[Chinese folk religion]] deities. The [[Mengjia Longshan Temple|Longshan Temple]], built in 1738 and located in the [[Wanhua District]], demonstrates an example of architecture with southern [[Chinese architecture|Chinese influences]] commonly seen on older buildings in Taiwan.

[[Xinsheng Road|Xinsheng South Road]] is known as the "Road to Heaven" due to its high concentration of temples, shrines, churches, and mosques.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.dorts.gov.tw/news/newsletter/ns248/rp248_07.htm|title=Transformation of "Liugong Canal" – Looking Back on Xinsheng South Road|publisher=Department of Rapid Transit Systems|date=2008-10-01|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1104101&ctNode=27830&mp=100002|title=About Daan District|publisher=Taipei City Government|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref> Other famous temples include [[Dalongdong Baoan Temple|Baoan Temple]] located in historic [[Dalongdong]], a national historical site, and Xiahai City God Temple, located in the old Dadaocheng community, constructed with architecture similar to temples in southern [[Fujian]].<ref name=
"temples">{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1100397&ctNode=30283&mp=100002|title=Longshan Temple, Baoan Temple, and Xiahai City God Temple: Taipei’s Glorious Heritage-Site Temples|publisher=Department of Information Technology|date=2009-01-29|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref> The [[Taipei Confucius Temple]] traces its history back to 1879 during the [[Qing Dynasty]] and also incorporates southern Fujian-style architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.uro.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xitem=1186909&ctNode=34442&mp=100002|title=Taipei Confucius Temple|publisher=Datong District Office, Taipei City|date=2010-05-26|accessdate=2010-07-22}}</ref>

Besides large temples, small outdoor shrines to local deities are very common and can be spotted on road sides, parks, and neighborhoods. Many homes and businesses may also set up small shrines of candles, figurines, and offerings. Some restaurants, for example, may set up a small shrine to the Kitchen god for success in a restaurant business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimania2007.wikimedia.org/wiki/About_Taipei_5:_Religions |title=About Taipei 5: Religions – Wikimania 2007, The International Wikimedia Conference |publisher=Wikimania2007.wikimedia.org |date=2007-07-26 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref>
[[File:Taipei 101 2008 NewYear Firework.jpg|thumb|left|[[New Year's Eve]] fireworks at [[Taipei 101]]]]
[[File:ChiangKaiShek-MemorialHall-LanternFestival.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lantern Festival]] at [[Liberty Square (Taipei)|Liberty Square]]]]

===Festivals and events===

Many yearly festivals are held in Taipei. In recent years some festivals, such as the Double Ten Day fireworks and concerts, are increasingly hosted on a rotating basis by a number of cities around Taiwan.

When [[New Year's Eve]] arrives on the [[solar calendar]], thousands of people converge on Taipei's [[Xinyi District]] for [[parade]]s, outdoor [[concerts]] by [[Mandopop|popular artists]], [[street performer|street shows]], round-the clock [[nightlife]]. The high point is of course the countdown to midnight, when [[Taipei 101]] assumes the role of the world's largest [[fireworks]] platform.

The Taipei [[Lantern Festival]] concludes the [[Lunar New Year]] holiday. The timing of the city's lantern exhibit coincides with the national festival in [[Pingxi, Taipei|Pingxi]], when thousands of fire lanterns are released into the sky.<ref name="tourism">{{cite web | title=CHAPTER 19 Tourism | work=Republic of China Yearbook 2008 | publisher=ROC Government Information Office| url=http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/ch19.html | accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The city's lantern exhibit rotates among different downtown locales from year to year, including [[Liberty Square (Taipei)|Liberty Square]], [[Taipei 101]], and [[Zhongshan Hall]] in [[Ximending]].

On [[Double Ten Day]], patriotic celebrations are held in front of the [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Building]]. Other annual festivals include [[Qingming Festival|Ancestors Day (Tomb-Sweeping Day)]], the [[Duanwu Festival|Dragon Boat Festival]], the [[Ghost Festival]], and the [[Mid-Autumn Festival|Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)]].<ref name="tourism" />

Taipei regularly hosts its share of international events. The city recently hosted the 2009 [[Summer Deaflympics]].<ref>http://english.2009deaflympics.org/bin/home.php</ref> This event was followed by the [[Taipei International Flora Exposition]], a [[garden festival]] hosted from November 2010 to April 2011. The Floral Expo was the first of its kind to take place in Taiwan and only the seventh hosted in [[Asia]]; the expo admitted 110,000 visitors on February 27, 2011.

===Taipei in films===
<small>Note: The list below is not a complete list, they are examples of more notable movies filmed in the city.</small>
{{div col}}
*[[Luc Besson]]'s ''[[Lucy (2014 film)|Lucy]]'' (action/scifi/drama)
*[[Ang Lee]]'s ''[[Eat Drink Man Woman]]'' (drama)
*[[Adam Kane]] and [[Will Tiao]]'s ''[[Formosa Betrayed (film)|Formosa Betrayed]]'' (political thriller)
*[[Edward Yang]]'s ''[[Yi Yi]]'' (drama)
*[[Tsai Ming-liang]]'s ''[[Rebels of the Neon God]]'' (drama)
*[[Hou Hsiao-hsien]]'s ''[[Dust in the Wind (film)|Dust in the Wind]]'' (drama)
*[[Leon Dai]]'s ''[[No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti]]'' (drama)
*[[Arvin Chen]]'s ''[[Au Revoir Taipei]]'' (comedy)
*[[Wei Te-Sheng]]'s ''[[Cape No. 7]]'' (drama/comedy)
*[[Doze Niu]]'s ''[[Monga (film)|Monga]]'' (drama/action)
*[[Lin Cheng-sheng]]'s ''[[Betelnut Beauty (film)|Betelnut beauty]]'' (drama/romance)
*[[Chen Kuo-Fu]]'s ''[[The Personals (1998 Taiwanese film)|The Personals]]'' (drama/romance)
*[[Yee Chin-yen]]'s ''[[Blue Gate Crossing]]'' (romance)
*[[Jay Chou]]'s ''[[Secret (2007 film)|Secret]]'' (romance)
*[[Chen Kuo-Fu]]'s ''[[Double Vision (2002 film)|Double Vision]]'' (horror/suspense)
*[[Morgan Matthews]]'s ''[[X+Y]]'' (drama)
*[[Wong Kar-wai]]'s ''[[Happy Together (1997 film)|Happy Together]]'' ([[Hong Kong]] studio, filmed in three cities : [[Buenos Aires]], Hong Kong, and Taipei)
*[[John Woo]]'s ''[[A Better Tomorrow]]'' (Hong Kong studio, filmed in Hong Kong and Taipei) (action)
*[[Kirk Wong]]'s ''[[Crime Story (film)|Crime Story]]'' (Hong Kong studio, filmed in Hong Kong, Taipei) (action)
*[[Andrew Lau]]'s ''[[Young and Dangerous 2]]'' (Hong Kong studio, filmed on location in Taipei)
*''[[Turn Left, Turn Right]]'' (Hong Kong studio, filmed on location in Taipei)
*''[[One Missed Call 2]]'' (Japanese studio, filmed in Taipei and [[Jinguashi]])
*''[[About Love]]'' (Japanese studio, filmed on three cities in Asia: Taipei, [[Tokyo]], and [[Shanghai]])
*[[Takahisa Zeze]]'s ''[[Moon Child (2003 film)|Moon Child]]'' (Japanese studio, filmed in Taipei, as the futuristic city of Mallepa) (drama)
*[[Robert Wise]]'s ''[[The Sand Pebbles (film)|The Sand Pebbles]]'' ([[Hollywood]] studio, filmed in Taipei, [[Keelung]], [[Tamsui District|Tamsui]] and [[Hong Kong]]) (drama)
{{div col end}}

==Romanization==
{{See also|Chinese language romanization in Taiwan}}
The spelling "Taipei" derives from the [[Wade–Giles]] romanization ''T'ai-pei.''<ref>{{cite book|last=Skinner|first=G. William|title=Modern Chinese society:an analytical bibliography|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=1973|page=55|isbn=0-8047-0753-7}}</ref> The name could be also romanized as ''Táiběi'' according to  [[Hanyu Pinyin]] and [[Tongyong Pinyin]].<ref name="pinyin_tt">{{cite news |publisher=Taipei Times |date=2008-09-18 |title=Hanyu Pinyin to be standard system in 2009 |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/09/18/2003423528 |accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref><ref name="pinyin_cp">{{cite news |publisher=The China Post |date=2008-09-18 |title=Gov't to improve English-friendly environment |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/09/18/175155/Gov%27t-to.htm |accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref>

==Government==
{{main article|Taipei City Government|Taipei City Council}}
{{see also|Mayor of Taipei City|Republic of China municipal elections, 2010}}
[[File:Taipei City Hall (0097).JPG|thumb|left|[[Taipei City Government|Taipei City Hall]]]]
[[File:台北市議會.JPG|thumb|[[Taipei City Council]]]]
[[File:NTU Medical Professor Ko Wen-je Talks in a Workshop in Taipei, TAIWAN 國立臺灣大學附設醫院教授柯文哲演講.jpg|thumb|[[Ko Wen-je]], the incumbent [[Mayor of Taipei]].]]

Taipei City is a [[Special municipality of Taiwan|special municipality]] which is directly under the [[Executive Yuan]] ([[Central Government]]) of [[Taiwan|ROC]]. The [[Mayor of Taipei|mayor of Taipei City]] had been an appointed position since Taipei's conversion to a centrally administered municipality in 1967 until the first public election was held in 1994.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kwok|first=R. Yin-Wang|title=Globalizing Taipei|publisher=Routledge|year=2005|page=201|isbn=0-415-35451-X}}</ref> The position has a four-year term and is elected by direct popular vote.  The first elected mayor was [[Chen Shui-bian]] of the [[Democratic Progressive Party]]. [[Ma Ying-jeou]] took office in 1998 for two terms, before handing it over to [[Hau Lung-pin]] who won the 2006 mayoral election on December 9, 2006.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E0DE1431F933A25751C1A9609C8B63 | title=Taiwan Leader's Party Wins in Mayoral Vote, but Recount Is Sought | publisher= The New York Times | date=2006-12-10 | accessdate=2009-07-14 | first=Keith | last=Bradsher}}</ref> Both Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-Jeou went on to become [[President of the Republic of China]].

Based on the outcomes of previous elections in the past decade, the vote of the overall constituency of Taipei City shows a slight inclination towards the pro-KMT camp (the [[Pan-Blue Coalition]]);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/12/10/2003339853|title=Elections 2006: Election results a headache for Ma|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2006-12-10|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref> however, the pro-DPP camp (the [[Pan-Green Coalition]]) also has considerable support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/01/13/2003397019|title=KMT wins two-thirds majority|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2008-01-13|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>

[[Ketagalan Boulevard]], where the [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Office Building]] and other government structures are situated, is often the site of mass gatherings such as inauguration and national holiday parades, receptions for visiting dignitaries, political demonstrations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/09/11/2003327070|title=Rain dampens enthusiasm for protest|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2006-09-11|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/08/30/2003421826|title=Pro-localization groups stage rally on Ma's 100th day|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref> and public festivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/09/06/2003326391|title=Clear Ketagalan ahead of Double Ten, Wang urges|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2006-09-06|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>

===Garbage recycling===
Taipei City is also famous for its effort in garbage recycling, which has become such a good international precedent that other countries have sent teams to study the recycling system. After the [[Environmental Protection Administration (Republic of China)|Environmental Protection Administration]] (EPA) established a program in 1998 combining the efforts of communities, a financial resource named the Recycling Fund was made available to recycling companies and waste collectors. Manufacturers, vendors and importers of recyclable waste pay fees to the Fund, which uses the money to set firm prices for recyclables and subsidize local recycling efforts. Between 1998 and 2008, the recycling rate increased from 6 percent to 32 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=93434&ctNode=1337&mp=1|title=Recycling: Taiwan’s Way of Life|publisher=Taiwan Review|date=2010-03-01|accessdate=2010-08-31}}</ref> This improvement enabled the government of Taipei to demonstrate its recycling system to the world at the [[Expo 2010|Shanghai World Expo 2010]].

===Administrative divisions===
Taipei City is divided up into 12 administrative [[District (ROC)|districts]] (區 ''qu'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.taipei.gov.tw/np.asp?ctNode=27185&mp=100002|title=Administrative Districts|publisher=Taipei City Government|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref> Each district is further divided up into [[Village (Taiwan)|villages]] (里), which are further sub-divided up into neighborhoods (鄰).
{|class=wikitable
|-
!rowspan=2|Map!!colspan=5|District!!rowspan=2|Population<br/><small>(Jan. 2016)</small>
!rowspan=2|Area<br/><small>(km<sup>2</sup>)</small>!!rowspan=2|Postal<br/>code
|- align=center
!Name!![[Chinese characters|Chinese]]!![[Pinyin]]!![[Wade–Giles]]!![[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]
|-
|rowspan=12|<div style="position: relative" class="center">
{{Image label begin|image=Districts of Taipei-Taiwan.png|width=350|link=}} 
{{Image label|x=155|y=170|scale=450/750|text=[[Beitou|<span style="color: white;">'''{{small|Beitou}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=280|y=240|scale=450/750|text=[[Shilin District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Shilin}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=350|y=380|scale=450/750|text=[[Neihu District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Neihu}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=200|y=400|scale=450/750|text=[[Zhongshan District, Taipei|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Zhongshan}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=270|y=430|scale=450/750|text=[[Songshan District, Taipei|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Song-<br/>shan}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=110|y=430|scale=450/750|text=[[Datong District, Taipei|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Datong}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=155|y=505|scale=450/750|text=[[Zhongzheng District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Zhong-}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=155|y=525|scale=450/750|text=[[Zhongzheng District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|zheng}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=080|y=570|scale=450/750|text=[[Wanhua District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Wanhua}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=210|y=560|scale=450/750|text=[[Da'an District, Taipei|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Da'an}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=300|y=540|scale=450/750|text=[[Xinyi District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Xinyi}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=390|y=545|scale=450/750|text=[[Nangang District, Taipei|<span style="color: white;">'''{{small|Nangang}}'''</span>]]}}
{{Image label|x=290|y=660|scale=450/750|text=[[Wenshan District|<span style="color: black;">'''{{small|Wenshan}}'''</span>]]}}
</div>
|[[Beitou]]
|北投區||Běitóu||Pei-t'ou||Pak-tâu
|align=right|257,922||align=right|56.8216||112
|-
|[[Da'an District, Taipei|Da'an]]
|大安區||Dà'ān||Ta-an||Tāi-an
|align=right|312,909||align=right|11.3614||106
|-
|[[Datong District, Taipei|Datong]]
|大同區||Dàtóng||Ta-t'ung||Tāi-tông
|align=right|131,029||align=right|5.6815||103
|-
|[[Nangang District, Taipei|Nangang]]
|南港區||Nángǎng||Nan-kang||Lâm-káng
|align=right|122,296||align=right|21.8424||115
|-
|[[Neihu District|Neihu]]
|內湖區||Nèihú||Nei-hu||Lāi-ô͘
|align=right|287,726||align=right|31.5787||114
|-
|[[Shilin District|Shilin]]
|士林區||Shìlín||Shih-lin||Sū-lîm
|align=right|290,682||align=right|62.3682||111
|-
|[[Songshan District, Taipei|Songshan]]
|松山區||Sōngshān||Sung-shan||Siông-san
|align=right|209,689||align=right|9.2878||105
|-
|[[Wanhua District|Wanhua]]
|萬華區||Wànhuá||Wan-hua||Báng-kah
|align=right|194,314||align=right|8.8522||108
|-
|[[Wenshan District|Wenshan]]
|文山區||Wénshān||Wen-shan||Bûn-san
|align=right|275,433||align=right|31.5090||116
|-
|[[Xinyi District|Xinyi]]
|信義區||Xìnyì||Hsin-yi||Sìn-gī
|align=right|229,139||align=right|11.2077||110
|-
|[[Zhongshan District, Taipei|Zhongshan]]
|中山區||Zhōngshān||Chung-shan||Tiong-san
|align=right|231,286||align=right|13.6821||104
|-
|[[Zhongzheng District|Zhongzheng]]
|中正區||Zhōngzhèng||Chung-cheng||Tiong-chèng
|align=right|162,549||align=right|7.6071||100
|}

===City planning===
The city is characterized by straight roads and public buildings of grand Western architectural styles.<ref name="jones">{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Ian|title=City Museums and City Development|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2008|page=102|isbn=0-7591-1180-4}}</ref> The city is built on a square grid configuration, however these blocks are huge by international standards with {{convert|500|m|2|abbr=on}} sides. The area in between these blocks are infilled with lanes and alleys, which provide access to quieter residential or mixed-use development. Other than a city-wide {{convert|30|km/h|mph}} speed limit, there is little uniform planning within this "hidden" area; therefore lanes (perpendicular to streets) and alleys (parallel with street, or conceptually, perpendicular to the lane) spill out from the main throughways. These minor roads are not always perpendicular and sometimes cut through the block diagonally.

Although development began in the western districts (still considered the cultural heart of the city) of the city due to trade, the eastern districts of the city have become the focus of recent development projects. Many of the western districts, already in decline, have become targets of new [[urban renewal]] initiatives.<ref name="jones" />

==Transportation==
[[File:Wende Station platform.jpg|thumb|Platform of [[Wende Station]] on the [[Taipei Metro]] system.]]
[[Public transport]] accounts for a substantial portion of different modes of transport in Taiwan, with Taipei residents having the highest utilization rate at 34.1%.<ref name="pubtrans">{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20100206-197064.html|title=Only 13% using Taiwan's public transport|publisher=The China Post/Asia News Network|date=2010-02-06|accessdate=2010-02-08}}</ref> [[Private transport]] consists of [[Scooter (motorcycle)|motor scooters]], private cars, and [[bicycle]]s. Motor-scooters often weave between cars and occasionally through oncoming traffic. Respect for traffic laws, once scant, has improved with deployment of traffic cameras and increasing numbers of police roadblocks checking riders for alcohol consumption and other offenses.

[[Taipei Station]] serves as the comprehensive hub for the subway, bus, conventional rail, and high-speed rail.<ref name="tpctoday" /> A [[Contactless smart card|contactless smartcard]], known as [[EasyCard]], can be used for all modes of public transit as well as several retail outlets. It contains credits that are deducted each time a ride is taken.<ref>{{cite web | title=Metro Tickets | publisher=Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation| url=http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/service.asp?catid=%E4%B9%98%E8%BB%8A%E6%8C%87%E5%8D%97&small=%E8%BB%8A%E7%A5%A8%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E | accessdate=2009-07-14 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080822071721/http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/service.asp?catid=%E4%B9%98%E8%BB%8A%E6%8C%87%E5%8D%97&small=%E8%BB%8A%E7%A5%A8%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E |archivedate = August 22, 2008}}</ref> The EasyCard is read via [[proximity sensor|proximity sensory panels]] on buses and in MRT stations, and it does not need to be removed from one's wallet or purse.

===Metro===
{{Main article|Taipei Metro}}
Taipei's public transport system, the [[Taipei Metro]] (commonly referred to as the MRT), incorporates a [[rapid transit|metro]] and [[light rail]] system based on advanced [[Véhicule Automatique Léger|VAL]] and [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] technology. There are currently five metro lines that are labelled in three ways: color, line number and depot station name. In addition to the rapid transit system itself, the Taipei Metro also includes several public facilities such as the [[Maokong Gondola]], underground shopping malls, parks, and public squares. Modifications to existing [[Taiwan Railway Administration|railway]] lines to integrate them into the metro system are underway, as well as a rapid transit line to connect the city with [[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]] and [[Taoyuan City]].

[[File:Taipei Railway Station Front.jpg|thumb|Taipei Railway Station front]]

===Rail===
{{Main article|Taiwan High Speed Rail|Taiwan Railway Administration}}
Beginning in 1983, surface rail lines in the city were moved underground as part of the [[Taipei Railway Underground Project]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rrb.gov.tw/04100.aspx?id=1&lan=en |title=Taipei Main Station Project |publisher=Railway Reconstruction Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications |accessdate=2011-02-23}}</ref> The [[Taiwan High Speed Rail]] system opened in 2007. The bullet trains connect Taipei with the west coast cities of [[New Taipei]], [[Taoyuan City|Taoyuan]], [[Hsinchu]], [[Taichung]], [[Chiayi]], and [[Tainan City|Tainan]] before terminating at [[Zuoying District|Zuoying]] ([[Kaohsiung]]) at speeds that cut travel times by 60% or more from what they normally are on a bus or conventional train.<ref>{{cite web | title=CHAPTER 13 Transportation and Telecommunications | work=Republic of China Yearbook 2008 | publisher=ROC Government Information Office| url=http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/ch13.html | accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The [[Taiwan Railway Administration]] also runs passenger and freight services throughout the entire island.

===Bus===
{{Main article|Taipei Joint Bus System}}
An extensive [[Taipei bus|city bus system]] serves metropolitan areas not covered by the metro, with exclusive bus lanes to facilitate transportation.<ref name="tpctoday" /> Riders of the city metro system are able to use the EasyCard for discounted fares on buses, and vice versa. Several major intercity bus terminals are located throughout the city, including the [[Taipei Bus Station]] and [[Taipei City Hall Bus Station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/05/24/2003473719/print|title=Traffic chaos expected in Xinyi|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2010-05-24|accessdate=2010-07-11}}</ref>
[[File:Taipei Songshan Airport 1st Terminal Building 20090926.JPG|thumb|Taipei Songshan Airport]]

===Airports===
{{Main article|Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport|Taipei Songshan Airport}}
Most scheduled international flights are served by [[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]] in nearby [[Taoyuan City]]. [[Taipei Songshan Airport|Songshan Airport]] at the heart of the city in the [[Songshan District, Taipei|Songshan District]] serves domestic flights and scheduled flights to [[Tokyo International Airport]] (also known as [[Haneda Airport]]), [[Gimpo International Airport]] in [[Seoul]], and about 15 destinations in the [[People's Republic of China]]. Songshan Airport is accessible by the Taipei Metro [[Neihu Line (TRTS)|Neihu Line]]; Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is not yet accessible by rail, but a [[Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System|line]] is under construction.

===Ticketing===
In 1994, with the rapid development of Taipei, a white paper for transport policies expressed the strong objective to “create a civilised transport system for the people of Taipei." In 1999, they chose Mitac consortium, which Thales-Transportation Systems is part of. [[Thales Group|Thales]] was then selected again in 2005 to deploy an upgrade of Taipei’s public transport network with an end-to-end and fully contactless automatic fare collection solution that integrates 116 metro stations, 5,000 buses and 92 car parks.

==Education==
[[File:NTU Hospital.JPG|thumb|''West Site'' of [[National Taiwan University Hospital]]]]

24 universities have campuses located in Taipei:

{|
|-
|  style="vertical-align:top; width:65%;"|
* [[National Taiwan University]] (1928)
* [[National Chengchi University]] (1927)
* [[National Defense Medical Center]] (1902)
* [[National Defense University]] (1906)
* [[National Taipei University]] (1949)
* [[National Taipei University of Business]] (1917)
* [[National Taipei University of Education]] (1895)
* [[National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science]] (1947)
* [[National Taiwan University of Science and Technology]] (1974)
* [[National Taipei University of Technology]] (1912)
* [[National Taiwan College of Performing Arts]] (1957)
* [[National Taiwan Normal University]] (1946)
* [[National Yang-Ming University]] (1975)
* [[Taipei National University of the Arts]] (1982)
* [[University of Taipei]] (2013)
| valign="top" |
* [[Tamkang University]] (1950)
* [[Soochow University (Taiwan)|Soochow University]] (1900)
* [[Chinese Culture University]] (1962)
* [[Ming Chuan University]] (1957)
* [[Shih Hsin University]] (1956)
* [[Shih Chien University]] (1958)
* [[Taipei Medical University]] (1960)
* [[Tatung University]] (1956)
* [[China University of Technology]] (1965)
|}

[[National Taiwan University]] (NTU) was established in 1928 during the period of Japanese colonial rule. NTU has produced many political and social leaders in Taiwan. Both [[pan-blue coalition|pan-blue]] and [[pan-green coalition|pan-green]] movements in Taiwan are rooted on the NTU campus. The university has six campuses in the greater Taipei region (including [[New Taipei]]) and two additional campuses in [[Nantou County]]. The university governs farms, forests, and hospitals for educational and research purposes. The main campus is in Taipei's Da-An district, where most department buildings and all the administrative buildings are located. The College of Law and the College of Medicine are located near the [[Presidential Building (Taiwan)|Presidential Building]]. The [[National Taiwan University Hospital]] is a leading international center of medical research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntu.edu.tw/english/about+ntu/location/ntumap.htm |title=National Taiwan University – About NTU |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2007-08-06 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

[[National Taiwan Normal University]] (NTNU or ''Shida'') likewise traces its origins to the Japanese colonial period. Originally a teacher training institution, NTNU has developed into a comprehensive international university with demanding entrance requirements. The university boasts especially strong programs in the humanities and international education. Worldwide it is perhaps best known as home of the [[Mandarin Training Center]], a program that offers Mandarin language training each year to over a thousand students from dozens of countries throughout the world. The main campus in Taipei's Da-An district, near MRT Guting Station,  is known for its historic architecture and giving its name to the Shida Night Market, one of the most popular among the numerous night markets in Taipei.

===Chinese language program for foreigners===
*[[Taiwan Mandarin Institute]] (TMI) (福爾摩莎)
*[[International Chinese Language Program|International Chinese Language Program (ICLP)]] (國際華語研習所) of National Taiwan University
*[[Mandarin Training Center|Mandarin Training Center (MTC)]] (國語教學中心) of National Taiwan Normal University
*[[Taipei Language Institute]] (中華語文研習所)

==Sports==
[[File:Taipei Mini-Big Egg 02.jpg|thumb|[[Taipei Arena]]]]
[[File:Tianmubaseballstadium01.jpg|thumb|[[Tianmu Baseball Stadium]]]]

Due to Taiwan being under American and Japanese influence over the years, the sports of [[baseball]] in particular and [[basketball]] have become popular in the city. Taipei, like the rest of the country, has featured most prominently in baseball and has often been the venue for the [[Asian Baseball Championship]] since the 1960s.

===Major sporting events===
Below is a list of recent sporting events hosted by the city:
*[[2001 Asian Baseball Championship]]
*[[2001 Baseball World Cup]]
*[[2001 AFC Women's Championship]]
*[[2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship]]
*[[2007 Baseball World Cup]]
*[[2009 Summer Deaflympics]]

Taipei will also host the [[2017 Summer Universiade]]

The [[Taipei Arena]] is located at the site of the former [[Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium]] (demolished in 2000), with a capacity of over 15,000. Designed by Archasia, the arena was opened on December 1, 2005. Since its opening in 2005, the arena has held more art and cultural activities (such as live concerts) than sporting events, which it was originally designed and built for. The main arena has an adjustable floor space: its minimum floor space is {{convert|60|x|30|m|2|abbr=on|lk=out}}, and can be extended to {{convert|80|x|40|m|2|abbr=on|lk=out}}. The [[Chinese Taipei]] Ice Hockey League (CIHL) plays out of the auxiliary arena, which is a {{convert|60|x|30|m|2|abbr=on|lk=out}} ice skating rink.

The [[Tianmu Baseball Stadium]] is the major baseball venue in Taipei.

Taipei has the only [[football (soccer)|football]]-[[soccer-specific stadium|specific stadium]] in Taiwan, [[Zhongshan Soccer Stadium]], which hosts the [[Chinese Taipei national football team|national football team]]. It hosts qualifiers for the [[FIFA World Cup|FIFA World]] and [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] regional cups, and finals of school football tournaments. Since there are no professional football leagues in Taiwan, no other sporting events are held there, since 2009, the [[Taipei Stadium]] hosts the Soccer and Athletic events.

===Youth baseball===
In 2010, a Taipei baseball team — Chung-Ching Junior Little League — won the [[Junior League World Series#List of champions|Junior League World Series]], after winning the Asia-Pacific Region, then defeating the Mexico Region and Latin America Region champions to become the International champion, and finally defeating the U.S. champion (Southwest Region), Rose Capital East LL (Tyler, Texas), 9-1. {{Citation needed|date=October 2011}}. It's [[Little League World Series]] international team has won 17 championships, the most wins in the league.<ref>http://www.littleleague.org/series/history/divisions/llbbhistory.htm</ref>

==Media==
[[File:Taiwan TVBS Nangang Building.JPG|right|thumb|TVBS-G produces programs mainly from their [[Nangang District, Taipei|Nangang]] building in [[Taipei City]].]]

As the capital, Taipei City is the headquarters for many television and radio stations in Taiwan and the center of some of the country's largest newspapers.

===Television===
Television stations located in Taipei include the [[CTS Education and Culture]], [[CTS Recreation]], [[CTV MyLife]], [[CTV News Channel (Taiwan)|CTV News Channel]], [[China Television]], [[Chinese Television System]], [[Chung T'ien Television]], [[Dimo TV]], [[Eastern Television]], [[Era Television]], [[FTV News]], [[Follow Me TV]], [[Formosa TV]], [[Gala Television]], [[Public Television Service]], [[SET Metro]], [[SET News]], [[SET Taiwan]], [[Sanlih E-Television]], [[Shuang Xing]], [[TTV Family]], [[TTV Finance]], [[TTV World]], [[TVBS]], [[TVBS-G]], [[TVBS-NEWS]], [[Taiwan Broadcasting System]], [[Videoland Television Network]] and [[Taiwan Television]].

===Newspapers===
Newspapers include ''[[Apple Daily (Taiwan)|Apple Daily]]'', ''[[Central Daily News]]'', ''[[The China Post]]'', ''[[China Times]]'', ''[[Kinmen Daily News]]'', ''[[Liberty Times]]'', ''[[Mandarin Daily News]]'', ''[[Matsu Daily]]'', ''[[Min Sheng Bao]]'', ''[[Sharp Daily]]'', ''[[Taipei Times]]'', ''[[Taiwan Daily]]'', ''[[Taiwan News]]'', ''[[Taiwan Times]]''and ''[[United Daily News]]''.

==International relations==
Taipei is a member of the [[Asian Network of Major Cities 21]].

{{Main article|List of sister cities of Taipei}}

===Twin towns and sister cities===
Taipei is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref name="Taipei sisters">[http://www.edunet.taipei.gov.tw/attach/The%2045%20Sister%20Cities%20list.doc Taipei Sister city list] Taipei City Council</ref><ref name="TaipeiTwin">{{cite web |url=http://web.tcc.gov.tw/eng/sister_cities.htm |title=Taipei City Council |accessdate=2007-02-24 }}</ref>
{|
|-
|  style="vertical-align:top; width:37%;"|
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston]], [[Texas]], United States (1961)
*{{flagicon|TGO}} [[Lomé]], Togo (1966)
*{{flagicon|PHL}} [[Manila]], Philippines (1966)
*{{flagicon|BEN}} [[Cotonou]], Benin (1967)
*{{flagicon|South Vietnam}} [[Ho Chi Minh City|Saigon]], South Vietnam (1968)<ref>The city is no longer listed as a sister city in either city's websites: [http://www.tcc.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=81569D74DD82C7DB][http://www.eng.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/aboutgovernment/Pages/Sister-Cities.aspx]</ref>
*{{flagicon|PHL}} [[Quezon City]], Philippines (1968)
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Seoul]], South Korea (1968)<ref name="Seoul twinnings2">{{cite web|url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html|title=International Cooperation: Sister Cities |accessdate=26 January 2008 |work=Seoul Metropolitan Government|publisher=www.seoul.go.kr|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210175055/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html|archivedate=10 December 2007}}</ref><ref name="Seoul twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/cg/cityhall.php?pidx=6 |title=Seoul -Sister Cities [via WayBackMachine] |accessdate=2013-08-23 |work=Seoul Metropolitan Government (archived 2012-04-25) }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[San Francisco]], [[California]], United States (1970)
*{{flagicon|DOM}} [[Santo Domingo]], Dominican Republic (1970)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Guam]], United States (1973)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], United States (1975)<ref name="Cleveland sisters">{{cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Cleveland,%20Ohio|title=Sister Cities International (SCI) |publisher=Sister-cities.org |date= |accessdate=2013-04-21}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|HND}} [[Tegucigalpa]], Honduras (1975)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], United States (1978)
*{{flagicon|SAU}} [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia (1978)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marshall, Texas]], United States (1978)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States (1979)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States (1979)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Phoenix, Arizona]], United States (1979)<ref name="Phoenix sisters">{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixsistercities.org|title = Phoenix Sister Cities|accessdate=2013-08-06|publisher=Phoenix Sister Cities|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724085207/http://www.phoenixsistercities.org/|archivedate = 2013-07-24}}</ref>

|  style="vertical-align:top; width:33%;"|
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Oklahoma City]], [[Oklahoma]], United States (1981)
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gold Coast, Queensland]], Australia (1982)
*{{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Johannesburg]], South Africa (1982)
*{{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Pretoria]], South Africa (1983)
*{{flagicon|MWI}} [[Lilongwe]], Malawi (1984)
*{{flagicon|CRC}} [[San José, Costa Rica]] (1984)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Versailles, Yvelines|Versailles]], France (1986)
*{{flagicon|PRY}} [[Asunción]], Paraguay (1987)
*{{flagicon|PAN}} [[Panama City]], Panama (1989)
*{{flagicon|NIC}} [[Managua]], Nicaragua (1992)
*{{flagicon|SLV}} [[San Salvador]], El Salvador (1993)
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Warsaw]], Poland (1995)<ref name="Warsaw">{{cite web|author= |url=http://um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/new/index.php?dzial=aktualnosci&ak_id=3284&kat=11 |title=Miasta partnerskie Warszawy |work=um.warszawa.pl |publisher=Biuro Promocji Miasta |pages= |page= |date=2005-05-04 |accessdate=2008-08-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011111033/http://um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/new/index.php?dzial=aktualnosci&ak_id=3284&kat=11 |archivedate=October 11, 2007 }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Ulan-Ude]], Buryatia, Russia (1996)
*{{flagicon|GMB}} [[Banjul]], Gambia (1997)
*{{flagicon|GNB}} [[Bissau]], Guinea-Bissau (1997)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], United States (1997)
*{{flagicon|SEN}} [[Dakar]], Senegal (1997)
|  style="vertical-align:top; width:29%;"|
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], United States (1997)<ref name="Dallas sisters">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallas-ecodev.org/international/sister-cities/|title=Sister Cities |publisher=Dallas-ecodev.org |accessdate=May 23, 2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|BOL}} [[La Paz]], Bolivia (1997)
*{{flagicon|SWZ}} [[Mbabane]], Swaziland (1997)
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[San Nicolás de los Garza|San Nicolás]], Nuevo León, Mexico (1997)
*{{flagicon|MGL}} [[Ulan Bator]], Mongolia (1997)
*{{flagicon|GTM}} [[Guatemala City]], Guatemala (1998)
*{{flagicon|MHL}} [[Majuro]], Marshall Islands (1998)
*{{flagicon|LBR}} [[Monrovia]], Liberia (1998)
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Vilnius]], Lithuania (1998)
*{{flagicon|LAT}} [[Riga]], Latvia (2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riga.lv/EN/Channels/Riga_Municipality/Twin_cities_of_Riga/default.htm |title=Twin cities of Riga |publisher=[[Riga City Council]] |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|PHL}} [[Malabon]], Philippines (2005)
*{{flagicon|BUR}} [[Ouagadougou]], Burkina Faso (2008)
*{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Daegu]], South Korea (2010)
*{{flagicon|MYS}} [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], Malaysia (2009)
*{{flagicon|IND}} [[Bangalore]], India
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yokohama]], Japan (2006)
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Prague]], Czech Republic<ref name="Prague twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://zahranicnivztahy.praha.eu/jnp/cz/partnerska_mesta/index.html#|title=Partnerská města HMP|accessdate=2013-08-05|date=2013-07-18|work = Portál „Zahraniční vztahy“ [Portal "Foreign Affairs"]|language=Czech|trans_title=Prague - Twin Cities HMP|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625205859/http://zahranicnivztahy.praha.eu/jnp/cz/partnerska_mesta/index.html|archivedate =2013-06-25}}</ref>
|}

===Partner city===
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]], [[Alaska]], United States (1997)<ref name="TaipeiTwin"/>

===Friendship cities===
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]], [[Australia]] (1999)<ref name="TaipeiTwin"/>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], [[California]], United States (2000)<ref name="TaipeiTwin"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" >
File:CKS Memorial Hall Taipei.jpg|[[National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]]
File:TaipeiViewFromMaokong.jpg|Taipei from [[Maokong]]
File:EntranceChiangKaiShek.JPG|the main entrance of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
File:101.tall.altonthompson.jpg|[[Taipei 101]]
File:Taiwan 2009 Taipei Presidential Palace FRD 7172.jpg|Presidential Office from Ketagalan Boulevard
File:ghotel.jpg|[[Grand Hotel (Taipei City)|Grand Hotel Taipei]]
File:GrandHotelTaipei_v1.jpg|[[Grand Hotel (Taipei City)|Grand Hotel Taipei]]
File:DaZhiBridge2_byJaojao.JPG|Dazhi Bridge
File:dansui.jpg|Dadaocheng Wharf, Taipei
File:Taipei_Baoan_Temple.jpg|[[Dalongdong Baoan Temple|Bao-an Temple]]
File:指南宮凌霄寶殿.jpg|[[Zhinan Temple]]
File:101.typhoon.altonthompson.jpg|A typhoon makes landfall in Taipei
File:ZhiShanGardenTaipei.jpg|[[National Palace Museum|Zhishan Garden at the National Palace Museum]]
File:Ximending Side Alley at Night.jpg|Ximending at night
File:Taipei_Story_House_20100718a.jpg|[[Taipei Story House]] (Yuanshan Mansion)
File:2010 07 20770 6691 Da'an District, Taipei, Daan Park, Taiwan.jpg|Da'an Park
File:2010 07 21240 6773 Da'an District, Taipei, Daan Park, Washingtonia filifera, Taiwan.JPG|Da'an Park
File:Taipei from Tiger Mountain.jpg|Taipei skyline as viewed from Tiger Mountain
</gallery>


{{Geographic Location
 
|North     = [[File:Flag of New Taipei City.svg|25px|border|New Taipei city flag]] [[New Taipei City]]
|West      = [[File:Flag of New Taipei City.svg|25px|border|New Taipei city flag]] [[New Taipei City]]
|Centre    = [[File:Flag of Taipei City.svg|25px|border|Taipei city flag]] Taipei City
|East      = [[File:Flag of Keelung City.svg|25px|border|Keelung city flag]] [[Keelung City]]
|South     = [[File:Flag of New Taipei City.svg|25px|border|New Taipei city flag]] [[New Taipei City]]
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Taiwan}}
* [[New Taipei City]]
* [[Taipei-Keelung Metropolitan Area]]
* [[List of districts of Taipei by area]]
* [[List of districts of Taipei by population]]
* [[List of districts of Taipei by population density]]
* [[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees]] (#61 in the world)
* [[List of schools in Taipei]]
* [[Taipei Community Services Center]] (offers support services to the international community)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Taipei}}
{{Commons category|Taipei}}
* [http://english.gov.taipei Taipei City Government official website]
* [http://www.tcc.gov.tw/eng/index.htm Taipei City Council]

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nanjing]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Historical capitals of China|Capital of the Republic of China]]
|years=1949–present}}
{{s-inc|recent}}
{{end}}
{{Cities in Taiwan}}
{{Taiwan metropolitan areas}}
{{Administrative divisions of the Republic of China}}
{{TaipeiDistricts}}
{{List of Asian capitals by region}}
{{Phoenix Sister Cities}}
{{World's most populated urban areas}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Taipei| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1884]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Taiwan]]
[[Category:1884 establishments in Taiwan]]