08.00
Fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on an EVA Air flight from Europe, the US or Asia. If you’re coming from Hong Kong, Shanghai or Tokyo, you might be on one of their Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, where everything from the head rests to the fruit in the in-flight meals are embellished with the cartoon kitty.
Hop into a taxi (US $40-50, depending on traffic) and head for W Taipei (10 Zhongxaio East Road, Section 5; +886 2 7703 8888), the city’s trendiest hotel in the buzzing Xinyi fashion and entertainment district. Get your first view of the Taipei skyline from one of the über-stylish 70-square-metre Fantastic Suites. There are also Wonderful, Fabulous and Spectacular Rooms, Marvelous and Wow Suites and one Extreme Wow Suite.
09.30
Refresh after the flight with a splash in the outdoor 25-metre WET pool, then sit down to a breakfast of Chinese noodles (or perhaps bacon and eggs) at The Kitchen Table.
10.45
It’s time to discover the city, and the first stop is the Taipei 101 tower, a five-minute walk from the W Taipei. This is the city’s iconic, bamboo-stalk-shaped landmark, and currently the world’s fourth tallest building. It takes just 37 seconds to shoot up from the fifth to the 89th-floor observatory (open daily 9.00-22.00; tickets $16.70 for adults). Grab an audio guide to get the best out of the 360-degree views of the city.
12.15
Descend three floors for some of Taiwan’s finest dining at Ding Xian 101 (+886 2 8101 8686). The menu is traditional with an emphasis on organic ingredients and local specialties such as oyster omelettes, delicate seafood soups and melt-in-the-mouth dumplings make for a memorable meal. After lunch, head back into the lift to descend to the basement levels and stroll around the mall, browsing its smart designer boutiques and specialty stores.
13.30
Take a taxi across town to the National Palace Museum (221 Zhishan Road, Section 2, Shilin District; +886 2 2881 2021). Pick up an audio guide ($3.30) and get ready to be gobsmacked by the world’s greatest collection of Chinese art. With a treasure-trove of more than 65,000 artworks from ancient imperial collections, space dictates that the artefacts on display be changed every few months. The most famous pieces on view are clearly marked, but you really can’t go wrong with the array of bronzes, porcelain, textiles, paintings and ivory, many of which date back thousands of years.
16.30
After this full immersion in local art and beauty, it’s time for a break, so drop into The Landis Taipei (41 Min-Chuan East Road, Section 2; +886 2 2597 1234). This art deco hotel in the city’s business and financial district has an elegant lobby lounge — just the place to enjoy a cup of Taiwan’s prized Oolong tea.
17.30
The Lungshan Temple in the Wanhua District is at its most atmospheric at sunset, when worshippers gather together to pray and chant. Light some incense or candles and enjoy the spectacle. The local worshippers are very friendly and love to talk to visitors. Afterwards, take some time to explore this interesting old neighbourhood, with its quaint shops selling antique and Buddha articles.
18.30
Drop back into the W Taipei for a 90-minute Away Signature Massage at the stunning Away Spa. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for the night ahead (or the morning after).
20.00
Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei (201 Tun Hwa South Road, Section 2; +886 2 2378 8888) is the tallest hotel in the city. There’s marble everywhere as well as a magnificent rooftop pool and more restaurants than you’ll find at any other luxury hotel in town: from Cantonese at Shang Palace to Japanese at Ibuki.
For a romantic dinner for two, it has to be at the Italian Marco Polo Restaurant at one of the curtain-draped, intimate tables along the spectacular curved window looking out on Taipei 101. Here, traditional Italian dishes have been given a sophisticated twist, such as the potato gnocchi with duck breast ragout and the tiramisu espresso topped with chocolate shavings that would have them lining up in Milan.
22.00
Make a quick stop at the Shilin Night Market, Taiwan’s most famous night foodie paradise. Soak up the buzzing atmosphere as you browse alleyways of stalls for souvenirs or a late-night snack.
23.00
Head back to the Fantastic Suite at the W Taipei to enjoy a blissful night’s sleep in the king-size W Signature Bed under a star-spangled ceiling, with the Taipei 101 twinkling like a gigantic Christmas tree just outside the window.
