After a long 15-hour flight with no sleep, I arrived in Taipei feeling physically drained but mentally wide awake with anticipation. Despite the jet lag, we wasted no time exploring the rich culture and history Taiwan. From the moment we landed, the city felt alive modern but deeply rooted in tradition, crowded but also surprisingly orderly and efficient. I was so surprised at how clean the subway was compared to New York city which i’m used to.
We went to the Taipei 101 observatory deck. Standing at the top of one of the world’s tallest buildings, I was shocked to see the scale of the city and the way it seems to never end. The elevator to get up there had a 2015 guiness world record for speed at the time. The mix of city and mountains that you can see from that deck was so cool. It was a breathtaking introduction to the urban landscape of Taipei. The view offered a powerful sense of Taiwan’s development and economic growth. I was shocked to see just how big Taipei actually was.
Also, visiting Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall a site that felt both grand and solemn was another great experience. I had probably never before seen a statue so large. As we walked through the plaza and into the towering white structure, I was drawn into Taiwan’s complex political and historical narrative. The memorial, dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China, is a reflection of Taiwan’s ongoing identity and its tumultuous 20th-century history. I learned about Chiang’s leadership during and after the Chinese Civil War and the migration of millions of Chinese people to Taiwan following the Communist victory in mainland China but also how detrimental his arrival was to many taiwanese living there. It was eye-opening to realize how deeply the island’s population is shaped by these waves of Chinese descent and how that has influenced Taiwanese society, politics, and identity.
We ended the day with a dinner at the Grand Hotel, where I tried my first piece of sushi. The building itself felt like a bridge between imperial Chinese design and modern hospitality. The food was really good and it’s safe to say I will be trying Sushi again. I was introduced to local flavors, and It helped me be more open to trying new foods. Taking the subway back to Ximen was another memorable experience the public transit system here is incredibly clean and efficient, and walking through the streets back to our hotel gave me my first taste of local nightlife and city rhythm.
Though the day was long and I’m now utterly exhausted, I feel deeply grateful. In just one day, I’ve been given a glimpse into the cultural richness, historical depth, and everyday energy of Taiwan. I look forward to diving deeper into these themes and gaining a fuller understanding of this cool place. I can’t wait to go to sleep.