Posted Jun 12, 2023, 2:37 PM
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Hong Kong
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,537
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hkskyline's 2023 in TAIPEI
Taiwan re-opened to the outside world on October 13, 2022 with removal of mandatory quarantine on arrival. Visitors would need to go through a 0+7 self-initiated prevention period, staying in a hotel or home with a private bathroom on their own. They would need to use rapid tests 4 times during the period, although they can go out, use public transport, or go to work.
In the previous month, Taiwan reinsated visa-free entry for passport holders from a number of countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Schengen area, and a number of Southeast Asian countries. Unfortunately, Hong Kong was not part of the group, limiting visitors to only large tour groups or by applying for an official business visa. The process was seemingly straight forward by submitting everything on their web portal. Interestingly, I didn't need to pay to apply, although there is a fee involved, which is due once the application is approved.
However, several rounds of questions later, which all came through their web portal, I became perplexed by the amount of documentation and requirements to push through the business visa application, such as a personal profile written in Chinese, not English, a contact's local phone number, providing my parents' names and birthdates, as well as an affirmation I'm not affiliated with the Communist party. This was in addition to the standard invitation letter from Taiwan and proof of my status in Hong Kong. I got the impression that Taiwan was still not open for business and I got caught up in geopolitics.
The anxiety came to an end on Valentine's Day, when Taiwan announced they would resume processing Hong Kong passport applications to visit through their old online portal like what we used to do before the pandemic, which would fit either business or leisure visits and without the need for endless documentation proof.
I'm quite a regular into Taipei before the pandemic, making at least one visit a year, so you can find a lot of my photo threads lurking in the forum.
The former Taipei Prison was built between 1900-1904 during the Japanese colonial era based on Western designs to symbolize Taiwan's ascent into the modern era. Dormitories accompanied the prison building. During World War II, many Allied prisoners of war were executed here, while political prisoners were also sent here following the war. Restoration work began in 2016 to transform the site into a shopping area and was completed in summer 2021.
A small museum in one of the buildings showcases a few artifacts although restaurants and shops now dominate the site.
L'atelier of Joel Robuchon opened in 2009 in the upscale Bellavita mall in Xinyi district. Seated at their counter that overlooks the kitchen, I chose their set menu where I could pick 2 appetizers, 1 main, dessert, and tea for TWD $2580. Apparently, they are famous for their bread basket, which nobody can finish and they happily pack it up for you to bring home and enjoy later. Their mashed potatoes are also heavenly.
While Elephant Hill near Taipei 101 is flooded with foreign tourists, with the hike well-advertised in guidebooks, the mountains on the north side of the city have remained a local spot. Jiantanshan isn't too difficult to hike up. I took a 60 minute roundtrip to see the city from a good vantage point.
More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/taipei.htm
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