Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Weather? How busy? Best things to do?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[pugwall]

Cold I think. Go to the National Palace Museum. It is one of the top five museums in the world and absolutely fantastic, if you have even a passinginterest in Chinese art of history you will be gobsmacked. Food is exceptional, some of the best in Asia. Especially the street food and nightmarkets. If you dont like Chinese food in general then maybe you wont like it though.

[mistermasan]

you liked the national palace museum? bored the snot out of this chinese major. oh, if you want to every permtation of the evolution of ceremonial cooking vessels, this is the place. but it is boring, terrible displays and gives the fel that it was all stolen from another country, boxed off and is put on display with all the cultural sensitivity of war booty.

there is simply no comparison between the smithsonian and the taiwan museum of war loot.

go south. kenting, taidong should be warm enough.

[pugwall]

[demaratus]

This time of year its a touch chilly at night, even in the south. The national palace museum is worthwhile imho too. Its not the smithsonian but it has interesting exhibits and many one of a kind treasures, however it is stolen loot from imperial China, no doubt about it. Taipei is a fun city, and the east coast is stunning, rent a motorcycle and enjoy the ride from keelung to kenting. The food is certainly different from the chinese food you find in the west and many places elsewhere, and the people are friendly.

[demaratus]

Oh and for other things to do, There is the Yenshui fireworks festival (oops its over now) which is a huge fireworks festival where millions of fireworks are shot at the protected crowd.

In Taipei there is a tonne of good hikes, include some in Tea plantations, The national palace museum, taipei 101 (a huge building), The bustling Shilin market, Snake Alley (really touristy/kitschy), The cks memorial/national opera houses, The longshan temple is pretty neat too.

The east coast is a great stretch of pristine nature, completely unlike the rest of the country, Taroko gorge and Taitung (There are lots of aboriginals still here too, great food) are the highlights, Yushan is also the highest mountain in East Asia. Sun moon lake is also nice, but expensive and not exactly awe inspiring for people from canada or the states.

The south has beaches, mountains and the foguangshan monastery. Tainan is a nice college town with an old dutch fort, tonnes of unique temples and great food. Kaohsiung is, well big and polluted but I liked it there. Lots of expats, lots of food options and one of the best food streets in the world the Liuhu night market. If your into diving Orchid and green islands present the opportunities to dive with schools of hammerhead sharks. Kenting is nice, but it doesn't compare to most beach areas in Asia.

Penghu is a mecca for windsurfers too.

[pugwall]

[quote="demaratus"], however it is stolen loot from imperial China, no doubt about it. quote]

sorry to be a pedant but that is not true. Chiang Kaishek was the official leader of China when the stuff was brought over.

[endo]

Don't, I repeat don't drink the snake blood in Snake Alley.

The $hit left me sick in bed for a day.

[fortysixyou]