Capital of Taiwan

Taipei City is a special municipality within Taiwan, situated in Northern Taiwan. It functions as an enclave of New Taipei City, positioned approximately 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Keelung, the northern port city. The majority of Taipei City is situated on the Taipei Basin, an ancient lakebed. This basin is encircled by the relatively narrow valleys of the Keelung and Xindian rivers, which converge to create the Tamsui River along the western boundary of the city.

After their defeat in the civil war against the Communist Party in 1949, the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan, a place largely unfamiliar to them. In selecting Taipei as their new capital, the decision was driven by a straightforward consideration: during the Japanese occupation, Taipei had evolved into the most advanced and modern city on the island. The allure of establishing the capital in Taipei stemmed from the inherent attraction of business to a national capital. Business leaders recognized the necessity of forging connections with and advocating for their interests to government officials, making Taipei a strategic choice for the Kuomintang in rebuilding their power base.

Taipei City is situated within the Taipei Basin in northern Taiwan, flanked by the Xindian River to the south and the Tamsui River to the west. The topography in the central regions on the western side is predominantly low-lying, gradually ascending towards the south, east, and notably to the north. The northern elevation culminates at the Qixing Mountain, standing at 1,120 meters (3,670 feet), which is the highest dormant volcano in Taiwan and part of the Yangmingshan National Park.

The districts of Shilin and Beitou in the north extend beyond the Keelung River, bordered by the expansive Yangmingshan National Park. The total area covered by Taipei City is 271.7997 km² (104.9425 sq mi), ranking sixteenth out of twenty-five among all counties and cities in Taiwan.

Tainan, the ancient capital of Taiwan, is located on the southwestern coastal plains, enjoying a warm climate throughout the year. Recognized as the birthplace of Taiwan and the island's oldest city, Tainan holds a rich historical legacy.

In 1661, Cheng Cheng-kung, a Ming loyalist, ousted the Dutch from Taiwan and established his administration in Tainan. This marked a period of growth for the city, as mainland Chinese immigrants flocked to contribute to its development.

Following the Qing pacification of Taiwan in 1683, Tainan became the Taiwan Prefectural Capital. When Taiwan attained provincial status in 1885, Tainan assumed the role of Tainan Prefectural Capital, leading to its current nomenclature. Until the late nineteenth century, Tainan retained its status as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Taiwan, resulting in the preservation of numerous historic sites. This longevity grants Tainan the distinction of having the longest history and earliest cultural roots in Taiwan.

Beyond its historical and cultural significance, Tainan boasts a captivating natural landscape and is renowned for its agricultural and fishery products and cuisine. Notable events include the Taiwan International Orchid Show in Houbi Township, the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, and various family-friendly activities in summer such as firefly watching in Meiling and lotus viewing in Baihe. As autumn arrives, Dongshan offers a chance to savor locally-grown Arabica coffee, while winter invites visitors to relax in the Guanziling mud springs. Tainan thus stands as a city that seamlessly blends its historical treasures with vibrant cultural events and natural splendors throughout the seasons.

Before the substantial influx of Han Chinese colonists, the Taipei Basin region was predominantly inhabited by the Ketagalan, a plains aboriginal group. During the early 18th century under Qing Dynasty rule, the number of Han colonists began to gradually rise as the government allowed development in the area. In 1875, the northern part of the island was integrated into the new Taipeh Prefecture.

Originally established as Taipeh-fu, the area served as the temporary capital of the island in 1887 when Taiwan was declared a province (Fukien-Taiwan Province). Formalizing its role as the provincial capital occurred in 1894. The romanized transcription of Taipeh was changed to Taihoku in 1895 when the Empire of Japan annexed Taiwan, based on the Japanese reading of the characters. The written Chinese characters, however, remained unchanged. Under Japanese rule, the city fell under the administration of Taihoku Prefecture, and significant urban planning initiatives were implemented, including extensive railroad development. Many of Taipei's landmarks and cultural institutions date back to this period.

Following Japan's surrender to the Allies in 1945, control of Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China (ROC). After losing to Communist forces, the ruling Kuomintang relocated the ROC government to Taiwan and declared Taipei the provisional capital in December 1949. The Kuomintang considered the city as the capital of Taiwan Province, asserting their control as mandated by General Order No. 1.

In 1990, Taipei played a pivotal role in the Wild Lily student rallies, a crucial event that marked the transition of Taiwanese society from one-party rule to multi-party democracy by 1996. Since then, the city has served as the seat of Taiwan's democratically elected national government.

Some facts:

1. Wealth in Taipei: Taipei holds the ninth position globally in cities with the highest number of ultra-wealthy residents and is the second wealthiest city in Asia per capita. Knight Frank's research reveals that approximately 1,519 Taipei residents possess assets exceeding $30 million. Interestingly, Taipei's affluent community distinguishes itself by avoiding ostentatious displays of wealth, earning the city the moniker 'Asia's stealthy rich country.' The super-rich in Taipei commonly invest in real estate, with each wealthy citizen owning an average of 5.4 homes.
2. LGBTQ+ Rights Milestone in Taiwan: In a historic move, Taiwan emerged as the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage. The constitutional court's 2017 decision granted same-sex couples the legal right to marry, initiating a two-year period for legal adjustments amidst public resistance. In 2019, Taiwan's parliament in Taipei, following a series of referendums, successfully passed legislation making it the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Taipei stands out as an exceptionally gay-friendly city, annually hosting one of the world's most remarkable PRIDE festivals. Audrey Tang, appointed as the world's first transgender minister at the age of 34, adds to Taiwan's progressive stance.
3. Exploring the 'Road to Heaven': Xinsheng Road, dubbed the 'Road to Heaven,' is renowned for its concentration of temples, shrines, churches, and mosques. Located in Taipei's Da'an District, this area embraces various religious practices, including those considered "foreign." Notably, the Catholic church and Islam feature extravagant establishments along Xinsheng Road, positioned near Da'an Park, creating a distinctive hub of religious diversity.