Living Area Condition

Taipei is reputed to be one of the most livable metropolises in East Asia. It is known for its friendly residents, convenient transportation system, vibrant nightlife, fun places to visit, as well as diverse and delicious culinary options.

For the year 2022-2023, ETAs and ETFs share apartments across various districts in Taipei City. The apartments are chosen based on their relative proximity to the school sites to make the commute as convenient as possible for the ETAs and ETFs. Most of these apartments, furnished and equipped with essential appliances, are located close to (super)markets, bus routes, MRT stations, and convenience stores.

Transportation

Attractions

Zhinan Temple is a religious complex that brings together elements of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist traditions, and it features an eclectic pantheon of deities and saints. Some of the most significant parts of Zhinan are the Lingxiao Shrine (the first one encounters after entering), the Chunyang Shrine (the complex’s original place of worship), and the Daxiong Hall, the largest stupa which features golden statues of the Buddhas. Maokong Valley itself is sprinkled with charming traditional tea houses.  

Yuanxuyuan and the Yaoyue Teahouse are two of the best ones. These days, Maokong’s tea industry is more tourism-driven than production-driven, but sitting with a steaming pot of Tieguanyin or Baozhong oolong tea and admiring the Taipei basin below is an indelible experience of Taiwan.

General Overview

Chinese Classes Information 

As Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City offers many options for Chinese learning, from Chinese language centers affiliated with universities to private language schools offering Chinese lessons. Below you will find some basic information about select Chinese courses or programs, but for the most updated information, please visit the website of each center or institute.

Mandarin Training Center (MTC, affiliated with National Taiwan Normal University)

• Official website: http://www.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/eng/ 

• MTC offers several program options. Although course availability is dependent on registration, most of their courses feature small-sized classes and various proficiency levels. Their Seasonal Program has both regular and intensive options, and the tuition fees vary according to class size and type. They also provide one-on-one classes.

International Chinese Language Program (ICLP, affiliated with National Taiwan University)

• Official website: https://iclp.ntu.edu.tw/ 

• With a unique history of providing Chinese instruction to the Stanford students for Chinese Language Studies, ICLP provides many immersion options for Chinese learning as well as Customized Group or One-on-one Programs.

Taiwan Mandarin Institute (TMI)

• Official website: https://www.tmichinese.com/ 

• Established in 2009, TMI is a private language school specialized in providing a variety of intensive group or one-on-one Chinese classes. They offer one free trial class. 

For more information about other Chinese courses and programs, please refer to this list compiled by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education: https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-23-24206-13c8a-1.html

Eating in Taipei

-Markets

Taipei has a plethora of delicious night markets, big and small. Most travel guides recommend Shilin (士林), and I think it’s a must-see because it’s so huge. Besides food, there are also a lot of fun games there, and prawn fishing, which is definitely something I would recommend (you fish for the shrimp and they will cook the ones you catch immediately after – yum!). To get there, go to Shilin or Yuanshan on the Tamsui (red) MRT line.     

Shida (師大), located near Taiwan Normal University (hence the name), is also well known, although apparently it isn’t as good as it was in the past. That being said, it’s very close to the university’s main gate and Mandarin Center, so it’s great for dinner after Chinese class, and they have some good basics (green onion pancakes, sausages, noodles, crepes, bubble tea).

Raohe (饒河) is an excellent, if smaller venue. Located about 1 km from Houshanpi stop on the Bannan (blue) line, it apparently has some of the best 雞排(jipai, fried chicken) in the city (this is based off of something a friend told me, couldn’t say if it’s true). It’s also located next to a beautiful Daoist temple.

Qingguang (晴光), near Exit 3 of Zhongshan Elementary School stop on  the Zhonghe-Xinlu (gold) line, is also small, but most of the stands are  also open during the day which is nice for a late lunch. They have a very well-known stand there that sells 紅豆餅 (red bean cakes, although they also have butter and radish varieties that  are pretty tasty).

Lehua (樂華) is excellent and possibly my favorite. Located near Dingxi on the Zhonghe-Xinlu (gold) line, it has mostly food stands. The sausages (香腸) there are supposed to be particularly good, but I also had some excellent shaved ice, fruit, and fish ball soup. I also found that it was not as crowded as the other night markets, although I’ve only been during the week.   

- Restaurants

How to even begin discussing restaurants in Taipei？ There are so many good ones! I have to mention Din Tai Feng, famed for its soup dumplings. There are three branches throughout the city, but I’ve only been to the one near Zhongxiao Dunhua on the Bannan (blue) line.

Facilities