Da'an Park, Taipei (must see)

Daan Forest Park is a public park located near the center of Taipei's Da'an District. It covers an area of twenty-six hectares and is bordered by Xinyi Road to the north, Heping E. Road to the south, Jianguo S. Road to the east, and Xinsheng S. Road to the west. This park provides a green recreational space for the residents of Taipei, where they can engage in various outdoor activities. Interestingly, it was established in 1994 after the removal of long-term squatters and the demolition of unauthorized structures on municipal land. Contrary to common belief, its creation was overseen not by Mayor Chen Shui-bian but by his predecessor, Huang Ta-chou.

The land that eventually became Daan Forest Park was originally designated as urban parkland in 1932 by Japanese authorities and was known as Park Number Seven. Later, the Republic of China government utilized this area for constructing military dependents' villages. Additionally, the International House of Taipei was built here, and the land accommodated a substantial population, including many refugees from the Chinese Civil War at its peak. The Taipei City Government initially intended to develop a park on this land by 1989, following opposition from environmentalists who objected to an earlier plan for a stadium. A prolonged legal battle led to the eviction of 12,000 squatters from an informal settlement in April 1992, which paved the way for the establishment of Daan Forest Park.

Daan Forest Park was envisioned to serve a similar role to other major city parks like Central Park in New York City and Hyde Park in London. It acts as the "lungs of Taipei city," offering residents a peaceful retreat from the urban hustle and bustle. Like major parks in other cities, Daan Park is surrounded by high-end luxury condominiums that fetch premium prices due to their sought-after views.