Chasing Taipei 101: My Unexpected Love for Taiwan’s Capital, Taipei, Taiwan

When I first slotted Taiwan into my travel itinerary, it was, quite honestly, an impulse decision. I wasn’t chasing world-famous temples, or mapping out night markets. I didn’t have a meticulously planned list of “must-sees” or “top eats.” The only thing drawing me to Taiwan—more specifically to Taipei—was Taipei 101.

That sleek, bamboo-shaped skyscraper had lived rent-free in my imagination for years. I remember being fascinated by it when I first learned it was the tallest building in the world—a record it proudly held for almost a decade until Burj Khalifa came into existence. At more than half a kilometer in height, it seemed almost surreal, a symbol of the future that stood thousands of miles away from where I was. Something about its symmetry, its boldness, and its sheer defiance of gravity always stuck with me. I used to think, One day, I’ll see that with my own eyes.

So this wasn’t meant to be a deep dive into the capital city. I figured I’d spend a couple of days in Taipei, snap some photos of the tower, maybe try a local dish or two, and move on to my next stop. But solo travel has a way of unravelling expectations in the best possible way. It teaches you that no matter how neatly you map your journey, some of the most unforgettable moments lie in the unexpected—in the quiet corners, the conversations you didn’t plan, the detours you never meant to take. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).