Taipei: Well, That Wasn't What I Pictured!
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I actually feel the same way, haha! Taiwan's architecture has so much character, while over here it's mostly just cold, impersonal concrete jungles.
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There's not much you can do about the buildings being old. Most people own their properties, so the government can't just decide to rebuild them whenever it wants. The key is that the buildings are structurally sound. If there's nothing seriously wrong, there's no compelling reason to tear them down and rebuild; people usually just renovate the interiors.
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The main issue is that it's hard to get everyone to agree on the benefits of urban renewal. For instance, owners of ground-floor units or those with rooftop additions are often reluctant. This can lead to 'holdouts,' which are a headache for developers. On top of that, the government has strict floor area ratio requirements. If the profits aren't high enough and the risks are too great, developers naturally shy away, making urban renewal very challenging.
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That's quite objective.
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Exactly, not a single negative comment.
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But Taiwan has such a strong sense of human warmth! You just feel so good when you're there.
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I love Taiwan too. I find the people there incredibly polite.
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I'm heading there soon and was looking up reviews for the Hotel Resonance Taipei (互舍酒店) when I stumbled upon this thread. Could anyone tell me if the rooms are very dated? And is it a reasonably comfortable stay?
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I thought it was pretty good. Initially, my colleague and I planned to stay at a youth hostel for around 300 [currency units], but the conditions were terrible – worse than budget hotels back in mainland China that cost 100-200. So, we switched to Hotel Resonance. At 600 [currency units], it was a bit pricey, but it was very clean and comfortable. The bathroom was spacious and had a bathtub.
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Is your hotel conveniently located for visiting other attractions?
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It's quite convenient, actually, as the hotel is right in the heart of Taipei.
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I've been twice, and I genuinely love Taiwan's cultural atmosphere!!! The unhurried, relaxed pace of life there feels so comfortable and laid-back.
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We're too caught up in the rat race here; sometimes it really feels exhausting.
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Most of Taipei's streetscape looks old because there hasn't been much redevelopment. However, the redeveloped areas in central and southern Taiwan look very new. Every time I visit a redeveloped zone in Taichung, my first thought is, 'This looks like mainland China!'
I hope I get a chance to stay longer in Taiwan next time and explore the unique character of other areas. -
I wish they'd open up independent travel sooner! I'd love to stay and explore for a few more days.
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I appreciate the orderliness and vibrancy of new cities, but I also love the unique traces of daily life and the sense of history in older ones. As a Taipei local, I feel quite fortunate.
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Totally, I love it too.
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Actually, most of Taipei is like that (I'm a Taipei local). Lots of old buildings. When I was a kid, I honestly thought Taipei was ugly, hahaha! But it's my home, so I still love it. Taipei looks old because it developed early, so many buildings are quite old. But actually, many of them are nicely renovated inside.