Year 6 Dulwich student Lauren Loy discovers puppet theaters, skyscrapers and tofu pudding in Taipei

During my last holiday break, my family and I took an exciting trip to Taiwan. When we arrived, we were fascinated by its beautiful scenery and landscapes. With endless streets to walk on and countless places to visit, we were convinced that we had come to the right place.

We visited the Martyrs' Shrine, a building dedicated to the fallen war heroes of Taiwan. Inside were the spirit tablets of all the soldiers killed during the war. Next, we visited the famous National Palace Museum in Taipei. It houses the world’s largest and most valuable collection of Chinese art treasures dating back almost 8,000 years!

Afterwards, we took a tour of a well-known skyscraper, Taipei 101. This landmark building is located in the Xinyi District and was the tallest building in the world until 2004.

One of my favorite places was Taiwan Storyland, which is a recreation of 1960s Taiwan depicting all the old shop houses of the past. My family and I browsed old-style stores stocked with candy, toys and other nostalgic items. Puppet and movie theaters, studios, pharmacies and ice cream parlors were lined up next to antique vehicles and street vendors. The restaurants at Taiwan Storyland serve mostly local and traditional delicacies such as adzuki bean soup, fruit ice and tofu pudding. Our next stop was Yeliu, a popular destination. It is widely known for its rocks shaped over hundreds of years by wind, wave and rain into fantastic natural sculptures.

We continued our journey to Taroko Gorge in Hualien. It is a 19km-long canyon in Taroko National Park. With breathtaking views and landscapes, it is definitely a place I would recommend visiting. The beguiling scenery captivates you in its beauty and calms you down with the tranquil trickle of the canyon water. As you raise your head and glance across the towering mountains, the silver mist surrounds the neighbouring areas for a breathtaking view.

Lastly, my family and I took a train trip to Taichung and visited Sun Moon Lake, which consists of a small island, Lalu Island. The isle has lush foliage and aromatic flowers blooming on the side. When we went, the placid waters of the lake washed along the shores of the island and the brisk breeze rippled the lake.

This was definitely a trip to be remembered for its spectacular sights and sounds. Taiwan is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited!

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