At Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
One of the best things about Taipei is the prevalence of parks. I've never seen so many green spaces in a big city. Or even a small city. Every district has large and small parks where locals go to walk their dogs, meet up and gossip with their neighbors, play Mahjong, and exercise.
Near Taipei 101
A lot of the parks have these little paths of knobby rocks arranged and cemented into the ground with or without railings. We've seen a lot of people walk on them without shoes on. One day walking home in the rain my husband and I walked on one with our shoes on. The rocks were still hard and painful even through thick soles. It must be really tough to walk on them barefoot. Although it might feel kind of good after walking around town all day. Like a free foot massage.
In the ten minute walk from our apartment to the subway station there are three parks. One is fairly large. It's the one I can look out of my office window and see, where Tai Chi and dance groups exercise in the mornings. The other two are a little bit smaller but just as well kept. Gorgeous indigenous plants, many flowers, and nice rocks, fountains, tiles, and benches are always present.
One of the small parks near our apartment
I love all these parks. They are well kept. They are peaceful. They are used by the local people (which is more than I can say for some parks I've been to in America). My favorite thing about the parks is watching people come to meet their neighbors. They have the right idea. Getting out of their houses towards dusk, getting a little fresh air and exercise, catching up with old friends. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening.
The largest park in the city, Da'an Park (also one of the largest parks I've ever seen)
Bamboo at Da'an Park
Nice pictures. I'm sure you especially appreciate parks such as these when beeping scooters and shouting vendors start driving you nuts.
Yeah the parks really are nice and quiet. It can get pretty noisy around here :)
No way! You guys moved to Taipei. It's as pretty as when I visited. Have an awesome time in the R.O.C.
Jim
Thank you for beiing you