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Hong Kong & Taipei TRAVEL Kirsten Rodenhizer, iStock FALL 2017 BCA A .COM 15 4 See Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Ornate neoclassical arches border the plaza around this national monument in the centre of town, opened in 1980 after the death of its namesake leader. The hall, a 76-metre-high structure with an octagonal roof, houses a museum about Chiang's life. Cardboard cameras are among the goods for sale at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. 5 Get artsy at the Songshan and Huashan 1914 Creative Parks Accessible via the Taipei Metro, these cultural and creative hubs, housed in former factories, are where Taipei's artistic set comes to showcase its talents. You'll find edgy art exhibits, independent film showings and other events, plus restaurants, cafés and some seriously great shopping: everything from handcrafted jewellery and bespoke leather shoes to electronic gadgets. creative hubs, housed in former factories, are where Taipei's artistic set comes to showcase its talents. You'll find edgy art exhibits, independent film showings and other events, plus restaurants, cafés and some seriously great shopping: everything from handcrafted jewellery and bespoke leather shoes to electronic gadgets. DIG DEEPER: TAROKO NATIONAL PARK Named for the massive Taroko Gorge, this 920-sq.-km preserve lies 150 km south of Taipei. Ride the Puyuma Express train to Hualien and bed down at the regal Silks Place hotel. Then take a bus or taxi out to see marble cliffs and canyons, carved over millions of years by the rushing Liwu River. Beyond, there are forest- fringed peaks to scale, trails to hike or bike, and temples to ogle; the most famous being the Eternal Spring Shrine (right), which straddles a cascading waterfall. (below) Shi Ting restaurant in Hualien, near Taroko National Park, serves fare inspired by the cuisine of the local Hakka people, such as this flat-rice-noodle dish.

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