5 Out-of-the-Ordinary Things to Do in Taipei

For upon |So, you booked a Taipei tour package and have been in the city for a couple of days. You’ve seen all the main attractions, visited the night markets, and have eaten your fill of the local cuisine. You’ve got a couple of days left on this vacation, and now you’re looking for something a little more off-beat and not too touristy. This guide is for the visitor who’s seen all of Taipei’s greatest hits and is now seeking something just a tad more stimulating than the average temple or museum.

The good news is, they’re already in the right place. Next to Japan, Taiwan is one of the quirkier destinations in East Asia, and its capital, Taipei, has plenty to offer the bored visitor. Read on for a short introduction to some of the out-of-the-ordinary things to do in this vibrant global city.

See the gigantic pendulum inside Taipei 101

The Taipei 101’s pendulum is a giant tuned mass damper that’s marketed as the “Super Big Wind Damper.” The building where it’s in is one of those landmarks that’s impossible to miss, considering it’s a bamboo stalk-shaped skyscraper that towers 508 meters over the cityscape and was once the world’s tallest building. That is until it was handily surpassed by the current reigning champion, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. It’s still plenty high—like 101 floors high (hence the name).

Here’s the thing, though: you can’t just build that tall in a country that not only is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a hot zone for seismic activity—but also has a monsoon-influenced climate and is hit by an average of four to five typhoons each year. To compensate for these factors, Taipei 101 needed to be equipped with the Super Big Wind Damper.

It is the largest and heaviest tuned mass damper on the planet, built for the sole purpose of making sure the skyscraper it’s in remains stable even in the face of powerful natural forces. It is 18 feet in diameter, weighs 660 metric tons, and is suspended in the center of the building under eight steel cables.

Visible only from the 88^th to the 92^nd floors, the Super Big Wind Damper would appear to be a modern art installation to many. What it is instead is an impressive feat of engineering, essentially acting as a counterweight of sorts when the building sways. In addition to being the aesthetic focal point within Taipei 101, this giant golden ball stabilizes the skyscraper and keeps its occupants safe.

Go for a knife massage

Observing the Taiwanese and seeing that they are such chill people, you’d never know that they like to live dangerously. Their idea of a fun and relaxing activity? Unwinding with a massage, of course. But we’re not talking about just any kind of massage. Only in Taiwan will you be able to find people who will willingly subject themselves to the business ends of a pair of butcher knives for muscle relief, better circulation, and rebalancing one’s chi.

This practice is known as Dao Liao (刀療), and it’s been around for over 2,500 years. Historians say that it dates back to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty era in China, where it was a popular method of destressing. Its modern form is relatively safe, despite painting a mental picture that is rather intimidating. However, the way the message is done is quite safe.

For one thing, the knives are dull, to begin with, and they’re wielded by experts who have studied the ancient art for years; you never really feel them directly on your skin. For another, clients are usually covered with a blanket or towel before they are subjected to a process that has the same energy as a chef tenderizing a particularly tough cut of steak.

There are about 200 centers that offer knife massage all across the country. Make sure to visit the Ancient Art of Knife Therapy Education Center to set up an appointment, or go to Light Project in Ximending for a foreigner-friendly introduction to the art.

Visit a cat bar

Taiwan is one of those places in the world where cat lovers are sure to have a grand time. Case in point, the cat café concept originated in Taipei. Indeed, the world’s first cat café is the Cat Flower Garden, which opened in 1998 and continues to attract a huge following to this day.

The country’s fondness for felines is also evident in New Taipei’s Houtong Cat Village, a former coal-mining town that has since been overrun by over 200 stray cats. It became a tourist draw, and now it’s a veritable wonderland for cat lovers.

However, for those who love cats but think that cat cafés are so last season, Taipei has another trick up its sleeve: a cat bar. The Beer Cat, the city’s preeminent feline-centric pub, offers beverages that are stronger than the average double espresso shot—perfect for an evening of non-stop kitty cuddling.

Beer Cat is exactly what it sounds like. It is a fine establishment located in the Datong district that serves both draft and bottled craft beer, wine, and top-notch nibbles. It also happens to be the home of two very friendly cats who will not hesitate to sidle up to you for some love and attention. Besides the kitties, Beercat’s draws include an atmosphere that is convivial in a laidback sort of way, an excellent craft beer selection that changes seasonally, and bartenders who speak English. All combined, this is a watering hole worth checking out.

Unleash your inner Hawkeye at the Zhongzheng Sports Center

Are you a fan of The Lord of the Rings movies, or perhaps The Hunger Games trilogy? Did you marvel in awe when Legolas or Katniss showed off their skills with a bow and arrow? Have you ever found yourself wishing that you could try to wield those weapons yourself? In Taipei, you can live out your wildest cinematic dreams and sharpshooting fantasies at the Zhongzheng Sports Center.

The public sports center was opened in 2006 by the Taipei City Government under the leadership of former mayor Ma Ying-jeou. Its establishment was part of an initiative aimed at steering the citizens of the fair city towards a healthier and more active lifestyle. Of course, guests to Taipei are welcome to join in on the fun, too.

The center features a dedicated archery range on the 9^th floor where you can receive lessons on how to properly handle a bow and shoot stationary targets with arrows. If archery isn’t your thing, the place also has an airsoft gun shooting range that you can visit on the 6^th floor. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and facilities for various sports such as basketball, table tennis, badminton, and more.

Learn how to trap shoot with the Chinese Taipei Shooting Association

Taipei used to have an inner-city bar that also operated an indoor shooting range where you could fire live rounds. That establishment has since permanently closed down, but you can still have the experience in a safe and controlled environment—out in the mountains of Linkou—with the Chinese Taipei Shooting Association. The organization also goes by the name of “Taipei Shooting Sports Association,” so don’t be confused.

At the club, certified instructors will teach you how to properly handle real shotguns and live rounds while shooting airborne clay targets shot out at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. While trying your hand at the sport, you can also expect to rub shoulders with some of the best shooters in the world.

Taiwanese athletes have been collecting gold and silver medals in trap and skeet shooting events all over the world for years. Most recently, Yang Kun-pi won a gold medal for the men’s trap even at the 2019 Summer Universiade. He also won silver at the Asian Games trap shooting mixed team event with fellow Taiwanese Lin Yi-Chun.

Whether you’ve been shooting for years or coming into the sport as a novice, a day out with the association is sure to be unforgettable. Equipment and protective gear will be provided, as well as basic instruction in English for non-Chinese speakers. Described by goers as both exhilarating and terrifying, it will most certainly leave you with a newfound appreciation and respect for the activity.

These are only some of the ways an intrepid individual might kill time in this fascinating city. They prove that Taipei has much to offer even the most jaded of travelers, but only if they are willing to go off the beaten path.

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