Travel in Taiwan 171225: A Merry Merry Christmas

A 30-story building that illuminates into a magical show, a Broadway-themed Christmas tree and free hugs for everyone. I only know one place on Earth where you can experience all of these. Taiwan! Wherever you go in the city during the month of December, you will always find a spot that will remind you of Christmas. That's right! The season of joy can be felt on this island.

Let's start first with Banqiao. This is the capital of New Taipei City. Every year the city hall grounds is turned into a Christmasland with a giant Christmas tree as its main attraction. In 2016, the festivity become grander with the introduction of a 3D projection show at the facade of the city hall building. So gone are the days that you only look at the tall sparkling tree to remind you of Christmas. Now, you just have to enjoy a five-minute show that will bring you to kaleidoscope-like world.

People had also been flocking to the footbridge near the city. hall A tunnel was created there out of blue Christmas lights. Going inside was like walking in a surreal world. Make a wish as you stroll in the tube but be considerate of other people because the place had been packed with visitors who also wants to enjoy the scenery.

Lonely this Christmas? No problem! Free hugs are available for everyone in Taipei. Around the corners of the shopping district in Xinyi District are people holding a placard with a sign “I'm here” or “Free hugs”. They come in groups and sometimes do a flash mob to the surprise of every visitor in Taipei's luxury shopping malls. Don't be shy to approach them. Remember that their hugs are free.

Still not happy in Taipei during Christmas and want to leave the country? Don't worry because Uni-President Mall prepared a New York-style holiday decorations that will make you feel that you're in the Big Apple without ever leaving Taiwan. Through its marketing campaign of “isharing”, the mall has been visited by locals and international tourists looking for a different kind of a Christmas concept.

Go to the second floor via the staircase and you will be surprised with its dazzling colors. A red stiletto heel will suddenly catch your attention. Its shiny appearance represents the glitz and glamour of a Broadway musical transformed into a set of Christmas decors. Continuing the climb, you will find yourself staring at a colorful Christmas tree. Get closer and you will find out that it contains numerous light bulbs that are used in a theatrical stage.

Some would say that Christmas in Taiwan is just for commercial purposes. Yes, it's true. It's all about Santa Claus, reindeers, gifts. It's difficult to find a Bethlehem scene in a mall because the number of Christians on this Asian country is very small compared to the Philippines. But visit churches and you will surely find that baby boy laid in a manger. The true meaning of Christmas that everybody should remember.

Spread the love this holiday season. Hug your loved ones in a sweet embrace. Tell them how much you care for them. Befriend your enemies. Forget all the sins that they have done to you. Make this world a better place to live in. Greet everyone a merry merry Christmas.

Sakura Series - Taiwan

2026 Forecast

Taipei 101 first flowers

Tianyuan Palace backyard

Taipei Flower Test Center

Pingjing St. Lane 42

Broadwood Park

Sunshine Sports Park kawazu sakura

Wuling Farm (武陵農場)

SYS kawazu sakura

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

CKS Memorial Hall

Shibafen Yoshino Sakura

Hope River

Dongfang Temple

Tianyuan Palace

Neicou Stream Trail

Orange Garden Cafe

Yangming Park Visitor Information Center

Yangming Park Service Center Bus Stop

Huashan Road

Qianshan Park

Zhongshan Hall Entrance

Tenglong Sakura Farm

Flower Test Center Shōwa Sakura

Neihu Creek Trail

Shulin Land Office

Xióng Kōng Cherry Blossom Forest

Lung Yen Sakura Forest

Yangming Park cherry stream

Yangming Park fountain

CKS Memorial Hall Tairyō sakura

Wugu District Tianyi Road

CKS Memorial Hall yaesakura

Loving Farm

Yong Long Farm

Zhongbaling Sakura Road

Sun Link Sea

Tai'an Police Station

Cherry Hill Slope

Hsinchu Park

Taipei 101

Kāng Gào Kēng Creek

New Garden City

Broadwood Park

Tianyuan Palace backyard

Pingjing St. Lane 42

Alishan Ranger Station

Alishan House

Alishan Police Station

Alishan Forest Railway

Alishan Station

Alishan Entrance

Alishan Gou Hotel

Alishan Magnolia Garden

Wulai tour

Wun Chang Elementary School

Bishanyan

Sanzhi Sansheng Trail

Sakura Series - Taiwan

Nei Cuo Stream

Orange Garden Cafe

Sansheng Trail

Tenglong Sakura Farm

Yangming Park Cherry Stream

Yangming Park Fountain

Flower Test Center

Broadwood Park

New Garden City

Yinghua Park

Pingjing St. Lane 42

Yangmingshan Visitor Center

Taipei 101

Tianyuan Palace backyard

Sakura Series - Japan

Kamonyama Park

Near the Nippon Maru Memorial Park

Shinko Park

Minato-mirai 21 area

Tokyo Tech Suzukakedai Campus

Onda River

Tenryuji

Byodoin

Kiyomizudera

Himuro shrine and Yakushi-ji Temple

Hōryū-ji Temple

Nara Park attractions

Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus

Sumida River

Tsuruma Park

Gion

Maple Series

Taipei Aowanda

Shimen Dam

Alishan

Aowanda

Shanlinxi

Taoyuan Valley Garden

Fushoushan Farm

Yehliu to Jiufen? Yehliu to Shifen? Cheaper than yellow taxis

The "Taipei kong mahal" (My beloved Taipei)

Always in my heart

MRT birdman

Valentine's Day

Tulips Festival

2018 Taipei Lantern Festival

City of Azaleas

Linji Huguo Temple

Nanjichang Night Market

Gudetama Chef restaurant

Dalongdong Bao'an Temple

Shilin hollyhocks

Ningxia Night Market

Ximending graffiti

Discovery Center of Taipei

Chunghwa Postal Museum

Double-Decker Bus

Shilin Cold Balls

Jingimoo

GomanMango

mud volcanic ice

Fire and Ice Dumpling

Opium Fen-Yuan

Ichiran Ramen

Liu Shandong Beef Noodles

hydrangea flowers

National Palace Museum

Other attractions in Taipei

Taipei on a budget

Japanese buildings

Dāoxiāomiàn beef noodles

Presidential Office Building

Yongkang St. and Elephant Mountain

CKS and SYS Hall

City tour

Beitou ramen

MRT Monopoly Game

Winter city tour

Zhicheng Park

Shilin Plum Blossom

Art museums

Shopping in Taipei

Summer desserts

Qingtiangang

Qixingshan hiking

2015 Calla lily

2016 Calla lily

Beitou tour

Beitou-Zhuzihu tour

NTU

Confucius Temple

2015 Dadaocheng Festival

Puppet Museum

Fantasy Ice World

2016 Bread Show

Strawberry picking

2015 Rose Garden

Modern Toilet

Shilin Night Market

NASA Exhibit

Raohe Night Market

Longshan Temple

2013 Taipei Zoo

Maokong Gondola

Lupin flowers

Taipei 101 day visit

Taipei 101 night visit

Tiger Mountain

Din Tai Fung

Taipei Story House

2014 Flower Show

Chrysanthemum Show

Miramar Ferris wheel

Miniatures Museum

Archery

1600 Pandas

Wulaoguo hot pot

Upside Down House

2016 101 Fireworks

New Taipei

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

Elephant Rock SUP/kayaking

Meteor Garden school

Tamsui Pumpkin Tunnel

Shifen Waterfall

2017 Sand Sculpture

Dragon Caves

New Taipei tour

2016 Kite Festival

Pingxi Crags

Bitou Cape

2016 Sand Sculpture

2015 Christmasland

Juming - Jinshan

Houtong - Pingxi

Sandiaoling Waterfall

Jiufen foodtrip

Guanyinshan hike

Yehliu Ocean World

2014 Kite Festival

Pingxi Rail tour

Jinguashi tour

Vigor Kobo Pineapple

British Consulate

Yehliu Geopark

2014 Sand Sculpture

Paragliding

2014 Christmasland

2014 Pingxi Lantern

firefly watching

Yingge Ceramics Street

Jiufen tour