Explore historic sites and old streets in one go & sign up for free on 6 rainbow-themed Taipei tours

▲ Registration is now open for the “Love Taipei City – Historic Sites Go Go Go” series of events. (Photo / from the Love Taipei City – Historic Sites Go Go Go fan page)

By Chen Hanyin, Staff Reporter / Compiled Report

Whether you're a native-born Taipei local or someone who came here to chase dreams, how well do you know this city you walk upon? The 2016 "Love Taipei City – Historic Sites Go Go Go" historic site promotion campaign is about to begin. This year not only features over 60 additional guided tours, but also specially arranges child-friendly, sign-language, and English guided services for children, the hearing-impaired, new residents, and foreigners staying briefly in Taiwan.

Among them, the "Historic Sites Grand Gathering" event will take place on Sept. 24 (Sat). The Taipei City Archives has planned 6 rainbow-themed tour routes — “Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple” — and free registration is now open. Visitors can choose their favorite themes to explore areas like Ximending, Dalongdong, and Monga, with professional guides provided by the organizers to help everyone uncover the stories of Taipei together.

1. Red Line – A Time Travel in Ximen
Travel back in time to the late Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial-era Ximendistrict. Use the two classic Japanese-era buildings, Ximen's Red House and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple (西本願寺), as mediums to feel the historical footprints and stories of the past.

▲ Taipei Ximending Red House. (Photo / by Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Bank of Taiwan (formerly the Taipei Branch of the Imperial Life Insurance Co., Ltd.) –> Zhongshan Hall –> Ximen Impressions –> Site of the Old Baocheng Gate –> Ximen Red House –> Taipei Tianhou Temple –> End Point: Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station.

2. Orange Line – A Literary Journey to Dalongdong
Focus on the differing architectural characteristics of the Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple, and use experience-based activities to understand traditional historical stories.

▲ Bao’an Temple (Photo / from the Taipei Dalongdong Bao’an Temple fan page)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Dalongdong Confucius Temple –> Bao’an Temple –> Site of the 44 Alleys –> Yuanshan Relics –> Linji Huguo Chan Temple –> End Point: Exit 2 of Yuanshan MRT Station.

3. Yellow Line – Back in Time Taipei City
Focusing primarily on historic buildings within the area of old Taipei City, this route will offer additional foreign language guide services for visitors who need them.

▲ Taipei 228 Memorial Museum. (Photo / provided by Taipei City Government Department of Cultural Affairs)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Presidential Office Building –> Taipei Guest House –> 228 Memorial Museum –> National Taiwan Museum –> Futo-cho Foreign-Style Building –> Mitsui Warehouse –> North Gate –> End Point: Exit 2 of Beimen MRT Station.

4. Green Line – Reminiscences of Monga
Go back in time to Monga, once the busiest part of Taipei City. Aside from admiring the beauty of old-style architecture, you’ll also learn about the rise and fall of Monga’s prosperity.

▲ Longshan Temple in Monga. (Photo / by Reporter Li Zhongquan)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Monga Qingshuiyan Tzushih Temple –> Local Culture Education Center –> Bopiliao Historical Block –> Longshan Temple –> End Point: Exit 1 of Longshan Temple MRT Station.

5. Blue Line – Records of Personages of Nanmen
The area around Nanmen (South Gate) is home to many residences of notable figures and rich cultural-historic sites. Led by experienced guides, while admiring magnificent historic structures, you’ll also learn the stories of historical personalities.

▲ Nanmen Market. (Photo / by Reporter Li Yukang)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Chongxi Gate (Little South Gate) –> Office of the Imperial Envoy –> National South Vietnam Park –> Memorials for Sun Yun-suan and Soong Mei-ling –> Lizheng Gate (South Gate) –> End Point: Exit 7 of Zhongzheng Memorial Hall MRT Station.

6. Purple Line – An Ancient Legend of The Witch
Take visitors to Beitou, recalling the ancient witch legends of the Pingpu tribe through a hot spring experience.

▲ Beitou Hot Spring Museum. (Photo / by Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Tour Route: Sri Lankaramaya Temple Plaza –> Ketagalan Cultural Center –> Beitou Hot Spring Museum –> Tienguian Ruins –> Meiting –> Beitou Geothermal Valley –> Xinbeitou MRT Station.

The above six routes all start from the Nishi Honganji Square, with options to travel on foot or by chartered vehicle. Each session is limited to 30 participants, with four sessions available per day. This event is free to attend and requires online reservation; spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Event Information: "Historic Sites Grand Gathering"

Cost: Free
Registration Website:taipeicitypapago
Notes:
(1) This event is free to attend and requires online reservation; spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants accepted for each session is subject to the number announced on the website.
(2) Travel accident insurance will be purchased for each participant. Please ensure your personal information is accurately filled in during registration to protect your rights.
(3) Once a route is fully booked, the official selection list will be posted on the event’s official website, and relevant event information will be sent via email three days before the event.
(4) If you are unable to attend after successful registration, please inform us by phone no later than September 16 so that we can offer your spot to someone else.
(5) Waitlist Policy: Waitlisted participants will be offered spots in the order of their waitlist registration. During this process, you may be contacted by phone (using the contact information provided during registration) to confirm your interest. Failure to answer the phone twice will be considered as forfeiting the spot.
(6) To rent the wireless audio guide headset set for the guided tour, you must provide an ID as a deposit, which will be returned upon returning the equipment.
(7) The rented 'wireless audio guide set' is a delicate electronic device. Please handle and store it with care—avoid forceful plugging/unplugging, collisions, or dropping. In case of damage or loss, compensation is required: NT$2,500 per receiver and NT$200 per headset.