quote:

Originally posted by talltexan2:
it doesn't help the English attempts at spelling Chinese that 4 distinct systems were created resulting in fun like PeKing and Beijing for the same North Capital in Chinese. I've put some stuff down as more or less phonetic. When I was in Taiwan the Street Signs even used different versions of the 4 systems on different blocks of the same roads- that was bizare- hope they've improved or it could be another TJ-storyline

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Originally posted by atsaichu:
Funny you should mention the spelling systems in Taiwan!

For a long time people in Taiwan use Wade-Giles system. That's when you see "Ch'ung-Hsiao E. Road" or "T'aipei" in older publications of or about Taiwan. People eventually got rid of the apostrophes so "Ch'ung" became "Chung" and "T'aipei" is now Taipei.

If you speak Mandarin Chinese, you should know that Taipei in English doesn't really resemble its Mandarin pronunciation--Taibei. And this problem doesn't stop at the word Taipei so that's where it gets really messy. People just spell the streets differently when they actually mean the same.

A couple of years ago, the Taiwanese government tried to unify the spelling system and created the TongYong (which means General) system. However, there was no law to reinforce the policy. The City of Taipei decided that they would adopt the Hanyu Pinyin system, created by Mainland China (PRC), citing reasons that Hanyu Pinyin is more internationally known and is studied by foreigners around the globe.

The result: You will see Pinyin system in Taipei City and TongYong system outside of Taipei City, such as the adjacent Taipei County. Wade-Giles system's "Chung-Hsiao E. Road" becomes "Zhongxiao E. Road" in Pinyin; but it is spelled "JhongSiao E. Road" by using the new TongYong system.

When we talk about Zhongxiao E. Road, we usually talk about the one in Taipei City. So no problem there. But on the Taipei City operated MRT system, you see "Banqiao," the capitol of Taipei County, on the map. When you get off at Banqiao and exit the MRT station, you might have to remind yourself that you are now in "Banciao." Or some people still prefer the Wade-Giles name, "Panchiao."

Wow! what a long post that has little or nothing to do with the show!

quote:

Originally posted by talltexan2:
it doesn't help the English attempts at spelling Chinese that 4 distinct systems were created resulting in fun like PeKing and Beijing for the same North Capital in Chinese. I've put some stuff down as more or less phonetic. When I was in Taiwan the Street Signs even used different versions of the 4 systems on different blocks of the same roads- that was bizare- hope they've improved or it could be another TJ-storyline

quote:

Originally posted by tskillet:
I see a lot of people recommending "Snake Alley"

Personally, if I had friends going to Taipei AND I knew they were going to Shilin anyways - I'd recommend avoiding it, because it's a giant tourist trap.

Yeah, yeah, weird Chinese food, yeah yeah snakes - but honestly, no locals actually go to Snake Alley for their night market fix. It's such a Taipei cliche anyways.

quote:

Originally posted by holyshitake:
i second, (or third) the soup dumplings (xiao long tang bao) at Din Tai Fung. This chain restaurant has perfected the impossibly thin skin of this delicacy. there are also locations in singapore. but if you have them in Taipei i actually would recommend the restaurant right next door to Din Tai Fung's main location on Xinyi Road, called Kao Chi, or Gao Chi. the main DTF location is always packed and many times i've had soup dumplings at this location that were not freshly cooked b/c of the high quantity of dumplings they have to make to meet demand. however Kao Chi next door has equal quality if not better, a bit cheaper, definitely fresher (always hot) and no wait. They also have a shanghai delicacy that Din Tai Fung doesn't offer. Kao Chi calls them Crispy Pasties, we call the hsieh ke huang in mandarin. Kao Chi is also a bit of a local secret now where as Din Tai Fung has now become mainly a tourist attraction.

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Originally posted by kissmespell:

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Originally posted by tskillet:

Taipei recommendations:

*Eating - Whatever you do, no matter how long the wait, you MUST go to Din Tai Fung. The best dumplings in the world. You must get the Xiaolongbao - the Shanghai style soup dumplings. The beef soup is pretty good too. It's a paper menu system - you check off what you want before you go in - and they should have english ones. I'd really recommend going to the Xinyi Road one (No. 194 (corner of Yunkang Street), Xinyi Road Sec. 2, Taipei
Tel02)23218928 Fax02)23215958) because it's the original and the 3 story narrow place makes for a more "authentic" feel. But the Zhongxiao location is much easier to get in and sit down (once we waited 2 hours at Xinyi).

Absolutely agree with tskillet about Din Tai Fung, if your budget allows. During my two-week stay in Taipei, I ate there 3 times! It is perfect for groups. The "dim sum" (delicate small items) comes in steaming hot baskets with about 8-10 pieces per order. Definitely get the Xiaolongbao, but try some of their sweet stuff too.

If you do visit any of the night markets, you will surely smell one of Taipei's local delicacies - stink tofu. They also serve chicken butt on a stick and pig's blood on a stick. Not that you have to try it.

quote:

Originally posted by tskillet:
Ha!

And you failed to mention Ma Ying Jiu's misguided attempt to give all the major streets in Taipei English names (like 5th avenue). So occasionally you'll come across some street maps with English names which bear no relation to the Chinese names - romanized or not. I found one in the back of a cab once - and it wasn't that long ago (summer 2002?)