Unique Places in Taipei Shih

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This is an excellent new site by the Taipei County Govt for short tours outside the Taipei City area.
A lot of what is on offer is not available in the General Taipei tour lists. Really Excellent and easy to navigate on this site :

The only place in Taiwan where you can enjoy a cold spring bath is in a Place called Suao.

There are two public cold springs from which to choose, both of them conveniently located a short walk from the downtown train station. To get there, walk straight out of the train station, turn left on the main thoroughfare, Zhongshan Rd., then take a right just past the 7-11.

At the end of this road lies the largest and most popular cold spring park. Prices are NT$70 per person, and NT$150 for a private room. Across from the water park sits a hotel where cold spring water is piped right into your bathtub, and at NT$800 a night, it's reasonably priced.

The other public cold springs are two blocks north on Zhongshan Rd. The facilities here are smaller, but the water quality is significantly better. There are two sections: one requires bathing suits, the other is for those who prefer going Au Naturel -- gender-segregated, of course. These springs are open 24 hours, and at night time, it's free. Otherwise, pay NT$50 at the entrance.

There are only two cold springs like this in the world; you must travel all the way to Italy to visit the other one.The water itself is carbonated, mineral laden, and at 22C, very chilly. The water fizzes around you, leaving your skin tingling long after you get out of the pool. There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- more refreshing on a muggy summer day than to soak in these cold springs. "

(By Sam Adams Special to The China Post)

2010
By TraNews Reporter Tsu, Chan-Chang

YILAN, TAIWAN (TraNews) – Among cold springs in Taiwan, Su-ao Cold Springs is the most notable one frequented by domestic and overseas tourists alike in summer. The cold springs located in the north of Su-ao Township of Yilan County is a popular destination worth a visit while sightseeing in Yilan.

Unlike hot springs, the average temperature of Su-ao Cold Springs remains a constant 22 degrees Celsius year around. Plus, This cool, odorless, crystal clear and naturally carbonated water with a PH of 5.5 can be used for drinking and bathing as well. Not to mention that travelers will be completely overwhelmed by the refreshing feeling while immersing into the water.

By Train - Eastern Line - Taipei to Suao - NTD176 ~ NTD273 depending on the train. Journey about 2.5 hrs.
http://163.29.3.96/TWRail_EN/index.aspx

This is the best 101 alternative- you have to slog up some stairs to get to the top but the views of Taipei and especially 101 are worth it. Be ready for swarms of Taiwanese photographers at the top though.
To get there walk east from 101 along Xinyi Rd.

Keelung is one of the grittiest cities in an island of gritty cities, but it has character that other Taiwanese cities lack. It has a wide variety of sights that are interesting but minor and not worth the time of a short-term traveler, but it is worth coming out here for the Miaokou Night Market, possibly the best on the island and far better than anything in Taipei.
Keelung is also a useful transit point for other Northeast Coast destinations, like Yeliu, Jiufen and Bitou.

Most people who go to Dihua St. check out Xiahai Temple, walk up maybe as far Minsheng Rd. and then complain that there's nothing to it. It is true that Dihua St. is no where near as appealing as, say, Lugang's Old Market Steet, but there is still a lot to see here. Dihua St. is lined with old buildings as far as Minzu Rd, with the best stretch just south of the Taipei Bridge. North of Taipei Bridge there are rows of Qing-era houses. Dihua St. has Taipei's largest concentration of traditional medicine and wholesale stores, and to the south of Xiahai Temple there are some of Taipei's best traditional Taiwanese snack stands. The shrimp rolls, bubble tea and Hong Kong-style egg cakes are aparticularly good. In the area there are a few old mansions, the most attractive of which is on Guide St., a couple other atmospheric temples and the Dadaocheng Wharf, which has a nice view of the Danshui River. Finally, just west of Xiahai Temple on Xining Rd. there is the Puppet Museum, a small but interesting museum dedicated to Taiwanese puppetry.

This small museum is little visited, but is the most interesting in Taiwan after the Palace Museum. Its collection is small but fascinating, but the main attraction is the building itself, one of Taiwan's best-preserved Japanese-era buildings. The setting in the hilly suburbs of Beitou is also a nice change from downtown Taipei.
The Folk Art Museum is well out of the way, about a half hour walk from Xin Beitou MRT station. The views of Beitou up the hill from the museum are also very pretty. Be aware that the ticket prices are quite steep- 200NT last time I visited.