Night Tour 1
20:30-22:00, Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Itinerary: Cathay Financial Center (after Welcome Reception) – Taipei 101 Observation Tower - MacArthur Bridge (by bus) – The Grand Hotel
Note: Please gather at the entrance, the Cathay Financial Center at 20:30 after welcome reception. (Invited only)

Taipei 101
The world's tallest building is now in Taiwan. With a height of 508 meters--and 101 stories above ground and five stories below--the Taipei 101 building has surpassed the 462-meter Sears Tower in Chicago and the 451-meter Petronas Twin Tower in Malaysia to acquire the title "world's tallest building."

Designed by world-renowned architect C.Y. Lee, the exterior of the building resembles bamboo segments, with eight stories to each segment because the number "8" signifies prosperous growth. Each segment is shaped like a scepter, with ancient coins on the exterior of the 26th floor to give this modern building a Chinese style.
Taipei 101 also has the world's fastest elevators. These can transport passengers to the 89th-floor observatory in a mere 39 seconds. Each one of these 1000-meter-per-minute elevators cost more than NT$68 million.

To prevent the building from swaying during typhoons or earthquakes, an 800-ton, US$4 million, ball-shaped damper is used to dissipate lateral vibration to a spring system underneath. For the first time in architectural history, the damping system is not hidden, but part of the building's design. This world's largest damper ball has a diameter of 5.5 meters and is visible from the 88th and 89th floors.

Excerpt from TAIWAN FUN MAGZINE
By Josephine Lin and Translated by Yvonne Chen

MacArthur Bridge
The first highway in Taiwan, Beijixien Rd, changes its name into MacArthur Rd. The general, Douglas MacArthur, defeat the Communists in North Korea in 1950. He is a great politician and militarist in American history. In memory of his contribution to anti-communism and his friendship toward Chinese, we name this road and bridge after him.

The bridge constructed with the assistance of America and finished in 1964. It cost more than two hundred and sixty million dollars. Under the economic circumstance that an officer earned six hundred dollars per month, it was a tremendous investment. After twenty years today, the MacArthur Bridge still lies on the northern Taipei. Through many years the reconstruction of highway, now it only left no more than two kilometers. Nevertheless, it is still as loyal as an old soldier that insists on his duty of regarding Taipei.

Night Tour 2 (Invited Only)
21:00-22:30, Thursday, August 24, 2006
Itinerary: The Grand Hotel (after Banquet) – Shilin Night Market – The Grand Hotel
Note: Please gather at the lobby, the Grand Hotel at 21:15 after Banquet. (Invited only)

Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is the one of the largest night markets in Taipei. The market is centered on Yangmin Theater and Tsicheng Temple. The night market is formed by many prosperous shops on Wenlin Road, Datung Road and Danan Road, etc. Among them, Shilin Market was built as early as in 1899 and the market is famous for various snacks and eatery. Many visitors have come to Shilin Night Market to enjoy the delicious foods, such as large pancake enfolding small pancake, hot pot on stone or Shilin sausage. Shilin Night Market has become a renowned place for great foods.
Because the night market is close to many schools, students are the main customer group. Goods are sold at less expensive prices as compared to regular stores. There are special areas for furniture, clothing, photo shops or pet shops. The finery shops and cold dessert shops in "lover's lane" attract most student customers.
Shilin Night Market covers a large area. When one walks in the turning lanes and alleys, he (she) would often find something unexpected. The night market is packed with many people during holidays. We can often see families carrying many things from shopping and enjoying good meals. Their satisfaction is fully shown from their happy expressions

City Tour (Invited Only)
08:30-16:00, Friday, August 25, 2006
Itinerary: The Grand Hotel – National Palace Museum – Eslite Bookstore Xinyi Branch– The Grand Hotel
Note: Please gather at the lobby, the Grand Hotel at 08:30, August 25, 2006. (Invited only)

National Palace Museum
The city’s greatest international attraction is the 「National Palace Museum」, located a few miles north of the palatial Grand Hotel which is a worthy sight in itself.

On October 10, 1925, the Palace Museum was inaugurated, as an effort of the Committee for Administering the Care of the Ch'ing Palace to enlist the attention of the public in support of their work, on the premises of the former Ch'ing court in the Forbidden City. Since the collection has had a very long history traceable back through many dynasties, the new institution was rightfully referred to as the Palace

Museum. At the same time, it also bore a far greater responsibility and mission as a national museum for China which had just become a republic.

Aside from its international cooperation, the Museum has also ushered in exhibitions from selected museums on Mainland China and private collections in Taiwan. Such loan projects, to be sure, would not

have been realized without the continued and steadfast support of many of the local enterprises and connoisseurs. Their enthusiastic participation and accumulated experiences have in turn prompted the professionals of the Museum to review the organization of art exhibitions from different angles so that the integration of difference resources in the planning of future presentations will be truly the home to the history and culture of the Chinese people.

Website: http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/home.htm