An emerging and cost-effective filming location, Taipei stands up to its East Asian rivals

Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, is situated at the northern tip of the island and is located on the Danshui River. About 25 km south-west of Keelung, it is a port-city on the Pacific Ocean. The Taipei metropolitan area is home to an estimated 69, 00,273 people.

Taipei, New Taipei, and Keelung together form the Taipei metropolitan area and represent the largest urban cluster in Taiwan. Taipei serves as the island’s financial, cultural, and governmental centre.

It is a city of multi-cultural heritage. Officials of the Chinese Qing dynasty left their stone city gates. Japanese governor-generals built neo-classical museums and baroque government buildings during their 50-year occupation. The post-war government established the city’s strong economy and built large, temple-like memorials. Since the 1990s, social movements have made this city a strong democratic spirit, with civil society energised and its Austronesia tribal heritage revived.

Taipei has often been skipped by filmmakers in favor of its East Asian rivals such as Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo, but those who take the time to consider Taipei will soon find that this city is just as vibrant as any other, and weaves a certain charm that makes it unique.