There are also a few instances where the text, rather than being ahead of its time, is in fact out-of-date. Christmas Day is no longer a public holiday (possibly because it was labeled "Constitution Day" and some people have plans for a new constitution). The former Noodle Circle on Nanjing West Road is now open in its new manifestation, rather than being in the process of reconstruction, and so on. But these are very small things. Guidebook authors can never hope to be abreast of all developments, and besides this particular book was actually issued last year in CD-ROM format, and this is merely its debut in print.
Walking is clearly a great pleasure for the authors, both in Yangmingshan and in the city itself. There are very useful guides, in considerable detail, to the Da Dao Cheng and Wanhua areas, recommending this and that small food stall or old-style boutique you might other wise have missed. Hiking routes in Yangmingshan could be more detailed, but there are other publications dealing with this topic.
The book's central strength remains its coverage of culture, old and new. Such things as puppets, calligraphy, porcelain, lacquer ware, kites and jade are all covered in detail. The provision of contact numbers for performance groups and craft shops is especially useful. What's also apparent is that the authors have personally visited these offices and stores -- the book frequently remarks on the amount of English the proprietor speaks, for instance.
Generally speaking, this is an outstandingly useful, and often inspired, guidebook, highly recommended to visitors and residents alike. But its main virtue remains its enthusiasm for Taipei. Of the old view, that it's a rather drab city with nothing much to see apart from the National Palace Museum, there isn't so much as a hint. It's almost as if this book was written specifically to counter that out-dated idea, which was probably never true in the first place.
The book's Web site, incidentally, is www.culturetaipei.com.
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