How it Became Taipei | History and Urban Development

Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, is a city that you want to get lost in. The city is known for its unique blend of traditional and modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and delicious street food - and when you start walking through it streets, you’ll realize that this place is complex and diverse. In this video we break down the map of Taipei and look at some key historical landmarks to understand how it became what it is today.
Further reading:
docs.google.com/document/d/1k...
We made a Thatch guide so you can find things you saw in this video:
www.thatch.co/guide/1ugckxkyy...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 A City you Want to Get Lost In
00:53 Taiwan in Context
02:23 City Geography
02:56 First Settlements
04:24 the Walled City
05:39 Japanese Colinisation
06:35 Taihoku City Planning
07:20 Japanese Architectural Style
08:11 Grand Boulevards
08:43 the Kuomintang
10:33 Rapid Expansion
11:15 Cheng’en Gate
11:46 Taiwan's Economic Miracle
12:10 the Struggle for Democracy
13:13 Taipei Today
13:50 Thanks and Further Reading
14:03 Wonderful and Amazing Bonus Content
CREDITS:
Executive Producer: Andrew McGarrity
Head of Partnerships: Max Savard
Script: Driaan Louw
Host: Driaan Louw
Videography: Driaan Louw, Mimi Louw
Post: Driaan Louw
Stock Footage: Envato, Storyblocks
Stock Music: Musicbed
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[@BrightTripTravel]

Note: some of you picked up on a typo - the 228 incident happened on February 28 1947, not February 8! We see you and apologize 💛

[@jbl3792]

I believe this is the only English video on KZbin that talks about the history of Taipei. It deserve more views.

[@bankerdave888]

Other than that little mistake on the date of the 228 Incident, this video is so much better than any other video on the subject of Taiwan. Great job!

[@ginachang3637]

I was born and raised in Taiwan, and I have been watching many clips/reading books about Taiwan, as well as searching English clips that are suitable to share with my in-laws (Americans) as they would like to learn more about where I’m from. By far, this clip is the best I have come across so far - though short but covering vast context without losing depth. Well made! ❤

[@paiwanhan]

Great video. Although the Japanese in Taiwan didn't surrender to the ROC, rather that they surrendered to the Allied Powers, represented by the ROC, which they also did in Northern Vietnam, as per the order of Douglas MacArthur's General Order No. One, as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. Taiwan was and still is a territory separated from an enemy state as the result of WW2, and according to Article 77 of the UN Charter Taiwan should have become a UN trust territory for the purpose of eventual self-determination. Instead the ROC unilaterally annexed the island without signing a treaty with Japan, massacred Taiwanese elites, raided civilian resources and conscripted Taiwanese men for China's own civil war and even declared the longest martial law period on the island. All of these, as well as continued ROC occupation were and are still illegal. Bangka came from the Proto-Austronesian root word for boat. This word became bangka in Tagalog, wangkang in Malay, waga in Fijian, vaka in Tongan, va'a in Samoan, waka in Te Reo Maori, and wa'a in Hawaiian. Dadaocheng's Taigi is Tuā-tiū-tiânn. The North gate was slated to be demolished, which was why it wasn't defaced like the other gates. Not only were those gates bastardized, the KMT even put it's party emblem on those gates, and refused to let people remove those emblems, citing regulation to maintain historic architectures to prevent changes, when they were the ones who altered the gates to the point of unrecognizable from the original Qing dynasty structures.

[@wilsonhsu5ify]

Awesome video! Thanks for the introduction of Taipei! One thing, however, is that the incident actually happened on 2/28 instead of 2/8 1947.

[@driaan_louw]

Ah man you're right! A slip of the tongue that carried through the edit 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ I even took the day off on the 2/28 holiday! Thanks for pointing it out!

[@DaGoook]

Was born in Songshan district but grew up in the US. Now back here for the first time in many years and finding this video couldn't have come at a better time. Love this city!

[@georgefinch8835]

Great video. I lived in Taipei for a year and Taiwan will always have a special place in my heart.

[@yck6269]

This video is so much better than other travel videos. You made a distinctive type of trip video. Good job!

[@BrightTripTravel]

Wow, thanks!

[@claudemorcos]

Great job to the Bright Trip creators - I'm staying tuned and very keen to see your next video - you got yourself a new subscriber!

[@bctvanw]

KMT did not rule over China until 1928. KMT was supported by USSR at the time. The new Nationalist government of China set up a China consulate in Taihoku in 1930s btw. Dr. SYS visited Taiwan a coupe of times to gain support from Japanese and Taiwanese for Chinese revolutionary. KMT taught Taiwanese that he was the founding father of our country, but in fact before Dr SYS died, he never treated Taiwan part of China, but he included Mongolia, Tibet, Manchuria, and Shinkuang/Xinjiang. CKS’s son CCK was educated in Russia and married a Russian lady who became the First Lady after CCK became the president in Taiwan. Taiwanese president Tsai is a mix of early Hakka Chinese and aboriginal from Paiwan tribe. The last Dutch Formosa governor was Swedish. The Ming royalist Koxinga that kicked out of the Dutch in 1662 was born in Japan to a Japanese mother. The former president Ma was born in British Hong Kong. The former President Lee said he was Japanese score he turned 20. Nowadays, Taiwanese use Japanese unit “ping”(size of tatami) to measure the areas of housings, and use Jia/Ga(akker in Dutch) to measure farm lands. 艋舺in Taiwanese/Hokkien is Banka 萬華 in Japanese Manka. The name was derived from aboriginal language. 打狗Takao in Taiwanese/Hokkien 高雄Taka O in Japanese The name was also derived from aboriginal languages. Nowadays, they are all pronounced by using Mandarin and lost the connection of the past.

[@Curious-traveler]

Really well done 👍 ❤

[@scottfalkirk714]

Great video and obviously well researched

[@user-dg8bn3wr4m]

Well done for making such an amazing video! Thank you for showcasing my city so well :)

[@Ernest495]

i have been following your videos for a long time. Thank you very much for introducing my hometown.

[@MortyMortyMorty]

I know geography quite well, but never really knew much about Taiwan and Taipei. I learned so much, such a beautiful country with a lot of history. Amazing video as always, this is why I love this channel!

[@brunovilela3619]

Awesome video!

[@stuart924]

This is one of the best on You Tube !

[@shakel1017]

Amazing overview! Thank you!!

[@samkelocele19]

Thank you, plz continue doing these kind of vids

[@fishingoutofwater]

Great vid

[@DigifocusPhotograph]

Wow great video.

[@cgf1973]

Super well done and informative, thanks!

[@nielsgeo]

Absolute banger of a video!

[@user-iw5bk8rk1l]

this is incredible! Driaan's videos are my favourite

[@lindaelliott184]

Really informative and love the dogs!!

[@Stefan8]

Thank you - great video.

[@mimilouw9886]

So so so good!!!

[@hotlube55jp]

Fantastic video. As a Taiwanese I am glad to learn from this video. Thank you!

[@BrightTripTravel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@samsungs6lite95]

I love your historical accuracy and your camera and editing work. I work in the film industry. Most people just ignore the aboriginal people in Taiwan and the European discovery.

[@daniellescheepers3957]

Love the editing style - super engaging. Also really piquing my curiousity in the history of other places than simply the west - nicely done!

[@hoomaopopo]

Awesome video! I wish I knew all of this before I went to Taipei several years ago. Now this makes me want to go back and see Taipei again, but with a different lens.

[@RichardEarley]

Currently living here (and been planning this for a year) and wish I had found this video earlier! Such a great summary of Taipei’s history and a beautiful doc too.

[@jeremymandelkern9260]

Shared, Wonderful work, Thanks.

[@BrightTripTravel]

Many thanks!

[@andrewferrier3351]

Fantastic vid

[@yd1996]

Not quite the content I expected like the Chicago one, but still good video!

[@FeelItRising]

Great breakdown

[@steveh4114]

Excellent !

[@trentinmartinez2025]

Great series of vids!! Could you PLEASE do Denver 🙏🙏🔥

[@PPKFilms]

Epic video Dri ! Editing, camera work and hosting on point as always 👌

[@driaan_louw]

Thanks Loic!!!

[@user-fj9yf1wi1k]

❤amazing

[@aeugenegray]

Man this is a fucking excellent video. I can't wait for more of these

[@michaelsteinhemingway727]

Good narrative of Taipei.

[@coin5207]

Nice video, can't wait to visit Taiwan!

[@tanengkooi4161]

simple and informative video. it makes me understand more before visiting Taipei.

[@BrightTripTravel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lexsongtw]

Thanks for your hard work. It truly does justice to the complex history of Taiwan. It's quite rare to find such a comprehensive introduction like this video.

[@tomlee9902]

Best video of Taiwan I’ve seen on KZbin!

[@BrightTripTravel]

Wow, thanks!

[@twnfaem]

Strongly underrated video!

[@pei-hwachiang1905]

Thanks!

[@BrightTripTravel]

Thank you!

[@user-xw2kh3fk3y]

I WOULD KILL FOR A BREAKDOWN OF Los Angeles!!! ;O

[@onei0077]

Once you've been you long to go back. It's one of those magical places.

[@pheemintarakumthonchai5]

Do Bangkok!!

[@iannnchslife]

11:13 The date should be FEB 28, not FEB 8

[@alfonsocalero]

2:54 in you have a 2 second view of the skyline of the city. Is that a drone shot? Where from ? Sunset? Would love to stay in the old quarter area of Taipei. Have any specific streets or zones worth a stay?

[@BrightTripTravel]

It's actually a Google Earth render, believe it or not! Our team stayed in Tamsui which is quite a historic area.

[@BrightTripTravel]

Our friends over at Thatch actually have guides on hotels available: www.thatch.co/explore/ChIJi73bYWusQjQRgqQGXK260bw?name=Taipei,%20Taiwan

[@alejandrocamino9134]

Great video ❤you are gorgeous 😊😊😊

[@aliceridley2016]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@karlweaver2597]

Great video, well done but you never made it to the oldest structure in Taipei, Red hair’s Fort in Tanshui 红毛城

[@BrightTripTravel]

Next time!

[@kayjaylin]

I was wondering why this felt like Johnny Harris, then I looked at the channel name....ohhhhh I see now.

[@yehphoebe7679]

Thank you Japan ❤

[@silvin007]

can someone pleaseeee go to Ho Chi Minh City

[@nathangraham2235]

Flippen lekka video

[@eeyore345]

The interesting thing is, even under the colonial rule of Japan, the Japanese treated the Taiwanese better than the nationalist party treated the Taiwanese. Chinese rulers treat Chinese people worse despite coming from the same roots. Just look at how the communist treats Hong Kong.

[@tracegomez]

I’ve lived in Taiwan since December 1986 - my eyes saw the martial law era - it was necessary at the time.

[@tracegomez]

Very excellent post on Taiwan, Thank you. One thing you missed regarding Taiwan under Japan occupation - Celluloid! The Taiwan Camphor trees had the only old growth forests of Camphor trees on earth and it was extremely valuable with the invention of film. In a away iTaiwan supplied the 90% of the worlds supply of cutting edge celluloid film technology just as 130 years later (now) Taiwan supplies 90% of the worlds TSMC super chips. :) Word of caution - Don’t spoil your excellent research diving onto the KMT actions on Taiwan - It’s poison bro. There are 2 historical records and it’s split 50/50 so don’t take sides - The current leadership is worse than the KMT as they desire DPP one party rule with all the boogie man stories about the KMT In fact if you remove all political talking points involving The government after Japanese rule you would have a perfect KZbin video. You missed the fact Chiang Kai Shek was a man of the dictator period in world history and he made Taiwan extremely wealthy bu bringing over 700,000 pcs of China’s most priceless treasures as well as all the gold in China which is estimated to be over 1 million pounds. Yes he was a dictator but he brought wealth and being a ruthless dictator he prevented Taiwan from being absorbed into communist China - like Hainan island was.

[@Danhansen699]

East China Island IS THE BEST CHINA!!!!!

[@walter-st3fb]

台灣比中國好

[@trunkdk]

But isn't Taiwan a province of China?