Hi there! I am Grace, and I am so glad you are here.
I was born in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, and lived there until my teenage years. After that, I moved to the United States and later lived in China for several years before returning to the U.S. Even though I have lived abroad for decades, I always make time to go back to Taiwan to reconnect with family and friends. Now that I have a school-aged child, I spend my summers in Taipei every year.
These experiences are the source of my unique perspective. I have a deep connection to my roots in Taiwan, but I also see the city of Taipei through the eyes of someone who lives across the world.
Why I started Graceful Chimes
Whenever I talk about my hometown with friends in the U.S., I realize how much people want to see the real side of the city. They want to go beyond just the famous tourist spots in Taipei. I created this blog because I want to share my local knowledge and help travelers feel like they have a friend in Taipei.
Because I left Taiwan when I was young, I did not always appreciate my home as much as I should have. As I’ve matured, I’ve started to truly cherish every chance I have to go back. Each visit is a new opportunity for me to learn more about Taiwan’s history and culture. I love discovering new things that I never noticed before.
Starting this blog gives me a great opportunity to organize my thoughts and record my impressions of Taiwan. It also allows me to stay connected to my hometown while helping you plan your visit.
My Unique Perspective: Local Heart, Tourist Eyes
Every time I return to Taiwan, I experience Taipei in two different ways.
On one hand, I am a local. I get to enjoy the warmth of home and the familiar comfort of my favorite childhood spots. On the other hand, I am also a tourist. I am always curious about the small changes in the city. I love exploring new shops and trying out the latest restaurants that everyone is talking about.
This “Local + Tourist” perspective is what I want to share with you.
What makes this blog different?
Unlike many travel blogs written by people who visited Taiwan once for a few days, I regularly return to Taipei. This is important for you as a reader:
- Always Updated: I continue to visit new spots in Taipei while checking on old favorites. If a shop closes or a new trend pops up, I will be the first to update my posts.
- A Local’s Perspective: I do not just show you where to go. I show you how we locals live, eat, and enjoy life in Taipei.
- Family-Friendly Advice: As a parent, I know exactly what it is like to travel with a child. I can help you find spots in the city that are fun for kids but also relaxing for parents. I know which places are stroller-friendly and where you can find the best services for your family.
- Practical and Real: My tips come from real-life experience, like finding the best comfort food or navigating the Taipei MRT.
Let’s Plan Your Trip Together
I know that planning a trip to Taipei can be overwhelming. This is why I started offering an Itinerary Review service. If you have a plan for Taipei but are not sure if it is too crowded or if the locations make sense, I would love to take a look. I will give you my honest feedback to make your trip better. Please Click Here to learn more.
Taipei is a wonderful city, and I cannot wait to help you discover it!
