Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern metropolis with Japanese colonial lanes, busy shopping streets, and majestic buildings. The skyline is crowned by the 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, with upscale shops at the base and a rapid elevator to an observatory near the top. Taipei is also known for its lively street-food scene and many night markets, including the expansive Shilin market.