Tamsui is at the end of Taipei's Red Line. The Old Street has a variety of restaurants and shops and you can reach the oceanfront from here, in contrast to the bulk of Taipei which is several miles inland.
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei's most distinctive landmarks. The museum on the bottom levels paints an over-the-top picture of Chiang Kai-Shek's life. The 228 Memorial Hall a few blocks away is worth a look for a more balanced take on the excesses of the Kuomintang.
The Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden are located in Kowloon and are open to the public. The Maitreya Hall uses traditional Chinese buidling techniques and was constructed without the use of any nails.
