It’s winter, it’s colder, and everyone seems to be in hibernation mode. But come first light each day, you’ll find the parks of Taipei bursting with vitality. In addition to cleaning staff, local residents steadily arrive, and whether they’re acquainted or not, all wear a smile and offer each other an easy “morning!” as they disperse to their favorite corners to do their shuai shou (甩手) or “swinging hands”, go through fan dance routines, do exercise, or run circuits around the park, working up a sweat. While in Taipei, why not get up with the birds a few mornings and head to a local park for a stroll; it’s a great chance to see Taipei folk doing their qigong (氣功) and taijiquan (太極拳), their folk dancing, yuanji dance, fan dance (扇子舞)and various other forms of morning exercise. You can even get in on the fun if you like, feeling the vitality of Taipei’s energizing mornings.