Taipei City, Taiwan

In Today's Daily Jigsaw Puzzle, we visit Taipei - the capital of Taiwan ♥

Taipei lies in the Taipei Basin, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Originally home to the Ketagalan indigenous people, it became a trading hub in the 18th century, thriving on tea exports. Japan modernized Taipei during its rule (1895–1945), and after World War II, it became the Nationalist government's stronghold in 1949. Today, Taipei is a global city blending tradition and modernity, with landmarks like Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum.

Taipei's population grew from one million in the 1960s to over 2.5 million today, with the greater metropolitan area exceeding seven million. Early occupations revolved around trade, followed by infrastructure development under Japanese rule. Post-1949, civil service jobs surged, while recent decades have seen Taipei become a tech and finance hub.

Taipei's architectural heritage includes numerous Japanese-era wooden houses constructed between the 1920s and 1940s, initially serving as residences for Japanese officials. A notable example is the Qidong Street Japanese Houses in Zhongzheng District. This cluster of buildings offers insight into early 20th-century design, featuring traditional Japanese architectural elements. Over time, these structures have been repurposed; for instance, the Taiwan Literature Base now occupies some of these restored houses, promoting Taiwanese literature and culture.

In addition to its historical architecture, Taipei is adorned with the Taiwanese rain tree (Koelreuteria elegans), which we see in today's puzzle choice, also known as the flame gold rain tree. This deciduous tree reaches heights of 15–17 meters. In early autumn, it produces dense clusters of small yellow flowers. A gentle breeze can cause the petals to fall like raindrops ♥