Formerly known as Taipeh-fu during the Qing era, and Taihoku under Japanese rule, Taipei became the capital of Taiwan Province as part of the Republic of China (ROC) in 1945 and the capital of the ROC in 1949 when the Kuomintang lost the mainland to the communists in the Chinese Civil War. The city is known for its interesting blend of Chinese culture with Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American influences. Travelers will want to check out the National Palace Museum, which houses an incredible collection of Chinese artifacts that date back 5,000 years. And it's hard to miss the world's tallest green building—Taipei 101—which towers above the city like a huge bamboo stalk. Dining out is popular with the locals—so much so that many studio apartments in Taipei don't have kitchens. Foodies can sample dumplings and other snacks at the Tonghua Night Market or share Chinese dishes at a Taiwanese stir-fry restaurant. Tea aficionados should stop by Water Moon Tea House to sample some of the city's oldest and finest teas.