The London Design Museum on the head of a horse in Battersea
Public art on the head of a horse in Battersea
Beautiful scenery along the River Thames
The magnificent and ever-charming Tower Bridge
The National Naval Memorial by the River Thames
A dramatic performance by the red-and-black mounted guards heading to Buckingham Palace
Wandering around Covent Garden in the city, having coffee while listening to an artist's brilliant performance
Viewing the Shard, London's tallest and most modern building on the banks of the River Thames, with 95 floors and a 360-degree panoramic viewing platform
Viewing Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral from Tate Modern
Buckingham Palace, residence of the King
Rodin's large sculpture "The Burghers of Calais" in Victoria Riverside Park
People playing football in Victoria Riverside Park

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. While both London and Paris are shopping paradises, I do not come to London primarily for retail therapy. Yet, one inevitably wanders along commercial avenues, admiring captivating individual shop windows and sampling London's fashionable atmosphere. We stop for coffee and desserts, observing handsome men and beautiful women passing by; scenes unfold before our eyes like a grand theater. Life is like a play, where everything inside and outside the stage is performance. Indeed, everyone plays their own life script, shaped by personal creation.

In London, I enjoy leisurely walks along the Thames. The riverside offers the most pleasant space for strolling. No matter which section we start from, the view is charming, with numerous historic landmarks lining the bank. I often begin at an art gallery or museum I have visited—starting with the exhibition, then exploring the area through intentional or casual shopping and walking, visiting landmarks, unique boutiques, or galleries. I have several frequent walking routes, all starting from art museums. For instance, from Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge lies ahead, and across the river stands St. Paul’s Cathedral. To the right are Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and Southwark Cathedral (where Shakespeare is buried). Continuing along the river leads to Hay’s Market, the HMS Belfast museum ship, and soon the Tower Bridge, one of London’s most enchanting sights. Crossing the bridge offers a mesmerizing view of the BT Tower, with the Design Museum nearby.

From Tate Modern heading left along the river, one can reach the Royal National Theatre, the Theatre Library, and the London Eye, opposite the magnificent Palace of Westminster. When visiting Tate Britain, I often walk left along the river, discovering an alternative urban landscape leading to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Military Museum, and Regent’s Park (London’s rose garden). Starting from the National Gallery near Trafalgar Square, there are two walking routes. One follows Whitehall, passing the Household Cavalry Headquarters, the State Rooms, and the Cenotaph, leading directly to Big Ben and Parliament. From the square beside the National Gallery, crossing the elegant white (Navy) arch brings us to the Household Cavalry Headquarters, where dramatic red and black cavalry performances take place daily, attracting crowds of pilgrims from around the world. Ahead lies the lush St. James’s Park, whose far end marks the King’s residence, Buckingham Palace.

Spaces for leisurely strolls in London are everywhere, depending on personal planning. Colorful and brilliant parks abound. London prides itself on its vast green spaces, such as St. James’s, Kensington, Hyde Park, and the Victoria Embankment, all within the city center. Slightly further away, Kew Gardens is a must-visit for plant and flower enthusiasts, offering another option for wandering. If time permits, shopping, browsing department stores, galleries, bookstores, and London’s markets offer a unique charm, as do the edges along the canals. Wandering through the city often leads to Covent Garden, where one can drink coffee while enjoying wonderful musical performances or skilled acrobatics, always bringing joy. London time feels timeless; simply enjoy these beautiful moments.