There’s a reason you’re hearing more about Taipei, the dynamic capital of Taiwan. Sure, Taipei lacks the sweeping vistas of Hong Kong, the supersonic pulse of Tokyo, or the futuristic skyline of Shanghai. But what Taipei does, it does well. And travellers are finally starting to take notice.
I can’t promise that it’ll be love at first sight. You shouldn’t visit Taipei expecting it to wow you instantly. You need to dig a little deeper, even if just below the surface, to find the travel destination in East Asia you’ve always imagined.
Not sure where to start? Let’s get started looking at everything Taipei has to offer in this Taipei travel guide…
Visiting other destinations in Taiwan? Check out some of the country’s top places to visit in our Taiwan Travel Guide!
Why visit Taipei
Even with its slightly rugged exterior, Taipei is an easy city to love. I could think of hundreds of reasons to visit Taiwan’s capital, but one stands out above all: the night markets.
Night markets have sprung up all over Asia, but no city does them better than Taipei. Night markets in Taipei are more than just tourist attractions; for Taipeians, they’re a way of life.
Although you won’t be the only foreigner wandering about, you’ll be outnumbered by locals at these smashingly cool hotspots. In them, you’ll find more delicious Taiwanese food than you can shake a squid-stick at. All at prices that can make your local McDonald’s menu look like the Ritz.
Aside from night markets, Taipei’s prime location in northern Taiwan means you’re never far from your next destination. The sheer number of awesome day trips from Taipei will ensure that you’ll never have any downtime (unless you want it!)—even if you extend your stay in Taipei longer than most guidebooks would advise.
Add to that a handful of interesting temples, vertigo-inducing views from atop Taipei 101, and loopy hiking trails with thrilling skyline vistas.
Yep, Taipei isn’t so bad.
When to visit Taipei
Although you can (for the most part) get away with traveling to Taiwan at any time of the year, the best time to visit Taipei is November.
After a hot, humid, and wet summer, the weather in November is a welcome change in Taiwan. It’s one of the driest months of the year, and it bears witness to some of the finest scenery as the leaves begin to take on their fall hues.
Alternatively, October and April are good months to travel to Taipei. Both are warm and relatively dry for Taiwan, and are great times to hit up the outdoors, including tackling some of Taipei’s most popular hiking trails.
Districts
Zhongzheng District
When you’re first introduced to Taipei, it’ll likely be Zhongzheng. Home to Taipei Main Station and some of Taipei’s star tourist attractions, Zhongzheng is possibly the best place to base yourself while visiting Taipei.
As a whole, Zhongzheng is safe, easy to walk around, and well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation like the MRT.
TIP: Want to tackle the best day trips from Taipei? Grab a room at one of these top hotels close to Taipei Main Station!
Xinyi District
The most cosmopolitan corner of Taipei is Xinyi, home to Taipei’s most famous landmark, Taipei 101. In Xinyi, you’ll uncover some of the city’s best upscale shopping, restaurants, and accommodations.
Looking to splurge on accommodations? Xinyi is the best neighborhood to snag one of the top luxury hotels in Taipei!
Daan District
Like Xinyi, Daan is one of Taipei’s more upscale neighbourhoods. The biggest attraction here is Daan Forest Park, the so-called “Lungs of Taipei,” and the yummy Tonghua Night Market.
Wanhua District
Wanhua is Taipei’s oldest district and is home to a couple of Taipei’s most popular night markets, including Guangzhou Night Market and Huaxi Street Night Market.
In northern Wanhua, you’ll stumble upon Ximending, Taipei’s answer to Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing. Surrounding it are some of Taipei’s most delicious late-night restaurants, non-night-market street eats, and shopping options.
Want to explore one of Taipei’s most interesting districts in depth? Stay in one of these top-rated hotels in Ximending to check it out up close, day or night!
Datong District
The second-oldest district in Taipei, Datong feels a little rougher around the edges. However, with a few incredible temples, such as Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple, and historic sights like Dihua Street, Datong is worth a visit.
Zhongshan District
The northern part of central Taipei. Zhongshan was once the center of Taipei tourism until the building boom led to newer developments elsewhere in the city. The district still offers some excellent accommodation options, beautiful parks along the river, and a few interesting temples.
Songshan District
Technology and financial sector north of Xinyi. Songshan is somewhat less important for travelers than many of the other central districts. It is, however, home to one of the city’s most famous night markets: Raohe Street Night Market.
What to see & do
Don’t let Taipei’s critics sway you. There’s more than enough to keep you busy here during your stay. In this guide, I’ve only included a handful of the most popular things to do while in the city. If you need more ideas, check out this super-detailed guide on what to do in Taipei.
Landmarks
Taipei 101
No image is more in tune with Taiwan’s capital than Taipei 101. It’s an engineering marvel, formerly the tallest building in the world. If seeing it in a picture amazes you, imagine staring at it from below or scaling up to the top deck to soak up panoramic views of Taipei City.
Besides the observation deck, the lower levels of Taipei 101 host a slew of fast-food joints and restaurants, including Din Tai Fung, serving up Taipei’s most famous dumplings. A meal here, despite the overwhelming popularity (i.e,. endless line-up), could be one of the culinary highlights of your trip to Taiwan.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
You might argue with its founding premise or with its architectural design. Either way, you probably won’t be able to stop looking at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a beacon in Liberty Square, flexing from the western flank opposite the National Theatre and National Concert Hall. Whether or not you dig the neo-classical Chinese architectural style is up to you. But if you’re in Taipei, it’s hard to justify not sneaking a peek inside the building inspired by the most famous and controversial figure in Taiwanese politics.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Unlike the compact Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a gargantuan space dedicated to Taiwan’s “National Father,” Sun Yat-sen.
The exterior of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall isn’t much to behold, other than witnessing its enormity. The real attraction here is timing your visit to coincide with the changing of the guards or strolling through the well-manicured Zhongshan Park.
Museums
National Palace Museum
You’ll need to get a little outside of Taipei’s city center to take in the National Palace Museum. This massive museum is home to one of the largest collections of Chinese relics and art in the world.
The artifacts here date back as much as thousands of years ago. With any passing interest in Asian or Chinese culture and history, you’d do well to take the trip up to Shilin and pop into the National Palace Museum.
National Museum Of History
Like the National Palace Museum, Taipei’s National Museum of History is a great place for travelers to connect with the history of Taiwan. The National Museum of History doesn’t occupy the same space or importance as the National Palace Museum, but it’s still a worthwhile stop for history buffs visiting Taipei.
National Taiwan Museum
The third installment of Taipei’s national museums is the National Taiwan Museum in Zhongzheng. Built by the Japanese colonial government in 1908, the National Taiwan Museum is now the oldest museum in the country. Surprisingly, even with all the chaos faced in the twentieth century, the National Taiwan Museum survived in its original location.
Unlike the other two museums, the National Taiwan Museum focuses on the evolution of Taiwan from anthropological and scientific perspectives. Inside, you’ll find exhibits detailing the island’s Aboriginal culture, and local flora and fauna, among other things.
Temples
Of all the attractions that’ll jump out at you while visiting Taipei, none will be more striking than the temples you’ll find scattered around the city. There’s a multitude hanging about, and you’ll likely run across one nearly every time you step out of your hotel room. Here are three of my favorites:
Longshan Temple
While visiting Taipei, you can’t ignore visiting Longshan Temple in Wanhua. Not only is this temple’s architecture wondrous, but visiting bestows a better understanding of Taiwanese religious culture.
Like many of Taipei’s beautiful temples, Longshan Temple doesn’t adhere to a single religious prescription but a multitude of them. Worshipped here are Chinese folk deities rather than figures from more well-known Asian religions like Taoism and Buddhism. It all makes for an enjoyable, eye-opening experience.
Bao’an Temple
Equally as confusing to the uninitiated is Bao’an Temple in Datong. It’s the second most popular Taiwanese folk temple in Taipei among tourists, and, at least in my opinion, the most visually interesting.
Compared to Longshan Temple, Bao’an Temple offers a quieter and more relaxed temple-going experience. Here you can find enough breathing room to admire the stunning architectural details and worship with less distraction if you so choose.
Confucius Temple
Just down the street from Bao’an Temple, Confucius Temple is Taipei’s largest center for Confucian worship. The temple’s traditional Chinese architectural details are a feast for the senses. And although it’s simpler and less intricate than the nearby Bao’an Temple, Confucius Temple is well worth the trip up to Datong, even on its own.
Inside the temple, there’s an exhibit dedicated to Confucius himself, a man who had a vast influence on the cultures of East Asia. Visiting during the school year, you can expect some company, as the temple and museum are popular field trip destinations for local youngsters.
Parks
For a city as sprawling as Taipei, it’s surprisingly green. I’d guess that wasn’t always the case. Today, you’ll find parks and greenery scattered throughout the city. Here are three you need to check out:
Daan Forest Park
Surrounded by some of Taipei’s swankier areas, Daan Forest Park is a blissful escape from a city that doesn’t seem to rest. Walking around Daan Forest Park, dubbed “The Lungs of Taipei,” you’ll be joined by a stream of Taipeians grabbing fresh air to unwind from their daily grind.
Don’t be surprised if you also run into some wildlife while wandering among the park’s greenery and ponds.
2-28 Peace Park
While its size doesn’t match Daan Forest Park, 2-28 Peace Park is a quick green escape with a snap of history. Not to fall too deep into a history lesson, the park currently serves as a memorial to the 2-28 Massacre, a somber moment for modern Taiwan.
If you wanted to brush up on Taiwanese history, including the incident, the 2-28 Memorial Museum and National Taiwan Museum are both within the grounds of 2-28 Peace Park.
Taipei Botanical Garden
Next to Daan Forest Park, Taipei Botanical Garden is one of the top choices for relaxation within Taiwan’s capital. It’s more than just a park, but a living research centre.
In Taipei Botanical Garden, you’ll wander among over 1,500 plant species spread throughout over a dozen different mini-ecosystems. Be sure to check out the Japanese zen garden for an extra dose of chill.
What to eat in Taipei
Any fan of East Asian cuisine will get a kick out of Taipei’s vibrant food scene. Taiwanese food blends flavors from throughout East Asia into a combination that’s all to its own.
Not everyone will find love at first bite. But those who ply Taipei’s night markets and restaurants with an open mind and empty stomach will be rewarded with some of the most unique flavors in the region.
Stinky Tofu
Walk along any street in Taipei with a food stand or two and you’re bound to catch a whiff of Taipei’s most infamous street food. Stinky tofu doesn’t cater to everyone’s taste. But once you push past the less-than-fresh smell (the stinkier the better!), the taste is not so bad, even pleasant.
As an introduction to stinky tofu, try out some deep-fried stinky tofu at a popular night market like Ningxia Night Market or Shilin Night Market.
Oyster Vermicelli
If you simply can’t stomach the smell of stinky tofu, lock your taste buds onto oyster vermicelli, an easily palatable and popular Taiwanese snack in Taipei. The brilliance of oyster vermicelli comes from its simplicity.
It’s often little more than oysters and misua (salted wheat flour vermicelli) served in a tasty broth. You can find some of the tastiest oyster vermicelli in Taipei at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (show map) near Ximending in Wanhua.
Xiaolongbao
Although xiaolongbao is more closely associated with Shanghai, no other city in the world has mastered the art better than Taipei. Xiaolongbao is dished out with a variety of fillings, ranging from minced ginger pork or crab roe to cooked cabbage or cucumbers.
Two of the best restaurants to eat xiaolongbao in Taipei are Hangzhou Xiaolong Tangbao (show map) in Da’an District or any Din Tai Fung location in Taipei.
A-gei
Not technically a Taipei but a Tamsui delicacy, a-gei is hollowed-out bean curd (tofu) stuffed with cellophane noodles and seasoned with a special spicy sauce. Compared to the usually subdued heat of most Taiwanese food, a-gei packs a slight punch. In a good way, of course.
Even though the texture isn’t something that will appeal to everyone, a-gei is a must-have food if heading north to Tamsui. The best place to get your fix is at the original a-gei stand, located on Tamsui Old Street near the main entrance.
Where to stay
With the MRT always at your beck and call, there are plenty of options to choose from for your Taipei accommodations. Among our favorite places to stay in Taipei for travelers are Ximending, Zhongzheng, and Xinyi. All of these districts offer an excellent selection of high-quality accommodations with plenty of things to do in the vicinity.
Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of our favorite hotels in Taipei to launch your search:
- Roaders Hotel: An interesting boutique hotel just minutes from Ximending and Taipei Main Station that forges its handsome looks around the theme of the great American road trip. The rooms here are sleek and smartly designed, offering city views in their mid-range, value-laden accommodations.
- Grand Hyatt Taipei: This luxurious hotel stares down the dazzling Taipei 101. The spacious rooms feature a classy modern style blended with a classic Asian elegance. The views of the city from here are simply stunning.
- W Taipei: The hippest hotel in Taipei, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows shining in fantastic city views. Get the most out of your stay with a relaxing dip in WET® outdoor pool, a soothing massage at AWAY® Spa, or a fancy cocktail at the cool Woobar Night Club.
Transportation
Getting there
Taipei is serviced by two airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan (TSA). Most flights from international destinations arrive at Taoyuan, with only a handful of shorter international flights using the more convenient Songshan (mainly from China, South Korea, and Japan).
Several major airlines fly to Taiwan, including the Taiwanese flagship carrier EVA Air, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.
Getting around
As much as public transportation can be intimidating to some travelers, getting around Taipei will be one of the easier things you’ll do on your trip. Although there are many options, the easiest way to get between most of the top attractions is with the quick & efficient Taipei MRT.
Ride prices vary between NT$20 and NT$65, getting more expensive for longer distances. If you’re spending quite a bit of time on the MRT (and are looking for a more convenient option), it might be worth it to invest in a Taipei Metro Pass. Several different durations are available, including 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours.
If you plan to travel less frequently on the Taipei Metro, an Easy Card may be a better option. This popular smart payment card is reloadable and can be used on Taipei’s public transportation and at participating stores throughout the city.
Getting away
Taipei is a great launching point to explore Taiwan in more depth. But before I get into where you could go next, I’d like to start with a warning.
The following train times are a very rough guide on what to expect. Journey times in Taiwan are all over the map. Sometimes you’ll pay for an express service, only to find that the journey is even longer than a local train.
I would recommend ALWAYS double-checking journey times before purchasing your train tickets. This holds especially true on the routes to Hualien, where journey times can vary by several hours.
Hsinchu
Local trains between Taipei and Hsinchu (NT$163) depart regularly from 5:00 to 23:05 and take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. A better option is the Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$254), which offers a quick 1h14m trip on most runs throughout the day.
Hsinchu is also on the high-speed rail line. If you want to spend only a tad more (NT$290), the Taiwan High Speed Rail can take you from Taipei to Hsinchu in about 35 minutes.
Hualien
Trains from Taipei to Hualien depart sporadically throughout the day, leaving every 10 to 40 minutes. The main trains are the Puyuma Express (NT$583), Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$583), and the fast local trains (NT$376). The express lines are much quicker, making the journey from Taipei to Hualien in about 2 to 2.5 hours rather than over 3 hours.
PRO TIP: Train times are not consistent on the Taipei to Hualien route. Some express services may even take as long as the local trains while charging you the full amount! Be sure to verify the journey time before purchasing your ticket.
Kaohsiung
Regular trains from Taipei to Kaohsiung, including the Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$994) and Puyama Express (NT$994), depart frequently. These trains take anywhere from less than four hours to almost seven, so be sure to double-check the journey times.
To get from Taipei to Kaohsiung in 1.5 to 2 hours, hop onto the Taiwan High Speed Rail (NT$1490). NOTE: The Kaohsiung THSR station is called Zuoying, and is located outside of the city center.
Keelung
Local trains from Taipei to Keelung (NT$62) depart every 20 minutes. The trip only takes about 45 to 50 minutes.
Taichung
Local trains from Taipei to Taichung (NT$322) take about 3.5 hours. The Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$500) makes the trip in 2 to 2.5 hours. The quickest option for regular trains is the Puyuma Express (NT$500), departing four times daily and making the trip in approximately 1h40m.
On the Taiwan High Speed Rail (NT$700), the trip between Taipei and Taichung takes just over an hour.
Tainan
The Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$891) from Taipei to Tainan departs about twice an hour. The trip takes about 4.5 hours. For the same price, there are a handful of Puyama Express trains throughout the day that take about 3.5 hours instead.
With the Taiwan High Speed Rail (NT$1350), the best option, you’ll zoom from Taipei to Tainan in about two hours or less.
Yilan
Local trains (NT$197) ply the route from Taipei to Yilan, typically taking 2 to 2.5 hours. The best option is the Tze-Chiang Limited Express (NT$306), completing the trip in approximately 1.5 hours or less. Keep an eye out for the Puyuma Express (NT$306) trains that depart several times daily. They’re the fastest of the bunch, doing the run in as little as 1 hour and 14 minutes.
