Taipei

Understand

In 1884, Liu Mingchuan, the Qing dynasty governor of Taiwan, moved the prefectural capital to Taipei. As officials arrived and government buildings were constructed, the city began to transform from a quiet market town. When Taiwan became a province in 1887, Taipei was named its capital and continued to hold that status. Its position in northern Taiwan — closest to Japan — also supported its growth after the island was ceded to Japan in 1895. During Japan’s fervent modernization campaign, much of Taipei’s traditional Chinese architecture was swept away, including the historic city walls. However, several Qing-era structures, such as the old North Gate, the former Provincial Administration Hall, and a number of temples, survived. The Japanese colonial period also left a lasting mark on the city’s architectural landscape, with prominent landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and National Taiwan University built during this time. Taipei underwent another dramatic transformation after 1945, when the Kuomintang (KMT) government relocated from mainland China. To accommodate the massive influx of mainland refugees, temporary housing spread rapidly across the city. These were later replaced with utilitarian concrete apartment blocks, which defined Taipei’s urban aesthetic for decades. Many of these buildings still stand, but beginning in the 1980s, Taiwan’s economic boom fueled a new phase of development. Modern neighborhoods took shape, tree-lined boulevards were introduced, and stylish cafés, restaurants, and high-quality apartment buildings began to emerge, signaling Taipei’s urban renewal that continues to this day. Today, Taipei ranks among the world’s wealthiest and most innovative cities. It is known for its friendly locals, clean and safe streets, and exceptional quality of life. Although it may not top most travelers’ bucket lists, Taipei is in fact a fascinating city to visit and live in. Its rich culinary scene has rightfully earned its place among the world's finest. Remarkably, the city has no neighborhoods considered unsafe, even at night — a rarity for any major metropolis and one of Taipei’s most underrated appeals.

Climate

Taipei has a semi-tropical climate characterized by hot and humid weather. The most comfortable season to visit is the fall, when the rainfall is at its lowest and the temperatures average a pleasant mid 20 °C. February to April are particularly damp with little sunlight, while the summers can be very hot and humid, but often punctuated by heavy thunder showers. Taipei is prone to typhoons from May to October, though th

Getting there

By plane

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

1 Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE IATA). The primary international airport of Taipei. The airport is about 30 km from the city and freeway buses ply the route, picking up and dropping off passengers at most of the five-star hotels. They also stop at the Taipei Main Station and the smaller Songshan Airport. There are bus services connecting the airport to nearby cities and Taichung in central Taiwan. The Taoyuan Airport MRT rail is the fastest travel option fo/from the airport.

Between 06:00 and 23:00, two trains run every 15 minutes in each direction, one Express, one Commuter. The journey to Taipei by the Express Train takes roughly 38 minutes and the fare is NT$160 for either train type (NT$150 if paid by EasyCard). The train terminates at Taipei Main Station (on the red and blue MRT lines), and there is also an underground walkway to Beimen MRT Station (on the green MRT line). For passengers heading to Taipei, it is best to wait for the Express Train, as the Commuter Train stops at every station. At Taipei Main Station, some airlines (China Airlines, EVA Air and their subsidiaries) allow you to check-in and check your bags ahead of time, which are also then sent to the airport on the MRT. However, you must do this between 6 hours and 3 hours before your flight departure time. Follow the signs for “In-Town Check-in” on the upper levels of the Taipei Main Airport MRT station. The platform at Taipei Main Station is some 300 meters from Taipei MRT platforms. Other options, listed from cheapest to most expensive:

Express airport buses cost between NT$120-150 depending on the bus company, 50–70 minutes depending on traffic and there are stops at both terminals. Most Taipei routes are divided into West and East, with each company operating a service every ten to fifteen minutes on each route. The western line bus terminates at Taipei Main Railway Station and also makes a stop at Yuanshan MRT Station on the Xindian line. (The Airbus company buses on the western line meander through local towns before joining the freeway and therefore take much longer than the blue and white Guoguang buses which enter the freeway directly.) Buses plying the eastern route terminate at the Taipei Grand Hyatt Hotel and make a stop at Zhongxiao-Fuxing MRT Station on the Nangang and Muzha lines. There is also a bus connecting to the domestic Songshan Airport. Ticket counters display route maps showing all stops. In addition, there are some non-express buses which are slightly cheaper, but pass through towns such as Ta

Getting around

By metro

Taipei City has a very clean, efficient and safe Mass Rapid Transit system known most commonly as the MRT, but also called Metro Taipei (臺北捷運). Fares are between NT$20 and NT$65 for one-way trips around town. It has been widely lauded as one of the most reliable and efficient systems in the world, and is often cited as a gold standard to which Metro systems around the world should aspire to. Stations are clearly identified in English as well as Chinese. All stops are announced in six languages: Mandarin, English, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Hakka. All stations have information booth/ticket offices close to the ticket vending machines. There is no eating or drinking while in the stations or on the trains. There are priority seats. If you need a seat, there are stickers offered at the information booth that allow passengers to identify those in need. Trains generally run from 06:00 to 00:00, with convenient bus connections outside the stations. Women and/or children traveling at night can benefit from the Safe Zones - sections of platforms that are under heavy surveillance - in some of the subway lines. Stations and trains (including the monorail) are wheelchair-friendly, but when there are multiple exits from a single station, usually only one of these is equipped with a lift. All trains have priority seats (博愛座 bó ài zuò) that have a dark blue colour distinct from that of the other seats; these are reserved for the elderly, disabled people, pregnant women and women carrying young children. Do not sit in them unless one of those situations applies to you.

You can use credit cards to tap in and out at the barriers, or you can purchase single journey tickets or the EasyCard (or youyouka, as in 'yo-yo-ka', also 悠遊卡) from a vending machine. The vending machines do not accept credit cards. EasyCard vending machines charge $500 for a card including $400 of ride credit and a $100 non-refundable card fee. Unused credit can be refunded at the end of your trip. EasyCard vending machines do not accept notes greater than $500 and do not give change. Single journey vending machines only give change as coins. One advantage of using EasyCard is it gives you a 20% discount on all MRT rides, and if you transfer from the MRT to an ordinary city bus, or vice versa, within an hour, the bus ride is only NT$7. The discount is automatically calculated when you leave the MRT station. It is also possible to buy day cards just for the metro system for NT$200 (refundable deposit of NT$50) and for NT$180 you can buy a card that works on both the metro and buses. Al

See

Those who take the time to visit and look around will soon find that Taipei is just as vibrant as any other major city, and is full of a certain charm which makes it unique in its own right. Just spend a day wandering around Taipei's streets and you will start finding many surprises.

Landmarks

Several memorial halls like the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Zhongzheng District and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi commemorate the most recognized leaders of the Nationalists to the lesser known war dead in the Martyrs' Shrine in Zhongshan District. All three have honor guards which change at set hours, demonstrating military precision and solemn respect for the ROC leaders and soldiers before them. Built in the middle of large parks, the memorial halls are also good places for some quiet reflection.

While Taipei is largely secular, the elaborate Taoist and Buddhist temples such as Longshan Temple and Bao'an Temple in the older districts of Wanhua and Datong still draw locals who maintain the old rituals and traditions. On the glitzier side of town, Taipei 101 may have relinquished its tallest building status but remains a very popular attraction for its architectural style and observation deck. On New Year's Eve, Taipei 101 becomes a beacon of lights and fireworks.

Museums and galleries Anyone with even the slightest interest in Chinese history should visit the National Palace Museum in Shilin, which holds the singular best collection of historical artifacts from China, expertly curated by its staff. It is large enough that only one percent of what it owns is displayed at any one time, chief among them ancient paintings, scrolls, books and ceramics that span over 5000 years. The National Museum of History in Zhongzheng also holds valuable relics. There are other quirky little private museums such as the Miniatures Museum (Adult NS$200) and Museum of Drinking Water for more off-beat exploration. Art in classical and contemporary forms can be appreciated too, in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei MOCA. Local artists have gathered in various artist villages to find inspiration and cultural centers like Huashan Cultural Center are interesting informal spaces for a creative spark. Taiwanese auteurs dream of becoming the next Ang Lee, displaying their independent films in the Spot-Taipei Film House. All these can be found in Zhongshan.

Parks and outdoors

If the cityscape gets a little dreary, there are plenty of parks to escape to. Daan Park is one of the largest in the city, earning the moniker of Taipei Central Park. 228 Peace Park in Zhon

Do

Hot springs

Hot springs (溫泉) come in various brands in Taipei, ranging from basic natural pools, to plush spas at five star hotels. The three main places to have a soak in the Greater Taipei area are: Beitou (北投), Wulai (烏來) and Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山). The basic free 'rub and scrub' type public baths are run by the city. Most hotels offer the option of a large sex-segregated bathing area that generally consists of several large baths of various temperatures, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath and also private and family rooms. Some hotels also have outdoor baths (露天溫泉), which offer restful views over the surrounding countryside. Prices range from around NT$300 to NT$800. The law in Taiwan states that for safety reasons, individuals are not allowed to bathe in the private rooms, and there must be at least two people. Etiquette requires that bathers thoroughly wash and rinse off their bodies before entering public baths, do not wear clothing (which includes swimwear, though this is not the case for mixed-sex public areas) and tie up their hair so that it does not touch the water. Finally, people with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter the baths.

Hiking

The mountains around Taipei make hiking a popular exercise in the city. The main hiking spot closest to the city is the Four Beasts Mountain which border Xinyi and Nangang. One of the most rewarding walks is on Elephant Mountain, where steep steps lead up to several different viewpoints that give a striking contrast between Taipei 101 and its neighboring low-rise buildings, especially against the orange hues of sunset. Continuing on separate trails will head towards the remaining 'beasts' of Leopard, Lion and Tiger, and Nangang mountain and Jiuwufeng beyond them.

Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園) (just north of Beitou). A favourite destination, particularly during spring when thousands of calla lilies, peonies and cherry blossoms bloom in the valleys. Besides that public hot springs, as well as hot sulphur blow holes and sources are equally worth the visit. There are dozens of hiking trails in the park, most marked out on maps from the visitors centre. Qixingshan is the highest peak in Yangmingshan, and looks out over the Taipei Basin and the north coast.

Theme parks

There are a few amusement parks around Taipei. One is the Taipei Children's Amusement Park in Shilin, great for younger kids. The Taipei Water Park near Museum of Drinking Water in Gongguan is also a good place to spend time during summer, with its water slides and swimming areas.

Festival

Buy

It has been said that Los Angeles has no center. In contrast, one could say that Taipei is all center, and as such it has been given the epithet - "the emporium without end." Basically, however, the main shopping area can be divided into two districts: East and West. West Taipei is the old city and is characterized by narrow streets packed with small shops. East Taipei boasts wide tree lined boulevards and the biggest shopping malls are in this area.

Shopping areas The busiest part of East Taipei is in between MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Station and MRT Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station (Bannan Line). The axis of this shopping area is Zhongxiao East Road, Sec. 4, which is surrounded by numerous department stores. SOGO has three branches in this area, mainly sales various of boutique. Another notable one is Mingyao Department Store which has the flagship store of Uniqlo in it. East Taipei is also famous for the small stores inside the alleys. On the other hand, Daan Road in the other side of the area, has more elegant clothing shops.

Xinyi is arguably the premier shopping area in Taipei, if not all of Taiwan, and is anchored by a number of department stores and malls. Key among them is Taipei 101 Mall, as part of the larger Taipei 101 complex, and the massive Xinyi branch of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi departmental store chain, which is the largest department store in Taiwan. Eslite Mall is an upscale market-style shopping center with a 24-hour bookshop (with a good English selection) on the second floor and ethnic music store in basement. For absolute luxury, try Bellavita Shopping Mall or Breeze Center. Also in the East District at near the Zhongxiao Fuxing Metro station is the flagship store of the Far Eastern Sogo department store chain, consisting of two separate buildings. Songshan has some shopping malls with distinctive architectural features, such as the Miramar Entertainment Park, which sports a giant Ferris wheel along with an IMAX theater.

For trendier fashion catering to youths, check out Ximending (西門町) in Wanhua just west of Downtown. If it's pink, plastic, and imported from Japan, you can probably find it on sale in a store. Sneakerheads will also find shoe stores with the latest limited releases here in sneaker-crazy Taipei, though you need to get a number and wait in a queue buzzing with anticipation. Several night markets don't just sell food but also have a large variety of clothing, handbags and more, like Shida Night Market near the university areas in Gongguan and Shilin Night Market.

Electronic goods As the sales headquarters for ma

Eat

Taipei is a foodie's paradise. Almost every street and alley offers some kind of eatery. Although Taiwanese cuisine is primarily based on the cuisine of southern Fujian, the huge influx of Kuomintang refugees from mainland China after losing the Chinese Civil War means that Taipei is also one of the best places in the world to sample regional cuisines from all over China, with many of these also having been given a unique Taiwanese twist. In addition, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Italian cuisines are also popular. Basically, East Taipei, especially around Dunhua and Anhe Roads, and also the expat enclave of Tianmu are where to clash chopsticks with the rich and famous, whereas West Taipei offers more smaller, homey restaurants. Convenience stores are open 24/7 and are extremely useful for travelers. You can buy cheap meals, withdraw cash, and buy toiletries.

Night markets

There are several night markets (夜市) in each district. Some are open during daytime, and all are open until around midnight. Night markets consist of restaurants and stores at the permanent locations and little booths along the center. Every night market has a huge variety of food, so a visit to any one is a good bet for good food. A lot of Taiwanese street food didn't actually originate in Taipei, but any popular xiaochi (small snack) eventually makes their way up to the capital. Some of the best known night market snacks are: oyster vermicelli (蚵仔麵線; ô-á mī-sòa), oyster omelet (蚵仔煎; ô-á-chian), fried chicken fillet (雞排; jīpái), stinky tofu (臭豆腐; chòudòufǔ) and aiyu jelly (愛玉冰; ài-yù-bīng) among a long list of others. Because of the vast selection, the recommendation is to go with a few people and share the food. Otherwise, honestly the best way to eat is to join the longest queue in the market, or just buy whatever catches your eye! Vendor food is generally safe to eat, but use common sense though if you have a sensitive stomach.

The most famous one in Taipei is the Shilin Night Market (士林夜市). It is easily accessible via the MRT at either the Jiantan (劍潭) or Shilin (士林) stations. Locals in Taipei view Shilin as touristy, with food catering to the tastes of mainland visitors. Another excellent option is Ning Xia Night Market (寧夏夜市) in Datong near the Taipei Circle (建成圓環) and accessible via the MRT at Zhongshan (中山) station. Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市) is also a viable option. It is a mere stone's throw away from the Songshan (松山) railway station.

Restaurants While it might be possible to spend all your dinners at night markets, Taipei also has plenty of sit-d

Drink & nightlife

The nightlife in Taipei runs from boisterous night markets to equally exuberant clubs and bars, and indeed the city comes alive with glittering lights after the last rays of the sun leave the grey buildings.

Bars and clubs

Xinyi is where the biggest and most flashy clubs are, especially the ATT4FUN Building which has an excellent view of Taipei 101, while smaller shophouses around the Taida and Shida university areas host live music gigs (although lessened after noise complaints). The "Combat Zone" in Zhongshan used to be the go-to district for US soldiers in the Vietnam War and remains fairly gritty with quite the collection of dive bars. The area around Red House Theater near Ximending has a large number of gay bars. Visit the Taiwan Beer Bar, also known as Taipei Brewery, in Zhongzheng if you fancy trying cheap and fresh brews of the local favorite Taiwan Beer. Cover charges are usually required for entry, but these will include a free drink at the very least, with some places even offering free flow of house pours for the whole night after payment. Wednesday nights are ladies' night in most venues.

Tea houses Taiwan's speciality teas are High Mountain Oolong (高山烏龍, a fragrant, light tea) and Tieguanyin (鐵觀音, a dark, rich brew). The hills south of Taipei are known for Baozhong (包種茶, a light, almost-floral tea). Tea stores are scattered throughout the city. Most will invite you to sit down for an extended sampling of their tea. Some are relaxed, as if running the shop was an excuse for the owner to chat and drink all afternoon, others are excited to share with you the best tea in all of Taiwan. The tastings are free, but there is an expectation to buy if you find something you like. Tea houses operate more like cafes, with menus to order from and open or semi-private seating. Tea houses are easiest to find near Yongkang Street and Dihua Street. The mountainous Maokong area of Muzha in the Wenshan district of the city has dozens upon dozens of teahouses, many of which also offer panoramic views of the city. It's especially spectacular on a clear evening. A Maokong Gondola (cable car) system services the Taipei Zoo MRT station to Maokong. The S10 bus comes up from the Wanfang Community MRT station.

Cafes While traditionally a nation of tea drinkers, the Taiwanese have really embraced the cafe culture, and all the usual chains can be found here in abundance. For cafes with more character, roam the back streets near National Taiwan University between Xinsheng South Road and Roosevelt Road in Gongguan. More cafes are in the area around Renai Road

Sleep

Taipei offers an important number of various accommodations ranging from basic dorms to 5-star luxury hotels. See the districts articles to read detailed listings. Tourists sleeping one night in Taipei might want to stay in Zhongzheng, near the Main Train Station, where many budget accommodations can be found. Hostels can be found in the old Taipei area. Hotels around the Ximending area would be convenient for those wanting to eat, shop and party all in one area. Business travelers would probably prefer to stay in Xinyi, the financial district, where many luxury hotels are found. The Grand Hotel in Zhongshan, built back when Chiang Kai-shek decided there wasn't a suitable hotel in which to welcome foreign dignitaries, may appeal to those interested in classical Chinese architecture and history. 10% service fee and 5% VAT are usually not included in the top end hotel rates. If you're staying a bit more long-term in Taipei, do as some daily commuters do and get cheaper rooms outside city boundaries, in places such as Xindian and Yonghe, which are still somewhat accessible through the Taipei MRT network.

Go next

Taiwan's excellent rail system makes day trips easy, and there's lots to see around the New Taipei and Keelung.

Tamsui, an old port town northwest of Taipei, is the main scene of the Taiwanese movie-Secret by Jay Chou. It's very popular with tourists. Jiufen is a former gold mining town on the northeast coast and now a popular tourist destination. Banqiao is a town and administrative capital of the other city in the Taipei Metro Area, New Taipei City. Fulong is on the eastern coast of New Taipei City. There you will find a coastal town with an excellent beach. Every July, there is the three day Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival which is a must-see. Yingge is famous for its high concentration of potters and ceramic makers. It's even possible to travel to anywhere along the west coast of Taiwan all the way to Kaohsiung and back within a day, although at the price of a high-speed rail ticket. The eastern parts are a little harder to get to, and Taroko Gorge warrants more than a night's stay anyway.

Taroko Gorge – Here, the Liwu River cuts through 3,000-foot marble cliffs. The area around the gorge is also designated as Taroko Gorge National Park. Hsinchu is a city with an old heritage and modern science park. Shei-pa National Park spans mountains and rivers and is in Hsinchu County has great hiking trails. Hsinchu County is also home to Leofoo Village Theme Park, Taiwan's most popular amusement park. Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County is a crystal clear lake embedded into lush mountains. Tainan for a laidback atmosphere and in-depth look into the history of Taiwan.