Taipei is, without doubt, the heart and capital of Taiwan. This magnificent city sits on the northern tip of the island and has become the most popular destination for Taiwan visitors (for good reason!).
The beautiful modern metropolis has accents of Japanese architecture and contains both contemporary and historic buildings throughout the city.
Towering over the colorful skyline sits the greatest achievement in Taiwan architecture – Taipei 101. In Taiwan, we call this our “north star” of the city. When lost, look for 101.
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Is Taipei Worth Visiting?
Taipei is a city that offers a lot. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. If you enjoy scenic hikes, Taipei has plenty of that. And, it’s easily accessible by MRT or a short taxi ride away.
If you enjoy nightlife, Taipei is full of it. Or even if you’re like me and just want to eat – you bet Taipei has some of the best food in the country.
We’ve broken down and highlighted all the specialties of Taipei (there’s a lot!). Here’s just a few (very good) reasons why you should plan your next trip to Taipei, Taiwan.
Gorgeous Scenery & Nature
One of the many great things about Taipei is that mountains surround the city – literally. Taipei is a metropolis enclosed by the greens of a jungle, which makes it the perfect destination for nature-lovers.
From the moment you leave the airport and enter into the city by MRT, all you see is the thick greenness of the jungles that encloses the large city. It’s the perfect balance of modern and nature.
There are a surplus of spectacular natural attractions such as Xiangshan, Yamingshan, Wulai, Maokong, Tamsui and more. On top of that, parks are everywhere in this city!
Taipei is truly a special place highlighted by the gorgeous nature of the city. Just because you’re in a big city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy nature nearby. Well, at least in Taipei.
Asia’s Best Nightlife
For those that enjoy city nightlife, Taipei offers plenty of high-end lounges, bars and nightclubs. You’re able to spend a night out without hurting your wallet too bad.
Foreigners are always pleased when they find out drinks are just $300 – $400 NTD at the premiere nightlife attractions. Still, there are much cheaper alternatives that may even be more interesting to visit.
If you’re looking for nightlife, there are two locations to go in Taipei. The first is in Xinyi district – the area of the city surrounding Taipei 101. When in doubt, heads towards the tallest building in Taipei and walk around!
The second area is Zhongxiao Fuxing East Road. You can reach this street by traveling on the Blue MRT line (see the map). While it’s mostly filled with shops and restaurants, there are a few night clubs and lounges in this area.
Shopping in Taipei
Whether you want to buy name brand apparel or unique handcrafted accessories, Taipei is the place to get it. Zhongxiao Fuxing East Road and Xinyi district are filled with upscale stores for all your shopping needs.
The most popular place to shop for high end brands is Taipei 101. Because the building has only high-end international brands, it’s not necessarily going to be cheaper buying from here.
If you’re looking for “one-of-a-kind” gifts worthy of a memorable souvenir, you can go to marketplaces like Ximending. Or, you can look for something at one of the many night markets Taipei has to offer.
Taipei’s Food & Culture
Famous Asian dishes and cuisine are what sets Taiwan and Taipei apart from the rest of Asia. The renowned food culture is what many visitors come here for.
The best place to get your Taiwanese cuisine fix? The night markets. Travelers from all over the world love eating at night markets, such as Shilin night market, Tong hua night market, Shida night market and Tamsui night market.
World-famous restaurants can be found all over Taipei, but especially in the Dong Qu and Xinyi area. Most of the time, they’ll cost more too (except for, say, Din Tai Fung).
If you’re not a big fan of Taiwanese cuisine, the city has a surprisingly wide selection of cuisine. Everything from Japanese to French, Italian and even Mexican food can be found in Taipei.
Taipei Has History
Tainan is not the only Taiwanese city immersed in rich culture and history. Taipei has a lot of history too – arguably more than any other city.
That’s because of the National Palace Museum. It’s a great place to start if you want to dive into the lengthy Chinese history of the country. Thousands of amazing ancient Chinese artifacts can be found in this museum.
They’ll also switch out artifacts from time to time! You can potentially see new things every time you come to visit.
Other notable historic buildings include, Sun Yat San Memorial, Taipei Grand Hotel and the Liberty Square.
Getting to Taipei
Taipei can be quite a journey to get to if you don’t live within a close proximity to the island. But fortunately, it’s relatively easy to get to Taipei.
All you need to do is book a cheap flight to the closest airport, Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). From there, you have the option of taking a taxi, using the bus or taking the MRT to get to Taipei City.
My recommendation would be to take the MRT. It’s quick, cheap and convenient. Plus, it’s the best option if you’re traveling solo or with another person.
For families that have plenty of kids and a ton of luggage, you might want to opt for a taxi. What’s great is that Uber works in Taipei (and all around Taiwan)! So, you can definitely call an Uber from the airport.
For short international or domestic flights, you may be able to arrive at the Taipei Songshan Airport, which is located much closer to Taipei’s city center. From there, take the MRT’s brown line to reach the city center (it’s a quick and painless journey!).
Transportation in Taipei
Taipei has the most convenient public transportation system in all of Taiwan. And dare I say, all of Asia? It’s certainly less complicated than Tokyo’s.
This city offers cheap transportation by the metro, bus and citywide bike rentals. Of course, if you’re really lost or in a rush, you can take a taxi or Uber ride for just a few dollars USD to anywhere within the city.
There’s a lot to cover on this topic, so check out our Taipei transportation guide.
Costs of Traveling to Taipei
Of all the cities in Taiwan, Taipei is the most expensive to visit. But even then, the typical cost of traveling to Taipei is still relatively low, which makes it a popular choice for budget travelers.
Let’s break down how much a trip to Taipei can potentially set you back. But don’t worry, it’s probably less than you think.
Taipei Hostels Cost
For roughly $10 – $30 USD/night, you’ll be able to stay in a hostel dorm in Shilin district, home of Taiwan’s largest night market – Shilin Night Market.
It’s a pretty good bang for the buck, considering you’ll be walking distance to one of Taipei’s most lively and main food attractions.
Around $15 – $35 USD/night, you can get you a hostel in arguably Taipei’s busiest districts, Xinyi and Daan. Typically, hostel dorms cost $15 USD to $25 USD/night and private rooms up to $35 USD and sometimes more.
There’s a place and area to stay in Taipei for all types of tourists and travelers. Depending on what you’re trying to get out of this trip, I’d recommend different districts. See below.
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Taipei Hotel Costs
If you want a more luxurious stay, upscale hotels in Xinyi will run you upwards of $200 USD a night. Taipei is home to plenty of international luxury hotels, such as the W Hotel, Le Meriden, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-La and Regent Hotel.
On the other hand, budget hotels will run you $30 USD to $80 USD a night, depending on the area in Taipei. I’d do a little bit digging to try to find the best price.
The amenities of a hotel are probably not worth it in my opinion. However, most of the hotels have better location, which would make sense over a hostel.
Food Costs
In Taipei, the street food can cost you anywhere from $3 USD to $7 USD for a meal. Taiwanese boxed meals, otherwise known as “bien dangs,” will cost you about $3 – $4 USD.
It’s a cheap and quick dish that typically includes rice, three side dishes and your choice of meat. If you have money to spend, I’d still recommend trying this out. They’re everywhere and won’t take you long to find a bien dang restaurant.
A fancy meal can cost you upwards of $25 USD per person. Like with most developed cities around the world, you can spend much more than that if you choose to.
Transportation Cost
Although Taipei has the cheapest taxi fares in Taiwan, you could save even more money using public transportation. Don’t worry, public transportation is safe and clean in this city.
If you get an Easy Card, you will save 20% on Taipei’s metro fares and spend about 50 cents USD on most single journey tickets ($2 USD for long journeys).
To get an Easy Card, you can go to any booth next to the entrance of any MRT station. It’s really not that hard and is 100% worth it if you plan to stay for a few days.
These are just the bare costs of traveling to Taipei. Check this out for a more detailed guideline on budgeting your trip to Taiwan.
5 Money Saving Tips
Taiwan isn’t a terribly overpriced city to visit. However, there are still plenty of ways you can save a few bucks and keep your wallet happy and healthy!
Here are the best tips for saving money on your next Taipei trip.
1. Eat in the night markets
There are 23 streets in Taipei dedicated to night markets, where food is cheap and delicious. Depending on your appetite, you can eat a whole meal for just very little.
I have heard of people spending on $3 USD for a meal at the night market!
2. Bien dangs are your friends
The Taiwanese bento box is my favorite way to eat because they are delicious and cheap. For less than $5 USD, you can get a very nutritious meal with lots of variety.
If I’m a bit low on cash, you’ll find me in one of the many bien dang restaurants in Taipei.
3. Use public transportation
My favorite (and most inexpensive) way to get around Taipei is by using the uBike (city bike rentals), which can end up costing you a few dollars for a full day’s worth of biking.
Buses will travel almost everywhere in Taipei and as far as Kaohsiung. In addition, the Metro will also usually cost less than a dollar to get to your destination.
4. Get a Taipei Easy Card
This will automatically save you 20% on all metro fares, including other benefits as well. For example, a $20 NTD single journey fare will cost you just $16 NTD. It adds up!
Plus, if you plan to rent a uBike, you’ll need an Easy Card anyway!
5. Avoid drinking in Xinyi
This district is considered the prime location for nightlife because this is where all the best and most extravagant lounges, bars and nightclubs are.
Although drinks here cost less than they would in Los Angeles, you can still save money by consuming your alcohol elsewhere.
I recommend coming here to experience the nightlife at its best. However, sometimes budget travelers will need a cheaper drink. Alcoholic drinks in any other area will be under $10 USD.
Top Taipei Attractions (Things to Do)
There are really too many things to do in Taipei that we couldn’t fit them all here. Check out our full list of things to do and our Taipei attractions guide.
However, for your convenience, we’ve listed just some of our most favorite attractions in Taipei. It’s a nice mix of nature, nightlife, shopping and history.
Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain)
The convenient Taipei MRT Red Line will take you near the base of the mountain. From the Xiangshan MRT station, it takes under 10 minutes to walk to the entrance of the hike.
If you’re not sure where it is, ask someone. Or, you can just follow everyone that looks like a tourist. Chances are most of the people exiting are heading there anyway.
From the entrance of Xiangshan, it may take between 25 to 45 minutes to the very top, depending on how fit you are. Keep in mind, the whole “hike” is made up of uneven stairs. Better hit the Stair Master if you’re not quite in shape!
Though it may sound daunting, it’s worth it. The top is one of the most spectacular and best views of the city and Taipei 101. You won’t regret it (I hope).
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Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is by far the largest and most famous night market in Taipei (and all of Taiwan). With over 500 food stalls and a parking lot that fits 400 cars, you can expect this market to be packed on a Saturday night.
Believe it or not, this long-standing night market has been around since 1913. Through the decades, it’s carried out the tradition as one of the best markets for authentic street food. And to this day, tourists from all over the world flock to this night-time attraction.
The night market serves all the classic Taiwanese small dishes, including large fried chicken, oyster omelette, stinky tofu, Taiwanese sausage and so much more. If you’re a fan of food, this is the place to be in Taipei.
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Taipei 101 Observatory
Ahhh, yes. What Taipei attractions list would be complete without Taipei 101. The tallest building from 2004 to 2010, Taipei 101 towers over the skyline of Xinyi district.
Take the escalators to the very top of the shopping mall. Then you’ll see the entrance for the Taipei 101 observatory. If you’re having trouble finding it, ask someone. Taiwanese people are some of the nicest and most helpful people in the world.
Take the world’s fastest elevator to the 88th floor to get a breathtaking eagle eye’s view of the city. Make sure to bring your camera! But pick a day that’s not cloudy for a better view.
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Ximending Walking Street
This outdoor market/walking street is popular with young adults and teenagers because of the cheap food, awesome shops, large movie theaters and arcade.
It’s not that large of an area, but there’s a lot to do and eat. Ximending is one of my favorite places to go “people-watching” because there’s just that many people, especially on the weekends.
Plus, it also has Taiwan’s largest KFC. The Taiwanese do love their fried chicken!
Taipei’s Daan Forest Park
This beautiful park in the heart of Taipei rivals New York’s Central Park. Basketball courts, kids playground, and 64 acres of lush green trees make it perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll.
It’s a big park, and I feel like I’m always discovering new areas of the park. However, if you ever get tired, there are a ton of benches around for you to take a quick break.
You can get to this park by taking the MRT Red Line. Get off at the Daan Park metro station, and walk outside. It’s worth noting that the MRT station is also unique and nice to walk around in.
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Maokong Gondola
A gondola ride up Maokong (“Cat Mountain”) gives you a spectacular view of just how much green surrounds this city. At the top of the mountain, you’ll find a good number of teahouses and a small night market to walk around.
If you’re a little adventurous, you can walk off path and check out the tea plantations on that mountain. Where do you think all those tea houses get their fresh tea leaves from?
Pro tip: If you’re not deathly scared of heights, make sure to get the gondola with a clear, see-through bottom. It’s an amazing ride when you get to see the lush green beneath your feet.
National Palace Museum
When Chiang Kai-shek fled China to set up in Taiwan, he left with hundreds of thousands of artifacts. These artifacts are now safely stored in the National Palace Museum today.
This is the best place to see Chinese history, because most of the ancient artifacts were destroyed in China.
It’s located in the Shilin district near Shilin Night Market. So if you can, you should plan to eat at the night market after your visit to the National Palace Museum.
You’ll need to take the MRT Red Line to get there.
Raohe Night Market
Raohe Night Market is perhaps the second most popular night market in Taipei. Like Shilin, they have a lot of foods they specialize in, namely pork rib soup and pepper pork bun.
Eating food is not the only thing to do there. If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring home, this place offers a lot of shops for all kinds of random accessories.
The “carnival games” are more traditional here. Instead of the mainstream games you see at Shilin Night Market, Raohe offers games such as “fragile-net-fishing” or whatever it’s called.
To get to this night market, you’ll want to take the MRT Green Line and take the Songshan MRT Exit.
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Foods to Eat in Taipei
Tainan may be the culinary capital of Taiwan, but Taipei is the capital city of the food capital of Asia. Every city in Taiwan is famous for certain dishes, but Taipei has many.
Beef Noodle Soup
No Taipei travel guide is complete without a recommendation of Beef Noodle Soup. This foreign-favorite dish is also wildly popular among locals, and Taipei is the place to be if you want to try it.
The most famous Beef Noodle Soup shop is perhaps Lin Dong Fang. It’s a short 10 minute walk from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station (Blue Line). Chances are it’ll be packed, but it’s well worth the wait.
This dish has become so popular among tourists and locals alike that some upscale hotels have started to get into the action. According to CNN, both Regents Taipei and W Taipei make a pretty mean beef noodle soup. You be the judge.
Xiao Long Bao
This popular dish directly translates to “little cage dumpling” because they are steamed inside cages to create the soup within the dumplings.
There are many Taiwanese restaurants that make them, but I would recommend going to Din Tai Fung to try it.
Pineapple Cake
These goodies contain a pineapple paste filling that is sometimes tangy and sometimes sweet. No matter what your preference, you can be sure Taipei has the best pineapple cakes (Eat: Chiate Pineapple Cakes).
Spicy Hot Pot
Although each region and city of Taiwan has their own specialty spicy hotpot, some of the most famous spicy hotpot places have come out of Taipei.
For all-you-can-eat (including Haagen-Daz), Ma La Spicy Hotpot is the place to be.