The Essential Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

So far as East Asia is anxious, Tokyo has lengthy been thought of the de facto aspirational journey vacation spot. However what if I instructed you that there’s one other metropolis that actually has all of it, too? Suppose: a handy public transportation system, easy accessibility to the outside, effervescent scorching springs, and maybe one of many area’s finest meals scenes. Enter, Taipei, Taiwan. 

As a child, I grew up visiting Taiwan yearly (as I’m certain many different Taiwanese People can relate to). However in recent times, I feel the nation has lastly landed on the maps of the journey world at giant. EVA Air launched a brand new Dallas-to-Taipei route in October, and Starlux Airways additionally expanded providers to the capital with a brand new direct flight from Ontario, California. Maybe most excitingly, the town obtained its first luxurious resort in over 10 years with the April 2025 debut of Capella Taipei, and it is slated to get its first Four Seasons property in 2027. And all that development is occurring for good purpose—there’s a lot for vacationers to see and do right here. Plus, it was named the happiest nation in Asia final yr in Gallup’s annual World Happiness Report.

Taiwan’s capital is nestled throughout the Taipei Basin on the northern finish of the candy potato-shaped island. Taipei is a metropolis of contrasts: Right here, high-rise buildings mix seamlessly into the wild jungles of the mountainsides, lit up with the glow of neon lights and the comfortable fluorescents of snack carts that line the streets. You’ll discover hundred-year-old temples subsequent to gleaming skyscrapers.

“Taipei has a uncommon stability that’s arduous to fabricate: It’s dense with out feeling overwhelming, energetic with out being exhausting,” says Clarissa Wei, cookbook writer of “Made in Taiwan” and cofounder of the HeyDoh soy sauce firm. “The town is anchored by a superb public transportation system, softened by lush greenery, and animated by an virtually absurd variety of good espresso retailers and street-food stalls tucked into each neighborhood.” 

Whether or not you’re looking for a raucous night time out in vigorous bars or a quiet retreat spent reflecting in museums and sipping tea, this metropolis has it. And naturally, there’s nothing else in Asia fairly like Taipei’s legendary night time market scene. However don’t be deceived—upscale, Michelin-starred eating has a gradual foothold right here, too.

Right here’s what you must know earlier than planning a visit to Taipei, Taiwan.

Finest Inns & Resorts

Capella Taipei 

Capella Taipei, positioned within the Songshan District, grew to become the town’s latest luxurious resort when it opened in April 2025. The 86-room resort was designed by Hong Kong-based inside architect André Fu, and was constructed to resemble a homey “fashionable mansion.” The result’s an aesthetic that feels decidedly stylish and modern. If you happen to’re within the temper to splurge, I like to recommend springing for one of many six Skyline Pool Terrace Suites, which have non-public patios and lap swimming pools. However, it doesn’t matter what room kind you choose, you’ll have the ability to get pleasure from beautiful views of the encircling mountains and the long-lasting Taipei 101 skyscraper by means of floor-to-ceiling home windows. There are 5 on-site eating choices, together with Cantonese-inspired Rong Ju and a tasty sushi restaurant, Mizue. If you happen to’re curious about exploring Taipei with an professional information, chat with the concierge about embarking on a tour with Capella Curates—the resort provides every part from in-depth, deep dives into the native neighborhood to strolls by means of the town’s most legendary road, Dihua Jie. Whereas right here, visitors may also have the ability to expertise Capella Inns & Resorts’ legendary hospitality, which earned the model a No. 1 spot in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Glitzy and glamorous, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei made fairly a splash when it landed within the Taipei resort scene in 2014. The red-brick, Artwork Deco-inspired resort has 303 rooms, that are a number of the largest within the metropolis. On web site, you’ll discover 4 eating places (together with the Michelin-starred Ya Ge, specializing in toothsome Cantonese delicacies), two bars, and an enormous spa that spans two flooring. The Mandarin Oriental has luxurious hospitality right down to a science—for instance, when you’d like laundry service, you possibly can place your gadgets in a valet field that’s accessible from the hallway and easily press a button to point you have got some clothes to clean. The marble bogs, comfortable sheets, and glowing 50,000-piece crystal within the foyer don’t damage both. It is no marvel why the Mandarin Oriental has set the usual for luxurious in Taipei for over a decade. 

Shangri-La Far Jap, Taipei

The Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei has 420 rooms and is positioned within the metropolis’s laidback Da’an District, which is dwelling to Nationwide Taiwan College and the 60-acre Da’an Forest Park. In-built 1994, the Shangri-La is taken into account to be certainly one of Taipei’s OG fashionable luxurious resorts—but it surely’s something however stuffy. The decor nonetheless feels fashionable and recent, and you may get pleasure from a number of the finest views of Taipei 101 from the comfort of your room. There are 5 eating places and bars on web site, together with the Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace, which serves Peking duck with crackling, crispy pores and skin.

Kimpton Da An

Kimpton Da An can be located within the Da’an District, and has simply 129 rooms and suites. You may anticipate Kimpton’s signature minimalist, however stylish design and scenic views of the town. It’s a few five-minute stroll from the closest subway station (Zhongxiao Fuxing), making it a perfect dwelling base for many who’d wish to discover the town on foot. As an added bonus, this property is pet-friendly.

Finest Issues to Do

Go to an evening market.

A visit to Taipei wouldn’t be full with out no less than one night market run. The sheer range of meals makes Taiwan’s night time market scenes a number of the most enjoyable in Asia. When the Chinese language Nationwide Social gathering (aka the Kuomintang) fled from mainland China to Taiwan in 1949, they introduced their army, with members who hailed from each nook of the nation. Many households, looking for a technique to help themselves within the new nation, opened meals stalls on main thoroughfares—thus, Taiwan’s fashionable meals scene was born.

There are over 15 night time markets within the metropolis, and each native could have their very own opinion on which one is the perfect. However you heard it from me first: they’re all nice relying on what sort of expertise you hope to have. For the perfect delicacies (and all of the Michelin Bib Gourmand laurels that associate with it), I like to recommend heading to Ningxia Night time Market. If you wish to be dazzled by the sheer dimension and scale of an evening market, head to Shilin, which is the biggest in Taiwan (the perfect meals is positioned on the road closest to the temple). If you need a mixture of retailers, video games, and meals, go to Raohe Night time Market, which can be well-known for its black pepper buns. If you happen to’re looking for a youthful crowd, Gongguan, positioned close to Taiwan Nationwide College, is an effective choice.

Spend a day at a museum.

Taipei has probably the most unimaginable museum scenes in East Asia. Probably the most well-known museum within the metropolis is the National Palace Museum, which homes over 700,000 items of Chinese language artwork in its halls, lots of which have been evacuated from mainland China over the last levels of the Chinese language Civil Warfare to avoid wasting them from destruction—it’s actually a must-visit. To get a style of Taipei’s fashionable artwork scene, I like to recommend spending a few hours on the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. To get a deeper understanding of the advanced historical past and political forces which have formed the island, discover the National Museum of History.

Hike in one of many quietest nationwide parks on the planet.

The most effective issues about Taipei is its easy accessibility to Yangmingshan National Park, among the many most lovely nationwide parks in East Asia. The park is thought for its scorching springs, misty peaks, and cherry and plum blossoms. Some make it some extent to climb its highest peak, Qixing (Seven Star) Mountain, however there are many beginner-friendly trails that take you previous dramatic views and the park’s famously feral resident cattle. It additionally earned the title of the world’s first Urban Quiet Park in 2020, which means that you could expertise an atmosphere that isn’t disturbed by man-made noises right here.

Take a day journey to Taiwan’s finest scorching springs city.

Though Japan is legendary for onsens, Taiwan is peppered with hot springs as properly. In reality, when Japan established colonial rule in Taiwan (which lasted from 1895 to 1945), it introduced over onsen tradition to the island. You may be taught extra about Japan’s affect on the island in Beitou, however probably the greatest issues to do right here is to easily soak in a scorching spring. I’m a fan of the Radium Kagaya Taipei, which is in straightforward strolling distance from the Xinbeitou subway station. Although you possibly can keep in a single day, you do not have to with a view to benefit from the springs. Radium Kagaya has non-public rooms for many who favor to not be nude in entrance of strangers to hire in 90-minute increments, in addition to public baths.

Go to a 24-hour bookstore.

Taiwan truly has one of many highest literacy rates in the world, and other people right here have a deep love of books. In reality, Taipei is dwelling to one of many few 24-hour bookstores on the planet, Eslite. It has a hefty English-language part, and can be an ideal place to browse for considerate knick-knacks and souvenirs.

Finest Procuring

Yongkang Avenue

If you wish to spend a day casually shopping retailers whereas having fun with cafés and the occasional shaved ice, that is the place to do it. I final visited Taipei throughout a heat snap and located loads of boutiques that specialised in linen and cotton clothes right here. Plus, Yongkang can be dwelling to the unique Din Tai Fung—it’s famously busy, so anticipate a queue.

Malls

This may occasionally look like a wierd suggestion, since malls are a dying phenomenon within the West—however they’re definitely alive and properly in Asia. In reality, you’ll discover a number of the finest shops within the metropolis (together with standard hits like Uniqlo and Muji) in addition to a number of the finest sit-down eating places in Taipei in malls. They’re additionally an ideal place to chill out and funky off, when you go to in the summertime. Some standard malls embody Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Far Jap SoGo, and Takashimaya.

Zhongxiao Fuxing

That is certainly one of Taipei’s hottest procuring areas, and whereas there are just a few malls on this neighborhood, in addition to all of the retail classics (like Zara), the true draw right here is dozens of small boutiques. Enterprise previous the principle street, and also you’ll run into indie retailers specializing in every part from standard Korean clothes to classic.

Nightlife

The Glasshouse at Capella Taipei

This shiny new addition to the Capella Taipei opened in September 2025 and is something however your regular resort bar. For one, it spans three tales. On the bottom flooring, you’ll discover Tilt, an Artwork Deco-inspired extravaganza decked out with heat wooden tones and brass particulars. Cooper, which focuses on spirits and basic cocktails, spans the second flooring. Lastly, within the basement, is Playback, which serves up Japanese-inspired, grasp mixologist-made creations.

Vintage Bar 1900

That is a kind of bars that has a variety of character. Positioned within the historic A.S. Watson & Co constructing on previous Dihua Avenue in Taipei, Antique Bar 1900 occupies the house which housed the town’s first Western pharmacy and is embellished with classic typewriters and telephones. Along with enjoyable decor, you can too anticipate a imply cocktail.

Can Nature

Although breweries and cocktail bars abound in Taipei, wine tasting rooms are a bit rarer to seek out. One of many uncommon gems within the metropolis is Can Nature, which focuses on native, natural pure wines. 

Finest Eating places

Weekend Hen Membership & Bar 

I do know it could be arduous to imagine, however Taipei isn’t all night time markets and hawker stalls. In reality, it has probably the most thrilling eating scenes in East Asia, in my humble opinion. One of the crucial standard new eating places within the metropolis is Weekend Chicken Club & Bar, which serves up premium fried rooster, beer, and cocktails. You may order your fried rooster drenched in three-cup rooster, mala, or honey garlic sauce. It is a standard spot, so reservations are required.

Yu Dong Goose Meat

Each time I e book a ticket to Taipei, that is the restaurant I most look ahead to visiting. Because the identify implies, the speciality right here is goose meat, however actually, this can be a restaurant that does all of the Taiwanese classics properly, like lu rou fan, salted rooster, steamed bamboo, and stir-fried greens. That is Taiwanese consolation meals at its finest.

Jinshan Hakka Restaurant

The ethnic make-up of Taiwan is pretty numerous and complicated, and the Hakka individuals make up the nation’s largest ethnic minority. The Hakka individuals have their very own language and their very own foodways as properly. The most effective locations to pattern it’s at Jinshan Hakka Restaurant.

“These days, I’ve been drawn to Jinshan Hakka Restaurant,” says Wei. “The rice noodles are silky and savory, and the oysters with preserved black beans are impossibly recent. Set in a sturdy, old-school eating room, the meals is vigorous and confident.”

Restaurant A

Though it’s maybe best-known for night time market scene and xiao chi (aka snacks), Taiwan truly has a sturdy roster of Michelin-starred and acknowledged eating places. The most effective fine-dining choices within the metropolis is Restaurant A, which masterfully blends French and Taiwanese cooking methods. A reservation right here will get you a 10-course tasting meal that includes elements like prawn and veal, masterfully paired with wine (or alcohol-free drinks).

Din Tai Fung 

Although each Taipei resident will declare that they know an area soup dumpling store that they suppose is best, I imagine this can be a scenario the place you possibly can’t knock the classics: you possibly can all the time anticipate completely juicy xiaolongbao while you dine at Din Tai Fung, and the service is all the time immediate and environment friendly. Din Tai Fung’s unique location is in Taipei’s Yong Kang neighborhood, and it has a notoriously lengthy line, however you can find areas peppered all through the town that will not (fingers crossed) be as busy. You’ll want to order the xiaolongbao, crispy pan-fried dumplings, fried pork chop, and the string beans. And the Din Tai Fung expertise in Taiwan is completely completely different from that within the U.S.—it’s the Taiwan department of the enterprise that has a Michelin star.

Finest Time to Go to

Spring and fall are arguably the perfect occasions to go to Taipei, when the climate shouldn’t be too scorching and humid. For vacationers on a funds, it’s possible you’ll discover higher offers throughout the summer time and winter months. Nevertheless, summer time is hurricane season in Taiwan, and the climate may be very toasty and muggy with highs recurrently hovering round 90 levels Fahrenheit. Winter is personally my favourite time to go to, however that is Taipei’s wet season—I like the atmospheric, moody climate personally. Keep away from touring to the town round main Chinese language holidays Lunar New Yr and the Mid-Autumn Pageant—not solely will resort costs be larger, however many retailers and companies might be closed, too.

The best way to Get There

Taipei has two main airports: Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) and Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport (TPE), positioned within the neighboring metropolis of Taoyuan. If you happen to’re flying in from the U.S. or one other worldwide airport outdoors of Asia, you’ll seemingly be getting into the nation from Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, which is positioned about 30 miles from the town middle. You may both hop on the Airport MRT line or take an Uber or taxi to achieve Taipei. If you happen to’re touring inside Asia, I like to recommend flying into Taipei Songshan Airport when you can—it’s simply three miles from the guts of the town, so that you’ll be within the thick of issues virtually as quickly as you land.

Cities and Neighborhoods to Go to

Beitou

Beitou is personally certainly one of my favourite elements of Taipei. A former Japanese onsen city, it’s nonetheless well-known for its steamy scorching springs and beautiful views of Yangmingshan Nationwide Park. It’s a straightforward experience to Beitou from Taipei on the MRT’s Purple Line, which travels from Beitou to Xinbeitou.

Dadaocheng

Dadaocheng is among the oldest and best-preserved elements of the capital. Positioned close to the Tamsui River, which flows out to the ocean, Dadaocheng was probably the most essential ports in northern Taiwan, and have become particularly very important to the tea commerce within the mid-Nineteenth century. This little nabe is probably finest identified for Dihua Avenue, which is taken into account to be the oldest road in Taipei and is peppered with good-looking, old-school buildings that date again to the Japanese colonial period and conventional Chinese language drugs retailers. Make time to discover the newer additions to the world, although, akin to Bookbar 1920s, a retro-themed bookstore and wine bar, in addition to Fleacise Dyeing & Textile Design, a store that provides indigo-dyeing workshops.

Ximending

Taiwan is famously LGBTQ+ pleasant (in 2019, it was the primary East Asian nation to legalize homosexual marriage, and Taiwan Pleasure is the biggest delight celebration within the area), and there’s no higher place to expertise it than Ximending. Some native favorites within the space embody Café Dalida and Fairy Bar. This neighborhood additionally has a bustling night time market within the night and is especially standard with the youthful crowd.

The best way to Get Round

The most effective issues about Taipei is how well-connected the town is by public transportation. Very like every other main metropolis, taxis and ride-hailing providers like Uber are broadly out there. However, in case you have the time and the climate isn’t too scorching, it pays to discover the town on foot and by subway, as a lot as you possibly can—Taipei is stuffed with little nooks and alleyways that will merely move you by when you have been in a automotive. 

Whereas you should purchase particular person tickets for particular person rides on Taipei’s Mass Speedy Transit system (aka the MRT), the best factor is to buy an Easy Card, which can be utilized throughout Taiwan, not simply Taipei. You should purchase one on the airport close to the MRT cease there, however if you need a cute Straightforward Card attraction (they arrive in all kinds of themes like rice cookers, Whats up Kitty, and Mofusando), I like to recommend buying a one-way MRT ticket after which shopping comfort shops like Household Mart and 7-Eleven close to your resort, which inventory particular and restricted version Straightforward Card merchandise. You probably have a stability in your card in direction of the top of your journey, understand that Straightforward Playing cards are accepted as a type of fee at many comfort shops and retailers, so you should utilize any leftover funds on a snack or a enjoyable drink, if you want.