Why Visit Taipei?
Taipei is often overshadowed by Tokyo and Seoul, but it offers the same easy, safe, food-obsessed city experience with fewer crowds — plus night markets, temples, and hot spring day trips all within reach of the metro.
Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building, still anchors a skyline surrounded by green hills on almost every side.
Getting Around Taipei
The Taipei MRT is clean, cheap, and easy to navigate with English signage throughout. YouBike shared bicycles are popular for shorter hops, and most central neighborhoods are very walkable.
Get an EasyCard at the airport or any MRT station — it covers the MRT, buses, YouBike rentals, and purchases at convenience stores.
Top Attractions
Taipei 101
An observation deck near the top, plus a look at the building's massive tuned mass damper that keeps it stable in typhoons and earthquakes.
Night Markets (Shilin & Raohe)
Taipei's beloved night markets, packed with street food stalls, games, and shopping.
National Palace Museum
One of the world's largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts, spanning thousands of years.
Where to Stay in Taipei
| Area | Best For | Avg. Price/Night |
|---|---|---|
| Xinyi District | Taipei 101 views, modern, upscale | $80–$200 |
| Ximending | Youthful, shopping, budget-mid | $40–$100 |
| Zhongshan | Central, convenient, mid-range | $50–$120 |
| Da'an | Local feel, relaxed, near universities | $40–$100 |
What to Eat in Taipei
Beef Noodle Soup
Taiwan's unofficial national dish — rich braised broth with tender beef and thick noodles. Avg. NT$120–NT$220.
Xiaolongbao
Delicate soup dumplings, best known from Din Tai Fung but found citywide. Avg. NT$150–NT$300 per basket set.
Bubble Tea
Invented in Taiwan — try it at one of the countless tea shops on almost every block. Avg. NT$40–NT$70.
Night market stalls are where locals actually eat — don't be afraid to order from the stall with the longest line.
Travel Budget
| Travel Style | Daily Budget | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | $35–$55 | Hostel, MRT pass, night market meals, free temples |
| Mid-Range | $80–$140 | Central hotel, restaurant meals, paid attractions |
| Luxury | $250+ | Xinyi hotel, fine dining, private day trips |
Skip Din Tai Fung's busiest flagship branch — its other locations across the city serve the same menu with much shorter waits.
