Your guide in visiting Taipei City, Taiwan
How to get to Taipei?
Where to stay in Taipei?
What to do and see in Taipei?
Where to eat in Taipei?
Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan or the special municipality of the Republic of China. If you are interested in reading about the Taiwan and China relations, please visit this site. I do suggest you understand the basics so you will gain a better perspective of Taipei and its historical monuments. Irrespective of your views of Taiwan as an independent democracy or not, we are there to have fun so put away the differences for a moment and enjoy your time in Taipei!
Taipei is a modern city with history and culture intertwine with its identity. You can taste amazing local food as well as visit historical monuments like the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
HOW TO GET TO TAIPEI
Taoyuan International Airport is the closest international airport to Taipei City which is not surprisingly also the largest and busiest in Taiwan. The airport is about 40km west of Taipei. It will take almost an hour by car depending on city traffic.
You have a number of options in getting from the airport to the city. You can take a taxi which costs around NTD$1500 or USD$50. It will be a good option if you have 4 people or with the elderly.
The other option is getting a number of airport buses that drop you off at different locations in the city. It will depend on which hotel you are staying at and if there is a stop close to your hotel. The airport website has a listing of all the buses that depart from the airport.
A recent option is the opening of the Aiport MRT (subway/metro) station which is an extension of the current Taipei City metro system. It is a very convenient way to get from the airport terminal to Taipei Main Station in the city in 38 minutes. However, it will again depend on where you are staying. You will have to transfer to other MRT lines or take a taxi from the Taipei Main Station to your hotel. An airport bus with a bus stop near or at your hotel might be the best option. However, traffic is always an issue with taxis and buses in major cities and Taipei is no different.
The easiest way to travel around the city is by the subway or also know as MRT locally. Taxis are also readily available and can be hailed from the street.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAIPEI
Like any major cities in the world, there are many accommodations options in Taipei City. Below are a few options for consideration.
Les Suites Taipei Ching Cheng 台北商旅慶城館 – Very near Nanjing Fuxing Station 南京復興站.
Simple + Hotel – Very near Nanjing Fuxing Station 南京復興站.
Hotel Quote Taipei – Very near Nanjing Fuxing Station 南京復興站.
arTree Hotel 阿樹國際旅店 – New 2018 Hotel. Near Taipei Arena Station 台北小巨蛋站.
citizenM Taipei North Gate 台北北門citizenM酒店 – New 2018 Hotel. Small Rooms. Very near Beimen 北門站 and Taipei Main Station 台北車站.
Hotel Pois Pois 台北泡泡飯店 – New 2018 Hotel. Near Zhongxiao Dunhua Station 忠孝敦化站.
S Hotel 量子酒店 – New 2018 Hotel. Near Nanjing Fuxing Station 南京復興站 and Taipei Arena Station 台北小巨蛋站.
WHAT TO DO & SEE IN TAIPEI
Xinyi Area and Taipei 101 – The Xinyi area is a modern commercial district where the Taipei 101 building is. It is worth to go up to the top floor observation deck on a clear day. You will also learn how the building can withstand earthquakes with its ingenious design. The Xinyi area is filled with shops especially Mitsukoshi Taipei and Eslite Xinyi Store 誠品信義店 which is worth a visit. The bookshop part of the store closes at midnight every day.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park 華山1914文化創意產業園區 is a beautiful area which was once the Taihoku Winery during Japanese rule in 1916. Today it is gentrified into an area for exhibitions, cafes and open areas for strolling around.
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park 松山文創園區 is one of Taipei’s largest creative arts spaces. Similar to Hushan 1914 Creative Park, this complex sits on the grounds of a former tobacco factory established by the Japanese. The first Eslite Hotel 誠品行旅 is also located here.
Liberty Square 中正紀念堂廣場 – The square is 240,000 square meters in the Zhongzheng District. The name of the square recalls the important historical role it played in Taiwan’s transition from one-party rule to modern democracy in the 1990s. The most prominent landmark in the square is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall which was erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. There is also the National Theatre and Concert hall.
Shilin Night Market 士林夜市 – largest and most popular Night Market in Taipei.
Ximending Night Market 西門町夜市 – very vibrant area.
WHERE TO EAT IN TAIPEI
Below is just a sample of food that I like but Taipei is a mecca for food and do your own research into what food you like.
The Yongkang Street 永康街 area near Dongmen Station 東門站 is a great place for food. There are numerous eateries here that will satisfy all my craving for Taiwanese food. The first and original Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 branch started at this location and the shop is still here. Yongkang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麵 – Beef noodles is a must in Taipei and there are numerous beef noodles restaurants and Yongkang seems to be always luring the most people. Prepare to stand in line. Tian Jin Onion Pancake 天津蔥抓餅 – My favorite street food. No tables or chairs. Just a stand at the corner of the street. Du Xiao Yue Danzi Noodle 度小月擔仔麵 – serves numerous traditional Taiwanese dishes. A number of branches in the city.
Yong He Soy Milk King 永和豆漿大王 – numerous branches in the city but this seems to be the best. No. 102號, Section 2, Fuxing South Road (106台北市大安區復興南路二段102號). Opens 24 hours. Perfect soy milk, sticky rice and Chinese donuts.
Tien Hsia San Jyue 天下三絕 – another beef noodle joint with a great reputation.
Chun Shui Tang 春水堂 – Claimed itself to be the inventor of bubble tea. Numerous branches arcoss the city. I always come here for my Tieguanyin Pearl Milk Tea (觀音珍珠奶茶) fix everytime I am in the city.
Eastern Ice Store 東區粉圓 – Popular local joint for mixed ice bowl. You can a bowl of ice and choose your own toppings mixed with syrup.
