Taipei is a city of surprises. From neon subways and skyscrapers to hot springs and dramatic landscapes, the Taiwanese capital is – quite possibly – Asia’s most underrated destination.
If you are lucky enough to have travelled around Asia, then you’ll understand when I say that Taipei is a little bit ‘Japan-meets-Korea;’ however, the East-Asian city also knows how to stand out from the crowd, and it’s very much deserving of all the compliments that I’m about to send its way. Here are ten top things to do in Taipei:
Ride the MRT… everywhere
The Taipei MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) subway system transports about two million people around the city every day. The first thing you need to do when you arrive in the capital is get yourself an MRT pass; it’s a cheap and efficient way to get yourself around the city at pace. We purchased a 3-day unlimited pass for 380 Taiwanese dollars (which is little over 11 euro and less than forty-five dirhams), and took full advantage of going everywhere with it. Without doubt, it is one of the best public transport systems in the world with unparalleled reliability and levels of cleanliness.
Walk through World Trade Centre
Downtown Taipei throws out some serious Manhattan vibes. We based ourselves in XinYi district’s Tango Hotel to be near the heartbeat of the city, and it didn’t disappoint (jacuzzis in the bedroom… just saying). The Taiwanese capital’s World Trade Centre area is home to an upmarket, cosmopolitan shopping district (check out XiangTi Avenue Plaza), multiple foodie hangouts and some killer cocktail bars… among all of its day-to-day commercial activities.
Visit Taipei 101
Taiwan sits on one of the most seismically active zones on the planet – the Pacific Ring of Fire. This essentially means that the island nation is earthquake prone and, after the deadly 9-21 earthquake, the country passed a law to ensure all new buildings were designed to withstand high-magnitude quakes. This is why Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest skyscraper, has a “wind damper” (a giant shock absorber that reduces the movement of the tower).
A trip to Taipei 101 is a must; particularly to its observation deck where you can learn more about earthquakes while standing in one of the safest places in the city should an earthquake actually happen. The deck not only boasts epic city views, but it also educates you about the science that fights back against the forces of Mother Nature. You’ll enter and exit through a luxury shopping mall that is home to five-floors of fashion and style.
Discover Dihua Street
Before the World Trade Centre became the pulse of the city, Dihua Street was at the centre of the city’s Commercial District. It’s a lively buzz of street stalls, markets and cafes. The architecture of Dihua Street makes it historically diverse in that its influences cross East and West. It’s a melting pot of museums, art centres and historic houses that will take you back in time when compared to the contemporary skyline of the modern World Trade Centre developments.
Eat at Shilin Night Market
I’m always wary of street food – always. But never before have I been to a night market that entices me to try almost everything (except Stinky Tofu… I don’t care how good you claim it is. No thanks).
Something that really surprised me about Taipei is how incredibly clean it is, and Shilin Night Market is no exception. Shilin Night Market is a foodie’s dream, a shopper’s paradise and a fairground fanatic’s fairytale destination. Walk the footpaths and explore it all because it makes for an awesome night out.
Food to try at Shilin Market: Boba milk drinks, candy fruit, flamed beef, potato cheese balls and fresh watermelon juice.
Find a bar behind a bookcase
What I love about Taiwanese nightlife is that some of its trendiest hangouts are hidden away behind bookcases and secret doorways, which makes the journey to find some of Taipei’s best bars just as much fun as the destination itself. The capital also knows how to shake up exceptional cocktails.
My three top choices for a trendy hotspot in downtown Taipei would be as follows:
- MQ Bar: for the dim-sum and unreal cocktails. Get the ‘Sunset Fizz’ with the blow-torched pineapple or the ‘Old Fashioned’ (if you can handle it)
- Alchemy Bar: this is literally a bar behind a bookcase, and its conveniently located upstairs from MQ Bar. It’s a prohibition-style speakeasy with tufted armchairs and a low-key, low-lighting atmosphere.
- FRANK Taipei: this speakeasy hides a rooftop terrace with views of Taipei 101 and some lively vibes. We were there during a storm, which made for a dramatic backdrop.
Take a gondola to Maokong
A trip to Taiwan’s tea region, Maokong, is not to be missed. If you can get to the top on a sunny day then you can expect dreamy, panoramic views of the entire city and leisurely walks through the rolling hills and valleys. Here‘s my top tips for spending an afternoon in the mountainous region of Maokong.
Search for hot springs
If you’re looking for history, hot springs and hill-top vistas, then an afternoon in Beitou is for you. Beitou is a northern district of Taipei where you can witness the surreal Thermal Valley and a natural hot-spring spa. You can hop on the MRT to Beitou for a peaceful park day in the suburbs of the capital city.
Drink Taiwanese coffee
Who knew that Taiwan serves up the best coffee in Asia? With its very own coffee regions, getting your hands on a gourmet coffee in Taipei is relatively easy. If you head to Ximending, you’ll find Fong Da Coffee café sitting along Chengdu road. It first opened its doors in 1956 and is one of the oldest coffee shops in Taipei. Expect coffee syphons and old-school equipment because these baristas know what they’re doing.
Explore Ximending
I love the buzz and the young energy of Taipei’s Ximending district – and you will too. Central Ximending is an intersection of 8 main walkways; the entire area is pedestrianised and its popping with colour. It’s the Times Square of NYC; it’s the Shibuya of Tokyo; and it’s Taipei’s home for hundreds of anime-themed machine grabbers that are designed to let you lose (well, maybe we won a keyring… once).
The walkways of Ximending are alive with cinemas, shops, foodie stop-offs, tattoo stores and more. Don’t forget to look up because there are a lot of lively hangouts hiding on the upper floors of the buildings that line the streets.
Got time for more travel? Why not take a quick flight from Taiwan to Korea and explore Seoul for 36 hours.
Leave a Reply