The Essential Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

As far as East Asia is concerned, Tokyo has long been considered the de facto aspirational travel destination. But what if I told you that there’s another city that truly has it all, too? Think: a convenient public transportation system, easy access to the outdoors, bubbling hot springs, and perhaps one of the region’s best food scenes. Enter, Taipei, Taiwan. 

As a kid, I grew up visiting Taiwan every year (as I’m sure many other Taiwanese Americans can relate to). But in recent years, I think the country has finally landed on the maps of the travel world at large. EVA Air launched a new Dallas-to-Taipei route in October, and Starlux Airlines also expanded services to the capital with a new direct flight from Ontario, California. Perhaps most excitingly, the city got its first luxury hotel in over 10 years with the April 2025 debut of Capella Taipei, and it’s slated to get its first Four Seasons property in 2027. And all that growth is happening for good reason—there’s so much for travelers to see and do here. Plus, it was named the happiest country in Asia last year in Gallup’s annual World Happiness Report.

Taiwan’s capital is nestled within the Taipei Basin at the northern end of the sweet potato-shaped island. Taipei is a city of contrasts: Here, high-rise buildings blend seamlessly into the wild jungles of the mountainsides, lit up with the glow of neon lights and the soft fluorescents of snack carts that line the streets. You’ll find hundred-year-old temples next to gleaming skyscrapers.

“Taipei has a rare balance that’s hard to manufacture: It’s dense without feeling overwhelming, energetic without being exhausting,” says Clarissa Wei, cookbook author of “Made in Taiwan” and cofounder of the HeyDoh soy sauce company. “The city is anchored by an excellent public transportation system, softened by lush greenery, and animated by an almost absurd number of good coffee shops and street-food stalls tucked into every neighborhood.” 

Whether you’re seeking a raucous night out in lively bars or a quiet retreat spent reflecting in museums and sipping tea, this city has it. And of course, there’s nothing else in Asia quite like Taipei’s legendary night market scene. But don’t be deceived—upscale, Michelin-starred dining has a steady foothold here, too.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Taipei, Taiwan.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Capella Taipei 

Capella Taipei, located in the Songshan District, became the city’s newest luxury hotel when it opened in April 2025. The 86-room hotel was designed by Hong Kong-based interior architect André Fu, and was built to resemble a homey “modern mansion.” The result is an aesthetic that feels decidedly chic and sleek. If you’re in the mood to splurge, I recommend springing for one of the six Skyline Pool Terrace Suites, which have private patios and lap pools. But, no matter what room type you pick, you’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper through floor-to-ceiling windows. There are five on-site dining options, including Cantonese-inspired Rong Ju and a delectable sushi restaurant, Mizue. If you’re interested in exploring Taipei with an expert guide, chat with the concierge about embarking on a tour with Capella Curates—the hotel offers everything from in-depth, deep dives into the local neighborhood to strolls through the city’s most legendary street, Dihua Jie. While here, guests will also be able to experience Capella Hotels & Resorts’ legendary hospitality, which earned the brand a No. 1 spot in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025.

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

Glitzy and glamorous, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei made quite a splash when it landed in the Taipei hotel scene in 2014. The red-brick, Art Deco-inspired hotel has 303 rooms, which are some of the largest in the city. On site, you’ll find four restaurants (including the Michelin-starred Ya Ge, specializing in toothsome Cantonese cuisine), two bars, and a massive spa that spans two floors. The Mandarin Oriental has luxury hospitality down to a science—for example, if you’d like laundry service, you can place your items in a valet box that’s accessible from the hallway and simply press a button to indicate you have some clothing to wash. The marble bathrooms, comfy sheets, and sparkling 50,000-piece crystal in the lobby don’t hurt either. It’s no wonder why the Mandarin Oriental has set the standard for luxury in Taipei for over a decade. 

Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei

The Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei has 420 rooms and is located in the city’s laidback Da’an District, which is home to National Taiwan University and the 60-acre Da’an Forest Park. Built in 1994, the Shangri-La is considered to be one of Taipei’s OG modern luxury hotels—but it’s anything but stuffy. The decor still feels modern and fresh, and you can enjoy some of the best views of Taipei 101 from the convenience of your room. There are five restaurants and bars on site, including the Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace, which serves Peking duck with crackling, crispy skin.

Kimpton Da An

Kimpton Da An is also situated in the Da’an District, and has just 129 rooms and suites. You can expect Kimpton’s signature minimalist, but chic design and scenic views of the city. It’s about a five-minute walk from the closest subway station (Zhongxiao Fuxing), making it an ideal home base for those who’d like to explore the city on foot. As an added bonus, this property is pet-friendly.

Best Things to Do

Visit a night market.

A trip to Taipei wouldn’t be complete without at least one night market run. The sheer diversity of food makes Taiwan’s night market scenes some of the most exciting in Asia. When the Chinese National Party (aka the Kuomintang) fled from mainland China to Taiwan in 1949, they brought their military, with members who hailed from every corner of the country. Many families, seeking a way to support themselves in the new country, opened food stalls on major thoroughfares—thus, Taiwan’s modern food scene was born.

There are over 15 night markets in the city, and every local will have their own opinion on which one is the best. But you heard it from me first: they’re all great depending on what kind of experience you hope to have. For the very best cuisine (and all the Michelin Bib Gourmand laurels that go along with it), I recommend heading to Ningxia Night Market. If you want to be dazzled by the sheer size and scale of a night market, head to Shilin, which is the largest in Taiwan (the best food is located on the street closest to the temple). If you want a mix of shops, games, and food, visit Raohe Night Market, which is also famous for its black pepper buns. If you’re seeking a younger crowd, Gongguan, located near Taiwan National University, is a good option.

Spend an afternoon at a museum.

Taipei has one of the most incredible museum scenes in East Asia. The most famous museum in the city is the National Palace Museum, which houses over 700,000 pieces of Chinese art in its halls, many of which were evacuated from mainland China during the last stages of the Chinese Civil War to save them from destruction—it’s truly a must-visit. To get a taste of Taipei’s modern art scene, I recommend spending a couple of hours at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. To get a deeper understanding of the complex history and political forces that have shaped the island, explore the National Museum of History.

Hike in one of the quietest national parks in the world.

One of the best things about Taipei is its easy access to Yangmingshan National Park, among the most beautiful national parks in East Asia. The park is known for its hot springs, misty peaks, and cherry and plum blossoms. Some make it a point to climb its highest peak, Qixing (Seven Star) Mountain, but there are plenty of beginner-friendly trails that take you past dramatic views and the park’s famously feral resident cattle. It also earned the title of the world’s first Urban Quiet Park in 2020, meaning that you can experience an environment that isn’t disturbed by man-made noises here.

Take a day trip to Taiwan’s best hot springs town.

Although Japan is famous for onsens, Taiwan is peppered with hot springs as well. In fact, when Japan established colonial rule in Taiwan (which lasted from 1895 to 1945), it brought over onsen culture to the island. You can learn more about Japan’s influence on the island in Beitou, but one of the best things to do here is to simply soak in a hot spring. I’m partial to the Radium Kagaya Taipei, which is in easy walking distance from the Xinbeitou subway station. Though you can stay overnight, you don’t have to in order to enjoy the springs. Radium Kagaya has private rooms for those who prefer not to be nude in front of strangers to rent in 90-minute increments, as well as public baths.

Visit a 24-hour bookstore.

Taiwan actually has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, and people here have a deep love of books. In fact, Taipei is home to one of the few 24-hour bookstores in the world, Eslite. It has a hefty English-language section, and is also a great place to browse for thoughtful knick-knacks and souvenirs.

Best Shopping

Yongkang Street

If you want to spend an afternoon casually browsing shops while enjoying cafés and the occasional shaved ice, this is the place to do it. I last visited Taipei during a warm snap and found plenty of boutiques that specialized in linen and cotton clothing here. Plus, Yongkang is also home to the original Din Tai Fung—it’s famously busy, so expect a queue.

Malls

This may seem like a strange suggestion, since malls are a dying phenomenon in the West—but they are certainly alive and well in Asia. In fact, you’ll find some of the best stores in the city (including popular hits like Uniqlo and Muji) as well as some of the best sit-down restaurants in Taipei in malls. They’re also a great place to relax and cool off, if you visit in the summer. Some popular malls include Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Far Eastern SoGo, and Takashimaya.

Zhongxiao Fuxing

This is one of Taipei’s most popular shopping areas, and while there are a few malls in this neighborhood, as well as all the retail classics (like Zara), the real draw here is dozens of small boutiques. Venture past the main road, and you’ll run into indie shops specializing in everything from popular Korean clothing to vintage.

Nightlife

The Glasshouse at Capella Taipei

This shiny new addition to the Capella Taipei opened in September 2025 and is anything but your normal hotel bar. For one, it spans three stories. On the ground floor, you’ll find Tilt, an Art Deco-inspired extravaganza decked out with warm wood tones and brass details. Cooper, which specializes in spirits and classic cocktails, spans the second floor. Finally, in the basement, is Playback, which serves up Japanese-inspired, master mixologist-made creations.

Antique Bar 1900

This is one of those bars that has a lot of character. Located in the historic A.S. Watson & Co building on old Dihua Street in Taipei, Antique Bar 1900 occupies the space which housed the city’s first Western pharmacy and is decorated with vintage typewriters and telephones. In addition to fun decor, you can also expect a mean cocktail.

Can Nature

Though breweries and cocktail bars abound in Taipei, wine tasting rooms are a bit rarer to find. One of the rare gems in the city is Can Nature, which specializes in local, organic natural wines. 

Best Restaurants

Weekend Chicken Club & Bar 

I know it may be hard to believe, but Taipei isn’t all night markets and hawker stalls. In fact, it has one of the most exciting dining scenes in East Asia, in my humble opinion. One of the most popular new restaurants in the city is Weekend Chicken Club & Bar, which serves up premium fried chicken, beer, and cocktails. You can order your fried chicken drenched in three-cup chicken, mala, or honey garlic sauce. This is a popular spot, so reservations are required.

Yu Dong Goose Meat

Whenever I book a ticket to Taipei, this is the restaurant I most look forward to visiting. As the name implies, the speciality here is goose meat, but really, this is a restaurant that does all the Taiwanese classics well, like lu rou fan, salted chicken, steamed bamboo, and stir-fried greens. This is Taiwanese comfort food at its best.

Jinshan Hakka Restaurant

The ethnic makeup of Taiwan is fairly diverse and complex, and the Hakka people make up the country’s largest ethnic minority. The Hakka people have their own language and their own foodways as well. One of the best places to sample it is at Jinshan Hakka Restaurant.

“Lately, 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 fresh. Set in a sturdy, old-school dining room, the food is lively and self-assured.”

Restaurant A

Although it’s perhaps best-known for night market scene and xiao chi (aka snacks), Taiwan actually has a robust roster of Michelin-starred and recognized restaurants. One of the best fine-dining options in the city is Restaurant A, which masterfully blends French and Taiwanese cooking techniques. A reservation here gets you a 10-course tasting meal featuring ingredients like prawn and veal, masterfully paired with wine (or alcohol-free drinks).

Din Tai Fung 

Though every Taipei resident will claim that they know a local soup dumpling shop that they think is better, I believe this is a situation where you can’t knock the classics: you can always expect perfectly juicy xiaolongbao when you dine at Din Tai Fung, and the service is always prompt and efficient. Din Tai Fung’s original location is in Taipei’s Yong Kang neighborhood, and it has a notoriously long line, but you will find locations peppered throughout the city that may not (fingers crossed) be as busy. Be sure to order the xiaolongbao, crispy pan-fried dumplings, fried pork chop, and the string beans. And the Din Tai Fung experience in Taiwan is entirely different from that in the U.S.—it is the Taiwan branch of the business that has a Michelin star.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall are arguably the best times to visit Taipei, when the weather is not too hot and humid. For travelers on a budget, you may find better deals during the summer and winter months. However, summer is typhoon season in Taiwan, and the weather is very toasty and muggy with highs regularly hovering around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is personally my favorite time to visit, but this is Taipei’s rainy season—I love the atmospheric, moody weather personally. Avoid traveling to the city around major Chinese holidays Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival—not only will hotel prices be higher, but many shops and businesses will be closed, too.

How to Get There

Taipei has two major airports: Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), located in the neighboring city of Taoyuan. If you’re flying in from the U.S. or another international airport outside of Asia, you will likely be entering the country from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which is located about 30 miles from the city center. You can either hop on the Airport MRT line or take an Uber or taxi to reach Taipei. If you’re traveling within Asia, I recommend flying into Taipei Songshan Airport if you can—it’s just three miles from the heart of the city, so you’ll be in the thick of things almost as soon as you land.

Cities and Neighborhoods to Visit

Beitou

Beitou is personally one of my favorite parts of Taipei. A former Japanese onsen town, it’s still famous for its steamy hot springs and stunning views of Yangmingshan National Park. It’s an easy ride to Beitou from Taipei on the MRT’s Red Line, which travels from Beitou to Xinbeitou.

Dadaocheng

Dadaocheng is one of the oldest and best-preserved parts of the capital. Located near the Tamsui River, which flows out to the sea, Dadaocheng was one of the most important ports in northern Taiwan, and became especially vital to the tea trade in the mid-19th century. This little nabe is perhaps best known for Dihua Street, which is considered to be the oldest street in Taipei and is peppered with handsome, old-school buildings that date back to the Japanese colonial era and traditional Chinese medicine shops. Make time to explore the newer additions to the area, though, such as Bookbar 1920s, a retro-themed bookstore and wine bar, as well as Fleacise Dyeing & Textile Design, a shop that offers indigo-dyeing workshops.

Ximending

Taiwan is famously LGBTQ+ friendly (in 2019, it was the first East Asian nation to legalize gay marriage, and Taiwan Pride is the largest pride celebration in the region), and there’s no better place to experience it than Ximending. Some local favorites in the area include Café Dalida and Fairy Bar. This neighborhood also has a bustling night market in the evening and is particularly popular with the younger crowd.

How to Get Around

One of the best things about Taipei is how well-connected the city is by public transportation. Much like any other major city, taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber are widely available. But, if you have the time and the weather isn’t too hot, it pays to explore the city on foot and by subway, as much as you can—Taipei is full of little nooks and alleyways that would simply pass you by if you were in a car. 

While you can buy individual tickets for individual rides on Taipei’s Mass Rapid Transit system (aka the MRT), the easiest thing is to purchase an Easy Card, which can be used all over Taiwan, not just Taipei. You can buy one at the airport near the MRT stop there, but if you want a cute Easy Card charm (they come in all sorts of themes like rice cookers, Hello Kitty, and Mofusando), I recommend purchasing a one-way MRT ticket and then browsing convenience stores like Family Mart and 7-Eleven near your hotel, which stock special and limited edition Easy Card products. If you have a balance on your card towards the end of your trip, keep in mind that Easy Cards are accepted as a form of payment at many convenience stores and shops, so you can use any leftover funds on a snack or a fun drink, if you wish.