Fang Wang
What’s Inside This Guide
I’ve been guiding travelers through Taipei for years. Here’s the thing: most tourists arrive with 3-day itineraries they found online, then collapse by day two because they didn’t account for the humidity or the sheer number of steps. Let me save you that pain.
This guide is built from my screw‑ups and hundreds of guest feedback forms. I’ll tell you exactly where to go, how to avoid the crowds, and which food stalls are actually worth the queue.
Visa and Entry Basics
First thing: check if your country is on the visa‑exempt list. Most Western passport holders (US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU) get 90 days visa‑free. But not all—for example, India and some Southeast Asian countries need a visa. The official source is the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taipei
You have three main options:
| Mode | Time | Cost (NTD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taoyuan Airport MRT | 35–50 min | 160 (express) / 150 (commuter) | Speed + budget |
| Bus (Kuo‑Kuang, Evergreen) | 60–90 min | 140–170 | Direct to hotels |
| Taxi / Uber | 40–60 min | 1000–1300 | Groups (3–4 people) |
The MRT express train is my go‑to for solo travelers. It goes directly to Taipei Main Station. Get an EasyCard at the airport convenience store—you’ll use it for metro, buses, and even some shops.
Best Areas to Stay
Here are my top picks based on first‑timer needs:
| Area | Vibe | Price range (per night) | Recommended hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ximending | Youthful, nightlife, shopping | NT$ 1,500–3,500 | CitizenM Hotel, Inhouse Hotel Taipei |
| Taipei Main Station | Transport hub, convenience | NT$ 1,800–4,000 | Palais de Chine Hotel, Finders Hotel |
| Da’an / Zhongxiao Fuxing | Upscale, quieter, nice cafes | NT$ 2,500–6,000 | Mandarin Oriental, Dandy Hotel |
| Shilin / Yuanshan | Near night market, budget | NT$ 1,200–2,500 | Shihlin Taipei Hostel, Star Hostel |
For first visit, I recommend Ximending or Taipei Main Station. You’re close to metro lines and night markets. If you’re a light sleeper, avoid rooms facing the main pedestrian street—karaoke bars can be loud until midnight.
Getting Around Taipei
MRT (The Backbone)
The metro is clean, air‑conditioned, and has English signage. Buy an EasyCard (NT$100 deposit) and top it up at machines. A single ride costs NT$20–65. You can also use the card on U‑Bikes (city bikes).
Buses and Taxis
Buses are less tourist‑friendly because routes are in Chinese. Google Maps works for bus directions, but I avoid them unless there’s no MRT. Taxis start at NT$70, and Uber is widely available. Always ask the driver to use the meter (jump into a cab with the red light on).
Top Attractions and Tips
Taipei 101
Address: 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, City Hall Rd, 45
Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last entry 9:15 PM)
Tickets: Adult NT$600 (online pre‑purchase sometimes gives NT$30 discount). Skip the line? Not really—line moves fast. The best view is at sunset, but that’s also the busiest. Come at 3:30 PM, buy coffee at the Starbucks on the 35th floor (free entry!), then head up to the observation deck at 4:30 PM.
National Palace Museum
Address: 111, Taiwan, Taipei City, Shilin District, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, 221
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed most Mondays, check official site)
Tickets: Adult NT$350. Don’t miss the jade cabbage—it’s tiny and always surrounded by a crowd. Go early (right at 9 AM) and head straight to the third floor.
Shilin Night Market
Address: 111, Taiwan, Taipei City, Shilin District, Jihe Rd
Hours: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM (some stalls earlier)
Must‑try: Hot star fried chicken (large portion, share it), oyster omelet, bubble tea from “Chun Shui Tang” (they invented it). Beware of the “big sausage wrapped in small sausage”—it’s mostly starch and overpriced.
Longshan Temple
Address: 108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, Guangzhou St, 211
Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Free entry. Visit around 5 PM to see the chanting ceremony. Dress modestly (shoulders covered).
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
Address: Trail starts at the end of Songde St, near metro Xiangshan Station (exit 2)
Free, but the hike takes 20–30 minutes up. Bring water and mosquito repellent. Best time: 4:30 PM. You’ll catch the sunset over Taipei 101 and the city lights switching on. Weekends are crowded—go on a weekday if possible.
Where to Eat
| Restaurant | Specialty | Average cost (NTD) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dongmen Dumplings | Pork & chive dumplings | 100–200 | Near Dongmen MRT exit 5 |
| Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles | Braised beef soup | 200–300 | Zhongxiao Fuxing area |
| Ay‑Chung Flour Rice Noodles | Thick misua soup | 55 (small bowl) | Ximending (they have a large sign) |
| Ding Tai Fung (Taipei 101 branch) | Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) | 400–800 | B1 of Taipei 101 |
Ding Tai Fung is tourist‑famous, but locals also go. Pro tip: go to the branch in Dunhua South Road—shorter queue. For a cheap meal, a bento box from a convenience store (7‑11 or FamilyMart) costs NT$80 and is surprisingly good.
Sample 3‑Day Itinerary (With Time Buffers)
Day 1: Iconic Sights
8:00 – 9:30: Breakfast at local soy milk shop (Yong He Dou Jiang, many locations)
10:00 – 12:00: National Palace Museum (take MRT to Shilin station, then bus R30)
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch at Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles
14:00 – 16:00: Shilin Official Residence (free, beautiful gardens)
16:30 – 17:30: Rest at hotel
18:00 – 21:00: Shilin Night Market (dinner)
Day 2: Downtown + 101
9:00 – 10:00: Chiang Kai‑shek Memorial Hall (free, metro CKS Memorial Hall exit)
10:30 – 12:00: Bopiliao Historical Block (old streets, few tourists)
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch at Ay‑Chung Flour Rice Noodles in Ximending
14:00 – 16:00: Taipei 101 area (visit the mall, go up at 4 PM)
16:30 – 18:00: Elephant Mountain hike (sunset)
19:00: Dinner at Tonghua Street Night Market (less crowded than Shilin)
Day 3: Culture + Eats
9:00 – 11:00: Longshan Temple + Lamba Street (herbal shopping)
11:30 – 13:00: Lunch at Dongmen Dumplings
13:30 – 15:00: Huashan 1914 Creative Park (art, cafes)
15:30 – 17:00: Yongkang Street (mango shaved ice – “Smoothie House”)
17:30: Departure or free time
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s the real Taipei, from a guide who’s been doing this for years. No fluff, just the stuff that actually matters. If you have more questions, drop by my blog—I check comments daily. Safe travels!
No comments yet.