Taipei
Taiwan’s capital is a cultural hotpot and food-lover’s dream
Asia > Taiwan > Taipei
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Taipei is chaotic but friendly, packed with culture, effortlessly modern, and, most importantly, a paradise for food lovers. If you're landing at Taoyuan Airport, grab the MRT straight into the city—it's cheap, fast, and way better than sitting in traffic. Taipei is built for exploring, with a metro system that’s ridiculously easy to navigate and bike-sharing stations everywhere.
First stop: street food. Skip the fancy restaurants and head straight to a night market. Shilin is the biggest and most famous, but if you want something a little less touristy, Raohe Night Market is a solid choice. The black pepper buns there are legendary. If you're feeling adventurous, try stinky tofu—it’s exactly what it sounds like, but locals swear by it. For breakfast, hunt down a shop serving soy milk and youtiao (fried dough sticks). Fuhang Soy Milk is the classic spot, but be ready to queue.
Taipei 101 dominates the skyline, and yes, the views from the top are spectacular. But if you prefer your views with a bit of effort, hike up Elephant Mountain instead. It’s steep, but you’ll get that postcard-perfect shot of the city for free. If you want a break from the urban buzz, take a gondola ride up to Maokong, where you can sip high-mountain tea with views of rolling hills.
For a hit of history, visit Longshan Temple. It’s atmospheric, full of incense smoke and chanting, and a great way to experience Taiwan’s mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and folk beliefs. Nearby, Bopiliao Old Street gives you a glimpse of Taipei’s past, with its red-brick buildings and restored shophouses.
Before you leave, take a day trip to Jiufen. It’s a short bus or train ride away and feels like stepping into another world—winding alleyways, teahouses with mountain views, and enough street food to keep you busy for hours. Just go early to avoid the crowds.
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