Taipei Awaits – Unforgettable Travel to Taiwan with Keytours Vacations

Discover Taipei's Wonders

Taipei stands as Taiwan’s dynamic heart—an economic powerhouse, political center, and vibrant cultural capital. This cosmopolitan metropolis seamlessly blends the modern with the traditional, creating a cityscape filled with boundless energy and rich contrasts.

Once home to the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101 still dominates the skyline, symbolizing the city’s forward momentum. Just a short journey away, the National Palace Museum houses the largest and most precious collection of Chinese art and antiquities, connecting visitors with centuries of history.

Taipei’s charm lies in its diversity—incense-filled temples with ancient roots sit harmoniously alongside bustling night markets and neon-lit streets. Wander through historic neighborhoods where time seems to pause, then find yourself immersed in cutting-edge design districts and sleek skyscrapers.

Food lovers will delight in Taipei’s world-renowned culinary scene. From Michelin-starred restaurants offering the finest regional Chinese cuisine to the buzzing night markets serving up local delicacies, the city is a feast for the senses. Each corner offers a new discovery, whether it’s a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup or the chaos and excitement of Raohe or Shilin night markets.

With its friendly locals, thriving arts scene, and unparalleled mix of old and new, Taipei invites you to experience one of Asia’s most captivating and unforgettable destinations.

Current Weather

93.02 °F - Clear Min/Max: 91.87 °F / 93.09 °FFeels: 101.32 °F Humidity: 51%5 Day Forecast

Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

If you’re looking for a taste of old Taipei, then head for the Wanhua district. Located on the Tamsui River, Wan Hua was an important Chinese trading post and the prosperity of the period is reflected in its ornate temples, one of which is the Lungshan temple. Another historic part of the city is the Da Tong (Tatung) district. Among the winding alleys you will find European style colonial buildings standing beside intricate Chinese temples. Take a stroll down Di Hua Street, which is lined with traditional shops selling all manner of potions and cure-alls! The Shi Lin (Shihlin) district is renowned for its bustling night market, whilst Taipei’s vibrant night scene bumps and grinds until the early hours in nearby Da An (Ta An). In the bustle of modern Taipei, Zhong Shan (Chungshan) the former commercial centre is now known for its shops, bars and cultural sights, which include the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. The current hub of commercial activities, Song Shan (Sungshan) is also one of the most cosmopolitan districts and packed with foreign restaurants. Zhong Zheng (Chungcheng), the political centre, is home to municipal parks and museums, of which the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is the most renowned.

Useful information

Population:

2.5 million

Currency:

New Taiwan dollar (NT$ or TWD)

Emergency Info:

Police: 110
Ambulance: 119

Opening Hours:

Office hours for most government agencies are from 8:30am to 5:30pm weekdays. Banking hours are from 9am to 15:30pm from Monday to Friday. Private companies are usually more flexible with their working hours. Most stores stay open until late both on weekdays and weekends and there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores throughout the city.

Do & See

Beitou Hot Springs

The Beitou area of Taipei is renowned for its high concentration of thermal spa centres. There are establishments to fit any budget, from the low-priced open-air Public Hot Spring (modest swimwear required) to private hotels and resorts uphill, all offering hot spring baths at various price points. One option most resorts offer is renting a private room with a large bath that can be filled with hot spring water. The Spring City Resort in Beitou is a great mid-range option. A session here includes access to about a dozen thermal pools of varying water temperature (from seemingly boiling-hot to rather chilly), plus robe, towel, and slipper rental. They even offer a free shuttle bus to the metro station. For a luxurious spa treatment, look into the offerings of Hotel Regent Taipei, for example. Wellspring Spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments including massages, body wraps, skin polishing and facials. Take the elevator to the top floor and unwind at this urban sanctuary.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The Taipei landmark, Chiang Kai-Shek National Memorial Hall, was constructed in memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, former president of R.O.C. The large area is dominated by the colours of the national flag: blue, white and red. These colours symbolise independence, universal love and equality.

Cycling Tours

With a tour company like Taipei Bike Works you can explore the city in a fun, fast and efficient way — on a bicycle! Taiwan offers a very friendly cycling environment with many incredible things to discover.

Daan Forest Park

Daan Park is a quiet escape from the big city life of Taipei, and a great place to catch a breath of fresh air. The park has a wide range of flowers, plants, bamboo trees and banyan trees. It is also full of activities such as a skating rink, basketball court and children's playground.

Fine Arts Museum

If you love art, then this is the right place for you. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum has something for any art enthusiast. It opened its doors in December 1983 and was the first museum of modern art in Taiwan. Today, it has more than 4,000 works of art.

Lungshan Temple

Originally built in 1738, this is the oldest and most popular worship temple in Taipei. It has bronze dragons on pillars symbolising protection, and Buddha sculptures in the main hall. A visit to this magnificent temple will grant you an understanding of Chinese architecture and religion.

Maokong Gondola

Take a cable car ride in a glass bottom gondola all the way up to the top of the mountain from Taipei Zoo Station to Maokong Station, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city. At the top you will find food stands, tea shops and some paths for hiking. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Museum Of Contemporary Arts

Museum Of Contemporary Arts is the first art institution in Taiwan dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The building that houses the museum was built in the 1920s as an elementary school, and later became Taipei’s city hall. It was not until 2001 that it was converted into an art museum. Over the past years the museum has hosted more than a hundred exhibitions of local and overseas artists.

Dining

Addiction Aquatic Development

Another popular restaurant is Addiction Aquatic Development. Tourists and locals come here for the fresh Japanese food and for the inexpensive menu. This is a great place for hot pot, sushi, sashimi and all things seafood.

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is a restaurant chain originating in Taiwan, which now has multiple branches across Asia and beyond (the fact it remains largely unknown in the West is a tragic shortcoming). They are famous for their steamed dumplings (xiao long bao), which are some of the world's best: each move of the dumpling chefs is executed with careful precision in the open kitchen. It was once named among the top ten restaurants in the world by The New York Times, and many of its branches were distinguished by the Michelin Guide, as well as heralded by celebrity chefs such as the late Anthony Bourdain. The service is truly impeccable, and the price-quality ratio needs to be experienced to be believed.

Ji Pin Restaurant

Ji Pin is a renowned seafood restaurant. Specialities include shark fin, abalone, and mushroom and scallop dumplings. The restaurant has a modern New York-style decor.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Joël Robuchon is a world-renowned 3 Michelin star chef with established restaurants all over the world. One is located in Taipei, offering guests traditional French cuisine of high quality. The ambience of the restaurant is elegant and modern, and the attentive staff offers professional service.

La Caja de Musica

La Caja de Musica is a hidden gem in Taipei, and one somewhat hard to find, but definitely worth the search. The friendly staff serve mouthwatering tapas and other dishes of Spanish cuisine. It also offers a good selection of Spanish wines and German beers.

Minder Vegetarian

This Buddhist vegetarian restaurant chain has multiple locations around Taipei, and it is a buffet-style restaurant with cold and warm dishes — all vegetarian. Minder is an inexpensive restaurant and offers salads, mock meat, fried sweet potatoes, lots of tasty vegetables, noodles, tofu, beans, spring rolls and desserts. You can also order food from the menu.

Modern Toilet Restaurant

This wacky little place deserves a mention simply for its celebrity status on social media: the concept lends itself exceptionally well to Instagram posts. Here, diners are seated on actual toilet bowls, and all food is served in bathroom-themed tableware (poop emoji ice-cream in a 'urinal', anyone?), with drinks that come in hand soap containers.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

If you are craving a steak, this restaurant might be something for you. On the menu you will find prime steaks which are served sizzling on a hot plate. Choose a great wine from the award-winning wine list and enjoy a great evening.

Cafes

Coffee Alley

Coffee Alley is a chain of cafes that can be found at several locations across Taipei. They specialise in Western fare, such as waffles and sandwiches. The menu contains pictures of each dish as well as an explanation in English.

Florida Bakery

This cafe has been around for more than 70 years and has kept its well-respected status throughout them all. Take your pick from its wide and tasty selection of both Western and typical Taiwanese baked goods and pastries, and make sure you try its signature garlic French bread.

Fuhang Soy Milk

This could be the ticket if you’re searching for an authentic experience. There are no menus in any foreign language, and it’s one of the locals' favourite spots for a fast traditional breakfast.

Smith & Hsu

This is a modern coffee shop with a million different teas to choose from. If you order by the pot, you can choose from green tea, white tea, fruit tea, oolong tea, black tea — the list goes on. Apart from coffee and tea, they offer delicious scones, freshly baked and still warm, served with cream and farm jam.

Bars & Nightlife

Frank Taipei

The swanky Frank Taipei knows how to throw a solid party, and offers unbounded partying of the most varying calibre - from casual evening drinks to all-out celebrations (it's a good deal for special occasions and the year's hottest party, New Year's eve). Has an outdoor area with views over towering Taipei 101.

Ounce

Ounce is everyone's favourite Taipei speakeasy, whose secret is now well and truly out. Patrons enjoy the privacy and sense of exclusivity forged by the hidden location and dim lighting.

Partyworld

Karaoke bar with booths for groups of friends to croon the night away. This is definitely worth a trip to get infected by the apparent joy and the ardour with which the visitors engage in the fine art of karaoke.

Shaka Lounge Bar

The establishment's interior is planned out according to the principles of feng shui, which promises to bring good luck to those who enter. This venue is popular for after-work drinks and gatherings. Happy Hour is from 7–9:30pm Sunday through Thursday.

Woobar

For a night out in style, try the swanky W Hotel and its bar serving refined cocktails by the on-site poolside. Casual by day, the bar gains an increasingly more stylish feel as the night progresses and neon lights come on throughout.

Ximending District

Perhaps the hippest neighbourhood in Taipei, Ximending (or Shi-men Ting) is a pedestrian-only area that truly comes to life after sundown. Loud music plays and bright shopfront lights flicker, enticing local youths and tourists with their offerings, some beyond wacky: maid cafes, knife massage, curious bubble tea concoctions, KTV booths, and more – all this along with a few very well preserved historic buildings, such as the Red House. It's a great place to experience the dynamic, young side of Taipei.

Shopping

Herb Alley

The tiny alley of no longer than a few dozen metres contains the wealth of knowledge on traditional medicinal herbs and potions passed down through generations of healers. Shop around and do not miss the medicinal drinks in Xichang St.

Lin Hua Tai Tea Company

The city's oldest tea shop still sells a wide variety of teas, all available for sampling upon request. Prices are indicated per 600 grams. Those who wish to take a tour of the factory may feel free to approach the staff and be shown around.

Snake Alley

Huaxi Street, or Snake Alley as it is better known, is located in the Wanhua district and is more a bizarre tourist attraction than a real market. Ophidiophobics beware! Here you will find everything: snake-performances, snake blood drinks and all manner of snake dishes.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 was ranked officially as the world’s tallest building from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. The building stands at a height of 508m/1,667 ft. This Taipei landmark was designed in eight sections, since the Chinese lucky number is just that. The building has 101 floors with some of the fastest elevators in the world, travelling at a speed of almost 61 kilometres per hour. The first 5 floors are occupied by upscale stores and boutiques.

Tonghua Night Market

Also known as Linjiang Street Night Market, Tonghua Night Market is a not-so-touristy market buzzing with commercial life, packed with street food vendors selling all manner of exotic delights, from dumplings to sushi. Clothing, jewellery, souvenirs and knick knacks are also sold in abundance.

Ximending District

Yongle Fabric Market

The building's second floor is completely given over to this well-known fabric market, a collection of all manner of colourful textiles on sale at dozens of shops set back-to-back. In the third floor, your newly purchased fabrics can be transformed into complete garments at one of the many tailor shops.

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

To avoid the hot and humid temperatures of the summer, it's best a trip to Taipei (and Taiwan as a whole) is planned for either October and November in autumn, or March and April in spring. It can get crowded around Chinese New Year (February), as many come for the festivities.

Passport/Visa

Nationals of many countries are eligible for a visa exemption program, provided they fulfil a number of requirements: passport validity for at least 6 months following the date of entry, along with a confirmed return ticket or confirmed ticket to the following destination. The list of countries whose nationals are eligible for the visa exemption program is continuously updated, and varying periods of stay are allowed to different nationalities (consult the Taiwan Consular Affairs website for current information). Nationals of other countries will need to apply for a visa; individual requirements vary by nationality.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is situated 40 kilometres southwest of Taipei. To travel between the airport and Taipei, you can choose from several bus services or opt for the more efficient high-speed train, which reaches Taipei Main Station in just 39 minutes. Shuttle buses frequently run between the airport and the high-speed train station for easy transfers. At the airport, taxis are available at the north side of the Terminal 1 Arrivals Lobby and the south side of the Terminal 2 Arrivals Lobby. Taxi fares are metered.

Public Transport

The subway (MRT) is easy and fast to use around the city. You can buy your ticket from the machines located in every MRT station. Coins and bills are accepted. MRT day passes (TaipeiPass) without limits on journeys, distance and can be used on all routes. You can also get the transportation card EasyCard at any stations and convenience stores. MRT trains run from 6am to midnight. The bus network in Taipei is efficient, with buses running frequently. There are several bus lines operating around the city and most of them have English signs. At the bus stop make sure to flag the bus down when you see it. EasyCard is accepted by all buses.

Taxi

Taipei is home to more than 18,000 taxis, readily available at any time, day or night. Fares are metered and government-regulated. For longer trips beyond city limits, a predetermined flat rate is typically negotiated with the driver prior to departure. Toll Free Taxi Hotline 55850 by mobile phone +800 055850 by pay phone Taiwan Taxi Company www.taiwantaxi.com.tw 55688 by mobile phone +886 2 4058 8888 by pay phone Taipei Taxi Tour Service www.taipei-taxi.com +886 935 998 959 Welcome Pickups www.welcomepickups.com/taipei/taxi

Electricity

Taiwan has the same electrical standard as North America and many countries in Asia. The power plugs and sockets are of type A (with two flat prongs) and B (with two flat prongs and a round grounding rod. Expect 110V at 60Hz.

Pharmacy

There are many pharmacies throughout Taipei. Cosmed is a popular pharmacy chain. You can also pick some over the counter medication at POYA or Watsons. For all off-hours emergencies contact National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH).

Post

Taipei's central post office is located south of the train station. There is another post office in the station itself. Red post boxes are for international mail, while the green ones are for local postings.

Let’s plan your next vacation

Let us take care of all the details to create the perfect trip for you. With our expertise and personalized service, we will ensure that every moment of your trip is special and unforgettable. Get ready to embark on a dream adventure!

Your Trip Plan is Empty