Why Taipei?
Taipei is one of Asia's most underrated capitals — friendly locals, outstanding food at remarkably low prices, efficient MRT, and day trips that punch well above their weight. The city also has a distinct creative energy and some of Asia's most welcoming LGBTQ+ culture.
Recommended 3-Night Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive + Shilin Night Market
- Taoyuan Airport → MRT 40 min → city center
- Afternoon: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall + National Palace Museum (one of the world's great collections)
- Evening: Shilin Night Market — Taipei's biggest. Must-try: oyster omelette, stinky tofu (don't skip it)
Day 2 — Jiufen + Shifen Day Trip
- Morning: Shifen — release a sky lantern on the railway tracks
- Afternoon: Jiufen old street — the hillside town that inspired Studio Ghibli. Atmospheric even in the rain
- Evening: seafood dinner in Jiufen
Day 3 — Taipei City
- Morning: Taipei 101 observatory (89F — go on a clear day)
- Lunch: Din Tai Fung original branch — soup dumplings worth the queue
- Afternoon: Da'an District café crawl + bookstores
- Evening: Raohe Street Night Market — herbal medicine ribs (bak kut teh)
Day 4 — Beitou Hot Springs + Departure
- Morning: Beitou hot springs — public outdoor baths are extremely affordable
- Lunch: Ximending beef noodle soup
- Airport transfer
Taipei Food Top 10
- Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) — Din Tai Fung flagship
- Bubble tea — any shop near Gongguan Night Market
- Beef noodle soup — Yongkang Beef Noodles
- Oyster omelette — Shilin Night Market
- Mango shaved ice — Ice Monster
- Pineapple cake — the ultimate souvenir
- Lu rou fan (braised pork rice) — everywhere, always reliable
- Stinky tofu — Shilin Night Market (trust the smell)
- Scallion pancake — breakfast staple
- Beitou hot spring tofu — local specialty
Getting Around
- EasyCard (iCard): MRT, buses, convenience stores. Buy at the airport
- Taipei MRT: clean, safe, fully bilingual
- Jiufen: take MRT to Ruifang, then bus 825 (~40 min)