A Backpacker’s Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

Martha Pillin
13 hours ago
8 min read

If I had to sum up Taipei in one word, it’d be: layers. It’s a city of contrasts and surprises - one moment you’re sipping coffee in a minimalist café, the next you’re slurping soup in a buzzing night market surrounded by red lanterns and sizzling woks. Taipei isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience that sneaks under your skin in the best way possible.

Planning a trip to Taiwan? Read: The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Taiwan

Chapters

When To Visit Taipei

Getting To Taipei

Getting Around Taipei

Where To Stay in Taipei

10 Things To Do In Taipei

Places to Eat and Drink in Taipei

When To Visit Taipei

Autumn (September – November): Ideal weather - cooler temperatures, less rain, and clear skies. This is my personal favorite season for hiking, city strolls, and evening market-hopping.

Spring (March – May): Lush landscapes and cherry blossoms in parks like Yangmingshan. It’s a beautiful time, though occasional rain showers are common.

Winter (December – February): Mild compared to most countries (13–18°C), but it’s Taipei’s wet season, so pack an umbrella and layers. Still, it’s perfect for hot springs!

Summer (June – August): Hot, humid, and prone to typhoons. If you visit during this time, stay hydrated, plan indoor activities during midday, and double-check weather forecasts.

Travel Tip

Check the calendar for festivals. Lunar New Year is culturally fascinating but many businesses shut down; Dragon Boat Festival and Lantern Festival are beautiful times to see local celebrations.

Getting To Taipei

Most international visitors arrive via Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). It’s well-connected globally and offers efficient onward transport.

From the Airport to the City

Airport MRT: Takes around 35 – 45 minutes to reach Taipei Main Station. It’s clean, efficient, and affordable (NT$160).
Taxi: Available 24/7. Expect to pay NT$1000 – 1200 into the city.
Bus: A budget option if you’re not in a rush, with services to major neighbourhoods like Ximending and Zhongxiao Fuxing.

Travel Tip

If you’re arriving late or jet-lagged, pre-book a SIM card and EasyCard pickup at the airport - saves time and hassle.

Getting Around Taipei

The MRT (Metro) System

The Taipei MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the crown jewel of the city’s public transportation system. It’s modern, clean, air-conditioned (hallelujah in summer), and easy to navigate, even for first-timers.

Lines are colour-coded and stations are clearly marked in English, Mandarin, and pinyin.
Trains arrive frequently, usually every 2–5 minutes during peak hours.
It’s safe - there are platform gates, clear announcements, and plenty of staff around.
You’ll often see locals reading or quietly watching videos; the vibe is polite and chill.

Travel Tip

Eating and drinking on the MRT is a big no-no and can result in a fine - yes, even water!

EasyCard

Do yourself a favour and buy an EasyCard as soon as you arrive (available at MRT stations and convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart). You can top it up with cash and use it on MRT, buses, YouBikes, and even some taxis and shops. It saves you the hassle of buying single-journey tickets and you’ll also get discounted fares when using it.

Buses

Taipei’s buses go everywhere - often to places the MRT doesn’t reach, like mountain trails or less touristy neighbourhoods. Bus stops are marked with digital boards showing arrival times (in English and Mandarin). Use Google Maps or the Bus+ or Citymapper app to plan routes. When boarding, check the signs: If you board at the front and pay when getting on, tap your EasyCard right away. If you board at the back and pay when getting off, wait to tap.

YouBike

Taipei is incredibly bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes and riverside cycling paths that go on for miles. YouBike (the city’s bike-share system) is a fun, scenic way to explore. You’ll find bright yellow bikes all over the city. Just register with your EasyCard and phone number at a kiosk or online, then tap to unlock. The first 30 minutes are often free or very cheap.

Taxis & Ride Apps

Taxis in Taipei are everywhere and affordable by international standards. They’re bright yellow and easy to flag down. Most drivers are courteous but speak limited English, so have your destination written in Chinese or show it on your phone. Meters are used, and tipping isn’t expected. Uber also works well here and can be easier if you’re not confident in Mandarin.

Walking

Taipei is made for wandering. Sidewalks are wide and clean, and pedestrian crossings are respected. Some areas like Ximending, Zhongshan, and Yongkang Street are best experienced on foot. You’ll stumble upon hidden tea shops, quirky boutiques, and quiet temples. Google Maps is your friend, but part of the fun is getting a little lost in a safe city.

Where To Stay in Taipei

10 Things To Do In Taipei

1. Watch the Sunset from Elephant Mountain

One of the most iconic views of Taipei is from the top of Elephant Mountain, especially at sunset. The short but steep hike takes about 20 minutes, and while it’s a bit of a leg workout, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline, with Taipei 101 front and center. It’s especially cool as the sun dips below the horizon and the city lights begin to twinkle.

Go about an hour before sunset to get a good spot on one of the viewing platforms - this place is popular with locals, photographers, and backpackers alike. Bring water, wear good shoes, and don’t forget your camera.

2. Eat Your Way Through Raohe Night Market

If you want to dive straight into Taipei’s vibrant street food culture, Raohe Night Market is a great place to start. Smaller and easier to navigate than Shilin, it offers an intimate but energetic atmosphere, with rows of food stalls and the scent of sizzling snacks filling the air. Don’t miss the famous pepper pork buns baked in traditional clay ovens right at the market’s entrance - they’re juicy, crispy, and unforgettable. You’ll also find grilled squid, Taiwanese sausages, stinky tofu (if you’re brave), and all kinds of sweet treats.

3. Ride the Maokong Gondola and Drink Tea in the Hills

Just outside the city centre, the Maokong Gondola whisks you up into the green tea-growing hills of southern Taipei. The ride itself is beautiful, especially if you choose one of the glass-bottomed “crystal cabins” that let you see the forest floor beneath your feet. At the top, you’ll find peaceful walking trails and traditional teahouses perched on the hillside. Sit down for a slow pot of locally grown oolong and enjoy the sweeping views. It’s the perfect half-day escape from the city - especially around sunset when the hills glow golden and the city lights flicker on in the distance.

4. Explore the National Palace Museum

Even if you’re not usually a museum person, the National Palace Museum is well worth a visit. It holds one of the world’s largest and most valuable collections of Chinese imperial artefacts - more than 600,000 pieces in total, though only a rotating selection is displayed at any one time. You’ll see ancient calligraphy, jade carvings, Ming dynasty ceramics, and famous pieces like the “Jadeite Cabbage” and the “Meat-Shaped Stone.” It’s not just about art - it’s a walk through centuries of East Asian history. The museum itself is set in a lush, tranquil area of the city, making it an enjoyable place to explore both inside and out.

5. Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

This massive landmark is one of the most iconic in Taipei. With its towering white marble steps, blue-tiled roof, and expansive plaza, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall honors the former leader of the Republic of China. The hourly changing of the guard ceremony inside the main hall is surprisingly moving and offers a look into Taiwan’s political history. Around the square, you’ll also find the National Concert Hall and National Theatre - two grand buildings that host performances and events year-round. Even if you’re not into politics or history, the architecture and atmosphere here are undeniably impressive.

6. Soak in the Beitou Hot Springs

Just a short ride on the MRT takes you to Beitou, a town built around natural hot springs nestled in the hills. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy geothermal baths so close to a major city. You can visit public hot spring pools for a few dollars, or splurge on a private room at a hot spring hotel. There’s also a beautiful Hot Spring Museum set in a restored Japanese colonial bathhouse, as well as the atmospheric Thermal Valley, where steaming sulfur springs bubble up from the earth. It’s a relaxing, culturally rich experience and a must-do if you’re in Taipei during the cooler months.

7. Take in the View from Taipei 101

No trip to Taipei would be complete without a visit to Taipei 101. Once the tallest building in the world, it still dominates the city skyline and offers an unbeatable view from the 89th-floor observatory. The elevator ride alone is an experience - it rockets you to the top in under 40 seconds. Once there, you can walk around the 360-degree viewing platform and spot all the neighborhoods you’ve been exploring. Don’t forget to check out the massive wind damper that helps the building withstand typhoons and earthquakes. Downstairs, the high-end shopping mall and food court are also worth browsing, especially if you’re craving air-con and dumplings.

8. Wander Through Dadaocheng and Dihua Street

This historic district blends old Taipei charm with creative, modern energy. Dihua Street is lined with beautifully preserved Qing-era architecture, once used for trading Chinese medicine, tea, and fabric. Today, it’s a trendy but traditional area filled with artisanal shops, boutique cafés, and hidden temples. You can sip traditional Taiwanese tea at a modern teahouse, sample herbal desserts, and shop for local crafts or incense. If you time your visit with sunset, head to the nearby Dadaocheng Wharf for riverside views and maybe even live music or a weekend market. It’s one of the best places to feel the city’s heritage without the tourist crowds.

9. Feast on Xiao Long Bao at the Original Din Tai Fung

Even if you’ve had Din Tai Fung in other countries, nothing beats visiting the original branch on Xinyi Road. Famous for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings), this Michelin-recommended spot is an essential Taipei experience. Watching the chefs behind the glass window pleat each dumpling with precision is half the fun. Try the classic pork dumplings, but don’t stop there - go for the truffle xiao long bao, shrimp and pork shumai, and a side of cold cucumber with garlic. It’s incredibly popular, so try to visit off-peak or be prepared to wait (it’s worth it).

10. Take a Day Trip to Jiufen

Perched on a hillside northeast of Taipei, Jiufen is a nostalgic little town with narrow alleyways, red lanterns, and stunning ocean views. Once a gold mining village, it’s now one of Taiwan’s most atmospheric spots - and some say it inspired the setting for Spirited Away. You can stroll through its winding streets packed with food stalls and tea houses, sip oolong while looking out over the sea, and try local specialties like taro balls and herbal rice cakes. It’s easiest to reach Jiufen by bus or taxi, and going in the late afternoon lets you catch the lanterns lighting up as dusk falls