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TAIPEI WEATHER

🇹🇼 Must Visit in Taipei

Cultural & Historical

  • Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – majestic landmark with daily guard change.

  • Longshan Temple – oldest temple in Taipei, rich with incense and tradition.

  • National Palace Museum – one of the world’s best Chinese art collections.

Modern & City Highlights

  • Taipei 101 – iconic skyscraper, observation deck for panoramic views.

  • Ximending – Taipei’s “Harajuku”; shopping, street art, youth culture.

  • Huashan 1914 Creative Park – cafes, exhibitions, art markets.

  • Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) – short hike for the best Taipei 101 sunset view.

Nature & Relaxation

  • Beitou Hot Springs – natural geothermal spa area, accessible by MRT.

  • Yangmingshan National Park – volcanic mountains, cherry blossoms (spring).

  • Maokong Gondola – scenic cable car to tea plantations and tea houses.

Night Markets (a must)

  • Shilin Night Market – biggest and most famous.

  • Raohe Street Night Market – try pepper buns and bubble tea.

  • Ningxia Night Market – smaller, authentic, great local eats.

🍜 Must Eat in Taipei

Street Food Classics

  • Beef noodle soup (牛肉麵)

  • Stinky tofu (臭豆腐) – crispy outside, soft inside, try at night markets.

  • Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎)

  • Fried chicken steak (雞排)

  • Scallion pancakes (蔥油餅)

  • Braised pork rice (滷肉飯)

Snacks & Desserts

  • Bubble tea (珍珠奶茶) – birthplace of bubble tea! Try at Chun Shui Tang or Tiger Sugar.

  • Mango shaved ice (芒果冰) – must-have in summer.

  • Pineapple cake (鳳梨酥) – best souvenir snack.

Restaurants to try

  • Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) – world-famous soup dumplings.

  • Ay Chung Flour-Rice Noodles (阿宗麵線) – Ximending favorite.

  • Addiction Aquatic Development – upscale seafood market.

🚇 Public Transport Guide to Taipei

Taipei’s public transport is excellent, clean, punctual, and foreigner-friendly.

Main modes:

  • MRT (Metro) – fast, air-conditioned, connects most attractions.

  • Bus – covers routes not served by MRT. English displays available.

  • YouBike (bike share) – easy for short city rides.

  • Taxi / Uber – affordable and convenient for late-night trips.

💡 How to Use Public Transport in Taipei

  1. Buy an EasyCard (悠遊卡) – prepaid travel card used for MRT, buses, YouBike, even convenience stores.

    • Available at 7-Eleven, MRT stations, or airports.

  2. Top up at any convenience store or station.

  3. Tap in/out at MRT gates or bus entrance/exit.

  4. YouBike – link your EasyCard at kiosks to rent and return anywhere.

  5. Google Maps / Taipei Metro app – accurate for routes and schedules.

🧭 Tips and Tricks for Transportation in Taipei

  • Avoid rush hours (8–9 AM & 6–7 PM).

  • MRT offers free Wi-Fi at major stations.

  • Line Pay can be used for some vending machines and taxis.

  • If staying >3 days, consider the Taipei Fun Pass (includes unlimited transport + attractions).

  • Keep right on escalators; left side is for passing.

✈️ Public Transport from and to Airport

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport → Taipei Main Station

  • Taoyuan Airport MRT (Purple Line) – 35–40 mins, NT$160, direct and easy.

  • Bus 1819 (Kuo-Kuang Line) – 55 mins, 24-hour service, NT$140.

  • Taxi – ~NT$1,000–1,200, 45 mins.
    Songshan Airport (domestic/in-city) – connected directly to MRT brown line.

🌇 3-Night Itinerary for Taipei

Day 1 – Arrival, Ximending, Night Market

  • Explore Ximending → Dinner at Ay Chung Noodles → Raohe Night Market.
    Day 2 – Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain, Hot Springs

  • Taipei 101 → Lunch at Din Tai Fung → Elephant Mountain sunset → Beitou hot spring soak.
    Day 3 – History & Culture

  • Chiang Kai-Shek Hall → Longshan Temple → Huashan Creative Park → Shilin Night Market.
    Day 4 (departure) – Relax at a local café or YouBike ride by Daan Park.

🌆 5-Night Itinerary for Taipei

Add day trips:

  • Day 4 – Jiufen & Shifen (old street + sky lanterns).

  • Day 5 – Yangmingshan National Park or Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf for sunset.

🏞️ 10-Night Itinerary for Taipei

Perfect for deep exploration and nearby towns:
1–3️⃣ Taipei city sights and night markets.
4️⃣ Jiufen + Shifen day trip.
5️⃣ Tamsui + Beitou.
6️⃣ Yangmingshan National Park.
7️⃣ Pingxi Line small towns by train.
8️⃣ Maokong tea houses and gondola.
9️⃣ Museum & creative parks.
🔟 Leisure day / shopping (Xinyi or Zhongxiao Dunhua).

💰 Budget Traveler to Taipei

  • Stay near Ximen or Zhongshan for budget hostels.

  • Eat at night markets (meals NT$100–150).

  • Use EasyCard for discounts on transfers.

  • Many attractions (temples, parks, CKS Hall) are free.

  • YouBike + MRT combo is the cheapest way to explore.

💞 Honeymoon in Taipei

  • Stay in a boutique hotel near Xinyi (Taipei 101 area) or a Beitou hot spring resort.

  • Couple highlights:

    • Maokong Gondola sunset ride

    • Private hot spring room in Beitou

    • Rooftop dining at Taipei 101 or Xiangshan view café

    • Jiufen old town romantic stroll at dusk

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Trip with Small Kids

  • Stay near Taipei Main Station or Daan Park (easy access, parks nearby).

  • Family-friendly attractions:

    • Taipei Zoo + Maokong Gondola

    • Children’s Amusement Park

    • Science Education Center

    • Daan Forest Park playgrounds

    • Ningxia Night Market (clean and small-scale)

  • Many restaurants have high chairs and kid menus.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit Taipei (Weather, Seasons, Festivals)

Season

Months

Weather & Highlights

Notes

Spring

March – May

Mild, comfortable (20–26°C), cherry blossoms, great for walking

🌸 Best time overall

Summer

June – August

Hot & humid (30–35°C), occasional typhoons

☔ Avoid outdoor-heavy itineraries

Autumn

September – November

Cool, dry, clear skies (22–28°C)

🍁 Also excellent for travel

Winter

December – February

Cool & damp (15–20°C), occasional drizzle

❄️ Light jacket needed

Best months: March–May, October–November
Worst season to avoid: July–September (humid heat + typhoon risk)

Popular Festivals:

  • Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb) – most businesses close for a few days

  • Lantern Festival (Feb/March) – colorful lanterns in Pingxi and Taipei

  • Dragon Boat Festival (June) – boat races, sticky rice dumplings

  • Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept) – mooncakes and barbecue gatherings

  • Double Ten Day (Oct 10) – Taiwan’s National Day, fireworks

🛡️ Safety Level in Taipei

  • Crime: Very low. Taipei consistently ranks among Asia’s safest cities.

  • Political stability: High. Demonstrations are peaceful and rare.

  • Scams: Minimal compared to other major cities, but see “Scams” below.

  • Solo / female travelers: Very safe, even at night in central areas.

  • Emergency services: Efficient, English support available in hospitals and police stations.

👉 Safety Tip: Always carry your EasyCard or passport copy; police sometimes do ID checks for lost travelers.

📶 Internet Access and SIM Card Options for Tourists

Airport SIM counters are open 24/7 at Taoyuan Airport (arrival hall).

Top telecoms:

  1. Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) – best coverage nationwide.

  2. Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大) – good balance of price & speed.

  3. FarEasTone (遠傳電信) – strong in urban areas.

Typical tourist SIM deals:

Duration

Data

Price (approx.)

3 days

Unlimited

NT$300–350

5 days

Unlimited

NT$400–450

10 days

Unlimited

NT$500–600

30 days

Unlimited

NT$800–1,000

Alternative:

  • eSIMs available via Airalo or GigSky (good if you want to activate before arrival).

  • Free Wi-Fi: “iTaiwan” hotspots at MRT, libraries, and public areas (register with passport).

💰 Currency and Exchange Rate in Taipei

  • Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$)

  • Exchange rate (Oct 2025): ~NT$32 per USD / NT$3.5 per SEK / NT$35 per EUR (approx.)

  • ATMs: Widely available; accept Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay.

  • Cards: Credit cards accepted in hotels, malls, big restaurants — but carry cash for night markets and taxis.

🗣️ Languages Spoken in Taipei

Language

Usage

Mandarin Chinese

Main language

Taiwanese Hokkien

Commonly heard in local shops

English

Widely understood in tourist areas, MRT, and hotels

Tip: Most signs and MRT announcements are bilingual (Chinese + English).
Basic phrases:

  • Hello: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)

  • Thank you: 謝謝 (Xièxiè)

  • Excuse me / sorry: 不好意思 (Bù hǎo yìsi)

  • How much?: 多少錢? (Duōshǎo qián?)

💸 Ways to Save Money in Taipei

  • EasyCard (悠遊卡) – discounted transfers on MRT/buses and YouBike rentals.

  • Taipei Fun Pass – includes unlimited MRT + attractions (choose 1, 2, or 3 days).

  • Eat like locals: Night markets and 7-Eleven meals are cheap and delicious.

  • Stay near MRT lines – saves time and transport costs.

  • Free attractions: Temples, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, Daan Park, Elephant Mountain.

  • Discount stores: Don Quijote, Carrefour, Watsons for essentials.

🎎 Seasonal or Cultural Events in Taipei

Month

Event

Description

Jan–Feb

Lunar New Year

Family reunions, red lanterns, festive markets

Feb–Mar

Pingxi Lantern Festival

Releasing sky lanterns with wishes

Apr

Cherry Blossoms at Yangmingshan

Beautiful pink blooms

Jun

Dragon Boat Festival

Boat races + sticky rice dumplings

Aug

Ghost Festival

Cultural offerings and rituals

Sept–Oct

Mid-Autumn Festival

Moon-viewing, barbecue, mooncakes

Dec

Christmas & New Year’s Eve at Taipei 101

Fireworks countdown party

⚡ Power Plug Type and Voltage

  • Voltage: 110V, 60Hz

  • Plug Type: A / B (same as Japan and North America)
    If you’re from Europe or most of Asia, bring a universal adapter.

🚨 Emergency Numbers and Hospitals in Taipei

Service

Number

Notes

Police

☎️ 110

English support available

Fire / Ambulance

☎️ 119

Quick response

Medical emergency

☎️ 119 or go directly to ER

Tourist Info Hotline

☎️ 0800-011-765

24h English/Japanese/Korean service

Major Hospitals (English service available):

  • National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) – Zhongzheng District

  • Taipei Veterans General Hospital – Beitou District

  • Taipei Medical University Hospital – Xinyi District

⚠️ Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Taipei

Taipei is very safe, but watch for these rare situations:

  1. Tea Ceremony Scam – someone invites you for tea, then charges a huge bill. Politely refuse.

  2. Overpriced Taxis – always use metered taxis or Uber. Avoid unmarked cars.

  3. Fake Branded Goods – in small markets, check authenticity.

  4. “Friendly stranger” photo tricks – a few might ask for a photo, then demand payment. Rare but possible in tourist zones.

  5. Pickpockets – uncommon, but watch your bag in crowded night markets.

How to Get Around by Public Transportation

Type of transportation: MRT, LRT, Bus, Taxi, Uber, Bike

Type of MRT tickets:

  1. Admission to the trains is via blue plastic single-journey tokens or electronic stored value cards called EasyCards. Travelers can calculate single journey fare here, which depends on journey distance.
  • Single Journey: NT$20 - NT$65
  • One-day EasyCards Pass: NT$150
  • 24hr Taipei Metro Pass: NT$180
  • 48hr Taipei Metro Pass: NT$280
  • 72hr Taipei Metro Pass: NT$380
  • All Pass Ticket: NT$1,280 includes unlimited rides for 30 days on Taipei Metro, Taipei buses, and YouBike bike share.

Passengers with EasyCards get a fare discount between subway and bus if the transfer is done within one hour. Taipei Fun Passes include unlimited rides on Taipei Metro, Taipei buses, and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes.

  1. Taipei Fun Pass (Transportation)

    • 1-Day: NT$180
    • 1-Day (Maokong Gondola version): NT350
    • 2-Day: NT$310
    • 3-Day: NT$440
    • 5-Day: NT$700

    Taipei Fun Pass (Unlimited): Includes entry to 16 attractions, including Taipei 101, Yehliu Geopark, and Taipei Zoo.

    • 1-Day: NT$1,200
    • 2-Day: NT$1,600
    • 3-Day: NT$1,900

Bus traveling

Online train ticket booking:

Taxi

Hailing a yellow, metered taxi is easy except during rush hour and rain storms. Finding a taxi driver that speaks English is hard. Show the driver your destination address in Chinese characters; most drivers are unable to read pinyin.

Fare Rates: Make sure the driver turns on the meter, which begins at NT$70 for the first 0.77 miles and NT$5 for each additional 0.12 miles. A NT$20 surcharge is added to rides after 11 p.m. Some taxis take credit cards, but ask before your ride begins. Pay in NT$100 or NT$500 notes as most drivers won’t have change for NT$1,000 notes. Taxi dispatch +886 800 055 850 (Press 2 for English service) or 55850 from a mobile phone.

Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are popular as is LINE TAXI, a taxi-hailing service from the LINE mobile app, a popular communication and payment app. Rideshares accept credit card payments.

Other Tips:

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Taking the Airport Shuttle

The easiest way to travel from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is the Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line that has 13 express stations from the Taipei Main Station to Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (there is an additional commuter line extending service beyond the airport to Huanbei Station in Taoyuan). Taoyuan Airport map
Taoyuan Airport shopping
Taoyuan Airport service
Taipei Songshan Airport
Taipei Songshan food

Taiwan Cuisine
Michelin Restaurant
Taipei sightseeing guide book

Gay guide

https://mytripnavi.com/gay/taipei.pdf

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https://mytripnavi.com/gay/

Taiwan foods/gourmet you must try

Famous food top 5

  1. 魯肉飯(Lurou fan, Braised pork rice): Khong bah png, as known as Braised pork rice, is a gaifan dish found in Fujianese cuisine and Taiwanese cuisine. Although subject to regional variations, dishes are typically made of pork belly cooked in a process known as lu and served on top of rice. Chinese pickles are often eaten with the dish. 金峰魯肉飯 seems the most famous restaurant.
  2. 梅干控肉: Pork Steamed with Pickled Mustard Cabbage. 欣葉 seems the best restaurant.
  3. 紅蟳米糕: Steamed Glutinous Rice with Mud Crab
  4. 牛肉麺(Beef noodle soup): Beef noodle soup is a noodle soup made of stewed or braised beef, beef broth, vegetables and noodles. It exists in various forms throughout East and Southeast Asia. 天下三絶, or 永康牛肉麺 seem the most famous restaurants there.
  5. 蚵仔煎(Oyster omelette):The dish consists of an omelette with a filling primarily composed of small Pacific oysters. Starch (typically sweet potato starch) is mixed into the egg batter, giving the resulting egg wrap a thicker consistency. Pork lard is often used to fry the resulting omelet. Depending on regional variations, a savory sauce may then be poured on top of the omelette for added taste. Spicy or chili sauce mixed with lime juice is often added to provide an intense kick. Shrimp can sometimes be substituted in place of oysters; in this case, it is called shrimp omelette (蝦仁煎).

Famous Sweets

豆花(Douhua): Douhua is a Chinese sweet or savoury snack made with very tender tofu. It is also referred to as doufuhua, tofu pudding, soybean pudding or, particularly in northern China, tofu brains. 古早味豆花 or 豆花荘 are the best restaurants.

Famous Drinks

珍珠奶茶(Bubble tea): Bubble tea is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. Taiwanese immigrants brought it to the United States in the 1990s, initially in California through regions including Los Angeles County, but the drink has also spread to other countries where there is a large East Asian diaspora population.

Taiwan food trivia

  • It's tasty: in Taiwanese you say “好呷!” (Ho-ja)
  • 玉井芒果(Yu Jing Mango): famous mango from May to Sep, especially in July.
  • 臭豆腐(Stinky tofu): Stinky tofu is a Chinese form of fermented tofu that has a strong odor. It is usually sold at night markets or roadside stands as a snack, or in lunch bars as a side dish, rather than in restaurants. Traditionally the dish is fermented in a brine with vegetables and meat, sometimes for months.

Other Taiwan famous foods

  1. 小籠包(Xiaolongbao): Xiaolongbao refers to a type of small Chinese steamed bun traditionally prepared in a xiaolong, a small bamboo steaming basket. Xiaolongbao are often referred to as a kind of “dumpling”, but should not be confused with Chinese jiaozi or wonton. 鼎泰豊 is the most famous restaurant.
  2. 担仔麺(Ta-a mi): Ta-a mi, also known as Ta-a noodles or danzai noodles, is Chinese wheat noodles, shrimp flavored soup, shrimp, coriander, Taiwanese Meat Sauce and garlic. It is a type of snack found in Tainan, Taiwan. Also known as “Slack Season Ta-a Noodles”, they originated in Tainan, about 130 years ago. 度小月　台北忠孝店 seems the most famous restaurant.
  3. 豆漿(Doujiang) or 鹹豆漿: a classic Taiwanese breakfast, refers to soy milk soup. The slightly sweet soybean paste contains small onions and shrimp, and is seasoned with vinegar, chili oil, and soy sauce. It is characterized by the fact that it often contains slices of long, thin fried bread called ``Yau Tiu.’’ It also sometimes contains cilantro and zha cai, so the taste varies depending on the store. This is a must-try dish when you visit Taiwan. 阜杭豆漿 seems the most famous restaurant.
  4. 豪大大鶏排: big fried chicken. 士林観光夜市内　士林二店 seems the most famous restaurant.
  5. 胡椒餅(Hujiao bing): Hújiāo bǐng or pepper bun is a type of baked bun that originated in city of Fuzhou, the capital of China’s Fujian province. It is a street food that has become popular in Taiwan and can be found in night markets or mini food stalls throughout Taiwan. 福州世祖胡椒餅（饒河街観光夜市内）seems the most famous restaurant.
  6. 阿宗麺線: Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
  7. 葱抓餅: Onion Pancake. 天津葱抓餅 seems the best one.
  8. 火鍋(Hot pot): Hot pot or hotpot, also known as soup-food or steamboat, is a dish whereby a heat source placed on the dining table keeps a pot of soup stock simmering, and a variety of Chinese foodstuffs and ingredients are served beside the pot for the diners to put into the hot stock.
  9. 芒果雪花冰/芒果冰: Different from the traditional shaved ice with powder balls, taro balls, grass jelly, etc., mango ice is made with fresh mango, condensed milk, and mango ice cream covered on top of shaved ice or continuous ice, which is refreshing and relieves the heat. 思慕昔 (永康街), 冰讃 (迪化街) are some of restaurants.
  10. 鮮肉包: Fresh meat buns are steamed buns stuffed with meat . The main filling is fresh pork shank meat. After mincing it, mix the appropriate fat and lean ratio, add onion, ginger , sugar , soy sauce , sesame oil and other seasonings and stir evenly.
  11. 蛤蜊湯: kinda Clam soup.
  12. 割包(Gua bao): A gua bao, also known as a pork belly bun, ambiguously as a bao, or erroneously as a bao bun, is a type of lotus leaf bun originating from Fujian cuisine. It is also a popular snack in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Nagasaki Chinatown in Japan.
  13. 炒米粉: stired rice noodle
  14. 台湾粥: Taiwanese rice porridge
  15. 酔鶏: “drunken chicken”. What exactly is it? It is a dish made by marinating boiled (or steamed) chicken in the Chinese alcoholic beverage Shaoxing wine. The chicken is marinated in Shaoxing wine for a long time, which is why it is called “drunken chicken.”