Taipei City Guide
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Taipei, with "Ta 臺i" meaning Taiwan and "Pei 北" meaning North, equals the North of Taiwan! Isn't Chinese so cute? Taipei is one of the biggest cities in Taiwan and is known as the go-to spot when people first think of Taiwan, thanks to landmarks like Taipei 101. Not only that, but the bustling night markets, amazing street food, and endless shopping make Taipei a must-visit city!
In this guide, I want to share some spots for you to check off your bucket list, along with the less touristy side of Taiwan. The side where my family is from and I want to share our culture with you all.
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know before you go!
TIME ZONE
Taipei Standard Time
LANGUAGE
People in Taiwan speak a variety of languages. Mandarin is most common, with older generations speaking Taiwanese (Taiyu 臺語, also known as Minanhua 閩南語) or Japanese. English is basic but still helpful.
CURRENCY
New Taiwan Dollar (NT, NTD, TWD$) — prices include tax, so what you see is what you pay! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
TIPPING
Not expected, and also can be seen as rude. Some high-end restaurants may already additionally add gratuity to the bill, especially for larger groups.
SAFETY
Taipei is incredibly safe, especially for solo female travelers! Just be aware of general scams. In case of emergency, dial 110 for police or 119 for ambulance or fire.
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plan your trip
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Spring, Fall, or Winter! Summer gets brutally hot, and typhoon season brings frequent rain.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Not mandatory, but recommended for unfamiliar travelers. Check out Insubuy for some different options.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Check the Bureau of Consular Affairs website for details.
INTERNET & WIFI
SIM cards are readily available at the airport or through Airalo. Free wifi is widespread at restaurants, convenience stores, etc.
PLUGS
Taiwan uses the same standard plugs (Type A and B) as the United States.
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ready to book your flight to Taipei?
🌏 WHERE TO LAND?
Most flights land at Taoyuan Airport (TPE), which is about an hour away from Taipei.
You can take the High Speed Rail (HSR), which is conveniently located at the airport, or ride a taxi to get into the city.
⚠️ ARRIVAL CARD
Fill out the arrival card provided on the plane and passed out from the flight attendants if you're not a Taiwanese citizen. If you missed the cards passed out on the plane, don’t fret, you can just get one at the airport at the customs section!
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getting around
WALK
Taipei is a walkable city, similar to New York City, but much cleaner and more modern.
YOUBIKE
Rent a YouBike and explore Taipei in dedicated bike lanes.
MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)
The best, cheapest, and easiest way to get around Taipei! Don't hesitate to ask for help at the information counter (English is available at some stations). Stations are well-marked with English signage alongside Chinese characters.
High Speed Rail (HSR)
The fastest option for longer distances to other different cities in Taiwan. Take this from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei, which will take about 35 minutes on the express train.
BUS
There are a ton of different busses available, but make sure to have cash or your EasyCard in hand and read the destination signs.
TAXI / UBER
Yellow cabs are commonly seen in Taiwan but not commonly taken by Taiwanese. Don't be surprised if your driver wants to chat — Taiwanese people love meeting visitors!
CAR
If you decide to rent a car, make sure you have your international driver's license paperwork prepared before heading over to the car rental.
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where to stay
I was seriously impressed by the top-notch hospitality, convenient location, and comfortable accommodations Shangri-La provided
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find your perfect stay
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what to do
If you’re unsure what to do in Taipei, I recommend taking some tours. We mostly used Klook or Get Your Guide to purchase tickets for different experiences, such as visiting Taipei 101 or visiting night markets.
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where to explore
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where to dine
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check out my Taichung travel vlog!
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