Boba burst onto the UK scene a few years ago, and now bubble tea shops can be found all over the country. However, few consumers know that the drink originated in Taiwan, and that the country offers way more than that. Strolling around different areas in Taiwan, visitors will encounter a plethora of sceneries, rhythms, and even different cultures. The island blends delectable food, vibrant nightlife, quaint neighbourhoods, surreal nature reserves, and much more. In the capital, Taipei, you experience it all at once.
When first roaming around Taipei, you will find it to be like any big city: skyscrapers, hectic traffic, hustle and bustle. Cityscapes are always appealing, especially with Taipei 101, which, self-explanatorily, is a building with 101 floors. Upon researching your travels to Taipei, this would be one of the first attractions mentioned, alongside Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple. However, it would be a great loss if these were the only places you visit when in Taipei.
Here are some of my favourite spots in the city where you can experience the best flavours, views, and culture Taipei has to offer.
Street Food for Dinner
Taiwanese delicacies are like no other, and night markets are the best places to try them out. Similar to other night markets across Asia, stalls in Taiwanese night markets sell mainly hot food that will fill you up for the evening. Among the markets, Raohe Street Night Market stands out with its wide variety of food options, Michelin-winning stalls, and accessible location.
While approaching the narrow street, pay attention to the stalls at the entrance and don’t miss out on the black signboard with yellow characters and a red logo. The cart is Fuzhou Ancestor, which has been awarded multiple Michelin recognitions for its Hujiao Bing(Pepper Pork Bun) (NT$60/£1.49). With their secret recipe for the marinade and a generous amount of spring onions, the succulent filling is the definition of umami. Instead of being baked in the oven, the buns are grilled, ensuring they are soft and moist, encased in a golden crust.
If you are a brave challenger who likes exploring unusual textures and flavours, Dongfahao is your place to be. The century-old eatery takes pride in its Oyster and Intestine Vermicelli Soup (NT$75/£1.86). To eat like a Taiwanese, you need to step out of your comfort zone. Animal organs take up a significant portion of Taiwanese food culture. If you see stalls selling salted chicken (NT$50-60/£1.24-1.49), be prepared to have some chicken hearts and crowns, in addition to regular parts like breasts and drumsticks. Do not be surprised to see duck head skewers (NT$60/£1.49), and be sure not to miss out on stinky tofu (NT$50-70/£1.24-1.73) and pig’s blood pudding (similar to black pudding) (NT$50-60/£1.24-1.49), which are sold in multiple food stalls down the street. For safe eaters, enjoy some deep-fried sweet potato balls (NT$40-50/99p-£1.24), grilled Taiwanese sausages (NT$40-50/99p-£1.24), and fried chicken cutlet (NT$90-100/£2.23-2.48), which give more familiar tastes.
Delve into Arts and Modern Culture
Since the 2000s, the Taiwanese government has revitalised multiple factories into Cultural and Creative Parks. Huashan 1914 Creative Park, which was once a sake brewery, is now a hub for craft brands, local cafes, arts exhibitions, and workshops. The Gala Asia and Xiao Qi-Huashan offer daily wares, paper products, and knick-knacks by Asian designer brands, giving you a wide selection of fascinating souvenirs. When your legs start to get sore from popping into every shop, head to CHLIV to enjoy a cup of coffee with sophisticated latte art (NT$150-200/£3.72-4.95).
Among regular shops, look out for seasonal exhibitions and pop-up stores. Current exhibitions include ‘Taiwan Tea Expo: Exploring the PossibiliTeas of Taiwan’, which takes place in Hall M4E from 8 May 2025 to 6 July 2025, and the Chiikawa pop-up store, which is in Hall W4 until 22 June 2025. If you are trying to look at information for seasonal events, be aware that the English version of the website provides limited information. I find translating the web page provides clearer information. https://www.huashan1914.com/w/huashan1914/index
While entry to the park is free, special exhibitions or bars with live music might incur additional costs. Prices range from NT$200-800 (£4.95-19.81), depending on the events.
Excursions from Taipei
Jiufen is a historical mountain town just about an hour away from Central Taipei, and visitors can take the MRT railway or the bus from Central Taipei for around NT$90/£2.23. Recognisable from the Award-winning A City of Sadness, the town gives an impression of the 1940s, and although it’s been officially denied, locals agree that scenes in Spirited Away resemble views of Jiufen. The old street is a time travel tunnel, with vintage food items like taro balls and Hakka rice cakes, sold in both food stalls and windows, and shops with antique exteriors. If you would like to experience being a Chinese in the old days, Chipao provides qipao rental. Prices range from NT$800-1200/£19.81-29.72. The company’s Instagram account has an English highlight, which shows all the information. https://www.instagram.com/chipao9/
An hour away by train and bus from Jiufen, Shifen is another atmospheric town famous for sky lanterns. Surrounded by mountains, with a relative humidity regularly reaching 75-80%, it is a safe, legal spot to release them. Visitors paint their wishes on the lanterns and release them into the sky, standing on the railway. Prices of the lanterns range from NT$150-400/£3.7-10, depending on the materials and patterns.
Yehliu Geopark is a cape formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea, known for its landmark, The Queen’s Head. Due to the proximity to the sea, coastal erosion has led to the formation of Mushroom Rocks and Candlestick Rocks. These sedimentary rocks that are exposed to different levels of erosion line the shore, forming a landscape that is like no other. The regular entry ticket is NT$120/£2.97, a ticket for elderly visitors over 65 is NT$60/£1.49, and it is free entry for children under 6. Proof of age may be asked for, so I’d advise bringing your passport just in case. Depending on where your accommodation is, you can take the bus or MRT to the park, which would take roughly 1.5 hours, and cost about NT$150/£3.72.
Public transport provides easy access to these attractions, but companies offer day trip plans, which might be worth considering. Visitors can hire a private van for a whole day trip, taking them from Central Taipei to Jiufen, Shifen, and Yehliu in 10 hours. Costs around NT$5000 (£125). The alternative is to travel by MRT and bus, spend a day in Jiufen and Shifen, and another in Yehliu, taking time at your own pace without a strict schedule. Popular travel sites offer day tour packages with English-speaking drivers, so it wouldn’t be an issue for English-speaking travellers.
Vibrant Nightlife
Night owls will find so much to do in Taipei. If you fancy a booze, head to Draftland, where they present cocktails on tap. Prices range from NT$150-250 (£3.7-6.3). Their signature drinks hint exotic tastes from ingredients like oolong vodka, osmanthus, and pandan. If you are a party person or someone who simply enjoys experiencing nightlife in a foreign place, Taipei is home to so many different nightclubs. Operated by a French team, Triangle is a popular spot for expats and tourists. Larger-scale clubs like OMNI Nightclub and WAVE CLUB Taipei are always filled with both locals and internationals. These higher-end nightclubs have a dress code of ‘smart and elegant’, so shorts, flip flops or slippers and tank tops are not allowed. Taipei is generally a safe city, and nightclubs are one of the places that are particularly welcoming to internationals. But do still be mindful and sensible as you would when you normally go out. Foreign IDs might not be accepted, so bring your passport to avoid disappointment.
What Taipei holds is a strong sense of human touch. The attractions are down-to-earth, nothing glamorous, but full of subtle surprises. While locals may struggle to communicate with foreigners in English, they always offer a warm smile and a helping hand. To experience Taipei is to feel the laid-back lifestyle contrasted by the motorcycle-heavy roads, to smell the aroma of food, and explore through every sense. The Asian hidden gem reminds me of the 1980s era. It is a giant neighbourhood, which welcomes you with open arms and cannot wait to demonstrate its charm.
Words by Megan Wong
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.