【臺北市】Taipei City Guide
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Taipei, with "Taí 臺" meaning Taiwan and "Běi 北" meaning North, equals the North of Taiwan!
Isn't Chinese so cute?
Taipei is one of Taiwan's largest cities and is often the first thing people think of when they think of Taiwan, thanks to our iconic landmarks like Taipei 101. Not only that, but the busy night markets, amazing local street food, and endless shopping make Taipei a must-visit city!
In this guide, I would like to share some amazing spots to check off your bucket list, alongside the lesser-known aspects of Taiwan. I want to introduce you to the part of Taipei that feels local and share our culture with you.
Taipei map
know before you go!
💬 LANGUAGE | Mandarin is the most widely spoken, while older generations may use Taiwanese (Taiyu 臺語 / Minanhua 閩南語) or Japanese.
English is basic, but you can still get by — locals are generally helpful.
💰 CURRENCY | New Taiwan Dollar (NT, NTD, TWD$) — prices include tax, so what you see is what you pay! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
💡 TIPPING | Tipping isn’t expected and can even feel awkward to some. High-end restaurants may add a 10% service charge, especially for larger groups.
🚨 SAFETY | Taipei is safe, even for solo female travelers. Just use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and always trust your intuition.
📞 EMERGENCY CONTACTS | Police: 110 | Ambulance / Fire Department: 119
best time to visit
BEST OVERALL: Spring, fall or winter months
PEAK SEASON: December - February, April - June
Fall (October – early December)
Fall in Taiwan isn’t super defined. October can still feel summery — hot and sunny — but by the end of November into early December, the weather cools down and dries out.
Fewer bugs and better walking weather.
Winter (Late December – February)
Winter brings mild, crisp air with occasional drizzle — think light jacket or coat weather, not freezing… But definitely wear outerwear! It’s great for city exploring and food-hopping. December through January can also have mild earthquakes, which are normal but may surprise first-time visitors.
Spring (March–April)
Spring is hands-down one of the best times to visit Taipei. The weather is fresh, comfortable, and perfect for sightseeing — which means everyone knows it. Expect more tourists and higher accommodation prices, especially around cherry blossom season.
Summer (May – September)
Summer in Taipei is intense. Expect high heat, heavy humidity, frequent rain, and mosquito season in full force. It’s also typhoon season, so plans can change quickly.
June may occasionally have noticeable earthquakes, which can feel unsettling if it’s your first time in Taiwan.
getting around
Walk
Taipei is incredibly walkable — similar to New York City, but cleaner and more modern.
🚇 MRT
The best, cheapest, and easiest way to get around Taipei is taking the MRT. Stations include English signage, and staff at information counters can usually help in English. You can use your EasyCard to tap and go.
YouBike
Rent a YouBike and explore Taipei using dedicated bike lanes — perfect for short distances and casual exploring.
Bus
Buses are everywhere, but be sure to have an EasyCard or cash ready and check destination signs carefully.
HSR
🚄 The Taiwan High Speed Rail is the fastest way to travel between cities, getting you from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei in about 35 minutes.
where to dine
☕ BUNA CAFE布納咖啡館
🍽️ Café — coffee, brunch + desserts | 💳 Card or cash | ⏲️ ~1.5 hrs | 📱 QR-code ordering |📍 No. 415之3號, Section 4, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
This isn't your average café — there's literally a robot zipping around, clearing and serving dishes.
BUNA (Ethiopian for "coffee bean") looks small from the outside, but once you step inside, it opens up into a spacious, modern-industrial space with a cozy library feel, floor-to-ceiling windows, and — yes — little robots carrying dishes back to the kitchen.
Ordering is part of the fun: no paper menus here. You scan a QR code in the gold check holder and order on your phone (English translations included — and it'll ask whether you want drinks before or after your meal).
Here’s what you should order: the Scallop Pasta surprised me with a little heat and a perfectly cooked scallop; the Truffle Fries came loaded with cheese; and the Apple Lychee Tea (stir the jelly at the bottom first!) was incredible on a hot day. Save room for the Oolong Chocolate Roll — sweet, but not too sweet.
Come for the coffee, stay for the robots. ☕
🍽️ MiraWan Eatery
🥂 Fine-dining French (Taiwanese twist) | 💲 $$$ | ⏲️ ~2–2.5 hrs | 🌟 Special-occasion splurge | 📍 47F, No. 17號, Songzhi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110
Forty-seven floors up, French food with a Taiwanese twist and a full-on Taipei skyline.
MiraWan is located inside the Breeze Nan Shan Mall, right across from Taipei 101 — but finding the restaurant might be a bit of a maze. Head to the dedicated MiraWan elevator hidden between the designer shops, where a host will be waiting outside.
Once you’re stepping out of the elevator, be prepared to see soft pastel lights, a pyramid ceiling that shimmers like birds in flight, crisp white tablecloths, and a window table with panoramic city views. Chef Josh Cheng builds original French cuisine around Taiwanese local ingredients, and every plate arrives looking like a tiny work of art.
The Lobster Pasta and the Boston Lobster with White Asparagus & Caviar (both incredible) require pre-ordering — do it when you reserve, and add the crispy French fries because, frankly, fries are life. Reservations are a must (I book through InLine), it's $$$ — figure at least NT$2,000/person plus 10% service — they only serve bottled water, and the menu rotates with the season, so your exact dishes may differ from mine.
Save it for a special night — and ask for a window seat. 🌃
where to explore
Taipei tours you'll love
what's nearby
Here are a few day trips and nearby spots worth adding to your Taipei itinerary:
where to stay
Whether you’re visiting for a relaxing getaway or just a cozy night’s rest, here are the best-rated stays around Taipei City.
⭐Top Pick: Shangri-La Far Eastern
Luxury, prime location, and top-notch service in Taipei.
— 🔎 Find Your Perfect Stay in Taipei —
check out my Taiwan travel vlog!
Last Updated: 05.20.2026
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