Things to do
Night markets, dumplings, hot springs and the view from 101.
Night markets
Food is a cult in Taiwan, and what better place to sample delicacies than the innumerable night markets? Taipei alone has up to 20 different daily night markets, each famous for some specific food being “the best” there. We recommend, in order of how much we like them:
- Raohe Street Night Market 饒河夜市: typical one-street market
- Ningxia Night Market 寧夏夜市: typical one-street market in Dadaocheng
- Shida Night Market 師大夜市: big alleyway market close to the university
- Shilin Night Market 士林夜市: the biggest one, an alleyway market
- Yansan Night Market 延三夜市: very small local market in Dadaocheng
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
This restaurant chain serving typical Taiwanese food has a Michelin star but remains very affordable. They don't take reservations and the queues are crazy. However, it's all well organised: take a number at the restaurant and spend your waiting time elsewhere, as you can check online when it's your turn. The oldest branch is north-west of Da'an Forest Park, and the largest is in the basement of the Taipei 101 shopping centre.
Hot springs
You can enjoy hot springs at various places in (rural) Taiwan, but nothing is more relaxing than escaping Taipei City's chaos in a closeby hot spring pool. There are many public hot springs in the Beitou 北投 area in the north, but they tend to follow strict bathing clothing rules and separate men and women. Some premium hotels don't follow these rules and sell day tickets to non-guests, like the multi-bath Spring City Resort 春天酒店.
Bars
Taiwan is not famous for its nightlife. In Taipei, however, there are a few areas, but you kind of have to know where to go. Find more touristy riverside bar areas at Dadaocheng Wharf or Gongguan Waterfront Plaza. Furthermore, we liked Mikkeller in Dadaocheng, 23 Public Craft Beer in Da'an District, and Zhangmen Brewing on Yongkang St. At the Breeze shopping centre at the foot of Taipei 101 there is a bar strip as well.
Taipei 101 Observation Deck
Your stay in Taipei isn't complete without visiting the observation deck of what was once the tallest tower in the world: the 508 m tall Taipei 101. Despite the frequent earthquakes, the Taiwanese managed to complete this building in the early 2000s. It can withstand earthquakes thanks to a vast counterweight ball near the top, which is on display. Book tickets well in advance and catch the best views just before sunset.
