Where is the best place to stay in Taipei?
By Daniel Parker. April 08, 2024
Taipei is a phenomenal city brimming with a variety of attractions befitting of all personality types. Whether it’s the location’s landmark buildings, such as Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, or the iconic shopping areas of Ximending and Xinyi that sound more like your scene, there truly is something for everyone. Food lovers will likely find their calling at the various night markets scatted across the city, as well as the famous Din Tai Fun restaurant, while those draw to local culture are bound to appreciate the capital’s prominent religious sites like Longshan Temple and Dalongdong Bao’an Temple.
The city is divided into several districts, and each of them have their own appealing qualities, as you can read about in more detail below. However, in our opinion, there’s one specific location that stands out above the rest and that’s Zhongshan. It’s located centrally, has plenty of popular attractions nearby, and is conveniently connected to two different MRT lines. Therefore, it’s perfectly placed for getting to anywhere you wish relatively quickly. Not to mention, this district boasts the perfect blend of history, culture, nature, highly praised eateries, bars and shopping areas. The next section will offer more details on Zhongshan’s qualities.
Zhongshan district truly is a location that is suited to everyone. Taipei is renowned for its night markets and this district has one of the capital’s very best. Shilin Night Market is the city’s most famous, and only a few stops away on the MRT line. However, if you’d prefer a version slightly less catered towards tourists with a more authentic feel, we strongly recommend trying the Shuangcheng Street Night Market instead. Prices aren’t ramped up to the same extent and the authentic Taiwanese food that can be sampled here is gorgeous.
This is a good location for backpackers, hipsters, and young couples; particularly Ximending. Ximending is generally regarded as one of the cooler places in the city. The district is extremely vibrant and lively, especially on weekends. Many people venture to this area for the abundance of shops, restaurants, and cinemas. Though there’s a great deal of expressiveness to be admire in the area too, by way of cosplay, graffiti, and stalls of talented people creating personalised crafts.
This is probably the best area to stay for nature-lovers. Da’an Forest Park ticks all the boxes for those that enjoy a pleasant stroll amongst beautiful greenery. At 64 acres, Da’an Forest Park is the largest of its kind in Taipei. Along with the wide range of beautiful flowers and trees which grow within its grounds, there are also two large ponds worth circling. On the subject of flowers, the Jianguo Holiday Flower Market is situated close by and is incredibly popular amongst locals. This wholesale marketplace offers potted flowers, cut flowers and fertilisers, amongst other garden affiliated items.
Datong is a wonderful spot for those looking to emerge themselves into local culture and be among some of the city’s most important historical sites. Datong’s Dihua Street, for instance, is the oldest road in Taipei. Formerly used as a hub for trading during the time of the Qing Dynasty, Dihua Street is an 800-metre strip made up of traditional shops which sell a variety of interesting products such as creative fabrics and customary local tea. It’s a great place for those looking to find authentic souvenirs and gifts.
This is undoubtedly the perfect spot for those that appreciate the glitz and glamour of a capital city. Xinyi is considered one of the trendiest areas within the country’s capital for a reason, it has an extensive selection of upscale restaurants, high-end shops and swanky nightclubs. The district’s rightfully lavish reputation does generally equate to higher accommodation prices, though there are also plenty of options in the midrange bracket too for those wishing to cut costs.
Zhongzheng is brimming with many of the city’s finest cultural attractions. For instance, this area has Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Concert Hall and Liberty Square Arch, and they’re all located within the same grounds. These structures are gigantic, awe-striking and extremely picturesque. Of the three structures mentioned, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is the most prominent. It also homes a 6.3-metre-high bronze statue of the country’s former president. If you time your visit carefully, you may even get to see the changing of the guards who stand before the statue.
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