Taipei is known for its bustling night markets and historic temples, but in recent years, the city has also emerged as a contemporary cultural powerhouse. With its highly developed infrastructure, impressive green space and welcoming local population, the Taipei is both effortless and immensely enjoyable to explore.
featured stories
Old and New Collide on a Tour of Taipei’s Portal to the Past
If you venture beyond the glimmering skyscrapers and neon lights…
Food as Art is Shaping the Taipei Food Scene. Here’s Where to Find the Best.
Taipei has a street-food reputation that’s rivaled by few other…
These 7 Must-Sees Will Make Your Taiwan Vacation Unforgettable
As Michaela Trimble discovers on a tour with Goway Travel,…
All Stories
did you know?
Until the debut of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world for six years.
QUICK GUIDE
WHEN TO GO
Monsoon season, which sees heavy rainfall and the occasional typhoon, runs from May to September, while winters tend to be mildly chilly and humid. Early spring and late fall are the most pleasant times of the year to visit, with relatively mild temperatures.
NEED TO KNOW
Visas: Travelers from the United States are able to enter Taiwan for up to 90 days without a tourist visa. Make sure that your passport has at least one blank page and is valid for the duration of your visit.
Money: The currency here is Taiwan dollars and ATMs are easily accessible around the city.
Travel Health: Check with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau for the latest health safety information, including travel protocols and requirements like negative COVID-19 tests, quarantines, mask mandates and more in connection with COVID-19. Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.
GETTING AROUND
Getting Here: Most international airlines fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, although Taipei Songshan Airport is occasionally used.
Getting Around: The Taoyuan Airport MRT and a fleet of airport express buses make it easy to reach downtown. An airport shuttle service is also available and will take travelers to all of the major hotels on request. Once in town, the Metro Taipei, also called the MRT, is a state-of-the-art subway system. Taxis and ride sharing services such as Uber are also readily available.
LOCAL INTEL
Local Lingo: Mandarin is the official language here and by far the most prevalent, although Hakka and other dialects are reasonably common. English is somewhat widely understood, but bring a pocket translator or app.
Must-Have Apps: Travel Taipei; GO! Taipei Metro; Pleco Chinese Dictionary
Insider Tip: For a flat daily rate, the Taipei Pass covers all rides on the Maokong Gondola and MRT. For travelers looking to take in the sights the old-fashioned way, however, Taipei offers a vast network of bike paths. The YouBike program allows tourists to check out bikes at over 200 locations using an EasyCard and rent them for an affordable hourly rate.