Dihua Street is the main artery of Taipei’s Dadao District © Bing-Jhen Hong / Getty Images
Although Taipei is one of the most compact capitals in Asia, it can still be easy to get lost when exploring this beautiful city, known for its It is known for its surrounding forested hills, as well as the skyscrapers towering over temples, night markets and museums.
With this in mind, we bring you a guide to Taipei neighborhoods that should be on your radar.
Daocheng
Say hello to one of the oldest neighborhoods in Taipei. Daocheng is a winding narrow street full of beautiful architecture, family entertainment businesses and heritage. Chief among these is the 207 Museum, a private residence filled with artifacts designed to provide insight into Taipei's history.
Dihua Street from north to south is the main artery of the neighborhood (and the oldest street in Taipei). Head here for a reminder that the city was once at the forefront of the export trade. While most of the tea factories and tea shops along the road are now defunct, there are still a few wedged in with independent shops specializing in everything from pottery to art.
Just a short walk from TkKurikawa / © Getty Images Beitou Metro Station in the northernmost part of Taipei
Beitou District
Beitou District is the northernmost area of Taipei and is a wonderfully wild neighborhood easily accessible from downtown. Here you'll find the country's only subway-accessible hot spring (you'll need to take the Danshui-Xinyi line to get there), nestled in the foothills of Yangmingshan National Park . The park is dominated by the dormant volcano Qixing Mountain.
Don't miss the Beitou Hot Spring Museum , which houses 800 kg (about 1760 lbs) of Beitou stones (famous for their white diamond-shaped crystals), and make sure you take time to bathe too. (An image-based information board explains etiquette, but in summary, you need to be naked. We also recommend a visit to Hot Springs Valley, just a short walk from the metro station. The valley is a steamy - and admittedly stinky - place full of Along with steaming hot springs, the valley has a network of walking trails that weave around sulfur pools.
Ximending
Ximending is an inner-city neighborhood that often rivals Tokyo’s Harajuku district, where you’ll find everything from cosplay cafes and everything from street art to luxury hotels and some of the city's best independent boutiques. It's also a major nightlife hub. Head to bars like Hanko 60 or Geography Bar & Café for a cocktail and people-watching.
But most people It's all about shopping. Ximending is often referred to as Taipei's arts district, with the historic Red House Theater at its center, filled with independent craft shops. On weekends, it's a setting for a brilliant market. Love a good pair of sneakers ?Here's where you'll find Taipei's best sneaker shops, including the dedicated limited-edition ABC-Mart. When it's time to refuel, we recommend Snow King, where you can try ice cream topped with everything from red beans to sliced meat. kind of food, or (in) the famous modern toilet restaurant, where dishes are served in miniature toilets and drinks are served in urinals.
Despite skyscrapers, including Taipei 101, there is enough green space in the Xinyi business district ©Getty Images/EyeEm
Xinyi Business District
This is the place to shop until you drop. Often referred to as Taipei’s version of Manhattan, Xinyi Business District is the city’s newest district. It is dominated by Taipei 101 at the top of the Observatory towering over Above luxury shopping malls and department stores.
There are also many opportunities for cultural restoration: the National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and the Taipei Discovery Center should bothon your list. What's the best thing about Xinyi? It's very easy to navigate and has a logical, organized layout, which means exploring it on foot is best. Despite the skyscrapers, there's plenty of green space here, and on weekends its outdoor plaza doubles as a venue for festivals and concerts.
Danshui
Tamsui is a riverside area often referred to as a district of Taipei but actually a 40-minute subway ride north of the city center that was a bustling trading port in the 19th century. Its influence is wide-ranging: it was colonized by Spain in the 17th century and then taken over by the Dutch, hence the diversity of historical sites, from a castle built by the Spanish in 1626 to the former home of the British consulate built in the late 1800s.
Freshwater is surrounded by mountains and rivers and is an excellent choice for anyone keen to escape the city for an hour or two. We recommend you to explore the narrow streets that mirror the river. Here you can find some delicious street food, be it ah gei (oily tofu) or fish dumpling .
Grab some snacks at © Raohe Street Night Market near Songshan fotoVoyager / Getty Images
Songshan
Songshan is a bustling business district and home to Taipei International Airport . The recently opened Songshan train station and subway station make this area a popular shopping destination with easy access. Here you'll find Raohe Street Night Market - one of the oldest night markets in Taipei - as well as the Taipei Arena, which hosts Taipei Hockey League games, as well as some of the world's biggest pop stars. Madonna, Celine Dion and Justin Bieber all perform here.
Da'an
Da'an is a well-connected neighborhood with plenty of space, thanks in no small part to it being home to Da'an Forest Park , the largest green space in the city. It's a great place for a cultural fix - here you'll find the Taipei Grand Mosque and the Wistaria Teahouse, which dates back to the 1920s and was once the home of political activist David Chow.
You can also find some great food in Daan, the original outpost of Din Tai Fung , a Taiwanese restaurant famous for xiao long bao (steamed pork dumplings), now in the UK, UAE and US There are restaurants. Finally, if you're looking for a hip place to crash, book a room at the painfully cool Kimpton Da'an, filled with countless nods, including the adorable mini rice cooker in the room.
