The capital of Taiwan, Taipei is home to nearly 2.5 million people and forms the core of the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area. A high-tech industrial hub, Taipei also imbues a sense of intrigue with its fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences. The city contrasts Taoist temples, hot springs and traditional festivals with gleaming skyscrapers and bustling shopping districts.

GETTING THERE & AROUND
Taipei Taoyuan International Airport lies about 25 miles west of Taipei, with two existing terminals and a third in development; the recent opening of the North Concourse marks the start of further development for Terminal 3. Getting from the airport to Taipei is fastest via Airport MRT, taxi/Uber or rental car. Frequent bus service connects the airport with Taipei and other cities in Taiwan. Within the city, access public transport at Taipei Main Station, the hub for the subway, bus, conventional rail and high-speed rail systems.

LODGING
Capella Taipei
Opened in 2025, this top-tier luxury hoteloccupies the upper floors of a high-rise in tree-lined Songshan. Its 86 rooms offer panoramic views, and each of its six terrace suites features a private deck, lap pool and Jacuzzi.

Regent Taipei
In Zhongshan District, the flagship 5-star hotel offers an elegant retreat. Indulge in the rooftop pool and award-winning spa, and enjoy dining at its eight distinct restaurants.

W Taipei
After a day of meetings, escape to this urban oasis perched atop Taipei City Hall station next to Taipei 101. Enjoy fabulous dining, creative cocktails and relaxing spa treatments, or linger at the beautifully landscaped poolside.

DINING
Frassi
In Zhongshan District, Frassi continues to impress with its fusion of contemporary cuisine and timeless Italian classics. Expect an extraordinary dining experience filled with culinary creativity and refined service.

Mountain & Sea House Restaurant
Treat yourself to an authentic Taiwanese feast at this farm-to-table spot serving the freshest seasonal vegetables and locally sourced meats and fish. Chef specials include suckling pig.

Silks House Taipei
Step into the elegant restaurant at Regent Taipei and savor refined Cantonese cuisine created by Chef Max Wo Hoi-Ming, featuring classic dim sum, barbecued meats and artfully presented seafood.

ATTRACTIONS
Elephant Mountain Trail
For impressive panoramic city views, hike up Elephant Mountain. The 1.5-mile climb features steep steps and a maze of trails, but most of the route sits in dappled shade and offers overlook stops along the way.

Raohe Street Night Market
Serious foodies choose Raohe as their favorite night market, where vendors sell an awesome array of delicious street food (don’t miss black pepper buns and pork sticky rice) and signature drinks. Look for Rainbow Bridge and Songshan Ciyou Temple nearby.

Tea Plantations
Plan a daytrip to the gorgeous tea plantations in Pinglin and Maokong regions. Pinglin is famous for Baozhong tea and scenic Thousand Island Lake views, while Maokong, accessible via gondola from Taipei Zoo, features Tieguanyin tea and traditional tea houses with city views.

Global Traveler contributor Elyse Glickman recommends Changchun Market — although it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of Taipei’s colorful night markets — in Longzhou Village in the Songshan District. The market is a breakfast spot waiting to be discovered by street food enthusiasts. Fu Hang Dou Jiang and Yonghe Soy Milk are the most renowned, evidenced by long lines and busy cooks transforming flour, eggs and other simple ingredients into mouthwateringdelights in broad daylight. Highlights include sao bing youtiao (thin flatbread wrapping a crispy Chinese doughnut and egg); dan bing (thin flatbread with egg and scallions); egg rolls (actually stuffed omelets); generous bao; and various stuffed and plain fried and baked breads.

Glickman also shares, “Taipei’s Cookinn Cooking School offers a foundational cooking class for adults and kids at its two locations, dedicated to xiao long bao, the ever-popular soup dumpling; hearty braised beef noodle soup; smashed cucumber salad; and bubble milk tea. At the end of the three-hour class, participants leave with a personalized recipe book and a photo of themselves in action.”