Dihua Street is a major artery in Taipei’s Dadaocheng District © Bing-Jhen Hong / Getty Images
Although Taipei is one of Asia’s most compact capitals, it’s still easy to get lost while exploring this beautiful city, which is famous for its surrounding forested hills, as well as its skyscrapers that tower above temples, night markets, and museums.
With this in mind, we provide you with a guide to Taipei neighborhoods that should be on your radar.
Dadaocheng
Say hello to one of the oldest neighborhoods in Taipei. Dadaocheng is a narrow, winding street filled with beautiful architecture, family entertainment businesses, and heritage. Chief among them is the 207 Museum, a private residence filled with artifacts designed to provide insight into Taipei's history.
Dihua Street, running from north to south, is the main artery of the neighborhood (and the oldest street in Taipei). Heading here is a reminder that this city was once at the forefront of export trade. While most of the tea factories and tea shops on this road are now gone, there are still a few wedged in with independent shops specializing in everything from pottery to art.
Just steps away from Taipei's northernmost TkKurikawa / © Getty Images Beitou subway station
Beitou District
Beitou District, Taipei's northernmost district, is a wonderfully wild community easily accessible from the city center. Here you'll find the country's only subway-accessible hot springs (you'll need to take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line to get there), nestled at the foot of the -filled Yangmingshan National Park. The park is dominated by the dormant volcano Qixing Mountain.
Don’t miss the Beitou Hot Spring Museum , which houses 800 kilograms (about 1,760 pounds) of Beitou Stone (famous for its white rhombus crystals), and make sure you take time to bathe, too. (An image-based information board explains the etiquette, but in short, you need to be naked. We also recommend visiting the Hot Springs Valley, just a short walk from the metro station. The valley is a steamy - and admittedly smelly - place) Filled with steaming hot springs, the valley has a network of walking trails that weave around sulfur pools.
Ximending is a downtown neighborhood often compared to Tokyo's Harajuku district, where you can find everything from cosplay cafes and street art to luxury hotels and some of the city's best independent boutiques. It's also a major nightlife hub. Head to Hanko 60 or Geography Bar & Café Wait for the bar, sip cocktails and people watch.
But most people come here to shop. Ximending is often referred to as Taipei's arts district, with the historic Red House Theater at its center and filled with independent craft shops. On weekends it's the setting for a brilliant market. Love a good pair of sneakers? Here you'll find the best sneaker stores in Taipei, including ABC-Mart, which specializes in limited editions. 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, or (in) the famous modern toilet restaurant, where dishes are served in tiny toilets and drinks are served in urinals.
Despite skyscrapers, including Taipei 101, 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, the Xinyi Business District is the city's newest district. It features Taipei 101 at the top of the Observatory , towering above luxury shopping malls and department stores.
There are also plenty of opportunities for cultural restoration: the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Taipei Discovery Center should both be on your list. What’s the best thing about Xinyi? It's very easy to navigate, with a logical, organized layout, which means exploring it on foot is best. Despite its skyscrapers, there's plenty of green space, and on weekends its outdoor plaza doubles as a venue for festivals and concerts.
Tamsui
Tamsui is a riverside area often referred to as a district of Taipei but is actually a 40-minute subway ride north of the city center and was a bustling trading port in the 19th century. Its influence is widespread: it was colonized by the Spanish 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.
Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Tamsui is an excellent choice for anyone keen to escape the city for an hour or two. We recommend exploring the narrow streets that frame the riverside. Here you can find some delicious street food, whether it's ah gei (fried tofu) or fish dumplings.
Grab a snack 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 and subway stations have made the area a popular shopping destination with easy access to transportation. Here you'll find the Raohe Street Night Market - one of Taipei's oldest night markets - 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 performed here.
Daan
Daan is a convenient neighborhood with plenty of space, thanks in large part to the fact that it is home to Daan 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 delicious food in Da'an, home to the original outpost of Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese restaurant famous for its xiao long bao (steamed pork dumplings) that now has restaurants in the UK, UAE and US. Finally, if you're looking for a funky place to crash, book a room at the painfully cool Kimpton Daan, which is filled with countless nods, including the adorable mini rice cooker in the room.
