THINGS TO DO IN TAIPEI AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER
This post was written by Flo from YogaWineTravel
Taiwan is perhaps one of the most underrated places to visit in Asia. It offers up incredible landscapes, delicious food that you can’t get anywhere else in the world, a plethora of fantastic things to do and see extremely friendly people, and a well-connected airport in the capital city, Taipei.
If you are a solo female traveler who is excited to explore new destinations worldwide, do not skip Taipei. Here’s what you should know if you are planning a trip to Taipei. the capital of Taiwan.
Important Travel Information for Taipeh
Let´s start with some important information for planning your trip to Taipei before getting to the top things to do in Taipei.
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Getting Into Taipei
If you are flying into Taipei, the chances are that you will be arriving at Taoyuan International Airport. There is another smaller airport downtown called Songshan Airport. Make sure you differentiate between the two!
The fastest and most efficient way to get into Taipei from the airport is via the MRT subway system, taking you into the city in approximately 30 minutes. Once you have arrived at Taipei Main Station, you can hop on a taxi to get you to your accommodation.
A taxi direct from the airport to your accommodation will run you anywhere from US$50-60.
Getting Around in Taipei
There are plenty of cheap, safe, and clean transportation options to help get you around the city. Metered taxis can be found everywhere and are reasonably priced, and taxi drivers are, in general, extremely polite.
While most taxi drivers understand some English, bring the hotel’s business card or address in Chinese just in case. You can also easily hail an Uber to get you from A to B – in my experience. The fare prices are very reasonable.
The most budget-friendly way to get around is by metro (MRT) or bus. You can pay for public transportation using the Easycard (similar to the Octopus card in Hong Kong or Oyster card in London), which can be topped up at any convenience store, or you can pay in cash.
MRT stations are rigorous when it comes to eating and drinking, and you should avoid doing so (even chewing gum visibly) if you don’t want a fine.
You can get to places like Jiufen, Shifen, and Pingxi via public transport, but there are no direct connections, and you often have to change between a bus and a train. If you are short on time, want to see a few different places in a day, and don’t mind splurging a little, look into hiring a private driver for the day.
DingTaxi is a travel booking website that offers different customizable tour packages (as well as airport transfers) from several local car companies; you can expect to pay approximately US$100 for a driver and car for a full day.
There are also hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus tours in Taipei – click here to find out about prices.
Taipei is a sprawling city but is fairly walkable if you have the time (and energy). It may be hard to cross the entire city on foot, but it isn’t hard to get from, say, Taipei 101 to Ximending. It’ll give you a good opportunity to work off some of the amazing Taiwanese street food!
Where to Stay in Taipeh as a Solo Traveler
There are tons of great accommodation options in Taipei – if you want to stay somewhere central, look into hotels and AirBnBs in the Xinyi and Zhongzheng districts.
- Find out about the best luxury hotels in Taipeh.
- Find out about the best mid-range hotels in Taipeh
- Find out about the best budget hotels in Taipeh
What to Wear in Taipei
In general, you can wear pretty much anything you want, and I’ve personally never felt unsafe.
The younger generation tends to dress quite fashionably, and it’s not uncommon to see women in short skirts and high heels. Will you get some stares (from both men and women) if you’re showing a ton of skin? Probably, but that’s not unlike other places around the world.
Taiwan is an island, and while the southern part is tropical, Taipei is in the north and does experience 4 seasons throughout the year. It can be brutally hot and humid during the summer months, so bring loose-fitting and flowy tops or dresses.
However, most shops and malls will blast the air conditioning so it can be freezing cold indoors – you’ll want to bring a thin cardigan or scarf. During the winter months, the temperature can fall below 5-8 degrees Celsius (but it doesn’t snow), so if you are visiting from mid-December to mid-March (especially around Chinese New Year), it would be prudent to bring leather boots and a thick coat or down jacket.
Useful Numbers for Travelers in Taipeh
Make sure you stay connected with friends and family back home by purchasing a local SIM card. There are shops at the airport when you arrive (you’ll need to show them your passport).
Here are some key numbers to know for your trip:
- 110: Police
- 119: Fire/Ambulance services
- 112: Other emergency services
- +886-2-2717-3737: Tourist information hotline
Resources for meeting people in Taipei
Taipei is an incredibly safe city, but there are plenty of different ways to meet people if you don’t want to go off exploring Taipei on your own. If you’re staying in a hostel, head to the communal space to see if any fellow solo travelers want to explore the city together.
Alternatively, check out Meetup.com for free walking tours that take place throughout the week, or join a local food tour to check out some of Taipei’s street eats. It’s also important to note that Taiwanese people are amiable, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation or ask someone to snap a photo for you! English comprehension in Taiwan tends to be slightly lower than in cities like Singapore and Hong Kong, but don’t let that stop you from trying.
Prefer swiping? Dating apps are popular, and you’ll find potential matches on Bumble or Tinder.
PLACES TO VISIT AS A SOLO TRAVELER IN TAIPEI
If you want to make the most of your trip to Taipei, you should plan to spend at least 4 to 6 days there. Some of the top things to do include the following:
Visit the National Palace Museum
One of the best things to do in Taipei is to visit the National Palace Museum. The museum is one of the best in the world. housing nearly three-quarters of a million artifacts from ancient China.
Not all of them are on display at any given time, so if you re-visit in the future, you may find a whole new slate of artifacts. Two main are the piece of green jade sculpted to look like cabbage, and a piece of agate sculpted to look like a piece of pork.
Combine visiting the National Palace Museum and exploring Taipei
Enjoy Taipei while visiting its most popular attractions with an English-speaking guide. Witness the guard ceremony at Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and visit the National Palace Museum. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. Round-trip hotel transport and admission to National Palace Museum are included.
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
Another must-see place in Taipeh is the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. The memorial hall is located in downtown Taipei and is a national monument in memory of Taiwan’s former president. It sits within Liberty Square and is a popular tourist attraction.
Combine visiting the National Palace Museum and exploring Taipei
Enjoy Taipei while visiting its most popular attractions with an English-speaking guide. Witness the guard ceremony at Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and visit the National Palace Museum. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. Round-trip hotel transport and admission to National Palace Museum are included.
Observation Deck at Taipei 101
When in Taipei, check out the observation deck at Taipei 101. The observation deck is one of the best places to get a 360-degree view across Taipei city.
The entrance is on the 5th floor of the Taipei 101 building: you will need to purchase a ticket before stepping into a high-speed elevator which will take you up to the 89th floor. You can check out tickets for the observation deck here.
Elephant Mountain
The best place to watch the sunset in Taipei is Elephant Mountain – thus it is also one of the most popular places.
Getting to the top will take you 20-30 minutes along a well-paved trail. And the entrance is conveniently located near the Taipei 101 building. Best of all – it’s free!
Ride the Gondola to Maokong
A trip to Maokong makes a wonderful day trip. It is a tea-producing area high up in the hills, and you can get there by riding the gondola. Once you’re there, make sure you try a cup of local tea and also try the tea-flavored soft-serve ice cream. To get back down, either hop on the gondola or take a shuttle bus.
Get Spirited Away at Jiufen
Another good place to visit in Taipei is Jiufen.
Jiufen is an old gold mining town famous for its Old Street and tea houses – don’t miss Ah Mei Teahouse and the gorgeous Chinese lanterns hanging outside. Jiufen also offers a panoramic view across the mountains and ocean, making it an extremely popular tourist destination. Click here to find out about guided tours to Juifen.
Explore Shifen or Pingxi Old Town
Shifen and Pingxi are tiny towns located on train tracks and trendy as you can release paper sky lanterns.
The different colors represent different types of wishes; for example, red lanterns signify good health, yellow lanterns represent wealth, and pink lanterns represent love and relationships.
While you’re here, you can also eat some local Taiwanese snacks like shaved peanut brittle topped with homemade peanut ice cream, all wrapped in a thin crepe. If you’re visiting Shifen, make sure you also check out the Shifen waterfall.
Eat Your Way Through the Night Markets
The night markets in Taipei serve up some of the best food and drink. Raohe Night Market and Shilin Night Market are 2 of the most popular ones with tons of great shopping and eating to be done.
Nervous about looking out of place? Not to worry, no one will look twice at or judge a solo female traveler stuffing her face and eating her way through the market!
Click here for some of the best Taiwanese street eats to try in Taipei. There are also plenty of vegetarian options in the night market, like vegetable dumplings, spring onion roti, roasted corn, and grilled mushrooms.
Check out Local Culture and Art
If you are interested in checking out some local culture and art, head to the Ximen Red House for products and designs from local Taiwanese artists and keep your eye out for events and exhibits at Huashan 1914 Creative Park.
Going out Partying in Taipei
Taipei is a great place to go out drinking and dancing, drinks are cheap, and many bars and clubs are open until the early morning hours.
Taipei’s legal drinking age is 18 years old, and you should have your ID on you as the bouncers do tend to check. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can expect to pay an entrance fee, but this fee tends to include 1 to 2 drinks as well.
Just as you would in any other place around the world, exercise good judgment and watch your drink and belongings!
When are you planning to visit Taipei?
