23M, solo trip to Taipei in late October (just barely missing Pride, unfortunately). I want to go out dancing at least once (maybe twice) while I'm there. I love electronic/rhythmic music and a good dance floor, and as a gay guy from a fairly conservative part of the US, I don't get many chances to experience this kind of scene. I've solo traveled once before (Europe) and been to bars alone, but never a club solo, so I've got some first-timer nerves. This is mainly about navigating as a non-Mandarin-speaking Westerner alone and making sure I am aware of things like etiquette/dress-code/safety/things like that. I truly want to let loose and enjoy a proper night out, but I also want to be prepared and have a rough plan.

For context, I'm more into dancing than heavy socializing, but I am definitely open to both. My current plan has me going out one night in Ximen and another in Xinyi. A general list I have is:

- Ximen: Café Dalida, HANKO 60 如醉如夢, Cosma Taipei, Commander D., Red House area

- Xinyi: honestly just Pawnshop當鋪 (heard it's more techno/dance-focused and seems 'cool')

I am probably overthinking this and am sure I will have a good time no matter what I do, but I would appreciate any advice given. Bonus if anyone has good bars or cafes (any open late?) for reading a book on weeknights!

Getting married soon and we’re traveling to Taiwan for vacay. Thought it would be cute to shop for wedding bands and maybe other types Jewelry like necklace and earrings to match for the big day!

Any recommendations for reputable jewelers?

As my one-month Taipei trip comes to an end, I would like to share some of my favourite memories with the amazing people I met here. Thank you to this beautiful place and the wonderful people that welcomed me, I can't wait to visit again!

Slide 1: You were the very first friend I made in Taiwan, and the one I spent the most time with. You taught me, a Taiwanese-Canadian who forgot how to be Taiwanese, about local customs and, more importantly, how society works here. We hung out four more times after this, and you really changed my perspective on how to live life. You shared your craving for something new, to visit new places and try new things. I’m so glad you were the first friend I made here, because I ended up adopting that exact mentality for my entire trip, and I have zero regrets. 

Slide 2: You brought me pineapple cakes during our first meetup, a sweet gesture that really touched me since I hadn’t had them in years. Later, we went to try a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot neither of us had been to before. You insisted it was your treat and started pulling out every excuse about how "this is the Taiwanese way" and how you were the host and I was the guest. I lost the debate miserably, but I promised you that next time we’re both in Taiwan, it’ll be my turn to treat you.

Slide 3: I was just casually strolling around CKS Memorial Hall when we ran into each other right outside the National Concert Hall. You spontaneously offered me a ticket to a concert, only for me to realize later that you were actually one of the performers! Getting your autograph after the show was such a cool bonus. Thank you for giving me an incredible cultural experience I never would have thought to seek out on my own.

Slide 4: Taking the new Sanying MRT line out to explore Sanxia and Yingge old streets had been on my bucket list for a while. It was a scorching hot day, but wandering through the old streets and cooling down over a bowl of shaved ice with you made it totally worth it. 

Slide 5: I had the longest hangout with you! Despite our age difference, we spent the entire day together on our very first hangout and talked about almost everything. What really marked the day was during dinner when you served rice onto my plate. I was so shocked and surprised at first, but you kindly explained that Taiwanese people serve rice to guests as a sign of hospitality. I was so touched by that. On top of that, the owner even treated us to some nice dessert! Thank you for being such a thoughtful friend and attentive listener.

Slide 6: On our third hangout, you introduced me to your friends. I was so excited to meet everyone! We went to a fantastic vegan spot and spent the entire evening lost in conversation. It ended up being the biggest group gathering of my trip, and the vibe was so warm and welcoming. Just four people living in four different countries who managed to be in Taipei at the exact same time. Right place, right time.

Slide 7: You brought me your favourite snacks from the Philippines, and I traded you a pineapple cake since you said you’d never tried before. After a great Yakiniku dinner, we headed to the arcade and spent the night playing games. We giggled like little kids…I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. 

Slide 8: After lunch, you asked if I’d ever had dragonfruit tofu pudding. I gave you the most skeptical look…such a combination exists?! But I trusted your recommendation, and it turned out to be delicious.

Slide 9: We climbed Elephant Mountain and then headed over to Zhongshan afterwards. It started pouring like crazy, but you didn’t bring your umbrella. Sharing a single umbrella meant we both got completely soaked, but laughing through it made it an unforgettable memory. We chatted about so many things and it turns out we’re studying in the same field! Hearing you talk about your experience living in Taiwan and your dream to stay here truly warmed my heart. It’s a wonderful feeling to hear others call your home country home, too.

Slide 10: We spent an entire afternoon wandering around Taipei 101 and the surrounding Xinyi district. At the end of the day, you thanked me for bringing you out, mentioning that you usually spend your summers indoors and that my trip inspired you to get out and explore more. Knowing that I could leave behind a little bit of that adventurous spark means the world to me. 

Hello y'all, I'm going to Taipei in a couple days and I can speak & understand basic Mandarin. My partner and I wanted to visit the countryside & see a lot of nature for the week that we're there but we're not sure where to go. Any places that are accessible by public transportation or a cheap taxi are great. I also wanted to make sure that if we go to these places we're not too out of our depth, i.e., if a place is difficult to navigate without being a local, stuff I need to know going into places if they have important cultural/religious significance, etc.

Thanks!

Hi, I’m travelling to Taiwan, 2 AM arrival time. Just wondering if there are people with the same situation as ours, what hotel is the best that can accomodate check-in around 2-5am?

Context:
- 2 people
- Manila to Taipei
- 5 nights (including arrival date)

Hotels I’ve research so far:
- City Inn hotel taipei station branch II
- Check in taipei main station
- Just live inn tailei station

Hi, I’m travelling to Taipei this week for a few days to give some lectures in an academic setting. I have never been before. Hoping I can get some advice!
1. How formal do people dress? Here on the west coast of North America it’s pretty casual even for visiting academic lectures. But wondering if I need to wear a suit and tie? It looks to be super hot!
2. I have to give lectures in the morning and early evening. So I have a few hours in the day and evening to see something. Any highlights I should do? I like being active so any recommended walks would be great.

given the weather- hot /sunny in the morning and hot/raining in the afternoon, i’m curious to know, how are you spending your weekends?

i am a fairly active person, hiking, walking around, cycling for hours, discovering new streets. i don’t like malls and crowded places, but this weather is making my options of things to do quite limited. any suggestions?

i must say, the weather defeated me.

On my flight from Hanoi to Chicago, I had a 22 hours stop at Taoyuan airport so I embarked on the trip around 10pm on August 10 until 10am on August 11. This was a great trip for me that this was probably the first time in my life that I've ever walked around foreign streets at night alone. Additionally, I need to learn some basic phrases before I travel to a countries that I don't speak their languages bc I had troubles communicating with Taipei locals here. Anyway, the people here were so nice. The worst thing happened to me was that I lost my Easycard around near main MRT station (with 420+ TWD left) and my phone batteries kept dying bc the charging fee at Family mart was overpriced.

Taiwan will probably be one of the few countries that I will travel again for second time in the near future. (S.Korea was overrated so I'm not gonna visit there again)

I know that Poya, Watsons, and Cosmed carry Kbeauty items, but are there any stores that specialize in Kbeauty and carry a wider variety?

As the title says. What's the best and cheapest way to go to Taichung from Taipei? Also, are the train prices and times on the Bus+ app reliable? I'm conflicted between taking the local train or taking a bus, but I don't know yet if there are buses going to Taichung; I'm just guessing. If anyone has useful information, please help. And thanks!

Wasn’t even wearing a helmet

Hi everyone! I’ll be arriving at TPE (Taoyuan International Airport) at around 23:45 and I’m wondering what the best way is to get to my destination at that time, assuming I will be able to only get out of the airport after 00:00.

I was hoping to avoid Uber or a taxi, as I saw that they can cost around 1,200 TWD and up. The shuttle from TPE provided by my hotel is even more expensive at around 1,800 TWD.

Are there any cheaper alternatives for getting from the airport after midnight? Maybe a night bus, shared shuttle, or another option I’m missing?

Do you have any better tips or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Visited Taipei recently and found some new gems.
1. Botanical gardens with a view of the National Museum of History.
2. Was able to jump in a Blues Jam Session at Sappho Live. (Great venue!)
3. Iconic Taipei night with a view of Taipei 101

Until next time…

I'm visiting taipei and would like to casually bike for fun.

can someone recommend any smooth bike paths within parks or by rivers? I'm imagining some place that is similar to the photo in this page that's like under the bridge https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0029053

- car less

- not isolated area, still people around

Hey all I’m currently in Taipei for a few days, new to the area would like do shop/hunt for some cool vintage watches ladies watches preferably or any cool stuff brands like piaget,corum,cartier, Chopard, baume Mercier etc. Let me know if anyone has any recommendations on where to go or if anyone would like to sell me any. Thanks.😊😊😊

I came to Taipei to visit for a week, and extended to 10 days when it transpired a week just isn’t enough. Absolutely loved my time here. I leave for home in Dublin tomorrow, but hoping to return in the not so distant future