My first-time visit in Taipei has been full of pleasant surprises. Learn here these 10 unique things I experienced in this lovely city.

 

 

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Well, my travel through Asian cities this year has eventually brought me to the capital city of Taiwan: Taipei!

Before arriving in Taipei, I have done quite some research about the city, what to do and what to eat. Yet once I arrived there, there were many things I experienced that I did not expect before.

With this post, I hope to share my experiences about Taipei, which I am sure would be helpful for you to get to know the city even better, especially if you plan to visit Taipei in the near future.

So without further ado, here are the 10 things that surprised me from Taipei, Taiwan!

 

10 Surprising Things I Experienced in Taipei, Taiwan

 

#1 – Taiwanese people are extremely generous

This is perhaps an understatement. As long as I have been traveling, I have never met people as generous as in Taipei.

Even right after I arrived at the airport, I have witnessed their remarkable generosity. At the airport, I met a lady, who was very generous to pay for my bus ride to the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) station, after knowing that I didn’t have enough money to pay.

On another occasion, I met a polite young man at a beef noodle soup joint. After striking a conversation over a bowl of noodle soup, in the end, he cordially invited me to a weekend picnic with his friends.

So guys here is my first 2 cents for you: NEVER be afraid to talk with the locals. They would be more than happy to help and welcome you in their beloved city!

 

#2 – Baseball is a hit in Taipei

Baseball is apparently a very popular sport in Taiwan. In Taipei, you can see baseball played everywhere at school’s playground, parks and of course in the ballparks.

And if you happen to go to sports cafés, it’s very likely that you will see a baseball game on TV, rather than any other sports.

People in Taiwan also apparently follow Major League Baseball (MLB) very closely. So if you’re a baseball fan, guaranteed you will get along with the locals just fine. And funny enough, many of them mention the Yankees as their most favorite team. HA!

#3 – There is a strong Japanese influence

To my surprise, there is still a strong Japanese footprint in Taipei. In Taipei, you can find izakayas and Japanese restaurants on every corner of the streets.

In the hindsight, this perhaps should not come as a surprise at all, especially when you learn that Taiwan has been ruled by the Japanese Empire for about half a century. Many people in Taipei are also still fluent in Japanese.

In addition to that, in Taipei, you will find an abundance of tasty Japanese food, ranging from fresh sushi to delicious a bowl of ramen.

#4 – Cash is king

For a city as advanced as Taipei, I am surprised that cash payment is still highly used. Even in a renowned restaurant like Din Tai Fung, payment is only possible with cash.

Credit cards are unfortunately only accepted in major shopping malls and selected numbers of restaurants. So if you plan to visit Taipei, I would recommend always having some cash with you.

The recommended and most cost-effective way to do that is to withdraw money from ATMs. In Taipei, there are 2 ATMs that do not charge any fee for withdrawing money with a foreign credit card: (1) the blue ATM at the airport (see image below); and (2) ATMs of Taiwan Cooperative Bank.

 

#5 – Biking is a big thing

In Taipei, people love biking. Taipei even has an excellent and very affordable public bike rental system called Youbike, which you can pay using Easycard (public transport card) or credit card.

Streets in Taipei also have been equipped with a dedicated bike line. Nonetheless, I should warn you to be careful when biking on the streets of Taipei.

The danger especially looms when pedestrians sometimes also walk on the bike line. On top of that, some streets do not really have a defined bike line, forcing you to bike either on the sidewalk or on the road.

#6 – Long queue at bubble tea joints at lunch

What strikes me the most during lunch hour in Taipei is the long queue at the bubble tea joints.

It dawned on me that bubble tea is the most favorite item for people in Taipei during lunch. They seem to only have a light lunch, accompanied by a glass of refreshing bubble tea.

So next time you are in Taipei during lunch, don’t forget to pick a bubble tea, just like locals do.

#7 – It’s not that cheap

In terms of price level, you can expect Taipei to be as expensive as big Asian cities such as Hong Kong or Tokyo.

For example, in Taipei, you have to pay at least 50 NTD (~$2) for a glass of bubble tea. A tall Americano at Starbucks will cost you 95 NTD (~$4).

However, for hotels and accommodations, Taipei is slightly more affordable. There are numerous mid-range hotels like this Ambience Hotel in Zhongshan district, with outstanding amenities and free breakfast for a great price.

Or as an alternative, there is of course also plenty of excellent Airbnb accommodation in Taipei.

#8 – Traditional and modest vibe

Unlike other big Asian cities, Taipei is more traditional and less cosmopolitan. Apart of Taipei 101, Taipei’s skyline is hardly filled with tall skyscrapers and glossy buildings.

Instead, the majority of the city still has a traditional Chinese feeling. From the street food stalls scattered everywhere on the streets and numerous night markets to moms-and-pops stores, these are typically modest buildings with old Chinese decoration.

#9 – Hilly and green

Taipei is surrounded by numerous hills and lush green nature. Usually, many locals flock to these hills to go hiking or relaxing picnic and barbecue.

To the west of the city in Xinyi district, the infamous Xiangshan Mountain (or Elephant Mountain) provides a scenic trail for hiking lovers, as well as a peaceful area for a relaxing getaway.

To the north of the city in Neihu district, there is also the Jinmianshan Trail, which is equally charming as well.

#10 – Laid back atmosphere

Despite being one of the high-tech hubs in Asia, Taipei is a very laid-back city.

You will see a stark difference with other big Asian cities. Very seldom you will see people running around hastily like in Hong Kong, or seeing people working for crazy long hours like in Tokyo.

 

Have you been to Taipei? What are your thoughts about these 10 things I listed?

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