Districts · Taipei
Taipei by district
Four areas cover a first visit, all on or near the MRT: Ximending and Wanhua in the old west, Zhongzheng around the memorial hall and Taipei Main Station, Zhongshan and Datong to the north for cafés and Dihua Street, and Xinyi in the east for Taipei 101. The Songshan-Xindian (Green), Bannan (Blue) and Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) lines link them; most rides are under 20 minutes.
About these names
Places are addressed by road and section (Sec. 1, Sec. 2). Google Maps and the Taipei MRT app route trains, buses and walking well. Show Chinese characters to taxi drivers.
- Ximending西門町sleepseeeatSuits: First visit, snacks, cinemas, late nightsA pedestrian shopping district beside Ximen Station with the Red House and a Japanese-era grid; crowded and loud at night.2 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Wanhua and Longshan萬華seeeatSuits: Temples, old streets, herbal shopsTaipei’s oldest port district: Longshan Temple, Bopiliao and the Huaxi Street night market; the edges are rough after dark.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Zhongzheng and Taipei Main Station中正seesleepSuits: Transport links, the memorial hall and museumsGovernment buildings, the memorial hall and the rail hub for the airport, high-speed rail and Taiwan Railways.2 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Zhongshan and Datong中山 / 大同sleepeatSuits: Quiet stays, cafés, Ningxia night market, Dihua StreetLarger hotels along the Red line and a young café scene; Dihua Street in Dadaocheng sells tea, herbs and cloth.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Da’an and Yongkang Street大安eatseeSuits: Beef noodles, dumplings and the parkRestaurants around Dongmen Station and Da’an Forest Park; a good lunch area, easy from CKS Hall.District guide →
- Xinyi信義seeeatSuits: Taipei 101, malls, evening viewsA modern business and shopping district; air-conditioned and easy to walk between malls.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Shilin士林seeeatSuits: Night market, National Palace MuseumIn the north; the Palace Museum is a bus ride from Shilin Station and the night market is a short walk from the station.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Beitou北投seeSuits: Hot springsA thermal valley in the north; day trip by MRT Red line.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Da’an and Yongkang Street, Shilin, Beitou. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Ximending (西門町): A pedestrian shopping district beside Ximen Station with the Red House and a Japanese-era grid; crowded and loud at night. Suits: First visit, snacks, cinemas, late nights. Price band $$.
- Wanhua and Longshan (萬華): Taipei’s oldest port district: Longshan Temple, Bopiliao and the Huaxi Street night market; the edges are rough after dark. Suits: Temples, old streets, herbal shops.
- Zhongzheng and Taipei Main Station (中正): Government buildings, the memorial hall and the rail hub for the airport, high-speed rail and Taiwan Railways. Suits: Transport links, the memorial hall and museums.
- Zhongshan and Datong (中山 / 大同): Larger hotels along the Red line and a young café scene; Dihua Street in Dadaocheng sells tea, herbs and cloth. Suits: Quiet stays, cafés, Ningxia night market, Dihua Street. Price band $$$.
- Da’an and Yongkang Street (大安): Restaurants around Dongmen Station and Da’an Forest Park; a good lunch area, easy from CKS Hall. Suits: Beef noodles, dumplings and the park.
- Xinyi (信義): A modern business and shopping district; air-conditioned and easy to walk between malls. Suits: Taipei 101, malls, evening views.
- Shilin (士林): In the north; the Palace Museum is a bus ride from Shilin Station and the night market is a short walk from the station. Suits: Night market, National Palace Museum.
- Beitou (北投): A thermal valley in the north; day trip by MRT Red line. Suits: Hot springs.
- Sleep area Ximending: suits First visit, snacks, cinemas, late nights, price band $$.
- Sleep area Zhongshan: suits Quiet stays, cafés, Ningxia night market, Dihua Street, price band $$$.
- Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 29 km18 mi from the centre, 40–55 min by the usual route.