Klook’s Guide to Rail Travel in Taipei City

To a foreigner, traveling in Taiwan is always about Taipei. If you are one of those who believe that a trip to Taipei can conclude Taiwan, you’re missing out on a lot.

Since it began operations in 2007, the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) connects the North and the South of Taiwan like never before! Thanks to the THSR, people can now easily navigate major cities across the island within an hour or two.

A rail trip around Taiwan tells a full story of the country’s lure: while the capital in the North shows you the youthfulness and vibrancy of the country, the South of Taiwan surprises you with its rich cultural resurgence and stunning scenery. 

To get the most out of your trip to Taiwan, hop on a Taiwan High-Speed Rail train and travel like a local! But before you do, make sure that all your travel documents are complete:

You can find the Taiwan High-Speed Rail trains at the Taipei Main Station, the busiest THSR stop out of all. Conveniently located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei Main Station is at the very center of the capital, with many of the city’s best spots just around. 

Hop on the THSR train from Taipei to Taichung, or go around Taipei by riding the Taipei Metro (MRT). Taipei shows you both the dynamic and romantic sides of the city, where one can experience the prosperity of a big city in the urban center and the unique Taiwanese romance in the beautiful suburbs.

Want to know more about Taiwan’s High-Speed Rails? Check out our all-in-one-guide, plus pro tips on making the most out of your rail pass!

The first stop on your Taiwan trip: a visit to its capital city! Taipei offers city lovers plenty of sights and attractions. From scenic temples and lively night markets to funky art museums, you can easily reach them by taking the Taipei Metro (MRT). 

There are six lines altogether, with stops that take you directly to famous attractions. If you’re coming from outside Taipei, make sure you alight at the Taipei Main Station. From there, you can hop on the Green, Red, or Blue lines of the Taipei Metro to your destination within the city. Taipei Main Station houses the THSR and MRT trains, so you won’t have to leave the station.  

To ride the Taipei Metro, you’ll need the trusty Metro Pass, which allows you to hop on and off all six subway lines. Want to know more about train passes in Taiwan? Check out our Klook guide:

All set and ready to go? Scroll down to find the best places and eats!

Ximending is one of the most popular spots for both local and international visitors. Think of Japan’s Shibuya — Ximending features a massive variety of fashion and entertainment activities.

A day in Ximending doesn’t simply end with crazy shopping: check out the Walking Street at night, where you’ll be amazed by the awesome food stalls along the street or outside Ximen Station, selling local Taiwanese food such as theHalal Beef Noodle Shop! K-pop fans can also catch people covering and filming dance covers from the latest hits right across the station. 

If you’re energetic enough, spend the remaining night in a bar or club or even a karaoke room! Ximending never fails to awaken one’s memories in youth.

The Red House is one of the landmarks in Taipei city. Built in 1908 during the Japanese colonization era, this Western-style building is now preserved as a heritage site. Today, the complex now serves as an art space that hosts concerts and cultural events.

Fun Fact: The square behind the Red House building is home to Taipei’s largest LGBT district. The area features a wide range of awesome bars welcoming all visitors. For delicious eateries, try Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodles or sip a drink and enjoy the open atmosphere in one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in Asia!

The Walking Street is always crowded with visitors and Taipei youth during weekends, and for good reason! Fashion shops, food stalls, and restaurants are everywhere, and there are often performances and exhibitions on the street. One thing you should know: the food stalls usually open at night, but that should be no problem — buying late-night snacks is just what a Taiwanese local would do. Do grab a Taiwanese pancake when you stop by, which is our personal favorite!

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles is always busy, but it’s just a sign of its top quality. If you’ve never tried rice flour noodles, Ay-Chung would surprise your imagination with Asian noodles: take a slurp and feel how the soft rice noodles slip into your mouth with the thick gravy, before you nibble on the chewy intestines that come with each bowl of noodles.

For dessert, fill your tummies with traditional Taiwanese sweets. Origin Tofu Pudding whips up a tempting creation of red beans, taro balls, peanuts, and boba, topped with syrup for a unique taste you won’t get enough of! This sweet treat also comes with a toasty roasted aroma, adding more reasons to stop by the shop.

Xinyi District is a newly developed district home to a few most famous shopping malls in Taipei, such as Taipei 101, the flagship Eslite Bookstore, and heaps more. You can easily access these gigantic shopping centers via the bridges linking them. Taipei 101, the most prominent landmark of Taipei, is a must-visit in the area.

Currently the second tallest building in Asia, Taipei 101 speaks for the sophistication of Taiwan’s architecture, showcasing various Chinese and Asian elements in a postmodern style and designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. On the lower floors are several luxury brand shops, while at the very top of the tower are a museum and an observation deck where you can learn more about this architectural wonder and enjoy the view of the city from 101 stories above the ground.

Built in 2004, Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world from 2004 to 2010. In 2011, it was officially recognized as the tallest and largest green building in the world with the LEED platinum certification.

A 20-minute walk away from Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain trail offers you the best spot to have an amazing bird’s eye view of metropolitan Taipei city. Late afternoon will be the perfect time for the short hike because you’ll be able to see the sunrise, the sunset view, as well as the nightscape of the city once the sun sets.

The hike takes approximately one hour and 40 mins, so better bring your water bottle, especially on hot days. As the trail usually gets really crowded during weekends, try to save this trip for the weekday if you can.

Eslite Bookstore is a must-visit department store, with its overwhelming collection of books and stationery. From academic books to the latest popular novels, Eslite offers you books of every genre!

The store also features an impressive variety of lifestyle products, such as home accessories, leather goods, designer products, watches, and many more. If you’re looking for a place to spend a laid-back afternoon (or midnight), Eslite is where you should go. The bookstore is open 24 hours a day! Pretty cool, huh?

You can never go wrong with fried chicken, especially when they’re cooked and fried to perfection like they always are at Popcorn Chicken King. A classic on-the-go snack for locals, enjoy the signature crunch and crackle whenever you take a bite!

Did you know: Taiwan was colonized by Japan for over 50 years, which explains the Japanese influence that surrounds the city, including food. Strolling through the busy streets of Taipei, you’ll find plenty of restaurants offering bento boxes and even Japanese cuisine. At Don Kitchen at Xinyi, you can pick between different donburi bowls and sushi—from beef teriyaki to katsudon.

Not yet ready to bid Taiwan farewell? We totally get it — there are lots to love! If rail travel is still up your alley, head to New Taipei, where the famous Jiufen Old Street (aka Studio Ghibli in real life) is:

Or if you prefer nature, prepare to be wowed by Taichung’s breathtaking sceneries:

You can also check out this 72-hour trip of Taiwan for some travel inspo: