In which quarter house in Taipei?

A trip to the other end of the world on the island of Formose? Discover the area in Taipei, the Taiwanese capital!

Contrary to what is often thought, Taiwan has autonomous institutions and is not a China satellite: it is an independent and free country, but claimed by Beijing. If you go to Taipei , you will be struck by the disconcerting tranquility reigning in the streets and by the hospitality of Taiwanese. With a population of 2,618,772 and 6.8 million people in its urban area, Taipei is noisy and polluted. It is very easy to find a place to sleep in Taipei but prices are high.

The city is divided into 12 arrondissements but we recommend targeting the neighborhoods of the center to avoid waste time in the metro (MRT). Because the suburbs (New Taipei City) are spread and far from the city centre. This is our guide to the neighborhoods where to stay in Taipei.

Wan Hua

Wan-Hua – formerly Bangka – is the oldest part of Taipei. It houses the temple of Lungshan and the most picturesque street in the city. Along Lane 173, you will find the "historical block of Bopiliao", a shopping street dating from the Qing Dynasty (1683-1895). Here we wander between tradition and modernity, the atmospheres change at every corner of the street. In Ximending, for example, exhales the modernity and counter-culture of Taiwanese youth: bars, karaokes, shopping centers, restaurants, shops and theatres, areas where to go out dedicated to the entertainment and the undivided character of Asian culture.

Da’an

Located in the centre of the city, the Daan district is close to the National History Museum, the Chang Kaï-Chek Memorial and the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial. An inquantifiable plethora of shops bordering the streets of this central neighborhood: clothing shops and large signs, a stop at the Daan Forest Park is almost mandatory when you radiate in the area. In the background, you will not miss the Tour Taipei 101, majestic building of 508 meters high. Daan is an ideal area to stay in Taipei because it allows you to visit the city by having a central position.

Xinyi

Excenteding to the east of Taipei, Xinyi offers the advantage of being much quieter, residential and brand to the east the starting point of multiple hikes to the Elephant Mountain – Xiangshan Pinyin Mandarin – to the metro station of the same name. This is the area where we resided during our stay and we can only recommend it to you for some time to stay in Taipei. Take advantage of Songshan's night market, go up the Taipei 101 Tower. Here again, countless restaurants and the night market – an institution made in Taiwan – are there to treat you (don't miss the Raohe Night market). Another immanquable neighborhood: Wufenpu, a maze of whole streets dedicated to the clothing trade if you like shopping!

Zhongshan

This neighborhood is lively, groubling, noisy in places, effervescent and very central. It offers a perfect place to sleep in Taipei because you find everything you need to enjoy your stay: temple marathon, culinary paradise – to taste absolutely: dumplings and ravioli (jiaozis and xiao long bao) -, many parks, and countless shops. Staying in Zhongshan also offers the advantage of being close to the Central Station – Taipei Main Station – if you have a train to take. You are also advised to get out of town (red line of the MRT) towards Tamsui for beautiful walks in a calm seaside (the lighthouse and the port of Tamsui are to see!).

Main photo : Flickr – Ludovic Lubeigt