Taipei has been a powerhouse in the consumer electronics world since the mid-1980s and its reputation as a centre of innovation continues today. Big names like Google, Apple and Cisco are among those leading R&D in semiconductors, advanced chips and AI, while biotech and green energy are also booming.
Getting there
Getting there: Etihad offers perhaps the best-priced option from the UK, with daily flights from Heathrow with quick changes at its Abu Dhabi hub. China Airlines and EVA Air both offer direct flights from London, while Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are all alternatives depending on your preferred stopover point.
Sleeping
Five-star luxury is in no short supply, with brands including Marriott, Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental all represented. The Grand Hyatt Taipei a favourite for corporate stays and conferences. The Okura Prestige Taipei offers Japanese-style elegance, while Kimpton Da An brings boutique flair to the Da’an district. For longer stays, CitizenM Taipei North Gate and Hotel Proverbs Taipei offer stylish, tech-savvy rooms with flexible layouts and great beds. The long-awaited 260-room Four Seasons Taipei is slated to open in the central Xinyi District next year.
Eating
Food is a big deal in Taipei – look no further than its astonishing 38 Michelin-starred restaurants. Top of the tree is undoubtedly Le Palais, a Cantonese eatery inside the Palais de Chine Hotel, which has held three stars since 2018. Street food favourites including beef noodle soup, oyster omelettes and mango shaved ice can be found in abundance on Yongkang Street or the Shilin Night Market. Meanwhile, Din Tai Fung’s original branch on Xinyi Road is a pilgrimage site for lovers of traditional dumplings (xiaolongbao).
After hours
Once business is done, there’s nothing better than taking a deep breath for the 1.5km climb up Elephant Mountain for incredible panoramic views of Taipei’s skyline. Afterwards, dive into the city’s thriving speakeasy scene. Lurking behind hidden doors – mainly in the Zhongshan District – these sleek bars typically have a 1920s prohibition feel. Alchemy, Bar Mood and Ounce are among the best.
Getting around
Taipei’s sleek MRT metro system is clean, fast, bilingual and very cheap. Contactless EasyCards (like London’s Oyster card) can be bought and loaded at convenience stores and used on trains and buses. Taxis are cheap and plentiful, though drivers may speak limited English. Uber is available as an alternative. From Taoyuan Airport (TPE), the Airport MRT gets you downtown in under 40 minutes for around £4.
Must-see
Yangmingshan National Park, just 30 minutes from the city, has hot springs, hiking trails and volcanic landscapes. Take a trip to Jiufen, a misty mountain town that inspired cult Japanese animated movie Spirited Away, or hop on the cable car from Taipei Zoo to Maokong Station for the famous oolong tea plantations and teahouses.
