Taiwan travel planning: choose a base and build meals into your route

A first day in Taipei

Have breakfast near Longshan Temple station, then visit Longshan Temple and walk to Bopiliao Historic Block. Return to the station and take the blue Bannan Line toward Nangang Exhibition Center to Ximen. Use the Red House as your next stop and eat lunch in Ximen before exploring the pedestrian streets. For dinner, take the green line from Ximen toward Songshan and follow the Raohe route.

An alternative day: Xinyi and Songshan

Start in Xinyi for Taipei 101 and the surrounding pedestrian shopping area. Check the observatory's official entrance, ticket conditions and visibility before committing. Eat lunch in the same area, then take the MRT toward Songshan for Ciyou Temple and Raohe. Keep that evening flexible in heavy rain. From Taipei 101/World Trade Center, take the red line toward Tamsui or Beitou to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall; change to the green line toward Songshan. Have lunch in Xinyi before this transfer, so the market can be a smaller evening meal. Check current service notices before travelling.

Adding another city

Choose a second base according to what you want to see and eat, then check the actual rail connection, station location and onward local transport. Avoid treating a station arrival time as a hotel arrival time. On transfer days, have breakfast before departure and leave the next meal flexible until you reach your accommodation.

Build a food shortlist

Compare a rice or noodle meal, a snack and a drink rather than making every meal a tasting marathon. Save the Chinese names of the dishes you want to recognize, and confirm fillings or sauces when ordering. Use the Taiwan food directory for individual dishes and the market guides for where the evening fits.

Find a dish you would like to try

For dinner, look for a rice bowl such as lu rou fan or a noodle soup before adding snacks. A hujiao bing (pepper bun) is a filling savory option; compare its meat filling and pepper level before ordering. For something lighter afterward, consider aiyu jelly. Use the dish cards below to recognize these options, then choose from the menus you find on your route.