Night markets, mountain temples and hot springs on the edge of a friendly, easy-going city, with green hills right on the metro. Here's what Taipei is like, when to go and how long to stay.
You must fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card online within three days before you arrive. Bring an adaptor for flat two-pin plugs, and check GOV.UK before you book.
Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
October, November and April are the best months, warm and mostly clear for walking the city and the hills. July and August are very hot and humid, often 34°C or more, with typhoons possible from June to October. May and June bring the 'plum rains'. Winter is mild but often grey and damp, with the Lantern Festival lighting up the city around February.
The landmark tower, with a fast lift to the observatory and its huge wind damper on show inside.
A short, steep climb from the metro to the classic view over Taipei 101 and the city, best at sunset.
Shilin, Raohe and Ningxia night markets for bubble tea, dumplings, pepper buns and plenty more.
One of the world's great collections of Chinese art, from jade and bronzes to porcelain and paintings.
Soak in hot-spring baths in a leafy valley at the end of a metro line, with a free hot-springs museum.
A cable car up to hillside tea houses, with views back over the city.
A hillside old gold-mining town of lantern-lit lanes and tea houses above the sea, about an hour away.
EVA Air flies direct from London Heathrow. Otherwise connect through a hub such as Hong Kong, Singapore or Dubai.
Yes. The metro is clean, cheap and signed in English, and an EasyCard covers trains, buses and even some shops.
Four or five days covers the city, a night market or two and a hot spring. A week lets you add Jiufen and other day trips.
Spring and autumn are best, especially October and November. Summer is very hot and humid, with typhoons possible.
Put Taipei on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.