Taipei Travel Forum

Hello,

I'm going to be in Taipei February 28th & 29th and I'm looking to find a hotel close to the shopping as well a close to a good night club. Somewhere people dance.

Any suggestions on hotel and club/bar/nightlife???

Does a white American have anything to worry about in Taipei? For example, don't want the streets at night alone. Is it like most big cities where there are good and bad areas?

Where is a good place to meet other travelers or locals? What percentage of the locals speak English?

Thank you!

~Kevin

want = walk

=0

~Kevin

Hi Kevin, don't think I've got all the answers but here're some of my experiences.

A good shopping area that most people go to is Wu Fen Pu. It's kinda like a wholesale-cum-retail place with tiny rows and rows of shops. You can find bags, clothes, shoes, accessories - both guys and girls. Twice I've been there and twice I've never come out empty handed.

Take the MRT to Hou Shan Pi Station & exit at Exit #1. The Wu Fen Pu area is about a 5-min walk. (Try this for maps: http://english.trtc.com.tw/index.asp).

Shops are beginning to open slightly after 1pm so don't pop by in the morning. The really gd thing? Not every shop sells the same stuff so if you spot something nice, try and remember its position if you wanna return. After shopping you can go to the nearby RaoHe Night Mkt.

Your other shopping area for the younger crowd (teens to late teens) would be Xi Men Ding. Take the train to Xi Men Ding Station and it's right there. A lot of street wear if that's your thing.

If you're looking for famous brands and stuff, then it's your major dept stores like Mitsokoshi. There's one at Zhong Xiao Fu Xing Station.

I think most people do understand very simple English. And if all else fails, there's always the calculator and a good game of charades. :)

Taipei is a bustling city so I guess your good travel sense should prevail at all times. Eg keeping your bags close to you, wearing ur haversack in front, separating your money etc.

Hotels: There're several near the Xi Men Ding area such as Royal Castle, Rainbow, Neijiang. There're some old posts in this forum that you can get information on.

A good place to meet other locals? Hmm, I guess it's everywhere. I particularly like their small lanes and alleys (in the day time). You'll find the weirdest things sometimes.

Can't help you on the clubs and stuff. Maybe Nuttyzan might be of help. He's in Taiwan now and offers loads of advice on this forum.

Have a great trip!