Stop Sleeping on Taipei

"No pun intended, but the capital of Taiwan is a sleeper hit. Like many other overlooked Asian cities, Taipei charms unexpectedly, striking a rare balance between offbeat character and cosmopolitan polish. Verdant mountains frame its famed skyscrapers, while streets buzz with food markets and crowds well into the night. Bubble tea in hand, I found myself walking around brightly lit districts, shopping for pineapple cake souvenirs and skincare til midnight each evening."

"The city's late-night culture means things operate a little differently here. Most coffee shops don't open until 11 a.m., while shopping hours often stretch to 11 p.m. The Datong District, particularly Chifeng Street, lives up to the hype, but the Da'an District won me over. Yongkang Street and the surrounding lanes felt like the side streets of Harajuku in Tokyo, where independent boutiques thrive and stylish young people gather around bubble tea shops and stationery stores."

"There's no better way to experience Taipei after dark than by exploring its famed night markets, the go-to destination to find affordable, iconic street food. While my adventurous dad sampled stinky tofu, my aunt and I gravitated towards less pungent delicacies like beef noodle soup, oyster omelet, intestine skewers, popcorn chicken and roast duck. Ximen Night Market was our favorite thanks to its convenient location and wide selection."

Taipei offers a vibrant late-night culture that balances offbeat character with cosmopolitan polish. Verdant mountains frame skyscrapers while brightly lit districts stay active into the night. Coffee shops often open around 11 a.m., while shopping frequently continues until 11 p.m. Neighborhoods such as Datong (Chifeng Street) and Da'an (Yongkang Street) feature independent boutiques, youthful crowds, and comparisons to Harajuku. Night markets provide affordable iconic street food including stinky tofu, beef noodle soup, oyster omelet, intestine skewers, popcorn chicken, and roast duck, with Ximen Night Market noted for variety. The cocktail scene includes inventive, laboratory‑themed bars emphasizing precision and sociable atmospheres.

Read at InsideHook