The creative’s guide to Taiwan: where to stay, eat, drink and unwind on the cosy East Asian island, from mountain glamping at CMP Village and surfing in Kenting, to fusion fine dining at Longtail

Mar 4, 2024

Planning a trip to Taiwan but hoping to go beyond the tourist traps? Check out these world-class recommendations, from Moonrock’s locally inspired cocktails to CMP Village’s gorgeous glamping tents. Photo: @taipeitravels/Instagram

Explore the island like a local with Style’s travel recommendations, from catching a gig at Legacy Taipei in Huashan 1914 Creative Park, to supporting Taiwanese designers like LVMH Prize semi-finalist Chiahung Su

Beyond the famed night markets and street food, Taiwan also boasts its fair share of natural beauty, from glamping in the mountains at CMP Village to bathing in the Beitou hot springs

Not many cities can pride themselves on having world-class bars and glitzy high-rises bumping up next to traditional street food night markets, with old-fashioned architecture hidden around every corner. Taipei boasts exactly that, with colonial-era charm and modern metropolis vibes all easily accessible on foot. Spread over just 250 square kilometres, Taiwan’s tourist-friendly capital offers travellers a hi-tech public transport system, while locals often prefer to get around on scooters – it’s one of the few cities in the world where there may be more motorbikes than people, let alone cars.

And while the city has gradually emerged as one of East Asia’s most popular tourist and luxury destinations over the past few decades, there’s still much to explore in the rest of the island, which often gets overlooked by international visitors.

Below, we break down why you should consider travelling beyond Taipei on your next trip to the area, as well as everything you should cover.

Stay for spa time at Radium Kagaya Taipei

The white sulphur hot spring at Radium Kagaya Taipei, a five-star hotel in the Taiwanese capital. Photo: Handout

The Beitou hot springs are among Taipei’s hottest tourist destinations – no pun intended. Millions of locals and visitors alike make the trek year-round to relish in the soothing natural steam baths here, but for those looking for more privacy, consider booking a private hot spring, or submerging in the public white sulphur hot spring, at the five-star Radium Kagaya Taipei hotel.

The suites on offer at Radium Kagaya feature tatami mats, sliding doors and sleek wooden details. Photo: Handout

Designed in the style of a traditional Japanese home, the suites on offer at Radium Kagaya feature tatami mats, sliding doors and sleek wooden details. Some have balconies and panoramic views from the bathtub looking out at the Beitou area, offering a moment of relaxation while embedded in Taiwan’s lush green nature.

Enjoy fusion fine dining at Longtail

Fusion restaurant Longtail has held its one-Michelin-star rating for six years running. Photo: Handout

Taiwan’s authentic street food scene is well documented, but it’s quickly become one of the world’s top destinations for fine dining as well, with its list of Michelin-starred restaurants growing year after year. It’s quite the accomplishment, then, that fusion restaurant Longtail has held its one-Michelin-star rating for six years running, and many of its most popular dishes have been menu mainstays since its 2017 opening.

Longtail’s chef Lam Ming-kin originally hailed from Hong Kong, before moving to Taiwan and helming hip fusion restaurant Longtail. Photo: Handout

Taiwan’s myriad cultural influences over the centuries, from that of colonial powers to different waves of migration from mainland China, means fusion is at the core of the Taiwanese identity. Of course, that’s true of its cuisine too – a principle that Longtail doesn’t take lightly. Chef Lam Ming-kin – who himself hails from Hong Kong and got his start by knocking on doors in Lan Kwai Fong in search of kitchen work – chose Taiwan to be his new home base for that very reason after stints in Shanghai, New York and Paris.

Inspired by his travels and the many international flavours that make up modern Asian cuisine, many of his creations fuse classic Asian dishes with Western standards. For starters, consider the classic Taiwanese scallion pancake, a popular street food on the island, topped with beef tartare, ginger and mustard leaf (also a common sight in Taiwanese cooking).