The best things to do while on a work trip in Taipei

While Taipei’s ascension to a world-class city happened later than its neighbours like Hong Kong and Singapore, the metropolis of 2.5 million has come into its own since the turn of the century. Industries such as telecommunications, electronics and industrial manufacturing have drawn talent from around the region to Taipei, which often ranks high among Asian cities in global liveability surveys. With an efficient public transport system, lively night markets and a laid-back pace of life, Taipei makes for a business trip that is as fun as it is productive.

Where to start

Over the second half of the 20th century, Taipei expanded northwards and eastwards as a result of an influx of migrants from the Chinese Mainland and across the island. Today, Wanhua’s historic neighbourhoods lie adjacent to the youth culture and fashion hub that is Ximending, which itself is a short taxi or metro ride from the Taipei Main Station – one of the busiest transport hubs in Asia. Zhongxiao Road, an east-west thoroughfare which passes through multiple landmarks and department stores, is Taipei’s answer to Oxford Street and Orchard Road. Xinyi district, the area in which the iconic Taipei 101 is located, is the city’s central business core and home to many luxury hotels, swanky office towers and apartments, as well as high-end shopping centres.  

Where to take clients 

Taiwanese cuisine is much more than just street food and homey dishes. Treat your business partners to an elegant feast at the one-Michelin-starred Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature at the Taipei Marriott Hotel, Midtown, where beloved classics like three-cup chicken and Yilan-style stewed pork are given a gourmet touch. Among Taipei’s buzziest restaurants in recent years, Mume by Hong Kong-born chef Richie Lin fuses European techniques with local, seasonal ingredients. For a nightcap after a long day, head to Ounce . Concealed behind a coffee shop, the popular speakeasy has no menu. Simply reveal your preferences and let the bartender devise something that suits the moment. 

Where to stay

If meetings are keeping you on Taipei’s west side, the Palais de Chine Hotel near Taipei Main Station makes for an opulent base. An east-meets-west aesthetic runs through its guestrooms and public spaces, including the three-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, Le Palais. Just a short drive from Taipei Songshan Airport, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei exudes luxurious, old-world charm while offering all the essentials to modern travellers. Proof that bigger is sometimes better, the 850-room Grand Hyatt Taipei – part of the Taipei World Trade Centre and International Convention Centre complex – is ideal for those attending trade shows or heading to one of the office towers in Xinyi district.

What to say 

Ask your Taiwanese colleagues about their favourite night market snack or the best beef noodle soup spot, and you can be sure it’ll stimulate a good-natured debate and a plethora of recommendations. Traditional culture stresses family and education, so you can’t go wrong by expressing an interest in where and what people’s children are studying. What’s more, the Taiwanese love the great outdoors. Drop some hints and you might have a partner for an evening hike or a soak in the hot springs after work. 

What to know  

Like in many other Asian cities, exchanging name cards is the formal way to greet business partners and clients in Taipei. Nowadays, you might also expect the other party to ask if they can add you on Line, a popular messaging app in Taiwan and elsewhere in Asia. 

What to do during your free time 

A hike up Elephant Mountain, or Xiangshan, is the best way to catch the sunset or a panoramic view of Taipei. If you prefer tramping on flat ground, set out from the Longshan Temple metro station and explore Wanhua’s shrines and markets. For a spot of culture, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum runs exhibitions by local artists. No visit to Taipei is complete until you’ve snacked your way through multiple food stalls on a bustling street. Linjiang Night Market – just a 10-minute taxi ride from Taipei 101 – is where you can gorge on stinky tofu, fried chicken steak, grass jelly desserts and much more. 

What to take home 

Pineapple cakes are the quintessential snack to bring home from Taiwan. Get them from Chia Te Bakery, which has made these and other scrumptious pastries since 1975. They pair well with another popular souvenir, high-mountain oolong tea, which you can purchase directly from a grower at the Taipei Expo Farmers Market, where more than 100 local producers and farmers gather every weekend to sell fresh produce.  

If you’re making a trip to Wulai, the indigenous district located about an hour south of central Taipei, pick up colourful souvenirs that show off the weaving traditions of the Atayal tribe. Into Chinese art? Head to the gift shop at Taipei’s Palace Museum for everything from calligraphy and landscape painting replicas to books and homeware.