I honestly think Taiwan is so underrated and not mass visited by the Western world. I only really managed to get there due to a re-fuel stop that I changed into a stopover and one of the best decisions I could have made.
The country is part of China on paper but not in real terms given that it has its own government and tries to do its own thing.
Now let’s crack on with what you can do for a birthday celebration in Taipei.
1. Head up the Taipei 101 building
Standing at an impressive 508 metres (1,670 feet), this is a must visit and a great way to kick off a birthday!
Having been the tallest building in 2004, but now overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in 2010 and I am sure that will be trumped in the not too distant future. Taipei 101 stands loud and proud over the city and offers panoramic views. You can buy a ticket in advance for 980 TWD (around $30).
If you want to try to get a discount, you can go to the fifth floor of the building and try to save some money, which has to be done in person so if you are on a tight schedule, it may be best to book in advance.
2. Visiting the Night Markets
One of the busiest things I’ve been to, the Taipei night markets, are just bustling with people wanting to buy yummy food. Two of the most popular ones are the Shilin Market and Raohe Market.
Other than food you can buy unique gifts, technology with names you might never have heard of but the pricing will make you consider them. Just wander around and take in the atmosphere and how local life is in this wonderful city.
3. Night out partying in Taipei
It was always going to be on the cards, a big night out in the capital of Taiwan. But what is the nightlife like? Well I found it pretty cool, also one of the best night clubs I have ever been to. There are a few areas worth checking out, including Xinyi District, Ximending District, Zhongshan District.
Probably the most impressive venue is OMNI Nightclub, now be warned it can be tricky to get in as it’s very popular and can be oversubscribed, plus your drinks will not be cheap. Also it can be quiet at times so best to go on a weekend to get the true vibe of this super club.
Another great club is WAVE CLUB Taipei and much more reasonable on the wallet.You will find a mix of locals and tourists here, again to make the most of it and get the true feel, go on a weekend.
4. Visit Taipei Zoo
Located in the hills of Muzha. It’s an opportunity to see over 2,000 different animals and is one of the largest Zoos in Asia. You also have lots of interactional learning, so can take some knowledge away with you.
Highlights of the Zoo include the Giant Panda House, which consists of Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, along with their adorable offspring. You can also head to the Taiwan Animal Area, to learn about and see native animals in the country. There are other great area’s so well worth a visit.
Tickets cost are crazy cheap, as it’s NT $100 (New Taiwan Dollar) which works out at just over $3 USD. You can even get cheaper but at that price, it’s fair enough and assume the money goes back into maintaining the zoo as well as feeding the animals.
5. Dining at Din Tai Fung Restaurant
Who doesn’t want to have a nice meal on their birthday. Here you can taste Michelin standard food. They are known for having arguably the world’s best xiao long bao. So why not head down to this place and enjoy locally foundered food.
6. Walking around Taipei City Mall
Not for everyone but a shopping trip might be the way to go for a birthday and treat the person or yourself to a great birthday gift. You should find electronics to be cheaper if you don’t mind lesser known brands. Western clothes are normally more expensive due to higher taxes and importing. So clothes are best to stay local than Western fashion brands.
Having said the above, going to the Mall can be fun to just window shop or even fall upon a cool local brand you like or something you wouldn’t necessarily see or buy in the West.
7. Book a Karaoke Booth
If you can sing or even if you can’t, this is a great way to spend time with friends and family. Asia seems to be the home of this activity and something I almost always end up doing in this part of the world.
It’s pretty easy to stumble across a Karaoke bar but if you want to plan in advance, then maybe try Cashbox Partyworld. This is one of the biggest chains in Taiwan of Karaoke bars. You’ll be allocated a well decorated booth with a high tech sound system to sing the night away.
8. Visit the Taipei Fine Arts Museum
If you like to have a more low-key birthday or do something during the day to relax, then it’ll be well worth visiting the Arts Museum. You can enjoy work from Taiwan as well as from around the world. It is also free to enter.
9. Take a walk in Taipei’s Botanical Garden
Another day activity would be to enjoy a leisurely walk through the city’s Botanical Gardens. You’ll probably need around an hour or 2 to walk around it and take in the over 300,000 species of plants, shrubs and trees.
Summary
Taipei is a great city to spend a birthday, ideally keep the celebrations to the weekend, when you can expect a much livelier experience. Getting around and navigating can be tricky, but also part of the fun. You can get an Uber which is fine later at night, during the day I would stick to public transport such as tubes to get around the city.