Living Area Condition

Taipei is reputed to be one of the most livable metropolises in East Asia. It is known for its friendly residents, convenient transportation system, vibrant nightlife, fun places to visit, as well as diverse and delicious culinary options.

For the year 2022-2023, ETAs and ETFs share apartments across various districts in Taipei City. The apartments are chosen based on their relative proximity to the school sites to make the commute as convenient as possible for the ETAs and ETFs. Most of these apartments, furnished and equipped with essential appliances, are located close to (super)markets, bus routes, MRT stations, and convenience stores.


Transportation

Getting around Taipei is quite straightforward for visitors. There are many ways to go from place to place, such as the MRT, buses, taxis, and rideshares. In addition, YouBike, a network of bicycle rental services, is one of the most popular ways to get around the city as many of its parking stations are located within walking distance of MRT stations. Last of all, if you’d like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the easy options are Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), local rail lines (TRA), and intercity buses.


Attractions

Raohe Street Night Market

Night markets are a BIG deal in Taiwan! Raohe Street Night Market, located nearby the Songshan Station on the MRT Green Line, is definitely one of the biggest and most famous night markets in Taipei.

To really get acquainted with Taiwan, you’ve got to understand its food culture. And exploring the night markets is the best way to get comfortable in a new city fast.

Make sure you try the Michelin recommended Fuzhou Pepper Buns (福州世祖胡椒餅), sold near the entrance of Raohe Street Night Market . There is usually a long line, but it does move quickly.

Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Taipei City. The hike is around 15 to 20 minutes long from the bottom to the top of the mountain.

The best time to hike the mountain is during late afternoon. This way, you can catch the sunset, and the timing also allows you to enjoy both the daytime scenery as well as the stunning night time view.

Getting to the mountain with the MRT is convenient. It is just a few minutes away from Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) MRT station, which is the final stop on the MRT Red Line. Leave the station through Exit 2 and continue straight down the street with the park to your left. There are plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction.

Maokong Gondola and Other Nearby Attractions

Maokong, a oloming valley at the southeastern edge of Taipei, is another site well worth visiting. Maokong is well-known for its tea houses and picturesque views of the Taipei night skyline. The Maokong Gondola cable car allows visitors to travel between Maokong, Zhinan Temple, and Taipei Zoo.

Zhinan Temple is a religious complex that brings together elements of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist traditions, and it features an eclectic pantheon of deities and saints. Some of the most significant parts of Zhinan are the Lingxiao Shrine (the first one encounters after entering), the Chunyang Shrine (the complex’s original place of worship), and the Daxiong Hall, the largest stupa which features golden statues of the Buddhas. Maokong Valley itself is sprinkled with charming traditional tea houses.  

Yuanxuyuan and the Yaoyue Teahouse are two of the best ones. These days, Maokong’s tea industry is more tourism-driven than production-driven, but sitting with a steaming pot of Tieguanyin or Baozhong oolong tea and admiring the Taipei basin below is an indelible experience of Taiwan.

General Overview


Chinese Classes Information 

As Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City offers many options for Chinese learning, from Chinese language centers affiliated with universities to private language schools offering Chinese lessons. Below you will find some basic information about select Chinese courses or programs, but for the most updated information, please visit the website of each center or institute.

Mandarin Training Center (MTC, affiliated with National Taiwan Normal University)

  • Official website: http://www.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/eng/ 

  • MTC offers several program options. Although course availability is dependent on registration, most of their courses feature small-sized classes and various proficiency levels. Their Seasonal Program has both regular and intensive options, and the tuition fees vary according to class size and type. They also provide one-on-one classes.


International Chinese Language Program (ICLP, affiliated with National Taiwan University)

  • Official website: https://iclp.ntu.edu.tw/ 

  • With a unique history of providing Chinese instruction to the Stanford students for Chinese Language Studies, ICLP provides many immersion options for Chinese learning as well as Customized Group or One-on-one Programs.

Taiwan Mandarin Institute (TMI)

  • Official website: https://www.tmichinese.com/ 

  • Established in 2009, TMI is a private language school specialized in providing a variety of intensive group or one-on-one Chinese classes. They offer one free trial class. 


For more information about other Chinese courses and programs, please refer to this list compiled by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education: https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-23-24206-13c8a-1.html


Eating in Taipei

-Markets

Taipei has a plethora of delicious night markets, big and small. Most travel guides recommend Shilin (士林), and I think it’s a must-see because it’s so huge. Besides food, there are also a lot of fun games there, and prawn fishing, which is definitely something I would recommend (you fish for the shrimp and they will cook the ones you catch immediately after – yum!). To get there, go to Shilin or Yuanshan on the Tamsui (red) MRT line.     

Shida (師大), located near Taiwan Normal University (hence the name), is also well known, although apparently it isn’t as good as it was in the past. That being said, it’s very close to the university’s main gate and Mandarin Center, so it’s great for dinner after Chinese class, and they have some good basics (green onion pancakes, sausages, noodles, crepes, bubble tea).

Raohe (饒河) is an excellent, if smaller venue. Located about 1 km from Houshanpi stop on the Bannan (blue) line, it apparently has some of the best 雞排(jipai, fried chicken) in the city (this is based off of something a friend told me, couldn’t say if it’s true). It’s also located next to a beautiful Daoist temple.

Qingguang (晴光), near Exit 3 of Zhongshan Elementary School stop on  the Zhonghe-Xinlu (gold) line, is also small, but most of the stands are  also open during the day which is nice for a late lunch. They have a very well-known stand there that sells 紅豆餅 (red bean cakes, although they also have butter and radish varieties that  are pretty tasty).

Lehua (樂華) is excellent and possibly my favorite. Located near Dingxi on the Zhonghe-Xinlu (gold) line, it has mostly food stands. The sausages (香腸) there are supposed to be particularly good, but I also had some excellent shaved ice, fruit, and fish ball soup. I also found that it was not as crowded as the other night markets, although I’ve only been during the week.   


- Restaurants

How to even begin discussing restaurants in Taipei? There are so many good ones! I have to mention Din Tai Feng, famed for its soup dumplings. There are three branches throughout the city, but I’ve only been to the one near Zhongxiao Dunhua on the Bannan (blue) line.

Fu Hang Dou Jiang  (阜杭豆漿) is one of traditional Taiwanese style breakfast places in Taipei that keep attracting long queues, and this place has the best soy milk in Taiwan!

Taiwanese eat hot pot all the time! Want to eat at the best of the best? Chan Chi Hot Pots Lab (詹記麻辣火鍋 敦南店) is a must-try restaurant for spicy lovers.

Lao Wang Ji Beef Noodles (老王記牛肉麵大王) is one of the most popular restaurants for Taiwan beef noodle soup, so don't miss this if you're in Taipei!

 

Braised pork rice (lu rou fan) is a Taiwanese classic food and Jin Feng Lu Rou Fan(金鋒魯肉飯) supposedly serves one of the best.

If you know what a xiao long bao is, then you’re probably familiar with Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐).

If you want to taste the most local BOBA tea in Taiwan, come to Chun Shui Tang (春水堂), which is not only known for the origin of bubble tea but also serves traditional Taiwanese snacks.

 

Facilities

As mentioned before, Taipei values its environment and has a lot to offer. You can find a bike path at most of the riversides. This photo is from the Dajia riverside park biking trail. They have concerts occasionally, so in the best condition. You c…

Biking trails
As mentioned before, Taipei values its environment and has a lot to offer. You can find a bike path at most of the riversides. This photo is from the Dajia riverside park biking trail. They have concerts occasionally, so in the best condition. You can listen to live music, feel the breeze caressing and be on a bike!

At Taipei city, each district has their own sports center that will only cost you a small amount of money. These sports centers have a wide range of functions from swimming pools to mini golf! Stay fit while enjoying all the good food you can have.

Sports centers
At Taipei city, each district has their own sports center that will only cost you a small amount of money. These sports centers have a wide range of functions from swimming pools to mini golf! Stay fit while enjoying all the good food you can have.

Surrounded with buildings, Taipei values its environment. There are over hundreds of parks in Taipei city. Among them Daan Forest Park stands out with over 64 acres. With this space you can have a picnic, sports fair, anything you can think of. Enjo…

Forest park
Surrounded with buildings, Taipei values its environment. There are over hundreds of parks in Taipei city. Among them Daan Forest Park stands out with over 64 acres. With this space you can have a picnic, sports fair, anything you can think of. Enjoy walking in the woods with only a MRT ride.