u/bryan6363

Just got back from a 10D9N solo trip to Taipei and figured I’d write a trip report since I spent quite a bit of time reading this sub before coming.

Overall I’d give it around an 8/10.
-2 for the heat

The city itself is great. Safe, easy to get around, food is affordable and public transport is excellent. My biggest mistake was coming in July.

What I did
I wasn’t trying to rush through every tourist attraction, so I kept things pretty relaxed.

Over the trip I visited:
Taipei 101
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Songshan Cultural Park
National Taiwan Museum
Dihua Street
Tamsui
Local markets and random neighbourhoods

I also attempted Teapot Mountain before turning back because the heat was unbearable, and later managed to climb Qixingshan, which ended up being the toughest thing I did all trip. The hikes themselves weren’t technically difficult, but the heat and humidity made them feel much harder than expected.

Watched a movie in 4DX one evening, went back to Ichiran twice because I enjoyed it the first time, and spent quite a bit of time just walking around with no real destination.

Food
Didn’t really have a bad meal.
Some favourites were local breakfast shops, Formosa Chang, beef fried rice, tofu desserts and random places I came across while exploring.
Also picked up some pineapple snacks and dried beancurd to bring home.

The weather
This was honestly the biggest downside.
Every afternoon I was completely drained. I’d be sweating within minutes of leaving the hostel, and after walking around for a few hours I’d usually end up heading back just to cool down and rest before going out again later.
I knew Taiwan would be hot in summer, but I didn’t expect it to affect the trip this much.

Solo travel
There were a few moments where I actually felt bored.
Not because there wasn’t anything to do, but after I’d seen most of the places on my list, I found myself wandering around without much purpose. I think travelling alone plus the heat made those moments stand out more.
That said, I still enjoyed having the freedom to do whatever I wanted each day without worrying about anyone else’s plans.

Random things
Walked way more than expected.
Ended the trip with a couple of blisters and some sunburn.
Bought a Luffy figure and some souvenirs for family.
Learnt that supermarkets are actually a great place to buy snacks to bring home.

Would I come back?
Definitely.
I’m already planning another trip in February because I think the cooler weather will completely change the experience. There are still places I’d like to revisit without feeling exhausted by lunchtime.
Overall, no regrets. Taiwan’s still one of the easiest places I’d recommend for a solo trip. If you’re deciding when to visit though, I’d avoid July unless you’re really comfortable with hot and humid weather.

Hi folks! Am coming to Taiwan in mid July and am keen on going for hikes ! Any groups here and recommends ?
Hiked the qixingshan prev years ago!