When I first booked my flight to Taipei, I thought I had a pretty solid idea of what I was walking into. I expected a hyper-modern, high-tech metropolis, a place buzzing with scooters, skyscrapers, and bubble tea on every corner. I imagined a city that never stopped moving – impressive, but maybe a little impersonal. I figured a few days would be enough to take it all in and move on. Turns out, I was wrong. In the best possible way. Taipei wasn’t what I expected, and that’s a good thing.
A City That Welcomes You
Taipei surprised me. Not because it lacked any of those things – it absolutely has the energy, the tech, and the scooters (so many scooters). But what I didn’t expect was the warmth. The softness beneath the surface. The way the city breathes, gently and confidently, without trying too hard.
I didn’t expect to be welcomed so effortlessly. From the older gentleman who gave me directions in perfect English at the MRT station, to the night market vendor who insisted I try a bite of her stinky tofu even after I politely declined, Taipei felt less like a city performing for tourists and more like a place just happy to have you. Even the staff at my hotel treated me like a returning guest, though it was my first time there.
I found kindness in unexpected places. A young woman noticed me hesitating at a ticket machine and walked over with a smile to help me. A barista at a cozy coffee shop in Da’an struck up a conversation about local art and ended up giving me a list of her favourite lesser-known galleries. These moments weren’t rare – they were the norm. And they made the city feel more like a community than a sprawling capital.
Urban Energy Meets Nature
I didn’t expect the city to feel so green. One morning, I found myself hiking up Elephant Mountain, only 20 minutes after leaving my hotel in Ximending. There I was, drenched in sweat but rewarded with a panoramic view of Taipei 101 piercing the sky. A mega-city surrounded by misty hills and winding trails? That was not on my bingo card. And it wasn’t just Elephant Mountain – I later ventured into Yangmingshan National Park, just a short bus ride away, where I soaked in hot springs and wandered through fog-draped fields.
Taipei is a city where nature never feels far. Even walking through the bustling neighbourhoods, I kept stumbling upon quiet parks, tree-lined lanes, and unexpected moments of calm – people practicing tai chi at sunrise, and kids chasing bubbles in the shade of banyan trees.
A Culinary Love Story
I didn’t expect the food to blow me away in such a humble way. Sure, I had my checklists: beef noodle soup, Xiao Long Bao, and scallion pancakes. But what stuck with me were the little things: a bowl of warm soy milk at breakfast, the first bite of lu rou fan (braised pork rice) at a street stall, the unexpected joy of sweet potato balls eaten under red lanterns. Comfort food with soul. Even the 7-Eleven snacks were strangely delightful – who knew I’d fall in love with tea eggs?
I found myself eating not just for nourishment, but for discovery. Every meal felt like an invitation to understand the local culture a little better. Even when I couldn’t read a menu, there was always someone nearby ready to help translate or make a recommendation. Food, here, was never transactional – it was personal.
Feeling Safe and Seen
I didn’t expect Taipei to feel safe in that uniquely calming way. As a gay traveller, I always keep one eye open when exploring new cities. But in Taipei, I felt like I could exhale. Holding hands with my partner didn’t earn a second glance. In fact, the city’s LGBTQ+ friendliness felt more woven into the every day than many places that claim to be progressive. Rainbow flags hung quietly in bookstore windows, queer couples strolled through night markets without hesitation, and conversations with locals often led to open-minded, thoughtful exchanges.
One night, we stumbled upon a cozy gay bar in Ximending. It wasn’t flashy or exclusive – just a warm space filled with laughter, casual karaoke, and a bartender who gave great travel tips. We left feeling not just accepted but embraced.
Leaving with More Than Memories
I didn’t expect to feel so at ease. So seen. So curious to return. Taipei didn’t demand anything of me. It simply offered itself, generously and gently. And in doing so, it left a deep impression.
Maybe that’s the magic of Taipei. It doesn’t shout at you. It doesn’t try to impress you with flash. Instead, it invites you in, pours you a cup of milk tea, and lets you discover its rhythm. A rhythm that is sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but always human.
I went in expecting a quick trip to tick off another capital city. I left already plotting my next visit. There are temples I haven’t seen yet, alleyways I want to wander again, and people I hope to run into twice.
Taipei wasn’t what I expected. And that made all the difference.
