Is Taipei Safe? A City With Unseen Levels of Security

You're planning a trip to Asia, and Taipei catches your eye. But then the worries creep in. Is it safe? Will you end up in some kind of international incident? Take a deep breath. I'm here to tell you that Taipei might just surprise you – in the best way possible.

My wife Sarah and I spent a week exploring Taipei, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opener. We're not talking about some sanitized tourist bubble here. We dove headfirst into local markets, wandered down tiny alleyways, and even tackled the metro during rush hour (spoiler alert: it was actually kind of fun).

So, is Taipei safe? Let's break it down, shall we? I'm going to share how we figured out if Taipei felt safe for us, and give you the real scoop on our experiences. No sugar-coating, no fear-mongering – just the facts and our honest take on this fascinating city.

3 Safety Factors to Consider

Before we packed our bags and jetted off to Taipei, we did our homework. Here's how we sized up the safety situation:

01- State Department Travel Advisory

First stop: the U.S. Department of State website. Their travel advisory for Taiwan? "Exercise normal precautions". That's the lowest level of caution – the same you'd use in, say, Canada or New Zealand. Not too shabby, Taipei!

But we didn't stop there. We checked out what other countries had to say:

• The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also recommends normal precautions for Taiwan.
• Australia's Smartraveller service? You guessed it – normal safety precautions.

Looks like everyone's on the same page here. Taipei's not raising any red flags with the official folks.

State Department Travel Advisory Check: PASS

02- Latest News

Next up, we dove into recent news about Taipei. Here's where things got interesting. In July 2024, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council raised the alert level for travel to China, Macau, and Hong Kong to "Orange," the second-highest level in their alert system. But here's the kicker – this was about traveling to those places from Taiwan, not about safety in Taipei itself.

We couldn't find any recent news of crimes targeting tourists in Taipei. No shootings, no major scams, nothing that made us think twice about our trip. The most dramatic thing we found? A story about some faulty carbon monoxide detectors in some Airbnbs. (Spoiler: we packed our own detector. Better safe than sorry, right?)

Latest News Check: PASS

03- Community Forums

Finally, we turned to the wisdom of the crowd. We scoured TripAdvisor forums and Reddit threads, looking for recent traveler experiences. The consensus? Taipei is safe – really safe.

One TripAdvisor user wrote, "Taipei is the most safest city especially for solo female traveller. You can walk the street without so much worries." High praise indeed!

Another user chimed in about using the MRT (Taipei's metro) at night: "MRT, Taiwan, Taipei, streets, are very safe at night for female or male or anyone. Virtually no street crime, street gangs, drug-ees, scams."

We even found a travel blogger, Leslie Stroud, who wrote, "Even as a solo female, you can safely walk in virtually any neighborhood in Taipei at night without concern. Tourists scams are very rare in Taiwan."

Now, we always take online reviews with a grain of salt, but when you see this many people singing the same tune? It's hard to ignore.

Community Forum Check: PASS

First Hand Experience in Taipei

Alright, now for the juicy part. We spent a week exploring Taipei, and here's our honest take on safety in different neighborhoods:

Xinyi District

Known for: Taipei 101, shopping malls, business district

Xinyi is Taipei's modern face – all glitzy shopping malls and towering skyscrapers. We felt completely safe wandering around here, even late at night. The streets are well-lit, and there's a noticeable police presence.

We visited Taipei 101 (because how could we not?), and the security measures were impressive. Airport-style checks to enter the observation deck might seem like overkill, but hey, better safe than sorry, right?

One evening, we decided to check out the Xinyi shopping district after dark. The streets were bustling with locals and tourists alike, and we never felt uncomfortable. Just keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas – pickpockets can happen anywhere, even in safe cities.

Is Xinyi District Safe? YES

Da'an District

Known for: Universities, parks, trendy cafes

Da'an quickly became our favorite neighborhood in Taipei. It's a mix of leafy parks, bustling streets, and quiet residential areas. We felt completely at ease walking around here, day or night.

We spent one afternoon exploring Da'an Forest Park, Taipei's version of Central Park. Families were out picnicking, elderly folks were practicing tai chi, and joggers were making their rounds. The vibe was relaxed and safe.

In the evening, we ventured out to try some of Da'an's famous street food. The night markets were lively but not chaotic. We never felt threatened or uncomfortable, even in the most crowded areas.

Pro tip: If you're out late, stick to main streets. They're well-lit and usually have people around. The side streets can get pretty quiet after dark.

Is Da'an District Safe? YES

Zhongzheng District

Known for: Government buildings, museums, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Zhongzheng is Taipei's historic and governmental heart. We spent a day exploring the area, including a visit to the impressive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

The security presence here is noticeable, given all the government buildings. We saw police officers and security guards everywhere, which added to our sense of safety.

One thing to note: this area sometimes sees protests, given its political significance. During our visit, we saw a small, peaceful demonstration near the Legislative Yuan. The police were present but not intrusive. If you do encounter a protest, it's best to steer clear – not because of safety concerns, but to respect local political processes.

Is Zhongzheng District Safe? YES, but be aware of potential protests

Wanhua District

Known for: Longshan Temple, Ximending shopping area

Wanhua is Taipei's oldest district, and it's got a bit of a gritty reputation. But don't let that scare you off – we found it to be perfectly safe during the day and early evening.

We visited Longshan Temple in the afternoon, and the atmosphere was serene and welcoming. The surrounding area was busy with locals going about their day, and we felt completely at ease.

In the evening, we headed to Ximending, often called the "Harajuku of Taipei." This area is always buzzing with energy, and we had a blast exploring the shops and street food stalls. While it was crowded, we never felt unsafe.

A word of caution: some parts of Wanhua can get a bit sketchy late at night. If you're out after dark, stick to well-lit, busy areas like Ximending.

Is Wanhua District Safe? YES, but exercise caution late at night

Shilin District

Known for: Shilin Night Market, National Palace Museum

Our visit to Shilin was all about two things: culture and food. We spent the morning at the National Palace Museum (tip: go early to beat the crowds), then headed to Shilin Night Market in the evening.

The area around the museum felt very safe – it's a major tourist attraction, after all. But the real test was the night market. Shilin Night Market is huge, crowded, and can be a bit overwhelming at first. But despite the chaos, we never felt unsafe.

Here's the thing about Taiwanese night markets – they're popular with locals, especially families. We saw plenty of parents with young kids, elderly couples, and groups of friends. That local family vibe goes a long way in making the place feel safe.

One safety tip: watch out for scooters! The streets around the market can get pretty hectic with traffic.

Is Shilin District Safe? YES

Beitou District

Known for: Hot springs, Japanese colonial architecture

Our day trip to Beitou was like stepping into another world. This quiet district is famous for its hot springs, and it has a much more laid-back vibe than central Taipei.

We spent the day hopping between hot spring resorts and exploring the parks. The whole area felt incredibly safe – it's popular with families and couples, and has a very relaxed atmosphere.

One thing to watch out for: the ground near hot springs can be slippery. We saw plenty of warning signs, and most places provide non-slip footwear. It's not a safety issue in the crime sense, but it's something to be aware of.

Is Beitou District Safe? YES, super safe

Taipei by Foot

One of the things that impressed us most about Taipei was how walkable it is. We spent a lot of time exploring on foot, and we always felt safe doing so.

The sidewalks are generally in good condition, and pedestrian crossings are well-marked. At major intersections, there are often underpasses or elevated walkways, making it easy to avoid heavy traffic.

We did encounter one slightly nerve-wracking situation. We were trying to find a specific metro station and ended up in a less touristy area. For a moment, we felt a bit out of place. But here's the thing – even then, we didn't feel unsafe. Just a bit lost. We asked a local shopkeeper for directions (thank goodness for Google Translate!), and they were incredibly helpful.

Here's where we walked:

• Around the Xinyi District, including to and from Taipei 101
• Through Da'an District, including late-night walks back to our hotel
• All over Zhongzheng District, exploring the government buildings and museums
• Through the streets of Wanhua to Longshan Temple
• Around Shilin Night Market (though this was more of a slow shuffle through the crowds!)
• All over Beitou, exploring the hot spring area

Taipei by Uber

While we did a lot of walking, there were times when we opted for Uber. The service in Taipei is reliable, affordable, and felt very safe. All our drivers were professional and used well-maintained vehicles.

Here's where we used Uber:

• To and from Taoyuan International Airport (it's quite a distance from the city center)
• From our hotel to Beitou District (it's a bit far for walking)
• Late at night after visiting Shilin Night Market (we were tired and full of delicious street food!)
• During a surprise rainstorm when we were far from our hotel

One tip: While most of our Uber drivers spoke some English, it's helpful to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Most hotels will provide cards with their address in Chinese for exactly this purpose.

Is Uber Safe in Taipei? YES!

Recommended Itinerary

Based on our experiences, here's a safe and enjoyable 3-day itinerary for Taipei:

Day 1:

• Morning: Visit Taipei 101 in Xinyi District. Go early to avoid crowds.
• Afternoon: Explore the shops and cafes in Da'an District.
• Evening: Dinner at RAW, if you can snag a reservation (book well in advance!).

Day 2:

• Morning: Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Zhongzheng District.
• Afternoon: Explore Longshan Temple and the surrounding area in Wanhua District.
• Evening: Dinner and shopping at Shilin Night Market.

Day 3:

• Morning: Visit the National Palace Museum in Shilin District.
• Afternoon: Day trip to Beitou for hot springs and relaxation.
• Evening: Sunset view from Elephant Mountain (bring good walking shoes!).

This itinerary hits all the major areas we found to be safe and interesting, while also giving you a taste of different aspects of Taipei life.

Final Thoughts

So, is Taipei safe? Based on our experience, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, we found it to be one of the safest cities we've ever visited.

Here's a quick recap of our safety tips:

• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas like night markets.
• Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
• Use reputable transportation options like the MRT or Uber.
• Stick to well-lit areas if you're out late at night.
• Be cautious of traffic, especially scooters, when crossing streets.
• Learn a few basic Chinese phrases – locals appreciate the effort and are often more than willing to help.
• Trust your instincts – if something feels off, remove yourself from the situation.

Taipei surprised us in the best possible way. It's a city that manages to be both excitingly foreign and comfortingly familiar at the same time. The combination of friendly locals, efficient public services, and low crime rates makes it an ideal destination for travelers of all types – solo adventurers, couples, families, you name it.

Would we go back to Taipei? In a heartbeat. In fact, we're already planning our next trip. There's so much more to explore, so many more night markets to eat our way through, and so many more hot springs to soak in.

If you're on the fence about visiting Taipei, take it from us – book that ticket. Pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a phrase book), and get ready to fall in love with this amazing city. Just don't blame us if you end up extending your stay!

About Us

Hey there! We're West and Sarah Parker, a pair of 45-year-old food enthusiasts and safety-conscious travelers from Florida. We've been lucky enough to explore 32 countries across 6 continents, from the streets of Phnom Penh to the savannas of Zimbabwe.

West here is a Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduate with two decades of experience crafting luxury travel experiences. Now, I'm putting that expertise to work as a resident writer for Town & Tourist, sharing insider tips and safety insights to help everyone travel better and smarter.

Sarah's my partner in crime (and in avoiding crime, as it were). She's got an eagle eye for detail and a knack for sniffing out the best local eats. Together, we're on a mission to explore the world, one safe and delicious adventure at a time.

We believe that with the right information and a dash of common sense, everyone can travel safely and confidently. Our goal? To help you have those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences without the worry. Because let's face it – life's too short to stay home, and the world's too delicious to miss out on.

So come along with us! We promise honest reviews, practical tips, and maybe a few bad travel puns along the way. (Hey, someone's gotta warn you about those taipei-ng hazards, right?)

Safe travels, and bon appétit!