Where to Stay in Taiwan

Taipei is the obvious starting point for most Taiwan trips, and the central neighborhoods of Zhongzheng, Da'an, and Zhongshan are all solid bases. Da'an is my personal pick: tree lined streets, cafes, the best density of restaurants in the city, and MRT access to everything. Zhongshan near Taipei Main Station is practical if you're moving around the country a lot (HSR, TRA, airport MRT all hub here). Xinyi is the flashier modern option, close to Taipei 101 but further from the old city and night markets. Avoid staying too far out: Taipei is big, and the difference between a central hotel and a suburban one is an hour of commute every day. Three or four nights is the right amount of time.

For Taroko Gorge, you have two options. Xincheng is the small town right at the park entrance, a five minute drive from the trailheads. Hualien is the bigger city 20 minutes south, with more hotels, restaurants, a night market, and a bit of its own personality. If you only care about the park and want to save time, Xincheng wins. If you want a real town to come back to at night, Hualien wins. Most travelers base in Hualien and day trip into Taroko, which is a fair default. The TRA express trains from Taipei serve both stations directly, and the train ride itself (along the Pacific coast) is a scenic bonus. Two nights is the minimum; three if you want to explore the East Rift Valley south of Hualien.

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's second city and the base for the south. Warmer, slower, a bit quirkier than Taipei, and just a bit more fun once you get into it. The neighborhoods around Yancheng, Pier-2, and the Formosa Boulevard area have the best mix of food, nightlife, and walkability. Staying near the harbor puts you close to the Music Center, Pier-2, and the light rail loop that covers most of the waterfront attractions. Kaohsiung is also the gateway to Kenting, about 2 hours south by bus. For most visitors, two nights in Kaohsiung is enough; three if you want to add a Kenting day trip. The city is big but the tourist circuit is compact, and Kaohsiung is on the HSR line so you can reach it in 90 minutes from Taipei.

For Kenting, the best base is usually Hengchun, the small walled town at the top of the peninsula. It's more atmospheric than the package hotel strip at Kenting Street (which is loud, touristy, and more of a summer party scene than a peaceful beach base), it's closer to the cooler southern and eastern coast spots, and it has its own personality: four intact Qing dynasty gates, a working local market, and some of the best dumpling and pepper bun shops on the island. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses in restored old houses to small boutique hotels. Scooter rental is standard here and is the best way to explore. Two nights is the minimum to do Kenting justice; three if you want time to actually relax on a beach.