Our trip started in Taipei. The MRT Airport Express runs from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station, and it got us from the airport into the city quickly. Once we’d checked into the Midtown Richardson we went straight out into Ximending for a lively first taste of the city.
Ximending was all neon signs and crowds. We had a look round the historic Red House, which was built in 1908 as Taiwan’s first government-run public market and later became a theatre and then a cinema. It’s only a minute’s walk from Ximen MRT station, right on the edge of all the bustle. After that we worked our way along the street food stalls.
Good to know
- Airport MRT: the express train from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station takes about 35 minutes from Terminal 1 and 39 from Terminal 2. A single costs NT$160. Taoyuan Airport MRT
- The Red House: it was built in 1908 as Taiwan’s first government-run public market, and later became a theatre and then a cinema. It’s a minute’s walk from Exit 1 of Ximen MRT station, usually open 11am to 9pm (10pm on Saturdays) and closed on Mondays. The Red House
- Street food: most of the stalls want cash, so have some New Taiwan dollars on you. There’s more on money in our Taiwan Things to Know.
We checked these times and prices in October 2026. They do change, so it's worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.