This guide is part of Going Out, a series celebrating LGBTQIA+ travel. Taiwan made history on May 24, 2019, when it became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Although that milestone passed in May, Taipei’s big Pride celebrations take place in October, when the island’s summer heat has cooled. Taipei Pride is the largest LGBTQIA+ parade in East Asia, drawing well over 150,000 people to City Hall Plaza in the Xinyi district each year.
The city mixes green spaces and skyline moments: Da’an Forest Park, Elephant Mountain and Fuyang Eco Park are all easily reached from central neighborhoods, so you can move between nature and nightlife in minutes. Taipei is also a world-class food city—from hawker-stall snacks and night-market classics to a growing fine-dining scene—and recent hotel openings like Capella Taipei, plus new routes from carriers such as EVA Air, Etihad, Thai AirAsia and Starlux (including flights via places like Ontario, Phoenix and Dallas), have made travel and accommodation easier than ever.
Whether you’re joining the parade at Xinyi or soaking up Pride energy in Ximending, this practical primer will help you eat well, sleep close to the action and plan where to go out.
Getting to and around Taipei
– Most international flights arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 45 minutes from central Taipei. The fastest and most convenient transfer is the airport MRT to Taipei Main Station—just over half an hour. Buses, taxis and rideshares are other options.
– If you’re coming from nearby East Asian cities you might land at Songshan Airport (TSA), which sits inside Taipei. From TSA the metro will get you to Taipei Main Station in roughly 20 minutes.
– Once in town, Taipei’s MRT is efficient and covers the main neighborhoods. Central districts like Da’an, Xinyi and Zhongzheng are dense and highly walkable, making it easy to move between sightseeing, dining and nightlife.
Where to go out
– Ximending / Red House: The creative, queer heart of Taipei clusters around the century-old Red House (built in 1908). The Red House complex houses small studios and shops—16 maker spaces—where local artists, craftspeople and designers sell prints, apparel and souvenirs. Stop by local boutiques for cute lifestyle goods and Taiwan-themed clothing and don’t miss the rainbow crosswalk just outside Exit 6 of Ximen MRT for an iconic photo.
– Nightlife in Ximen picks up as October evenings cool: bars and terraces fill up, and local drag and cabaret scenes are lively. Café Dalida, known for large, fruit-forward cocktails and a roomy outdoor terrace, has been celebrated as the former home bar of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 winner Nymphia Wind. Mudan Restaurant & Bar (not to be confused with the Michelin tempura restaurant “Mudan”) is a bright open-air spot known for strong smoothie cocktails.
– For after-party energy during Pride, rooftop venues like W Taipei—home to a rooftop pool and regular queer-friendly programming—often host official and unofficial events.
– Beyond parties, Taipei has classic draws: ride the elevators and observatory at Taipei 101 for skyline views, or take a day trip to Jiufen and visit the A-Mei Teahouse, a teahouse that inspired imagery for Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
What to eat
– Taipei is a culinary capital. Taiwan has 53 Michelin-starred restaurants, and Taipei claims 44 of them—yet delicious eating is not limited to fine dining. For an elevated tasting-menu experience, Logy (chef Ryogo Tahara) offers seasonal multi-course menus blending Taiwanese and Japanese influences; expect inventive dishes like fried eel with an umami-forward mushroom broth.
– Plant-forward dining is strong here, too. Yangming Spring focuses on vegan cuisine built around daily harvests—rare mountain mushrooms and high-altitude greens—reflecting Taiwan’s high rate of vegetarianism rooted in Buddhist culinary traditions.
– For affordable, authentic breakfasts, try Fuhang Soy Milk in Zhongzheng, where locals line up for savory soy milk, egg pancakes, radish cakes and congee with pork floss. These breakfasts are inexpensive and filling—often under US$5.
– Seafood and stir-fry favorites can be found at neighborhood spots like Xiao Lin Seafood Restaurant—great for shared plates like sautéed clams, fried squid and medium-rare steak dishes.
– Convenience stores like 7-Eleven in Taiwan are surprisingly good for quick bites—hot pot skewers, beef noodle soup and sticky rice rolls are all reasonable and tasty options when you’re short on time.
– Night markets are essential to Taipei’s food culture. Raohe Night Market, Shilin Night Market and the Ximending Night Market each offer a dazzling variety of snacks: Taiwanese fried chicken, black pepper buns, sweet potato balls, fresh papaya milk and, for the adventurous, stinky tofu. The markets are an immersive experience—food stalls, games, electronics demos and nearby temples collide in a uniquely Taipei sensory mix.
Where to stay
– Ximending / Red House area: Amba Taipei Ximending is a natural base for Pride attendees. The hotel has offered Pride packages (including a hot breakfast and a slice of rainbow cake modeled on Ximen’s crosswalk) and is steps from the neighborhood’s nightlife and the Red House.
– For a design-forward option closer to the Da’an area, Episode Daan (JDV by Hyatt) features sleek, warmly furnished rooms with postcard views of Taipei 101 and quick access to the MRT.
– For late-night after-party convenience, W Taipei in Xinyi has a rooftop pool and frequently programs queer-friendly events during Pride month.
– Luxury and cultural stays: Capella Taipei marks the brand’s debut in Taiwan with high-end rooms and curated cultural experiences—artisan workshops and guided tours that introduce visitors to local crafts and traditions.
– Historic option: The Grand Hotel in Zhongshan is a landmark property with a sweeping pagoda roof. Built in 1952 as a state guest house, it’s an opulent choice and a striking example of classical design and feng shui principles.
Practical tips
– October is peak Pride season and a great time to visit—book flights and hotels early.
– Use the MRT for most city travel; taxis and rideshares are plentiful for late nights or direct transfers.
– Bring comfortable shoes: Taipei’s best food and sights are often found by walking between neighborhoods.
– Respect local customs and enjoy Pride events: Taipei is proud and welcoming, with a long history of queer activism and cultural celebration.
With large-scale celebrations at City Hall Plaza, a bustling queer hub in Ximending, endless food options and a growing roster of international flights and hotels, Taipei offers a memorable, lively backdrop for Taiwan Pride 2026—whether you’re marching, partying, or simply exploring the city’s food and culture between events.
