Taiwan

Cost of living

What a month costs

Street food and transit are cheap; central rent and imported goods push the total up.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Taipei

1. Taipei 101The iconic tower with a fast observatory lift and a huge tuned mass damper.
2. National Palace MuseumOne of the world's finest collections of Chinese art and imperial treasures.
3. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial HallGrand white monument with a changing of the guard and vast plaza.
4. Longshan TempleAtmospheric 18th-century temple thick with incense in old Wanhua.
5. Elephant MountainShort steep climb for the classic postcard view of Taipei 101 at dusk.
6. Shilin Night MarketThe biggest, most famous night market for street snacks and games.
7. Beitou Hot SpringsSteaming public and private baths in a leafy valley on the metro line.
8. Dihua StreetHistoric lane of dried-goods shops, tea sellers and restored old facades.
9. Bopiliao Historic BlockPreserved Qing-era brick streets used as a living history quarter.
10. Maokong GondolaCable car over tea plantations to hilltop teahouses above the city.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. JiufenLantern-lit hillside old town with tea houses and sea views, an hour northeast.
2. Taroko GorgeMarble canyon and river trails near Hualien, one of Asia's great natural sights.
3. Sun Moon LakeSerene alpine lake in Nantou for cycling, boat rides and hot springs.
4. TainanThe island's oldest city, packed with temples and the best traditional food.
5. Yangmingshan National ParkVolcanic peaks, sulphur vents and hot springs right on Taipei's doorstep.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Fujin Tree 353Airy corner cafe that helped make the leafy Fujin Street lifestyle famous.
2. Rufous CoffeeLong-running Da'an roaster beloved by serious hand-drip coffee fans.
3. Simple KaffaAward-winning specialty roaster from a world barista champion.
4. Fika Fika CafeNordic-styled roastery famed for clean, bright single origins.
5. Wistaria Tea HouseHistoric wooden teahouse where intellectuals once gathered over oolong.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Din Tai FungThe globally famous home of soup dumplings, born right here in Taipei.
2. Kao ChiBeloved local institution for Shanghainese dumplings and small plates.
3. RAWChef Andre Chiang's celebrated modern Taiwanese fine-dining room.
4. Ming Fu SeafoodOld-school seafood favorite known for rich crab and yellow croaker.
5. Mountain and Sea HouseRefined classic Taiwanese banquet cooking in a courtyard setting.
6. Yong Kang Beef NoodleOne of the city's most storied bowls of braised beef noodle soup.
7. Addiction Aquatic DevelopmentBuzzing seafood and sushi hall built inside a former fish market.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Fu Hang Dou JiangThe legendary soy milk and shaobing spot with morning queues down the stairs.
2. Yong He Dou Jiang Da Wang24-hour classic for warm soy milk, youtiao and egg crepes.
3. Yang Ji Roasted Sesame CakeCrisp charcoal-baked shaobing that regularly sells out early.
4. Ruan Ji Dan BingPopular stall for handmade dan bing, the savory Taiwanese egg roll.
5. Le Fu Hao BreakfastNo-frills neighborhood counter for classic Taiwanese morning fare.
6. Sha Mao BreakfastOld-school shop turning out flaky scallion pancakes and soy milk.
7. Xing Fu TangCafe-style brunch and its famous brown sugar bubble milk.
8. Melange CafeWestern-style brunch known for fluffy souffle pancakes and long waits.
9. Fong Da Coffee1956 Ximending institution for old-style siphon coffee and toast.