For your next stay in Taiwan, you want to know which neighborhoods to avoid in Taipei and the best places to stay.

Indeed, as in the majority of capitals, there are also areas in Taipei that are less safe than others, red-light districts or areas that should be avoided because they are less attractive for tourists.

Here is the 2024 guide to traveler safety in Taipei with a list of neighborhoods to avoid and recommendations for neighborhoods to stay.

Is Taipei safe in 2024?

To find out if Taipei is a safe or dangerous city, I went to Numbeo to study global statistics of major cities ranked by crime index.

Well in 2024 we can say that Taipei is a safe city. Indeed Taipei has a very low crime index of 14.9 which ranks it as the 4th least crime city in the world.

If we compare with other capitals in Asia, Taipei is less dangerous than Jakarta, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Ho Chi Minh City and even that Tokyo ou Shanghai.

What are the risks for tourists in Taipei?

When it comes to security, the entire island of Taiwan is safe. However, as the site indicates France Diplomacy :

“Cases of attacks on foreigners with fists, sometimes with knives or attempts at extortion have been recorded, particularly in certain bars, clubs or discotheques or when leaving them. Travelers are recommended to adopt basic rules of caution in these places and to avoid any ambiguous behavior, which could be interpreted as provocative, touting or vexatious.

On the other hand, given the tensions between China and Taiwan, the risks for tourists may change. In addition, as in all major capitals, insecurity varies depending on the neighborhoods of Taipei. See official statistics at english.police.gov.taipei

Find out now which neighborhoods and areas to avoid in Taipei.

Map of Taipei neighborhoods

Taipe is divided into 16 administrative districts which are themselves made up of many neighborhoods.

To help you identify the areas to avoid in Taipei but also the best ones to stay in (see detailed list below), here is a map of the main districts of the city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eUCpJeUD9V8EJd45A

Dangerous neighborhoods in Taipei

As we have just confirmed, Taipei is a safe city for locals and tourists alike. There is therefore no area in Taipei where tourists could be unsafe as they could be in certain areas of Cape Town or Caracas.

However, as in all large cities, there are still some areas where the crime rate is higher than in others. These are notably the districts of wanhua and zhongshan which are considered the most dangerous in Taipei, especially at night (see Wikipedia article).

This is also confirmed by the article: “Police statistics: Wanhua is the most crime-prone district in Taipei” published on taiwannews.com.

But these two districts are very large and made up of many neighborhoods, the majority of which are completely safe.

Area to avoid in Taipei

Without being dangerous, Taipei's red light district is an area to avoid, particularly at night. This very poorly frequented area late at night is located around the Snake Alley in the city center where the night market is located. This area is located in the Wanhua district mentioned above.

Check location of this area

The 2 best neighborhoods to stay in Taipei

Taipei has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years. With a combination of traditional culture and modernity, Taipei offers a rich and varied experience to travelers from around the world.

Indeed, there is no shortage of tourist attractions in the Taiwanese capital:

• Taipei 101 (formerly the tallest skyscraper in the world),
• the Longshan temple which is a jewel of traditional architecture,
• or Yangmingshan National Park which offers stunning panoramic views and relaxing hot springs.

To make your stay a success, here are the 2 best areas to stay in Taipei:

Zhongzheng for its central location

Zhongzheng district is located in the heart of Taipei and is home to many important historical monuments and tourist sites. See location of this neighborhood

Here you'll find the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an imposing monument dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China, as well as Freedom Square, a popular gathering place and a symbol of democracy in Taiwan.

Staying in the Zhongzheng district, you'll also be close to Taipei's business district, where you can experience Taipei 101, an iconic skyscraper with stunning panoramic views from its observatory.

One of the best places to choose your hotel in this area is around Taipei Main Station. Indeed, by staying in this area, you will be able to visit the essential sites of Taipei on foot. In addition, being close to the station, you can easily connect all the other districts or take day trips (Beitou Hot Springs Park, Yangmingshan National Park, Elephant Mountain.

If you are looking for a very well located hotel (400 meters from the station) with good value for money, then I recommend it.Hotel Relax 5 :

Ximending Walking District for its activities

Ximending is a young and lively neighborhood that is also close to the main station and offers a unique experience in Taipei. Known as the "Shibuya of Taipei", this area resembles some neighborhoods of Hong Kong which vibrate at night. Even though this neighborhood is located in Wanhua District, it is completely safe. See location of this neighborhood

With huge illuminated billboards, giant signs, numerous fashion boutiques, theaters, karaoke rooms and lively nightlife, Ximending is a famous district that attracts many tourists.

Staying at Ximending, you'll be within walking distance of several popular Taipei attractions, including Longshan Temple, one of the city's oldest and most important temples, or the National Taiwan Museum.

Here is a nice hotel with a good location in this area for sightseeing and shopping: Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Taipei Ximen

This article summarizes web data published in 2024 on Taipei neighborhoods: Newspaper articles, rankings, studies and statistics. In fact, it contains no judgment or discriminatory remarks.