Taipei

Taipei is considered a queer pioneer in Asia. As early as 2019, Taiwan became the first country on the continent to open up same-sex marriage, sending a signal to the entire region. On top of that, the city is safe, warm and cheap by Asian standards. If you are looking for a relaxed city trip with lively scene life, this is the place for you.

Trendy district

Around the historic Red House in the Ximen district, often called Ximending, beats the heart of gay Taipei. In the evening, the octagonal theatre building from 1908 forms the centre of an entire complex with over two dozen bars, shops and restaurants. In the squares all around, people sit under rainbow flags during long happy hours and chat on the themed terraces. From karaoke to bear bar to leather bar, the district covers almost every taste. During the day, Ximending is mainly a young shopping and street food district, but in the evening the mood shifts towards going out.

Nightlife

The open-air bar Café Dalida with its drag shows is popular. If you want to dance, you will find the most famous gay club in the city in the basement club G*Star. Thanks to the subtropical climate, many restaurants keep their terraces open until late at night. During the week it is rather cozy, on weekends the bars around the Red House fill up noticeably. The highlight of the year is Taiwan Pride at the end of October, which is considered the largest Pride parade in Asia with over 200,000 participants. In the days before and after, additional parties and events will take place throughout the city.

Best time to visit

The most pleasant time to travel is in autumn from October to November. Then the sky is usually clear and the temperatures remain mild, without the sultry heat of midsummer. Those who want to go to Taiwan Pride are planning for the end of October anyway. It gets hot and humid in summer from June to September, and there are occasional typhoons. During the day, the landmark Taipei 101, the steaming hot springs of Beitou and night markets such as Shilin Market with its street food beckon. Also worth seeing is the magnificent Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall with its changing of the guard. A detour to the nearby mountain village of Jiufen with its tea houses is also worthwhile.

Arrival

Direct flights from Germany land at Taoyuan Airport, about 40 kilometers west of the city. From there, an airport metro takes you to the city centre in about 35 to 50 minutes, alternatively buses and taxis. Locally, the subway (MRT) is the easiest means of transport: clean, cheap and bilingual signposted throughout. With a rechargeable EasyCard you pay MRT, buses and many shops. As a German tourist, you enter the country without a visa and are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

Safety & LGBT Rights

Taiwan is one of the most progressive places in Asia for queer travelers. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2019, and since 2023 the joint adoption of children has also been legal. In everyday life, holding hands and being open are widely accepted in Taipei, especially around Ximending. Because the general crime rate is low, the city can also be explored at night. Usual caution against pickpocketing at crowded night markets is sufficient.