Taipei, Taiwan
Trendy artistic area with young professionals, strong cafe culture, and Michelin dining. Quieter than Ximending, more local character than Xinyi.
Time Out named this one of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2023. Mix of trendy cafes, Michelin-starred restaurants, art galleries. Area around Zhongshan MRT has good lighting and stays busy with young professionals late. Linsen North Road (Little Tokyo/Tiao Tong area) shows Japanese influence with izakayas and Japanese restaurants. Draws a more sophisticated crowd than Ximending - 25-40 year olds rather than teenagers. Small atmospheric cafes with wood tones, books, and plants fill with people working on laptops for hours. Eating alone is standard. Riverside parks along Keelung River work for evening walks with decent lighting and regular foot traffic. Known for LGBTQ+-friendly scene, especially popular with bears. Less English than tourist areas - keep Google Translate handy at smaller restaurants. Fine Arts Museum area gets quiet after evening, so stay on main commercial streets at night. Safe overall with more local character than Xinyi, less chaos than Ximending.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
ExcellentPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Good"More grown-up vibe than Ximending, good cafe culture"
"Felt safe walking around at night on main streets"
"Less touristy, more authentic than other areas"
"Good for solo cafe working and people watching"
"Some areas quiet at night, stick to main roads"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Youth and LGBTQ+ district with lots of shopping, street food, and nightlife. Safe and busy, good if you want energy and crowds. Weekends get packed.
Residential district with strong cafe culture and local food. See how Taipei residents actually live while still having good dining and nightlife nearby.
Upscale business district around Taipei 101. High prices for Western-style safety and English-speaking services. Less authentic, more international.
Help other women stay safe in Zhongshan District
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.