Just a friendly bump to attract more attention to this thread. Thanks.

LAX

Bump!
 

Another friendly bump to see if anyone else has anything to add. I will be leaving in about 2 weeks. Any input much appreciated! By the way, what's the best way to get to downtown from the airport? Thanks in advance.

LAX

Definitely visit Taipei 101. There's some cool shopping there and it IS the tallest building in the world currently, so it's something to say you've done.

As far as getting to downtown from TPE, a cab will run you about US $20 from TPE - Taipei 101. I've done this several times. I've also taken the bus, which is significantly cheaper (~ US $5). And the buses are fairly nice, sort of like a domestic F seat, rather than the city buses that you are used to in the USA. Ask at the information desk at Arrivals, they will direct you down a hall to where the buses leave. You can see which buses leave to what locations. There are several bus lines that will stop in front of most of the main business hotels and main tourist sites. You can look on the sign on the wall (in English) and see which bus goes where as well as prices. It's very easy. I'd recommend taking the bus if you want to save $15, especially if you are alone and you don't have too much baggage. If you are with 2 or 3 people, you might as well just take a cab, it's easier and it'll drop you right at your hotel door rather than 50 feet away on the street. Good luck and have a great time!!!

Parking around there is horrid. Its not a great place at all (the hooters that is)
in terms of food and *ahem* scenery.

I stopped in once since I get my haircut across the street. Not worth going back.

Museum Definitely

Taipei 101 Yes

Shi Lin night market Yes

Snake Alley night market Maybe

Hooters nah

ATM's no problem

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Bus is what I do.
If its business, then just take the taxi.

I'll be there starting Feb 25th? U there?

Wow! What a coincidence?! I will be arriving TPE on Feb 25 (in the morning) as well. How long are you going to stay? Thanks for your advice.

LAX

You can also take the MRT to the end of the Tamshui line and have a nice stroll along the water. Kind of honky tonk, but there are some pleasant diversions. The college at the top of the hill is a nice lookout point. I enjoy hiking along Yangminshan mountain. There are some hot baths that are worthwhile. If you miss westerners, eat at the American Club Sunday morning buffet (you may need a sponsor.)

Chiang Kai Shek memorial is worthwhile, imho, and the Handicraft Mart just across the street is a good place for souveniers and jade. You can walk all around Taipei and hit the provincial history museum grounds, CKS memorial and the concert hall/theatre buildings, presidential palace building, and history museum/botanical gardens all in a couple hours. None of these museums approach the national palace museum, but to get a taste, they are good.

if you get out of town, Chiu Fen (not sure on spelling) is a neat town built into the side of a hill. Yeliu is a great place on the coast to see some interesting rock formations. Keelung has some gun fortresses from WWII. Again, there are lots of hills and mountains to hike. Take tea at a tea house. If you have lots of time, head out to Hualien and Taroko gorge.

Mongolian barbecue
 

OBOne...I'm sitting in a hotel in a little town in South Carolina (yes, Mississippi, I apologize for those things I said) and I've gotta read about the Mongolian barbecue places in Taipee??????? Best I have ever had...it just ain't fair...

Yeah and a nice bottle of Johnie Walker Blue and some good Gaoliang will make the night fly by.

Taipei
 

Forgot to mention...if you want to go up the road a few miles there is Keelung. It's been years, but the place used to be your basic China seaport. Very "Sand Pebbles". Nice hotel overlooking the harbor called "Nancy's". It's a sailor thing...