Taipei

Taiwan’s under-hyped capital, is the main entry point for international visitors. It’s a foodie’s paradise, with dozens of night markets and roadside eateries preparing everything from street snacks to table-top hot pot. Taiwan’s cuisine possesses numerous regional specialties, and Taipei is the best place to sample many of them in one location. Head to Shilin Night Market to dine like the locals. This massive indoor food court houses over 500 stalls and draws thousands to feast on oyster omelets, dim sum, and stinky tofu. (Stinky tofu is far more innocuous than it sounds -- the dish is typically deep-fried with pickled vegetables or cooked in a pot of broth.) Other options include Gongguan Night Market, which sees a younger student crowd, and Huaxi Street Night Market for more adventurous dishes, like snake soup. Another Taipei food trend worth checking out: shrimping restaurants, where you’ll catch your own crustaceans for a well-earned meal.Aside from the delectable cuisine, Taipei is home to gigantic monuments and world-class museums. Art buffs will want to check out the National Palace Museum, which boasts the world’s premier collection of Chinese antiquities, and the Fine Arts Museum, which showcases contemporary masterpieces. A less obvious museum choice is the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which pays tribute to Taiwan’s first public bathhouse (which is still running adjacent to the museum). Taiwan’s volcanic activity has created numerous hot springs throughout the region, though this urban bath has the added advantage of metro access.   When it comes to Taipei’s nightlife, the downtown area near City Hall is home to many of Taipei’s upbeat clubs, while Anhe Road is lined with lively bars. To party like the Taiwanese, karaoke is a must. Private rooms are soundproofed and come with phones to order beer and food. Taipei’s LGBTQ scene is also one of the most prominent in East Asia. Head to the Red House district, near the Ximen metro stop. Here, you’ll find over 25 gay bars, ranging from casual karaoke joints to leather and fetish spots.