Banqiao is the seat of New Taipei City and one of its most urbanised areas, yet it still has the feel of a small town rather than a big city. It sits close enough to Taipei that the two are effectively part of the same trip, and the journey between downtown Taipei and Banqiao takes only a few minutes.
For a visitor, that closeness shapes how you plan your base. Banqiao has no major chain hotels, and the practical advice is often to stay in Taipei and visit Banqiao for a couple of hours. If you would rather base yourself here, the accommodation is made up of small hotels that are relatively unknown to foreigners, with prices that are often lower. This guide covers the areas worth considering and the trade-offs of each.
Best areas to stay in Banqiao
1. Around Banqiao Station
Banqiao Station is the natural anchor for a stay here. It is within a 10-minute walk of the Lin Family Mansion and Garden and Nanya Night Market, so you can reach the main sights on foot rather than planning around transport. This suits first-time visitors who want the essentials close by and anyone who prefers to keep walking distances short.
The accommodation in this area is the small, low-key kind that Banqiao is known for rather than international chains. Staying here also keeps you on the line that connects quickly to downtown Taipei, which matters if you plan to spend most of your days in the capital.
2. Around MRT Fuzong Station
Fuzong Station sits on the Blue Line, with easy access from Taipei Main Station. It is less than a 5-minute walk from the station to accommodation in this area, which makes it a sensible choice if you are arriving with luggage or will be moving between Taipei and Banqiao often. It suits budget travellers and anyone who wants a straightforward connection rather than a central location.
From here you are still within a 10-minute walk of Banqiao Station, the Lin Family Mansion and Garden and Nanya Night Market, so the sights remain reachable on foot. The trade-off is that this is a residential, everyday part of town rather than a sightseeing hub, and the smaller properties here are the sort that foreigners rarely know about.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Capsule-style and hostel accommodation, including dorm rooms with shared showers and toilets in separate male and female sections. Expect small, functional spaces rather than private rooms.
- Mid-range: Small local hotels, often relatively unknown to foreign visitors, with prices that tend to be lower than equivalent options in Taipei.
- Splurge: Banqiao does not have major chain hotels, so the high end here is limited. If you want a full-service or international-standard stay, basing yourself in Taipei and visiting Banqiao is the more practical option.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself around Banqiao Station. It puts the Lin Family Mansion and Garden and Nanya Night Market within a 10-minute walk, and it keeps you on the transport link that reaches downtown Taipei in a few minutes. That combination of walkable sights and a quick connection to the capital is what makes it the most useful base in Banqiao.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Banqiao or in Taipei?
It is often easier to find a hotel in Taipei and visit Banqiao for a couple of hours, since the trip from downtown Taipei takes only a few minutes. Staying in Banqiao makes sense if you want lower prices or a quieter base, accepting that the choice of accommodation is smaller.
Are there major chain hotels in Banqiao?
No. Banqiao has no major chain hotels. What you find instead are small hotels that are relatively unknown to foreigners, along with hostel and capsule-style accommodation.
Is Banqiao easy to get around without a car?
Yes. The MRT Blue Line connects the area to Taipei Main Station, and accommodation around Fuzong Station is less than a 5-minute walk from the station. Banqiao Station, the Lin Family Mansion and Garden and Nanya Night Market are all within a 10-minute walk of that area.
What kind of accommodation is available for budget travellers?
Capsule hotel-style hostels, including separate male and female dorm rooms and mixed capsule dorm rooms, with showers and toilets in separate male and female sections. Capsules have lockable doors, a TV and a small table inside.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.