New Taipei City wraps around Taipei on Taiwan's northern tip, running from a northern coastline and the Tamsui River out to the mountains of the interior. It is a polycentric place, merged from former towns and suburbs, so it does not have one single centre the way a smaller city does.
For a visitor, that means your choice of base is really a choice about how you want to move: into Taipei on the metro, out to the coast, or up into the hills. The districts below are the ones the sources single out as having notable attractions, and this guide covers which of them work as a base, who each one suits, and how each connects to the rest of the area.
Best areas to stay in New Taipei City
1. Banqiao
Banqiao is the municipal seat and the biggest commercial area, and it is home to the administrative headquarters of New Taipei. It is the most urban of the options here, with the widest choice of places to stay and the easiest access to the metro, high-speed rail and the airport line.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the city's transport links on the doorstep rather than a quiet setting. If your trip mixes Taipei sightseeing with day trips around New Taipei, this is the most practical base.
2. Tamsui
Tamsui is a historical district on the north coast that was once the centre of shipping and commerce in northern Taiwan. It remains a popular day-trip destination from Taipei and has many historical attractions, so staying here puts you in the middle of them before and after the day-trippers arrive.
It suits travellers who want a waterfront setting and history within walking distance, and who do not mind being at the far end of the metro line from central Taipei.
3. Xindian
Xindian is where the apartment complexes of the metropolis meet the northern end of the Central Mountain Range. Expect an urban edge with mountains immediately behind it, and riverside parkland along the Xindian River.
It suits visitors who want city convenience with easy access to walking country, and families who prefer a quieter residential feel while staying on the metro.
4. Wulai
Wulai is a small village known for its hot springs and aboriginal culture. It is a mountain district rather than a city district, so the accommodation is about the setting rather than about connections.
It suits travellers who want a hot-spring stay and are happy to base themselves away from the urban core for a night or two. Check how you will arrive and leave before committing, as this is the least connected of the areas listed here.
5. Yingge
Yingge is known for its high concentration of pottery and ceramic makers. It is a compact district with a craft focus, and it works well as a base for the western side of New Taipei.
It suits travellers with a specific interest in ceramics and crafts, or those who want a smaller-town base with rail connections rather than a big-city one.
6. Bali
Bali is described as an up-and-coming tourist area, on the northwestern coast. The Port of Taipei, an artificial international seaport, is situated on this stretch of coast.
It suits travellers who want a coastal base and are not relying on dense urban amenities. It is one of the less established options, so plan your transport into Taipei carefully.
7. Jinshan
Jinshan is a district known for its seafood and its Chan monastery complex, on the northern coast. It is a coastal, low-key base rather than a hub.
It suits travellers touring the north coast by car or bus, and those who want seafood and temple visiting rather than nightlife or shopping.
8. Yonghe and Zhonghe
Yonghe is known for its breakfast foods, and neighbouring Zhonghe is a densely populated suburb of Taipei. Together they form a practical, everyday urban base on the Taipei side of the city.
They suit budget-conscious travellers and anyone who wants to be close to Taipei with plenty of local eating. Expect dense streets and a residential feel rather than sightseeing on the doorstep.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: look in the dense suburban districts such as Yonghe and Zhonghe, and around Banqiao, where the everyday urban fabric offers the simplest rooms and the easiest access to metro and rail.
- Mid-range: Banqiao and Tamsui give you the widest spread of ordinary city and waterfront accommodation, with Xindian as a quieter alternative on the mountain side.
- Splurge: the hot-spring village of Wulai and the coastal districts of Jinshan and Bali are where the setting itself is the point, whether that is mountain hot springs or the northern coastline.
Best area for a first visit
Banqiao is the best base for a first visit. It is the municipal seat and biggest commercial area, and it is the point where New Taipei's metro, high-speed rail and airport line connections come together. From there you can reach the rest of the city and Taipei itself without committing to a remote district before you know the area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to stay in New Taipei City, or should I base myself in Taipei?
New Taipei City completely encloses Taipei, and the two form part of the same metropolitan area with metro, high-speed rail and airport line connections between them. Staying in a district such as Banqiao or Yonghe puts you on that network, so the choice is about which side of the boundary suits your plans.
Which areas are best if I want to be near the coast?
Tamsui on the north coast is the historical port district and the most established coastal base. Jinshan, known for seafood and its Chan monastery complex, and Bali, described as an up-and-coming tourist area, are the other coastal options, with the Port of Taipei in Bali.
Where should I stay for hot springs?
Wulai, a small village known for its hot springs and aboriginal culture, is the district to look at. It is a mountain village rather than a city district, so treat it as a destination stay rather than a commuting base.
What is the climate like through the year?
The city has a humid subtropical climate with seasonal monsoons and rainfall spread evenly through the year. Temperatures are generally warm to hot, though cold fronts in winter can push them below 10 °C, with January the coolest month and July the warmest.
Compare live prices for the districts that fit your plans using the booking tools on this page.