Audio Guide: Taipei Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Taipei

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, developed relatively late compared to many other major Asian cities, yet its history reflects centuries of migration, trade, and political change. The name Taipei derives from “Tai-pak,” meaning “North of Taiwan” or “Northern Taiwan,” a designation that distinguishes it from Tainan, the island’s earlier administrative centre in the south.

Long before large-scale settlement, the Taipei Basin was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, most notably the Ketagalan, who lived along rivers, wetlands, and fertile lowlands. From the 17th century, and especially during the 18th century, Han Chinese migration from Fujian Province increased under Qing dynasty rule, driven by agricultural opportunities and access to river transport. Early settlements developed around present-day Wanhua District, which emerged as a key trading port connected to tea, camphor, rice, and other agricultural exports.

Taipei’s transformation accelerated in the late 19th century. In 1875, the Qing government established Taipei Prefecture, acknowledging the strategic importance of northern Taiwan. Urban development followed, including the construction of city walls, gates, temples, and administrative buildings that defined the Old City. In 1885, Taiwan was elevated to provincial status, and Taipei served as its capital, a role formally confirmed in 1887.

This period of Chinese administration was short-lived. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895. During five decades of Japanese colonial rule, Taipei was extensively modernised. Railways, sanitation systems, schools, hospitals, government offices, and planned avenues reshaped the city, many of which still form the backbone of Taipei’s urban layout today.

Following Japan’s World War II defeat in 1945, Taiwan was placed under the administration of the Republic of China. After losing the Chinese Civil War, the Nationalist government relocated to Taipei in 1949, making it the de facto capital of the Republic of China. This era brought rapid population growth, industrial expansion, political repression under martial law, and significant urban sprawl.

Walking through central Taipei, visitors encounter a layered city where historic temples such as Longshan Temple sit beside Japanese-era buildings, modern government complexes like the Presidential Office Building, and lively shopping streets in the Ximending District. The old districts reveal narrow lanes, traditional markets, and centuries-old shrines, while nearby boulevards open onto museums, cafés, and contemporary public spaces. Food stalls, bookstores, and neon-lit storefronts create a constant rhythm, giving downtown Taipei a mix of everyday local life and cultural depth.

This walk cuts straight through the layers of Taipei-old and new, sacred and everyday. From landmarks and temples to a food market, every stop tells a story of history, culture, and cuisine. Keep walking, stay curious, and let Taipei surprise you at every turn.