Social Life in Taipei

What are the best things to do in Taipei? A question on the lips of all students planning on coming to study Mandarin with us here in Taiwan.

Don’t fear, we are one step ahead. Our weekly planned social calendar is packed full of top quality activities to make sure you get the most out of your trip to Taipei with LTL. We’ve been running social events for years and know the score when it comes to where to go and what to do.

Here are some example activities you can enjoy as a student at LTL Taipei.

Pub Quiz

Pub Quiz at Barcade

LTL Taiwan Social Event

You can’t beat a pub quiz after a log day of studying, right?

We’ve got a regular spot at Barcade in Taipei where we bring our students along every month.

It’s a whole lot of fun and a great way to get to know other students after class as well.

There are even some prizes for the top 2 teams – have you got what it takes?

Tonghua Night Market

Night Markets are a staple of Taiwan and part of the experience that is Taiwan.

There are a variety of night markets all over Taipei, some bigger, some smaller and all offering unique experiences and cheap eats specific to Taiwan.

Tonghua Night Market on Linjiang Street is the most local night market in Taipei, it caters to people who want to see what real Taiwanese food is without worrying about all the tourists.

Just walking distance from the school, the market is easily accessible for LTL students, an experience not to be missed!

Q9 Lounge Bar

Q9 All-You-Can-Drink

Q9 is a Lounge Bar owned by a super nice local Taiwanese guy, who is always happy to chat and give advice. The bar’s uniqueness comes in the form of its All-You-Can-Drink deal.

Pay 430 NTD and get a variety of cocktails, ranging from famous ones like Cosmopolitan and Long Island Ice Tea down to unique Q9 specials, all made in front you at the bar.

There is no time limit, no entrance fee and no pressure.

Just sit around, drink and enjoy the company.

Palace Museum

National Palace Museum

Originally part of Beijing’s Forbidden City, it was moved to Taipei after the Nationalists lost the civil war to the PRC. With it, the KMT moved over a collection of more than 600,000 precious artefacts to prevent their destruction during and after the war.

With over 4 floors and 2 exhibition halls, the Palace Museum is one of, if not the most important museum to visit during your stay in Taipei. We’d recommend visiting at least once, if not multiple times, as only a small percentage of the museum’s artefacts can be shown at one time.

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is the most famous Buddhist temple in Taipei and is an absolute must-visit for any traveller to Taiwan.

It was built in the 18th century by Fujian immigrants as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. It has managed to survive various natural disasters and wars since that time.

Although a Buddhist temple originally, it represents Taiwanese worship houses quite well, by mixing Buddhist, Taoist and folk religious elements, such as the Matzu deity, into its building.

We make a trip to Longshan Temple every so often at LTL Taipei, but of course you are welcome to plan your own trip with fellow students.

Yangmingshan National Park

The National Park of Yangmingshan is located to the north of Taipei city. It spans 114 square meters and is home to various parks, hiking trails, flora and fauna, as well as internationally famous hot springs.

Due to the variety in elevation of the park (200 to 1200 meters), it contains differing climates in different locations, based on how high you go. The park was designated as a Category II by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, made to have its nature and wildlife protected.

The Park is to be visited any time of the year, with different seasons offering different types of beauty.

Beijing Roast Duck

On of the most famous dishes you’ll likely come across in Asia and with good reason. Roast Duck is prominent throughout all LTL schools because it’s a simply must try dish.

It’s not just about the Roast Duck it’s about the experience. The Duck Skin that melts in your mouth when accompanied with sugar. The variety of little sides you fill your delicate, yet delightful pancake with. The plates of beautifully presented Roast Duck. The whole package is an experience you are bound to enjoy.

Grab a drink, take some fellow LTL friends and you are in for a great night of top class company and even better food!

Haidilao Hotpot

Hotpot doesn’t get more famous than Haidilao. It’s so much more than just a restaurant.

Going to Haidilao can quite literally turn into a show (if you are lucky). Noodles that dance, staff wearing masks and performing, Haidilao has it all.

We’ve not even started on the food yet! Choose your soup, choose what you want to throw into the pot (endless options by the way) and after a few minutes get stuck in. Make your own side sauce and stock up on fruit to cool the mouth if you opt for the spicy pot.

If you come to LTL Taiwan, we will make sure you go to Haidilao!

KTV

You’ve been studying Mandarin hard all week. You deserve a break, but where to go? KTV is a very sound option and a great evening of fun lies ahead!

The rooms inside KTV are fancy, the food and drink is served to your room, and the jukebox is ready for your pleasure. Pick some songs, get them queued up, get a couple of drinks down you for Dutch Courage and get singing!

Some don’t need a second invitation to take to the stand, but whether you like a singsong or not it’s a great place to enjoy some drinks with your fellow LTL students

Houtong Cat Village

Essential purridise to cat lovers, the Houtong Cat Village is renowned throughout the island for having hundreds of cats just strolling around.

Originally a coal mining town in the outskirt area of New Taipei City, the town’s population declined after the ending of coal mining activities in the 90’s. As a result, many of the cats owned by the local populace were abandoned, and were later cared for by a local cat lover.

This in turn became viral online, and the village became a famous tourist destination. Nowadays, the village prides itself on its feline residents, running various cat-themed cafes, restaurants and shops.