It’s no wonder that China covets the self-governing archipelago of Taiwan. Its high-tech computer chip industry is one major reason, but cultural factors also play an important role. Taipei’s National Palace Museum houses thousands of prestigious imperial treasures from Beijing’s Forbidden City. Taiwan’s success is an embarrassment to China’s government: The democracy’s obvious prosperity refutes the argument that communism is a better fit for Chinese culture. And there’s the simple fact that Taiwan is an incredibly beautiful place. Who wouldn’t want it?

We had a fantastic time exploring the main island. Many people think of Taipei as a stopover en route to other places in Asia and think of the countryside not at all. Taiwan, however, stands on its own as a destination, and it has the luxury hotels to back up its enviable restaurant scene and myriad attractions.

Capella Taipei

The welcoming capital’s star hotel is Capella Taipei, opened in the upscale Songshan neighborhood in 2025. We’ve enjoyed various other Capella debuts in the past few years, and this 86-room hotel continues the brand’s winning streak. It occupies a sleek glass skyscraper, but inside, it offers ample character. (In this architecturally undistinguished city, unremarkable buildings often contain striking spaces.)