fwiw the key is actually avoiding the low sections near the creek at the base, that's where the breeding grounds are. once you hit the switchbacks around the 400m mark it's way more manageable. I just go with the cheap Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor spray from 7-11, it's like 80NT and works fine for me. long pants tucked into socks is non-negotiable though, learned that the hard way last summer

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honestly the mosquitoes are brutal but its mostly the first stretch after the trailhead near the tiled staircase that gets you. once you get past the bamboo grove and up onto the ridge the wind usually keeps em away. i swear by the local brand "Jungle Formula" from the PX Mart near Xingtian Temple, it smells like industrial solvent but it actually works better than anything i've tried. wear light colors too, dark clothes are basically a target

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Yeah, Jiuwushan mosquitoes are no joke. I went a couple months ago and it was brutal. DEET is your friend, the higher percentage, the better. Don't skimp. I used OFF! Deep Woods, and even then, I got nailed. Long sleeves and pants are a must, even if it's hot. Consider a mosquito net for your head if you're really worried, it might seem crazy, but it's better than being eaten alive. Honestly, the views are amazing, so it's worth the battle, but be prepared for war.

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solid breakdown, covers the essentials. for zhongzheng, I'd point out that the area around chiang kai-shek memorial hall is dead quiet after 9pm, so if you want a drink or late snack you're walking 15 mins to guting or dongmen. but staying near nanmen market is a hidden gem, you get fresh breakfast stalls and that old taipei feel without the tourist crowds.

da'an is nice but honestly overpriced for what you get unless you're expensing it. I'd rather stay in zhongshan and walk to the same cafes, plus you get the bonus of those little speakeasies near the fine arts museum that nobody talks about. the mrt from zhongshan to da'an is like 5 stops anyway.

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honestly, this is a solid breakdown. i'd add that if you're into late night eats, ximending is unbeatable but be warned that it gets really crowded on weekends. i stayed near zhongshan once and loved how easy it was to walk to those little alley restaurants around linsen north road, feels more local than da'an which can be a bit sterile.

for beitou, the public hot springs at the beitou public library area are free and way more authentic than the hotel ones imo. just bring a towel and flip flops.

neihu is underrated for families, yeah, but the mrt ride to central taipei is like 20 mins which is fine. my friends rented an airbnb there with a balcony and it was way cheaper than anything in da'an.

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i'd add that for the digital nomad crowd, taipei main station is actually underrated for coworking. there's a spot called q square that has this huge lounge area on the 3rd floor near the food court, free wifi and outlets everywhere, i used to camp there for hours between meetings. beats paying for a cafe in da'an.

if you're on a budget and want something between ximending and neihu, check out wanhua district proper. it's where ximending sits but the older parts around longshan temple have guesthouses for like $25 a night and you get actual temple vibes at sunrise. just don't expect fancy amenities, it's more about the experience.

the guide mentions beitou for relaxation but nobody talks about the hike up to yangmingshan from there. it's a 40 minute walk from the mrt station to the sulfur vents and you can soak your feet in a free stream along the trail. way better than paying for a hotel pool imo

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