The cracker trick works but I'd recommend using small stones or pebbles instead, since you're not supposed to leave food in the cave system. The biggest issue with Longshan is that the side passages all look identical after a few meters, same limestone texture and similar lighting. I usually take a quick video on my phone at each fork showing which way I came from, it takes five seconds and saves you the hour-long detour. The moss alcove you found is probably near the eastern section, most tourists miss that whole area because they stick to the main boardwalk.

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I've gotten lost in Longshan more times than I'd like to admit. What works for me is finding the numbered markers on the main path and memorizing the number closest to where I go off. They're small white signs about every 50 meters, easy to miss if you're not looking. The eastern section where you found the moss has fewer of them, so I usually snap a picture of the marker at the last main junction before heading in. That way I can backtrack to that exact spot instead of wandering through identical corridors.

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You're definitely not the first person to get turned around in Longshan. The problem is that the lighting is really uneven, so a few steps into a corridor can look completely different from the entrance. I'd suggest bringing a small roll of flagging tape or even bright-colored string, the kind you can get at a hardware store for under 50 NT. Just tie a small piece at each intersection you take, and pull them off on your way out. The eastern section near the moss alcove is especially tricky because the ceiling dips low in a few spots and you lose sight of the main path markers.

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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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