taipei tourist attraction itinerary

Asia , Itineraries , Taiwan · November 17, 2020

A Local’s Taipei Itinerary: How to Spend 1-5 Days in Taipei

Taipei is a multifaceted city brimming with deep-rooted history, a pulsating culture, incredible architecture, and a fantastic food scene. But with so many layers to uncover, things to do, and street food to taste, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning a Taipei itinerary.

To help you figure out what to do and where to go, I’ve compiled this  fully flexible   itinerary in Taipei for 1-5 days . It’s packed with must-do activities, places to see, and top tips to make the most of your time during your 5-day stay.

Ready to find the absolute best things to do in Taipei and see all Taiwan’s colorful capital city has to offer? Let’s go! 

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Table of Contents

How many days to spend in Taipei

While one could easily spend weeks in Taipei, not everyone has the luxury of unlimited time in this megacity. With 1 or 2 days in Taipei, you’ll be able to see the city’s most iconic sights. However, to really uncover the city’s DNA, I recommend staying at least 3-5 days in Taipei. 

Plan Your Taipei Trip

Before you start your Taipei itinerary, read my detailed guides to help you better understand the city.

• Travel Tips for Taipei
• Where to Stay in Taipei
• Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei
• Taipei Nightlife guide
• Solo Traveler’s Guide to Taipei
• Best Taipei Side Trips

In a rush? Pin this itinerary for Taipei to read later.

Taipei Itinerary Essentials

Want to maximize your time in Taipei? Here are a few essentials you’ll need for a stress-free 5 days Taipei itinerary. 

• Taipei has oodles of hotels and hostels. For the best prices,  search accommodation  at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Alternatively, see my insider’s guide on the best hotels & areas to stay in Taipei .
• Taipei has two airports, Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) and Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). While Songshan is closer to Taipei, Taoyuan is the main international gateway. Read my quick guide on how to get to Taipei from Taoyuan Airport . Alternatively, book a private transfer straight to your accommodation for a stress-free trip. 
• Grab a  Taipei Fun Pass  to see all the Taipei must-see sights at a discount. 
• While there are more than 4400 Wifi hotspots in Taiwan, it’s worth spending a few extra dollars on a local  4G Sim Card , Pocket Wifi , or this E-sim . By doing so, you can plan all your stops and access maps, schedules, and translations on the go. 
• Make sure to pack a  travel umbrella  as frequent downpours aren’t uncommon in Taipei. This guide on what to pack for Taiwan will also come in handy.
• Grab a  Lonely Planet guidebook  for more tips and things to do. It’s packed with awesome recommendations and insights into the culture, history, and more.
• Need travel insurance for your trip?  SafetyWing is my go-to travel insurance provider.

How to get around during your Itinerary in Taipei

Taipei is a sprawling city. While it is an exceptionally walkable city, an efficient transport network is ready to whizz you off to all corners. To maximize your 5 days in Taipei, use a mix of transport methods to access the best of Taipei’s attractions. Here’s how to get around during your 5-day stay.  

• MRT:  Taipei has an extensive subway system called the MRT. Tickets are cheap and you can buy them at any MRT station. However, to save time, grab Taiwan’s local top-up card, the  Easy Card . With this card, you can tap and go on the MRT, buses, and regional trains. See the metro map here . Also check out my guide on useful Taiwan travel apps to have on your phone.
• HOP ON HOP OFF BUS:  The Taipei sightseeing bus is a great way to get a well-rounded glimpse of the city while ticking off your Taipei must-visit list. The bus stops at all the major tourist attractions on this Taipei itinerary. It’s also a fun way to see the city from a different angle. There are two routes, and  9hr or 24hr passes  are available. 
• BY BIKE:  YouBike is an official bike sharing system in Taiwan. It allows you to rent a bike for as little as NT$10 per 30 minutes. You’ll find an endless supply of bicycle-sharing kiosks allover Taipei City, too. These are conveniently located outside MRT stations and tourist spots. Just a head’s up, you’ll need an  Easy Card  and a local number to register for this service. For single rent users, you’ll need to pay a NT$2000 deposit with your credit card. 
• TAXI:  Yellow taxis can be spotted and flagged down all over Taipei. They are reasonably priced, starting at around NT$120 for the first 1.25km and then increase with NT$5 for every 200m. Between 11 pm to 6 am, rates start at NT$140. 
• UBER:  Uber is a great and cheap alternative to get around Taipei quickly. Make sure to download the Uber app before you arrive. 

Best Hotels and Hostels to stay during an Itinerary for Taipei

Luxury: W Taipei  is the best luxury hotel in Taipei. The 5-star property features beautiful, spacious rooms accompanied by terrific views. But even on top of that, you’ll be steps from the trendy bars, shops, and restaurants of Xinyi.  Check rates/ availability here . 

Mid-Range: Via Hotel  is a 3-star hotel that combines comfort and design. It’s the perfect choice for mid-range travelers who want to be right in the city center. What’s more, it offers easy access to Taipei Main Station, as well as oodles of shops and eateries.  Check rates/ availability here .  

Budget:   Star Hostel  is a chic hostel offering both private and dorm rooms at great prices. Located mere steps from the Taipei Main Station, it’s the perfect base if you want to be close to the main transport hub.  Check rates/ availability here .  

Taipei Itinerary Quick Overview

Day 1 in Taipei:  Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall >> Longshan Temple >> Taipei 101 >> Elephant Mountain >> Raohe Night Market

Taipei Day 2:  Dihua Street >> North Gate >> Ximending >> Huashan 1914 Creative Park >> Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall >> Stroll the streets of Daan

Day 3 in Taipei:  National Palace Museum >> Beitou Hot Springs >> Tamsui >> Shilin Night Market

Taipei Day 4:  Yehliu Geopark >> Shifen >> Jiufen 

Day 5 in Taipei:  Taipei Zoo >> Maokong Mountain >> Taipei Fine Arts Museum >> Addiction Aquatic Development

Want to see the city’s best attractions without planning a thing? Check out this  city tour ,  night tour ,  walking tour , or this  popular sights private charter .

The Perfect Itinerary for Taipei: What to do in Taipei in 1-5 Days

Whether you have one day in Taipei or many, the city is jam-packed with places to see and fun things to do. 

Below you’ll find my top recommendations on how to spend up to 5 days in Taipei. I’ve included all the must-see attractions, iconic landmarks, and even a few hidden gems for those who’d like to experience Taipei’s quirky side! 

Throughout this Taipei itinerary, you’ll also get handy tips to help you experience the best of Taipei. With that said, though, feel free to mix things up as you see fit.

1 Day Taipei Itinerary

With only 1 day in Taipei, trying to figure out where to go and what to do in a megacity like Taipei can be challenging. While one day is not nearly enough to see all the city has to offer, it will allow ample time to get a taste of Taipei’s top attractions. Here are the best things to do in Taipei in 1 day. 

Oh, and travel tip – make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes . You have a lot of ground to cover on your first day! 

Get a glimpse into the past at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Kickstart your 1 day Taipei itinerary with a visit to the city’s most iconic square – Liberty Square ( 中正紀念堂廣場) .

Featuring neatly kept gardens, this sprawling area is home to the National Theater , the National Concert Hall , and of course, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂).

Besides strolling the beautiful grounds and taking Instagrammable photos, it’s also a great spot to get a better understanding of Taiwan’s complex history. 

Within the main hall, browse the exhibitions and learn more about the country’s liberation struggles. Afterward, climb the 89 steps leading to the massive statue memorializing Chiang, Taiwan’s first president. It’s also worth watching the changing of the guards’ ceremony, which happens every hour on the hour. Entrance to Liberty Square, as well as Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, is free. 

Insider’s Tips:  If time permits, take a stroll over to the  Presidential Palace  (中華民國總統府). It was built during the Japanese Colonial era and has a gorgeous red brick exterior and large balconies. Today, it serves as the workplace of Taiwan’s president. Join the free guided tour (weekdays only) to get a glimpse of the inside. Afterward, take a stroll through the serene  2/28 Peace Memorial Park  (二二八和平公園). The park commemorates the victims of the anti-government uprising movement in 1947. Don’t miss the huge memorial monument at the center of the park! The nearby memorial museum also offers more insights into Taiwan’s turbulent past. 

Experience the Culture at Longshan Temple

Next up on your Taipei itinerary, head to Taipei’s most famous religious complex, Longshan Temple (龍山寺). Dating back to 1737, Longshan Temple is one of the most famous landmarks in Taiwan and a great place to get acquainted with Chinese folk religion. To this day, locals journey from near and far to make prayers and wish for good fortune in these incense-filled halls. 

Right near the entrance, you can relish in the local custom of throwing moon blocks . Make sure to throw these tiny blocks in unison. The way they fall will reveal whether the gods favor you or not. 

There is no entrance fee for Longshan Temple. But please remember to dress appropriately as this is still a place of worship. 

Insider’s Tips:  A short stroll from here, head to the  Bopiliao Historical Block  (剝皮寮歷史街區) where you’ll find stacks of 18th-century houses. To learn more about the area’s history, you can also join this free  walking tour . Afterward, browse the  Huaxi Street Market  (華西街觀光夜市) filled with weird and interesting traditional snacks. Or better yet, join this  fun food tour . Just a word of caution; this is Taipei’s red-light district and it can be a bit seedy at night. Although Taipei is a very safe city, I wouldn’t recommend visiting here late at night if you are a solo female traveler.  

Take in the Views Atop Taipei 101  

In Xinyi, often dubbed as the Times Square of Taipei, you’ll find one of Asia’s most iconic landmarks – Taipei 101 (台北101). 

This imposing bamboo-shaped skyscraper towers 509m above the city and showcases exceptional design inside and out. Taipei 101 also houses the world’s 3 rd fastest elevator, traveling at a speed of 1,010 meters per minute. It is the most prominent landmark in the city, rightly deserving a spot on your Taipei itinerary.

Within the tower, you can browse the world’s best luxury stores. These include the likes of Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Patek Philippe, to name just a few!

But arguably, the best thing to do here is get a bird’s-eye view over the entire city. Once you’re done browsing the stores, head to the Observation Deck. Besides taking in the excellent vistas, don’t miss getting a close-up look at the massive damper housed here. The damper weighs a whopping 660 tons and stabilizes the tower during strong winds or typhoons.

Just a word of warning – the Observation Deck’s lines are always long, and one could easily queue for hours. Grab a fast track pass to skip the lines. 

Insider’s Tips:  While here, don’t miss Taiwan’s very own Michelin Star restaurant  Din Tai Fung  (鼎泰豐). The eatery serves up the juiciest xiao long bao ever! If time permits, take a stroll through the lively  Att 4 Fun  (信義店) pedestrian area. Here you’ll find loads of trendy hangouts, hip bars, Taipei’s coolest clubs, and great shopping hotspots. A few blocks further, explore the  Breeze Songgao Store  (微風松高) filled with shops, hip food trucks, and restaurants. There’s a great vibe here, so don’t skip it! 

Catch the sunset at Elephant Mountain

Just one stop down the MRT Red Line is one of Taipei’s most Instagrammable places – Elephant Mountain (象山) 

Popular among sunset chasers and nature seekers alike, Elephant Mountain offers spectacular views over the entire city bowl. While it’s quite a steep trek to the view points, the sights along the way will be more than enough reward. 

Depending on your fitness level, it takes about 20 minutes to reach the first observation platform. For the best views, though, continue on a bit further. There you can scramble up on the boulders and snap an iconic selfie with the entire city as your backdrop.

Feast at Raohe Night Market

After a day out exploring all Taipei’s iconic sights, it’s time to sample some of the city’s best street food. And the best place to do just that is at Raohe Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市).

Raohe is one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan , and no Taipei itinerary would be complete without a visit here. The best part? There are loads of street food snacks to try. These include bubble milk tea, grilled squid, fried chicken steak, pepper pork buns, and stinky tofu. Prefer to visit with a guide? Here’s a great Raohe night market tour .

Besides filling up with all the delicious food, it’s also a great place to bargain hunt. You’ll find everything from clothes, cellphone accessories, bags, earrings, and more here! If you’re looking to squeeze in a bit of shopping, the nearby maze-like alleyways of  Wufenpu  (五分埔) is for you. Here you’ll find tons of cheap clothing stores selling the latest Korean and Japanese fashion trends. It’s also a great place to practice your haggling during your itinerary in Taipei. 

2 Day Taipei Itinerary

With 2 days in Taipei, you can get a closer look at the city’s quirky pop culture, visit a few more historical sites, and of course, relish in its bustling food scene. 

Follow my sample itinerary above, and then on day 2 check out these cool places in Taipei. 

Browse the historic Dihua Street 

Start your morning bright and early with a visit to one of the city’s best-preserved streets, Dihua (迪化街).

Right in the heart of Datong, you’ll find a bunch of restored buildings dating back to the 1800s. It’s a great place to stroll, people watch and of course, get acquainted with authentic Taipei. Don’t miss the bustling market that sells a mix of weird and wonderful food, teas, spices, as well as traditional Chinese medicinal products.

After taking in the sights and sounds of Dihua Street, make a quick photo stop at the impressive 19th century  North Gate  (臺北府城 北門), which was built as part of the city’s fortifications. 

Enjoy the vibe at Ximending Walking District

Next up, head over to the massive pedestrian walking street of Ximending (西門町).

Ximending is a bustling youth district on the western side of Taipei City, rightly nicknamed the Shibuya or Harajuku of Taipei. With hip clothing stores, brightly-lit billboards, themed cafes like Modern Toilet (便所主題餐廳 西門店), and alleyways dotted with the city’s best street art, it’s not hard to see why its such a firm favorite among tourists and locals alike. All in all, Ximending is a great place to stroll around, shop, eat, hunt for street art, and people watch.

Another noteworthy attraction to check out while here is the  Red House Theatre  (西門紅樓), which showcases cheap live performances.  Ningxia Night Market  (寧夏夜市) is also just around the corner and is another great Taipei night market. Join this cool Michelin night tour at Ningxia  to sample the best street food on offer here! 

Check out the Quirky Displays at Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Built in 1914, Huashan Creative Park (華山1914文化創意產業園區) has quite a unique history. It was once a Japanese sake brewery, and then later a camphor refinery. Today, the park is the city’s most prominent art center and a popular go-to spot among art lovers and those looking to escape Taipei’s concrete jungle. 

There are several buildings to browse filled with cute artisan shops, designer stores, bookshops, as well as several gourmet eateries and hipster hangouts. Don’t miss the cool outdoor art displays dotted around sprawling gardens. 

Stroll through Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

After getting a taste of Taipei’s artsy side, head over to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國立國父紀念館). It is one of Taipei’s most important historical buildings and another interesting place to learn a little about Taiwan’s history. 

The memorial hall was built in 1972 to honor Taiwan’s founding father, Sun Yat-sen. The main structure features intricate architecture and is surrounded by lovely gardens, which also house a massive fountain. Within its walls, you’ll find varied exhibitions offering insight into Sun’s life and his revolution efforts.

Insider’s tips:  Nearby, take a gentle stroll through the city’s largest park  Daan Forest Park  (大安森林公園). Alternatively, head over to  JenGuo Flower Market  or  Jianguo Jade Market  (建國玉市). Both are excellent places to shop for souvenirs and quirky trinkets. The buzzing alleyways jolting off from  Lane 137, Yanji Street  are just a stone’s throw from here and are chock-full with hipster hangouts, themed cafes, hidden izakayas, and posh international eateries. If you’re not hungry, it’s still an excellent place for a walkabout or to grab a cuppa. If you’re seeking a boozy cocktail, head out to the Instagrammable  Drunk Cafe  (爛醉咖啡). Alternatively, grab an ice-cold beer at the city’s best craft beer bar,  On Tap . 

Taipei 3 Days Itinerary

If you have 3 days in Taipei, you’ll have more than enough time to explore the far-flung corners of the city and get a closer look at a few more must-see attractions. Follow the steps above and on day 3 of your Taipei itinerary, head out to these places below. 

Browse the National Palace Museum 

Start your day early with a visit to one of the city’s most iconic museums, the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院).

Housing more than 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts, artworks, and relics, spanning over 8000 years of history, the museum holds the world’s most complete Chinese artifacts collection. The National Palace museum is a treasure trove for history buffs and art enthusiasts, rightly deserving a spot on any Taipei itinerary! 

The museum entrance fee is NT$350, but since the lines are always long, it’s worth grabbing a  discounted e-ticket here  in advance. 

Visit Beitou Hot Springs

Most visitors to Taipei don’t know that actual volcanoes are right within the city’s limits. So next up on your itinerary in Taipei, immerse yourself in nature with a visit to the steamy thermal pools of Beitou Hot Springs (北投溫泉).

Beitou  is one of Taipei’s most popular side trips, and it’s not hard to understand why. Surrounded by lush greenery and the allure of abundant hot springs is what really makes this Japanese-inspired retreat such a popular go-to spot among locals and those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban Taipei. This picture-perfect setting is perfect spot to unwind!

If you’re not checking in at one of the luxurious hot spring hotels, like  Grand View Resort , head out to one of the outdoor public baths to experience the geothermal activity like a local. 

Other things to do in Beitou include visiting the  Beitou Thermal Valley  or “Hell Valley” (地熱谷), the  Beitou Hot Spring Museum  (北投溫泉博物館), the  Beitou Museum  (北投文物館) and the  Xinbeitou Historic Station  (新北投車站).

For a unique experience, enjoy a traditional Japanese ceremony at the  Taiwan Folk Arts Museum  (北投文物館), visit the  Ketagalan Culture Center  (凱達格蘭文物館), or stop by one of the incense-filled temples like  Puji Temple  (北投普濟寺). 

Looking to get off the beaten path? Head out to one of Taipei’s best-hidden gems –  Wulai  (烏來). Wulai is an aboriginal village neatly tucked away in the mountains. Here you can soak in hot springs, hunt for waterfalls, eat traditional Atayal food, and take a fun ride on the cutest little train ever! Read my guide on  what to do in Wulai . 

Wander the streets of Tamsui

After enjoying a slice of nature, head out to Tamsui (淡水) – a scenic little town located on the Tamsui River banks right at the edge of Taipei City. 

Tamsui, also often spelled Danshui, has a lot going for it. From a bustling Old Street chock-full with cute artisan stores, souvenir shops, and vendors serving up the freshest seafood imaginable to several historical sites and a booming craft beer scene. But even on top of that, the star attraction here is the incredible sunset. 

While you can catch an epic sunset from anywhere along the boardwalk, the best spot to watch the sun melt away over the horizon is at Lover’s Bridge . It’s a popular spot among love birds and photographers, so expect it to fill up quickly!

Oh, and don’t miss stopping by the incredible Wuji Tianyuan Temple if you happen to visit Taipei during cherry blossom season.

Insider’s Tip: For those traveling between Hongshulin and Fishermen’s Wharf , the newly built Tamsui light rail line is a fun way to explore the area. The Blue Seaside Line, which will connect the Tamsui MRT and the Fisherman’s Wharf is scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Eat your way through Shilin Night Market

The last stop on your 3 days in Taipei itinerary is Shilin Night Market (士林夜市). 

Shilin is a bustling place jam-packed with food vendors and stalls selling all kinds of bits and bobs. What’s more, it is probably the best and most popular street food market in Taipei! It’s the perfect spot to sample local street snacks and authentic Taiwanese cuisine. 

Since the area really only comes alive at night, make sure to time your visit here. Whatever you do, though, come hungry, because there are lots to try! 

Taipei 4 Day itinerary

With so much to do in Taipei, it’s hard to get bored. But beyond the buzzing urban hub, there are a handful of must-see places worth a visit. So, on day 4 of your Taipei itinerary, it’s time to explore the city’s outskirts! Think quaint little towns, lush jungles dotted with waterfalls, epic ocean views, and great hiking opportunities! 

Visit the rock formations at Yehliu

Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園)   is a unique place along Taiwan’s north   coast that’s well worth a visit. Fringed by the Pacific Ocean, this massive geopark is home to cool fossils and the weirdest rock formations imaginable. Some of the most notable rock forms to look out for are the Queen’s Head, Fairy’s Shoe, Bean Curd, and Dragon Head. 

Yehliu is a great place to stroll around, take in the incredible ocean views and scenery, and of course, hunt for bizarre rock formations. Don’t forget your  camera , because you’ll want to take lots of photos of this alien-like wonderland! 

Insider’s Tips:  There is a small entrance fee (NT$120) to enter the park, but you can also grab an entry ticket online in advance. While it’s relatively straightforward to visit Yehliu independently, joining a day tour will save you the hassle of planning a thing. Another good option is this  tour which includes a pastry making sesh. If you have your own set of wheels, also check out the Twin Candlesticks and Shen’ao Elephant Rock nearby.

See Taiwan’s widest waterfall 

Just 32 kilometers northwest of Taipei City, lies Taiwan’s very own mini version of Niagara Falls measuring 40m in width – Shifen Falls (十分瀑布).

The waterfall is tucked away amid a lush jungle setting, and there are tons of lookout points covering all angles of the waterfall. It’s an incredibly scenic place to visit and the perfect choice for those wanting to spend a day immersed in nature.

I’ve written an extensive guide on Shifen , which includes absolutely everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful area – from how to easily get there to what to do in the quaint little town, as well as other cool places to check out nearby. If you prefer to join a guided tour,  this one  is a great half-day option. 

Wander the lantern-filled alleys of Jiufen

A visit to Taipei (or Taiwan as a matter of fact) would simply not be complete without a trip to Jiufen (九份). Located not too far from Shifen, this gorgeous little town is perched on a hillside and offers epic views over the ocean and mountains.

While the views are incredible and stand testament to Taiwan’s mind-blowing natural scenery, there is yet another reason to add Jiufen to your Taipei itinerary. Often touted as the inspiration to Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, Jiufen’s true charm lies in its rustic alleyways strewn with dangling red lanterns, charming traditional teahouses, hot spring hotels, and phenomenal food scene. 

While most people visit here on a half-day trip from Taipei, I highly recommend staying overnight if you can. The night view is absolutely breathtaking! And if you love photography, you could easily spend hours wandering through the little alleyways. Also read my guide on how to get from Taipei to Jiufen for the easiest routes there.

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, hike up  Keelung Mountain  (雞籠山登山步道) or join this  Jiufen Village tour  to see other highlights like the  Golden Waterfall and the Ying Yan Sea  (陰陽海). 

Itinerary for Taipei 5 Days

On the final day of your Taipei 5 days itinerary, enjoy a different side of the city surrounded by greenery right in the heart of town. Pop by the zoo, take a thrilling gondola ride, and see some of the world’s finest artworks on display. Then, end your day with a massive feast at the city’s top seafood market. 

Meet furry friends at Taipei Zoo

If you’re visiting Taipei with kids, it’s worth stopping by the Taipei Zoo (臺北市立動物園). The zoo is the largest zoological garden in Taiwan, and is home to more than 2000 animals from various species, including pandas and koalas! 

While it is one of the city’s top attractions, the grounds are massive, making it quite easy to get away from the crowds and enjoy the varied animal life at your leisure. If you plan on spending several hours year, pack a picnic basket to enjoy on the grass. Grab a Taipei Zoo combo ticket here to skip the lines. 

Enjoy a tea ceremony at Maokong

After visiting the zoo’s furry friends, head over to the Maokong Gondola to  take a fun ride in a glass-bottom car  over the mountain tops. Besides enjoying the views below your feet, the views of the city’s skyscraper-studded skyline in the distance are just as magnificent. 

Once at the top, pop into cute coffee shops or tea houses offering  authentic tea ceremonies  and traditional Taiwanese fare with sprawling tea plantations at their doorstep.  

Browse Taipei Fine Arts Museum

If you still want to squeeze in another activity before dinner time, hop back on the MRT to Yuanshan Station and head over to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (臺北市立美術館). 

Here you’ll find some of the best local and international artwork displayed in an impressive geometrical building. The museum showcases more than 5000 pieces of traditional and contemporary art, but I highly recommend checking out the photography section. The entrance fee is NT$30, and the museum is open until 20:30 on Saturdays. 

Insider’s Tips: If you’re looking for non-touristy things to do in Taipei, a stroll through the dreamy Floral Tunnel (花之隧道) or a visit to the Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum (林安泰古厝) should not be overlooked.

Enjoy the vibes at AAD

On the last night of your 5 days Taipei itinerary, head over to the city’s best indoor seafood market – Addiction Aquatic Development (上引水產). 

This massive complex is home to several eateries, dishing up everything from hot pot and barbecued skewers to melt-in-the-mouth sashimi, huge crabs and more. 

There’s also an incredible deli where you can buy all kinds of imported goods, tasty snacks, fresh seafood and Kobe beef. 

AAD gets quite lively at night, so don’t come too late. If the restaurants are packed, grab a few snacks at the deli instead. There are many seating areas scattered around the market where you can sit back and enjoy your food. Also, don’t miss the sangria! It’s the best you’ll find in the city! 

5 Days Itinerary in Taipei Conclusion

Taipei is truly a remarkable city with plenty to keep you busy. I hope this Taipei travel itinerary has helped you figure out what to do and where to go in Taipei!

That wraps up this Taipei itinerary for 5 days or less. Do you have any tips for fellow travelers planning an itinerary in Taipei? Feel free to share your top tips and epic things to do in Taipei below! 

Need More Help Planning a Taiwan Trip?

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October 9, 2023 at

Hello I am still confused of what to see in Taiwan…ours is pure cultural no adventure no beach. Can u help…with an itinerary For 7 nites..with 1/2 free days to walk around. Thanks Wynoma de Faria

October 11, 2023 at

Hey Wynoma,

Even if you’re looking for a more culturally oriented itinerary, there’s loads to do in Taiwan. With seven nights, you’ll have more than enough time to venture outside of Taipei and see a bit more of the island. Here’s some inspo:

– Spend 2-3 days in Taipei and visit the museums and temples. Check out the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, and Taipei 101. Also, be sure to visit some of the night markets like Shilin or Raohe. – Take a day trip from Taipei to Jiufen. – Spend a day in Tainan (Taiwan’s ancient capital city). Visit Chihkan Tower, Koxinga Shrine, Anping Old Street, and the Anping Tree House. – Travel to Kaohsiung for 1-2 days and visit the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center, the temples and pavilions at Lotus Pond, and the Pier 2 Art Center.

Of course, there are loads more to see and do, but if you’re not really into nature/ adventure, the spots above should tick your boxes. Hope this helps!

December 19, 2023 at

Hello, I’m planning to visit Yehliu Geopark, Shifen and Jiufen for a whole day. I plan to go in that order and travel by public transport/taxi if needed, can you recommend me some bus/mrt I should take to go those places.

January 19, 2024 at

Hey Wendy, it might be tough to squeeze all three places in on one day, but if you start super early and make use of taxis/Uber it might be doable.

You can catch Kuo-Kuan Bus 1815 from TPE Bus Station. The journey takes about 1h30. From there, I’d suggest getting a taxi/Uber to the Ruifang Train Station so that you can catch the train Shifen. You can check with the driver if he’s willing to take you all the way to Shifen but it’s quite rural and it will be pricy. From Shifen, you’ll need to catch the train back to Ruifang from where you’ll need to get a bus to Jiufen. There aren’t many taxis in Shifen, but just walk around and ask the locals. We got a taxi there once and it saved us the hassle of dealing with public transport. It was rather expensive though for such a short distance.

Google Maps works extremely well in TW and once you have an idea of your timings it will give you the best options on which buses/ trains to take. Just make sure you check the timings of the last bus/train. Here’s a link to the TRA website if you want to get a better idea of the train schedules in the meantime.

January 17, 2024 at

I am traveling alone to Taiwan for 7D, possible to purchase a local day trip to Jiufengand Sifen Falls, another day trip to Tainan, and the third day to Sun Moon Lake? Please give me your suggestion.

Hey Sue, Jiufen and Shifen are popular day trips from TPE and there are loads of guided tours that will get you there (check on Klook).

Tainan is accessible from Taipei and the HSR (bullet train) can get you there is less than 2hrs. Here’s my guide on how to get to Tainan from Taipei . For SML, the best way to get there is to first take the HSR to Taichung where you can catch the bus to SML. I’ve written a guide on that too, see here . Just a side note, Tainan and SML are both really great places to visit with lots to do, so I recommend spending at least 2D1N in each to make the most of your time there.

February 15, 2024 at

Hello, I’m planning to visit Yehliu Geopark, Shifen and Jiufen for a whole day with my wife and would like to take a private tour (so that we can be flexible with the timing etc). Can you recommend any reliable companies that offer private tours? Thank you very much.

Hey TH, thanks for stopping by.

My go-to provider for tours in Taiwan is Klook . They have a wide selection of tours, so it’s easy to find the right option that suits your schedule and budget. (Here’s my affiliate link to all the tours they have to Yehliu, Jiufen & Shifen )

Alternatively, you can also check out this tour on GetYourGuide which has an option for a private tour.

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The Perfect 3-Day Taipei Itinerary (2024 Updated Travel Guide)

October 14, 2023 by Bino 2 Comments

Taipei has long been an attractive travel destination for travelers from neighboring countries. While it has never really established itself in the backpackers’ trail, the city attracts plenty of midrange and high-end tourists looking to sample the local street food, shop in the night markets, soak in the hot springs and interact with the highly hospitable locals. Personally, Taipei is a feel-good place. I don’t go there expecting to see some mind-boggling sights. Like Tokyo , I go there time and time again for the wonderful ambiance.

If you are heading down south, also check out this Kaohsiung and Tainan itinerary .

Here is a well-balanced itinerary for Taipei that you can do in 3-days. It offers a fine mix between sights, eating and shopping and also has a few off-the-beaten path attractions thrown in.

Tip: If you are heading down to the other cities, check out this current promotion with Klook where Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets are available on a 20% off basis. Valid for Non-Taiwan residents only. Book here

chiang kai shek memorial hall

Day 1 – Quintessential Taipei

Tip: If you are landing in Taoyuan International Airport and wish to buy a local sim card for data needs, the airport does sell these but the queue tends to be quite long (not to mention it can get quite long at immigration as well). A way to circumvent this is by buying your sim card beforehand and just collect at the airport. I usually pre-order here to avoid the queues and the package also comes with a ticket for the airport train to Taipei.

national palace museum taipei by gary todd

The National Palace Museum  (tickets available here ) is the farthest among Taipei’s attractions so might as well start here in order to devote the rest of your time in the city. When the Kuomintang fled from Mainland China and transferred their seat of power in Taipei, they brought with them plenty of treasured artifacts. These are now stored in the National Palace Museum. This is one of the – if not the – best places to see Chinese art. Good thing about this museum is that it opens at 8:30AM so you can have a relatively early start here. Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm daily except Monday

artwork inside moca taipei by harry li

I am not really a museum type of person but I do recommend heading over to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Taipei to see plenty of quirky art pieces. Honestly, this is one of the museums that I genuinely enjoyed and won’t hesitate to return to. Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 daily except Monday / Nearest MRT: Taipei Main Station

Tip: Buses run aplenty in Taipei and is the best mode of public transport for those who want to minimize walking to their destination. It’s also the cheapest with fares at TWD 15 per ride. Do note that drivers don’t provide change and for some reason, some buses require payment upon boarding while others require payment upon alighting. You can easily tell these buses apart through the sign board on top of the driver seat. 上 means you pay upon boarding while 下 means you pay when you get off.

Stop over at Jinfeng Braised Pork Rice (#10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road) for lunch. There’s often a long queue here for the rice topped with braised pork. I personally do not enjoy it due to all the fat but many people rave about it. Opening hours: 11:00 to 1:00 daily / Nearest MRT: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station

jinfeng braised pork rice

the gate to the chiang kai shek memorial hall

Make your way to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall which is just a short walk from Jinfeng. The place is best visited in the afternoon since the façade faces the west. Before the Taipei 101 was built, this structure served as the city’s most iconic structure. While there, make sure to check out the changing of the guard ceremony which happens every hour on the hour. Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:00 / Admission: Free / Nearest MRT: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station

longshan temple

From here, it’s a short bus ride to Longshan Temple , one of the most popular temples in Taipei and a great example of classical Taiwanese architecture. It also offers a good peek at local religious life. Two blocks away from the temple is the historic Bopiliao Walking Street where you can relive the olden days with Taisho (colonial Japanese) era architecture and try your hand at age-old crafts. Opening hours for Longshan Temple: 6:00 to 22:00 / Admission: Free / Nearest MRT: Long Shan Temple Station

red house ximending

Depending on your pace, it’d be late afternoon by this time – just right to witness the lights turning on at the buzzing Ximending shopping area. This is equivalent to Taipei’s high street and you can find all sorts of brands here as well as several shops selling traditional delicacies and tea. The Red House is a symbol of the area and inside you can find plenty of independent stalls run by enterprising locals. If this is your first time in Taipei, you need to check out Ximending. Alternatively, you can also check out this handy guide on Taipei for first timers . Nearest MRT: Ximen Station

While you will find plenty of restaurants in Ximending, I recommend skipping these and heading straight to Ningxia Night Market instead. You can either take a short cab ride or walk the 2km stretch. Taipei is famous for its night markets with each having its own specialty. Ningxia Night Market is well-known for food and people from all over the world come here to eat oyster omelette and mochi. While there are a couple of stores selling these items here, the place you should try for oyster omelette is: 圓環邊蚵仔煎 (Roundabout Oyster Omelette) and for mochi, it’s: 林記燒麻糬 Nearest MRT: Shuanglian Station or Zhongshan Station

Day 2 – Excursion to Yehliu and Jiufen

yehliu geopark by bill so

Start early in the morning and take bus 1815 to Yehliu GeoPark . The journey takes about 1.5 hours and depending on the weather and the crowd, you’ll find plenty of rocks jutting from the ground like mushrooms. It’s a pretty sight except when it gets too crowded. Avoid the weekends if you can. Alternatively, take the train to Pingxi and launch a sky lantern .

Take another bus to Jiufen , an old seaside mining town that has developed into a tourist attraction filled with teahouses, cafes and souvenir shops. It’s a charming place to simply wander around or to spend an hour or two holed up in one of the teahouses. For history buffs, there are also museums showcasing the town’s mining heritage. Alternatively, you can also take a 3-in-1 day tour   from Taipei Main Station which brings you to Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen and back within a day. This option saves you the commuting time and the need to find directions. You can find out more information here .

taipei 101 as seen from shangri-la far eastern plaza hotel taipei

Try to leave Jiufen by around 3 to 3:30pm and head back to Taipei via Bus #1062. Make your way to the Elephant Mountain Trail , a viewpoint that you climb in order to see sweeping views of Taipei 101 during sunset. Alternatively, you can also head up to the observatory of Taipei 101 itself (discounted tickets here ). In my opinion, this iconic building is better appreciated from afar.

For a truly special dinner experience, head to RAW (301 Lequn 3rd Road), the restaurant of one-Michelin starred chef, Andre Chiang. The cuisine is a fusion of Taiwanese and French cuisines. It gets booked out easily and online reservations are required.

raohe night market

End your day at the Raohe Night Market located at the other side of the river. This night market packs in a plethora of eats as well as ready-to-wear apparel. Nearest MRT: Songshan Station

Day 3 – Modern and Hipster Taipei

After two whirlwinds days exploring the city’s main attractions and also doing a day trip to Yehliu and Jiufen , your third day can be spent just chilling and exploring the more hipster side of the city. Taipei offers plenty for shopaholics out there and some up-and-coming neighborhoods offer a great counterpoint to characterless shopping malls.

fujin street in taipei

Start your day with some coffee from Fujin Tree 353 Cafe in Fujin Street – probably the most hipster area in Taipei. You’ll find plenty of quirky restaurants and boutiques with equally quirky people patronizing them. Even if you are not looking to buy anything, Fujin Street is also a great place for a stroll, being one of the rare tree-lined streets in the city. Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:00, daily

huashan 1914 creative park by travel oriented

Continuing on with quirky things, head over to Huashan 1914 Creative Park . What used to be a winery has been converted into a creative space attracting writers, moviemakers and even painters. There is always an exhibition going on in here which is worth checking out. You’ll also find a lot of local crafts and independent stores within the vicinity. Do note that the park is actually quite spread out and you’ll find the stores and exhibition areas in different buildings within the complex. It may not be an ideal place to visit whenever it’s raining. For tech geeks, you can continue on to Guanghua Digital Plaza for all your IT needs. Taiwan is a major manufacturer of computers and hardware. Opening hours: 11:00 to 21:00, daily / Nearest MRT: Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station

daan forest park mrt station

Pause for lunch at the famous Lin Dong Fang (#274, Section 2, Bade Road) for some delicious beef noodles before continuing on to Daan Forest Park for some r&r. The namesake metro station – Daan Forest Park – is an attraction in itself with curved glass curtain walls and plenty of art installations. Two metro stops away is the Kishu An Forest of Literature where you’ll be transported to another world with its Japanese style bungalow. Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday (until 21:00 on Friday and Saturday)

matcha canele at heiankyo in taipei

While you are in the general vicinity, check out Heiankyo (165 Shida Road, open 12:30PM to 8:00PM except Tuesdays) for some traditional and modern matcha-based desserts. My personal favorites are the matcha canele (the first time I’ve seen one) and the rich and flavorful match ice cream. The venue is highly authentic, replete with a mini Japanese rock garden outside and interiors mimicking a traditional tea house.

koo chen fu national library at national taiwan university

Even those who have no interest in reading will probably be awed by the interiors of the Koo Chen Fu National Library (inside the National Taiwan University). Designed by Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, the reading room is made up of over 88 white columns that creates something like a forest out of minimalism. Admission is free but do note the library closes slightly earlier, at 5PM, during Saturdays and it’s closed on Sundays.

old buildings in dihua street by adam jones

Spend the late afternoon at Dihua Street , a colonial era part of town that has been rejuvenated with plenty of traditional shops. You’ll find Chinese medicine stores interspersing with cafes, antique shops as well as the odd art studio. Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:30, daily / Nearest MRT: Shuanglian Station

End the day at Shilin Night Market , undoubtedly Taipei’s biggest and most well-known night market. The place is known for local delights such as stinky tofu as well as oyster mee sua so make sure to come with an empty stomach. Opening hours: 15:00 to 1:00, daily / Nearest MRT: Jiantan Station

Getting to Taipei from Taoyuan International Airport

• Available 24 hours. Taxis cost roughly TWD 1,000  to 1200 from the airport to the city center. Alternatively, you can book here for private car transfers at around 15 to 20% cheaper than taxis. If there are 3 to 4 persons in your group, this option is recommended over public transport or the MRT.
• The relatively new Taoyuan Airport MRT gets you from the airport to Taipei Main Station in roughly 37 minutes. The price is TWD 230 per person. You can buy tickets online at a hefty discount here .
• You can also take one of several airport buses that stop in Taipei’s main station. In case you’re arriving in Taipei past midnight and don’t wish to spend on taxis, take the #1819 Kuo Kuang bus. It costs TWD 125.

Travel Tips for Taipei

• Best time to visit Taipei: It is between October to March when the days are relatively cool. Even during the “depth of winter” in January, temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees celsius. Summer is between June to September and it can get really hot and humid in the city. That being said, summer is the best time to visit the city if you wish to see the city with sunshine. This is especially helpful if you wish to climb Elephant Mountain for instance and witness a nice sunset blanketing the city. Taipei is notoriously known for its prolonged cloud cover. It’s one of the least sunniest capitals in the world!
• Travel Insurance: In these uncertain times, it may be wise to get travel insurance before traveling to Taiwan. If you reside in Singapore, check out Starr Travelead , one of the cheapest travel insurance. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 cash rebate that helps to cover the insurance cost. 
• Changing Money in Taipei: If you come from Singapore and are armed with Singapore Dollars, you might find the rates in DBS (the local Taipei branch) quite competitive. For folks from elsewhere who are bringing in USD, you can change money in the airport. The spread is slightly less than 1%. In the city, it is advisable to change money at large banks such as Bank of Taiwan.
• Transport Passes: If you foresee yourself taking buses and the subway in Taipei, it is advisable to purchase their local transport pass – the Easycard . You get 20% discount for public transport rides in Taipei. It also works in Kaohsiung’s public transport system as well as for supermarket, convenience store and other places. At the end of your trip, you can refund any unused amount with a mere TWD 20 service charge. 

Where to stay in Taipei

citizenm taipei hotel

Taipei has a plethora of accommodation options but the city is most well-known for its boutique hotels – some of which have “branches” throughout the capital. I personally enjoyed staying at citizenM Taipei Northgate with its high-tech rooms and beds situated just next to the window with panoramic views of the city. The property is also 5 minutes walk to the airport MRT station and 15 minutes walk to Ximending. Alternatively, the amba Taipei Zhongshan will attract those who are into a clean, all-white and minimalist theme. You can also check out more Taipei hotels HERE   to compare for the best prices.

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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February 23, 2018 at 12:45 am

Great post Bino. I agree that Taipei is a feel-good place. I visited for the first time last month on an independent trip with a friend. I went to Huashan 1914 Creative Park on a cold and rainy day expecting it to be indoors. Ha ha! Ended up spending most of my time watching a movie in the SPOT cinema. It was interesting reading about your suggested itinerary. I wrote my own version of a 2-day itinerary on my blog!

September 3, 2019 at 3:01 pm

SIR BINO, YOUR TAIPEI TOUR WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. GOT LOTS OF IDEAS. AM SURE YOUR WRITE UPS ON TAIPEI WILL HELP OUR SEPT. 2019 TRIP TO TAIPEI MEMORABLE MORE POWER TO YOU. GOD LOVES US ALL. THANK YOU.

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One Day in a City

24 Hour Travel Itineraries to Make the Most of a Day in a Destination

One Day in Taipei Itinerary

November 30, 2020 By Gina Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here .

A 1-Day Itinerary for the Perfect 24 Hours in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is undoubtedly one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations. Spending just one day in Taipei is certain to provide you with a tantalizing sample of life in this global city and incredible country. A heady mix of the modern and traditional combined with a unique local cuisine will leave you wanting more.

This One Day in Taipei itinerary will help you make the most of your time in the city so you can see the top attractions and taste the best cuisine even if you have less than 24 hours to do so.

Getting Around Taipei

Taipei offers both a modern metro system (MRT) and extensive bus network to help you reach all the main attractions.

However, for those with just one day in Taipei the MRT is the quickest and therefore best option. Each attraction highlighted below in this Taipei itinerary will have details on how to get there via the MRT.

Opened in 1996 and with a number of extensions over subsequent years, Taipei’s MRT system must be one of the world’s most modern and cleanest networks.

With areas clearly marked on each platform in which to queue it must also be one of the world’s most polite. No need for constant requests to allow people off the train first here! And with announcements in English as well as Mandarin you will be able to understand such requests.

Comprising 131 stations over six separate lines and open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, Taipei MRT provides visitors with ample opportunity to reach all parts of Taipei and its suburbs.

Taipei MRT Cost

With just one day in Taipei and a number of destinations to reach the only ticket option to plump for has to be the 24 hour pass. Providing unlimited travel across the network for NT$180 equivalent to around £5.00 or $6.00 this is fabulous value for money.

Now for our itinerary that will give you a cultural and fun day in Taipei!

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The best way to start your one day in Taipei is to head to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Taiwan’s most significant national landmark.

Dedicated to and named after Taiwan’s first President, this impressive monument is situated in the south of the city. With its own MRT Station on both the green Songshan-Xindian and red Tamsui-Xinyi lines, it is easily accessible from across Taipei.

Upon leaving the station, head first to the grand main gate, which is a fitting entrance to Liberty Square and the Memorial Hall itself.

Reached via two flights of 89 steps representing the age of Chiang Kai-Shek at the time of his death, the bright white Memorial Hall stands prominently against the blue sky beyond. The octagonal blue roof, a design similar to the modern Taipei 101 skyscraper (covered below), uses the symbolism of the number eight, a number in Chinese culture that is associated with good fortune.

Changing of the Guard

Before you leave the splendor of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall you must see the unique Changing of the Guard ceremony. Held in the hall in front of the imposing statue of Chiang Kai-Shek himself, this ceremony takes place on the hour from midday to 5 p.m. each day.

Unlike its more famous London cousin, this Taiwanese version of the Changing of the Guard involves a lot more drama and theatrics. Two more guards bedecked in fine white uniforms enter the Hall accompanied by a senior officer. They don’t just walk or march though. Their leg and arm movements are very definite and abbreviated, a staccato display more akin to elaborate dance moves.

The next stop on your One Day in Taipei itinerary takes you from the grandeur of the Chiang-Shek Memorial Hall to a modern and world famous landmark: Taipei 101.

To get to Taipei 101, return to the MRT station and on the red line head west toward Xiangshan alighting at Taipei 101/World Trade Centre.

Taipei 101 was completed in 2004 and is one of the world’s tallest building with arguably the most beautiful skyscraper design. It has a blue-green facade rather than the more standard glass finish and a design echoing influences of Chinese culture.

Taipei 101 Observatory Deck

Taipei 101’s observatory deck situated between the 88th and 91st floors and is 382 meters high. It is the city’s most visited attraction.

Do what you can to time your one day in Taipei with a clear sunny day to enjoy the 360˚ panoramic views across the city to their fullest.

Taipei 101 Mass Damper

In a country such as Taiwan, any skyscraper design must withstand the power of earthquakes and typhoons. This is where the mass damper enters the fold.

This 5.5m wide, 660 tonne weight is suspended internally and is a popular attraction in its own right. It even has not just one but four mascots of its own.

The damper is incorporated within Taipei 101 to allow it to sway and move in accordance with the wind or ground tremors. In 2002 Taipei was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 and in 2015 a typhoon caused a one meter sway in the damper. Incredibly Taipei 101 suffered no damage after either incident.

Din Tai Fung Dumpling Restaurant

After experiencing two distinctly different Taipei attractions it is most definitely time for lunch.

Return to the ground floor of Taipei 101 and the four floor shopping center at its base. While the food court contains numerous fast food restaurants don’t consider anything other than the Din Tai Fung Restaurant.

Now boasting branches in countries across the world, Din Tai Fung is generally considered to be one of the world’s best restaurants.

Its most famous dish and Taiwan’s most popular is Beef Noodles Soup. Order one of these accompanied with a selection of dim sum and you can’t fail but be impressed. It’s a perfect meal choice to boost your energy levels before moving on to the rest of your one day in Taipei itinerary.

Elephant Mountain View of Taipei 101

To complete your visit to Taipei 101 you simply must head to Elephant Mountain. From here you’ll obtain the best view of the building itself.

The 15 to 20 minute walk east toward Xiangshan Station and the hiking trail beyond will also help you work off that hearty lunch you had! Which is also good because we’ve got more foodie deliciousness in store for you…

Raohe Street Food Market

Taiwan celebrates its cuisine and street food markets perhaps more than any other country in Asia, and Raohe Street Market is Taipei’s most famous.

To get there from Elephant Mountain and the glorious views of Taipei 101, return to the MRT network. Change at Daan on to the brown line and then Nanjing Fuxing on the green line; the journey to Songshan will take around 40 minutes. The entrance to the market is then just meters away.

Running for approximately 250 meters down Raohe Street, the market comprises two rows of stalls all offering a selection of delicious fast foods.

Highlights include fried chicken cutlets, served on the bone with a choice of toppings and some of the tastiest pork sausages you’ll come across anywhere.

Stinky Tofu

Amongst the many incredible foods and smells you will inevitably at some juncture be hit full force by the unique aroma of stinky tofu. This pungent odor is unmistakable and is unlikely reminiscent of any food item you’ve eaten before.

Stinky Tofu is one of Taiwan’s most popular ‘delicacies’, but was not a food experience we could bring ourselves to try, but maybe you’ll be more adventurous and want to give it a try!

After satisfying your appetite at Raohe Street the next and final stop on your one day in Taipei itinerary must be the district of Ximending.

Taipei’s shopping and entertainment district of Ximending is located in the west of the city and is similar to Tokyo’s Shibuya area.

From Songshan MRT Station head west on the green line, alight at Ximen Station and then leave via exit 6.

Ximending is Taipei’s first pedestrianized area, and it is the ideal spot to end your day with numerous shopping opportunities, theaters, concert venues, and bars.

Should you still be hungry or have changed your mind and want to sample some stinky tofu after all, Ximending is also home to Ximen Night Market.

Enjoy Your Day in Taipei

This One Day in Taipei itinerary is certain to tick off all the standard tourist boxes. The tradition and history of the Chiang-Shek Memorial Hall, modernity of Taipei 101, cuisine and local delicacies offered at both Din Tai Fung and the Raohe Street Food Market, and the vibrant, youthful district of Ximending will provide you with the best way to celebrate and look back on a truly fabulous day.

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About the Author: Paul is a blogger at thetwothatdo.com , which he runs with his wife Nicki, where they share travel stories, photographs, and experiences to help motivate you to strive for your own travel goals. You can follow them on Instagram and Pinterest .

I'm a former travel agency marketing director turned freelance travel writer. My editorial and copywriting work has been published on and in USA TODAY, Travel + Leisure, the Travel Channel Cities app, TripSavvy, and many more online and print publications. I especially love sharing my knowledge of traveling with limited vacation time, making the most of cruise ports of call, and vacationing with kids. I also enjoy sharing my favorite travel gear and products to make traveling easier!

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The PERFECT 3 Days in Taipei Itinerary [2024 Guide]

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

Make the most of your time in Taiwan with our perfect 3 days in Taipei itinerary!

From chowing down on Taiwanese delicacies in Taipei’s night markets to hiking in the hills of Maokong, Taipei’s is one of Asia’s most interesting cities.

Taipei has long held the reputation of being one of Asia’s most intoxicating cities.

It combines the best of urban and rural in a way that few other cities on the continent can.

All while being affordable, offering oodles of history and culture and having some Asia’s most tantalising cuisine.

Taipei really does have it all. And in truth you could easily spend more than 3 days in Taipei – between hiking in the mountains, exploring old temples and stuffing your face at one of the cities numerous night markets and other eateries – there is plenty to keep you busy ! 

Table of Contents

Morning – Enjoy An Early Morning Stroll Around Tamsui

Afternoon – palace museum , evening – shilin night market , night – long shan temple and nearby night market, morning – chiang kai shek’s memorial hall, afternoon – explore the area around dongmen , afternoon – sun yat sen’s memorial hall , evening – elephant hill, night – taipei 101, morning – wulai , afternoon – maokong, evening – raohe night market and sung shan tzu yu temple , getting to and from taipei, getting around taipei, when to go to taipei, best budget accommodation in taipei – meander taipei hostel, best midrange accommodation in taipei – star hostel taipei east, best luxury accommodation in taipei – jolley hotel, best budget restaurant in taipei – 府城台南美食, best midrange restaurant in taipei – watch bbq, best luxury restaurant in taipei – din tai fung, your perfect 3 days in taipei itinerary.

Taipei in 3 days is certainly a squeeze, but a doable one!

Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes as you will definitely be getting the steps over these jam-packed days! 

To start with I recommend checking out this 3-day unlimited rail and attractions pass , which will really make your Taipei itinerary easy and cheap to do.

Day 1 

Here’s how you should spend the first day in Taipei!

Begin your time in Taipei by getting out of the city to the lovely coastal area of Tamsui . It’s littered with temples, old markets and plenty of great places to pick up a bite to eat when the sun has risen.

Hobe Fort and Aletheia University are a reminder of the areas of fascinating history, with Peace Park also well worth checking out.

The grounds of Aletheia University are pretty big, so there is plenty to explore.

To the north-west of the MTR there is a maze of alleyways made of markets, shops and temples that are well worth checking out.

Wondering what to do in Taipei for 3 days? Well visiting the Palace Museum should be high on your list! 

This is surely the number one destination in Taipei. This museum contains over 700,000 pieces of Chinese art encompassing 8000 years of Chinese history.

The sheer quantity and diversity of what’s on show is staggering.

Understandably the museum is huge. So plan what you want to see first to maximise your time, and get your e-ticket early .

The calligraphy section is particularly impressive. 

There are not a huge amount of food options nearby, aside from a cafe at the museum. Therefore it could be worth bringing some food with you. 

The artefacts in the Palace Museum used to be held in a similarly named museum in Beijing.

After the Mukden Incident in 1931 the treasures were moved to Shanghai, and then Nanjing.

In 1948, seeing the writing on the wall in his battle with the communists, Chiang Kai Shek moved the entire museum collection from Nanjing to Keelung in Taiwan.

The Palace in its current format opened in Taipei in November 1965. 

• Nearest Subway: Head to Shilin, take exit 1 and then take bus R30, minibus 18 or 19, or bus 255, 304 or 815. Do not cross the road or you will be going the wrong way. 
• Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm with opening hours extended to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Cost: NT$350 

Any itinerary for 3 days in Taipei will include a visit to the city’s famous night markets. Shillin is the biggest and most famous of those.  

From Shilin station, which you will return to after visiting the palace museum, it’s a short walk to Taipei’s biggest night mark.

Expect plenty of market stalls offering all kinds of Taiwanese delicacies.

There are a couple of temples buried in the mazes that are well worth checking out.

This night market is Taipei’s most popular, so you can expect it to be busy! 

Another good option is to book yourself in for a free walking tour of Taipei’s historic route. You can do that online here .

• Nearest Subway: Head to Shilin, and then follow the signs.
• Opening Hours: Whenever the stalls want to open and close. It starts to pick up after 7 pm.
• Cost: Free 

This temple in the south of the city is a short journey on the subway from Shilin and is one of Taipei’s most stunning and popular temples.

The temple is open 24 hours and is particularly atmospheric at night as members of the community come to worship, chat and socialise in its grounds. 

The nearby night market, whilst being far smaller than Shilin is a more relaxed open-air affair.

It is also hosted on wide boulevards as opposed to narrow alleyways.

Again there is some particularly excellent food on offer.

Due to the fact, there is more space here there plenty of dining areas where you can sit and eat before hunting for more amazing Taiwanese food.

• Nearest Subway: Longshan Temple and then follow the signs
• Opening Hours: The temple is open 24 hours and the night market peaks between 7 pm and 11 pm

Day 2 

Hope you got some rest last night, because we have a big day planned for today!

Taiwan’s former leader Chiang Kai Shek is revered in Taiwan, in spite of some of his government’s more questionable actions since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949. 

The structure itself occupies one end of a large square in central Taipei’s Zhong Zheng District (中正區).

With Chiang Kai Shek’s to the east, the western end is flanked by the National Theatre and National Concert Hall .

All three structures display a similar white building, blue roof motif, giving an impression of tradition and modernity. 

The changing of the guard’s ceremony that happens every hour is particularly interesting.

However, do be aware that it can get quite busy. In the memorial hall itself, strict silence should be observed at all times. 

Below the memorial hall is a rather interesting museum giving you an insight into the life and times of Chiang Kai Shek and to a lesser extent, the founding of the Republic of China, as Taiwan is officially known. 

• Nearest Subway: Chaing Kai Shek Memorial Hall
• Opening Hours: 9:00 am until 6:00 pm every day. 

The maze of narrow streets is home to some of the cities most famous beef noodle restaurants. Yongkang Street has plenty of excellent ones. 

If beef noodles don’t really tickle your fancy there are plenty of other excellent eateries in the area.

Nearby is the lovely Da’an Park where you can take a load of and escape the concrete. 

• Nearest Subway: Dongmen 
• Opening Hours: As long as the restaurants remain open. However, for the beef noodle restaurants between 12 pm and 2 pm is a solid bet. 

READ MORE: Add these activities to your list of things to do in Taipei !

A short subway ride away is Sun Yat Sen’s Mausoleum . This is one of the few individuals the People’s Republic of China (China) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) both hold in extremely high regards. 

Sun Yat-Sen is a man revered by those from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

After the Qing government collapsed in 1911, it was Sun Yat-Sen who set up the Republic of China which maintained control over the mainland until 1949.

He helped to end China’s Imperial system and revitalise the country as a republic. 

Whilst not being as striking as Chiang Kai Shek’s place of reverence, the museum here is particularly interesting.

And it demonstrates Sun’s importance to the Chinese people as a whole regardless of which side of the strait they occupy.  

• Nearest Subway: Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall 
• Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm. 

This has to rank as one of the most stunning night views of a city across the world alongside such classics as Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights, or Lujiazui from the Bund. 

Any 3 days in Taipei itinerary has to include this stunning evening activity!

Climbing Elephant Hill can be a particularly sweaty affair thanks to Taipei’s near-constant humidity and the rather large steps you need to climb to enjoy the views.

The most efficient way would be to get to the Xiangshan (象山) subway station at least an hour before sunset.

This way you’ll get the best views as the sun sets and the night sky envelops the city. 

The trail has numerous viewing points, which is a welcome relief as it can be quite busy, especially during peak seasons.

The further you go, the better the views. There are a couple of points where some dirt paths will take you down to secluded viewpoints.

However, do be careful when accessing such paths as there are no lights and they can be slippery. 

Once you’ve found a space, get comfortable, make sure you’re camera is set up and enjoy. 

• Nearest Subway: Xiangshan 
• Opening Hours: 24 hours, however, sunset is particularly spectacular. 

At one point this was the tallest building in the world. It towers over the Taipei skyline with an air of invincibility and a swagger not out of place in a 007 film.

This is completely understandable, however, as it is an absolutely beautiful building. 

The area around Taipei 101 is a mixture of malls and restaurants, although there is a car park nearby which offers amazing views of the building itself. 

The views from the top of the building are very nice. However, it’s hard to compete with the views from Elephant Hill (see above) or views from the Maokong Gondola (see below).

The exhibition inside the tower on how it was built to withstand the typhoons that frequently batter Hong Kong is particularly interesting.

Make sure you buy your ticket in advance to save time and money.

• Nearest Subway: Taipei 101/World Trade Centre
• Opening Hours: The observation deck is open from 9 am to 10 pm daily.

Day 3 

As anyone that has been to Taipei will tell you, the outskirts of Taipei are littered with stunning mountain views, great walks and hot springs.

Therefore it’s only natural that any 3 days in Taipei itinerary should include some of these beauties! 

Best of all, thanks to the awesome Taipei metro, many of these places are easily accessible through public transport. 

Nestled amongst the mountains outside of Taipei, Wulai is a gorgeous town with temples, hots springs and hiking.

To get here you will need to take the subway and then take a bus for the final leg to Wulai. 

The town itself is as famous for its scenery as it is for its hot springs. If you’re looking to indulge in a spot of relaxation then jumping into one of the hot springs is an excellent option.

These can be rented for the day or by the hour, with the cheapest rates seeming to be between 2 and 5 when the town is at it’s quietest.

Alternatively, you may want to spend one of the nights in one of the hot spring hotels. 

There are also a number of walking trails. The most common one takes you through the town to the Wulai Waterfall.

Beyond this is a number of other trails.

However, do check with local authorities as to which routes are open as typhoons can close the trails. 

Amazingly all of this breath-taking scenery is just an hour or so from downtown Taipei – incredible.  

• Getting there and away: You will need to take both subway and bus here, but it is very much worth it. Head to Xindian station and then take bus 849, which comes roughly every 15 minutes.  Getting back I would recommend cueing up early for the bus if it’s busy.

This beautiful area on the outskirts is far easier to access than Wu Lai and has a more aesthetically pleasing journey. 

You will need to take the subway to Taipei Zoo and then take the Maokong gondola to your final destination of Maokong.

The cable car through the hills on the outskirts is particularly lovely with incredible views on offer if you make the return trip at sunset. 

Maokong is famous for its tea plantations and there are numerous trails all over the hills with many offering spectacular views.

There is a lovely walk to the silver stream waterfall and cave which takes approximately an hour.

Along the route, there are numerous paths that lead into various other areas of the tea plantations. 

The views from the silver stream waterfall are spectacular, particularly at sunset.

It’s close proximity to Taipei truly emphasises the uniqueness of Taipei’s relationship with its natural surroundings.

There are very few major cities in the world that are so close to deserted hiking trails and pristine forests. However, Taipei has this in abundance. 

• Getting there and away: Take the subway to Taipei Zoo and then follow the signs to the Maokong gondola. It is possible to pick up a subway day pass which includes a return trip on the Maokong Gondola.

End your last day in Taiwan with a visit to the gorgeous Sung Shan Tzu Yu Temple.

Like many temples in Taipei, it comes alive at night with worshippers and locals congregating throughout.

The Roahe night market it one of the quieter night markets in the city and offers a plethora of excellent food.

This is the perfect way to end your 3 days in Taipei itinerary. 

• Nearest Subway: Songshan 
• Opening Hours: The temple is open 24 hours and the night market gets going from 6 pm with things winding down beyond 11 pm. 

READ MORE: Explore Hong Kong with this perfect 3 day itinerary !

Taipei Travel Guide

Now that you have a solid 3-day Taipei itinerary we want to help you make your other plans as well by sharing transportation, accommodation and meal options in the city.

Air: Taipei is easily accessed from major cities in Asia, especially those in China, Japan and South Korea.

From outside of Asia the chances are you will have to have to make a detour via a major Asian city. 

Train: Within Taiwan itself, Taipei is the central hub of the countries excellent railway system.

Major cities like Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taipei (unsurprisingly) are easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country.

To get to some of Taiwan’s more remote and off the beaten path locations you will probably need to take an intercity train and change to a local service or a bus. 

The most cost-effective way to get around the city is to buy a 3-day unlimited rail pass around Taipei .

Bus: Alongside an excellent train network Taiwan has a good intercity bus network.

Though not a fast or comfortable as the trains they are an excellent opportunity to save a few pennies.

In the very south of the country around Kending, buses the only way to get around.

Taipei’s metro system is excellent. It has been universally loved by travellers since it opened.

The metro system takes you to the farthest corners of the city helping you to access some of Taipei’s most beautiful natural scenery. 

Getting out to the cities outskirts will most likely require you to take a bus after the subway.

These buses to the cities outskirts are generally pretty regular but they can get crowded on the weekends and over national holidays. 

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Make no mistake about it Taipei bakes during spring, summer and autumn.

Summer brings searing heat and the additional risks of storms and typhoons.

Winter is cold and quite wet, although it’s not as cold as parts of Japan, South Korea or China.

Aside from the weather, it is advisable to avoid Taipei during and Chinese National Holiday.

The main two are Chinese New Year which is usually around the end of January, beginning of February (although this is a lunar holiday so the dates change every year) and the Nation Day Holiday from October 1st – 7th. 

Any 3 Days in Taipei itinerary is likely to have a healthy dose of sunshine, so long as it’s outside of the winter months.

Accommodation in Taipei

Accommodation in Taipei is definitely at the cheaper end of the scale in comparison to other East Asian capitals.

Taipei’s centre is reasonably compact, and this combined with its excellent subway system means that almost any centrally located hotel or guesthouse is a good option location wise. 

This excellent hostel in the heart of Ximending , one of Taipei’s most hip and happening areas.

The area of chock full of great restaurants, shops selling the latest in Taiwanese pop culture and even the occasional temple hidden amongst the chaos. 

Offering affordable dorms, and slightly more expensive double and triple rooms as well as an awesome common area it’s no surprise that this is so popular with travellers. 

This excellent midrange option is located in the heart of the Da’an District and is a short walk from Sun Yat Sen’s Memorial Hall.

This area is a little quieter than Ximending and the maze of alleyways are replaced by wider tree-lined streets. 

The hostel offers dorms and has an excellent common space giving you the opportunity to meet fellow travellers from across the world.

This excellent option close to the Confucius Temple offers a variety of rooms at a very reasonable price for a luxury hotel.

Rooms also include breakfast and being in the heart of the Zhongshan district it’s quieter than the busier districts of Zhongzheng and Wanhua, making it a good option for families.

Eating in Taiwan

Surely one of the main highlights in Taiwan is eating. The nation’s capital is chock full of excellent restaurants offering the best in contemporary Taiwanese cuisine. 

This excellent noodle restaurant on Yongkang street specialises in Tainan style food. Its noodles are excellent, and unsurprisingly it can be crowded in the evenings and at weekends.

This awesome all you can eat BBQ restaurant is located in the heart of Ximending a few minutes walk from Ximen station.

The all-you-can-eat BBQ lasts for 1.5 hours and you have three different menus to choose from. Portions are small giving you the chance to sample a wide range of awesome food.

This is not like American BBQ, it’s more akin to the Japanese or Korean form whereby you cook yourself over a grill. The food here really is excellent.

This luxuriousness of this restaurant comes from the sheer quality of food, not the price.

This is the original location of the world-famous chain that has received a Michelin star and was named by the New York Times as being one of the top 10 restaurants in the world .

Their speciality is Xiaolongbao, a type of Chinese soup dumpling, with a portion of 10 costing roughly $7.5 dollars.

The food is phenomenal so don’t be surprised if you end up spending more than you planned here. However they do not take reservations, so be prepared for a long wait.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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I shat myself in a tibetan monastery, camping on the great wall of china (the complete guide), 3 thoughts on “the perfect 3 days in taipei itinerary [2024 guide]”.

You shouldn’t recommend the 3 day HSR rail pass for visiting Taipei. This pass is for the High Speed Rail, which only works for getting to other cities in Taipei. Your article suggests the pass can be used for taking the MRT around the city, which is false.

Thanks for pointing that out, Nick! We’ve updated the post now. Appreciate the correction 🙂

Good Morning Team.

Enjoyed reading the blog and the information is great. I am planning to travel to TAIWAN/JAPAN/KOREA this April end.

I will be reading your blog on KOREA AND JAPAN.

Thanks for the detailed information

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Taipei Itinerary: 7 Days in Taiwan’s Capital

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Planning a trip to Taiwan? Need help with your Taipei itinerary? These are my suggestions for first-time visitors to Taiwan’s amazing capital. With 7 days in Taipei, you can get a great sense of the city’s culture while also enjoying its beautiful natural scenery. If you don’t have that much time, you can pick and choose from Taipei’s impressive array of temples, museums, night markets, parks, and hikes.

Taiwan is, in my opinion, highly underrated as destination. In terms of nature, it has it all, from beautiful beaches to multi-day mountain treks. Culturally, it is unique, with both Chinese and Japanese influences. The food scene is top-notch. It’s friendly, safe, and affordable. Transportation is well-organized and efficient. 

The capital city Taipei in particular is home to many of Taiwan’s best museums showcasing the island’s art, history, and cultural traditions. There are lively night markets, beautiful temples, and plenty of green spaces. It all makes for a fantastic sojourn, whether for 3 days or 3 months. (And a whole lot of us end up staying longer .) 

Taipei is one of those places where the “top sights” are not necessarily the most interesting or even the most beautiful. Yes, some of them are some of Taiwan’s absolute must-sees. You shouldn’t miss Taipei’s museums, for example, or Yangmingshan National Park. 

But Elephant Mountain? You can skip it; there are much better alternatives among the mountains surrounding Taipei. Longshan Temple? It’s very nice, but it’s also eternally busy, and there are so many other beautiful, peaceful temples in the city. Taipei really rewards you for lingering a little longer and taking time to wander. 

7 days in Taipei: How to get around the city

Taipei has one of the best public transit systems I’ve seen anywhere in the world. The metro (MRT) is safe, clean, and reliable. For anywhere you can’t reach by MRT, there is also a convenient, extensive bus network.

Even though Taipei is quite large, its neighborhoods are very walkable. If you prefer to cycle, you can take advantage of the YouBike bike-sharing system.

When you arrive in Taipei, purchase an EasyCard . This is a contactless transport card you can load at the airport, MRT stations, and convenience stores. You can use it for the airport train, the MRT system, the buses, the Maokong Gondola, YouBikes, and local trains. (You can also use it to pay for your purchases at some convenience stores like 7-11 and Family Mart.)

EasyCards work all over Taiwan. For example, you can use them on the MRT in Kaohsiung, on the various tourist shuttles to and around Sun Moon Lake, on the Taroko Gorge shuttle in Hualien, and on the bus to Sanxiantai in Taitung. 

How many days do you need to see Taipei? 

If you prefer sticking to city sights, 3 days is likely enough time to get a sense of Taipei. If you enjoy nature and hiking, though, I would say you need at least 5 days to even scrape the surface of all that the city and its surroundings have to offer. (And that’s not counting day trips!)

I have sketched out a Taipei itinerary for 7 days below. I think this is the perfect amount of time to see Taipei’s top sights, head out on a few day trip adventures, and take in the city’s character.

I’ve tried to group Taipei’s highlights loosely by geography in order to limit your time spent in transit. Of course you never know what the weather will bring, so I’d be prepared to rearrange your plans if the forecast is calling for downpours!

Taipei Itinerary – Day 1

Let’s start the day, and your Taipei itinerary, with some culture.

Morning: Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and the Ama Museum

Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, located just 10-15 minutes on foot from the Yuanshan Station MRT, is one of Taipei’s prettiest. The temple actually won a UNESCO award for Cultural Heritage Preservation after extensive renovations in the nineties. It features many beautiful examples of traditional Taiwanese temple architecture, with its ornate roof, colorful paintings, and intricate stone carvings. 

Across the street, you can check out Taipei Confucius Temple. This temple is perhaps a little less dazzling, but it has an interesting museum component with educational displays and descriptions. You can learn quite a bit about Confucianism and its role in Taiwanese culture. 

From there, you can walk to several of Taipei’s most notable museums: the Ama Museum and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. 

The Ama Museum is a small but important museum documenting the experiences of Taiwanese “comfort women” (more accurately referred to as human trafficking victims) during World War II. It is heavy, but definitely worth a visit. 

Featuring modern and contemporary art from Taiwan and around the world, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is one of the most important art institutions in the country. You can find up-to-date information about current exhibits on the museum’s website .

One of my favorite neighborhoods to walk around and find cute, interesting restaurants and cafes (tucked in between shops overflowing with old car parts) is just south of the Ama Museum, in the area between Shuanglian and Zhongshan MRT stations. (I almost always end up at a little vegetarian place called Macrobiotics , but there are dozens of yummy places to discover in this area.) 

Afternoon: Dihua Street and Dadaocheng Wharf

From there, you can walk west to Dihua Street in the Dadaocheng neighborhood. 

Dadaocheng is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Taipei and a great place to learn about Taiwan’s history and culture. Walking along Dihua Street, you’ll find merchants selling tea, snacks, herbs, spices, dried fish, incense, souvenirs, and other crafts. 

To get your bearings (and a map), you can pop into the Dadaocheng Visitor Center. 

I also recommend a short detour to Dadaocheng Pier Plaza. Walking north on Dihua street, turn left on Minsheng West Road and walk under the underpass to Dadaocheng Wharf. You’ll find a collection of cool sculptures, food stands, and small bars nicely situated next to the Tamsui River.

I’ve only been there during the day, but I imagine the string lights and views across the river would make this a lovely place to sit and enjoy a leisurely dinner and/or a drink. 

Evening: Ximending and Longshan Temple

For a livelier dinner and nightlife scene, continue south to Ximending. This area is full of bright lights and all of the big-name stores you’ll recognize from all over the world. (Think Uniqlo, H&M, Adidas, etc.) There are also plenty of bars, restaurants, and street food stalls.

As mentioned above, one of Taipei’s oldest and most famous temples is Longshan Temple. I mention it here because it’s a quick walk from the Ximending area, and because it’s especially magical in the evening.

Again, I personally prefer some of Taipei’s other temples (including the two I already recommended for the morning). I think you can sleep soundly if you’re tired and want to skip it. If you’re someone who likes to tick off all the top sights, though, you’re already in the neighborhood. 

For a quick bite before or after your visit, Huaxi Street Night market is just 5 minutes away. I wouldn’t characterize it as one of Taipei’s best night markets, but it has the usual fare. 

Taipei Itinerary – Day 2

The first day of this Taipei itinerary was pretty heavy on the city sights. For your second day, I’d suggest heading out into some nature. 

Morning/Afternoon: Yangmingshan National Park and Beitou Hot Springs

In my opinion, the best hike in Taipei is the climb up Mt. Qixing in Yangmingshan National Park. Even if you aren’t a hiker, Yangmingshan is a gorgeous place with plenty of beauty to appreciate. If you’re there in the spring, visit Bamboo Lake to see the calla lilies in bloom! 

There are cafes in the park at the two visitor centers, but definitely pack a lunch, some snacks, and plenty of water in case they are closed. 

Count on at least 3 hours for the Mt. Qixing hike. All in, including transportation to and from the park and trailhead, plus plenty of time to relax and take in your surroundings, it will probably take up most of your second day. 

If you’re up for it afterwards, the Beitou Hot Springs are a few stops north on the MRT. This is really the perfect way to relax your tired muscles and check out one of Taipei’s highlights while you’re (sort of) in the vicinity. (Note that some of the springs are closed on Mondays.)

Evening: Shilin Night Market

If you’re too hungry for that and it’s after 16:00, head on over to the Shilin Night Market! This is one of the most famous night markets in a city known for night markets, and the bus from Yangmingshan Station stops right next to it. 

This is one of those places that is featured on every recommended Taipei itinerary in existence for a reason. I’ve been to a lot of night markets in Taipei, and Shilin really is the best.

Taipei Itinerary – Day 3

Morning: chiang kai-shek memorial hall and yongkang street.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, named for one of Taiwan’s most controversial historical figures, is one of Taipei’s most famous landmarks.

If you approach the monument from the impressive main gate on Zhongshan South Road, you may not immediately realize that the grounds also contain shady, peaceful gardens on the eastern side. They are a lovely oasis to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy neighborhoods nearby.

You’ll often see people playing musical instruments or practicing Tai Chi. In the spring, this is a nice place to admire the cherry blossoms right in the heart of the city. 

You can also watch the changing of the guards ceremony in the main hall every hour on the hour from 9:00 to 17:00.

From here, you can easily walk to several interesting neighborhoods nearby. About 10 minutes to the east, you have lively Yongkang Street. Just south of Dongmen MRT station, it is full of restaurants, dessert shops, bubble tea stalls, and cute boutiques selling clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.

The nearby streets are home to tons of nice coffee shops, several bakeries, and a small park where you can people watch. There is a small farmer’s market here on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month.

At the northern end of Yongkang street, on Xinyi Road, you’ll find the original location of world-famous restaurant Din Tai Fung .

Early Afternoon: Shida neighborhood and riverside parks

Head south from here and you’ll find yourself in Shida, a neighborhood popular with students. This part of town is similarly bustling, though catering to a slightly younger and more budget-conscious crowd. Grab some lunch, coffee, or bubble tea here, and spend a while wandering the pretty green laneways. 

The Shida neighborhood is also not too far from the riverside. This is a nice area you may want to explore on foot or by YouBike, depending on the time and weather.

Shida road, which is the main north-south route in the neighborhood, turns west when it meets Roosevelt Road near the Taipower Building MRT station. Following it this direction leads you to Taipei City Hakka Cultural Park , where you’ll see an elevated white bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge leads you to the riverside path.

Late afternoon/Early evening: Maokong Gondola

If the weather is nice, I recommend heading to the Maokong Gondola in the mid/late afternoon. The bottom of the gondola, at Taipei Zoo station, is a few minutes on foot from the eponymous MRT station, the southern terminus of the brown line. 

Note that the gondola is closed on Mondays and certain holidays. You can check its current status on the Maokong Gondola website . If you are dead set on going on a Monday, there are buses that head up the hill as well. The most direct option is the BR15, which stops just across the street from the Taipei Zoo gondola station.

Take the gondola to the last/highest station, Maokong Station. You can pay with your EasyCard. 

From here, go for a lovely stroll on the Zhangshu Trail. The path is easy and flat, and it passes through pretty farmland with views of the Maokong hills, massive Zhinan Temple, and Taipei 101.

It ends at the entrance to Zhangshan Temple, which is small but worth visiting for its impressive views. 

You will likely have noticed quite a few tea plantations on your walk. There are many teahouses in the area where you can sample a cup of locally grown oolong tea. 

On your way back to Taipei, take the gondola just one stop to Zhinan Temple station. This impressive temple is an excellent place to watch the sunset over Taipei without the crowds.

Just note that the main reason for this is that you can’t see Taipei 101 from this vantage point. (You can, however, get a partially obscured view of the tower from the northern side of the temple.)

Taipei Itinerary – Day 4

Day trip to teapot mountain and jiufen.

If the weather is cooperating on Day 4, I recommend venturing a little further afield. Taipei is well-connected to nearby cities (and the rest of the country) by public transportation. There are several spectacular day trips within a few hours of the city. 

In my opinion, the best day trip is a hike up Teapot Mountain followed by an evening eating your way through Jiufen. For more details about the hike, read this post on Teapot Mountain .

For directions to Jiufen, check out this post on Taipei’s most famous day trip . 

Taipei Itinerary – Day 5

Morning: national palace museum.

I think, after three long and hopefully beautiful days outside with lots of walking, the National Palace Museum is probably a good place to start Day 5 of your Taipei itinerary.

Again, if it’s sunny and beautiful outside, and you have a few more days in Taipei, you might want to switch it up. I’d save the indoor activities for the practically inevitable rainy day. (You’ll also want to switch it up if it is Monday, as the museum is closed.) 

Taipei’s National Palace Museum is home to an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and works of art spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history. Much of the museum’s collection was once housed in Beijing’s Forbidden City. The relics were brought to Taiwan by China’s retreating KMT government after losing the Chinese Civil War in the late 1940s. The museum’s highlights include jade carvings, ceramics, bronze artifacts, calligraphy, and intricate paintings. 

The National Palace Museum is massive, and will likely take half the day, at least, to take in. This is an example of a popular tourist attraction that lives up to the hype and really should be included on your Taipei itinerary. 

Afternoon/Evening: Tamsui

Since you’re already north of central Taipei, I would spend the rest of the day in Tamsui. Get back on the MRT and take the red line all the way north to its final stop.

In Tamsui, you can walk through the lively market or along the Old Street waterfront. Both have plenty of shops and food stalls. 

If you are traveling in February or March, you may want to take a detour to Tianyuan Temple . A popular place to view cherry blossoms in the spring, it’s about 15-20 minutes from the Tamsui MRT station by bus. 

If you still have energy for (more recent) history after your morning at the National Palace Museum, check out Fort Santo Domingo. Now a museum, this colonial-era fort was built by the Spanish in 1629 and later occupied by the Dutch and (several hundred years later) the British. If you’re unfamiliar with the colonial history of Taiwan, the various exhibits are quite educational. 

Nearby Hobe Fort dates to the late 19 th  century. Constructed as part of an effort to strengthen Taiwan’s coastal defenses after the Sino-French war, it was never actually used in conflict.  

From Hobe Fort, you’re about halfway to Tamsui’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Lover’s Bridge, a popular spot to watch the sunset. (There is also a ferry from the wharf on Tamsui’s Old Street if you’re not interested in visiting the two historical forts.) 

The light rail from nearby Shalun station will take you back to the red line when you’re ready to head back into Taipei. 

Taipei Itinerary – Day 6

On your sixth day in Taipei, assuming the weather is nice, I would head out for another hike. 

Morning: 9-5 Peak and Thumb Mountain Hike in the Four Beasts Scenic Area

You’ve probably heard of Elephant Mountain – it’s one of Taipei’s most popular attractions. Unfortunately, most people would probably agree that it’s a little  too  popular – the crowds on the trail and the viewing platforms can be overwhelming. 

If you’re up for a longer walk with even better views of the city, I highly recommend the path to Jiuwufeng (9-5 Peak) and Muzhishan (Thumb Mountain).

This trail is located in the same scenic area as Elephant Mountain; in fact, the last half hour or so takes you to Elephant Mountain and down the same crowded path as everyone else. (Sorry.)

I wrote about this hike in detail in a separate post about hiking in Taipei . 

Afternoon: Da’an District

After the Four Beasts, I would spend the rest of the day exploring Da’an District. Some of Taipei’s best cafes and restaurants are located in this area, and you’ve certainly earned a nice meal after your hike.

Da’an Forest Park is a lovely place to sit and relax (or walk, if you have any energy left). This is the largest park in the city, with plenty of grassy space, basketball courts, a massive playground, and an amphitheater for performances in the summer.

On Saturdays and Sundays, you can check out the nearby Jianguo Flower Market. Even though it is absolutely enormous, stretching from the northeast corner of the park to Ren’ai Road, it is located under the overpass. You might miss it if you’re not looking for it.

If you’re in the mood for shopping, head to the area around Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT station. This is a trendy area with local stores and small boutiques. You can also find great restaurants, cute coffee shops, and vegan ice cream! 

South of here, near Xinyi Anhe station, is the famous Linjiang Street Night Market. 

If you want to go up in the Taipei 101 observatory , this is probably a good day to do it since you’re already nearby. It’s open until 21:00 (with the last admission at 20:15).

Alternatively, if you want a sunset view of Taipei 101 itself, you could switch up the morning and evening plans. Explore Da’an in the morning, have a big hearty lunch, and head out on your hike in the afternoon. 

Taipei Itinerary – Day 7

On your seventh day in Taipei, we’re really getting into “choose-your-own-adventure” territory. 

Option 1: Another day trip

If you’re up for it on your last day in Taipei, I would actually head out of the city (again). There are so many amazing things to see in northern Taiwan that are easily accessible with Taipei as a base. 

My second-favorite day trip from Taipei (after Teapot Mountain) is the Pingxi Crags and Shifen . These two are easily combined, as the towns are less than 15 minutes apart by train. You can climb the super-steep crags first, admire the epic views, and then head to Shifen to check out the sky lantern release. 

If you’re in the mood for something more mellow (or if you’re scared of heights), perhaps head to the Bitoujiao Scenic Area instead. There is a beautiful hike here through gentle hills next to the ocean. It’s a fairly short walk, though, so I would recommend combining it with something else to make the trip worth your time. 

You could, for example, spend some time on Fulong Beach and then catch a bus to Bitoujiao. If it’s summertime, you should definitely check out the impressive International Sand Sculpture Festival. (If not, Fulong is still a nice beach for a stroll!) 

You could also hop off the shuttle one stop south and combine the trip to Bitou Cape with a walk along Longdong Promontory. Longdong is a popular place for snorkeling, swimming, and cliff-jumping (for the brave). 

Option 2: Explore more of Taipei

If you’d rather stay in the city, you could head to Neihu and go for a quick hike up Jinmianshan. (I wrote about this hike in a separate post about places to view Taipei 101 without the crowds of Elephant Mountain.) Neihu has a lot of great restaurants and is home to the lovely Dahu Park as well.

Later, you might want to explore Huashan 1914 Creative Park or, if it’s a weekend, check out the food and handicrafts market at Four Four South Village right next to Taipei 101. 

Of course, you can always just pick a neighborhood you like, go for a long meandering walk, pick a nice cafe, and relax! This is one of my favorite Taipei activities. (Actually, it’s one of my favorite activities no matter where I am!)

What is the best month to visit Taipei?

I hope these suggestions have helped you plan the perfect 1- to 7-day Taipei itinerary!

So when should you go? If your timing is flexible, I have some thoughts.

November and March: The perfect months to visit Taipei

In my opinion, the absolute best month to visit Taipei is November, with March also being a great choice. 

In November the days are sunny and warm, but the nights are delightfully cool. If you plan to hike Teapot Mountain, Mt. Qixing, or some of northern Taiwan’s other trails, you will see beautiful silvergrass covering the landscapes. 

In March, spring has well and truly arrived, with nice warm days and beautiful flowers blooming in the city’s parks and gardens. 

February, April, and October: Also very good times to visit Taipei

October and April are also lovely, though warmer. You may still need the air conditioning sometimes, especially to sleep, but these are still great months to visit Taipei. A few weeks on either side of these months can also be quite pleasant, but you’re gambling more with the heat (and potential typhoons) in September and the rain/humidity in early May. 

February is a really nice time to visit Taipei, but keep in mind that the Lunar New Year celebrations sometimes take place during this month. (Check the dates though, because some years the holiday falls in January.) Finding accommodation and train tickets to other parts of Taiwan can be tricky during this time, and popular tourist attractions in the south will likely be mobbed.

If you are just staying in Taipei and don’t mind the inflated prices, though, the temperatures are often really comfortable in February, and it’s usually peak cherry blossom season. 

The winter months of December and January can be a bit hit-and-miss in terms of weather. The first few weeks of December will likely still be quite nice, though starting to get downright cold in the evenings. (Of course, cold is all relative!) There is often quite a bit of rain later in the month, though, which makes it hard to shake that damp chill. 

May, June, July, and August: Wet hot Taiwanese summer

I would really try to avoid visiting Taipei in May and June, as this is plum rain season. For the uninitiated, this is not the “it rains for a few hours but the rest of the day is fine” kind of rainy season you often find in Southeast Asia. The rain comes in fronts, and it is  heavy  – the kind of downpours that make it difficult to do anything. There might be no rain at all, but when a front comes in, it can last days. 

Next up is typhoon season! It’s increasingly rare for a typhoon to actually make landfall in Taiwan and cause serious damage, but there are usually still a few every year. A typhoon warning will really put a damper on your travel plans: everything closes (literally everything – supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.), and you’re required to stay at home.

The bigger problem in July and August is the unrelenting heat. I would really recommend visiting another time of the year if at all possible. So many of Taipei’s top sights are outside, and being outside for prolonged periods is really uncomfortable in the summer months.  

…And that just about wraps up my itinerary suggestions for 7 days in Taipei!

Of course you’ll likely want to make adjustments to this plan depending on the weather and how much sightseeing you like to do in a day. I hope this post has given you a good starting point as you plan your trip to Taipei. 

MORE TAIWAN POSTS

Visiting or living in Taipei:

Guide to Taipei’s best neighborhoods

Taipei’s best hostels: Where to stay on a budget

Living in Taipei as a digital nomad or expat

Hiking in Taipei: Four alternatives to Elephant Mountain (with great views of Taipei 101)

Day trips from Taipei:

Hiking Teapot Mountain and Mount Banping

A day trip to the Pingxi Crags and Shifen

Visiting Fulong Beach in the summer

An easy hike along the Bitoujiao Trail

Visiting Jiufen as a day trip from Taipei

Traveling around Taiwan:

The perfect 3-week Taiwan itinerary

Guide to Green Island: Scuba diving and a scooter loop

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Sample TAIPEI ITINERARIES with Budget Estimates: 1-7 Days

Taipei is the bustling and vibrant Taiwanese capital. This metropolis has extensive public transportation networks that make it easy to travel to different parts of the city. It also has an interesting mix of tradition and modernity, shopping and dining centers, and plenty of activities that easily fill a couple of days’ itinerary.

The city has a number of markets, both old and new, that are worth exploring. You’ll see all sorts of items sold and laid out on the sidewalk or street, small to medium-sized stalls or flashy shops with neon signs, or large buildings that offer the latest brands. You’ll also see a variety of street food and restaurants that offer irresistible dishes. The Shilin Night Market and Ximending are two famous destinations that cater to your need to shop until you drop and eat till your heart’s content.

You could also do a couple of whole day trips from the city. Yangmingshan is an ideal place to go to for nature lovers with its many hiking trails and viewing points. Yehliu Geopark is a natural wonder with its uniquely rugged beautiful rock formations.

Tip: For a hassle-free trip, rent a pocket wi-fi!

Pocket Wifi Rental is more convenient because you just need to connect to the device, which can accommodate up to 5 devices at once. Klook’s wifi rental service also provides unlimited 4G data with no decelaration to 3G. You can pick it up at Taipei Taoyuan Airport. The number of available units so reserve one as soon as you can.

If you’re flying to Taipei soon, here are some sample itineraries that TPT co-founder Yoshke Dimen built. You may follow this but please take note of the following:

• All itineraries assume you’re flying in and out of Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.
• The 2-day to 7-day itineraries assume you’re staying near Taipei Main Station. It’s a great location because everything is accessible from here.
• Book your tickets and tours with Klook. I have provided links where you can purchase tickets or book tours. These are affiliate links, many of which offer discounts. You’ll also help our blog in the process if you purchase tickets via Klook.
• The fares and prices are just estimates. It’s meant to give just a ballpark figure. The actual costs may vary. Estimated costs do not include shopping budget and other expenses that are not indicated.
• Total cost estimates are bloated. We added a bit of allowance. Better overestimate than under.

As always, feel free to make some tweaking to any of these itineraries to match your flight schedule or preferences.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Taipei Itinerary for Layover: 1 Day

A day is simply insufficient to discover all that Taipei has to offer; however, if that’s the time you got, might as well make the most out of it. Here’s our layover itinerary for those just stopping by.

This itinerary will allow you to see all the most iconic attractions within the city center including the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, and Taipei 101.

Cost Estimate: NT$1800 (USD59, EUR51, SGD80, PHP3150), excluding airfare.

Taipei Itinerary: 2 Days

This 2-day itinerary will let you see attractions in Taipei City including Taipei 101, Shilin Market, and the National Palace Museum, as well as villages and destinations outside like Shifen, Jiufen, and Yehliu Geopark.

Shifen and Jiufen have quaint old town vibe that provide you with a glimpse of its past. Jiufen has the building that was the inspiration for one of the locations in the anime movie ‘Spirited Away. Shifen is near a spectacular waterfall too.

Cost Estimate: NT$2900 (USD94, EUR82, SGD130, PHP5070), excluding airfare and hotel.

Taipei Itinerary: 3 Days

This itinerary gives you more time at the top observatory of Taipei 101, the city’s most iconic landmark! It is a modern architectural wonder that lights up the night sky as soon as sunset comes. You can go up to the viewing platform to get a bird’s eye view of the bustling metropolis.

I scheduled it at sunset so you get to enjoy the view during daytime and when the city lights come to life.

Aside from that, you’ll also get to see the National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market, Martyrs’ Shrine, Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen and Shifen.

Cost Estimate: NT$3300 (USD107, EUR93, SGD147, PHP5770), excluding airfare and hotel.

Taipei Itinerary: 4 Days

This itinerary is almost a clone of the 3-day version above, but with an added free day.

I always like having one free day when I would just walk around the city aimlessly and check out shops and cafes. For this itinerary, I made the last day a free day so you have time to do whatever you want other than tour. You can use this time to shop around or just relax.

Day 4: FREE DAY, DEPARTURE 09:00am – Wake up call, pack up 11:00am – Hotel check out, leave bags 12:00nn – Lunch, NT$150 01:00pm – Free time 06:00pm – Dinner, NT$150 07:30pm – Pick up bags 08:00pm – MRT to Airport, NT$160 09:00pm – Flight check in

Cost Estimate: NT$3800 (USD123, SGD170, PHP6650, EUR107), excluding airfare and hotel.

Taipei Itinerary: 5 Days

This itinerary will take you to the following sites: National Palace Museum, Martyr’s Shrine, Shilin Night Market, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, Sun Yat Sen Memorial, Taipei 101, Presidential Office Building, Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu Geopark, and Yangmingshan National Park with a Beitou hot spring stop!

Day 5: FREE DAY, DEPARTURE 09:00am – Wake up call, pack up 11:00am – Hotel check out, leave bags 12:00nn – Lunch, NT$150 01:00pm – Free time 06:00pm – Dinner, NT$150 07:30pm – Pick up bags 08:00pm – MRT to Airport, NT$160 09:00pm – Flight check in

Cost Estimate: NT$5500 (USD179, SGD246, PHP9590, EUR154), excluding airfare, hotel, and tips.

Taipei-Hualien Itinerary: 6 Days

This 6-day itinerary will take you to Taipei, Yehliu Geopark, Shifen, Jiufen, and Hualien! You will also have an entire day to see the magnificent Taroko Gorge.

Of course, the usual tourist attractions within Taipei like Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, and Shilin Market are also covered in the first few days.

Day 4: TRANSIT TO HUALIEN 06:30am – Wake up call, hotel check out 08:30am – Puyuma train to Hualien, NT$440 11:30am – Walk to hotel 12:00nn – Hotel check in 12:30pm – Lunch, NT$150 02:00pm – Martyr’s Shrine 02:40pm – Walk around town 03:30pm – Back to hotel, rest 07:00pm – Cab to night market, NT$100 07:30pm – Night Market, Budget: NT$250 09:00pm – Cab to hotel, NT$100 10:00pm – Lights out

Day 6: DEPARTURE 08:00am – Wake up call, pack up 10:00am – Hotel check out, leave bags 11:00am – Lunch, NT$150 12:30pm – Puyuma train to Taipei, NT$440 03:30pm – MRT to Airport, NT$160 04:30pm – Flight check in

Cost Estimate: NT$6400 (USD208, SGD287, PHP11200, EUR180), excluding airfare, hotel, and tips.

Taipei-Hualien Itinerary: 7 Days

This 1-week itinerary is another version of the 6-day itinerary above, except with an added FREE DAY in between.

Stops include key attractions in Taipei, Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu Geopark, Hualien, and Taroko Gorge.

Day 4: FREE DAY 09:00am – Wake up call 11:00am – Hotel check out, leave bags 12:00nn – Lunch, NT$150 01:00pm – Free time 06:00pm – Dinner, NT$150 08:00pm – Back to hotel, pack up 09:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: TRANSIT TO HUALIEN 06:30am – Wake up call, hotel check out 08:30am – Puyuma train to Hualien, NT$440 11:30am – Walk to hotel 12:00nn – Hotel check in 12:30pm – Lunch, NT$150 02:00pm – Martyr’s Shrine 02:40pm – Walk around town 03:30pm – Back to hotel, rest 07:00pm – Cab to night market, NT$100 07:30pm – Night Market, Budget: NT$250 09:00pm – Cab to hotel, NT$100 10:00pm – Lights out

Day 7: DEPARTURE 08:00am – Wake up call, pack up 10:00am – Hotel check out, leave bags 11:00am – Lunch, NT$150 12:30pm – Puyuma train to Taipei, NT$440 03:30pm – MRT to Airport, NT$160 04:30pm – Flight check in

Cost Estimate: NT$6700 (USD218, SGD300, PHP11700, EUR188), excluding airfare, hotel, and tips.

*cover image purchased from Shutterstock 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ • 9️⃣ • 1️⃣0️⃣

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Have you tried the “Taipei Double Decker bus tour”? is it Worth It? or Can we just ride local buses and MRT on our own? Which is more time/money saving?

Taking the MRT and local buses on your own is more pocket-friendly. :)

Dear Sir Greetings from Bangladesh. we have 60 business people like to visit Taiwan for 5 nights 6 days from January 24th with 3 star hotel twin share basis. please let me know the tour itinerary and cost. thanks

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3 Days in Taipei: The Perfect Taipei Itinerary

last Updated: January 13, 2022 Taipei Taiwan

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Headed to Taiwan in the near future and looking for the perfect 3 day Taipei itinerary?! Consider yourself lucky, because I’ve got the most perfect 3 days in Taipei all planned out for you!

Taipei is one of those cities that has it all: food, shopping, nature, and tons of historic temples. It’s a glamorous metropolis that’s steeped in culture and surrounded by gorgeous mountain terrain.

In fact, Taiwan’s capital is filled with so many awesome things to do that it’s hard to know where to begin. Fortunately for you, you lucky thing, this 3 day Taipei itinerary is here to help you have the best possible 3 days in Taipei. I’m not just talking inside the city either. This Taiwan travel blog also contains some amazing day trip options so that you can make the most of the country’s natural beauty.

Don’t worry about your time limit: follow this guide and you’ll see everything and more that the city has to offer in 2 days in Taipei and enjoy a wonderful day trip. Sound good? Thought so!

When to Visit Taipei

The best time to spend 3 days in Taipei is during October and November. These months mark the latter half of fall and the end of cyclone season (and getting stuck in a cyclone is no fun, trust me).

Humidity drops and temperatures hover around the 68 ° F/20 ° C mark, meaning you don’t melt into a sweaty, frizzy-haired mess during your 3 days in Taipei. Winters here are mild, so December and January are also great times to visit. It’s unlikely to get colder than 10 ° C/50 °F and these months experience the least rainfall.

February is best avoided if possible as the Lunar New Year usually falls during this month – though be sure to double check as dates vary year to year. During this holiday, many businesses will be closed and transport and accommodation will be busy and expensive.

Visiting Taipei during spring (March-May) is a risky business as the weather can be very unpredictable. Summer, meanwhile, is off-season so prices are cheaper, but temperatures soar and storms abound.

Despite this, remember that if you do experience bad weather during your trip, it won’t necessarily be ruined – a metropolis like Taipei definitely has enough indoor entertainment to keep you amused while the storm passes.

How to Get Around Taipei

As you might expect, this city has a slick transport system. The MRT (subway) system is clean, efficient and cost-effective, with trains running every few minutes. A single ticket costs between $0.60-$2.00 and for extra ease you can get one, two or three day tickets which can also be used on buses. Win!

For this trip, it’s best to buy a ticket that will cover 2 days in Taipei, as we’ll be venturing out of the city on day 3.

For a greener and healthier transport option, you can hire a You-bike for around $2.50 for four hours and cycle around the city. You’ll be able to find these bikes all over the metro area are there are tons of routes around town. Cycling is a great way to make the most out of this city and get a little exercise while you’re doing it!

Taxis are also a good option for getting around. They add a splash of sunshine to the city with their cheerful shade of yellow and unlike in many other cities, you’re unlikely to get ripped off here. Hailing a cab is easy, fares are cheap and drivers are almost always polite and friendly.

Where to stay in Taipei

Thanks to Taipei’s amazing transport system the whole city is easily accessible wherever you stay. Make sure that your hotel is close to an MRT station as for the ultimate convenience. For the most glamorous Taipei experience, head to the Xinyi district. It’s  a fashionable, futuristic area teeming with luxury stores and swanky hotels.

The Ximending neighborhood is a great choice for budget travellers. It’s a buzzing, youthful area with plenty of nightlife and cheaper accommodation options. There are lots of hostels here, so it’s a good option for those going solo, too.

Xinyi Hotels:

• The W Hotel. Stay here for style, city views and stunning sunsets from the WOOBar.
• Eslite Hotel
• Tango Hotel

Ximending Hotels & Hostels:

• Hotel Papa Whale
• Next Taipei Hostel

Language and currency in Taipiei

Language is a complex issue in Taiwan. Many different dialects exist throughout the country but Mandarin is the lingua franca, and this goes for the capital, too. English can often be found on signage also. The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the currency and money exists in both note and coin form, with five denominations of each. $1 USD is roughly 30NT$, so it’s easy enough to convert.

And now what you came here for, the perfect 3 days in Taipei!

The Perfect 3 Day Taipei Itinerary

Day 1: temples, memorial halls, and snacks.

Stop 1: Longshan Temple and Herb Lane

First up on our Taipei itinerary is Longshan Temple, one of Taiwan’s best-known sites of worship. Built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian, it’s one of the country’s oldest temples. Inside there are hundreds of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian statues, reflecting the country’s varied religious heritage.

Just around the corner lies Herb Lane, aka Lane 224. It’s tucked just off of Xichang Street and as the name implies, it’s packed with herb stores selling soups, teas, soap and more. Try the bitter tea for a truly memorable taste sensation!

Stop 2: Light Lunch or a wander at Ximen (Ximending), the “Harajuku of Taipei”

Taiwan was occupied by the Japanese between 1895-1945 and this influence can still be felt today. Ximending is known as the “Harajuku of Taipei” because much like its Tokyoite twin, it’s a place where young people flock to showcase the latest extravagant fashions that they’re rocking.

Wandering around the area and exploring its eccentric boutiques is a super fun Taipei experience.

After a morning of exploring you might be feeling a little peckish. Luckily, Ximen is full of street food and trendy restaurants – try Lao Wang Ji Beef Noodles for some classic, no-frills deliciousness.

Stop 3: National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

You can’t go to Taipei without visiting the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Liberty Square. You just can’t. No Taipei itinerary is complete without it! Erected in memory of – yep, you guessed it, Chiang Kai-shek – the hall is open from 9-6 every day and the changing of the guard ceremony happens on the hour every hour from 9-5. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Located in the Liberty Square plaza, the hall is flanked by the National Theatre and National Concert Hall. The square was often the site of choice for mass demonstrations and rallies during the ‘80s and ‘90s and consequently played an important role in the democratization of Taiwan. Pretty cool, right?

Stop 4: Snacks on Dongman Street/Yongkan Street

Hungry again? This Taiwan travel blog has got your back. Yongkan Street is considered one of the best foodie destinations in the world! To try one of Taiwan’s most beloved eats, head to Tian Jin Onion Pancake for a flaky, chewy scallion pancake that will blow your mind.

If you’re in the mood for noodles, look no further than Yongkang Beef Noodles for tender, Sichuan-braised Australian beef. Yum! World-renowned Din Tai Fung is another great spot for filling your belly. They serve delicious soup dumplings that are so good there are now branches all over the globe.

For a sweet treat, enjoy mango shaved ice, sorbets, and smoothies at the Smoothie House. This venue replaced the iconic Ice Monster which closed after some soap-opera style drama that has become the stuff of urban legend.

Stop 5: National Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館)

The second memorial hall on this Taipei itinerary is dedicated to Dr Sun-Yat Sen, the founder of modern China. The hall contains many exhibitions about his life and revolutionary accomplishments. It’s also a cultural hotspot, serving as the meeting site for a variety of social and educational activities. The hall also often hosts performances and lectures, as well as housing a library with hundreds of thousands of books. The building is in Chung Shan park which comprises an exhibition area, the lovely Emerald Pond and and beautiful gardens.

Stop 6: Bird’s eye view of the city at dusk

Watching the sunset behind the skyscrapers is always one of the best parts of a city break. In Taipei, you’re truly spoilt because there are two amazing spots to get a bird’s eye view of the city as it lights up in the evening. The sun goes down at around 5:30pm during the winter months and 6:30pm in the summer.

Elephant Mountain: Start hiking during the late afternoon to catch daytime and stunning sunset views from the top of the mountain. The hike only takes 15-20 minutes and there are lots of stairs involved! Go during the week if you can as it gets pretty crowded at weekends.

Taipei 101: Head to this iconic tower for a swanky sunset viewpoint. There are indoor observation decks on the 88th and 89th floor, with an outdoor deck on the 91st which opens when the weather is good.

Stop 7: Tonghua (Linjiang Street) Night Market for dinner

End your first day in this incredible city with one of Taipei’s most authentic market experiences. Tonghua Night market is favored by locals rather than tourists and is a mecca of delicious street food – it would take you years to get bored of eating here.

It’s also less manic and cramped than some of the city’s other markets, which is always a bonus. There are tons of yummy treats on offer here, from fermented tofu (it tastes better than it smells, trust me) to steamed buns and bubble tea. You may never want to leave!

Day 2: Gondola, Thermal Baths, and More Temples

Stop 1: Maokong Gondola and Zhinan Temple

Rise and shine, it’s time for day two! Make your way to Taipei Zoo but rather than saying hello to the cute animals, jump on the Maokong Gondola. It’s views for days on board this baby! The third stop is Zhinan Temple Station, which is where we’re getting off to explore. This intricately decorated, brightly colored-temple holds great significance for Taiwan’s Taoist population but it wasn’t easily accessible until the gondola opened, so feel super fortunate that you get to go!

The mountainside views are awe-inspiring and the wow-factor continues as you climb back on the gondola and head to the fourth and final stop: Maokong. This is an important tea-growing area and there are loads of plantations and shops, so you’ve just got to stop for a cuppa! Order baozhong oolong tea to taste a delectable local specialty.

Stop 2: Taipei Confucius Temple and Dalongdong Ba-On Temple

Hope you’re not tired of temples because here are another two must-see sites on this Taipei itinerary. The Taipei Confucius Temple is one of Taiwan’s most important places of worship and also functions as a Chinese cultural centre. If you have a little extra time, you can even take Chinese calligraphy lessons here – how cool is that?

The UNESCO-listed Dalongdong Ba-On Temple sits adjacent to the Confucius Temple and is another awesome site to explore.

Stop 3: National Palace Museum

From the temples, you can either take the MRT to Shillin Station and board the R30 bus to the National Palace Museum, or take a 15-minute taxi if that sounds like too much hassle.

Fun fact – this museum is the source of some international beef, since it was originally established in Beijing but later evacuated to Taipei, causing ownership disputes between Taiwan and China. It’s home to over 700,000 ancient Chinese artifacts, many of which were collected by China’s emperors, making it one of the largest collections in the world.

Stop 4: Beitou Thermal Area

For a spot of relaxation (which will probably be needed by now) take a taxi on over to Beitou Thermal Valley and enjoy the therapeutic warm water of the volcanic hot springs. It’s especially nice coming here during the winter! To learn more about the springs, head to the Hot Spring Museum.

This is far from a stuffy museum experience: there’s a balcony where you can gaze down at the beautiful Beitou Creek, a relaxation room and an ancient Roman style-bath housed in an elegant arcade room.

Stop 5: Guandu Temple

The final temple in this 3 day Taipei itinerary is the Guandu Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea. Again, the best way to get here is by taxi – it takes just seven minutes and should only set you back around $10.

Filled with intricate Buddhist sculptures and carvings, it might just be one of the most breathtaking sites of worship you ever see. Be sure to venture down into the 80-metre deep Buddha cave, which is filled with 28 representations of heavenly emperors.

Stop 6: Shillin Night Market

After all of that exploring, you’re bound to be hungry. Take the MRT back into town from Guandu to Jiantan Station and walk for five minutes to get to Shillin Night Market. This is another excellent street food spot and it’s probably the most famous market in Taipei.

No decent Taiwan travel blog could fail to mention it! While you’re there you’ve simply got to try an oyster omelet – it’s a Shillin specialty! If that’s not your thing, try a peppered pork bun or refresh with some lemon aiyu jelly juice – it’s divine on a hot day! Once you’ve filled your tum, check out the cheap, trendy clothes on offer if you’ve got some energy left for shopping.

Day 3: Take a Day Trip

After 2 days in Taipei, it’s time to head out of the city. A day trip should definitely be a part of your Taipei itinerary. It would seriously be such  a shame not to explore outside of the city borders a little during your 3 days in Taipei when there’s so much natural beauty close by.

Option #1: Jifuen Village & The Northeast Coast

How to get there: Jifuen is 35 km from Taipei, so it’s not too far afield. By far the easiest way to explore Jifuen and the rest of the Northeast Coast is to book onto an organized tour. The following options are all great choices and will save a ton of time and hassle. You can thank me later!

What to do: After you arrive in Jifuen, head to quaint Old Street and refresh with a cup of tea at one of the many tea houses the town has to offer. Once your thirst is quenched, you’ll definitely want to take some time to explore the rest of the street and its old-timey shops that sell lots of traditional, hard-to-come-by Chinese goods.

Be sure to check out the Shengping Theatre, too. It was one of the first cinemas constructed in Taiwan and now functions as a museum.

Travel 40 minutes inland to see the equally charming town of Shifen and its beautiful waterfall, which often creates rainbows on sunny days.

Once you’re ready to head up the coast, make sure you catch a glimpse of the Bay of Two Colors, or Ying Yang Sea. The high concentration of Fool’s Gold in the water has created contrasting yellow and blue patches of water in the shape of – you guessed it – Ying and Yang. Finally, don’t miss out on marveling at the crazy rock formations in Yehliu Geopark which lies 45 minutes up the road.

Option #2: Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation

How to get there: Both attractions are roughly 25 km away from the city centre. To get to Thousand Island Lake the MRT to Xindian MRT station and then catch the Green 12 bus to Shiding. Once there, get off the bus and walk down the hill to the lake.

Honestly though, the easiest thing to do is book a private tour. Getting from the lake to the tea plantation requires a driver, so being escorted in a coach or car makes life so much easier.

What to do: Marvel at the beauty of Thousand Island Lake. Lush green islands are dotted throughout the bright blue water and gazing down at them from the mountainside is a jaw-dropping experience.

The ideal time to go is between February and June when it’s unlikely that there will be fog obscuring your view. Next, it’s onto Pinglin. A visit to Pinglin Tea Museum is an absolute must (but bear in mind it’s closed the first Monday of every month). You’ll learn about the growth and cultivation of tea, as well as its role in Chinese history.

Make sure you stop in the museum’s tearoom to enjoy a cup of local honey bao zhong tea. After that, head to Jingualiao Street and rent a bicycle to explore the Jingualiao River bike route, which runs along the water through tea plantation mountains. It’s a sublime experience and the route is super-short at only 2 km long, so there’s no excuse not to start pedaling!

Option #3: Taroko Gorge

How to get there: Taroko is roughly 150 km away from Taipei. If you want to take public transport, the fastest option is to take the train from Taipei Main Station to Xincheng and then take the #302 bus to Taroko Gorge. It should take between 2-3 hours on the Puyama train service.

Organised tours also tend to use trains and buses and also include hotel pick up, so you won’t need to worry about getting to the station at the crack of dawn!

What to do: Once you reach Taroko National Park, you’ve obviously got to visit the eponymous gorge. Head to the bell tower above the Eternal Spring Shine for a killer viewpoint. This is one of the lesser-known spots for gazing at the gorge, so you’re unlikely to be accompanied by crowds.

ChingShui Cliff, on the other hand, is one of the park’s most popular spots, and with good reason. It offers stunning views of the ‘patterned’ ocean, which is colored various shades of blue thanks to the various currents at work beneath the surface.

It’s one of Taiwan’s natural wonders and is well-worth the 8km hike – trust me! During the late afternoon, take a walk underneath Swallow Grotto to see the eponymous birds hovering around the beautiful rock formations – it’s a pretty magical sight.

The best times to visit the park are between the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-November for clement weather and fewer fellow tourists.

Will you be following this 3 day Taipei itinerary?! What are you most excited about on your trip?!

Photos via //  gondola | tea | National Palace Museum | Thermal Area

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Two Days in Taipei, Taiwan: A Detailed Itinerary

Are you thinking about spending two days in Taipei, the enticing capital city of Taiwan? In this article, I’m going to share the absolute must-sees so that you can prepare the perfect Taipei two-day itinerary. Taipei is a modern metropolis that is famous for its bustling night markets, high concentration of 7-Elevens, and Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest skyscraper. It’s got welcoming people, colorful temples, and amazing food all rolled up in one tempting package.   Join along as we ride the sparkling clean MRT or hop on a publicly shared YouBike to explore the best historical, cultural, and natural attractions this city has to offer!

This is a guest post by Nick Kembel of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner .

Table of Contents

Two Days in Taipei: Where to Stay

When deciding where to stay in Taipei , make sure you choose somewhere close to an MRT station, as that is how you will mostly be getting around. Here are some highly recommended choices: Dandy Hotel : Dandy Hotel is a modern boutique hotel overlooking Da’An Park, the largest park in Taipei. It is right on the edge of the park, so the rooms come with epic views. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Via Hotel : This choice is right in the middle of Ximending, the coolest neighborhood in Taipei. The streets around Via Hotel are traffic-free and full of cool shops, cafés, and restaurants. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices Kimpton Da’An Taipei : The Kimpton is one of the newest additions to the Taipei hotel scene. It is handsomely designed, with a lovely outdoor patio, and is located in the perfect area for shopping and dining. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices

How to Spend 2 Days in Taipei: A Perfect Itinerary

Taipei in 2 days: day one, marvel at chiang kai-shek memorial hall.

Taipei’s top historical attraction should definitely be a priority on your Taipei two-day itinerary. The memorial was built for Taiwan’s former dictator. The imposing blue and white building is one of the city’s most recognizable structures. You can ascend the steps of the memorial to stand before the large statue of CKS, and there’s a small museum dedicated to him below.

The Memorial Hall sits on enormous Liberty Square. The square is flanked by two equally classical Chinese buildings: the National Concert Hall and National Theater. For the best view and photos of the square, make sure you check out Liberty Square Arch on the western side. There are also some ponds, gardens, and walking paths around the square.

Tour the Historical Temples of Wanhua

Wanhua District is the Old City of Taipei, thus it is home to some of the city’s oldest and most important temples. Start with Longshan Temple, where fortunetellers gather outside and vendors sell traditional Chinese herbs in the narrow alley beside the temple. The temple is considered the city’s most sacred. Within walking distance of Longshan Temple, Qingshan and Qingshui Temples are small but highly significant and worth checking out. Finally, Taipei Tianhou Temple in Ximending is a peaceful abode right in the middle of the city’s trendiest neighborhood. Watch carefully for the tiny entrance on the busy street–it’s easy to miss. But once you enter the courtyard, you’ll forget about the hectic world outside.

Explore Funky Ximending

After visiting Taipei Tianhou Temple (see the last entry), you’ll find yourself in Ximending, often shortened to Ximen, a pedestrian-only shopping district. This is where all the cool kids in Taipei hang out, plus it has some fascinating historical attractions.

Simply strolling the streets of Ximending is a feast for the eyes. Look out for Tattoo Street, Modern Toilet (a toilet-themed restaurant), cosplay cafés, claw machine arcades, KTV (karaoke), and MTV (private movie room) parlors, and bubble tea galore. Red House, a theater and market hall built during the Japanese colonial period, is now an arts & crafts market, while the remains of the Nishi Honganji Japanese shrine are worth checking out.

Feast at One of Taipei’s Night Markets

One of the major highlights of visiting Taipei is the city’s legendary street food, so you absolutely can’t miss eating out in a Taipei night market. There are literally dozens of them, but the big five are Shiling Night Market, Raohe Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, Tonghua Night Market, and Huaxi Street Night Market. These markets feature a massive number of street food stalls, serving an unbelievable variety of classic and creative Taiwanese street foods.

While most tourists gravitate to the biggest one, Shilin Night Market, Raohe and Ningxia are more manageable in size, with a more local vibe and better food. Tonghua is conveniently located very close to Taipei 101, while Huaxi is right next to the city’s Red Light District and thus has a crustier edge to it.

Taipei in 2 Days: Day Two

Ride the maokong gondola.

Start your second day by taking the MRT to Taipei Zoo station and hopping on the Maokong Gondola. Within seconds you’ll be rewarded with grand views across Taipei before the gondola veers off into the verdant hills which surround the city.

Get off at the second last station to admire the incredible views from Zhinan (Chih Nan) Temple, then continue on to the final stop, Maokong. The area around Maokong is known for its excellent oolong teas, especially tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) and melon-scented baozhong.

Choose from one of the numerous teahouses, most of which have patios with great views, or go on a hike past tea plantations to Silver Stream Cave & Waterfall, a small temple buried in the woods.

Have a Picnic at Huashan 1914 Creative Arts Park

Returning to the city, get a take-away bento box for lunch and a few cold beers from 7-Eleven, then head to Huashan 1914 Creative Arts Park. The complex served as a sake distillery during the Japanese colonial period. In recent decades, the abandoned building has been converted into an arts venue, hosting numerous artworks, exhibits, cafés, restaurants, and events.

After exploring the facility and its creative photo ops, find a good spot on the huge lawn at the back to enjoy snacks and drinks in the sun for the afternoon.

View the City from Above at Taipei 101

You can’t leave Taipei without visiting the country’s most iconic attraction, Taipei 101. Shaped like a towering stalk of bamboo, the skyscraper was the tallest in the world from 2004 to 2009. Today, it is said to be the tallest “green” building in the world, and it has the world’s fastest elevator.

The bottom five floors of Taipei 101 are a large department store. But for a true Taipei-101 experience, you have to pay a visit to the Observation Deck on the 89 th to 91 st floors. There you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of the city and surrounding hills. Don’t miss the insanely large stabilizing ball hanging at the center of the building, which helps to prevent the building from toppling during an earthquake.

Click here to book your tickets to the 101 observatory.

Watch the Sunset from Elephant Mountain

To bring an end to two perfect days in Taipei, why not watch the sunset from the city’s most famous viewpoint? Conveniently located right beside Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain is where you can find the classic postcard view of Taipei.

From Elephant Mountain MRT station (just one stop past Taipei 101, or easy walking distance), the trail is only a few minutes away. The staircase is steep, but it only takes about 20 minutes to reach the most famous viewpoint. Just prepare yourself for some crowds! If you want to get away from all the people, the trail continues on to three other animal-named mountains: Tiger, Lion, and Leopard.

Practical Information for Your 2 Day Taipei Itinerary

When is the best time to visit taipei.

When trying to choose the best time to visit Taiwan , no season is a clear winner. In Taipei, winters can be cool and damp, but it’s the best time for hot springs and cherry blossoms. Spring is lovely, but there’s a small rainy season in later May to early June. Summers are extremely hot and humid and beware of typhoons, but it’s also the best time to visit the beaches just out of town. Last but not least, autumn features lovely mild to warm weather, so it may be a contender for the best time.

How to Get from the Airport to the City Center

MRT: Only a few years old, the Taipei MRT Airport Line is the most convenient way to get from Taoyuan International Airport to the city center. The ride only takes 35 to 50 minutes (every second train is an express one) and only costs TWD160 (one-way). It’s never too busy, and there are large luggage racks. Bus: Before the airport MRT was built, the bus was the only budget option for reaching the city center. The buses still run, and the ride takes about one hour, with tickets costing around TWD135. Taxi: If you prefer to travel in privacy, there are numerous taxi stands outside. Depending on where exactly you are going in the city, expect to pay TWD800-1200, including the airport fee which the driver should add to your total at the end. Taxi drivers in Taiwan are honest, and scams are very rare, so this isn’t something you need to worry about. They don’t always speak English, so it’s better to show an address.

How to Get Around the City

MRT: The Taipei MRT is the lifeline of the city. It is fast, clean, and goes just about everywhere. Make sure to get an EasyCard before you ride, which is a reloadable card that you use to swipe on and off (including for the Airport MRT line). You can get it at any station, and it has a TWD100 deposit, which you get back at the end. Using a card is not only convenient but also makes each ride cheaper. YouBike: Taipei’s public bike-sharing system is called YouBike. You will see the bright orange and yellow bikes everywhere. You’ll need a local phone number and EasyCard with money on it to sign one out. The rates are very cheap, too. And the coolest part: they are made by Giant, one of the world’s top bicycle manufacturers, which of course is a Taiwanese company! Taxi: Taxis seem to be everywhere in Taipei. You could stand on just about any main road, and you’ll have a ride in minutes, if not seconds. The rates are very reasonable, too, but beware of traffic jams at peak hours. Most drivers speak a tiny bit of English, but it’s always best to show them an address. Bus: Once in a while, you may have to take a bus in Taipei, for example, to go to the National Palace Museum, Taiwan’s most famous museum. When you get on a bus in Taipei, it’s usually OK to get in the front or back door. If the sign inside says 上, you should swipe your EasyCard when boarding. If it says 下, then swipe it before leaving. If both characters are lit up, then you’ll have to swipe when getting on and again when getting off (usually for longer rides).

Well, that brings us to the end of the Taipei 2-day itinerary. Hopefully, you’ve found plenty of ideas for enjoying an awesome visit to this incredible city!

Nick Kembel is the author of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner and the person behind Spiritual Travels . He has lived in Taiwan for over 10 years and his two kids were born and raised there.

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Home » Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

19 BEST Places to Visit in Taipei (2024 • MUST-SEE SIGHTS)

Taipei is the modern capital of Taiwan. The diverse city has a great infrastructure and it’s easy to explore the key places of interest in Taipei as well as travel to nearby cities and towns. From one of the tallest towers in the world and a globally renowned zoo to places of natural interest and terrific shopping, Taipei offers plenty for everyone.

Taipei doesn’t feature on many travellers’ radars, particularly people from outside of Asia, and is often overlooked in favour of other East Asian cities. It can be difficult to find information on what to see and do if you are planning a trip to Taipei, especially if you want to hit up more offbeat attractions and head off the beaten path.

With this ultimate list of the best places to visit in Taipei, you’ll be able to make sure to cover all the top attractions. No matter your age or travelling style you’ll find plenty of reasons to add Taipei to your travel wish list.

Warning: some of these best places to visit in Taipei are sure to surprise you!

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Taipei:

These are the best places to visit in taipei, faq on the best places to visit in taipei, final thoughts on the best places to visit in taipei.

Datong is the perfect place to stay if you are travelling on a shoestring budget. It is located just north of Zhongzheng and remains very central to explore Taipei’s many destinations.

• Take a look at the humble features of the Confucius Temple
• On the contrary, marvel at Bao’an Temple, one of Taipei’s most ornate temples
• Try some local delicacies at the Ningxia Night Market

And now onto the fun stuff … here are the best places to visit in Taipei:

Ready for the breakdown of Taipei’s must-see places? Don’t miss these gems. These are the top things to see for crafting the ultimate Taipei itinerary!

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#1 – Taipei 101 – One of the most amazing places in Taipei

• Eco-friendly structure
• Among the world’s tallest towers
• Rich symbolism
• Sweeping views

Why it’s awesome: This is top of the Taipei places to visit list for good reason. Up there, you feel top of the world! Shaped like a traditional pagoda and standing at 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall, the soaring Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest tower. It’s is still said to be the biggest green building in the world, both because of the coloured glass on its facades and due to its many environmentally friendly features.

Steeped in symbolism, the impressive tower has 101 floors. One hundred is usually viewed as perfection, so this gleaming modern tower goes one step beyond being perfect! There’s a large and luxurious shopping mall next to the tower and inside there are various offices, an observation level, displays, a conference centre, and a VIP Club.

What to do there: Ride in the super-fast elevators to reach the observation levels, with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas to enjoy. Feast your eyes on the sweeping city views and see interesting displays related to the tower’s construction, use, and symbolism. Spot various symbolic features around the tower and see many of the best places in Taipei from a completely different perspective.

#2 – Taipei Zoo – Awesome place to visit in Taipei with kids

• Beautiful landscaping
• Home to diverse creatures
• Educational exhibits

Why it’s awesome: The largest zoo in Asia and one of the biggest zoos in the world, the modern and well-kept Taipei Zoo is often said to be among the best zoos on the planet. Spread over a large area, the zoo is home to an abundance of interesting species from across the globe.

Admission costs are low and it’s a fantastic place to spend a fun-filled day with the kids. Indeed, it’s one of the best places in Taipei for a family outing. There are various places to eat and drink throughout the zoo and the terrain is stroller friendly. Lush gardens, wide, open spaces, and educational displays add to the appeal.

What to do there: Plan to spend at least half a day (if not a whole day) exploring the large zoo. Seeing the cute pandas is often a highlight for many visitors, though don’t be disappointed if they are resting in the air conditioning! The children’s theatre, insectarium, and nocturnal animal house are also often popular with younger visitors.

#3 – Shilin Night Market – A must-see in Taipei for foodies!

• Array of items
• Lively vibe
• Lots of street food
• Popular with locals and tourists

Why it’s awesome: Large and lively, Shilin Night Market draws many locals and tourists alike every day of the week. Stalls spread through a maze of streets, and you’ll find a great selection of local goods and international brands, usually at discount prices.

Some places have fixed prices and there are somewhere you can haggle so make sure you perfect your haggling skills . It’s especially worth asking for discounts if you’re buying in bulk. It’s not only a great place for shopping, though; Shilin Night Market is also one of the top spots in Taipei for delicious street food. It’s veritable foodie heaven!

What to do there: Stroll along the streets, letting your senses guide you as you sample a huge selection of local cuisine. Inhale the rich aromas, watch as vendors cook up dishes on the spot, and see an exciting array of delicacies set out to tempt the hungry.

Sink your teeth into things like fried buns, dim sum, stinky tofu, tempura, grilled meats, oyster omelet, and much, much more. Once you think it couldn’t get any better, pop into the underground Shilin Night Market Food Court for even more mouth-watering treats! It really is one of the best places to eat in Taipei.

Another famous night market in Taipei if you liked the Shilin Night Market is the Ningxia Night Market which is another great place to try some street food.

#4 – Longshan Temple – One of the most religious places to see in Taipei

• Long history
• Gorgeous architecture
• Spiritual ambience
• Ornate statues

Why it’s awesome: Built in the late 1730s by people from Fujian, Taipei’s Longshan Temple became a major spiritual and community centre for settlers from mainland China; it was built in honour of an ancient temple in their home province.

Still an active place of worship today, it is also one of the most significant religious landmarks in Taipei. The Longshan Temple features ornate and colourful details and the vibe is tranquil and serene. It’s a place to go in Taipei to have a breather from the city.

What to do there: Admire the striking building from the outside, feasting your eyes on the decorative pillars and roof, statues, and grand doorways. Step inside, where you’ll likely see people praying and making merit, inhale the sweet smells of incense, and see even more spiritual statues and artwork.

Wander through the grand halls and pause to take in the details of the various altars. There are shrines to various Chinese gods and goddesses as well as to the Lord Buddha. As far as cultural places in Taipei go, this is one of the best.

#5 – Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve – One of the most underrated places to see in Taipei

• Interesting wildlife
• Pretty views
• Free attraction

Why it’s awesome: A short train ride from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve is an interesting and peaceful outdoor spot.

One of the coolest lesser-visited attractions in Taipei, there is no charge to explore the nature reserve. Also known as Tamsui River Mangrove Nature Reserve, the area protects the large Hongshulin mangrove swamp as well as all the creatures that call the salty swamp home.

What to do there: Step into the small but informative education centre to learn more about the swamp and its eco-diversity before wandering along the boardwalk. Peer into the mangroves to spot an array of flora and fauna. Some of the most unusual creatures to look out for are the curious mudskippers – fish that can walk on land.

You’re also likely to see crabs and many types of birds. The ambiance is calm and there are great views of city life in the distance.

#6 – Jiufen – A very cool place in Taipei to go for a day

• Great shopping
• Plenty of photo opportunities
• Stunning vistas
• Historical vibe

Why it’s awesome: Jiufen is an old gold mining town in the wider Taipei area. Built by the Japanese, it is perched on the craggy mountainside near the coast. Easy to reach by road and rail from the heart of the city, it’s one of the most picturesque places of interest in Taipei.

There’s an olde-worlde vibe and plenty to see and do. The covered shopping area is especially popular and the views are beautiful. The town has featured in a number of movies and TV shows and if you’re backpacking Taiwan , be sure to include Jiufen on your itinerary.

What to do there: Visit the ornate Chinese temple and soak up the sense of spirituality and stand at the nearby observation point to enjoy beautiful views out over the water. Explore the two main hillside pedestrian streets of Shuchi Street and Jishan Street, pausing to look in the assortment of shops filled with an array of goods.

Stop for refreshments in a charming tea house and refuel in one of the traditional restaurants.

Although no longer open to visitors, you can see the outside of the historic Taiyang Co. Ruifang mining Operation Office and the now-derelict Jiufen Shingpeng Theatre, which was one of the earliest theatres in Taiwan. Feeling active? Go hiking up Mount Jilong and enjoy the terrific vistas!

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#7 – National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Taipei

• Magnificent building
• Interesting and educational displays
• Traditional guards
• Beautiful grounds

Why it’s awesome: Among the most famous places in Taiwan, the National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall is a well-known city landmark and a popular tourist attraction. Located at one end of the large Liberty Square, the iconic blue and white building is an attractive sight.

Open since 1980, it was constructed to honour the memory of the late president. Inside there is a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai Shek, guarded by solemn-looking soldiers in ceremonial uniforms, as well as educational displays and a library.

What to do there: Climb the 89 steps that lead to the upper level of the memorial hall, noting that the number of steps represents the age at which the former leader died. See the large statue of the late leader and snap some pictures of the smartly dressed guards. Descend back to ground level to learn more about the leader and Taiwan’s history in the museum.

There are many interesting objects and artifacts and comprehensive information is provided in English as well as Chinese languages. It’s one of the best places to visit in Taipei to get more of a sense of the culture and history of Taiwan.

#8 – Fort San Domingo – One of Taipei’s coolest historical sites

• One of Taiwan’s oldest buildings
• Controlled by various powers throughout history
• Informative displays
• Pleasant gardens

Why it’s awesome: Located in Tamsui, the striking red-colored fortress of San Domingo stands on the site of an earlier wooden fort. The original fortress was built by the Spanish, while the present building was constructed in the 1640s by the Dutch. It was later expanded and fortified further by the Qing regime and served as the British consulate from 1868.

It was occupied by the Japanese during the Pacific War, then later passed back to British control. One of the oldest buildings in Taiwan, today it is a National Historic Site and among the most popular tourist attractions in Taipei’s district of Tamsui.

What to do there: Pay the reasonable admission fee and climb the shaded steps to reach the entrance to the historic fortress. See the flag flying proudly above before following the sightseeing route through the fortress’s diverse areas.

In addition to the red fort, the site also has the original gate that was constructed during the Qing era, leafy gardens, and the English-style former residence of the British Consul. You can learn more about Taiwan’s history and see varied displays, period furnishings, and artifacts.

#9 – Houtong – Quite the quirky place to visit in Taipei!

• Former mining town
• Home to many cats
• Unusual features

Why it’s awesome: A short train ride from the heart of Taipei brings you to Houtong, an old coal-mining town built by the Japanese that is now known for its many felines. The hillside town was abandoned when the mines dried up, leaving cats to roam free, multiply, and claim the space as their own.

Today, Houtong is a Taipei must-see for any animal lover, particularly those with a penchant for cats. Volunteers care for the animals and have created many cool and quirky cat-themed attractions. I dunno about you, but this is my personal best place to visit in Taipei!

What to do there: Get up close and personal with the friendly cats that call Houtong home. You can buy food to pamper the kitties, but don’t feed them human treats as it can make them sick.

See the feline-themed artworks that adorn many walls, spot the small houses built to afford shelter to the strays, and enjoy snacks and drinks in one of the quaint cafes. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and you can purchase a range of cat-themed memorabilia.

Cat town: top sight in Taipei!

#10 – Beitou – Great place to visit in Taipei for couples

• Unusual sights
• Diverse museums
• Places of natural interest in Taipei

Why it’s awesome: Although soaking in hot springs may not be the most obvious choice of things to do when experiencing hot and humid conditions, taking a dip is surprisingly relaxing and soothing. Beitou Hot Springs has a number of well-maintained and clean hot springs, with private changing areas and lockers.

Signs clearly state the temperature of each pool. It’s one of the best public hot springs around the city, though you will also find some private hot springs if you want a more exclusive experience. Beitou also boasts stunning geothermal features and several interesting attractions.

What to do there: Melt your problems away! If you’re looking for things to do in Taipei to take your mind off all those measly problems you left back home, this is the place to go!

Marvel at the milky blue steaming waters of Beitou Thermal Valley, also known as Hell Valley (closed on Mondays), set in beautiful natural surroundings. Discover more about the area at Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Ketagalan Culture Center, and Beitou Library. Stroll through the scenic Beitou Hot Spring Park and Plum Garden, visit the small and secluded Puji Temple, and soothe away any aches and pains in the hot springs.

#11 – Ximending – A great place in Taipei if you love to shop!

• Youthful vibe
• Energetic at night time
• Japanese influence

Why it’s awesome: Ximending is one of the best places to visit in Taipei if you’re looking for cool shopping with a trendy and youthful vibe. Lively by day and by night, it has a wealth of recreational and leisure options too. Made popular when there was a heavy Japanese presence in Taiwan , it has gone from strength to strength since the 1980s.

It’s easy to spot the Japanese influences still today, though there is also a strong local feeling too. Brimming with clothes shops and accessory stores, the area also has cool karaoke joints, cinemas, and eateries.

What to do there: Spend hours browsing in a large variety of stores in Ximending, trying not to get swept away in the exuberant crowds. It’s an especially great place to shop in Taipei for alternative styles and items generally associated with various sub-cultures. Try out new fashions and perhaps add some funky pieces to your wardrobe. Stop for a bite to eat in one of the local restaurants and, as night falls, sing your heart out in one of the KTVs.

#12 – Ghost Mask Museum – One of the more unique places to visit in Taipei

• Quirky attraction
• Cultural and spiritual insights
• Hand-made items
• Lesser-visited museum

Why it’s awesome: The Ghost Mask Museum started life as one man’s private collection of hand-made ghostly masks. Nestled down a quiet alley, visitors can peer at some 1,500 unusual masks, with some that are rather grotesque and others that border on the comedic. Seeing the creepy collection of masks is definitely among the most unusual things to do in Taipei!

What to do there: Gaze in curiosity at the large collection of masks created by sculptor Wu Jyh Chyang and appreciate the effort and passion that must have gone into painstakingly creating each item by hand. Some masks are embellished with various items, including animal hair, cigarette butts, and scraps of cloth.

The museum provides insights into local ghost beliefs and some seek to teach valuable life lessons and warn of punishments that await one in the afterlife if people fail to live a righteous life. This may not be the top must-see in Taipei for those with a deep-seated fear of their own mortality… but I think it’s awesome!

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#13 – Taipei Botanical Garden – One of the nicer places in Taipei to sightsee!

• Centre for botanical research
• Pleasant walking trails
• Various gardens
• Wide selection of plants

Why it’s awesome:   Switching gears from Taipei’s more morbid attractions, the Taipei Botanical Garden is home to some 1,500 species of plants… and super pretty! Established as a botanical garden by the Japanese in the early 1920s, there has been a garden at the same place for many decades. The pretty and peaceful garden is split between 17 different areas, with historical buildings, sparkling ponds, and well-maintained footpaths too.

What to do there: Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque botanical garden, admiring a wide range of plants and flowers from different parts of the world. There are species native to the island of Taiwan, as well as those from neighbouring nations and farther afield. Some species are rare and there’s good information provided about the various flora.

#14 – Taipei Fine Arts Museum – A great place to visit in Taipei if you are alone/traveling solo

• Lovely building
• Interesting art works
• Activities for kids
• Learning opportunities

Why it’s awesome: The Fine Arts Museum is a Taipei must-do for anyone interested in art. A great place for solo travellers to immerse themselves in visual creativity, the museum has been capturing people’s interest since 1983. It was Taiwan’s first art museum to focus on contemporary and modern art. Now located at Taipei Expo Park, it’s a cool place to go in Taipei to escape the heat and enjoy a few hours in air-conditioned comfort.

The building has interesting architectural elements and there are many thought-provoking and stimulating art pieces to enjoy. There are regularly changing temporary displays in addition to the permanent exhibits, and the museum often hosts a range of special events.

What to do there: Wander along the tube-like suspended corridors, soaking up the Chinese influences, peer out through the gigantic windows to see nearby landmarks and open spaces, and, of course, feast your eyes on an abundance of fascinating art. Pieces span from the start of the twentieth century to the present day and there are works by both local and international artists.

Aiming to take visitors through the history of art in Taiwan, the museum also houses a number of antiques alongside modern works. If you’re visiting Taipei with children, don’t miss popping into the Children’s Art Education Centre too because kids love museums of fine art!

If you want to visit some more sites in the area, the Taipei Confucius Temple is just a ten-minute walk away and is a really stunning Chinese temple that doesn’t take too long to see.

#15 – Yehliu Geopark – A beautiful outdoor place to visit in Taipei

• Natural attraction
• Splendid views
• Brilliant photo opportunities
• Coastal setting

Why it’s awesome: Yehliu Geopark is a fascinating natural attraction to add to your bucket list when you travel to Taipei. Although fairly remote, it is easy to reach by bus, making it an ideal day trip from Taipei. There are many interesting geological formations, created by the mighty powers of Mother Nature over thousands of years. The unusual landscapes are photogenic and there are amazing views out over the ocean so make sure you bring your camera !

What to do there: Walk along the coast, soaking up the views and marvelling at the unusual rocky landscapes. The cape runs for around 1,700 metres (5,577 feet), and highlights include features named the Kissing Rock, Sea Candles, Ice Cream Rock, Elephant Rock, Fairy Shoe, and Ginger Rocks. Take plenty of pictures of the stunning Queen’s Head. You can also pay a visit to the nearby Yehliu Ocean World where you can observe an interesting selection of aquatic creatures.

#16 – Dahu Park – A cool place to see in Taipei with friends

• Enjoy being outdoors
• Lake and mountain vistas
• Varied activities
• Home to local wildlife

Why it’s awesome: Located in the Neihu District of Taipei, Dahu Park was established in 1979. One of the city’s prettiest parks, it is known for its large and scenic lake. The park sits in the shadow of Mt. Bailushi. There are various leisure options and it’s one of the best Taipei vacation ideas for families and groups of friends looking for somewhere to unwind in nature.

Combining natural and man-made features, there’s plenty to keep you occupied for several hours and it’s also one of the best places to stay in Taipei . If you visit Taipei on the weekend you’ll likely find the park teeming with local families, but if you go on a weekday you can enjoy a quieter ambiance.

What to do there: Cross the pretty Jindai Bridge that spans the large Egret Lake and enjoy the views of the lake and the surrounding nature.

Follow nature trails through the park and spot diverse flora and fauna, relax in the traditional Chinese-style pagoda next to the water’s edge, have a go at fishing, unwind in the heated swimming pool, and enjoy a little TLC in the sauna and steam room. If you’re feeling active, climb Mt. Bailushi for terrific views over the area.

#17 – Taipei City Mall – The Underground Mall in Taipei

• A great place to shop for boutique clothing and souveniers
• Easily connected to Taipei Main Station
• The oldest market in Taipei
• A cool place to pass the time

Why it’s awesome: Taipei City Mall is an underground mall between the Daan and Zhongzheng districts in Taipei City. It was the first underground market to open in Taipei City though it’s had its share of history. In the 90s, the government decided to knock down the original market and build a new one. It opened in the year 2000, eight years later, and provided shops for the 810 market stalls that originally stood there.

Now, the 825-meter long underground mall is composed of modern shops, filled with boutique brands and traditional stalls intertwined. It connects to Taipei Main Station and the metro, which is right underneath the mall. So it’s pretty easy to get to.

What to do there: shop until you drop! It’s a mall, so of course, it’s the place to be to buy clothing and souvenirs. You can find contemporary brands or something a little more traditional, or you can find a cafe or restaurant to relax in and enjoy some good food.

#18 – Yangmingshan National Park – The Most Beautiful National Park in Taipei

• One of the 9 National Parks in Taiwan
• A great place to enjoy nature and being outdoors
• Hiking and wildlife activities available
• A quiet place to escape the busy city center

Why it’s awesome: The Yangmingshan National Park is one of nine national parks in Taiwan and is conveniently located between Taipei and New Taipei City. 

Historically referred to as Caoshan (which means Green Mountain in English) the national park is a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are some nice scenic spots in the park to enjoy a nice picnic or you can just enjoy being out in nature.

You’ll find hiking trails that take you through stunning gardens, over rolling landscapes and past the hot springs. If you are staying in Taipei City for more than a week I would definitely recommend taking the trip up here.

If you don’t have a lot of time and you want to see some nature, consider checking out the Elephant Mountain hike. The Elephant Mountain is located within the city close to the Xiangshan MRT Station.

What to do there: As it’s a national park, the best thing to do here is to unwind in nature and just stroll around the hills and gardens. 

If you’re visiting on a weekend, you can only get to the national park by bus. From Taipei Main Station, take the 260 bus or the Red 30/208 from Jiantan MRT Station. These buses will drop you off at Yangmingshan bus station where it’s just a 700 meter walk to the park entrance.

#19 – National Palace Museum – The Largest Collection of Chinese Artifacts in The World

• Largest collection of Chinese artefacts in the world
• In a gorgeous building that’s worthy of Instagram photos
• Located in the Shilin district, perfect for those who want street food after
• A nice, quiet indoor activity to do when it rains

Why it’s awesome: The National Palace Museum is known for its permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese artwork, relics, and artifacts. This is the largest collection of its type in the world. 

Spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history, mostly from the Ming and Qing dynasty, but also dating as far back as the neolithic age. The collection of high-quality pieces was usually collected by Chinese emperors, and they are now on display for public viewing. 

Many of the artifacts used to be housed in the Forbidden City in Beijing, but during the Civil War in China, many items were moved to Taipei to protect them from getting destroyed in the conflict.

A total of 2,972 crates of artifacts were moved from the Forbidden City, which was only 22% of the original number of crates due to be sent here, but it is said that the pieces that made it to the National Palace Museum represented some of the very best of the collection.

What to do there: Walk around and enjoy the incredible artifacts, from pottery and ceramics, weapons, paintings, clothing, and tools. There’s so much to see here, it could easily take you a whole day. 

The exterior is also one of the most beautiful buildings in Taipei City. You should take your time to admire the outside as well as inside. It’s also located in the Shilin District, so if you go in the afternoon, you can head to the night market for some food after.

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Taipei

What is a free place to visit in Taipei?

The Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve is free to visit and a beautiful area in Taipei.

How many days should I spend in Taipei?

Taipei is a city you can see in a long weekend. 2 or 3 days is enough to see all the main highlights, but you might want to hang around longer if you want to do the hikes too.

What is Taipei famous for?

Taipei is famous for being the capital of Taiwan and the birthplace to bubble tea.

Is Taipei an expensive place to visit?

Yes, Taipei is generally quite expensive. However, it is still cheaper than Japan.

So, Taiwan is awesome and so is the capital; Taipei is filled with beautiful places to see indulging in rich culture and vibrant history.

I’d even say that Taiwan is criminally unexplored when compared to its other East Asian neighbours.

There’s no shortage of secrets in the city if you’re aching to break away from Taipei’s tourist attractions. Even if you stick to visiting Taipei’s popular places, you’re still going to have an awesome time!

Taiwan is a fantastic little island and another gem of East Asia with its own unique history.

When you get there, make sure you soak it up. Go to some places, hit up Taipei’s best destinations, and, most of all, eat yourself into that mother of all food comas at one of the incredible night markets, because there are so many. Whether you go to the Shilin Night Markets, Raohe Night Markets or Ningxia Night Market, don’t be afraid to try some BBQ.

And, most of all, have a blast!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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I want to buy a large paper map of Taipei that has the street names written in pinyin. Do you know where I can buy this kind of map?

I’m curious but I’ve read that the Ghost Mask Museum now has been closed. Do you know anything about this?

We haven’t heard about this. We don’t have anybody on the ground to go and check so if you find anything, please do let us know!

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21 Exciting Things To Do In Taipei: Must-See Attractions Every First-Timer Needs to Experience

Can’t say you’ve visited until you’ve experienced these 21 exciting things to do in Taipei.

I’ve always pegged Taipei as the go-to destination for bubble tea obsessed teenage girls. But hey! Turns out, Taipei has so much more to offer.

From the iconic Taipei 101 and breathtaking views at the Yehliu Geopark to partying hotspots at Ximending, the capital of Taiwan has a little bit of everything. It’s even perfect if you just want to kick back and wind down, with relaxing sites like the Beitou Hot Springs or artsy places like Huashan Creative Park — Taipei really has it all!

This list contains 21 exciting things to do in Taipei whether it’s your first or 10th time to this charming city. 😉

P/S. The best way to get around Taipei for first-timers is with the Taipei Fun Pass , which offers free unlimited public transport and entrance fees to some attractions — but more on that later!

Breathtaking Must-Sees in Taipei

1) enjoy the beautiful skyline at taipei 101.

You can’t travel to Taipei and not visit the most iconic attraction. Standing at 508m high, Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004–2010 (since overtaken by the Burj Khalifa ) and boasts an unbelievably scenic view, especially at night!

It’s not just one of those observation decks though — it’s also a high-end shopping mall, and you can also witness the building’s wind damper that stabilises it during strong winds or earthquakes.

Entrance Fee: NT$600 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours: 11AM – 9PM (Mon – Fri), 10AM – 9PM (Sat – Sun); last admission at 8:30PM How to get there: Take the MRT to Taipei 101 Station. Observation decks are on the 88th and 89th floors, with an outdoor deck on the 91st floor opened on some occasions, weather permitting.

2)  Marvel at the natural wonders of Yehliu Geopark

Photo credit: Maryjoy Caballero  via  Unsplash

The park is known for its unique rock formations that jut out the land’s surface, looking like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie. If I had to imagine what Pluto or Uranus looked like, this would be it!

The most iconic structure at Yehliu Geopark is the Queen’s head that’s supposedly named after its likeness to ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti . Unfortunately the neck of the Queen’s head is showing signs of erosion, and the head may fall off by 2020 or even sooner ☹️. So if you’re planning to go here, go soon!

Entrance Fee: NT$80 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours: 8AM – 5PM How To Get There : Take the MRT to Tamsui Station, and then take shuttle bus 862 to Crown Northern Coastline.

3) Get lost in Jiufen Town

Take a trip back to ancient Taiwan at the Jiufen Old Street . Its cobblestone pathways, historical architecture and pretty lights alone make the trip out well worth the travel.

But most people really come here for the street food — from classic Taiwanese sausages to chewy taro balls!

For a more detailed list of must-eats in Jiufen, check out our Shifen & Jiufen guide !

How to get there:  Take Bus 965 from Banqiao Station and drop off at either Jiufen or Jinguashi.

4) Hike up the Elephant Mountain to catch the sunset

Hands down, this is the best vantage point to catch the sunset (and get a shot of Taipei’s skyline with Taipei 101 actually in it).

The hike up Elephant Mountain is relatively easy (the physical activity is well worth it!) — a 20-minute walk up will get you there. Make sure you reach the peak a little before sunset so you get to see the buildings gradually light up!

How to get there:  Take the MRT to Xiangshan Station and walk out via Exit 2. Then, follow the signs to the start of the trail.

5) Ride a gondola up Maokong Mountain

Another way to experience the city skyline is by taking this 25-minute gondola ride up Maokong Mountain , where a quaint village famous for locally brewed tea is at. It’s the perfect respite from the bustle of the city for some peace and quiet!

Photo credit: Where Food Takes Us

To experience the glass-bottomed carriage, get onto the “Eyes of the Maokong” gondola.

Cost:  NT$120 one way (Two free one way tickets with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  Generally 8:30AM – 9PM, closes 10PM on Saturdays. Check weather conditions on the  official website  before going. How to get there:  Take the MRT to Taipei Zoo Station. Then, follow the signs leading to the gondola (the gondola makes three stops to get to Maokong).

6) Hop on Miramar Park’s ferris wheel for sick views

If you’d like to soak in the city skyline in a more intimate setting (couples, we’re talking to you!), Miramar Park ‘s ferris wheel does the trick! The 95m-high wheel goes around for 17 minutes — enough for a romantic private proposal against the sunset, perhaps?

Entrance Fee: NT$150, NT$200 on weekends (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM, closes 12AM on Fridays and Saturdays. How to get there: Take the MRT to Jianna RD station and leave from exit 3.

Exciting Things to Do in Taipei

7) go on a satisfying food crawl at shilin night market.

Passion Fruit Cheese Oyster

There are way too many night markets to keep track in Taipei (Taipei is, after all, synonymous with street food), but if there is one you have to visit, it’s the Shilin Night Market boasting over 500 street food vendors. So time to put on your big boy/girl pants because you’ll need to make room!

Besides the passion fruit cheese oysters (pictured above), I personally enjoyed the princess cheese potato (mashed potato generously topped with nacho cheese, corn and bacon) and coffin bread as well (grilled buttered toast stuffed with savoury fillings). Just go crazy and try everything!

Opening Hours:  5PM – 12AM How to get there: Take the MRT to Jiantan Station and walk 100m from Exit 1.

Read also: 11 Food to Eat in Shilin Night Market, Taiwan

8) Explore Yangmingshan National Park

Photo credit: Get Your Guide

Another piece of evidence that Taipei is both a city destination and nature getaway at the same time. Yangmingshan is the only park in Taipei, and arguably the most popular one in Taiwan due to its hot springs and sulphur crystals!

Go hiking at Xiaoyoukeng to get to the park’s highest peak, and dip your feet into the hot springs at Lengshuikeng afterwards. You’ll want to make it to Qingtiangang by sunset though, for the best view!

Entrance Fee:  Free Opening Hours:  9AM – 4:30PM, closed on last Monday of every month How to get there: Take bus 260 from Taipei Main Station or the Red 30 or 208 from Jiantan MRT Station and will drop you directly to Yangmingshan National Park bus station. From there follow to signs to the park.

9) Make new furry friends at the Taipei Zoo

People won’t normally think about visiting Taipei Zoo , but as one of Asia’s largest zoos it’s worth a visit if you have extra time to spare with 14 exhibition areas housing pandas, koalas and penguins (and rare species like the Sika Deer and Swinhoe’s Pheasant). It’ll be a hit with couples/families with young kids!

Entrance Fee:  NT$60 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  9AM – 5PM, last entry at 4PM. Animal exhibits close at 4:30PM. How to get there:  Take the MRT to Taipei Zoo and walk out from Exit 1.

10) Party it up at Ximending

One of the best things about visiting a city is that it never sleeps, and therefore neither should you! Ximending is where locals party with bars and clubs that run till the wee hours of the morning.

If you’re not a hardcore clubber like me and prefer chilling with a few beers, I recommend heading to Driftwood, that’s owned by Taihu Brewing . It serves great local Taiwanese beer that went down my throat smoother than water (drinks from NT$200).

Driftwood Opening Hours:  5PM – 11:30PM Address: No. 46 Kunming Street, Wanhua Dist., Taipei

11) Shop till you drop at the Di Hua District

Photo credit: calinite17 via  Flickr

The Di Hua district is a fusion of modernity and tradition. Row after row of rustic brick buildings and narrow lanes, you’ll find many small boutique shops selling clothes, handmade soaps, delicious food, bags, souvenirs, and more! The charming, unassuming streets managed to rob quite a bit of my cash but I was happy with my buys.

The Taipei Fun Pass lets you score some deals around the area, like 10% off your bill from dining at Muhills Restaurant and complimentary cake at Lee Cake . Opening Hours:  10AM – 10:30PM How to get there: Take the MRT to Beimen Station. Then, take Exit 3 and walk down Tacheng Street until you reach Dihua Road about 1km away.

12) Get your fortune told by birds at Longshan Temple

Photo credit: Taiwan Tourism Bureau

Longshan Temple holds a special spot in the hearts of the Taiwanese. It’s almost 300 years old and managed to survive the infamous destructive raid during World War II where 3,800 bombs were dropped onto the city.

The architecture of the building is marvellous, and the entire place is filled with so much culture and history. I spent a few hours wandering around the temple getting lost in the serenity of it all. And If you’re in the mood for a whacky adventure, there’s a booth at the Longshan Temple Underground Bazaar that offers fortune telling services by birds (From NT$1,000).

Longshan Temple Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hours: 6AM – 10PM How to get there: Take the blue line of the metro to Longshan Temple Station.

Relaxing Things to Do in Taipei

13) visit taipei’s own niagara falls — shifen waterfall.

At first glance, Taipei appears to be a concrete jungle with its skyscrapers and many shopping malls, but look deeper and you’ll find a ton of hidden gems. One of them is the 40m-tall Shifen Waterfall that’s been dubbed the Little Niagara of Taiwan!

How to get there: From Taipei Main Station, take a northbound train ( except  Keelung-bound trains) and alight at Ruifang Station. Then, transfer to the Pingxi Line and alight at Shifen Station. From the station it is a 20 minute walk, there are English signs along the way for you to follow!

14) Take a dip in Taipei’s Beitou Hot Springs

Just a stone’s throw away from Taipei city centre, the Beitou district has an entire day’s worth of attractions to offer. The two main highlights are the Millenium Hot Springs and Thermal Valley !

The former is a public bath (four of them, to be exact) while the latter, also known as Hell Valley, is basically a turquoise-coloured pool in a crater that stays boiling hot. Beyond just being absolutely beautiful to look at and walk through, the water has the radioactive element radium, that’s said to boast healing properties.

*Pro-tip: Towels are not provided so bring your own!

Entrance Fee:  NT$40 (Millennium Hot Springs), Free (Thermal Valley) Opening Hours:  5:30AM – 7:30AM, 8AM – 10AM, 10:30AM – 1PM, 1:30PM – 4PM, 4:30PM – 7PM, 7:30PM – 10PM How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Beitou Station and transfer to the Xinbeitou Line, and alight at Xinbeitou Station. Upon exiting station, Xinbeitou Station. walk straight on either side of the park to find the hot springs.

15) Explore the secluded Heping Island-Park

The Heping Island Park looks out over the undulating rocks and sandy slopes that eventually stretch out into the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place to stroll along the shore, or even settle down for a nice picnic and relaxing swim!

Entrance Fee:  NT$80 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  8AM – 6PM (May – Oct), 8AM – 5PM (Nov – Apr) How to get there: Take the MRT to Tamsui Station on the red line. Then, take the Coastal Keelung Shuttle Bus (T99) to Peace Island-Park.

Explore the Artistic Side of Taipei

16)  soak in the culture of taiwan at the national palace museum.

The National Palace Museum is home to 690,000 pieces of ancient Chinese art spanning across 8,000 years worth of history, and arguably hosts the world’s largest and finest collection of Chinese art!

Look out for the famous Jadeite Cabbage , a piece of jade carved into the shape of a Chinese cabbage and the Mao Gong Ding , a cauldron with the longest inscription on any ancient Chinese bronze.

Entrance Fee:  NT$350 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  8:30AM – 6:30PM (Sun – Thu), closes 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays. How to get there: Take the MRT to Shilin Station, then walk out from Exit 1 to take Bus 30.

17)  Feel like a giant at the Miniature Museum of Taiwan

The Miniature Museum , also known as the museum of dreams, is the first museum in Asia to collect miniatures. Famous places like the Buckingham Palace and Rose Mansion are exquisitely replicated here, and even the smallest functioning television in the world!

Entrance Fee:  NT$200 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  10AM – 6PM, closed on Mondays How to get there: Take the MRT to Songjiang Nanjing Station, and take Exit 4.

18) Take quirky photos at Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Rows upon rows of dystopian-looking buildings have been repurposed to become an artsy space at the Huashan 1914 Creative Park , and is now filled with cute cafes, boutique shops, local bookstores, galleries and even art exhibitions.

The quaint district felt almost magical, a drastic change from the fast-paced city life of Taipei, with few people strolling the streets and quirky exhibits scattered all over. When we visited, there was even a Lay’s exhibition (pictured above)!

Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hours:  9:30AM – 9PM, closes 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. How to get there: Take the MRT to Zhong Xiao Xing Sheng Station. Take Exit 1, then walk straight. When you see an underpass and a giant red diamond, cross the street.

19) Visit world renowned artist Juming’s work at the Juming Museum

Juming is a world renowned local artist in Taiwan whose main medium of expression is through sculpting. A lot of his work is a reflection of what he had seen growing up, either inspired by his interaction with the war or just the culture around him. As you walk into the exhibition space, you’ll see an interesting row of sculpted soldiers from the Civil War marching towards the entrance.

I really enjoyed this museum because the art was very accessible, and that I at least learnt something about Taiwan as I left.

Entrance Fee:  NT$350 (Free with Taipei Fun Pass ) Opening Hours:  10AM – 6PM (May – Oct), 10AM – 5PM (Nov – Apr) How to get there: Take the MRT to Tamsui Station, and then take shuttle bus 862 to Crown Northern Coastline.

20) Take Instagram-worthy photos at Graffiti Lane

Photo credit: Taipei Expat

Also known as America Street, Graffiti Lane is an open-air art gallery of legal street art. The Taipei Youth Art Centre manages the artworks in this lane by reviewing proposals from both local artists and the property owners themselves. Come prepared with some swanky outfits for that perfect Instagram shot!

Entrance Fee:  Free Address: No. 19, Kangding Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 (This address will take you to the Taipei Cinema Park . Graffiti Lane is in the alley behind).

21) Catch a performance at Ximending’s Red House

The Red House is considered Taiwan’s most iconic location in the cultural and creative industry. Constructed in 1908 by Japanese architect Kondo Juro, it was the first public market in Taiwan that’s now home to creative art shops, cute cafes and a fully equipped performance space.

Come during the weekend to experience the outdoor bazaar set up in front of the building, where up-and-coming artists sell their work/products!

Opening Hours:  11AM – 9:30PM, closed on Mondays Address : No. 10, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Save time and money with this Taipei essential — the Taipei Fun Pass

We made use of the Taipei Fun Pass for this trip, which comes really handy especially if it’s your first time to Taipei and want to visit all of the city’s best attractions.

There are three different passes to get, but I got the 3-Day Unlimited Card that’s probably the best of the lot. For NT$1,900, I could visit up to 16 attractions for free, on top of unlimited rides on public trains and buses. I easily covered the cost of the card by just visiting eight attractions (incl. transport there), without even needing to rush around.

Another perk of the Taipei Fun Pass is scoring discounts at shops and restaurants around Taipei (there are over 200 of them), like Fleish Cafe , No.01 Food Theatre Restaurant , Red 99 Spicy Mala Hot Pot .

On top of cost savings (and not having to worry about topping up my card for public transport at all), you also save time with the pass by jumping the queues at attractions and entering them directly!

The best introduction to Taiwan — Taipei

Taipei is an extremely multi-faceted city, and a gift that keeps on giving. Just when you think you’re done exploring the city, you discover a whole other side to it! Beyond just its city-life allure with late night partying and beautiful city skylines, Taipei doubles up as a nature getaway, a relaxing vacation spot and an arts hub. I’ve never been to a country where I genuinely believed that it had something to offer for everyone.

Read also: 4D3N Taipei Itinerary — Insider guide to exploring Taipei and its outskirts like a local

We hope this exciting list of things to do will help you plan your Taipei adventure! Let us know in the comments if we missed out on anything.

This post was brought to you by Taipei Fun Pass .

Like what you see? Follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram , and  YouTube  for more travel updates!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Feb 25, 2019 at 4:56am PST

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Taipei is such an exciting place to see in Taiwan! Great list on what to do in Taipei for the first-timers! Very detailed and interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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TAIWAN: The Ultimate Taipei Travel Guide 2024 + Itinerary, Things to do and more

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

Table of Contents

Planning a trip to Taiwan soon? Dive into our Taipei Taiwan Travel Guide Blog for a useful Sample DIY Taipei Itinerary, a handpicked selection of top tourist attractions, thrilling activities to experience, and must-know travel tips to enhance your journey.

I f you haven’t been to Taipei, Taiwan, you’re missing out on a lot in life. Taiwan is one of the Asian countries with the most beautiful cultures. It combines the liveliness of Chinese culture and the elegance of Japanese culture. Taiwan was conquered by the Japanese from 1895 to 1945, and its Chinese roots continually shaped its culture. Taiwan, therefore, has this combination of both Chinese and Japanese influence, and the beauty of the mixture, along with a bit of a mix of Taiwan’s own culture, produced a beautiful, whole new culture in itself—this is why I think Taiwan has the most exquisite culture in Asia.

Its capital city, Taipei, especially showcases Taiwan’s culture. Taipei, a famous tourist destination in Taiwan, is noted for its colorful, bustling streets, night markets, and towering Taipei 101 skyscraper. Taipei has so much of Taiwan’s culture condensed in its area that it is virtually impossible to run out of new things to see and do here. So, if you haven’t been to Taipei yet, it’s time to start planning to—and here’s the Ultimate Taipei Travel Guide to help you out.

Starting in November 2017, Filipino Passport holders no longer need to secure a visa to visit Taiwan. Philippine passport holders can travel to the Republic of China (Taiwan) completely visa-free for 14 days.

Visa-Free Requirements for Filipino Travelers

A visa-free traveler only needs to prepare the four documents listed below:

• An ordinary/regular passport with a remaining validity of at least six months from the date of entry (Diplomatic & Official passport holders are not eligible for visa-free treatment);
• A return ticket or a ticket for the traveler’s next destination and a visa for that destination if it is required;
• Proof of accommodation (hotel) booking or host/sponsor’s contact information, tour arrangements, travel, visit, events and meeting, etc.
• A completed “Arrival Card” may be obtained from the airline or cruise ship company.

Then, the completed arrival card with a passport is presented to the immigration officials at an airport or seaport upon their arrival in Taiwan. (complete FAQ)

• New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) is the currency of Taiwan
• Php100 is approximately NT$56.46
• To avoid currency loss, don’t change your money at the airport
• I prefer ATM withdrawal in Taipei; just notify your bank that you are traveling to avoid the hassle.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Taipei has a semi-tropical climate characterized by hot and humid weather. The most comfortable season to visit is the fall, when the rainfall is at its lowest, and the temperatures average a pleasant 20°C. February to April are particularly damp with little sunlight, while the summers can be scorching but often punctuated by heavy thundershowers.

Taipei is prone to typhoons from May to October, though the highest concentrations are in August and September. Winters can be pretty chilly, with temperatures occasionally falling below 10°C at night, though snowfall has never been known to occur.

Summer (June – August)

Summers in Taipei are hot and humid. These months are usually the off-peak period for tourists, and it is best for budget travelers since there’s a huge inventory of rooms, which may lead to more hotel price markdowns.

Fall (September – November)

This is the time of the year when the weather is more enjoyable. It’s not too hot or cold, making it a significant period to visit Taipei from a weather perspective. October is also the official end of the tropical cyclone (typhoon) season; you can expect less rain and more sunny days.

Winter (December – February)

This is the driest month of the year, and it’s perfect if you want to do walking tours or outdoor trips. This is also one of the busiest since the winter season is the Christmas season. Avoid Taipei’s Chinese New Year celebration if you hate too many crowds, expensive flights, and hotels. It is usually celebrated at the end of January or early February.

Spring (March-May)

The temperature is somehow similar to the fall, which is around 20 degrees Celsius, but there are times when there will be precipitation.

As for when to stay, Taipei, Taiwan, generally has a fair climate all year round. However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes walking around and planning to visit Taipei’s night markets, be sure to avoid the months of July through September. July is usually the hottest month, with an average temperature of at least 30°C (85°F), while August to September is generally rainy. Although there are several activities you can engage in regardless of the weather, nothing beats exploring Taipei with nice, chill weather without the hassle of carrying a raincoat or an umbrella along with your shopping bags.

How to get there

Several international airlines offer daily flights to Taipei. Airlines like AirAsia offer flights from Manila and Cebu to Taipei.

From Manila

AirAsia’s Clark – Taipei route operates with the following schedule.

How to get from Taipei Airport to Taipei City Centre

You can ride a taxi or a bus from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei. Both modes of transportation are available in both terminals. You can rest assured that the taxis at the airport are safe because they are accredited by the Aviation Police Bureau, but expect that there will be a fare surcharge.

On the other hand, bus fares are generally cheaper, and tickets are sold at bus counters. Buses can take you to Taipei Main Station, where you can book a much cheaper and shorter taxi ride to the hotel you booked.

The Taoyuan International Airport Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a faster mode of transportation that directly connects the airport and Taipei City. The 51.03 km (31.71 mi) line began commercial service on March 2, 2017.

Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Taipei

• Travel in Comfort! Enjoy a direct private transfer from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Taipei City.

Book your affordable Taipei Airport Transfer via KLOOK

Where to stay in Taipei

Taipei has a lot of good hotels around. YoMi Hotel ( check rates ), Via Hotel Loft ( check rates ), Ximen Hedo Hotel Kaifeng ( check rates ), and Taipei Morning Hotel ( check rates ) are some of the most affordable decent hotels and have been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence as well.

Taipei Districts

• Ximending –  Ximending is a neighborhood and shopping district in the Wanhua District of Taipei, Taiwan. It was the first pedestrian zone in Taiwan.
• Zhongshan –  The district features many recreational areas, including Rongxing Garden Park, Xinsheng Park, Yingfeng Riverside Park, Meiti Riverside Park, Zhongshan Fine Arts Park, Dajia Riverside Park, and Taipei Municipal Children’s Recreation Area.
• Da’an District –  Da’an has numerous shopping areas. On Zhongxiao East Road, Dunhua South Road, and neighboring alleys, there are clothing shops, restaurants serving world cuisines, and major department stores, including three branches of the Pacific Sogo Department Store, Breeze Center, the Ming Yao Department Store, and the immense 24-hour Eslite Bookstore.

Also Read:  Ultimate List of the Best Hotels in Taipei, Taiwan

Getting around Taipei

The lifeline of transportation in Taipei is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. The MRT, often called Metro Taipei, connects several major stations in Taipei. Metro Taipei displays and announces information in English aside from other languages, making it accessible for non-Chinese speakers.

The most expensive trips only cost NT$ 65, or about US$ 2. Buses are also a famous mode of transportation. Taipei buses also have English displays, which are suitable for non-Chinese speakers. Bus fares are paid per section the bus passes through, and each section is just NT$ 15, or less than US$ 1. Buses have digital displays that indicate when you should pay and when you can go down.

Taipei Transportation 

Use EasyCard while traveling in Taiwan! You can use it for the Taipei Metro, Ubike, Bus Services, Train, and even your purchases at various convenience stores! You can get EasyCard at any MRT Station and reload at MRT stations and convenience stores.

Get a Ubike! It’s a bike-sharing system in Taipei. All you need to do is register your EasyCard at one of the kiosks at each Ubike station or online using your local mobile number. You can use your credit card to rent a bike at any Ubike kiosks if you don’t have a local mobile number.

4-Hour Taipei Private Charter Service – From Taipei

Enjoy an introduction to Taiwan’s bustling capital, and pick and choose which sights you want to explore in Taipei with your own private transportation and driver for four hours.

[Book your Private Car Here]

Fun activities and places to see in taipei, visit jiufen old street in new taipei city.

New Taipei used to be called Taipei County and was a part of Taipei. Now, New Taipei is a separate city that surrounds Taipei. Quite confusing, right? Jiufen Old Street is a must-visit tourist destination near New Taipei, regardless of its origin. Once a gold mining village established by the Japanese, Jiufen Old Street is a quaint but colorful small village with plenty of food stalls and shops. Think of it as an old-school shopping district.

Join-in Tour From Taipei: Yehliu, Pingxi, Jiufen

Save money by booking affordable tours.

• Discover some of Northern Taiwan’s most beautiful scenery, just a short 1-hour ride from Taipei.
• Set off your Chinese lantern in the charming village of Pingxi and eat Taiwanese street snacks at Jiufen Old Street.
• See the Queen’s Head and some of Taiwan’s more unusual natural geological landscapes at Yehliu Geopark.
• Discover the delights of Jiufen, Yehliu, and Pingxi with your expert local travel guide and driver.

Book your Tour Here

Shop some more in Ximending

Ximending is often referred to as the Harajuku of Taipei. It’s the first pedestrian zone in Taipei—meaning no motor vehicles pass by. You’re free to walk around and shop ’til you drop or walk around ’til your feet hurt. There are countless shops in this neon-lit shopping district, ranging from individual food vendors to larger buildings. Think of it as an urban shopping district.

How to get there:   Take the THSR to Taipei Station, continue by MRT to  Ximen Station, or take the train to Taipei Railway Station and continue by MRT to Ximen  Station.

Go shrimp fishing. That’s right, you read right.

If Japan has goldfish scooping, Taipei has shrimp fishing. Shrimp fishing is paid per hour, and you’ll be provided with poles, bait (usually chicken liver), and a tray to place your fresh catch! What’s better is you can grill your catch on the spot too. Shrimp fishing indoor pools are located in clusters near Shilin Night Market, where you can…

Hualien Night Tour to River Shrimping with BBQ Dinner 

Nowadays, barbecue is not a cuisine but a culture. It has even become an eating lifestyle in many countries. For decades, barbecue as an entertainment event has traditionally bonded families and friends. Children rarely experience fun catching shrimp in the wild brook!

Buy a souvenir or two from the Shilin Night Market.

The Shilin Night Market is a famous shopping center in town. It opens at 4 pm and closes as late as 2 in the morning. There were 539 food stalls as of 2002. These stalls sell food and non-food items, and if you want to buy authentic street food (aside from souvenirs), this is the place for you.

Pray in Lungshan Temple of Manka.

The Buddhist temple of Lungshan Temple of Manka is a famous worship spot. It is home to Chinese deities Mazu and Guan Yu and was constructed in 1738. During the subsequent years, the temple was damaged during the Japanese rule in Taiwan and American air raids in 1945. Although the parts of the temple were reconstructed after the Second World War, it still stands as one of the most iconic temples that showcase classical Taiwanese culture.

How to get to Lungshan Temple

By MRT: Take the Blue Line 5 to Longshan Temple; the temple is located just north of the station plaza, Exit 1.

By Train: Longshan is located one block north of Wanhua station, accessible by Local service.

Location:  No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853 Telephone:  +886 2 2302 5162 Hours:  6am-10pm Daily

Shrink in front of the massive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

It’s impossible to miss Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. It’s a gigantic white monument built in memory of the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. It’s surrounded by an equally huge park. Moreover, the building is full of meanings. For instance, the octagonal blue roof symbolizes the number 8, commonly associated with good fortune. On the other hand, the 89 steps leading to the entrance represent the age of the former President’s age of death.

• Address:   No. 21, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
• No Entrance Fee
• Hours: 9 am to 6 pm daily

Visit the National Palace Museum

Located in Shilin, Taipei, Taiwan, The National Palace Museum has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. Through Chiang Kai-shek’s initiative, he moved some collections from China to Taiwan in the late 1940s to escape the Communists. This Museum has a vast array of beautiful artifacts and is worth visiting.

How to get to the National Palace Museum

• Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to the Shilin Station and bus R30 (Red 30 – Low-floor bus) to the National Palace Museum. Other routes that will take you to and near the Museum Plaza are buses 255, 304, 815 (Sanchung – NPM Line), M1, Minibus 18, and Minibus 19.
• Take the MRT Wenhu Line to the Dazhi Station and take bus B13 (Brown 13) to the National Palace Museum before the Front Facade Plaza of the Museum.
• Alternatively, visitors may take the Wenhu Line and get off at Jiannan Rd. Station, take bus B20 (Brown 20) to NPM’s front entrance (Main Building).
• From MRT Red Line 2 Shilin station, walk outside the station and board Bus R30, fare NT$15, payable by cash or Easycard.
• Busses generally leave every 30 minutes on weekdays until 7 pm and 15 minutes on weekends until 6:55 pm.

Location:  No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 Telephone:  +886 2 2881 2021

National Palace Museum E-Ticket

• Enter the National Palace Museum and view one of the largest Chinese art collections.
• Marvel at architecture from the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum
• Discover Taipei’s treasures and learn about Chinese dynasties

Book your National Palace Museum e-Ticket Here

Travel to another world in Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park has things you won’t see anywhere else in Taipei. Upside-down houses? Check. Giant soup bowl? Check. House covered in green plants? Check. Sophisticated cafes? Check! However, a funny thing about Huashan 1914 Creative Park is that it was built in 1916, not 1914. It started out as a winery that was made during Japanese rule. After being shut down decades later, local artists petitioned to reopen the abandoned winery. Not long after, Huashan 1914 Creative Park came to light and served, and still serves, as the playground of local artists and their creative minds.

Gaze at the breathtaking views in Taipei 101.

Taipei 101 is one of the World’s tallest skyscrapers next to the Burj Khalifa. Taipei 101 is also the tallest green building in the World. The 101-story building offers the best view deck in Taiwan on its 89th floor. It’s equipped with the World’s fastest elevator that can take you from the 5th floor to the 89th in less than a minute. The scenic view of Taipei is beautiful at all times. Still, I recommend coming to Taipei 101 from sunset to nighttime—the view of the horizon burning in red and orange before and the city lights slowly switching on is just rewarding.

Taipei 101 Observatory Priority Pass Ticket

Climb to the highest viewing platform of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s most iconic building. Ride one of the World’s fastest elevators to the 89th floor and check out the spectacular city view.

Book your Taipei 101 Quick Entry Ticket Here

Taipei 101 Observatory Skyhigh Camping Experience

Visit the elephant mountain.

Also known as the Nangang District Hiking Trail, it is best visited in the afternoon until sundown. This area provides a beautiful panoramic view of the forest and tall buildings.

The trail is close to the Taipei Metro Xiangshan Station. It is 183 m high and has a hiking trail that is about 1.5 km long.

Admission:  Free

What to eat

Egg pudding…in an egg..

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nataly Phuong (@natalyphuong)

The How Sweet bakery is famous for its egg pudding…served in actual eggs! The tip of the egg is cut, and the pudding is stored inside. No worries: the eggshell is sanitized and is enhanced, so it doesn’t break. How Sweet’s famous egg puddings can be bought from Taipei Main Station.

Bite a crispy fried cuttlefish

If you aren’t satisfied yet with Shilin Night Market’s food stalls, then you’ll be stoked to know that there’s another food-filled night market just south of Shilin and near SongSan Train Station… the Raohe Night Market. Here, you can spot Taipei’s version of food trucks and where you can indulge in freshly fried, crispy cuttlefish. Yum!

Indulge in a bowl of beef noodle soup

Your trip to Taipei won’t be complete if you haven’t tried its beef noodle soup at Din Tai Fung or in any noodle shop. The dish usually consists of tender beef, crispy greens, noodles, spice, and broth that deserves to be rewarded with a huge golden trophy. Most restaurants in Taipei serve their own versions of beef noodle soup, but you should try Regent Taipei’s twist.

You can also try cold noodles. Taipei doesn’t just have hot beef noodles; it also has cold ones, which you should definitely try. Taiwanese cold noodles are usually served with sesame seeds and sometimes with peanut sauce. Each stall has its own version as well.

Scallion Pancake in Yongkang St.

Din Tai Fung is not the only reason people visit Yongkang St. This street is a haven for food lovers. From Noodle houses, Bakeries, Fresh Fruit shops, and some shopping areas, there are a lot of things to do and see in this famous foodie district. Tian Jin Flaky Scallion Pancake is a must-try when you visit Yongkang St. This restaurant is hard to miss since you will immediately notice the long queue of customers waiting for their turn. With its semi-crispy pastry, you can choose an egg, cheese, bacon, Taiwanese basil, and other options to add more flavor to your Scallion pancake!

[ Click here to search for luxury hotels in Taipei, Taiwan]

Pork Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung

If you want to taste one of the best Pork, Xiao Long Bao, in Taiwan, visit Din Tai Fung in Yongkang St. Steamed pork dumplings or xiao long bao containing minced pork wrapped in freshly made dough, pleated and twisted at the top and steamed.

Spring Onion Pie

Probably one of the most common street foods you will find in almost all the night markets in Taipei. This Onion Pie is a little crispy on the outside, but it has sweet and soft dough filled with minced spring onions.

Stinky Tofu

Like how people hated Durian, this stinky tofu is also delicious, but not everyone can appreciate its pungent odor. This fermented tofu is also one of the most famous street foods you can find in most night markets in Taiwan.

Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta

This yummy mango-flavored dessert has creamy shaved ice, real diced mangoes on the side, and a pannacotta on top. It’s really worth it, but make sure to be with someone; I had to finish it alone:)

Taipei Night Market Walking Tour

• Sample 12 classic Taiwanese snacks
• Experience a bustling Taipei night market and learn about Taiwan’s rich food culture from an expert foodie guide.

Book your Night Market Tour Here

Free WiFi in Taipei

Taipei is one of those Cities where FREE WiFi is widely available in most public places, and some of the city buses are called TPE-Free. To activate, you must register online or visit the visitor information centers and present your passport for assistance. Once registered, you can also use your account for the nationwide free WiFi called iTaiwan.

If you don’t want to rely on free WiFi access, you can buy a local sim card that offers 4-7 days of unlimited 3g or LTE data. You only need to present your passport and another valid ID at the nearest Mobile Carrier shops to buy a local data sim card.

Taiwan Unlimited 4G Portable WiFi Rental

Get your 4G Portable WiFi Rental to access unlimited high-speed internet while traveling in Taiwan.

Book your Taiwan 4G Pocket WiFi Here

Trivia about Taipei, Taiwan

• The popular Asian beverage “Bubble Tea” or “Boba,” made with milk and tapioca pearl, originated in Taiwan in the ’90s.
• You can find the World’s first animated pedestrian light, also known as the little green man, to the locals in Xinyi District.
• Taipei 101, at a height of 509.2 meters (1,671 ft), was the tallest building in the World until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2008. It still claims the official records for the World’s tallest sundial and the World’s largest New Year’s Eve countdown clock.
• The National Palace Museum, located in Shilin, Taipei, had over 5.3 million visitors in 2015 and ranks sixth among the most-visited museums in the World.
• Tsai Lng-wen became Taiwan’s first female President when she won the election in January 2016.
• With over 82,000 participants, Taiwan Pride is the biggest LGBT event in Asia, and protests in support of same-sex marriage are significant and peacefully observed by police. This has led many to refer to Taiwan as one of the most liberal countries in Asia.

Taipei, Taiwan Travel and Tou r Packages

Day Tour from Taipei: Northern Taiwan Private Charter (Book Online) – For 10 hours, Visit northern Taiwan’s most iconic sites like the Queen’s Head Rock in Yehliu, the Japanese colonial town of Jiufen, and eat fresh seafood at Guei Hou Fishing Harbor.

Taiwan Northeast Coast Day Tour (Book Online) – Escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Taipei and embark on a fascinating journey to explore Taiwan’s Northeastern coastline and its stunning beaches.

8-hour Chartered Day Tour to Taipei-Hualien (Book Online) – Tour Duration: 8 Hours –  Train tickets from Taipei to Hualien are hard to get. If there is a group of you, why not charter a car from Taipei to Hualien? Or charter from Hualien to Taipei? You will be able to see sights along the way that you will not see by train. The Suhua Highway is the most beautiful in Taiwan. You can get out of the car and take pictures or see sights, making the long journey more fun!

• Tours in Taipei: Exploring the Northeast Coast of Taiwan
• Eight Things I Love About Taiwan
• 10 Amazing Reasons Why You Should Visit Taipei Now

We will continuously update this Taipei Travel Guide Blog with new travel tips, updated itineraries, budget tips, hotel recommendations, and top places to eat to help our dear readers plan their trip to Taipei. For comments, corrections, and suggestions, feel free to comment below:

Originally Published: January 14, 2017

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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Explore Taipei & Tainan in 3 Days: A Cultural and Culinary Journey

April 19, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a 3-day adventure through the vibrant cities of Taipei and Tainan with Trip.com. Your journey begins at the Taipei Palace Museum, where you'll spend 3 hours immersed in a vast collection of Chinese imperial art. Next, reflect on history at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before ascending to the heights of TAIPEI 101 for breathtaking city views. As dusk falls, indulge in the bustling Raohe Night Market. Day two starts with the wonders of Taipei Zoo, followed by panoramic vistas from the Maokong Gondola. The evening is reserved for the lively Shilin Night Market. On your final day, travel to Tainan to discover the Chimei Museum's military exhibits. Continue your cultural exploration at the ancient Confucius Temple and the historic Fort Provintia. Your trip culminates with a sensory feast at the Garden Night Market, where the flavors and sounds of Tainan come alive. This itinerary promises a blend of cultural landmarks, modern marvels, and the irresistible allure of night markets, ensuring an unforgettable Taiwanese escapade.

• Day 1: Cultural Wonders and Modern Marvels of Taipei

Taipei Palace Museum

Kickstarting our Taipei adventure, the Taipei Palace Museum is the perfect first stop. Nestled in the heart of Shilin District, this museum is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks. With a collection so vast, it spans millennia, you'll want to dedicate a good three hours to explore its halls. The museum's architecture is a spectacle in itself, reflecting the grandeur of the historical pieces it houses.

Attraction Info

• No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
• Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
• Open on Tue-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon，Library: Open every Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-17:00, closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Zhang Daqian Memorial Hall: Opens at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, closed on April 2 each year and holidays. Zhishan Garden: 08:00-17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, closed every Monday. Zhide Garden: Free and open all year round.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Next on our cultural journey is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. This imposing structure stands as a tribute to the former President of the Republic of China. Set amidst expansive gardens and flanked by the National Theater and Concert Hall, the memorial is a poignant reminder of Taiwan's past. Spend an hour here to soak in the historical significance and marvel at the traditional Chinese blue-and-white architecture.

• No. 21, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
• Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
• Open from 9:00am-6:00pm

As the afternoon wanes, we'll ascend to new heights at TAIPEI 101. Once the tallest building in the world, its 101 floors are a testament to Taiwan's modern achievements. The observation deck offers breathtaking views of the city, and the building's design, inspired by a bamboo stalk, symbolizes resilience and growth. Allocate two hours to enjoy the panoramic vistas and perhaps some shopping in its high-end mall.

• No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
• Suggested tour duration: 2-4 hour
• Open from 10:00am-9:00pm，Above is the operating hours for the observation deck 89F. The shopping center is open from Sunday to Thursday,11:00-21:30, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00-22:00.

Raohe Night Market

To cap off an exhilarating day, Raohe Night Market awaits as our final destination. This bustling marketplace is the epitome of Taipei's vibrant street food scene. With an array of local delicacies and trinkets, it's a sensory feast that's best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Spend an hour wandering through the stalls, sampling Taiwanese snacks, and experiencing the local nightlife.

• Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
• Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
• Open from 5:00pm-11:00pm

Where to Stay Tonight

Capital hotel songshan, waterfront hotel.

• Day 2: From Wild Encounters to Night Market Wonders

Begin your second day in Taipei with a visit to the enchanting Taipei Zoo, nestled at No. 30, Sec.2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist. Spend a delightful two hours exploring the vast grounds of this conservation haven, home to a myriad of animals from around the globe. As the largest zoo in Asia, Taipei Zoo offers an immersive experience into the animal kingdom, with well-designed habitats and educational exhibits that promise to captivate visitors of all ages.

• No. 30, Sec.2, Xinguang Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116016
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Open from 9:00am-5:00pm

Maokong Gondola

After communing with nature's creatures, ascend to new heights on the Maokong Gondola. Just a stone's throw from the zoo, this aerial ride provides a seamless transition from land to sky, offering breathtaking views of Taipei's lush landscapes. During the one-hour journey, you'll glide over tea plantations and rolling hills, arriving at the serene Maokong village, where you can indulge in the local tea culture and soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

• No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Road, Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open on Tue-Fri,9:00am-9:00pm;Closed on Mon;Open on Sat-Sun,9:00am-10:00pm

Shilin Night Market

Cap off the day with the vibrant energy of Shilin Night Market, a characteristic neighborhood that comes alive as the sun sets. Located at No. 101 Jihe Road, Shilin District, immerse yourself for two hours in the bustling lanes teeming with an array of street food, fashion, and entertainment. It's the perfect spot to sample local delicacies, hunt for souvenirs, and experience the pulsating heart of Taipei's night life.

• No. 101 Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City
• Open from 4:00pm-0:00am

Shihlin Dream House homestay

• Day 3: Tainan's Treasures - History and Night Market Delights

Chimei Museum

Kicking off the final day of our Taipei Tainan adventure, we begin with a visit to the Chimei Museum. Nestled in Tainan's Rende District, this military museum is a trove of art and history. With an hour to explore, you'll be captivated by the museum's diverse collections, which range from Western art and musical instruments to natural history and weaponry. The grandiose European-style architecture itself is a sight to behold, making the Chimei Museum a cultural gem worth the visit.

• No. 66, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Rende District, Tainan City
• Open on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun,9:30am-5:30pm;Closed on Wed

Confucius Temple

Next on our itinerary is the serene Confucius Temple, a sanctuary of wisdom in the heart of Tainan. With one hour to immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere, you'll discover why this temple is revered as the 'First Academy of Taiwan.' The temple grounds are a harmonious blend of traditional architecture and scholarly legacy, offering a peaceful retreat and a glimpse into the teachings of the great philosopher Confucius.

• No. 2, Nanmen Road, West Central District, Tainan City
• Open from 8:30am-5:30pm

Fort Provintia

Continuing our journey through time, we'll step into the past at Fort Provintia. As a historic site with a storied past, Fort Provintia offers a captivating hour-long exploration of Tainan's colonial history. The well-preserved fortifications and Chihkan Tower stand as silent witnesses to the city's Dutch era, inviting visitors to ponder the tales of yesteryear amidst the ancient bricks and lush greenery.

• 13th Floor, No. 6, Section 2, Yonghua Road, Anping District, Tainan City
• Open from 8:30am-9:30pm

Garden Night Market

As dusk falls, we'll wrap up our Tainan experience at the bustling Garden Night Market. This characteristic neighborhood comes alive at night, offering a sensory feast for both the eyes and the palate. Spend two hours wandering through the vibrant stalls, sampling local delicacies, and picking up unique souvenirs. The Garden Night Market is the perfect place to soak in the lively atmosphere and collect lasting memories of your Tainan trip.

• No. 533, Section 3, Hai'an Road, North District, Tainan City
• Open on Thu, Sat-Sun,5:00pm-0:00am;Closed on Mon-Wed, Fri

Jia Hsin Garden House

Jack castle.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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