viator tours taipei

One Day in Taipei: 8 Things to Do

If you’ve ever flown overseas, you may recall how incredibly boring and uncomfortable the trip can be. Hours on end sitting in one position is a nightmare, and it’s even worse when you must change planes on the way.

You can avoid that if you book a long layover. Get out of the airport, stretch your legs, and see a new place for a few hours.

When we flew through Taiwan, we scheduled close to an entire day in Taipei for our layover. That gave us time for a Taipei city tour and to sleep in a real bed. It was so worth it!

Where to stay near Taipei airport

Which brings us to the most essential part of a layover: getting some sleep. There are bazillions of places to stay in Taipei to choose from.

Here’s the thing: When catching some ZZs between flights, you need to book a room in or near the airport. Consider it added insurance against missing a flight because you’ve slept too long. At the very least, you won’t have to fight city traffic if you’re running late!

We chose to stay at Novotel Taipei for our layover because it’s next to Taoyuan International Airport. Super convenient location for a transit traveler, plus, they have a free shuttle! That’s a big bonus.

Taipei in one day

Taipei is one of the cities that offer a free sightseeing tour to transit or transfer passengers. Anyone transiting with a 7- to 24-hour layover is eligible.

That was our plan too … until a last-minute schedule change made us ineligible. The airline bumped us to a later flight out of Taipei, and we’d be in Taiwan for slightly more than 24 hours. And even though it wasn’t our fault, they wouldn’t bend the rule.

Not wanting to miss seeing the best Taipei tourist spots (and waste valuable sightseeing time), we had two options:

• Do-it-yourself sightseeing. Find a one-day itinerary, then use Taipei’s excellent public transportation to see a few of the must-see sights on our own.
• Take a guided tour. Pay a local to plan the route, handle the dining arrangements, and manage the transport.

Why we chose a guided tour of Taipei

The more we thought about it, the economical DIY option seemed less sensible. Tired travelers like ourselves might not navigate a new transit system efficiently. Omigosh – can you imagine the horror of realizing you’ve gone in the wrong direction or got off at the wrong stop? What a waste of time, money, and (limited) energy.

Besides, this might be our only opportunity to tour Taipei, which is Taiwan’s capital. Who knew when we might return? It’s better to see all the best places to visit in Taipei in one day, and then if we managed to make it back to Taiwan we could take day trips and see more of the country.

We didn’t want to spend our hard-earned money on a tour, but then again, it seemed that DIY sightseeing wasn’t as wise an idea as it had first sounded. “Penny wise and pound foolish,” as the Brits might say.

Anyway, we found a Taipei tour that would take us to 8 sights in the most time-efficient manner. Our guide introduced us to the most popular and worthwhile attractions in the city.

I don’t think we could have seen that much if we had done it on our own, especially as first-time visitors. Besides, it’s nice to have someone share their insights and sight details.

ⓘ PRO TIP:  If you’d prefer to see the natural side of Taiwan, head to Taroko Gorge .

What to see in Taipei in a day

Our first impression was that Taipei is perfect for first-time visitors to Asia. It’s got an east-meets-west vibe, plus it’s clean and safe enough for a solo female traveler.

1. Presidential Office Building and White Terror Memorial

We began our tour with a stop at the Presidential Office Building . The building was a governor’s mansion during Taiwan’s Japanese colonization. Now, it’s used as offices, so there’s nothing to see inside. Still, it’s an important building and nice for a couple of photos.

1a. White Terror Memorial

I was more interested in a nearby memorial that our guide did not point out. Since I had never heard of the White Terror, I asked about it. She gave us a two-sentence history lesson, so I looked it up myself.

Briefly, the White Terror was a long period of martial law in which the government suppressed political dissidents and others. Triggered by an anti-government uprising, it lasted for 38 years and 57 days. Obviously, they are not proud of this period of Taiwan’s history.

2. National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Next, we drove to the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, arguably the best-known landmark in all of Taiwan.

Built to honor the founder of the Republic of China, its main hall houses a bronze statue of the hero. Downstairs is a museum of Chiang’s life, complete with sedans and uniforms.

We arrived near the top of the hour, so we were able to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Even if you aren’t into memorials, the synchronized rifle twirling is worth watching.

3. Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is probably Taiwan’s best-known temple. Dating from 1738, it was built by settlers from Fujian province as a gathering place for Chinese immigrants. Since then it has been rebuilt many times, thanks to earthquakes, fires, and even an air raid.

As we approached, our guide pointed out the dragon guarding the right door and the tiger guarding the left. Dragons represent power, creativity, wisdom, and good fortune. Tigers are powerful animals, symbolize heroism, and are believed to protect people from misfortune.

Once inside, we found the temple crowded with worshippers. On the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month, regular visitors will come to the temple to worship and petition the gods for favor.

We had arrived while a ceremony was going on. The chanting and gonging added to the experience as we walked among the faithful.

Longshan Temple is Buddhist and has a central hall with a statue of Buddha. It is dedicated to Guan Yin, sometimes called the Goddess of Mercy, who represents compassion in the Buddhist faith.

There are also side rooms with statues and altars to other Chinese deities. It would be interesting to learn how it all fits together in the worshipers’ minds.

4. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is so named because it is 101 stories tall. We were scheduled to have lunch there, but our guide first took a short detour. She knew we would want to photograph the landmark and knew just the place to do it.

Dan and I shared a laugh when we saw a couple posing with a photographer. It seems that wherever we go we run across couples posing for their upcoming weddings!

In many countries, it is customary to hire a photography/clothing/makeup team to immortalize the event. Taiwanese can spend thousands of dollars on this part of the wedding, because outfits and locations can be quite elaborate.

Of course, Dan couldn’t resist capturing a few shots of his own!

Finally, lunchtime arrived and we headed to Taipei 101, the city’s most iconic sight. Of course, we got photos of Taipei 101.

I was surprised to learn that Taipei 101 actually has more than 101 stories. There are five floors below ground level as well. I’d suppose it could easily have been named Taipei 106, but regardless, it is still one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

Our guide gave us an hour’s free time here. She suggested we either:

• purchase lunch in its (massive!) underground food court or
• visit the observation deck on the 89th floor.

ⓘ PRO TIP:   If the weather is hazy, don’t waste your money on a a ticket to the observation platform. The view is only good in clear weather.

Food always wins with us, so we opted for lunch. Besides, we wanted to try some of the local beef noodle soup. Taipei likes it so much that it has an annual festival of its own devoted to this one, single dish.

If you’re wondering, our restaurant wouldn’t win any awards in such a competition. It was bland.

5. Lin An Tai Historical House

After lunch we were brought to Lin An Tai Historical House . This open-air museum is about 200 years old, which makes it one of the oldest houses in Taipei. Lin An Tai is a very refined Fujianese-style home. It was built by successful immigrants from Fujian, who designed and oriented to have especially auspicious feng shui.

Maybe I’ve become jaded, but my first impression was that its front wasn’t particularly impressive. Or perhaps I don’t yet know how to appreciate empty space.

No matter, because once we passed over the threshold, I was enchanted. Please see our Lin An Tai gallery for close-ups; there are too many to share here.

The 25-building complex has a traditional Chinese courtyard behind that meh facade is amazing. You will find that it comes complete with a pond, arched bridge, stepping stones, intricate carvings, and several pavilions.

Lin An Tai House is so unique that when road construction threatened its existence, Taipei opted to move the house piece-by-piece rather than tear it down. Unfortunately, they rebuilt the house in a less auspicious location, so they needed to create an artificial mountain with a waterfall to compensate.

More wedding photos!

Yup here as well. Never would the builders have suspected that one day the Taiwanese would use it as a setting for wedding photos!

6. Beitou Hot Springs – Thermal Valley

Taiwan is a volcanic island. We next drove out to the Thermal Valley, where we spent an hour exploring the Beitou Springs area with our guide. The temperatures of the springs are in the range of 55° to 58° Celsius (131.0°-136.4° F).

Taiwan’s hot springs are very effective in healing dermatosis and arthritis. Judging from the many spas and hotels in the Thermal Valley, this looks like a popular place to go for a bit of R&R.

I made a mental “ Note to Self : as I soaked my tootsies. This would be a great weekend getaway! I could definitely spend some time here. Not sure if we could fit a visit into a half-day layover, but I did find a day trip, which was kind of nice to know about.

Here’s the tour I found , in case you were wondering.

Ha-ha … here we go again. Can you guess what they’re doing here? (Hint: Notice the changing tent and the white dress.)

7. National Palace Museum

If you have the time, don’t miss this museum. It’s wonderful!

When Chiang Kai-shek had to flee mainland China, he managed to bring many of the country’s historic treasures to Taipei with him. Our next-to-last stop was at the National Palace Museum to see many of these paintings, calligraphy, ceramics and bronzes.

This single museum is said to house 10 percent of all the cultural artifacts from 7,000 years of Chinese civilization! That’s pretty remarkable, wouldn’t you say? We began with its most famous treasures, including the jadeite cabbage, the meat-shaped stone (created from banded jasper) and the Mao Gong Ding cauldron.

We then spent some time exploring the museum on our own. If you’d like to see more of the museum, here’s the link to our photo gallery.

8. Shilin Night Market

Our day in Taipei ended at Shilin Night Market, the largest night market in Taipei. Believe me, there are more delicious food and shopping options here than you can possibly imagine! And some you wouldn’t even dream of.

Shilin Market was the drop-off point, so everyone could stay as long as they wished before making their own way back to their hotel or next sightseeing destination. (The Jintian metro station is nearby.) However, we had all toured Shilin Night Market the night before, so they kindly offered to drive us back to our airport hotel.

Plan your trip

After spending a day in Taiwan’s capital, we are comfortable with our conclusion: If you think you can see all of Taipei in a day or two, think again. Taipei City has so much to offer that you could easily spend a week there and still not get your fill of its experiences. Take it from us: don’t be surprised if you want to return for more.

• Taiwan Tourism Bureau is a great place to begin planning your own trip.
• Visas – Citizens of 62 countries and territories can enter Taiwan visa free for 30 or 90 days. Find out if you need a visa here.
• Transportation – Rome2Rio will help you get around the city on your own.
• For more sightseeing, you’ll enjoy our Taipei photo gallery.
• Scroll around Google’s satellite photo map  for a good aerial view.

Other things to do in Taipei

What if you don’t want to spend all day touring Taipei? Here are some other ideas to consider.

• Taipei: Private Half-Day Tour by Car
• Taipei: 3-Hour Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings

If you’re inspired to visit Taipei for a day, here are some related articles and books to fuel your wanderlust.

• Aussie on the Road shared his one day Taipei experience.
• True Nomads’ guide to what to do in Taipei has more ideas.
• Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z, First Edition

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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8 thoughts on “one day in taipei: 8 things to do”.

Do you know where is the landmark that you guys detour to take Taipei 101 on the old street? Look awesome

Check out the Military Families Community Park, Sisi Nan Cun,四四南村, South Village #4-4. Take the MRT Red Line 2 (Xiangshan) to Taipei 101 station. Take Exit 2, continue walking straight, then turn left onto Zhuangjing Rd. The complex will be ahead on the left side.

How much did you spend for this one day trip to Taipei?

Thanks for your question, Dianne.

We booked the Ultimate Taipei Sightseeing Tour through Viator and it was about $100 per person.

After the fact, I learned that Get your Guide, offers a Private Day Tour by Car, at $50 per person.

Despite the price difference, both have excellent reviews, so you’ll be happy with whichever one you choose.

I would like to check the price of this tour on 4 Dec for 5 adult & 1 kid (11 years old).

Are you referring to the Private Day Tour by Car on Get Your Guide? It’s $60 per person and is a private tour.

The Ultimate Taipei Day Tour that I described in our article is $100 per person and is not a private tour.

We have no personal experience with the Get Your Guide tour, but they are a very reputable company and the reviews of this tour are excellent. Considering that it is $40 cheaper per person and a private tour, I think it is an excellent deal. We probably would have booked that one if we had known about it before our trip.

I am visiting Taipei in december. How can I buy the tour you have described”ultimate Taipei day tours”

Hello Shin, Here’s a link to the tour: https://www.partner.viator.com/en/21121/tours/Taipei/Ultimate-Taipei-Sightseeing-Tour/d5262-6279TPEULTIMATE .

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Best Taipei Tours

Last Updated: 10/27/2023

Published: 08/14/2023

I may make commissions from purchases made through links.  Read here for more information. And as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is a review of the best tours in Taipei City, Taiwan. Keep on reading to find an ideal tour for you.

I’ve lived around Taipei City for over 5 years and have experienced a fair number of tours. That inspired me to make this guide to help you find worthy tours of blowing your travel fund while in Taiwan.

Tipping is not required or expected in Taiwan . And if you do tip, the tour guides will not feel offended.

The best way to get around is by using the Taipei MRT subway system . For locations in hard-to-reach areas, hail an Uber or taxi or ride the city bus.

Best Tours to try in Taipei, Taiwan

• Iconic Food Tour : Top pick
• Private Custom Taipei Airport Tour : Best for layovers
• Family Walking Tour : Best non-self-guided walking tour
• 4-Hour Morning City Cycling Tour : Best bike tour
• Beitou and Yangmingshan One-Day Tour : Best one-day tour
• Private Tour with Locals : Best private tour
• Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour : Best night market tour
• Private Food Tour : Best food tour
• Private Day Tour from Taipei : Best for seeing Taipei 101

Best Tours for Tourists in Taipei

The following sections will cover essential information about each tour, such as whom each is best for, whether it’s worth the price, noteworthy locations, and other facts you should know beforehand.

These tours are inside Taipei City , not New Taipei . For instance, I won’t cover tours for the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. You’ll need to view a separate guide for that.

1. Iconic Food Tour: Best Overall

The Iconic Food Tour is best for foodies or anyone interested in Taiwanese food culture who wants a local to show them all the good stuff.

Of course, it’s worth the price. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have included it in this list. However, if you have internet access and don’t mind doing some research, you could save money and have your own food tour.

Research what to eat at night markets , typical Taiwanese meals, etc. I cover all this information throughout various guides I’ve written.

What kind of foods will you try during this tour?

The tour guide will take you to a wet market in Xinyi district and introduce you to foods like Taiwanese burgers, stinky tofu, bubble tea (boba tea), and Taiwan shaved ice. I’m not going to explain what all these are in this post.

Throughout the tour, you’ll try 10-11 different foods and 1–2 drinks.

The tour guide will also take you through Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall , a popular tourist attraction in Taipei dedicated to a prominent figure in Taiwanese history, Sun Yat-Sen. And you’ll have a chance to do a photo op at Taipei 101.

One of the world’s tallest buildings.

Yongchun MRT Station is on the Blue Line of the Taipei Metro.

This tour isn’t ideal for layovers. The next one is.

2. Private Custom Taipei Airport Tour: Best Taipei Layover Tour

The Private Custom Taipei Airport Tour is best for anyone having a layover in Taipei City for over 8 hours.

And it’s worth the money if you want to quickly rush through the city’s major tourist attractions.

The driver will pick you up at the Tourist Service Center counter of the arrival hall of your terminal station. Since Taoyuan Airport has 2 terminal stations, it’ll be one of those. Ensure you check your ticket before booking this tour.

Upon following the driver, you’ll get in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with passenger insurance. 

Upon getting in the car, here are all the places the driver will take you:

• Dalongdong Bao An Temple : 30 minutes
• Dihua Street : 40 minutes
• Taipei Confucius Temple : 30 minutes
• Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall : 45 minutes
• Taipei 101 : Drive-by only

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but it’s fine for infants and folks with strollers.

It’s a great way to explore all the traditional areas in Taipei City within a short period and one of the best ways to utilize a layover period. Before entering Taiwan during a layover, ensure you know what type of visa you’d enter with.

Do you have longer than a day in Taiwan with your family? Consider the next tour.

3. Family Walking Tour: Best Taipei Walking Tour

The Family Walking Tour is a great way to blow a couple of hours with your family in the heart of Taipei City.

It’s worth the money if you don’t want to do a self-guided tour. Otherwise, I recommend just walking around Taipei with your family.

The tour will teach you about Taipei’s history while teaching you about the various cultural and architectural sites within the city.

Otherwise, there’s not much else to the tour.

The Shin Kong Life Tower is outside the Taipei Main Station—Taipei MRT Blue/Red Lines.

If you’re not traveling with a family, consider this next tour.

4. 4-Hour Morning City Cycling Tour: Best Taipei Bike Tour

The 4-Hour Morning City Cycling Tour is best for anyone who has the stamina to ride a bike for several hours and wants to explore Taipei in a more “intense” way.

It’s worth the money, so long as the weather’s good.

You’ll find yourself riding bikes on a 9-mile (15 km) well-maintained and flat path. Meaning that most cyclists shouldn’t have an issue with this.

For some reason, the listing says it’s unsuitable for folks under 4’ 9”. Kids shouldn’t do this.

They’ll give you a helmet if you want. And a rain poncho if the weather isn’t ideal.

They begin the tour with a traditional Taiwanese breakfast and coffee or tea. Afterward, you’ll explore temples, wet markets, and other exciting architecture that reflects Taipei’s rich history.

You should spend the day a different way. Let’s check out the next tour.

5. Beitou & Yangmingshan One-Day Tour: Best Taipei One-Day Tour

The Beitou and Yangmingshan One-Day Tour is best for anyone who doesn’t mind getting some exercise to see some of Taipei’s most beautiful sites.

Making it 100% worth the money.

The tour begins at the Beitou Thermal Valley, a great place to take pictures and to feel like you’re emerging from a thick cloud of fog. Despite being called “Hell Valley,” it’s quite relaxing.

Afterward, the tour will go toward the Flower Clock in Yangmingshan National Park . Show up from February to March, and you’ll see cherry blossoms in this area. Otherwise, you’ll find various flowers on display.

Then you’ll see the lake formed at Qigu and Qixing Mountains.

The tour will end at Shilin Night Market , one of Taipei’s most popular night markets. It’s a great place to try Taiwanese sausages and cold noodles (vegetarian option).

You may want a more private tour. Let’s explore the next pick.

6. Private Tour w/ Locals: Best Taipei Private Tour

The Taipei Private Tour with Locals is best for anyone who wants to quickly explore the city’s hidden gems.

It’s worth the money if you don’t want to spend time researching “hidden gems” in Taipei. It’s also worth it because you’ll learn about Taiwanese culture from a local’s perspective.

And not from some stranger on the internet.

What are these hidden gems? You’ll find out along the way.

Otherwise, you’ll visit places like Dalongdong Bao An Temple, Maji Square, and a Chiang Kai-Shek Statue. You’ll also have an opportunity for a single local drink and food tasting.

You may not find this to have enough food. Let’s check out another tour.

7. Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour: Best Taipei Night Market Tour

The Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour is best for anyone who wants to try some of Taiwan’s best dishes and learn more about the city from a local’s perspective.

It’s worth the money, as Din Tai Fung has some of the best food I’ve tried.

Yes, I’m a bit biased. But it’s a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. Meaning that many food critics deemed it worthy of being labeled as the best restaurant in its food category [ 1 ]. You’ll have Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung.

Think of them as a type of dumpling.

You’ll also have an opportunity to try other Michelin Star restaurants at Raohe Night Market. Their black pepper buns and mochi rank the highest in Taipei.

After venturing into Raohe Night Market , you’ll explore the Songshan Ciyou Temple. It’s a great place for religious and history buffs to learn about the building’s architecture and spiritual practices.

Here’s what the tour looks like in-depth:

• These tickets cost NT$600 each.
• Din Tai Fung @ Taipei 101 : 45 minutes
• Raohe Night Market : 50 minutes
• Rainbow Bridge : 20 minutes
• Songshan Ciyou Temple

Need more food? Okay… Here’s another food tour.

8. Private Food Tour: Best Taipei Food Tour

The Taipei City Private Food Tour works best for anyone who wants to try various popular Taiwanese dishes and staple foods . This tour’s also an excellent option for vegetarians.

It’s worth the money to explore Taiwan’s food culture in-depth.

You’ll get 10 food and drink tastings, with vegetarian options available. Aside from food, you’ll explore areas like the remains of the Taipei Prison Wall, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Mazu Temple.

Making it also a great tour for history and religious buffs.

Do you want to specifically visit Taipei 101? Let’s check out the last pick.

9. Private Day Tour From Taipei: Best for Visiting Tourist Attractions

The Private Day Tour from Taipei is best for anyone who wants a private tour to explore some of Taipei’s most popular attractions.

It’s worth the money if you want to escape the heat and explore Taipei in an air conditioned car.

You’ll explore Taiwan’s most popular temple, Longshan Temple in addition to these areas:

• National Palace Museum, Taipei : Place where you’ll find the most Chinese artifacts on Earth.
• Chiang Kai-Shek Residence, Shilin : Place where Chiang Kai-Shek used to live.
• National Revolutionary Martyrs Shrine : Shrine dedicated to fallen Republic of China (ROC) soldiers
• Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall : Area dedicated to Sun Yat-Sen.
• Taipei 101 : One of the world’s tallest buildings.
• Longshan Temple : Largest & most popular temple.
• Huaxi Street Night Market : Otherwise known as Snake Alley.

It won’t give you a tour of everything inside Taipei 101, for example, the 101st floor or the 89th floor Observatory. But it’s a great way to see the lower floors and the interesting architecture inside.

Booking Tours: KKday vs. KLOOK vs. GetYourGuide

KKday is a Taiwan-based business that provides lower prices on some tours than KLOOK or GetYourGuide.

Hong Kong-based KLOOK offers the Taipei Attraction pass, which gives you a small discount on entering tourist attractions like the Taipei 101 Observatory, Leofoo Village Theme Park, and more.

You must group these attractions in bundles of 2, 3, 4, or 5 activities. However, the Taipei Fun Pass offers a similar discount—often better. And it’ll include an EasyCard and unlimited access to the Taipei MRT (on some passes).

Compare the Taipei Attractions Pass to the various Fun Passes and see where you’ll have the most savings. 

GetYourGuide is based in Germany and offers a couple of variations of the Fun Pass on their site, which makes it easier to order and pick up than trying to deal with when in Taiwan.

KLOOK and KKday offer more deals on single attractions . KKday tends to offer more single tourist attractions than KLOOK. Then GetYourGuide offers better tours.

All 3 websites have loyalty programs that allow you to accumulate points and get discounts. I can’t specify whether there’s a winner in this category. Because whatever option’s best depends on whether you’d utilize the reward tiers each service offers each loyalty tier.

FAQs for Taipei Tours

Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about tours in Taipei.

How many Days in Taipei is Enough?

5 days in Taipei would allow you to explore all the major tourist attractions in-depth . And would allow you to hike in areas such as Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan. Get away with 3 days if you only want to visit places like the Memorial Halls, Taipei 101, and shop a bit.

More Taipei Sights to See

• Beitou Museum – Visitors Guide 08/10/2023
• Best Taipei Tours 08/14/2023
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (Liberty Square) – Visitors Guide 07/15/2023
• Chiang Kai-Shek Residence – Visitors Guide 08/03/2023
• Daan Forest Park – Visitors Guide 07/21/2023
• Dihua Old Street – Visitors Guide 07/28/2023
• Gongguan Night Market – Visitors Guide 03/16/2022

Even More Guides

Indoor Things to do in Taipei

Things to do in Taipei with Kids

Taipei Nightlife: Best Bars, Nightclubs, & Attractions

Beitou Museum – Visitors Guide

National Taiwan Science Education Center – Visitors Guide

Taipei Astronomical Museum – Visitors Guide

Taipei Fine Arts Museum – Visitors Guide

Taipei Children’s Amusement Park – Visitors Guide

Theodore began first experienced the wonders of traveling when visiting Vietnam. Afterward, he went crazy and ventured to at least… More about Theo

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Top Tours in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei

2. The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Taipei: The 10 Tastings

3. Private Taroko Gorge National Park Day Tour

4. Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour

5. Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup

6. 4-Hour Morning Cycling Tour in Taipei (incl. breakfast)

7. Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei

8. Half Day Private Tour to Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall & Pingxi Sky Lantern

9. National Palace Museum Northern Branch Taiwan Admission

10. Private Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Pingxi

11. Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class)

12. Classic Taipei Landmarks Day Tour

13. Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei

14. 7-Hour Jiufen Night View, Shifen Waterfall & Raohe Market Tour

15. Yehliu & Jiufen & Shifen Day Tour (Departure from Ximending)

16. Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included)

17. Taipei City Tour with National Palace Museum Ticket

18. Taipei Private Custom Tours with a Local: Highlights & Hidden Gems

19. Taipei Food Tour

20. [Private Tour] Shilin Night Market Walking Tour With a Private Tour Guide (2-hr)

21. Private Custom Taipei Airport Layover Tour

22. Private Car: 8 Hour Highly Customized Taipei City Exploration!

23. Taipei Old Town - Taiwan Introduction Walking Tour

24. Full-Day Tour in Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu of Taipei

25. Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

26. Pinglin Tea Culture & Maokong Day Tour from Taipei

27. Taipei Private Car Charter Tour

28. Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel

29. Small-Group Tour: Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Shifen from Taipei

30. Pineapple Cake DIY

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Taipei Layover Tour – How to Spend an 8+ Hour Layover

Sometimes your travel schedule works like a well-oiled machine. Connecting flights line up with Swiss precision and you move effortlessly from one flight to another without delays… sometimes. But on other trips you get more of a sense that “you can’t get there from here” and you are left waiting for 8 hours between flights.

Such was my travel schedule which left me with a scheduled 7 hour 55-minute layover in Taiwan. I had never been to Taiwan. Rather than sit in artificial lighting, eating at the food court and hanging out on airport wi-fi, I arranged a layover tour of Taipei sponsored by Viator  (see other private tours in Taipei ).

Layover  Tour in Taipei

I had never done an organized layover tour before, but the idea seemed simply brilliant. If you have an 8-hour layover or greater this tour plans an itinerary that gets you 45 minutes from the airport, explores some of the major city sites and whisks you back to the airport in time to catch your next flight. The only catch is that you have to be functional after your first flight, in my case a flight scheduled to last 13 hours from San Francisco. I can sleep on planes so I was in great shape (check out my 10 Tips to Combat Jet Lag ).

My flight arrived earlier than our 6 am estimated arrival time. I cleared customs which I would not have had to do if I had just stayed in the airport, but then again I would not have gotten another stamp in my passport nor would I have counted being in Taiwan. I met my guide Mark Lu and my driver in the arrival area by 6 am.

Advantages of a Private Tour

The first difference between trying to get into the city on my own and a private tour was obvious from the moment I saw someone holding up a sign with my name on it. I didn’t have to find the city bus or wonder where to go and I started learning about Taiwan on the way into the city. Mark’s command of English was great. He talked about the history of the island as it was colonized in turned by the Spanish, the Dutch, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Nationalist Chinese. Mark has only been a tour guide for a few years. Previous to that he was an officer in the Taiwanese Navy.

Bao’an Temple

One problem with starting a city tour at 6 o’clock in the morning is that many things are run by the government and don’t open up until 9 AM. Fortunately, the Bao’an Temple, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, is privately run and opened at 6 AM. We toured the temple complex as Mark explained to me some of the details of the Taoism religion. The tour normally also includes a stop at the nearby Confucius Temple which opens at 9 am but which was unfortunately closed the day of my visit.

Street Market

Our next scheduled stop was the changing of the guard at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall which happens on the hour starting at 9 am, but we had to kill some time before that. While we waited we toured a local market. I love local markets and particularly local markets in Asia. I don’t always know exactly what people are eating but I love the scene. Motorcycles and pedestrians thread their way down the street which has not yet filled up in this early morning hour.

The Grand Hotel

We also visited the Grand Hotel , the first international hotel in Taipei. The Grand Hotel was built by Chiang Kai Shek’s 4 th wife. It was the tallest building in Taiwan for most of a decade after it was completed in 1973. It is built in the style of a giant pagoda and is imposing. It has 490 rooms, 12 floors, and 3 restaurants. It has been where many foreign dignitaries have been housed over the years. It is built on Yuanshan Mountain on the site where the occupying Japanese had a Shinto shrine in WWII. The front gate is a great photo spot and the top photo on this article was taken there.

National Palace Museum

We saw the outside of the National Palace Museum which holds 696,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial art and artifacts collected by the emperors of China over centuries. The museum was originally housed in the Forbidden City in Beijing. The museum collection was moved several times during WWII to keep it out of Japanese hands and then later evacuated to Taiwan with the nationalist Chinese forces after they were defeated by the communists in the Chinese Civil War. The PRC considers that the collection was “stolen” and wants it back.

Unfortunately, the museum also does not open until 9 am.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – Liberty Square

The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall sits in Liberty Square. The ground level houses a library and museum The Memorial Hall also houses a museum that interprets the history of China and of Taiwan during the time of Chiang Kai Shek. You can see artifacts like the presidential limousine .

To get to the memorial hall you climb 89 steps, one for each year in the life of Chiang Kai Shek. The massive doors of the hall opened at 9 am, ushering in crowds of tourists in time for the ceremonial changing of the guard. The figure of Chiang Kai Shek sits in a large marble chair reminiscent of the Lincoln Memorial. Chiang Kai Shek looked on the guards displayed their proficiency with rifle choreography.

The Memorial Hall sits in a large park-like area which also houses the National Theater and National Concert Hall. A children’s choir was singing on the steps of the National Concert Hall during our visit.

Presidential Office Building

We stopped for a photo at the Presidential Office Building, the Taiwan version of the White House. This Baroque-style building was built during the time of the Japanese occupation for the governor of the island. It became the office of the president when the nationalists fled to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War.

We proceeded to Taipei 101, which was the tallest building in the world from 2004-2010 and is still the 9 th tallest building. It is still the home of the world’s fastest elevator, which climbs to the observation floor in 25 ear-popping seconds.

The view from Taipei 101 was intermittent because of heavy clouds on the day of my visit.

Taiwan is a geologically active area so Taipei 101 was built to survive earthquakes as well as the occasional Tsunami. One of the interesting features of the building is hidden inside near the top. It is a large heavy counterweight which is suspended in the inside of the building. This weight helps dampen the movement of the building.

Din Tai Fung dumpling restaurant

The final stop of the tour was the famous Din Tai Fung dumpling restaurant in the same complex as Taipei 101. If there had been no view at all from Taipei 101, if there had been no temples open and we had missed the changing of the guard, the entire tour would have been worth it just for the pork soup dumplings alone.

Return to the Airport

The return trip to the airport was slowed by an accident on the highway. It made my guide and driver nervous but I let them do the worrying for me. They are, after all, the professionals. And that was really the theme of the tour for me. Not everything went smoothly. Not everything was open the day I was there or at the time I was there. But the entire time I was comparing my experience to what it would have been like if I stayed in the airport.

I recognized my seatmate on my flight out of Taiwan as someone who had flown in on the same flight as me from San Francisco. It was her first international trip and she had been afraid to leave the airport. While I was on a tour seeing world-class sites , she was trying to sleep on the airport floor. Mine was the better option.

6-Hour Layover Ultimate Taipei City Tour including airport pick up and drop off.

Full-day private tour by car and drive around the attractions of your choice. Airport pickup option.

this post was originally published at Taipei Layover Tour

photos from Taipei, Taiwan

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by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

8 Responses to “Taipei Layover Tour – How to Spend an 8+ Hour Layover”

Hello Chris! I will be in the same boat come November. And 8 plus hour layover in Taipei. How did you arrange the Visa? Does the tour company work that out for you?

Also, is there a link to your tour guide from Taipei?

Thank you kindly for any input.

Chris Christensen

When I did it I didn’t have, nor I think need, a visa. That may have changed.

Hi Chris, do you have the tour guide’s contact details? I have an 8 hr layover on my way back to Houston. Great photos btw!

I don’t but booked through Viator which I linked in the article

Marissa Hatch

i will going to Manila Dec 30 lay over in Taipe for 7 hours 40 min on the outgoing Flight.. 4.5 hours on the return. in Dec 2022 (I am a US citizen) do I need a Visa to tour Taipei?

Thank you for the info!

No so sd s U.S. citizen, I did not need a visa for Taiwan. You can always double-check with the U.S. State Department.

Michelle Viray

Thank you for sharing your layover experience in Taipei. I’m inspired to do the same during my 9hr layover from the Philippines to SFO.

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Tags: article , featured , layover , taipei , taiwan

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The Ultimate Taipei Itinerary For 1-5 Days

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Planning a trip to Taiwan? I have the perfect Taipei itinerary that I tried and tested during my trip. From shopping to cityscape views, nature, history and culture, I’m confident it has it all!

TAIPEI ESSENTIALS Accommodation  – Booking.com / Hostelworld Getting around – walk / MRT / bus Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Guidebook: Lonely Planet Taiwan Staying connected: unlimited 4G SIM card

Read next: the ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary

Taipei is a city that I tried to make sense of by comparing it to other places. It has the quirky culture of Japan, the language of China, the clean and efficient subway of Singapore and the affordable prices of Malaysia . It’s new and modern, yet the retro housing blocks and long-serving tea stands are a throwback to several decades prior. With Mandarin shop signs lit up against neon backgrounds, it feels like a smaller and calmer Hong Kong.

Why is it that we need to compare places to make sense of them? For whatever reason, I do it all the time. I hit the streets of Taipei in search of sights, sounds and smells that would familiarise me with the city and allow me to someday say ‘this reminds me of Taipei.’ Because really, Taipei isn’t quite like anywhere and that’s what makes it so special. This urban hub of 2.7 million is Taiwan ’s capital city, blending ancient Taoist temples with the bright lights of Ximending, the city’s answer to Harajuku. 

Read next: 25 travel tips for Taiwan

How long to spend in Taipei?

Like many cities, you could rush around the sights in a day or so. However, many of the best things to do in Taipei are actually in the surrounding countryside: thermal landscapes, national parks, hot springs and scenic ex-mining towns will keep you busy. I would suggest spending at least 3 days in Taipei . You can see a lot during this time and explore three different night markets during the evenings. To help you do exactly that, I’ll share my Taipei itinerary for 3 days. For me, 5 days in Taipei was optimum. I took most of my day trips by public transport to reduce my Taiwan budget and allow me to spend a full day in each place.

If you have 3 days in Taipei or less, day tours are a good idea. You could see 3 places (which took me 3 days to visit on public transport) in just one day. I recommend GetYourGuide and Viator for these.

Stay connected with a Taiwan SIM card

SIM cards in Taiwan are relatively affordable so, to stay connected on the go, order one in advance for airport pick-up . You can get cards for 3, 5, 7 10, 15 or 30 days with UNLIMITED(!) data starting from US$8.

Getting around Taipei

Taipei is an easy city to get around with excellent public transport. Your best options are…

MRT – the Metro network is efficient with over 80 stops, serviced by six lines differentiated by colour. Not only is the Metro map easy to follow but the trains are clean and regular. My one word of warning? There’s a strict no-food policy. I once got told off for taking a sip of water. Yikes!

Tip – get an EasyCard before you begin your Taiwan itinerary. You’ll get a discount on MRT, bus and ferry journeys plus you can pre-load them to save time on buying individual tickets. Buy yours now to pick up at the airport.

Taxi – yellow taxis are easy to flag down and not too expensive, or there’s Uber. You can even call taxis from ibon machines inside 7-11 stores. For a fun and touristic way to get around, there’s also the Taipei sightseeing bus tour stopping at all the top attractions like Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

Pick up a $5 Taipei fun pass for unlimited public transport and Maokong Gondola.

Where to stay in Taipei

• Hostel: For a top-rated hostel in Taipei centre, it doesn’t get much better than Flip Flop Hostel Garden. This spacious hostel is filled with natural light and includes a shared lounge, sun terrace, tour desk and kitchenette. Check availability from $21 .
• Budget hotel: for a clean and conveniently located budget hotel in the heart of Taipei, stay at If Inn . Rooms come with daily housekeeping, coffee makers, a desk and a TV.  Check availability from US$45 .
• Mid-range: Just 5 minutes from Taipei Main Station and the Artist Village, K Hotel Tianjin features air-conditioned rooms, a 24-hour front desk, delicious breakfast, and facilities for disabled guests. Check availability from US$72 .
• Splash-out: With a fabulous outdoor pool, lounge area, fitness centre, terrace, bar, and restaurant, the views alone make a stay at Hilton Taipei Sinban worth it. Each modern room has a city view and includes an abundant buffet breakfast. Check availability from US$222 .

Taipei itinerary for 3-5 days

There’s so much to do in Taipei and some amazing attractions in the surrounding region. I would suggest beginning with a city day to get your bearings before heading out on a few day trips.

Wander Ximending, Taipei’s coolest hood

Ximending is called the Harajuku of Taiwan for good reason: it’s colourful, neon-lit, busy and extremely quirky. Wandering around this neighbourhood is a good way to get to know it. 

There are countless bubble tea cafes and food stands around Ximending. It’s a place for young people to hang out with friends, shop and eat.

Things to do in Ximending:

• Shop or catch a show at the Red House – this red-brick venue is packed with quirky stores in the day and cool bars at night, plus there’s a theatre where you can catch cultural shows 
• Watch street performers – there’s always something weird and wonderful going on in Ximending!
• Try your luck at amusement arcades – in particular, claw machines are all the rage here. It’s very tricky to win at them, as I know after developing an unhealthy obsession!
• Eat at Hot Star – TFC (Taiwanese Fried Chicken) is what’s hot here. I devoured an enormous fried chicken slab bigger than my head. I was stuffed but had no regrets.
• Catch a movie – there are tons of cinemas packed into Ximending since it was once known as the country’s theatre district. If you’ve been travelling a while, sitting back with a good film might be just what you need!
• Eat EVERYTHING – there’s so much delicious street food in Ximending from straight-up delicious dishes to unusual specialities like stinky tofu. I dare you to try it!

Take a walking tour with TourMeAway (Saturdays, 2pm)

I’d recommend TourMeAway’s free Old Town Taipei tour for an informative explanation of Taiwan’s eventful history. From the ice age to Japanese rule, European involvement and Chinese martial law, they explained everything perfectly.

So rather than me try to fill you in, I suggest you take their Old Town Taipei tour which runs on Saturdays at 2pm. It’s free but you should pre-book on the Tour Me Away website.

If you’re more into food than history, consider their Hunger Game Tour focussed on the weirder and more wonderful foods on offer in Taipei. It’s a bit of an eating challenge (perfect for me!) with stinky tofu, sweet potato balls, chicken skin and feet, oyster noodles, herbal jelly milk tea and taro ball dessert. It’s a bargain at 700 TWD for 12 dishes shared with the group.

Visit National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Right in the centre of Taipei beside Liberty Square is the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall dedicated to the former President of the Democratic Republic of China. It’s 76 metres tall with a giant statue of him inside.

Learning about the history of Taiwan at the museum is a must for your Taipei itinerary, or you can just take a few moments to browse the iconic temple.

Longshan Temple

I wasn’t blown away by this Buddhist-Taoist temple but maybe that’s because I’ve seen so many around Thailand and Malaysia lately. It’s one of the places in Taipei to experience the culture so it’s worth a visit. Longshan was built in 1738 and has survived numerous natural disasters and wars. There’s a pretty, manmade waterfall just across from the main temple building, and entrance is free.

Huaxi Night Market

Just around the corner from Longshan Temple is one of Taipei’s most vibrant night markets, Huaxi . Although the famed dish to sample here is snake soup, you’ll be forgiven for tucking into a less adventurous dinner like beef noodle soup, tempura, dessert waffles and more!

Head up Taipei 101 or see it from the Xiangshan Trail

I seek out a cityscape view whenever I can. In Taipei, many travellers pay to visit the Taipei 101 observation deck . If you do this, buy your ticket in advance to avoid queuing. For a free alternative, the Xiangshan Trail is a steep climb made bearable by the fact you’re surrounded by nature as you go. From the top, you have a spectacular view of Taipei including Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world.

Sunset is a great time to capture your dreamy Instagram shots, although prepare for it to be very busy.

Day 2 Taipei itinerary – Yangmingshan National Park and Beitou

Yangmingshan is one of Taiwan’s nine national parks and the closest one to Taipei. It’s just 11 miles from the capital and you can drive there in under an hour making it an easy day trip. Popular sights are the Flower Clock that chimes on the hour, the hot springs and the Qingtiangang Grasslands walking trail.  Getting to Yangmingshan:

• Hire a car using Rentalcars.com
• Take a day tour with GetYourGuide
• Use public transport : catch shuttle bus #260 from behind Taipei Main Station, or the Red Line MRT to Shilin and transfer to buses #R5 or #260.

The benefit of driving or taking a tour is that you can add a second fantastic destination to your Taipei itinerary on the way home…

Beitou Hot Springs & Thermal Valley

To unwind in Taipei, swing by Beitou Hot Springs . This area is known for its bubbling thermal pools, created by the underground volcanos that pushed Taiwan out of the ocean in the first place. Apparently, ancient people referred to the area as ‘witch’ and wouldn’t go near it, speculating that the water was bubbling straight up from hell.  During Japanese rule, the springs became a playground for wealthy colonialists. After the Japanese left Taiwan, this scene dissolved. Nowadays, Beitou is visited by tourists who marvel at the steaming Thermal Valley, and locals who wallow in the Public Hot Springs.

Continue your Taipei itinerary at the Hot Springs Museum which only takes a few minutes to look around, then check out the library next door, designed in the shape of a giant ship. Afterwards, head to the Thermal Valley (no entrance fee) to get a sense of Beitou’s natural powers. Finally, visit the Public Hot Springs and soak with the locals. This costs 40 TWD, plus 20 for a locker. Bring your swimwear and follow the rules on the boards. Getting to Beitou: I suggest you visit on the way back from Yangmingshan but, if coming from Taipei, take a 25-minute direct train from Zhongshan. From Beitou station, it’s a 15-minute walk to the springs or you can transfer one stop to Xinbeitou and be right there.

Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market is a great market to visit on your way back from Beitou. This is a modern and vibey night market where you can try everything from noodles to bubble tea and the national dish of stinky tofu (I’m not a fan).

Day 3 Taipei itinerary – ride the Pingxi Line

The Pingxi Line is a train line departing Ruifang (a station easily accessed by train from Taipei) visiting several fantastic locations. Once you’ve seen each one, hop back on the train to the next.

Shifen is the most popular destination along the line. Many people skip the rest of the line, just visiting Shifen and the cute town of Jiufen (not on the line). I’ve saved Jiufen until tomorrow assuming you have time for a full 5 day Taipei itinerary. However, if you have just 3 days in Taipei, you could visit both Shifen and Jiufen today (more details to come).

Start with…

Houtong Cat Village

If there’s anywhere in the world that would have a cat village, it’s Taiwan. People here love anything cute and quirky, fitting this village to a tee! You’ll find well-loved felines lounging around, being pampered by tourists and generally ruling the roost. There are also cat-themed cafes, a lot of gift shops and stunning views over the Taiwanese countryside. Getting to Houtong Cat Village : Catch a train to Ruifang and transfer to the Pingxi Line. You only really need an hour to look around so it’s a quick and quirky addition to your Taipei itinerary. 

Shifen is set alongside an old-fashioned railway line that’s still in use today. When people aren’t dodging the train, they’re writing wishes on giant paper lanterns and releasing them into the air.

Later, continue further to Pingxi Old Street on the Pingxi Line. Here you can experience another cute village with traditional lanterns and tasty street food stands before heading back to Taipei. 

Related activity: Pingxi sky lantern & Shifen Waterfall tour from Taipei

Day 4 Taipei itinerary – Jiufen 

Jiufen is a hillside town overlooking the mountains and ocean with adorable teahouses and a thriving food market. As an old mining settlement, the village is a throwback days of colonial Japanese rule. After exploring the village, why not soak up the surrounding area? Jinguashi region – easily accessible on foot – is full of treasures like old gold mines, waterfalls and shrines. Climb Teapot Mountain for beautiful views if you’re feeling energetic. 

Getting from Taipei to Jiufen: the easiest way is a direct bus. The 1062 goes from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT while the 965 goes from Beimen MRT exit #2 to Jiufen Old Street. Alternatively, take the train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station and board a bus to Jiufen.  The best option for a guided tour (great for meeting other travellers) is a Jiufen & northeast coast highlights tour inc Jinguashi for US$40 . Another option if there’s a group of you is a private transfer to Jiufen or Shifen for US$30 .

Only have a 3 day Taipei itinerary or simply want more time soaking up the city? Save a day by combining days 3 and 4. Squeeze Houtong Cat Village and Shifen into the morning then catch the Pingxi Line train back to Ruifang Station and board a bus to Jiufen Old Street.  Follow my Jiufen & Shifen day trip guide . Be sure to start early!

Day 5 Taipei itinerary – Yehliu Geopark

The weird and wonderful scenery of Yehliu Geopark is totally different to anywhere I’ve been before. It’s not even similar to the Taiwanese countryside surrounding it. The rock formations and craggy landscape are straight out of Mars, peppered with 4,000-year-old fossils.

Meanwhile, the crashing waves are constantly reshaping the towering rock formations. Many of these are bizarre-looking, resembling the profiles of people or household objects. Don’t miss the Queen’s Head or the Fairy’s Shoe named after their resemblance to these things.

Read next: Visiting Yehliu Geopark from Taipei

Getting to Yehliu Geopark: Catch the 1815 bus from Taipei Main Station or take a day tour including Keelung Harbour ($40) . 

Time-saving tip – if you’re on a tight Taipei itinerary, there are tours visiting Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu Geopark during the same day .

Alternative day 5 itinerary

Since my suggested Taiwan itinerary includes several day excursions, I decided to insert an alternative day that you can follow instead of one of the day trips above. This will allow you to soak up more of the city if the idea of several day trips sounds tiring. Here’s what I’d recommend doing during another city day…

National Palace Museum

Northeast of the city centre just past the Shilin district is one of Taipei’s best museums detailing 8,000 years of history. The number of artefacts and relics total over 700,000! 

With so much to see, you could easily spend half a day here. Check the website to see events and exhibits happening during your visit

Entry is NT$350 or buy an e-ticket in advance to avoid queuing. Open from Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm.

For the afternoon, here are a few options : Huashan 1914 Creative Park – this colourful creative park boasts vibrant street art, boutique shops and sculptures. Another similar one is Songshan Creative Park , an old tobacco factory converted into a modern art and design complex. 

If you like creative parks and you’re heading down south, Pier Art 2 is one of the top things to do in Kaohsiung , Taiwan’s second-biggest city.  Take a walk in Daan Forest Park – dubbed the ‘lungs of Taipei’, this sprawling 26-hectare public park is the best place to get some fresh air and feel at one with nature. It’s free to enter and open 24 hours a day. Visit Xingtian Temple – to delve deep into Taiwanese culture, visit some other temples. Although it’s built in traditional style, this modern temple is dedicated to the god of businessmen (and businesswomen too, I hope!). It’s an atmospheric place to glimpse local life.

Food in Taipei

Part of the joy of visiting Taiwan is all the fantastic food! From typical Asian dishes to unique Taiwanese dishes (some sweet and some savoury), it’s a food lovers paradise. Although this topic is too big to cover here, these are a few of my favourite places to eat in Taipei…

Read next: 22 best Taiwanese dishes to try

Try soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung

Moreish xiao long bao are best eaten in one mouthful as they contain juicy pork in a small serving of flavoursome soup. They’re famously served at Din Tai Fung which was voted one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. There are a few different branches in Taipei but I tried them in the basement of Taipei 101, something you can time around a visit to the observation deck.  Tip – if you don’t fancy a long wait, visit at the opening time of 11am. This is what I did and it was getting busy when I left 30 minutes later. 

Eat bizarre ice cream flavours at Snow King

For a quirky addition to your Taipei itinerary, head to Snow King for some of the best (and strangest) ice creams in Taipei. There are bizarre flavours including chicken skin and pork knuckle as well as normal ones like cherry and vanilla. Then, there are some in the middle including basil, cinnamon, sticky rice, taro, beer and wine! I went with basil and it was surprisingly tasty.

Night markets in Taipei 

The number of night markets in Taipei is crazy but it just reflects Taiwan’s fixation with food (not that I can talk!). Apparently, when you greet someone in Taiwan, you say ‘have you eaten?’ rather than ‘how are you?’. I love this – it’s the real issue, right? The answer to ‘how are you?’ is always ‘fine thanks and you?’ which makes it kind of redundant. ‘Have you eaten?’ can result in being offered a snack, and there is nothing redundant about snacks.

Raohe Night Market – when you say ‘Taipei night market’, most people will think of Shilin but I preferred this busy local market with an emphasis on real authentic food. The pork pepper buns are to die for! Shilin Night Market – the beast of Taipei night markets, it’s hard to tell where this one begins and ends. It takes up the whole central area of Shilin, and shops and cafes stay open late to join the party. You can shop for clothes, people-watch from a bar or stick to the street food stands. Linjiang Night Market – I liked this market which is more like Raohe than Shilin, tightly packed with lots of authentic food stands. Here you can try dumplings, shaved ice, authentic Thai & Vietnamese food, fresh clams and lots more. It’s near Taipei 101 so you could combine both into one outing. Huaxi Street Night Market – this is nearby to Longshan Temple and characterised by the giant Chinese archway. It’s the oldest night market in Taipei and also known as Snake Alley. Here you can sample famous snake soup any time of day or wait until sundown when the vibrant food market gets underway. Many Asian tourists visit for the herbal medicine products on offer. Jingmei Night Market – this very local market in the south of the city is where I explored with TourMeAway during their Hunger Game tour. While I’d highly recommend this, you can also visit by yourself and get stuck into endless local delicacies. Here you’ll find unusual foods including stinky tofu and chicken feet as well as tasty treats like steamed buns and ice cream.

Thanks for reading my Taipei travel itinerary!

Check out my other Taiwan blogs:

• The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary
• How expensive is Taiwan? Complete budget guide
• Solo travel in Taiwan
• 17 Taiwan tips for travellers
• Guide to the Rainbow Village Taiwan
• The 20 best Taiwanese foods to try
• Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen
• How to plan a Taroko National Park day trip
• Things to do in Kaohsiung Taiwan
• 10 Taiwan facts to know before visiting

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked my 5 day Taipei itinerary? Pin it for later!

TAIWAN QUICK LINKS Getting there – it’s easy to arrive by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. Stay connected with an unlimited 4G SIM card for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days. In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Taiwan . Car hire – I recommend RentalCars.com for car hire in Taiwan and around the world. For Taiwan High Speed Trains , use 12Go . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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Food , Taiwan

Taipei food tours: the best tours for food travelers to taiwan.

Taipei is one of the best cities in Asia for food travelers. There’s so much good food and so many food markets in Taipei, Taiwan it can be intimidating. A Taipei tour that is focused on food markets or street food is a great way to learn about Taiwanese food culture. In this post, we share our tips on how to book the best Taipei food tours, tea tours, and cooking classes. 

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my  DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Book A Taipei Culinary Tour

There are lots of great reasons why booking a Taiwanese food tour could make your visit to Taipei that much more special.

First, there is a  language  barrier in Taipei. We found a good number of people who spoke English. There are some English translations or picture menus at night markets.

But, to make the most of your experience and to learn about Taiwanese food culture, a  food tour  can help overcome these hurdles. 

A local Taipei tour guide will also help with understanding what makes Taiwanese food special. This includes helping you understand what is specifically Taiwanese versus Chinese or even a Hong Kong specialty.

Taiwanese cuisine is loaded with influences from their neighbors and a Taipei guide can help explain all of these intricacies. 

Last, we love taking food tours at the start of our stay in a new city. It really makes the rest of our trip better.

Your guide will give you inside tips on where and what to eat in Taipei too. Over the years, we’ve received great restaurant recommendations from some of our food tour guides.

Want to learn more about food in Taiwan? Check out our recommendations for the  best breakfast foods in Taiwan .

See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

How About A 9 Day Taiwan Food Tour?

This post focused on recommendations for Taiwan street food tours and cooking classes within Taipei. But, if you have more time and want to really dive into Taiwanese food culture, consider booking a Taiwan tour with a focus on food.

Intrepid Travel  offers a  9 Day Real Food Adventure in Taiwan . This tour focuses on exploring Taiwan street food, local dishes, cooking classes, and demonstrations. We took Intrepid’s Real Food Adventure in  Morocco  and learned so much about Moroccan cuisine.

Their Taiwan food tour package includes visiting some iconic Taiwanese restaurants, learning how to make some iconic dishes, and visiting tea fields and a whiskey distillery.  Book A Taiwan Food Tour With Intrepid Travel Here 

How To See The Best Of Taipei On A Food Tour

A great  food tour  means that you can start to understand Taipei food culture while exploring a new city. It is more than just the food that is served.

It means you have the chance to meet locals, ask loads of questions, and learn about the history and culture of a new city. It’s one of our favorite ways to see a city! In this post, we share our recommended food tours and cooking classes in Taipei.

All pricing is provided in US dollars. With some tours, pricing will adjust based on how many people have already booked, how many people are in your party, and the time of year. 

We recommend using  Viator  for booking food tours and experiences. We like Viator for a few reasons. One, we’ve used them for tours around the world without any problems.

Second, you will receive immediate confirmation of your booking.

Last, Viator is a reputable company that is actually owned by TripAdvisor, so if there are any issues with your booking, there is a big company standing behind the booking. See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

TAIPEI FOOD TOURS

Small-Group Taipei Night Market Tour

Taipei is a 24-hour city that really comes alive at night. Seven days a week across the city, dozens of night markets pop up, cooking a wide range of local food specialties.

During this two-hour small-group Taiwan night market food tour, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s most renowned markets, Yansan Night Market. Known for its delicious ‘xiaochi’ or street food, Yansan Night Market is a must-visit for any trip to Taipei. 

While walking the market, guests will sample eight popular Taiwanese dishes and regional specialties including tasty  Taiwanese desserts . 

Pricing for the night tour begins at $60. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and comfortable shoes are recommended. 

Book this tour  here .

Why We Like This Tour

This walking tour is limited to an intimate group of just four people. The small group setting allows for the undivided attention of your guide and allows you to experience Yansan like a local.

As one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, guests will enjoy amazing food and enjoy a slice of Taiwan’s history. Check Rates For This Taipei Night Market Tour Here 

Taipei Backstreets Food Tour

Navigating Taiwan’s immense food scene can be difficult for any traveler. During this four-hour backstreet tour, sample some of the best street food Taipei has to offer.

Explore the XinYi district on foot, taking in the sights, sounds, and delicious smells of Taipei. Renowned for its culinary offerings, guests will sample some of XinYi’s best dishes including stinky tofu and soup dumplings. 

The tour can accommodate up to 8 guests with pricing beginning at $70. A fair amount of walking is involved during the tour.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Because of uneven street surfaces, the tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.

Guests with any dietary requirements are welcomed and asked to provide notice at the time of booking. 

Led by a local and knowledgeable guide, guests will receive personalized recommendations for after the tour.

In addition to delicious food, the tour will provide guests with views of stunning temples and other Taipei sights.

The tour includes over 10 different food tastings. Check Rates For This Taipei Backstreets Food Tour 

Full-Day Taipei Private Food Tour

Explore the wonders and tastes of Taipei on your very own Taipei private tour with a highly knowledgeable local guide.

From visiting the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall to taking selfies at Taipei 101, your private guide will escort your group around Taiwan’s capital highlighting the city’s many must-see sights.

In between stunning sights, taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks  and dishes. Enjoy local favorites from beef noodle soup and dumplings to bubble milk tea and many other local dishes. 

The pricing for the tour begins at $310. The private tour begins promptly at 9 am with a pick-up at your local hotel.

Lasting eight hours, the tour includes a full lunch in addition to sampling snacks throughout the day.

Vegetarian options are available for guests with dietary restrictions. Notification at the time of booking is requested. Unfortunately, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

As this is a private tour, customization to the itinerary can be made. We like private tours because they can be customized.

They are a great way to explore the city if you are traveling in a group with family or friends. This full-day Taipei city tour is also a great way to make the most of your time in the city. Check Rates For This Taipei Private Tour Here 

TAIPEI COOKING CLASSES

Xao Long Bao Cooking Class

One of the iconic dishes of Taiwan, Xiao Long Bao or ‘soup dumplings’ are at the top of everyone’s must-eat list in Taipei.

During this three-and-a-half-hour cooking class, guests will learn to make traditional Xiao Long Bao from scratch and enjoy them in a sit-down lunch.

This experience begins with a quick trip to the historic Kuang Fu market. Led by your chef and instructor, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s many fresh markets, shopping for fresh spices and ingredients.

After finding your ingredients, return to the kitchen and roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to cook. In addition to making the famous Xiao Long Bao, guests will also learn the secret to making delicious Braised Beef Noodle Soup, and Bubble Milk Tea. 

Dumpling Cooking Class In Taipei

Pricing for the market tour and cooking class begins at $87. The tour is suitable for all levels of culinary experience and is suitable for ages 12 and above.

Morning and afternoon classes are available. If you have any food allergies substitutions can be made with advanced notification. The cooking class is conveniently located near public transportation.

Book this cooking class  here .

Amber loves here xao long bao. It’s one of her favorite things to eat in the world. And it is one of the most famous dishes to eat in Taiwan. 

With a maximum number of 10 guests, each participant will receive hands-on guidance from the local chef.

After all the dishes are made, sit down with the group to enjoy your feast while hearing stories about Taiwan’s incredible cuisine.  Check Rates For This Taipei Xao Long Bao Cooking Class Here 

Taiwanese Cooking Class And Market Tour

Discover what makes Taiwanese cuisine one of the best in the world from an expert local chef during a private cooking session.

This four-hour market tour and cooking class begins a visit to Dongmen Market to shop for fresh ingredients. Learn about different Taiwanese produce and discover how locals shop for delicious ingredients.

After shopping, it’s back to the professional kitchen to begin cooking. Guests can choose from one of two set menus, each featuring traditional Taiwanese dishes. Choices range from chicken with sesame or delicious braised pork.

During the cooking class, each guest will receive hands-on lessons in a variety of Taiwanese cooking methods.

With a maximum of eight guests in class, the local expert chef will provide personalized help in preparing braised beef noodle soup and other signature Taiwanese signature dishes from scratch.

After all the dishes are ready, it’s time to savor them and learn more about Taiwanese cuisine. 

Taiwanese Cooking Class Details

Pricing for the cooking class begins at $130 and includes round-trip transport by taxi from Dongmen MRT Station. The tour and cooking classes are not wheelchair accessible. A minimum of two guests is required for the experience.

Guests with dietary requirements are welcome to participate. Substitutions to the menu are available with advance notice at the time of booking.

Learning how to cook local specialties is a great way to learn about a new culture. Plus, the tour starts with a local Taipei market tour. Exploring a local fresh produce market is another great way to experience a city.  Check Rates For This Taipei Cooking Class Here 

TAIPEI DRINKS EXPERIENCES

Taipei tea tour and experience.

Taiwan is world-renowned for its tea. During this small-group tour and tea tasting, guests will leave the noise of Taipei behind to see the tranquil natural beauty of Taiwan.

An eight-hour experience, guests are picked up at their hotels to set out by minivan to the green hills of the Bagua Tea Plantation.

Enjoy a scenic ride on the Maokong Gondola to reach the plantation, you’ll meet highly skilled local tea experts who will teach you how to steep the perfect pot of tea. The tea experts will provide the small group with insight into the history of tea cultivation in Taiwan.

Depending on the season, guests might have the opportunity to handpick tea leaves.

Regardless of the time of the year, guests will participate in a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony with the tea expert. After your tea lesson, stop at a lookout point above Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake) and soak in Taiwan’s natural beauty. 

Tea Tour Details

The pricing for the tour begins at $100 and can accommodate a maximum of six travelers. A minimum of four guests is required for the tour. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions are advised not to participate. 

We love drinking tea but are always looking for ways to learn more about tea drinking culture in Asia. This Taipei tea tour is a great way to spend a day. It’s also one of the more unique day tours from Taipei.  Check Rates For This Taipei Tea Tour Here 

FAQS – HOW TO BOOK A TAIPEI FOOD TOUR

Comfortable shoes! Many food tours involve a lot of walking. Also, be prepared for bad weather. Just because it’s rainy doesn’t mean the tour will be canceled. The same goes for the summer when temperatures can soar. Just be prepared.

Some people look at the cost of the individual items eaten on a food tour to determine whether they’ve gotten their money’s worth. A quality culinary tour, though, is more than the food served. It’s the value of the guide, the history learned, and the overall experience. And, it is almost always worth it!

In addition to booking a one day tour in Taipei that focuses on food, definitely consider heading out to the Keelung night market and Beitou hot springs. Both of these spots are easily visited from Taipei.

Yes. Like all cuisines, Chinese food is regionalized. In Taiwan, the food is generally mild compared to Sichuan. The food has been been shaped by outside influences for centuries. It’s most similar to Cantonese Chinese food or Hong Kong Chinese food.

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman, food and travel writer behind With Husband In Tow, is a recovering attorney and professional eater, with a passion for finding new food and drink destinations. She lives with her husband, Eric, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Together over the last 20 years, they have traveled to over 70 countries. Amber is the author of the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna. She regularly lectures on social media marketing to travel professionals throughout Europe.

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