Best Things to Do in Taipei 2023
Can’t wait to visit Taiwan now that borders have reopened? Whether you are looking for an outdoor adventure, island escapade, or all-inclusive shopping and eating trip, Taiwan has everything for everyone. The best place to start your Taiwan trip is Taipei, the gateway to Taiwan. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what to do in Taipei in 2022 that will excite first-time and returning travellers alike.
Taiwan Travel Essentials 🇹🇼
Planning a holiday to Taiwan? Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
🚅 For starters, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Pass is a must for your adventures. It will come in useful when you are exploring various cities as you can get unlimited rides via high-speed rail for:
- Any two days or of a designated seven-day period (THSR Flexible 2-Day Pass) or
- Three consecutive days (THSR 3-Day Pass)
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How to get around Taipei
It’s easy to get around Taipei with the comprehensive transportation network. Taipei Metro covers the metropolitan city with five different lines connecting you to most attractions. Pick up your EasyCard at Taoyuan Airport and top it up for metro rides and even cashless payments in shops. Navigate train travel like a pro with our guide to railway travel in Taipei City.
Enjoy greater convenience with the Taipei Fun Pass for unlimited rides on the Taipei Metro, city buses, Taiwan Tourism Shuttle, and even Maokong Gondola. Read more to find the best transportation pass for your next trip.
1. Taipei 101
Kickstart your trip to Taiwan with the capital city’s icon, Taipei 101. Towering at 508 metres, this architectural wonder was once the world’s tallest building. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon to enjoy panoramic scenes: day view, sunset, and the city lights. Taipei 101 is also a one-stop destination for shoppers and foodies. If you’re lucky to be in Taipei during New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the spectacular Taipei 101 fireworks display.
Purchase a ticket to visit the observatory with Klook or splurge on the skip-the-line ticket that comes with exclusive access to the highest level at Skyline 460 Observation Deck and perks like souvenir photo and complimentary coffee.
Address: No. 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 101
Nearest metro station: Taipei 101 station
#KlookTip: Explore Taipei 101 and other top Taipei’s attractions and save on ticket prices with Klook Pass Taipei! Choose from a comprehensive list of your favourite activities and enjoy the flexibility to visit them within 30 days.
2. National Palace Museum
If you have time for only one museum in Taipei, National Palace Museum is the top museum to visit as it showcases over 700,000 artworks and artifacts. Travel through thousands of years of Chinese history as you admire the finest paintings, calligraphy works, and sculptures.
Be awed by the museum’s treasure–Jadeite Cabbage, an exquisitely carved jade masterpiece. Buy your entrance ticket in advance to save time and hop over to the nearby Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines to dive deeper into Taiwan’s history.
Address: No. 221, Sec. 2, Zhishan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 101
Nearest metro station: Shilin station and take a transfer bus
3. Taipei Night Markets
Taiwan is a food paradise and the island’s culinary gems are found in the vibrant night markets. Start your gastronomical tour in the sprawling Shilin Night Market where you can find a wide variety of local snacks, shopping options, and even traditional game stalls and arcades. Other must-visit night markets are the local’s favourites – Ningxia Night Market and Raohe Night Market that attract crowds with their Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand hawkers.
#KlookTip: A trip to a night market means non-stop eating. Stuff yourself with classic Taipei street food like fried chicken, braised pork rice, scallion pancakes, oyster omelette and stinky tofu!
Save space in your tummy for these Michelin Guide Gourmand selection:
Shilin Night Market:
- Chung Chia Sheng Jian Bao
- Good Friend Cold Noodles
- Hai Yu Pork Ribs
Ningxia Night Market:
- Fang Chia Shredded Chicken Rice
- Liu Yu Zi’s Fried Taro Balls
- Rong’s Pork Liver
Raohe Night Market:
- Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun
- Beef Noodles and Beef Entrails Soup
- Chen Tung Pork Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup
- A Kuo Lu Wei’s braised food
Addresses:
Shilin Night Market: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111. Nearest metro station: Shilin metro station.
Ningxia Night Market: 103, Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei City. Nearest metro station: Shuanglian or Zhongshan station
Raohe Night Market: 105, Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City. Nearest metro station: Songshan station.
4. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
An important landmark in the heart of the city, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is located within the massive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park and free to enter. Time your visit so you can watch the changing of guards ceremony that takes place once every hour from 9am to 5pm.
The park is also home to the National Theatre and National Concert Hall and both arts venues host international performances and exhibitions all year round.
Address: No. 21, Zhongshan S. Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Nearest metro station: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall station
#KlookTip: Hop on and off the Taipei Double Decker Sightseeing Bus that brings you to popular attractions like Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. With a 9-hour or 24-hour bus pass, you can enjoy a convenient tour of Taipei via two sightseeing bus routes.
5. Yangmingshan National Park
Straddling both Taipei City and New Taipei City, Yangmingshan is about 1.5 hours from the city centre and it’s perfect for a day trip - to escape from the urban crowds. There’s much to do in Yangmingshan–tour the bubbling sulphuric pools in Xiaoyoukeng, indulge in hot spring hotels like Tien Lai Resort and Spa, and explore a network of hiking trails. The park is covered with seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms and gorgeous calla lilies in spring and you can experience picking lilies in the flower farms.
Address: No. 1-20, Zhizihu Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 11292
Nearest metro station: Jiantan or Beitou station and take a transfer bus
6. Beitou Hot Springs
Photo Credit: Ricky_GU on Flickr
Soaking in Beitou hot springs is one of the best things to do in Taipei especially if you visit in winter. Easily accessible by public transportation, the hot spring village is famed for its spring water that flows from the mountains in Yangmingshan.
Feel rejuvenated in the mineral rich waters in Beitou Public Hot Spring (Millennium Hot Spring) or hotels with private baths. Other than enjoying hot springs, you can go rock climbing in Beitou Sulphur Valley.
Address (Beitou Public Hot Spring): No. 6, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112
Nearest metro station: Beitou station
7. Maokong Tea Plantations and Maokong Gondola
Photo Credit: Sonse on Flickr
If you’re a fan of tea and enjoy leisure hikes, reserve half a day for Maokong in your Taipei itinerary. Tucked in the Wenshan District, Maokong is known for producing high quality Taiwanese oolong tea. Begin your day early, visit the terraced tea plantations, and hike through scenic mountain trails.
Getting to Maokong is part of the fun as you can take the Maokong Gondola and enjoy a picturesque ride in a glass-bottomed “crystal cable car” over the city and mountains. The cable car line has a stop at Taipei Zoo so you can combine a zoo visit with your Maokong excursion. Book money-saving Maokong Gondola and Taipei Zoo Combo tickets on Klook.
Address (Maokong Gondola): No. 8, Sec. 2, Xiguang Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116
Nearest metro station: Taipei Zoo station
8. Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Unleash your inner artistic and creative spirit in one of the coolest hangout spots in the city. Previously the Taipei Wine Factory and a camphor refinery, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is now an arts and culture hub filled with art galleries, boutique shops, book stores, cafes, and restaurants.
Check out the frequent exhibitions and performances in the area and discover a different side of Taipei.
Address: No. 1, Sec. 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Nearest metro station: Zhongxiao Xinsheng station
9. Hike Elephant Mountain
Enjoy an invigorating workout in the city by climbing the Elephant Mountain. Also called Xiangshan, this humble mountain is a popular hiking spot. When you reach the lookout point, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the city’s skyline featuring Taipei 101. The short hike takes about 1.5 hours.
#KlookTip: Early morning or late afternoon on a weekday are the best times to visit to avoid crowds and enjoy a mesmerising sunrise or sunset framed by Taipei’s most famous skyscraper.
Address: Lane 150, Songren Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Nearest metro station: Xiangshan station
10. Ximending
One of the best places to visit in Taipei, Ximending is a shopping haven and entertainment centre in the city. Anchored by the striking Red House, Ximending energises you with youthful crowds and busy shops selling a dazzling range of products. As you shop, fuel yourself with classic Taiwanese snacks like Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles and Origin Tofu Pudding.
Address: Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City 108
Nearest metro station: Ximen station
11. Wanhua District: Longshan Temple, Herbal Lane, and Bopiliao Old Street
Be transported back to Taipei’s past at the historical Wanhua District. Begin your walking tour at the majestic Longshan Temple, which was built in 1738 for early Chinese settlers, and immerse in the neighbourhood’s nostalgic charm along Herbal Lane.
Get ready to pose in the new hotspot for photographers–the thoughtfully preserved Bopiliao Historic Block lined with traditional shops. Don’t forget to visit the Huaxi Street Night Market, also called the Snake Alley, for some nourishing snake soup.
Address: Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Nearest metro station: Longshan Temple station
12. Get a Massage
Take a well-deserved break from your sightseeing activities in Taipei and enjoy a relaxing massage. You’re spoiled with massage options in Taipei as you can choose to pamper yourself with either a full body massage or foot massage or both. Popular places for massages: Village Spa’s luxurious full body massage service and A’Chron in Taipei 101 for their sky spa experience.
Ready to start planning your trip to Taiwan? Remember to check the travel requirements and book your Taipei tours with Klook soon!
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