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No.1 Go to the Top of Taipei 101: Best Things to Do in Taipei
Going to the top of Taipei 101 is the most popular thing to do in Taipei. You simply can't miss it. For years, this was the tallest building in the world. Today, it is still the best place to see the entire city all at once.
The journey starts with the elevator. It is one of the fastest in the world. It takes you from the 5th floor to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. Your ears might pop a little, but it's an amazing ride.
What to See in Taipei 101:
- Make sure you see the giant wind damper. It is a huge, heavy golden ball that hangs in the 88th floors. It helps keep the skyscraper stable during strong winds and earthquakes.
- The 360-degree view from the 89th-floor observatory is genuinely stunning.
- But there's more. You can walk up a few stairs to the 91st floor. This is the outdoor observatory.
No.2 Explore the Top-rated Night Markets in Taipei
You cannot visit Taipei and miss the night markets. They are the heart of the city's food and fun. When the sun goes down, these streets come alive. You will see bright lights, hear the sizzle of grills, and smell amazing food everywhere. Foodies can explore the best local spots with the Asia Odyssey Travel Food Tour.
Here are the 3 best night markets to visit:
Shilin Night Market: The Biggest and Busiest
This is the most famous market in Taipei. It is very easy to get to. Take the MRT train to Jiantan Station. The market is right across the street.
Shilin is huge. You can find hundreds of food stalls. You can also find many shops for clothes and souvenirs. There is even an area for fun games, like fishing for shrimp or playing pinball. Because it is so big and famous, it can be very crowded.
Must-try food: Giant Fried Chicken. It is a very large piece of fried chicken. It is crispy, juicy, and bigger than your face.
Raohe Night Market: The Food Lover's Street
This market is one long street full of food. It is very easy to walk. You can find it near MRT Songshan Station. A beautiful, glowing temple stands at the entrance. It is called Ciyou Temple.
Raohe is famous for its amazing food. You just walk down one side of the street and then walk back on the other side. This way, you can see everything. The Tamsui River is very close. You can walk there after you eat.
Must-try food: Black Pepper Bun (Hújiāo Bǐng). It is meat and pepper inside a bun. It is cooked in a special round clay oven. You will see a long line for it, but it is worth the wait.
Ningxia Night Market: The Local Favorite
Locals love this market. It is smaller and less crowded. It is near MRT Shuanglian Station (near Taipei 101), but you have to walk for about 10 minutes.
This market is all about traditional food. Many food stalls are very old. The secret recipes are passed down from parents to their children. This is the place to taste real Taiwanese snacks.
Must-try food: Fried Taro Balls with Egg Yolk. They are sweet and savory. The oyster omelet is also very famous here.
12 Best Taiwan Night Markets (+ 8 Must-try Night Markets Food)
No.3 See the Treasures at the National Palace Museum
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 09:00～17:00
This is one of the best museums in the world. Almost all the items inside came from the Forbidden City in Beijing. The collection has almost 700,000 pieces. The museum is very big. You cannot see everything in one day. So, be sure to see the most famous pieces first.
The Famous Must-See Treasures
- The Jadeite Cabbage: This is a small piece of jade. It is green and white. It looks exactly like a real cabbage. If you look very closely, you can see a tiny grasshopper and katydid hiding in the leaves.
- The Meat-Shaped Stone: This is a stone that looks like a piece of cooked pork belly. The layers of the stone look just like skin, fat, and meat. It looks so real it might make you hungry.
- The Mao Gong Ding: This is a very old bronze pot. It has a long story written on the inside. It is one of the most important treasures from ancient China.
How to get there: The museum is a little far from the city center. The easiest way is to take the MRT Red Line to Shilin Station. From there, take bus R30 (紅30). The bus stops right in front of the museum.
Plan your time: The museum is huge. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours. If you love museums, you could spend the whole day. Navigate the bustling night markets like a pro on the Taiwan Food Tour from Asia Odyssey Travel.
No.4 Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
This is a famous and important landmark in Taipei. It is a huge white building with a blue, eight-sided roof to honors Chiang Kai-shek. It is located in a very large park right in the middle of the city.
You do not need to pay to enter the hall or the park. You can spend 1-2 hours here easily.
What to Do & See
You will see a giant gate first. This is called the Gate of Liberty Square. Walk through it into a very big plaza. On the left and right are two beautiful buildings. These are the National Theater and the National Concert Hall. Many shows and concerts happen here.
The main building is the Memorial Hall. You have to walk up 89 steps to get to the top. The number of steps is for Chiang Kai-shek's age when he died. Inside the main hall, you will see a very large bronze statue of him.
On the ground floor, there is a museum. You can see things from his life, like his old cars and his office.
The most popular event to see is the changing of the guard. It happens every hour, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. oldiers in perfect uniforms perform a special ceremony with their rifles.
Arrive about 15 minutes before the hour starts. This way, you can get a good spot to see the changing of the guard.
No.5 Feel the Energy at Famous Temples in Taipei
You will see temples everywhere in Taipei. There are thousands of them. For people in Taiwan, visiting a temple is a normal part of life. It is like getting a cup of coffee. Temples are alive and full of energy. You should go inside one. Here are a few great temples to see. Find your next stop: Use our Map of the Best Temples in Taiwan.
Longshan Temple
This is the big one. It can be crowded and a little chaotic, but that's part of the fun. You will see everything here. Grandmas chanting, students praying for good grades, and tourists taking photos. The energy is strong.
You don't need to understand everything. Just go, walk around, and feel the powerful vibe. Right next to the temple is an underground market. You can get your fortune told there.
Xingtian Temple: The Calm and Modern Temple
If Longshan Temple is too much for you, come here. The vibe is more serious and peaceful. It's a popular spot for business people.
They don't burn incense here. The air is clean, your eyes won't sting, and you can focus on the calm feeling. The volunteers in blue robes are a unique sight. They are there to help people and keep things peaceful.
Bao'an Temple: The "Wow, This is Art" Temple
This temple is just beautiful. Seriously. It even won a big UNESCO award for how well it has been preserved.
You go to Bao'an to appreciate the art. Every wall, every roof tile, every stone lion is a piece of art. It’s much quieter than Longshan, so you can take your time. This is your best spot for amazing photos. The details are incredible.
10 Famous Temples in Taiwan, from Mazu to Buddha
No.6 Hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for the Classic View
Do you want to see the best view of Taipei? You must hike up Elephant Mountain. The Chinese name is Xiangshan. From the top, you can see the famous Taipei 101 building and the whole city. It is the picture you always see on postcards.
The hike is not very long. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the main viewing area. Don't just stop at the first, main wooden viewing platform. It gets incredibly crowded.
Keep climbing for another 5 to 10 minutes until you reach the Six Giant Boulders (六巨石). This is the best spot. You can climb onto the rocks to get a clearer, more dramatic photo, high above the crowds.
No.7 Wander Through the Ximending Youth Shopping District
Welcome to the liveliest part of Taipei. Ximending is the city’s center for youth culture. It is often called the "Harajuku of Taipei." It is full of energy, bright lights, and fun things to do.
Ximending is a giant outdoor shopping area. The streets are closed to cars on weekends. This makes it a huge walking street. You can find all kinds of shops here. There are stores for clothes, shoes, and makeup. Many shops sell cute and cool things from Japan and Korea.
Here's what makes Ximending special: the street performers. Every evening, young dancers and singers perform on the pedestrian streets. Stop and watch - it's free entertainment.
The Red House is worth a visit. This historic building now has creative shops and a weekend market. Behind it, you'll find Taipei's LGBT-friendly area with cool bars and cafes.
Ximending is a top spot for street food. You must come here hungry. You can find famous snacks on every corner.
No.8 Step Back in Time on Dihua Street & Dadaocheng Wharf
Dihua Street is Taipei's oldest shopping street. This historic area shows what Taiwan looked like 100 years ago. The old buildings now house tea shops, fabric stores, and traditional medicine shops.
Start at the north end near Taipei Bridge. Walk south slowly. The best part is between Nanjing West Road and Minsheng West Road. This section has the most beautiful old architecture.
The street is famous for dried goods and Chinese herbs. During Chinese New Year, it gets crazy busy. Locals buy special foods and decorations here. Any other time of year is much calmer.
What to see:
- Old baroque buildings from the 1920s
- Traditional medicine shops with huge jars of herbs
- Tea shops where you can taste before buying
- Fabric stores with beautiful Taiwanese prints
- Small temples hidden between shops
At the end of Dihua Street is the Tamsui River. Here you will find Dadaocheng Wharf. There is a market made of shipping containers. You can buy food and drinks from these small shops. It is one of the best places in Taipei to watch the sunset over the river. People love to hang out here at night.
No.9 Ride the Maokong Gondola
The Maokong Gondola is a cable car that takes you up into Taipei's mountains. The 4-kilometer ride gives you amazing views of the city below. It's especially beautiful on clear days.
The gondola starts at Taipei Zoo Station. There are 2 types of cabins: regular and glass-bottom. The glass-bottom ones let you see straight down through the floor. They cost the same but have longer wait times. If you're scared of heights, pick the regular cabin.
The ride takes about 30 minutes each way. You'll stop at three stations before reaching Maokong at the top. Most people ride all the way up without stopping.
At Maokong, you'll find tea houses and hiking trails. The area is famous for Iron Goddess tea. Many tea houses have outdoor seating with valley views. Try the tea-flavored ice cream - it's unique to this area.
No.10 Relax in the Beitou Hot Springs
Take a break from the busy city. Beitou is a special place in Taipei. It is famous for its natural hot springs. The water is full of minerals that are good for you. The area has a calm and relaxing feeling. It is a perfect place to rest.
You can enjoy the hot springs in different ways:
- Public Hot Springs: These are large, outdoor pools. You can sit in the warm water with many other people. It is very cheap. You must wear a swimsuit.
- Private Hot Spring Hotels: Many hotels let you rent a private room. The room has its own hot spring bathtub. You can relax by yourself or with a friend. It costs more, but it is very private and comfortable.
What Else to See in Beitou
Thermal Valley: This is also called "Hell Valley." It is a lake of green water that is very hot and steamy. You cannot swim here, but it is amazing to see.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum: This beautiful old building was once a public bathhouse. Now, it is a free museum where you can learn about Beitou's history.
Beitou Library: This is a famous building made of wood. It is known as a "green building" because it is good for the environment.
No.11 Escape to Yangmingshan National Park
Take a break from the city and see nature. Yangmingshan (Yangmingshan National Park) is a huge, beautiful park just a short trip from Taipei. It is famous for its mountains, hiking trails, and flowers. Because it is so close, people call it Taipei's "backyard garden."
See the Flowers
Yangmingshan is full of color all year. Different flowers bloom in different seasons.
- Cherry Blossoms: From February to March, the park is covered in pink and white flowers.
- Calla Lilies: From March to April, you can see fields of white calla lilies.
- Hydrangeas: From May to June, big, beautiful hydrangea flowers bloom.
- The Flower Clock is a famous spot. It is a large clock made of real, living flowers.
Walk the Trails
Qingtiangang Grassland: This is a wide, open field of green grass. It is a very popular and easy walk. You can sometimes see cows grazing here.
Xiaoyoukeng: This area shows you that the park is a volcano. You can see steam coming out of the ground. It smells like sulfur, or rotten eggs, but it is very cool to see.
Qixing Mountain: For a real hike, you can climb Qixing Mountain. It is the highest peak in Taipei. The view from the top is amazing.
How to Get to Yangmingshan from Taipei (2025)
No.12 Take a Day Trip to Jiufen & Shifen
Jiufen and Shifen make the perfect day trip from Taipei. These two mountain towns offer old streets, ocean views, and the famous sky lanterns. You can visit both in one day.
Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen, this hillside town inspired the movie "Spirited Away." The narrow Old Street is packed with tea houses, food stalls, and souvenir shops. Red lanterns hang everywhere, creating that magical atmosphere.
Shifen Old Street & Waterfall
Shifen is famous for sky lanterns. For NT$200, you can write wishes on a paper lantern and release it into the sky. You release lanterns right on the active train tracks. When a train comes, everyone moves aside. After it passes, people go back on the tracks.
Also see Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan's "Little Niagara." It's a 20-minute walk from the train station. The waterfall is impressive, especially after rain.
How to Get to Jiufen (Jiufen Old Street) from Taipei? (4 Ways)
No.13 Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark is a natural wonder just 90 minutes from Taipei. Strange rock formations line this narrow cape jutting into the ocean. The most famous rock looks like a queen's head. Visit a place that looks like another planet.
The Queen's Head rock is what everyone comes to see. This delicate formation really does look like a queen in profile. Scientists say it might collapse in 10-20 years as erosion continues. Get your photo now.
What else to see:
- Fairy's Shoe rock
- Mushroom rocks everywhere
- Sea candles (tall thin formations)
- Marine fossils in the rocks
- Dramatic cliff views
The park has 3 sections. Most people only visit Section 1 with the famous rocks. But Section 2 and 3 have fewer crowds and equally cool formations. The whole walk takes about 2 hours.
No.14 Go on a Food Tour
Taipei's best attraction? Its food. Skip the tourist traps and eat where locals eat.
Start with breakfast at a traditional soy milk shop. Try the egg pancakes - they're incredible. For lunch, get beef noodle soup at a busy local restaurant. The braised pork rice is a must-try too.
Night markets are fun, but neighborhood restaurants serve better food. Look for places packed with locals. No English menu means authentic flavors. A food tour or cooking class helps you find the good stuff fast.
Taiwan Famous Food: 13 Must-try Foods in Taiwan
No.15 Fun for All Ages: Taipei with Family
Taipei is perfect for families. The city is safe, clean, and easy to get around with kids. Taiwanese people love children. Your family will feel welcome everywhere you go.
The National Palace Museum has treasure hunts that keep children interested. At Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, kids love watching the guard ceremony and running in the huge plaza.
Yangmingshan Park offers outdoor adventures. Children get excited seeing wild water buffalo and volcanic steam vents. Tamsui waterfront has bikes, ice cream, and ferry rides - all family favorites.
Even temples work for kids. Longshan Temple's colorful decorations fascinate them. Night markets have games and kid-friendly snacks.
5 Non-Touristy Spots (To Feel Like a Local)
No.16 Cycle Along the Riverside Parks
Taipei is an exciting city. But sometimes you want a break from the crowds. A bike ride is a perfect way to relax. Locals know this secret - over 200 kilometers of bike trails connect the city. Here are some easy choices for a fun ride:
The Dadaocheng to Tamsui route shows you old Taipei meeting new. 20 kilometers of flat path along the water.
Try the Guandu to Bali route. It's shorter but includes a fun ferry ride. Kids love this one. The mangrove boardwalks feel like another world.
For ocean views, head to the North Coast. Tamsui to Jinshan gives you 50 kilometers of stunning coastline.
The Old Caoling Tunnel near Fulong is perfect for hot days. This old train tunnel stays cool inside. 20 kilometers round trip, totally flat. The view of Turtle Island at the end is your reward.
No.17 Tamsui District: Where Locals Spend Their Sundays
Tamsui isn't really non-touristy, but most visitors only see the waterfront. The real Tamsui hides in the hills and back alleys.
Fort San Domingo looks touristy, but go late afternoon. You'll have the place almost alone for sunset. The garden behind the fort is where locals bring dates.
Turn into any back alley for the traditional market. Century-old shops sell authentic iron eggs and fish balls at half the tourist prices.
Skip Fisherman's Wharf. Head to Hongmao Harbor instead. This old fishing village has narrow lanes, temples, and the best sunset spots. Weekday mornings show you how locals really live here.
No.18 Wanhua District Morning Markets
Wanhua is the oldest district in Taipei. Wake up at 5 AM for the real Taipei. Wanhua's morning markets start before tourists even think about breakfast.
Sanshui Street Market is chaos in the best way. Vendors shout prices, motorcycles weave through crowds, and steam rises from dumpling stalls. The vegetable market on Huaxi Street shows Taiwan's incredible produce. Mountain vegetables you won't find in supermarkets.
The breakfast stalls. Look for crowds of locals. Order by pointing. Rice noodle soup, radish cakes, soy milk - all under $2. Eat standing up like everyone else. Come before 8 AM or miss everything.
No.19 Nong Chan Temple (Water-Moon Monastery): Taipei's Modern Zen Escape
This isn't your typical tourist temple. Nong Chan Temple in Beitou combines modern architecture with Buddhist calm. Most visitors never find it.
The main building seems to float on water. Glass walls reflect the lotus pond. Mountains frame the background. It's Instagram-perfect, but locals come here to meditate, not pose.
The meditation hall welcomes everyone - just remove shoes and stay quiet. Even 10 minutes of sitting here changes your mood. Volunteers tend the gardens. You might see monks doing walking meditation.
No.20 Fujin Street: Taipei's Coolest Tree-Lined Secret
Fujin Street is where young Taipei hangs out on weekends. Tree tunnels shade this quiet Minsheng neighborhood street. No tour buses can fit here.
Independent cafes and boutiques line both sides. Each shop feels personal - owners chat with regulars, dogs nap in doorways. This is slow Taipei, not rushed tourist Taipei.
Walk slowly. Pop into ceramics studios, plant shops, and vintage clothing stores. Nothing has chain store feeling. Prices are fair because tourists haven't discovered it yet.
The street really shines on Sunday mornings. Locals walk dogs, buy flowers, and drink coffee outside. Join them at any cafe - outdoor seats are perfect for people watching.
Travel to Taipei with Your Local Guide - Asia Odyssey Travel
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