There’s plenty to do on a visit to Taipei – you could be admiring spectacular views over the city, experiencing the very best foods in the legendary night markets, or learning all about Taiwan’s history and culture in its many temples and memorial halls.
Put these activities at the top of your list to experience the very best of Taipei on your next visit.
1. Take a hike in the wilderness surrounding the city
Taipei is a city surrounded by forested mountains, and reaching the lush tracts of wilderness from the city center is surprisingly easy. The route I like best is the spectacular Jinmianshan Trail. It starts just a short walk from Xihu Station and connects with a large number of other trails, allowing flexibility to hike for as little or as long as you like. However, the most popular hiking route has to be the Xiangshan Trail weaving up the side of Elephant Mountain, located close to the city center.
Planning tip: The Xiangshan Trail is a one-hour circular route, and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the city and of the Taipei 101 tower.
2. Admire the rarities at the National Palace Museum
Love a good artifact? You will be fascinated by the National Palace Museum, which houses 700,000 ancient imperial artifacts from both China and Taiwan. The museum has close connections with the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City, with many exhibits originally displayed there.
This museum is especially popular with art fans who flock here to admire the enormous collections of decorative carvings, enamelware, ceramics, lacquerware, and ceremonial bronzes. My favorite exhibit is the beautifully carved jade cabbage, complete with a locust hiding amongst its leaves. It’s believed the sculpture was given to a former emperor’s consort in the late 19th century.
3. Check out Taipei’s beautiful temples
Taipei boasts some of Asia’s most beautiful temples, many of which reflect the Southern Chinese style of Qing Dynasty architecture – a style recognizable if you’ve been to Singapore. Most Taipei temples pay homage to Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, while a smaller number are dedicated entirely to Buddhism.
To see the best temples, head to Taipei’s oldest neighborhoods such as Wanhua, which was once a walled city (only one of the original city gates remain). This is where you’ll find the Bangka Longshan Temple, dating back to 1738, and the Qingshan Temple, home to a statue of Zhang Gun – a Taoist deity whose eyes are said to follow visitors as they move around the temple.
Planning tip: There’s no formal dress code, but it’s important to dress respectfully, remove shoes, and step over each temple’s door sill to honor the sacred ground.
4. Head up Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings
If you have a head for heights, make a beeline for Taipei 101, which claimed the title of the world’s tallest building between 2004 and 2009 before being eclipsed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The 1,667-ft (508m) skyscraper is designed to withstand strong earthquakes, a practical feature given its proximity to a major fault line.
Observation decks on levels 88, 89, and 91 provide stunning views; however, level 88 is primarily designed for visitors to view the mass damper – the largest and heaviest in the world. The open-air level 91 has hosted several concerts, including performances by popular bands.
5. Go shopping at a night market
Taiwan’s night markets are legendary. Scattered throughout the city, these sprawling clusters of stalls serve traditional dishes such as braised pork rice, Taiwanese spring rolls, and tempura. The most famous include Wanhua’s Huaxi Night Market, which focuses on traditional dishes, with the Linjiang Street market well-known for its budget-friendly offerings. The markets are not limited to food, as you can also find various goods ranging from homeware to clothing.
Planning tip: Food enthusiasts should consider visiting Ningxia Night Market, where you can enjoy specialties like oyster omelets, sesame-coated mochi, and taro balls.
6. Eat at Din Tai Fung, Taipei’s best dumpling restaurant
It’s said that you haven’t tried xiao long bao dumplings unless you’ve sampled those at Din Tai Fung, a chain of restaurants dating back to the 1970s. It gained international acclaim after its Hong Kong branch earned a Michelin star. Currently, Din Tai Fung has expanded globally, with locations in America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Planning tip: The best place to try the dumplings is the branch at the base of Taipei 101, featuring a glass-walled kitchen where visitors can watch chefs at work. I recommend the original xiao long bao dumplings, but don’t miss out on the legendary braised beef soup, either.
7. Tour the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national landmark honoring the late Chiang Kai-shek, former president of China who fled to Taiwan in 1949. Upon his arrival in Taipei, he established a government in exile and remains Taiwan’s longest-serving leader, although a divisive figure due to his legacy.
Regardless of your viewpoint, a visit to this site – featuring a bronze statue of Chiang and the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party adorning the vaulted roof – is essential for anyone keen to learn more about Taiwan’s turbulent history.
8. Visit the National Dr Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
For a different perspective on Taiwan’s past, visit the National Dr Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, a tribute to the father of the Republic of China. He was a physician and political leader who played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty in the late 1800s. Revered in both China and Taiwan, his portrait even hangs in parliament.
This hall features several exhibition spaces filled with Chinese art and a library with thousands of manuscripts. For many, the biggest attraction is the Central Hall’s hourly changing of the guard, where soldiers in immaculate uniforms perform a choreographed routine in front of an enormous statue of Dr Sun Yat-Sen.
This article was first published Jan 6, 2022, and updated Oct 12, 2023.
