Things to do in Taipei: 20+ Must-Do Attractions and Experiences
Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan is a historic yet modern city that blends old traditions with new modernity. From towering skyscrapers like Taipei 101 to the ancient temple of Bangka Lungshan and the natural beauty of Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei has something for everyone.
Whether you are into museums, love trying new food, interested in hiking, or simply want to relax and get a massage, Taipei has it all!
I’ve visited Taipei multiple times now and I created this guide of my recommended things to do in Taipei. Whether it is your first time in Taiwan or you’ve been multiple times, I want to help you make the most out of your visit.
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If you are planning a trip to Taiwan, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Taipei for both first-time visitors and returning travelers.
From exploring the cities rich history to soaking up the local culture at a night market, Taipei is such a fun city to explore with endless attractions and experiences.
Whether you are interested in cultural attractions, scenic day trips, shopping, or trying local foods, Taipei is a major city with something for everyone.
I Find myself visiting Taipei over and over again, I just can’t get enough of this city. Below are my top recommendations for things to do in Taipei.
Historic Taipei
Taipei isn’t just Taipei 101, food, and shopping. In the mix, there is a lot of historic charm in the city, from traditional temples to Japanese colonial architecture.
If you are looking for historic places to visit in Taipei, these attractions are a great way to experience the traditions and history that helped shape Taiwan’s capital.
1. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei’s most iconic landmarks to one of Taiwan’s most influential figures, Chiang Kai-shek.
The Liberty Square area is massive here. Once you pass under the Liberty Square Arch, the massive National Concert Hall and National Theatre Hall can be seen on on the right and left side of Liberty Square. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a white structure with an blue octagon shaped roof.
Visitors can go inside the Memorial Hall, if lucky you can see the changing of the guards.
2. Lungshan Temple
Located in Taipei’s Wanhua District and honestly an easy walk from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial is the Taipei’s most famous temple, the Lungshan Temple.
If you decide not to walk to Lungshan Temple, there is a Lungshan Temple Subway Station along the Blue Line.
Lungshan Temple is free to visit and worth seeing both during the day and night. I love how intricate and detailed the architecture of this temple is. The detail of everything is spectacular from the roof to the dragons.
3. The Lin Family Mansion and Garden
The Lin Family Mansion and Garden is located in the Banqiao District of Taipei and is well worth visiting.
The Lin Family Mansion is a beautiful and well preserved historic residence of the Lin Family during the Qing Dynasty.
Visitors can walk the elegant courtyards, view the decorative pavilions, enjoy the ponds, and see the intricate architectural details of the buildings and structures around the grounds.
The Lin Family Residence seemed far less crowded then other major attractions in Taipei and was beyond interesting.
4. The Grand Hotel
You don’t have to stay the night at the Grand Hotel in Taipei to enjoy its beauty and history. I was lucky enough to stay at the Grand Hotel, but also met others who were here to tour the hotel and see the underground tunnels.
There is a lot more to the Grand Hotel than meets the eye. The hotel goes back to the early 1950’s which isn’t necessarily historic but the hotel has a long history with the local people of Taipei.
Interested to see what the Grand Hotel is like?
I stayed at the Grand Hotel in Taipei and highly recommend it. I wrote a review based on my experience.
Museums and Memorials
Taipei has a large selection of museums that are worthwhile, especially the National Palace Museum and its collection of Chinese imperial treasures.
There are other museums to explore throughout Taipei, that specialize in history, art, and culture.
If you are looking for what to do in Taipei during a rainy day, then visit a museum and learn more about Taiwan.
5. The National Palace Museum
Taiwan’s National Palace Museum is one of Taiwan’s most prominent and visited attractions. This museum is said to have the best collection of Chinese arts in the world. Two famous artifacts here include the “Jade Cabbage” and “Pork Belly Jade.”
After visiting the museum, make sure to stroll through Zhishan Garden. This free Chinese garden is the perfect place to visit after the museum.
For more information on the National Palace Museum, feel free to visit the website.
Admission: NT $350
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, Closed on Mondays
6. 228 Peace Memorial Park
I love starting my morning off at 228 Peace Memorial Park.
This park is always active, well maintained, and just plain beautiful. It’s within walking distance to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and other attractions in Taipei.
This park is set as a reminder of those that lost their lives during the February 28 (228) incident that occurred in 1947.
There are memorials set up throughout the park, lush green spaces, beautiful ponds, and the National Taiwan Museum.
7. National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Zhongshan Park
The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is a historic landmark in Taipei that is dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen who was the founding father of the Republic of China.
I’ve visited the memorial many times and always enjoy walking around the memorial hall and the surrounding Zhongshan Park.
The grounds make for a perfect stroll while enjoying views of Taipei 101. I highly recommend adding this to your Taipei itinerary, especially because it is so close to Taipei 101.
Modern Attractions and Shopping
Taipei has no shortage of attractions and things to do. From taking the elevator to the observation deck at Taipei 101 to browsing the Jade Market, Taipei offers an abundance of attractions and shopping opportunities.
8. Taipei 101
Visiting Taipei 101 is a must when visiting Taipei. Taipei 101 stands tall and proud and dominates the cityscape. Standing at 508m (1,667 ft), with 101 floors, this skyscraper is one of the world’s tallest buildings.
Taipei 101 has observation decks for visitors on the 89th floor. With 360-degree views, it is truly the best view of Taipei.
One of the most fascinating things to see at Taipei 101 is the Damper. The damper here is the largest in the world and is completely visible to visitors. For those that don’t know, a damper is basically a pendulum that offsets movement of the building due to strong winds or earthquakes.
Is Taipei 101 worth a visit?
I wrote a post on Taipei 101 and whether or not it’s worth going to the observation deck.
9. Taipei Zoo
The Taipei Zoo is a nice zoo that is well worth a visit. The Taipei Zoo was much bigger then I expected, you could spend the whole day here.
The Taipei Zoo is easily accessible by public transportation. It is at the Taipei Zoo subway station at the end of the Brown Line.
General Admission for the Taipei Zoo was only NT$100 which comes out to like $3 USD.
I really enjoyed the Formosan Animal Area and of course seeing the Giant Pandas. That’s right! There are Giant Panda’s at the Taipei Zoo.
10. Jianguo's Flower and Jade Market
Looking to escape the rain in Taipei? Or do you enjoying specialized markets and shopping for unique things? I recommend checking out the Jianguo Flower and Jade Markets.
These market areas are found under the Jianguo Elevate Road and are quite expansive. You can spend hours here if desired as there are hundreds of vendors.
The flower market consists of hundreds of vendors as well selling everything from Bonsai Trees to full on Sakura Trees. The Jade Market is everything jade, from jewelry and antiques to pictures and decorations.
11. Malls
Taipei has a lot of great malls and indoor shopping locations, all perfect options for a rainy day.
If you are at Taipei Main Station, there is a huge underground mall here with a lot of cheap items and some good finds.
Personally, I like some of the more modern malls like Mega City in the Banqiao District. This mall has a lot of big name shops, both luxurious and averaged price.
Head to the basement and try food at the food court or browse the grocery store inside to pick up some local Taiwanese treats.
Food and Drink
Taipei is a food lovers paradise! There are night markets scattered throughout the city, which I absolutely recommend trying.
Other then night markets, you can find classics like beef noodle soup and dumplings, you can even find Indigenous restaurants in Taipei.
Some of my trips to Taipei have been solely based on trying food and visiting night markets in Taipei.
12. Beef Noodle Soup
Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup is a beloved national dish that is a must try when visiting Taipei. Beef Noodle Soup consists of tender beef, hearty noodles, and a rich broth.
I’d recommend trying Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup for lunch one day, that way you can visit a night market in Taipei at night.
One place that serves Beef Noodle Soup that I really like is Liang Pin Beef Noodles near the intersection of Kaifeng Street and Huaining Street.
13. Night Markets
When going to Taiwan, one of my favorite things to do is going to the Night Markets in Taipei. Night markets are scattered throughout the city and have some of Taipei’s best, cheapest, and most unique foods to try. So if you are a foodie like me, it’s paradise.
Night Markets in Taipei generally pop up around 17:00 and can stay open past 24:00 depending on the market.
Some of my favorite markets, which I go into detail in my night markets in Taipei post, include Guangzhou Street Night Market, Huaxi Street Night Market, Linjiang Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market, Shilin Night Market and Ximen Night Market.
When visiting Taipei’s night markets, I always recommend walking through the market first to see what food stands out, then go back and start hitting the stalls. Generally, there will be a small line, you order your food and can stand near the stall to eat or walk around. I like standing nearby, so I can throw my trash away with the vendor.
There are multiple markets scattered throughout Taipei
I’ve visited several night markets in Taipei, see which is my favorite and learn a little more about them.
14. Bubble Tea
As iconic as anything else in Taipei is Bubble Tea. Bubble tea or boba tea is a very popular Taiwanese drink that combines yummy tea flavors with fun little tapioca pearls. You get a unique blend of refreshing flavors and fun textures with every gulp.
Bubble tea shops are found throughout Taipei and the drink itself is very cheap here, just a couple bucks for a large drink. 50 Lan is one of our favorite bubble tea shops.
15. Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake
It has become a tradition of mine. Now, every time I visit Taipei, I stop at Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake near Taipei Main Station for a freshly made Pepper Cake.
These pepper cakes are one of my favorite snacks in Taipei. Wondering what even is a pepper cake?
It’s a flaky baked bun, usually baked in a cylindrical clay oven. The bun is filled with a marinated spiced meat, mixed with scallions, white pepper powder, and other ingredients.
I’ve tried pepper cakes around Taiwan and find that Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake makes the best. They open at 11:00 am and there is usually a line already. It’s totally worth it.
There is another Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake location at the Raohe Street Night Market.
Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake Location:
Address: No. 13, Section 1, Chongqing S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Coordinates: 25.0469831, 121.5128111
Nature
Taipei is surrounded by beautiful nature, making it easy to escape the city streets and enjoy the outdoors.
From lush mountain hiking trails and scenic viewpoints to hot springs and riverside parks, there are plenty of opportunities to experience nature in Taipei.
16. Hike Yangmingshan National Park
If interested in hiking in and around Taipei, I found that Yangmingshan National Park was one of the best hikes and National Parks to escape the city and find yourself peacefully surrounded by some of Taiwan’s most beautiful nature.
Visitors can get to Yangmingshan National Park entirely by using public transportation. When I visited this national park, I went to Ximen Station in Wanhua District and then took the Brown Line to Dahu Park Station. From Dahu Park Station, I walked directly into the national park.
For me, the highlight besides the beautiful surrounding mountains, was a chance to see wild water buffalo.
17. Elephant Mountain: Best Views of Taipei 101
If you are looking for the best views of Taipei 101 in Taipei, or that iconic shot of Taipei 101 with the city in the background, then prepare for a short hike up Elephant Mountain.
Hiking Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) is a great hike in Taipei that takes anywhere from 15 minutes to well over an hour depending on the route you take and what you want to see.
But one of the best views of Taipei 101 are from the Xiangshan Viewpoint, which is a short hike up Elephant Mountain.
I did the SihShouShan Circular Hiking Trail which had many more viewpoints of Taipei 101.
This hiking trail is popular at sunset and night because you can see the Taipei skyline.
To get to the trailhead of Elephant Mountain, it’s easily accessible by MRT (Red Line). You walk through beautiful Xiangshan Park and follow the trail markers.
18.Da'an Park
Da’an Park is one of Taipei’s largest and most popular urban green spaces, offering a peaceful escape from the city. If you visit in the mornings, you’ll see a lot of locals using this park for fitness, relaxation, and leisure activities.
Da’an Park is one of my favorite urban parks, there are walking paths, ponds, areas to relax, and plenty of open space. It’s a great place to start your day and get some fresh air.
Leisure Activities
After a busy day of sightseeing in Taipei, there are a few ways to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Taiwan is known for foot massages, which I actually got used to getting them daily.
There are other ways to relax and take it easy in Taipei, like pet cute cats or just hopping on a bike and taking a relaxing stroll.
19. Cat Cafés
What better way to relax and take it easy then stopping by a cat café and petting cute cats while eating cake with a coffee or tea.
On my last trip to Taipei, I visited Kitten Coffee Garden, which is considered to be the first and oldest cat café.
20. Foot Massage
My younger self would never even think about getting a massage. On our first trip to Taipei, Jill kind of forced me in to it. Now, every time we visit Taipei, we get a foot massage at the end of every night and I can’t think of a better way to end the day, especially when walking and exploring the city all day.
Foot massages in Taipei are very affordable. I’m talking like $10 – $20 for a 45 minute to 1 hour massage.
Foot massage parlors are found all over the city, you don’t have to look very hard before spotting one. Typically, you’ll sit in a large comfy chair and start with a warm foot soak. Then one of the people at the parlor comes by and massages your feet and calves. It’s truly a wonderful and relaxing experience.
21. Cycling
Cycling does not have to be strenuous. In fact, it can be quite relaxing. If you don’t have a bike in Taipei, no problem, there are tons of bikes for rent.
When walking around Taipei, you’ll notice a lot of the YouBike, where you can download an app and pay to rent the car. You simply pick up or drop off the bike at the many YouBike stations around town.
Day Trips
One of my favorite things about Taipei is how accessible it is. You can take a local train or high speed train almost anywhere around the country.
There are a lot of great destinations not far from the city that are worth a visit. If you are planning on staying in Taipei more then a couple days, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Taipei to explore more of Taiwan.
22. Keelung
Located along Taiwan’s northern coast, Keelung makes for an excellent day trip from Taipei. It’s perfect for travelers who want to enjoy coastal views, eat delicious seafood, and explore more of Taiwan’s temples and attractions.
Keelung has a famous night market, MiaoKou Night Market, and a lot of visitors come to Keelung from Taipei just for the market.
23. Jiufen
Easily one of the most popular day trips from Taipei is Jiufen. Jiufen is a charming village that is famous for its narrow alleyways, teahouses, lantern and stunning views.
Of course, the Amei Teahouse is the most popular attraction here and a must visit.
My Guide to visiting Jiufen
I have a post on my day trip to Jiufen from Taipei. Read how to get here, what to do, and more!
24. Houtong Cat Village
A day trip to Houtong Cat Village can be combined with Jiufen. As a cat lover, this is one of my favorite day trips from Taipei.
Houtong is a former mining town that has become one of Taiwan’s most beloved small villages, mainly because the hundreds of cats that call this village home.
In Houtong Village, you’ll find cat themed cafés, cat statues, and of course cute cats all over the place.
25. Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark is one of the most unique natural attractions in Taiwan and it’s an easy day trip from Taipei.
Yehliu Geopark is a geological park along the northern coast which features several fascinating rock formations.
Make sure to visit while the Queen’s Head Rock is still standing, it’s the most recognizable formation in the park.
26. Taichung
Taichung is a little further from Taipei but still doable in a day, although I recommend a few days to fully explore this city.
But if you only have a day from Taipei, you can knock off a few of Taichung’s popular attractions, like Rainbow Village, the Museum of Natural Science, and go to Chun Shui Tang, the birthplace of Bubble Tea.
Conclusion
Taipei offers an incredible amount of things to do with an abundance of must visit attractions and experiences. For food lovers, Taipei is one of the best cities to explore. For those that love to hike, Taipei and the surrounding area is full of beautiful trails and nature areas. Visitors that are looking to just explore Taipei on foot, there are so may attractions such like Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall or Lungshan Temple that are within walking distance from a nearby subway station.
After a long day of exploring Taipei, why not finish it off with a relaxing foot massage. There is a reason I keep coming back to Taipei, I absolutely love this city and still have so much more to explore.
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