Over 25 Fascinating Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei, the capital and largest city of Taiwan, has a variety of incredible places to explore. I was pleasantly surprised by my time as someone who knew little about Taiwan and how much I enjoyed it.

There’s no shortage of activities, restaurants, and things to do in the city. Even with over a week in Taiwan, I felt there was more I could explore. We help break down some amazing things for you to try to check out with your time.

Where to Stay in Taipei

My preferred location within Taipei is the Zhongzheng District, specifically close to the Taipei Main Station. This gives me the best jumping-off point for most tourist sites and easy access to subways, busses, and more.

The following are a few I recommend.

BUDGET: Meander 1948: For a hostel, the rooms are super clean, and they have lockers and more. They also give you a small breakfast voucher good at local restaurants.
BUDGET: Just Inn: The location is good, it has a 24hr front desk. The rooms were super clean. It’s a mix of dorms and private rooms (w/ ensuite).
MODERATE: Cosmos Hotel: Close to the Metro station (it’s even listed on an exit from the station). Clean nice rooms.
HIGHER END: Palais de Chine: Fantastic Location. Great, clean rooms. Fantastic service and food. It’s a good choice if you are ok paying a little more.
HIGHER END: Kimpton Taipei: Further out from the other hotels above but still centrally located. Beautiful hotel and rooms, excellent service.

National Palace Museum

Location: No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City
Cost: NT$350 | NT$150
Hours: Tues – Sun, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The National Palace Museum is a must-visit site in Taipei. It’s an absolutely incredible collection of Chinese historical artifacts from thousands of years of Chinese history. Most items here were taken from the Forbidden City during the Chinese Civil War.

The museum is multi-level and does an excellent job of separating out the various artifacts and history. I recommend taking at least a few hours to explore the place.

The audio guide is helpful, but there were fewer audio guide entries than I had expected. Another quip is that you need to line up in a different line for tickets to get the guide. This can be painful during peak hours.

Zhishan Garden

Location: No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues – Sun, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

When you go to the above National Palace Museum, don’t miss the adjacent gardens to the museum as well. These beautiful landscaped Chinese Gardens are a serene oasis in the bustling city.

The Gardens are free, and far fewer folks bothered to go and explore (compared to the numbers in the museum). Even if time is short, it’s worth a quick walkthrough to see this area’s ponds and beautiful landscaping.

Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park - Taipei

White Terror Museum

Location: No. 131, Fuxing Rd, Xindian District, New Taipei City
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues – Sun, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The White Terror Museum (formally known as the National Human Rights Museum) displays the history of one of the darkest periods of Taiwan’s History. The museum is dedicated to preserving and discussing the period of Martial Law that began following the Chinese Civil War. From 1949 until the late 80s, there was a terrible history of repression, arrest, torture, and executions.

Located in the former Jing-Mei Detention Center, visitors can explore various court areas, cells, historic prisoners, and prison life. The Kuomintang (KMT) took power and began a period of political repression and other activities during this harsh period of martial law. This in response to concerns of support and sympathy for the communist elements of China.

There were thousands of Taiwanese executed during this period, including those outside of Taiwan as well. Something like 140,000 Taiwanese saw prison sentences as a result of these actions.

The museum is a somber and important historical site for those visiting Taiwan who want to understand its current history. There were fewer visitors than workers when I was there, so you may even have much of it to yourself.

Night Markets

My favored way to eat in Taiwan. The night markets here are some of the best in Asia. There are quite a few scattered around Taipei, and everyone has their favorite. Some of the best ones I’ve tried.

Raohe Street Night Market

Located: Just outside the Songshan Metro Line.

This is one of the best in Taipei, with just a vast array of options. The trouble is that it’s super packed. It requires patience to move along with the flow of the crowd as you go along this long street. But there are some fantastic gems and one of the most diverse set of street foods among the markets.

Ningxia Night Market

Located: No. 58, Ningxia Rd, Datong District

It’s one of the older, still good markets. It’s a bit more impacted by tourists than some of the others but for good reason. It’s got a great set of options and is super fun. The downside is the street is pretty narrow, which makes it hard to navigate on busy nights.

Guangzhou Street Night Market

Location: Near Lungshan Temple

Located close to the Lungshan Temple, this market is much smaller than the others. However, the options were good, and it was far less crowded. This meant I could even sit at various stalls with seating (something that felt impossible in many other markets). This may be a good option if you are intimidated by the night market experience.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Location: No. 181, Section 3, Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District
Cost: NT$30
Hours: Tues – Sun, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

The Fine Arts Museum contains a beautiful selection of local Taiwanese, Chinese, and International Arts. The building hosts many permanent, rotating, and international exhibits within this fascinating building.

There are some cool workshops and a few interactive art displays as well. Be sure to also check out the adjacent Taiwan Story House when you are visiting here as well.

Taipei Confucius Temple

Location: No. 275, Dalong St, Datong District
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues – Sunday from 8:30 am – 9 pm

A beautiful historic building, the temple was built in 1879 (during the Qing dynasty) and later rebuilt in the 1930s. I appreciate the style of Confucius temples in how they differ from many other temples throughout the island.

The temple holds many celebrations (such as Confucius’s Birthday) as well as other lectures and exhibits.

Visiting in the evenings can be quite pleasant. A good stop along with the small Dalong Night Market.

Dalongdong Baoan Temple

Location: No. 61, Hami St, Datong District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 9:00 pm

Completed in 1830, the temple was planned for many years by various immigrants from Fujian to the area. History says that various immigrants begged the Baosheng Emperor in the 1740s to share his power and let them build a temple.

The temple saw turmoil during the Japanese occupation; however, it also saw reconstruction works during the early 20th century. The temple these days is a beautiful example of Asian architecture and spirituality. The traditional carvings are beautiful, and the temple hosts many visitors, festivals, rituals, and performances.

It’s a great spot to visit, along with the above Confucius temple. As long as it’s not a Monday.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

Location: No. 133, Guangfu S Rd, Xinyi District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

I love these repurposed urban environments to new creative endeavors. Songshan is one of these such places. This former tobacco factory has been remade into a beautiful art center, restaurant, and activity center.

There’s a lot to explore here, from various stores to fascinating art, games, and more. I loved that you could just hang out here and play video games or escape rooms, and it’s just a fun, creative space.

The location is open late however, many exhibits and stores have different hours than above. I recommend going earlier than later. Few things were open late in the evening, and it was pretty quiet (especially on a weekday).

Elephant Mountain

Location: Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District
Cost: Free

If you want an easy/moderate hike with an incredible payoff, Elephant Mountain is it! The trail brings you to one of the city’s best skyline views. It’s one of the best places to get great shots of Taipei 101

The hike is short but pretty steep. You’ll be ascending some pretty steep steps. My only quip was that many were so small that I had to skip steps. The trail takes you up to a few viewpoints and all are worth a stop.

The busiest viewpoint is right after the six-boulder area. You’ll see many folks here waiting for the perfect shot. The actual peak is beyond this, although it’s pretty uneventful. There’s a weird outdoor recreation area and then a small viewpoint.

The hike is excellent all day long. The most popular times are around sunrise and sunset. Evenings can be beautiful with the lighted skyline. They even light the trail as well.

Xinyi Assembly Hall

Location: No. 50, Songqin St, Xinyi District
Cost: Free

This is an interesting location. The Xinyi Assembly Hall area features some fun activities and well as a regular market. What’s interesting here is the buildings surrounding it hail back to old military village buildings.

These old buildings are the highlight, showcasing architecture that is mainly missing from modern Taipei. It’s also a great place ot get some shots with the juxtaposition of these old buildings with Taipei 101 in the background.

There’s a small museum and market and it’s a great place to wander. I recommend visiting during mid-day to check out the market and other local activities.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Location: No 21 Zhongzheng Rd. Zhongzheng District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

This massive complex is built in honor of Chiang Kai-shek the former leader of the Republic of China. The complex includes several gates as well as two performing arts theaters.

In the center of the complex is the massive memorial library. It includes the statue of Chiang Kai-shek and a museum detailing his life and Taiwan’s political history.

Beyond the library be sure to stay and watch the hourly changing of the guards occurring at the bottom of the west steps. Facing the monument is probably the best view; however, I was at the bottom of the steps and had an unimpeded (albeit mainly from the back) view.

External Shot of Museum of Contemporary Art | Things to Do in Taipei Taiwan

Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei

Location: No. 39, Chang’an W Rd, Datong District
Cost: NT$ 100
Hours: Tues – Sun: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Taiwan’s premier museum dedicated to Contemporary Art. The museum here is housed in a beautiful old school (the building is one of my favorite parts). The museum focuses on many different mediums, including modern art, multimedia installations, interactive displays, and more.

The museum contains a selection of permanent and rotating exhibits. There’s always something new on display as they regularly have special exhibits. The site itself is a great place to stop and explore for a couple of hours if you are a contemporary art lover.

Dihua Old Street

Location: Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District

Dihua Old Street is in the heart of Dadaocheng, one of the oldest areas of Taipei. You can visit here solo, or if you want more history, you can also do a tour of the Dadaocheng district, which includes this area.

The street has some of my favorite shops for snacks in Taipei—especially some of the sesame and peanut snacks found all over Taiwan. The markets here are great. I would recommend checking if there are any festivals, as that can make the place super packed. I visited a few times, and once right before Chinese New Year, which was swarmed with folks!

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Location: Bade Rd, Zhongzheng District

This is like the prior Songshan spot in that it was a former factory (in this case sake) that was transformed into an arts and culture center. I enjoy wandering this location more than the prior spot in that it’s got a bit more nooks and crannies outdoors to explore.

There are some fun shops, and there always seems to be some sort of display, performance, or show happening here. The location seems very popular, with locals coming here to walk and hang out, which I found especially lovely. I wandered and sampled some of the food and looked at souvenirs but sadly missed many of the interactive performances (lines were always too long when I visited). But it gives me more to explore when I return.

I recommend visiting mid-day or early evening. The website states that it’s open 24 hours a day. And that’s true for the grounds. Most attractions don’t start until about 11 am and close around 8 pm.

Lungshan Temple

Location: No. 211, Guangzhou St, Wanhua District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily, 6 am – 10 pm

This was my favorite temple to explore—the incredible Lungshan temple, built in the 1700s, honors both Buddhist and Taoist religious figures.

The architecture of this temple is my favorite part. However, the temple has seen many reconstructions after being destroyed by earthquakes, bombings, and more. It is a testament to the people’s will to keep rebuilding this place.

The temple is a favorite of mine to wander at night when it’s so beautifully lit up. It’s also a great stop along with a nearby night market for some food afterward.

Food Tour

Website: Taipei Food Tour

I stumbled upon a food tour when my trip to Taipei was modified last minute and it turned out to be one of my favorite activities! There are a few different tours throughout the city, but the one linked here is one of the best-known. It was also the one I did, so it’s the one I can recommend.

The tour takes you through various food stall areas to try a variety of local cuisines, from oyster omelets to stinky tofu. The night market they chose is also one of the quieter ones, which I think helps the experience.

The site does say they can accommodate non-pork and non-seafood options. However, you do miss out on at least one option this way. So, it’s just something to think about. I don’t think it detracts from the overall experience, however.

Beef Noodle Soup

Location: Various

There’s no shortage of incredible Taiwanese Dishes. One that I didn’t see on many other lists was the delicious beef noodle soup. There are so many options for this around Taipei, and everyone seems to have their favorite.

The one thing I found interesting is that a lot of these options are halal, which is great for my many Muslim readers who may be visiting Taipei. Some of the most popular places have a line out front or weird hours. So you’ll need to make a point if you really want to try the dish.

My favorite of the ones I tried was Halal Chinese Beef Noodles in Da’an District. The restaurant that received interest from Michelin and always has a line out front. The noodles are perfectly chewy, and the broth and beef are flavorful. There’s also plenty of side dishes to choose from. Be sure to get the bread, at least!

Red House

Location: No. 1-1, Section 1, Nanchang Rd, Zhongzheng District
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues – Sunday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Built during the Japanese Colonial Period (~1908), the beautiful Red House is an impressive cultural, theater, and shopping hub. The site features a beautiful space for performances, design, and a cute little museum as well.

There’s even a great little shopping location here too. The creative market on the ground floor is even open on Mondays when the rest of the location is closed. Or at least it was when I wandered by on a Monday.

There are often performances here, even outdoors, with a regular stage set up for various festivals. It’s not a huge place or even my top spot in the city, but it has enough to keep you occupied for an hour or two.

Taipei 101

Location: Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Cost: NT$ 600 – 1200
Website: Taipei 101

The 2nd tallest building in the world and the tallest in East Asia. The building was the tallest for many years (before the burj khalifa), but it is still impressive with some great views.

The observatory sits on the 89th, the 91st (outdoors, weather dependent), and the 101st. The 101st floor is a separate cost, so if that interests you, be sure to get the ticket that includes it.

Access to the 101st-floor elevators is through the 89th-floor gift shop. Overall, I don’t think the view from the 101st floor is that much better. The nice part is that fewer folks were wandering on the 101st floor.

We recommend booking your tickets online, especially if it’s a busy day (or if you want 101st-floor tickets). 101st floor tickets can sell out (they did my day, but thankfully, I already had a ticket). You can also check Klook or Get Your Guide, as you may still be able to get tickets for the 101st floor.

National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Location: No. 505 Ren’ai Rd, Xinyi District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Completed in 1972, the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall honors Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. The hall serves various functions, including a museum, cultural center, and event space. The museum has information on his life, the history of the republic and Taiwan.

The park is popular with locals for relaxing and exercising and the location here does give some great photo opportunities with Taipei 101 nearby. It’s a good spot to visit along with Taipei 101, depending on when you are in the area.

Unfortunately, on my recent trip here, things were closed for renovation so I missed out on exploring the exhibits inside.

National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine

Location: No. 139, Beian Rd, Zhongshan District
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Built in 1969, this shrine commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers in the service of the Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War (and other conflicts). The grand central shrine is an impressive building that houses the names of nearly 400,000 troops who have died in service.

What I found especially interesting is that in the garden area surrounding the shrine, there are tablets that tell history in relation to battles during the Chinese Civil War. Explaining some of the historical context here helped me get a better sense of an era I know so little about.

The site also has an hourly changing of the guards, which is worth watching if you are here at the proper times.

Ximending Shopping District

Location: Hanzhong St, Wanhua District

If you want to be where locals are out shopping and eating, then be sure to pop through the Ximending Shopping District. The area also gave me a vibe of Shibuya in Tokyo when I was here.

There are a lot of places just to wander, people-watch, or snack as you explore the area. During the evenings the streets here also become a night market, with many food stalls scattered around the streets.

It may not be the most scenic spot in the city, but it’s a good jumping-off point for several activities listed above. And it’s a good place to see locals being locals. It also has quite a few popular food places. Just look for the lines! Some of the best Taiwanese fried chicken in the area, too.

Day Trips to Geopark , Jiufen, Shifen

There are quite a few great day trips to explore from the city. Many of these can be done individually or as part of a tour. There are quite a few Get Your Guide and Klook tours that include these places for a reasonable cost.

Yehliu Geopark

Located about 90 minutes from Taipei, the Geopark includes some fascinating rock formations. It’s a good quick trip for those who haven’t seen any of the landscape outside of Taipei. The windswept coast here has some incredibly unique formations, and the park format makes it easy to explore them all.

The park’s highlight is the “Queen’s Head,” which looks like the silhouette of a woman with a crown. There are actually two, and the more famous one has a line for those who want their photo. To be honest, I didn’t bother waiting for my photo.

Beitou Hot Spring

Still technically within Taipei but about an hour outside the city center, the Beitou Hot Springs is a perfect getaway for those looking to soak and relax. The springs were developed during the Japanese Occupation and have continued to be used to this day.

Several resorts in the area offer pools and options for soaking in the hot spring waters. You can also check out the Beitou Hot Springs Museum for more information and history on the area. The area has a stronger Japanese vibe than many other parts of the island.

Jiufen

Jiufen is a beautiful old area outside of the city of Taipei. The highlight is the narrow Jiufen Old Street, full of small restaurants and shops. It’s got a lot of cute little spots to check out. One of the highlights on the street is the A-Mei Teahouse, with its beautiful architecture. It’s also incredibly popular, which may make it hard to get a table.

If you can, try to visit on a weekday. Weekends are extremely busy and may require you to take a shuttle from external parking to the main street.

Shifen

Another cute historic town, Shifen, has a cute little shopping district that straddles old train tracks. The train driving through town is something to behold as well. Be sure to also check out the town’s suspension bridge over the river.

The town is known for its old town and nearby waterfall. Popular in the town are the lanterns which folks write prayers and then send into the air. It’s a bit of an eyesore, though, with all the fallen lanterns littering the area (even if they claim they are ‘environmentally friendly.’ I chose not to do a lantern myself.

If you go on a tour, nearly all of them include the waterfall. It’s a worthwhile short hike to see these rather lovely falls. I think it makes sense to do both if you come.