Taipei is an unimaginable metropolis to go to in Taiwan. It’s buzzing with exercise, cool neighbourhoods, and among the greatest bars we visited in Asia. It’s a very epic metropolis and one which’s effectively price exploring when you’re heading to Taiwan (or the broader geographic area).
We’ve spent fairly a little bit of time within the metropolis, and it’s really easy to get underneath the pores and skin of what makes Taipei particular on a visit. Not solely that, it’s a extremely protected, well-connected metropolis that ’s tremendous straightforward to get round – even when it will probably really feel fairly unfold out.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your time in Taipei, I’m sharing the highest locations we liked visiting within the metropolis: cool speakeasies, scrumptious evening markets, and, after all, the temples.
Have a look under at the most effective issues to do in Taipei in your journey. Have the very best time.
1.) Taipei Evening Markets
Night markets in Taipei are a must-visit. They aren’t only a place for vacationers or guests—locals from throughout the town come to eat, chill, and socialise, too.
One factor you will see that is that there are heaps of evening markets in Taipei to select from. So, that will help you get probably the most out of your go to, I’ve created a whole post on the best Taipei Night Markets you gained’t wish to miss.
We liked Linjiang Evening Market, Yong Le Evening Market, Raohe Avenue Evening Market – however there are such a lot of extra that we’ve detailed in our put up.
Oh, and take money with you (particularly smaller notes of round $100). Almost all distributors are money solely, and so they hate breaking greater notes.
Read more: Taipei’s best night markets to visit
2.) Taipei 101 Observatory (台北101)
In all probability one among Taipei’s most iconic buildings, ‘Taipei 101’ is an absolute must-see when visiting Taipei. Now, what makes Taipei 101 so particular is that it has its very own observation deck, which you’ll go to by grabbing these tickets. The views are unimaginable and the lookout helps you to see everywhere in the complete of Taipei itself.
Now, when you do head as much as the 101 Observation Deck, you’ll miss the long-lasting skyline view of the 101 constructing itself. This isn’t a nasty factor; it’s simply that among the greatest views (for my part) embrace the 101 constructing inside the vista.
Nonetheless, it’s completely price visiting for a 45-minute journey, and the views throughout Taipei are spectacular on a transparent day.
Additionally, don’t neglect, you may get some unimaginable views over the broader shoreline from the Bitou Cape Hiking Trail within the Ruifang District of the town. It’s lovely if you’d like a while away from the town streets. Plus, if you’d like some nice views of Taipei itself, head up Elephant Mountain. The views are breathtaking.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
3.) Da’an District, Neighbourhood bar district
Okay, so the Da’an Neighbourhood of Taipei is one among my favourites to go to when you’re trying to go to among the greatest bars and eating places in Taipei. Not solely that, it’s the most effective issues to do in Taipei when you’re searching for an evening out within the metropolis.
There are heaps round this space, and so they’re all very native, cool and really distinctive. In my view, Taipei’s bar tradition is among the greatest I’ve skilled while travelling in Asia, significantly for cocktails.
Now, we’ve some absolute favorite bars in Taipei that you would be able to’t miss – but it surely’s not exhaustive. There’s a new, consistently opening or pop-up bar that’s effectively price asking about in your lodge (or with locals) when you arrive.
If it’s a speakeasy you’re after, head to PUN. Don’t get delay by having to walk down a tiny alley – PUN may be very effectively hidden. Now, that is the Google Maps spot of the bar itself.
If you’re right here, stroll down the slender alley till you get to a gap on the left-hand aspect. There’s a gray room with a button that you just press. Press that button! This can then open the unmarked door to the best, which can lead you into PUN itself. The vibe right here may be very cool, and the cocktails are scrumptious.
As with most higher-end cocktail bars in Taipei, there’s sometimes a minimal spend. This often equates to 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks.
Afterwards, be sure to go to Bar Pine (松) (Google Maps hyperlink, here).
One other good spot that has round 8 tables inside. These guys know their stuff in the case of spirit-led cocktails and every drink has it’s personal story. We liked it right here.
Oh, and don’t neglect about Tei by Obound (Google Maps hyperlink, here). This place is actually particular.
Right here, they concentrate on tea-based cocktails which can be so yummy. To enter, you need to pour your tea on the aspect desk that can open a secret door to the bar itself. Don’t fear, although, when you can’t discover the tea, the workforce will allow you to!
Lastly, for one more late-night opening, head to Monkie (Google Maps hyperlink, here). It is a nice cocktail bar to cease for iconic cocktails and scrumptious meals. We had scorching steak, hen, and heaps extra whereas we have been there.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
4.) Nationwide Dr. Sunn Yat-Sen Memorial Corridor
Not too removed from Taipei’s Excessive Velocity Prepare Station, the Nationwide Dr. Sunn Yat-Sen Memorial Corridor is effectively price a gander at while visiting the town. Right here, you’ll be able to wander the memorial corridor to study extra about China’s founding father. From a global perspective, it’s a good way to study extra in regards to the lengthy historical past of Taiwan.
Visits are free and take round 20-Half-hour.
Read more: Taipei’s best night markets to visit
5.) Ximen Neighbourhood
Now, Dihua Avenue is as busy because it comes! It type of jogs my memory of Occasions Sq. in New York Metropolis, and it’s a hive of exercise within the day and night.
There are actually thousand of individuals on the streets right here and it’s actually an space that’s equipped for guests to Taipei itself. If you’re right here, you’ll discover iconic shops like PopMart, the Ximending Evening Market and the broader strolling district that’s stuffed with stalls and outlets.
It’s an awesome place to go to, particularly for an hour or two, however I wouldn’t spend all night right here, particularly when you’re on the hunt for a very good foodie spot. In my view, a very good hour is sufficient to get the flavour of the place, and we discovered it fairly laborious to seek out top-rated eating places on this space.
That’s not saying you’ll be able to’t discover them, it’s simply you need to analysis rather more to discover a gem that isn’t simply catering for vacationer footfall.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
6.) Longhsan Temple
Not too removed from the strolling streets of the Ximen Neighbourhood, Longhsan Temple is a Buddhist and Taoist temple that’s very easy to go to when you’re already within the space.
As soon as right here, take a wander contained in the temple that’s actually centuries outdated. It’s stated that the Lunghsan Temple dates again to the 18th Century and nonetheless stands proudly to at the present time.
Visits take round 15-25 minutes and it’s really easy to see when you’re already within the native space.
Read more: Taipei’s best night markets to visit
7.) Chang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor
Completely free to enter, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Corridor is totally colossal and effectively price wandering round for an hour or so whereas visiting Taipei. Right here, you’ll get to discover the broader grounds and the museum inside. It’s breathtaking, and the entire website is simply lovely.
One factor to notice is that the location can get extremely popular within the noon. There may be little or no shade, so be sure to take water with you and SPF. The solar may be so intense right here in Taiwan.
Visits are free, and it’s the most effective issues to do in Taipei when you spend a couple of days within the metropolis.
In order for you a guided journey, book this incredible day tour that not solely takes in Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Corridor, but it surely’ll additionally take you to the well-known scorching springs. It’s such a good way to expertise extra of the broader space round Taipei.
Read more: Taipei’s best night markets to visit
8) Taipei Tremendous Arts Museum
We liked the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. There’s something so zen and calming in regards to the area they’ve created within the metropolis.
There’s a small entrance charge to discover contained in the effective arts museum, however it’s so price it. They’ve heaps of everlasting and seasonal displays throughout round three flooring (it is perhaps one or two extra; I simply can’t bear in mind precisely).
Visits take round 90-240 minutes, and it’s effectively price visiting within the warmth of the noon solar. This fashion, you’ll be able to calm down within the air-conditioned displays and wander at a pleasant, enjoyable tempo.
Additionally, to make issues straightforward to get round, you’ll be able to book this hop-on-hop-off bus tour that can drop you off at a few of Taipei’s greatest locations to go to. It is a nice solution to maximise your time, particularly when you’re solely within the metropolis for a day or two.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
9.) Nationwide Palace Museum
Simply outdoors the town limits of central Taipei itself, the National Palace Museum is price visiting if you wish to study extra in regards to the heritage and tradition of the broader area.
Right here, you’ll discover heaps of Chinese language artefacts, with some courting again 1000’s of years.
It’s a fully colossal place to go to, and you’ll simply spend all day wandering across the displays. In any case, it’s one of many largest displays in Taiwan.
There’s a small entrance charge, however just like the Taipei Tremendous Arts Museum, it’s effectively price the associated fee.
10.) Juifen Previous Avenue
I do know, I do know! It’s not in Taipei however it’s round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei and effectively price visiting. Now, what makes the hilly city of Juifen’s Previous Avenue so particular is its winding little alleys, neon lights and foodie spots that line the streets right here.
The entire space round Juifen Previous Avenue is gorgeous to go to for a protracted afternoon journey from Taipei itself. A taxi takes round 50 minutes or 90 minutes through public transport. Simply be sure to remain till the early night, when the world is lit up with probably the most vibrant indicators. It actually is among the greatest issues to do in Taipei when you fancy a wander off from the town itself.
Oh, one closing factor – if it’s raining, be sure to take smart sneakers! The alleys get very slippery.
To make issues straightforward, book this Juifen day trip tour that can take you to the areas key spots you gained’t wish to miss. It’s a lot enjoyable and unimaginable to see. Simply you should definitely book this tour earlier than arriving in Taipei as tickets can promote out.
11.) Huashan 1914 Inventive Park
We liked the Huashan 1914 Creative Park. Visiting is definitely the most effective issues to do in Taipei if you’d like a calming out afternoon of cafes, cool unbiased shops, cinema and extra in a single space.
The Huashan 1914 Inventive Park is located inside a historic manufacturing unit advanced that has been remodeled into an idyllic spot.
While right here, you’ll get to pop into the park’s pop-up shops and discover the cafe tradition in Taipei. We spent round 2 hours right here and liked it.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
12.) Grand Lodge tunnels
In all probability one among Taipei’s most iconic accommodations, the Grand Lodge is price visiting, even when you’re not staying there. Throughout our time in Taipei, we stayed at each the Grand Lodge and Regent Lodge, and while each are iconic properties, we did love the rooms extra on the Regent Lodge.
That being stated, the Grand Lodge is nice! Even when you’re not staying, be sure to guide a tour of the Grand Lodge escape tunnels, which you’ll truly discover on a guided tour.
Excursions take round Half-hour, and also you’ll study extra in regards to the historical past of Taiwan, the long-lasting Grand Lodge, and the way the tunnels got here into existence.
Additionally, you’ll be able to simply book this private tour of Taipei by car. The most effective factor about this tour is that it’s all in your phrases, you’ll be able to keep as little or so long as you need at Taipei’s must-visit locations.
Read more: Best places across Taiwan to visit
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