Things to Do in Taipei
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in Taipei

36 curated spots from Taipei itineraries

Activities & Attractions

22 curated experiences

Bopiliao Historic Block
Do
afternoon

Bopiliao Historic Block

Wander preserved Qing- and Japanese-era buildings near Longshan Temple with small exhibits and alleyways ideal for photos.

1h · Free
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Do
late morning

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Explore the grand plaza, white-and-blue memorial hall, and ornamental gates; see the hourly changing of the guard and stroll the gardens and ponds.[3][8]

1h 30m · Free
Longshan Temple
Do
late morning

Longshan Temple

One of Taipei’s most famous temples, with ornate carvings, incense, and worshippers offering prayers in a richly decorated courtyard.[3][4][8]

1h 30m · Free (donations optional)
Taipei Zoo
Do
morning

Taipei Zoo

Explore one of Asia’s largest zoos with spacious enclosures and shaded walking paths before heading up into the hills.[9]

2h 30m · $5-10
Dadaocheng & Dadaocheng Wharf Evening Walk
Do
evening

Dadaocheng & Dadaocheng Wharf Evening Walk

Stroll Dihua Street’s preserved shophouses and then walk to the riverside wharf for sunset views and a relaxed waterfront promenade.[4]

1h · Free
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Trail
Do
late afternoon

Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Trail

Short but stair-heavy hike from Xiangshan MRT with classic postcard views of Taipei 101 and the skyline.[3][4]

1h 30m · Free
Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail (Xiangshan)
Do
afternoon

Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail (Xiangshan)

Take the MRT to Xiangshan Station and hike the short but steep stair trail to multiple viewpoints overlooking Taipei 101 and the skyline.[1][2]

1h 30m · Free
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Do
afternoon

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

A former factory turned creative hub with design shops, cafes, rotating exhibitions, and open courtyards where you can relax.[4]

2h · Free (shops/exhibits extra)
Maokong Gondola
Do
afternoon

Maokong Gondola

Scenic cable car from Taipei Zoo up into Maokong’s tea hills, with some cabins featuring glass floors and several viewpoint stops.[3][4]

2h · $5-10 per person (round-trip)
Maokong Gondola & Maokong Trails
Do
afternoon

Maokong Gondola & Maokong Trails

Ride the gondola from Taipei Zoo up to Maokong’s tea-growing hills; enjoy views, short walking paths, and nearby hiking trails.[9]

2h 30m · $5-10 (round-trip gondola)
Maokong Tea Plantation Walk & Viewpoints
Do
late afternoon

Maokong Tea Plantation Walk & Viewpoints

From Maokong Station, take short walks along the ridge to tea shops and small viewpoints over the city and hills.[3][4]

1h 30m · Free (tea extra)
National Palace Museum
Do
late morning

National Palace Museum

World-class museum with one of the largest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts, including bronzes, jade, and calligraphy.[3][4]

2h 30m · $12-15 per person
Raohe Street Night Market (Optional Late-Night)
Do
evening

Raohe Street Night Market (Optional Late-Night)

If you still have energy, MRT over to Raohe for pepper buns baked in tandoor-style ovens and a riverside temple-lit entrance.[3][4]

2h · $10-15 per person (food)
Shilin Night Market
Do
evening

Shilin Night Market

Taipei’s largest and most famous night market for street food, carnival games, and shopping streets.[3][4][8]

2h 30m · $10-20 per person
Shilin Official Residence Park
Do
afternoon

Shilin Official Residence Park

Stroll the landscaped gardens and grounds of Chiang Kai-shek’s former residence, now a public park with walking paths and flowers.

1h 30m · Free or low fee for some areas
Songshan Ciyou Temple & Riverside Park (near Raohe)
Do
evening

Songshan Ciyou Temple & Riverside Park (near Raohe)

Visit the ornate Ciyou Temple by Raohe’s gate, then walk to the nearby riverside park for night views of the bridge and city lights.[2]

1h · Free
Taipei 101 Observatory
Do
late morning

Taipei 101 Observatory

Ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to panoramic city views and learn about the building’s massive tuned mass damper.[3][4]

1h 30m · $20-25 per person
Tamsui Riverside Promenade
Do
evening

Tamsui Riverside Promenade

Take the MRT north to Tamsui and stroll the riverside path, snack on local specialties, and enjoy sunset sea and mountain views.[1]

3h · Free, food extra
Ximending Pedestrian Area
Do
late afternoon

Ximending Pedestrian Area

Lively shopping and entertainment district with street art, fashion shops, and lots of snack stands and cafes.[4]

1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Xinyi District & Taipei 101 Area
Do
morning

Xinyi District & Taipei 101 Area

Stroll the modern shopping malls and outdoor plazas around Taipei 101; optional visit to the observation deck for city views.[1][2]

2h 30m · $20-30 (shopping/coffee), Taipei 101 observatory extra
Xinyi District Night Stroll
Do
evening

Xinyi District Night Stroll

Wander the pedestrian plazas around Taipei 101, ATT 4 FUN, and nearby malls with light installations and street performers.

1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Yongkang Street & Park Stroll
Do
late afternoon

Yongkang Street & Park Stroll

Walk along Yongkang Street’s compact stretch of dessert shops, cafes, and small boutiques, then relax at the nearby Yongkang Park.

1h 30m · Free (food extra)

Restaurants & Food

14 local favorites

Fuhang Soy Milk
Eat
morning

Fuhang Soy Milk

Classic Taiwanese breakfast spot inside Huashan Market; try the salty soy milk, youtiao (fried dough sticks), and egg-filled shao bing.

1h · $5-10 per person
Ningxia Night Market
Eat
evening

Ningxia Night Market

Compact night market known for food stalls like oyster omelets, taro balls, grilled squid, and traditional desserts.

2h · $10-20 per person
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Eat
afternoon

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

Legendary Ximending stall serving thick, flavorful bowls of Taiwanese vermicelli with intestines or without.

45m · $4-7 per person
Din Tai Fung (Taipei 101 Branch)
Eat
afternoon

Din Tai Fung (Taipei 101 Branch)

Famous xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) restaurant in the Taipei 101 mall; order pork xiaolongbao, shrimp fried rice, and vegetable dishes.[3][4]

1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Maokong Tea House (generic choice)
Eat
evening

Maokong Tea House (generic choice)

Choose one of the tea houses near Maokong Station for simple dishes, tea, and a view back toward Taipei.

1h 30m · $12-20 per person
Maokong Teahouse (general area recommendation)
Eat
afternoon

Maokong Teahouse (general area recommendation)

Choose a teahouse near Maokong Gondola’s upper station for tea, simple set meals, and hillside views over Taipei.

1h · $15-25 per person
Raohe Street Night Market
Eat
evening

Raohe Street Night Market

Dive into one of Taipei’s classic night markets; try pepper buns near the entrance, stinky tofu, bubble tea, and browse clothing and accessories.[1][2]

2h 30m · $10-20 per person
Shilin Night Market Food Stalls
Eat
evening

Shilin Night Market Food Stalls

Use Shilin Night Market as your dinner: try fried chicken steak, pepper buns, bubble tea, and fruit juices.[3][4][8]

1h 30m · $10-20 per person (overlaps with market spend)
Tamsui Old Street Snacks
Eat
evening

Tamsui Old Street Snacks

Graze on fish balls, iron eggs, fried squid, and ice cream along Tamsui Old Street stalls for a casual waterfront dinner.[1]

1h 30m · $10-20 per person
Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market
Eat
evening

Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market

Local-favorite night market with grilled meats, stinky tofu, shaved ice, and bubble tea just a short walk from Xinyi shopping streets.

1h 30m · $10-20 per person
Ximending Izakaya or Taiwanese Bistro (generic)
Eat
evening

Ximending Izakaya or Taiwanese Bistro (generic)

Pick a casual izakaya-style or Taiwanese bistro in Ximending for shared skewers, small plates, and rice dishes.

1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Ximending Soy Milk / Local Breakfast (generic)
Eat
morning

Ximending Soy Milk / Local Breakfast (generic)

Pick a soy-milk or breakfast shop near Ximen MRT for egg crepes, turnip cakes, and fresh soy milk.

45m · $5-8 per person
Yong Kang Beef Noodle
Eat
afternoon

Yong Kang Beef Noodle

Well-known for rich beef noodle soup; order the braised beef noodle and share side dishes like cold cucumber.

1h · $10-15 per person
Yonghe Soy Milk King (Da’an)
Eat
morning

Yonghe Soy Milk King (Da’an)

Casual Taiwanese breakfast chain; order hot soy milk, radish cake, and egg crepes to share.

45m · $5-8 per person

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