Things to Visit in Taipei: Night Markets, Temples, and Mountains
Discover the best of Taipei from its legendary night markets and historic temples to mountain trails and hot springs. Covers landmarks, food experiences, neighborhoods, nature escapes, and cultural highlights.
The 89th-floor outdoor observation deck offers panoramic city views on clear days. The indoor deck on floor 88 has the world's largest tuned mass damper on display. Fast-pass tickets cost about 600 TWD and skip the regular queue. Visit at sunset for the best light.
Watch the changing of the guard at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The hourly ceremony at this massive white marble hall is a precise military display lasting about 10 minutes. The surrounding Liberty Square with its ornate archways and flanking National Theater and Concert Hall is worth a full walk-around. Entry is free.
Visit Longshan Temple in Wanhua
This 300-year-old Buddhist and Taoist temple is the spiritual heart of old Taipei. The ornate dragon columns and incense-filled main hall are at their most atmospheric during morning prayers. The surrounding Wanhua district is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.
Explore the National Palace Museum
Home to 700,000 artifacts spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history, this museum holds one of the world's largest collections. The jade cabbage and meat-shaped stone are the most famous pieces. Allow at least 3 hours. Entry is 350 TWD.
Night Markets
Eat at Shilin Night Market, the largest in Taipei
Start with the underground food court for classics like oyster omelettes, stinky tofu, and bubble tea. Then work your way through the above-ground stalls for more exotic options. Most items cost 50-150 TWD. The market opens around 4 PM and peaks from 7-10 PM.
Visit Raohe Street Night Market for local favorites
Smaller and more focused on food than Shilin, Raohe is a single 600-meter street with standout vendors. The pepper pork bun stall at the entrance always has a long line for good reason. The Ciyou Temple at one end is beautifully lit at night.
Explore Ningxia Night Market for old-school Taiwanese food
This compact market is a local favorite with less tourist polish. The lu rou fan braised pork rice, taro balls, and oyster vermicelli here are among the best in the city. Look for the Michelin-recognized stalls marked with red signs.
Try Tonghua Night Market near Taipei 101
The most convenient night market for visitors staying near the financial district. Known for its crispy fried chicken cutlets, grilled squid, and fresh papaya milk. Smaller and more walkable than Shilin, with a local residential feel.
Nature and Mountains
Hike Elephant Mountain for Taipei 101 views
This 20-minute steep staircase climb rewards with the best framed view of Taipei 101 against the city skyline. Go 30 minutes before sunset for golden light photos. The trailhead is a 5-minute walk from Xiangshan MRT station.
Soak in Beitou Hot Springs
This hillside neighborhood 30 minutes by MRT from downtown has public and private hot spring baths fed by natural volcanic water. The public Millennium Hot Spring costs 40 TWD for an outdoor soak. The nearby Hot Spring Museum is a beautifully restored Japanese-era bathhouse.
Hike through Yangmingshan National Park
This volcanic mountain park above the city offers trails through sulfur vents, bamboo forests, and flower fields. The Qingtiangang circular trail is an easy 2-km walk through grasslands. Cherry blossoms bloom here in February, and calla lilies bloom on Zhuzihu in March through May.
Day trip to Jiufen mountain village
This hillside gold-mining town with narrow alley markets and tea houses is said to have inspired a famous Japanese animated film. The bus ride from Taipei takes about 90 minutes. Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds. The old street can get very packed on weekends and holidays.
Neighborhoods and Culture
Wander the creative district of Huashan 1914
This former sake brewery has been converted into an arts and culture park with galleries, indie shops, pop-up exhibitions, and outdoor movie screenings. Free to enter the grounds. Weekend markets and events are common.
Explore Dadaocheng, Taipei's oldest commercial district
The streets around Dihua Street are lined with Baroque-style buildings housing traditional tea shops, dried goods stores, and fabric merchants. The Lunar New Year market here in January-February is the largest in the city.
Browse the boutiques in Yongkang Street
This tree-lined pedestrian street in Da'an District is the epicenter of Taipei's cafe culture, with specialty coffee roasters, independent bookshops, and the original location of the famous soup dumpling restaurant. The xiao long bao at the flagship has a 30-60 minute wait at peak hours.
Visit Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
A converted tobacco factory now housing design studios, exhibition spaces, and a multi-story design library. The Taiwan Design Museum inside showcases contemporary Taiwanese industrial and graphic design. The park grounds are free to walk.
Food Experiences
Eat xiao long bao soup dumplings
Taipei is the world capital of soup dumplings. The original branch near Yongkang Street is the most famous, but local favorites with shorter waits can be found in every neighborhood. A steamer basket of 10 costs 200-300 TWD at most places.
Drink bubble tea from its birthplace
Taiwan invented bubble tea in the 1980s. Fresh-made versions with real tapioca pearls cost 50-80 TWD from shops on every block. Customize the sugar and ice levels when ordering. Half-sugar, less ice is a popular balanced choice.
Try beef noodle soup, Taipei's comfort food
Rich braised beef broth with hand-pulled noodles and tender beef shank is Taipei's staple lunch. The city holds an annual beef noodle festival to crown the best. A bowl costs 150-250 TWD at most shops. The red-braised version is the most traditional.
Take a Taiwanese cooking class
Classes typically cover 3-4 dishes over 3 hours, including a market visit to select ingredients. Expect to learn classics like three-cup chicken, lu rou fan, and scallion pancakes. Classes run 1,500-3,000 TWD per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Taipei?
Four to six days covers the city and day trips well. Spend two days on the main landmarks and night markets, one day hiking and in Beitou hot springs, one day in Jiufen and the northeast coast, and extra days for museum deep-dives or nearby destinations like Tainan or Sun Moon Lake. Three days is tight but doable if you focus on night markets, temples, and one mountain hike.
What is the best time to visit Taipei?
October through December offers mild temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius, less rain, and comfortable humidity. March through May is pleasant with cherry blossoms in the mountains. June through September is typhoon season with high heat and humidity. January and February are cooler and coincide with Lunar New Year celebrations.
Is Taipei expensive?
Taipei is one of the most affordable capital cities in Asia for visitors. Night market meals cost 50-200 TWD per dish. MRT rides are 20-65 TWD. Clean hostels start at 500-800 TWD per night and mid-range hotels at 2,000-3,500 TWD. A comfortable daily budget is 2,000-4,000 TWD including food, transport, and activities.
How do you get around Taipei?
The MRT subway system is clean, efficient, and covers most tourist areas. An EasyCard contactless card costs 100 TWD and works on the MRT, buses, and at convenience stores. The YouBike public bicycle system has stations every few blocks and costs 5-10 TWD per 30 minutes. Taxis are metered, starting at 70 TWD, and ride-hailing apps are widely available.