The Best Travel Guide to Taipei (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Taiwan

Taipei

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Overview

Taipei The guide was updated: 2024-05-07

The city and the countryside, the old and the new, high culture and the downright gritty — whatever you are looking for, Taipei has everything today’s discerning traveller could wish for. Set in a natural basin amongst lush green mountains, the city is just a stone's throw away from unspoiled beaches and wild coastline, and boasts all the distractions a modern metropolis can offer while at the same time providing a glimpse into its ancient past.

Facts

Population:	2.5 million
Currency:	New Taiwan dollar (NT$ or TWD)
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 110 Ambulance: 119
Newspapers:	Taipei Times: www.taipeitimes.com
Website:	www.travel.taipei/en
Opening hours:	Office hours for most government agencies are from 8:30am to 5:30pm weekdays. Banking hours are from 9am to 15:30pm from Monday to Friday. Private companies are usually more flexible with their working hours. Most stores stay open until late both on weekdays and weekends and there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores throughout the city.
Tourist information:	The Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government and tourist friendly stores have 19 information stations across the city. Taipei Main Station Tourist Service Center is open daily 9am–7pm.

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Section in Taipei

Taipei has so much to offer, lots to see and experience. There is everything from ancient temples to night markets to keep both first-time and return visitors occupied. There are also plenty of museums to visit, like the National Palace Museum, and abundant green parks to stroll around.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The Taipei landmark, Chiang Kai-Shek National Memorial Hall, was constructed in memory of Chiang Kai-Shek, former president of R.O.C. The large area is dominated by the colours of the national flag: blue, white and red. These colours symbolise independence, universal love and equality.

Ximending District

Ximending District

Perhaps the hippest neighbourhood in Taipei, Ximending (or Shi-men Ting) is a pedestrian-only area that truly comes to life after sundown. Loud music plays and bright shopfront lights flicker, enticing local youths and tourists with their offerings, some beyond wacky: maid cafes, knife massage, curious bubble tea concoctions, KTV booths, and more – all this along with a few very well preserved historic buildings, such as the Red House. It's a great place to experience the dynamic, young side of Taipei.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark

Shaped by water and wind, the rocks of Yehliu Geopark attract many to the area. The park and its natural attractions showcase art that has been formed by natural forces over centuries. The place looks almost otherworldly: it's easy to imagine you're walking on the surface of a different planet.

Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple

Originally built in 1738, this is the oldest and most popular worship temple in Taipei. It has bronze dragons on pillars symbolising protection, and Buddha sculptures in the main hall. A visit to this magnificent temple will grant you an understanding of Chinese architecture and religion.

National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Chinese art including antiquities, paintings, calligraphy, and rare documents spanning 5,000 years. The museum is known as the treasure house of Chinese culture. The museum offers multilingual guided tours.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 was ranked officially as the world’s tallest building from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. The building stands at a height of 508m/1,667 ft. This Taipei landmark was designed in eight sections, since the Chinese lucky number is just that. The building has 101 floors with some of the fastest elevators in the world, travelling at a speed of almost 61 kilometres per hour. The first 5 floors are occupied by upscale stores and boutiques.

Tamsui Riverside Cycle Path

Tamsui Riverside Cycle Path

Part of the Golden River Bank (Tamsui Jinse Shui'an Biking Trails), this is a well-maintained path running from Tamsui MRT to the Hongshulin MRT. Beautiful scenery and access to one of the region's few remaining mangrove swamps. Before you rent a bike and begin your journey at Tamsui MRT, try the iron eggs, fish balls, and Tamsui Agei (stuffed deep-fried tofu pockets) at the snacks stalls.

The Yangmingshan National Park

The Yangmingshan National Park

The Yangmingshan National Park provides the backdrop while you hike away the strain of a hard day’s city sightseeing. The park is located just to the north of Taipei and is Taipei's closest national park. This is a very beautiful site and a must see.

Taipei Zoo

Taipei Zoo

Taipei Zoo is a very nice place for families with children, there are lots of things to see and a wide variety of animals to admire. The zoo is very big with plenty of room for the animals, and you can easily wander around the whole day. Taipei Zoo is, in fact, one of Asia's largest zoos.

TaipeiEYE

TaipeiEYE

Experience traditional Chinese and Taiwanese performing arts at Taipei Eye. Perform every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for around 90 minutes. The rotating performances include local folklore, aboriginal dance, puppet theatre and traditional opera. On-screen subtitles in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English are provided.

National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine

National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine

National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine honours the men and women who died fighting on behalf of Taiwan in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War (among others). This is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful gardens including several structures and a shrine. Do not miss the changing of the guards which happens once every hour.

Sanxia Old Street

Sanxia Old Street

Sanxia Old Street is one of the most well reserved historic streets in Taiwan, one that's about 200 metres long. This is a great place to stroll around, and one where you can admire the old street-houses with Taiwanese traditional architecture. It is also one of the most visited places in Taipei during the weekends.

Fine Arts Museum

Fine Arts Museum

If you love art, then this is the right place for you. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum has something for any art enthusiast. It opened its doors in December 1983 and was the first museum of modern art in Taiwan. Today, it has more than 4,000 works of art.

Maokong Gondola

Maokong Gondola

Take a cable car ride in a glass bottom gondola all the way up to the top of the mountain from Taipei Zoo Station to Maokong Station, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city. At the top you will find food stands, tea shops and some paths for hiking. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Beitou Hot Springs

Beitou Hot Springs

The Beitou area of Taipei is renowned for its high concentration of thermal spa centres. There are establishments to fit any budget, from the low-priced open-air Public Hot Spring (modest swimwear required) to private hotels and resorts uphill, all offering hot spring baths at various price points. One option most resorts offer is renting a private room with a large bath that can be filled with hot spring water. The Spring City Resort in Beitou is a great mid-range option. A session here includes access to about a dozen thermal pools of varying water temperature (from seemingly boiling-hot to rather chilly), plus robe, towel, and slipper rental. They even offer a free shuttle bus to the metro station. For a luxurious spa treatment, look into the offerings of Hotel Regent Taipei, for example. Wellspring Spa offers a wide range of relaxing treatments including massages, body wraps, skin polishing and facials. Take the elevator to the top floor and unwind at this urban sanctuary.

Xingtian Temple

Xingtian Temple

Xingtian Temple, also called Hsing Tian Kong, is a large Taiwanese temple where locals pray and conduct religious rituals. This temple might not be as popular as Longshan, but it is a very peaceful and beautiful place nonetheless.

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