What to do in Taipei? Our 10 favourite things after six nights in the city
We weren't quite sure what to expect when we arrived in Taipei. After weeks of travelling around Asia, we had a few images in mind: a gigantic tower, night markets, temples and lots of scooters. Six nights later, we were leaving with that rare feeling that we would happily have stayed longer. Taipei won us over with its mix of modern life, traditions and the little details you notice when you slow down. These are the ten places and experiences we'd recommend for a first visit.
See Taipei 101, up close and from afar
You can't miss Taipei 101. At 508 metres tall, the tower has become the symbol of Taiwan's capital. Up close, its height and architecture are impressive. From a distance, it gives the whole skyline its character. We especially loved photographing it from different angles as the evening light started to change. The surrounding Xinyi district is worth exploring too, with its shopping centres, restaurants and wide avenues. For a higher viewpoint, head to Elephant Mountain, one of the best places to see Taipei 101 and the city. Despite the name, you don't need to be an experienced hiker: it's a very easy climb, mostly up well-maintained steps. To us, it's more of an energetic walk than a proper hike. Allow around 15 to 30 minutes to reach the first viewpoints, depending on your pace. The view is particularly beautiful towards sunset, when Taipei's lights begin to appear.
Get lost in the lively streets of Ximending
This is where we chose to stay, and we didn't regret it. Ximending is a maze of pedestrian streets, glowing signs, shops, restaurants and people who never seem to stop moving. In the evening, the neighbourhood takes on a whole new energy. You can spend hours wandering with no real plan, browsing shop windows or looking for something to eat. It's also home to the Red House, one of Taipei's best-known LGBT meeting spots. For a first trip, Ximending is still one of our favourite areas to stay.
Discover Longshan Temple
In the middle of Taipei's bustle, Longshan Temple feels like a different world. Its ornate architecture, carvings and lanterns are beautiful, but what makes the place special is that it's still an active place of worship. People come to pray, leave offerings and keep their traditions alive. We liked taking our time, watching what was happening around us without feeling the need to photograph everything. The temple is in the historic Wanhua district, so it's easy to continue exploring on foot afterwards.
Spend an evening around the Red House
Travelling as a gay couple naturally makes us curious about the LGBT neighbourhoods in the cities we visit. In Taipei, we really liked the area around the Red House. Behind this historic building are several bars and outdoor terraces where you can simply sit down for a drink. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and especially lovely in the evening. What struck us was how naturally this nightlife fits into an already lively neighbourhood. Whether you're gay or simply curious to discover another side of Taipei, it's worth stopping by.
Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
It's hard not to be impressed when you arrive at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The enormous square, monumental buildings and blue roofs make the whole place feel almost unreal. We spent a good while exploring the grounds and looking for the best photo angles. But the memorial also reflects a complicated chapter of Taiwan's political history, so it's worth learning about what it represents, beyond the striking architecture. We'd suggest visiting in the late afternoon, when the light becomes softer.
Explore a Taiwanese night market
Night markets are one of those experiences you really shouldn't skip in Taiwan. You go for the atmosphere as much as the food. Stall after stall, different smells everywhere, and sometimes no idea what someone is cooking right in front of you. That's half the fun. Raohe is one of Taipei's best-known night markets and a great choice for a first visit. Our advice: come hungry, try several small dishes instead of one big meal, and carry some cash because not every stall accepts cards.
Explore the National Palace Museum
After months of travelling, we have to admit that our excitement about visiting yet another museum isn't always at its peak. Still, the National Palace Museum deserves your time. Its collection of Chinese art and historical objects is extraordinary, from ceramics and paintings to incredibly delicate carvings. One of its most famous pieces is a carved stone that looks remarkably like a piece of pork belly. The craftsmanship is impressive, even if we did find ourselves wondering why this particular piece had become such a superstar. The other celebrity, the Jadeite Cabbage, impressed us even more: yes, it's a vegetable, but the detail is fascinating. Check whether these works are on display before you go, as exhibits can move or be loaned out. Give yourself a few hours to enjoy the museum without rushing.
Stroll along historic Dihua Street
For a more traditional side of Taipei, head to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng. You'll find old façades, traditional shops, tea stores and newer little businesses side by side. The contrast with the city's modern avenues is lovely. It's the kind of place where we'd rather wander slowly, step into a shop that catches our eye and stop whenever a café looks inviting. There's no need to plan every minute.
Take a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen
If you have an extra day in Taipei, we'd recommend exploring Jiufen and Shifen, two villages with completely different atmospheres.
Perched on a mountainside, Jiufen is famous for its narrow lanes, stairways, traditional teahouses and red lanterns that glow after dark. Between the little shops, food stalls and views towards the sea, it almost feels like walking through a film set. It's incredibly photogenic, although you certainly won't have the streets to yourself.
Shifen is a completely different experience. This small village grew around a railway line that is still in use. Visitors write their wishes on large coloured lanterns before releasing them into the sky near the tracks. Different colours are linked to different hopes, such as health, love, luck and success. We enjoyed writing our wishes and watching our lantern float away so much that we did it twice. Maybe that means twice the chance of our wishes coming true! We paid NT0 for a multicoloured lantern; prices may change. It's a popular activity, but it's also worth considering the environmental impact of lanterns that eventually fall back to the ground.
You can visit both villages on the same day from Taipei, although getting between them takes a little planning. If you love taking photos, wandering through little streets and seeing landscapes beyond the capital, this day trip is well worth considering.
Leave time to explore Taipei without a plan
This might be the least spectacular tip on the list, but it's probably one of the most important. Some of our favourite travel memories happen when we stop rushing from one sight to the next. Taipei is perfect for those days when you wander into a different neighbourhood for no particular reason, stop at a café and follow a street simply because it looks interesting. We arrived with a list of things to see. We left with plenty of memories that weren't on it.
Our practical tips and what we thought of Taipei
How many days do you need in Taipei?
We spent six nights in Taipei, which gave us enough time to explore several neighbourhoods without feeling like we were constantly rushing. For a first visit, we'd recommend four to five full days. You can see the main highlights in three, but you'll need to make choices. If you also want to explore outside the city, visit night markets and discover the LGBT nightlife, a few extra days are very welcome.
Where should you stay in Taipei?
We chose Ximending, and we'd happily stay there again. It's lively, convenient for public transport and particularly fun in the evenings. For a more modern setting, Xinyi is another good option. Zhongshan is worth considering too, with its restaurants, cafés and shops. Wherever you stay, try to find somewhere close to an MRT station.
What did we think of Taipei?
Taipei was one of our loveliest surprises in Asia. We loved its energy, its contrasts, the people we met along the way and how easily you can go from an enormous shopping centre to a traditional temple in just a few minutes. It's also a city where we felt comfortable as a couple. We expected to find an interesting capital. What we found was somewhere we wished we could have stayed a little longer.