Taipei Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in the Capital

Taipei is one of Asia's most rewarding cities for first-time visitors: a compact, safe and astonishingly tasty capital where a glittering supertall skyscraper sits a short metro ride from steaming hot springs, hillside temples and some of the best night markets on earth. It is walkable, friendly and easy to navigate once you understand the basics, and almost everything worth seeing is reachable by an efficient, English-signed metro.

This Taipei travel guide covers the practical stuff first — getting around with an EasyCard — then walks through the must-see sights, the historic old quarters, the famous day trips to Jiufen and Shifen, the hot springs of Beitou, and where to base yourself. Whether you have two days or five, these are the genuinely worthwhile things to do in Taipei.

Getting around Taipei: the metro and EasyCard

Taipei's metro, the MRT, is the backbone of any visit. It is clean, punctual, air-conditioned and signed in both Mandarin and English, with announcements in multiple languages. Lines are colour-coded and numbered, so even if you cannot read a station name, you can follow the colours. Trains run from early morning until around midnight, and stations are connected to many of the city's major attractions.

The single most useful thing you can buy on arrival is an EasyCard (悠遊卡), a rechargeable contactless card sold at every MRT station, convenience stores and the airport. Tap it on the metro, city buses, the airport MRT, YouBike share bikes, and even to pay at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and many shops. It saves fumbling for change and usually gives a small fare discount over single-journey tokens. Top it up with cash at station machines or any convenience store. If you are travelling beyond the capital, the same card works on transport in several other cities — our guide to Taiwan's trains, HSR and EasyCard explains how it all connects.

Riding etiquette and a few tips

• No eating or drinking on the MRT or in paid station areas — this is enforced, and even water can earn a fine.
• Priority seats (dark blue/pink) are reserved for the elderly, pregnant and those with young children; locals leave them empty even when the train is busy.
• Stand on the right of escalators so people can walk on the left.
• Queue along the marked lines on platforms and let passengers off before boarding.

For real-time routing, the Taipei Metro app and Google Maps both work well, with Maps showing live train times and walking directions in English. Having your own data connection makes this effortless — an Taiwan eSIM plan means you can pull up the next train or the nearest exit without hunting for WiFi.

Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain and the best city views

Taipei 101 is the city's defining landmark — for years the tallest building in the world and still an icon of the skyline. The observation deck near the top offers sweeping views, and the engineering tour of its giant tuned mass damper (the steel pendulum that steadies the tower in typhoons and earthquakes) is genuinely interesting. The lower floors hold an upmarket mall and an excellent food court in the basement. Visit late afternoon and you can watch the city transition from day to dusk.

For the classic postcard shot of Taipei 101 itself, skip the tower and climb Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). The trailhead is a few minutes' walk from Xiangshan MRT station at the end of the red line, and the stepped climb to the main viewing rocks takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes at a steady pace. It is steep and can be hot and humid, so bring water — but the reward is a head-on view of the skyscraper rising above the city, spectacular at sunset and after dark when the tower lights up. Arrive early in the evening to claim a spot on the famous boulder.

More green escapes near the city

For a gentler option, Da'an Forest Park is Taipei's central green lung, popular with families and joggers. Further out, the hills of Yangmingshan (covered below) offer cooler air and hiking. The city is ringed by mountains, so you are never far from a trail.

Old Taipei: Dadaocheng, Bopiliao and the great temples

To understand Taipei beyond the skyscrapers, spend time in its historic quarters. Dadaocheng, around Dihua Street, is the atmospheric old trading district — a strip of restored shop-houses selling dried goods, Chinese herbs, tea, fabric and incense. It is busiest before Lunar New Year but charming year-round, with stylish cafes and craft shops now occupying the heritage buildings. Nearby Xiahai City God Temple is famous as a shrine to the matchmaker deity, the Old Man Under the Moon, where hopeful visitors pray for love.

Longshan Temple in the Wanhua district is the city's most revered place of worship and an essential stop. Dating to the 18th century and rebuilt several times, it is a riot of carved dragons, swirling incense and chanting worshippers — a working temple rather than a museum, so be respectful and observe quietly. Just nearby, Bopiliao Historic Block preserves a street of Qing-era and Japanese-era architecture, often used as a film set and home to small exhibitions.

Round out the area with Ximending, the buzzing pedestrian shopping and youth-culture district sometimes called the Harajuku of Taipei, and the nearby Bao'an Temple and Confucius Temple in Datong. Many of these old districts come alive after dark, which flows naturally into one of Taipei's greatest pleasures.

Night markets you should not miss

No visit is complete without eating your way through a night market. Raohe Street Night Market near Songshan is compact and excellent, famous for its black-pepper pork buns; Ningxia Night Market is a beloved food-focused strip; and the sprawling Shilin Night Market is the biggest and most famous. Come hungry and try beef noodle soup, gua bao, oyster omelette, scallion pancakes and a cup of bubble tea. For a full rundown of what to order and how, see our guide to Taiwan's night markets and street food.

Day trip to Jiufen and Shifen

The most popular day trip from Taipei combines two very different spots in the hills of New Taipei. Jiufen is a former gold-mining town clinging to a steep hillside, its narrow lanes packed with tea houses, snack stalls and red lanterns. The atmospheric, lantern-lit Jiufen Old Street and its teahouses with sea views are the highlight, especially as the fog rolls in. It is famously crowded, so go early or stay into the evening when day-trippers thin out.

Shifen, on the old Pingxi railway line, is where visitors release paper sky lanterns inscribed with wishes, launching them right from the train tracks that run through the village. A short walk away, the broad Shifen Waterfall — sometimes called Taiwan's "Little Niagara" — is one of the prettiest in the north. The single-track Pingxi line is a charming ride, but trains are infrequent, so check the timetable before you set out.

You can reach this area by train and bus combinations, by joining a tour, or by hiring a driver for the day. Because the logistics involve sparse schedules and a couple of transfers, many travellers find it easiest to follow a planned route — our dedicated New Taipei day trips guide to Jiufen, Shifen, Pingxi and Yehliu breaks down exactly how to do it, including adding the dramatic rock formations of Yehliu Geopark.

Beitou hot springs and Yangmingshan

Few capital cities let you soak in natural hot springs a short metro ride from downtown, but Taipei does. Beitou, at the northern end of the red line, is a geothermal valley of public and private bathhouses fed by sulphur springs. Wander up to Thermal Valley to see the steaming, milky-green hot spring source, visit the lovely Beitou Hot Spring Museum in its Japanese-era bathhouse, and then soak — options range from budget public pools to luxurious hotel onsen-style baths. Bring a swimsuit for public pools and observe the posted etiquette.

Above the city, Yangmingshan National Park is a volcanic landscape of hot springs, hiking trails, sulphur vents and seasonal flowers. In late winter and early spring the cherry blossoms and calla lilies draw crowds; in autumn the silver grass turns the hills golden. Trails range from easy boardwalks to the climb up Qixing Mountain, the highest peak in the Taipei area. Buses run up from the city, but services and weather change with the season, so it is worth planning your timing — our overview of the best time to visit Taiwan covers what each season looks like, including typhoon season and the cooler months ideal for hiking and hot springs.

Where to stay: Ximending, Da'an and Zhongshan

Taipei is compact and the MRT is excellent, so any central neighbourhood near a metro station works well. Three areas suit most travellers:

• Ximending — the lively pedestrian district for shopping, street food and nightlife, popular with younger travellers and well connected to Longshan Temple and the old city. Energetic and never dull, though it can be noisy at night.
• Zhongshan and around Taipei Main Station — the most convenient base for transport, with the airport MRT, HSR and intercity trains all meeting at Main Station. Zhongshan itself is stylish, with department stores, cafes and easy access to Dadaocheng. Ideal if you plan day trips or onward travel.
• Da'an — a leafy, upmarket and more residential district around Da'an Forest Park and the university, with superb restaurants, independent cafes and a calmer, more local feel. Great for a longer or quieter stay.

Other solid choices include Zhongxiao/Xinyi near Taipei 101 for shopping and modern hotels, and even Beitou if a hot-spring retreat appeals. For a full breakdown of each district with pros, cons and who they suit, see our guide to where to stay in Taipei.

Fitting Taipei into a wider trip

Most visitors use Taipei as the gateway to the rest of the island, and two to four days here pairs naturally with Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake and the south. If you are mapping out a full route, our 7-day Taiwan itinerary for first-timers shows how to slot the capital into a week that takes in the east coast, central mountains and southern cities.

Practical tips for a smooth Taipei visit

• Tap water is officially treated but most locals drink boiled or bottled water; refill stations and convenience stores are everywhere.
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) are on nearly every corner and handle everything from snacks and coffee to bill payments and EasyCard top-ups.
• English is widely understood at transport hubs and tourist sites; a translation app helps for menus and smaller shops.
• Weather in Taipei is humid much of the year and rainy in winter — pack a light rain jacket and a foldable umbrella.
• Cash still rules at night markets and small eateries, though cards and mobile pay work in malls and chains.

Taipei is a city you navigate by phone — the next MRT train, the nearest night-market stall, the bus up to Yangmingshan, the menu you cannot quite read. Sorting out connectivity before you fly means you step off the plane already online, with live maps and translation in your pocket from the first minute. A simple Taiwan eSIM installed at home keeps you connected across every corner of the capital and the rest of the island, so you can spend less time looking for WiFi and more time enjoying the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Taipei?

Two to three full days is enough to cover Taipei's highlights, including Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain, Longshan Temple, the old districts and a night market. Add a fourth or fifth day if you want a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen plus the Beitou hot springs and Yangmingshan, which are easy half- or full-day excursions from the city.

What is the best way to get around Taipei?

The Taipei MRT (metro) is the easiest and fastest way to get around. It is clean, punctual and signed in English. Buy a rechargeable EasyCard at any station or convenience store and tap it on the metro, buses, the airport MRT and YouBike bikes. The same card also works as contactless payment at convenience stores.

Is Taipei expensive for tourists?

Taipei is reasonably affordable compared with many Asian capitals. Night-market meals are very cheap, metro fares are low, and many top attractions like Elephant Mountain, temples and historic streets are free. Your biggest costs are accommodation and the Taipei 101 observation deck, while food and transport stay budget-friendly.

What are the must-see things to do in Taipei?

The essentials are Taipei 101 and the view of it from Elephant Mountain, Longshan Temple, the old Dadaocheng and Ximending districts, and at least one night market such as Raohe, Ningxia or Shilin. With more time, add a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen and a soak in the Beitou hot springs.

Is Taipei a good base for day trips?

Yes. Taipei is an ideal base, with frequent trains and buses to nearby attractions. Popular day trips include the gold-mining town of Jiufen, sky-lantern releases at Shifen, the rock formations at Yehliu Geopark, and the hot springs and trails of Beitou and Yangmingshan, all reachable within roughly one to two hours.