What Are Some Fun Things To Do in Taipei?
Knowing that Taipei is a fantastic place to visit is one thing, however, once you’re actually there the real question is: “Where should I begin?”. If you’re looking to visit Taiwan’s capital city and haven’t got a clue where to go first, don’t worry, we’ve prepared a few suggestions for you so you can hit the ground running!
1. Take in the Views of the City and its Outskirts
Taipei 101
Once the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101 stands tall as Taiwan’s most iconic building. Rising 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall, this bamboo-stalk inspired skyscraper provides a 360-degree view of Taipei. Ride one of the fastest elevators in the world and in 37 seconds visit the observation deck located on the tower’s 89th to 91st floors.
Once there, take plenty of pictures, have a coffee at the world’s highest Starbucks. You can also check out the 728-ton stabilizing ball that sits at the top of the tower, serving as a pendulum that sways to offset movements caused by high winds and earthquakes. This last attraction is a favorite among engineers.
Miramar Ferris Wheel
Though not nearly as tall as Taipei 101, the Miramar Entertainment Park offers its own 95-meter tall ferris wheel in the Dazhi area of the Zhongshan District. It’s bright, so you won’t miss it, and it moves slowly, so you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate the view.
Glass-Floor Gondola to Maokong
At the end of the Taipei Zoo MRT line lies a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) long trip into the hills of southeast Taipei, to Maokong. You can enjoy this 30-minute journey inside the glass-floored Maokong Gondola, the “Crystal Cabins,” and get breathtaking views from under your feet!
The gondola will stop at the Zhinan Temple, and pass over the Baozhong oolong tea fields. You can also stop at the top, there you can visit one of the tea houses, restaurants. Or you can hike the trails to the Silver Stream Cave andWaterfall.
Visit Elephant Mountain
One of “TheFour Beasts” (Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, and Lion), Elephant Mountain (or Xiangshan 象山) is the most popular and easiest to climb. In about 30 minutes you’ll reach the top and have a spectacular view of the city. That being said, it does get very crowded. So if you’re trying to catch the sunset, make sure to arrive with some time to secure your viewing spot.
2. Delve into Some Local History and Culture
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
After Taipei 101, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is the second most famous building in Taipei. This blue-and-white monument was built in 1980 as a tomb and shrine to commemorate the former leader of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek.
The Memorial Hall sits on an enormous square, Liberty Square, and shares the space with the National Theatre and the National Concert Hall. While you’re there, be sure to learn about the symbolism that went into the building of the monument.
National Palace Museum
The TaipeiNational Palace Museum houses over 600,000 different artifacts that preserve over 8000 years of Chinese history. Among these artifacts are numerous books, calligraphy, paintings, religious scriptures, ceramics, jade artifacts, and weaponry. This museum is arguably considered the most important museum in the Chinese-speaking world. If you’re a history-buff, you won’t want to miss it.
Go “Temple-Hopping”
Taiwan is home to thousands of temples, over 15,000 of them! These are beautifully ornate, colorful, and filled with both incense and the spiritual energy that comes with a place of worship. You’ll find a wonderful blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and local folk religion.
It’s impossible to visit all of them, unless you dedicated your life to it. So here are a few great options: Longshan Temple, Qingshui Temple, Qingshan Temple, Tianhou Temple, Bao An Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, Guandu Temple, Xingtian Temple, and Songshan Ciyou Temple. We’re not suggesting you visit all of them, however, you can choose a few and get a feel for Taiwan’s spiritual culture.
3. Grab a Bite at One of Taipei’s Night Markets
Looking for things to do at night in Taipei?
Taiwan is well-known for its lively night markets; mazes of colorful stalls filled with delightful snacks. Be sure to stop by with an empty stomach and an open mind as night markets are actually considered Taiwan’s #1 tourist attraction.
What’s more, food isn’t the only thing you’ll find at these markets. There are also plenty of arcade games, temples, and small shops you can visit. In essence, leave plenty of time because there’s lots to do! If you’re not sure where to start, try one of the most famous markets like Shilin, Raohe, Huaxi, Ningxia, or Tonghua.
4. A Few Other Awesome Things to Do in Taipei
Take a Day-Trip to Jiufen
This very picturesque town has been compared to the likes of towns in Hayao Miyazaki films. Like the popular Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, and it does admittedly have quite the mystical feel to it. Just a short train ride away from Taipei Main Station, Jiufen makes for the perfect scenic day-trip.
Hop on a Train to Shifen and Visit the Waterfall
The “Niagara Falls” of Taipei! Though not quite as big, this waterfall does drop 40 meters to a lake down below offering an amazing contrast to Taipei’s metropolis. If you’re a fan of nature but don’t quite have enough time to travel further out, Shifen makes for a great natural getaway.
5. Take a Cruise from Kaohsiung Port
Admittedly, if you’re planning a trip to Taipei, you might not immediately think of taking to the high seas. Yet, why not? Kaohsiung and Keelung ports have become very popular stops for cruise liners traveling through East Asia. If you’re looking for a proper vacation and hadn’t quite settled on what to do, exactly, consider hopping aboard a cruise and treating yourself to the pampering you deserve.
Getting Around Taipei
From Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City or Anywhere!
Taipei is an amazing city, with a culture you’ll love immersing yourself into. Nevertheless, getting around any new city, especially when you’re short on time, can be a bit of an overwhelming endeavor. For this reason, we’d highly recommend booking a reliable car service in advance, to make your visit as smooth and swift as possible.
Finding your way around public transport while carrying your luggage, or trying to make yourself understood by a taxi driver with limited English, is not the kind of stress you want to encounter on your trip. By booking a car service with a trusted company, you can guarantee having a professional English-speaking driver that knows his way around the city, 24-hour customer support, and a worry-free travel experience.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Now that you’re better prepared for the journey ahead, remember that a little planning goes a long way. Make sure your itinerary is ready and you’ve prepared your times and transport beforehand.
Though preparation is key, keep in mind that Taipei can also be a wonderful place to get lost in. This is especially true because the locals are so friendly that if you’re ever lost or not sure where to go next, you can ask anyone and more often than not you’ll be received with a warm smile that’s happy to help you on your way. Enjoy your time in Taipei!
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