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Taipei fills a basin in northern Taiwan, ringed by green mountains and crossed by the Tamsui and Keelung rivers. It grew from riverside trading settlements into the island's political and economic center, and its temples, shophouses and towers mix Chinese, Japanese colonial and modern influences. The city is known for its safety, an efficient metro and an outstanding food culture centered on night markets.
Taipei 101, once the world's tallest building, has an observatory near its top, though many prefer viewing it from Elephant Mountain. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall dominates the formal grounds of Liberty Square, and Huashan 1914 Creative Park has turned an old winery into a space for exhibitions and design shops. In the older western districts, worshippers burn incense at Longshan Temple, and the shophouses of Dihua Street in Dadaocheng sell dried goods, fabric and herbal remedies. Ximending is a youthful shopping zone. The National Palace Museum holds one of the world's great collections of Chinese art. Hot spring baths in Beitou make an easy escape, and the Maokong Gondola rises to teahouses in the hills.
Taipei suits food-focused travelers, first-time visitors to Asia. Autumn is the most comfortable season; summer is hot and prone to typhoons, while winter is cool and damp. Day trips reach Jiufen, Yangmingshan and the riverside town of Tamsui.
WiserMap travel guideTaipei Taiwan Night Markets Hot Springs and Taipei 101Explore Taipei's best places, from Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain to the Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, Beitou hot springs and its famous night markets.Read the guide
A 508-meter skyscraper shaped like a stack of bamboo sections, the tallest in the world when it opened in 2004. One of the fastest elevators in the world reaches the 89th floor observatory, where you can see the giant tuned mass damper. Below is a large mall with a well-known Din Tai Fung.
A huge white memorial with a blue octagonal roof, set in a park with the National Theater and Concert Hall on Liberty Square. A guard changing ceremony takes place hourly in the main hall. The grounds are free and open late, and exhibitions on the lower floors cover Taiwan's history.
A short but steep hike up stone stairs from Xiangshan MRT station to rocky lookouts with the classic view of Taipei 101 and the Xinyi skyline. The climb takes 20 to 30 minutes. Go for sunset and stay for the city lights, and bring water and a torch for the way down.
A cable car from the Taipei Zoo station up to Maokong, a hill area of tea plantations and teahouses with views over the city. Some cabins have glass floors, known as crystal cabins. At the top, walk to a teahouse for local oolong. It closes on most Mondays and in bad weather.
A former sake and rice wine factory turned into a creative park, with exhibition spaces, design shops, live music venues and cafes in the old brick buildings and lawns. Entry to the grounds is free, though some exhibitions charge. Weekends often bring markets and pop-up events.
Founded in 1738 in Wanhua, Longshan Temple is one of Taipei's most important temples, honoring Guanyin alongside many folk deities. Its roof is covered with dragons and colorful figures, and worshippers come all day. Be respectful during prayers, and visit in the evening when it is lit up.
Taipei's oldest street, lined with restored shophouses selling dried goods, herbs, tea and fabric, plus cafes and craft shops. The Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple sits along it, and the Dadaocheng Wharf nearby is good for sunset. It gets very busy before Lunar New Year.
A pedestrian shopping district in Wanhua that is a hub for youth fashion, sneakers, street food and cinemas. The octagonal Red House, a 1908 market building, holds craft shops and nearby bars. It is liveliest in the evenings and on weekends, when street performers set up.
Home to one of the world's largest collections of Chinese art, much of it moved from Beijing's Forbidden City, including the famous Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone. Displays rotate, so not every piece is always shown. Arrive early to avoid tour groups and use the audio guide.
A hot spring district at the end of the MRT line, with steaming Thermal Valley, the wooden Beitou Hot Spring Museum and the eco-friendly Beitou Library. Soak in an inexpensive public bath or book a private room at a hotel. Bring a swimsuit and towel for the public pools.
A volcanic park just north of the city with fumaroles, grassy peaks and seasonal flowers, including cherry blossoms and calla lilies in spring. Short trails climb Qixing Mountain, Taipei's highest peak. Buses run from Jiantan MRT, and weather is often cooler and foggier than downtown.
Taipei's best-known night market, with a large underground food court and lanes of stalls selling fried chicken cutlets, oyster omelets, pepper buns, bubble tea and games. It opens in the late afternoon and is busiest after dark. Use Jiantan MRT station and come with small cash.
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