The capital of Taiwan, Taipei is a metropolitan city known for its skyscrapers, shopping streets, night markets and contemporary buildings – most notably: the famous Taipei 101, while still being able to preserve its history and culture with museums, temples and memorial halls. A melting pot of cultures with its Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian and American influences, Taipei is an easy family-friendly favorite with lots to do and explore.
One of Taipei’s most popular landmarks, Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010, until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. Designed by C.Y. Lee and C.P. Wang in Xinyi, Taipei 101 is 106 floors tall and is the tallest “green building” in the world.
Known for its hot springs, sulfur crystals, hiking trails and for being home to Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano, Qixing Mountain, Yangmingshan National Park is one of nine national parks in Taiwan. Located so close to Taipei, and with so much to see and do, the national park is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Located at the heart of Taipei City, National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei’s most visited attractions. With the white marble walls, blue glass, and red flowers planted in the garden, the memorial hall represents the colors of Taiwan’s national flag, symbolizing freedom, equality and brotherhood.
Located in Taipei City, the National Palace Museum houses a collection that covers over 8,000 years of Chinese history. With over 700,000 ancient Chinese artifacts – more extensive than the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City – the National Palace Museum is a must-visit for history buffs.
A shopping paradise for locals and tourists alike, Ximending is home to a variety of shops from fashion and retail stores to restaurants, clubs and bars. Founded during the Japanese colonization era, Ximending takes inspiration from its Japanese roots and is actually known as the “Harajuku” of Taipei.
Located in Wanhua District and built in 1738 as a place of worship for Chinese settlers, the Mengjia Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. Badly damaged in World War II, the temple has undergone several renovations and restorations, turning it into the most popular temple in the country.
The biggest and most popular night market in Taipei, Shi Lin Night Market is only 70 meters from the MRT Jiantan Station in Shilin District. Easily accessible, the night market is one of the most popular nightlife activities in Taipei city thanks to its variety of traditional food (can anyone say Stinky Tofu), trinkets and souvenirs.
Known for its scenery, sunsets and seafood, the Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf is a bustling destination for anyone looking for a quick getaway just outside of Taipei City. With its variety of restaurants, shops, hotels and the now popular Lover Bridge of Tamsui, there’s so much to see and do, making this landmark your next staycation waiting to happen.
As its name suggests, the Huashan 1914 Creative Park – which was formerly a winery – is now a popular hub for the creatives. With many large-scale exhibitions, theater productions and performances, this park is now at the center of Taiwan’s most prominent cultural events such as “the Simple Life music festival” and the “Bibo student design expo.”
With a total area of over 165 hectares, the Taipei Zoo stands as one of the largest zoos in Asia. The public zoo is located in Wenshan District and is easily accessible through the Tapei MRT (Brown Line). With its affordable entrance fee, the zoo is an easy favorite for tourists, families with kids, and animal lovers. The Taipei Zoo is also famously known as the home to Yan Zai, the first giant panda cub born in the country.
Taipei is famous for its skyscrapers like Taipei 101, night markets like the biggest and most popular Shi Lin Night Market, creative hubs, museums and temples.
Taipei is usually nice to visit all-year-round, but you would do well to avoid the country’s typhoon season which usually happens from June to October.
If you want to stay in the heart of the metropolitan, Xinyi is one of the best places to stay – but it can get a little pricey! However, if you’re looking for something a little bit more budget friendly but will still give you access to numerous shops, then Ximending is the place for you. Finally, if you’re looking for a more traditional and local experience, you can stay in Zhongshan, which is surrounded by historical landmarks and museums.