Best Places to Visit in Taipei

For Chinese expats and tourists, Taipei an exciting city that has something to offer for everyone, and you’ll be surprised how Taipei's convenient transportation system makes it easy for individuals to get around. With friendly locals, making friends is effortless even if you’re new to the city. Whether it’s day or night, you’ll definitely be able to find something new to see or do.

Elephant Mountain

For a city adventure, consider hiking up Elephant Mountain. It offers one of the best views of Taipei and takes roughly 15-20 minutes depending on your fitness level. While it can get quite steep, the trail is labeled clearly and there are plenty of areas to take a moment to catch your breath. Once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Taipei skyline, illuminated by the sun or the city lights. If you’re on a budget, you don’t need a ticket to hike up the mountain, so you can even make the trip twice to catch both views. Just keep in mind that it’s a popular destination, so be prepared to compete with crowds during peak hours.

Beitou Hot Springs

If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, the Beitou Hot Springs are only a relatively short MRT ride away in which you don’t need to travel all the way to Yangmingshan National Park to enjoy the beauty of natural hot springs. There’s even a free hot spring foot bath that all the locals use in a public park. Millennium Hot Springs is the main public bathhouse in Beitou, which is more affordable than a hotel option. However, the main attraction is Thermal Valley also known as Hell Valley, which is a little too hot to swim in. Its sulphuric water is a stunning whitish-blue but has a mildly sharp smell.

Shilin Night Market

For a variety of sights and sounds, the bustling Shilin Night Market is a must-visit for anyone who’s a fan of affordable food and budget clothing finds. It is famous for its local street food, including classic favorites like bubble tea. Giant fried chicken, fried meat and vegetable buns, tempura dishes, and even stinky tofu are also on the menu. Whether you’re a cautious food fan or an adventurous eater, the night market is sure to offer up tasty some treats. Keep in mind that most food vendors close up shop by midnight so it’s a good idea to time your visit accordingly.

Taipei 101

As one of the city’s most breathtaking landmarks, Taipei 101 is on practically everyone’s bucket list. It has the world’s fastest elevator along with the world’s largest wind damper that’s keeping you safe at ‎439.2 m (1,441 ft) in the air. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the 360-degree panoramic view of the city, especially during sunset hours. The great news is that the building offers amazing dining options along with a multi-storey retail mall connected directly to the tower. For an insider tip, booking your admission ticket for Taipei 101 in advance so that you can skip the long lines for admission to the Observatory.

As you can see from this list, there’s no shortage of interesting sights and sounds to visit in Taipei. From outdoor activities to indoor fun, you’re sure to have a memorable and beautiful experience.

Written by Missy Broun

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