I recently took a 3 day trip to Taipei City and had an amazing time! I want to share with you why you might consider adding Taipei and Taiwan to your Asia itinerary. Taipei is a dazzling blend of traditional culture and modern marvels. Whether you’re a foodie looking to indulge in mouth-watering street food, a history buff eager to explore ancient temples, or an adventurer ready to hike up to breathtaking viewpoints, Taipei promises an unforgettable adventure. So grab your camera, put on your walking shoes, and let’s dive into the top things to do in Taipei!
Things to do in Taipei
1) Go on a food tour
On the first day in Taipei I decided to book onto Taipei Eats Iconic Taiwanese Food Tour, as food is always a big part of travelling for me! I really recommend this tour, we got to try so many different things in places I never would have found by myself. The tour started off in a traditional market, moving throughout to different restaurants and street food stalls. The food and drinks we tried were varied and interesting, though the stinky tofu was slightly contentious!
2) Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
One of Taipei’s must see landmarks, this memorial hall dedicated to the former leader of Taiwan is really impressive. As you stroll through the expansive Liberty Square, the majestic blue and white building will instantly grab your attention. Inside, you’ll find a huge statue of Chiang Kai-shek. You can watch the changing of the guard every hour.
3) Elephant Mountain
For great views of Taipei 101 and the city, Elephant Mountain offers a short (but steep) hike through lush greenery. I would recommend setting out earlier in the morning or n the evening to catch the sunset. It’s well signposted and is a nice respite from the busy city. The peak is 184m above sea level and the climb is a lot of steps. It took about 30 minutes to reach the peak.
4) Eat street food at a night market
Taipei is famous for its night markets and locals flock there in the evening for cheap tasty bites. I went to Shilin Night Market which is the largest, but there are lots of different ones. There is a great selection of food and drinks as well as clothing and games. If you are unsure of what to go for, join the longest queue as this is always a good indicator in Taiwan that something is tasty! I enjoyed some fried chicken, grilled squid, mochi and lemon tea.
5) Longshan Temple
For a bit of serenity in the city, head to Longshan Temple. It is free to get in and in the mornings and evenings you might hear singing and chanting at the services held there. Outside the temple there are beautiful ponds and waterfalls so it feels very relaxing.
This is just a snap shot of interesting things to do in Taipei, there is much more to explore! The Taipei 101 observation deck, hot springs, great day trip options, for example to nearby Jiufen and Shifen, and fantastic hiking options at Yangmingshan National Park situated just north of the city.
If you are interested in booking a trip to Taiwan or adding it to your Asia itinerary, why not get in contact with Pine Travel and let our experts help you plan your perfect trip!