Stand on the steep stone steps of Elephant Mountain as the sun drops behind the city and you will see Taipei 101 rising out of a low-rise skyline, the whole scene turning orange before the lights come on. That contrast, between the old neighbourhoods and the tower, is the shape of the city.
Taipei suits travellers who like their cities walkable and layered: temple incense in the morning, a world-class museum in the afternoon, a soak in a hot spring or a night market in the evening. It rewards slow wandering as much as ticking off landmarks.
This guide covers the landmarks, museums, parks, temples and outdoor escapes worth your time, followed by a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Taipei
1. Taipei 101
Taipei 101 may have relinquished its tallest building status but remains a very popular attraction for its architectural style and observation deck. On New Year's Eve it becomes a beacon of lights and fireworks.
Pair it with the Elephant Mountain trails in the Four Beasts Mountain range, which give the striking contrast between the tower and its neighbouring low-rise buildings, especially against the orange hues of sunset.
2. National Palace Museum
Anyone with even the slightest interest in Chinese history should visit the National Palace Museum in Shilin, which holds the singular best collection of historical artifacts from China, expertly curated by its staff. It is large enough that only one percent of what it owns is displayed at any one time, chief among them ancient paintings, scrolls, books and ceramics that span over 5000 years.
Because so little is on show at once, treat it as a half-day rather than a quick stop, and check what is on display before you go.
3. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Zhongzheng District commemorates one of the most recognized leaders of the Nationalists. It has an honor guard which changes at set hours, demonstrating military precision and solemn respect. Built in the middle of a large park, it is also a good place for some quiet reflection.
Time your visit around a guard change, then use the surrounding park for a slow walk.
4. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi commemorates another of the most recognized Nationalist leaders, and like the other memorial halls it has an honor guard that changes at set hours. It sits in the middle of a large park, making it a good place for quiet reflection.
During the Lantern Festival, the main city event is held at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Taipei City Hall grounds, so it is worth checking the calendar if you are in town around the fifteenth day of the lunar new year.
5. Longshan Temple
While Taipei is largely secular, the elaborate Taoist and Buddhist temples such as Longshan Temple in the older district of Wanhua still draw locals who maintain the old rituals and traditions.
Go in the morning when the temple is active with worshippers rather than as an empty monument.
6. Bao'an Temple
Bao'an Temple in the older district of Datong is another of the elaborate Taoist and Buddhist temples that still draw locals maintaining old rituals and traditions.
Combine it with a wander through Datong's older streets, which share the same historic character as Wanhua.
7. Elephant Mountain
One of the most rewarding walks in the Four Beasts Mountain range, which borders Xinyi and Nangang, is on Elephant Mountain, where steep steps lead up to several different viewpoints. The reward is a striking contrast between Taipei 101 and its neighbouring low-rise buildings, especially against the orange hues of sunset.
Continuing on separate trails will head towards the remaining 'beasts' of Leopard, Lion and Tiger, and Nangang mountain and Jiuwufeng beyond them. Wear shoes you can climb steps in.
8. Beitou
Beitou is one of the three main places to have a soak in the Greater Taipei area, alongside Wulai and Yangmingshan National Park. Hot springs come in various brands, ranging from basic natural pools to plush spas at five star hotels, with prices ranging from around NT$300 to NT$800.
Etiquette requires that you thoroughly wash and rinse off before entering public baths, do not wear clothing including swimwear, and tie up your hair so it does not touch the water. People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter the baths.
9. Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan National Park, just north of Beitou, is a favourite destination, particularly during spring when thousands of calla lilies, peonies and cherry blossoms bloom in the valleys. Public hot springs, as well as hot sulphur blow holes and sources, are equally worth the visit.
There are dozens of hiking trails in the park, most marked out on maps from the visitors centre. Qixingshan is the highest peak and looks out over the Taipei Basin and the north coast.
10. Maokong Gondola
Combine a visit to the Taipei Zoo in Wenshan with a ride up on the Maokong Gondola, which has a few special glass-floor carriages, to relax further in the hilltop teahouses.
This is a natural half-day pairing: the zoo first, then the gondola and a teahouse above the city.
11. Taipei Zoo
The Taipei Zoo in Wenshan is home to giant pandas, brown bears and gorillas. It is more akin to a walk in a leafy park, where animals are free to roam around in their open enclosures.
Pair it with the Maokong Gondola, which starts nearby and carries you up to the hilltop teahouses.
12. Daan Park
If the cityscape gets a little dreary, there are plenty of parks to escape to. Daan Park is one of the largest in the city, earning the moniker of Taipei Central Park.
Use it as a mid-afternoon break between sights rather than a destination in itself.
13. 228 Peace Park
228 Peace Park in Zhongzheng was named to remember the bloody 228 Incident of 28 February 1947. It also holds the National Taiwan Museum and the 228 Memorial Museum.
Allow time for the museums inside the park, not just the green space.
14. North Gate
Even though very little ancient architecture remains in Taipei, four of Taipei's five original city gates still stand. Of the four, the Kuomintang renovated three and converted them from the original South Fujian style architecture to northern Chinese palace style architecture, leaving only the North Gate (beimen, or more formally Cheng'en men) in its original Qing Dynasty splendour today.
Long obstructed by a busy elevated freeway, the freeway was decommissioned and removed in 2016, and a park has been built around the gate, so it is now easy to see up close.
15. Taipei Fine Arts Museum
Art in classical and contemporary forms can be appreciated at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei MOCA. Both can be found in Zhongshan, along with the Huashan Cultural Center, an interesting informal space for a creative spark, and the Spot-Taipei Film House, where Taiwanese auteurs display their independent films.
Group these together in one afternoon in Zhongshan rather than crossing town between them.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Longshan Temple in Wanhua while it is active with worshippers, then walk the older streets of Datong to Bao'an Temple. If you have time before lunch, stop at the North Gate, now standing in its own park.
Afternoon. Spend the early afternoon at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Zhongzheng, timing your visit for a guard change, then cross to 228 Peace Park and its museums. Head to Xinyi for the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and its park.
Evening. Climb Elephant Mountain for the sunset view of Taipei 101 against the low-rise skyline, then finish at Taipei 101 itself for the observation deck and the lights coming on across the city.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see Taipei 101 at its most dramatic?
On New Year's Eve, when Taipei 101 becomes a beacon of lights and fireworks. For a view of the tower rather than from it, the Elephant Mountain viewpoints give the strongest contrast against the orange hues of sunset.
What should I know before using a hot spring in Taipei?
The three main places to soak in the Greater Taipei area are Beitou, Wulai and Yangmingshan National Park, with prices ranging from around NT$300 to NT$800. Wash and rinse thoroughly before entering public baths, do not wear clothing including swimwear, and tie up your hair. People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter the baths.
How do I plan around Taipei's festivals?
Taipei hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, but as many follow the lunar calendar the dates according to the Gregorian calendar are inconsistent, so check the Taiwan Tourist Bureau's events section before planning to attend. During the Lantern Festival, the main city event is held at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Taipei City Hall grounds, while Renai Road offers the most elegant display, with the tree-lined boulevard transformed into a tunnel of lights.
Can I combine the zoo and the mountains in one trip?
Yes. Visit the Taipei Zoo in Wenshan, then ride the Maokong Gondola, which has special glass-floor carriages, up to the hilltop teahouses. For hiking, the Four Beasts Mountain range borders Xinyi and Nangang, and Yangmingshan National Park has dozens of trails marked out on maps from the visitors centre.
Pick the two or three places that match your pace, check the festival calendar, and start building your days around them.