A first-timer's guide to Taipei

Becki Enright

Becki Enright

Taiwan's city-dotted, parkland-blanketed western coastline sits at the foot of its central mountain range stretch; its capital, Taipei, perched at the northern tip, is the cherry on top of a verdant peak and parkland cake.

The Taipei skyline from the Elephant Mountain Trail
The Taipei skyline from the Elephant Mountain Trail © Richie Chan - Adobe Stock Image

But this compact metropolis with its nature-boasting backdrop is not short on sites. Its geographical centre on the eastern flank of the Tamsui River is home to a cache of cultural landmarks, heritage neighbourhoods and layers of history that meld Chinese, Japanese and Western colonial cultures from changing rule over the centuries.

From incense-filled temples to flavour-intense night markets and timeworn settlement neighbourhoods to gleaming new skyscraper observation decks, here's what to see and do on a first visit to Taipei.

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Visit historical monuments in WanHua & Zhongzheng

Start in the WanHua District, admiring the four intricately carved and decorated shrines of the Longshan Temple, one of Taiwan's largest Buddhist spiritual centres, dating from 1738.

One of Taipei’s largest Buddhist centres, Longshan Temple
One of Taipei’s largest Buddhist centres, Longshan Temple © Richie Chan - Adobe Stock Image

Nearby, the Bopiliao Historic Block is an urban heirloom; a preserved red brick structure on an ancient Qing Dynasty-era street that some 200 years ago became one of the city's first commercial settlements. Today, it is an art exhibition space and houses a museum about the neighbourhood's legacy.

In the neighbouring Zhongzheng district is the spread of Taipei's landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Honouring the former leader of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek, the monument is flanked by cherry-tree gardens.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei © Nicholas Han - Adobe Stock Image

It stands opposite the National Concert Hall, National Theatre and the snap-a-pic public square with the Liberty Square Arch.

Street art & shopping in Ximen

Taipei's vibrant corner of Ximen (Ximending) is the city's youthful shopping and entertainment haven. Check out the street art murals on America Street and in Taipei Cinema Park, try your hand at one of the claw machine outlets or find themed cafés like the Hello Kitty 7-Eleven.

Shop in boutique stores and multi-storey malls like traditional Wan Nian and trendy Pop Mart, or head inside the octagonal Red Brick House, preserving its 1908-built market history with two floors of artisan craft and design stalls.

After sundown, join the crowds cramming the street food stalls in the numbered off-main-street Lanes to sample everything from stinky tofu and grilled seafood to scallion pancakes and Taiwanese fried chicken, or take your pick of trendy craft beer joints and booming karaoke clubs.

Walk the heritage street in Datong

The Datong District is one of the oldest areas in the city, known for its legacy of trading culture and religious activity. Dihua Street, its famed heritage strip, begins at the intersection with Nanjing Road and stretches 1.2 miles / 2 km north, passing the cluster of temples built in the 1800s: the Taoist Xia Hai City God Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple and the Dalongdong Baoan Temple with its lake gardens.

The preserved band of red brick, arcaded buildings and spill of grid side streets are where trendy cafés and bars, art galleries and boutique stores jostle with traditional tea houses, food stalls and herbal medicine stores.

Get a taste of the Night Market culture

Taipei is famed for its culture of people-crammed, culinary-focused, merchandise-stall-laden Night Markets in almost every neighbourhood.

Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest
Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest © Ronnie Chua - Adobe Stock Image

The best introduction to street food staples like braised pork with rice, pepper meat buns and steamed dumplings, or the chance to indulge at some of Taiwan's street-side Michelin-rated outlets, is at the city's atmospheric big-hitters.

The northernmost Shilin Night Market is Taipei's largest and most famous, and includes an underground food court, followed by Raohe in the east, Ningxia in the west and Nanjichang south of the centre.

Observe Taipei from its iconic heights

Taipei's iconic bamboo stem-shaped tower, Taipei 101, stacks 508 metres high. Ride one of the world's fastest elevators from the 5th floor to the 382-metre-high observatory on the 89th floor in a dizzying 37 seconds, before the 360° view of the metropolis unfolds.

You can pay extra to get to the smaller 101 floor, whose great heights command views as far as the coastline and the forested peaks surrounding the city on a clear day.

Atmospheric at night, when Taipei's cityscape glistens, an alternative view is from the peak of the Elephant Mountain Trail next to Taipei 101, where you can join locals at a popular sunset spot.

Day trip to the romantic Railway Hills

The city sits within what's known as the Taipei Basin, a ring of nature so close you only need to travel to the end of a metro line to reach it.

The quintessential day trip is the tracked trundle between the forest-set railway towns perched high in the hills, less than one hour from the city.

Using Ruifang train station as a base, chug west to Jiufen, whose Old Street draws the biggest crowds for its picture-perfect, nostalgia-evoking setting, with preserved narrow streets with the scenic view of A-Mei Teahouse and a string of traditional shops.

The scenic Old Street of Jiufen
The scenic Old Street of Jiufen © Leungchopan - Shutterstock.com

Then head south to Shifen, known for its 128-metre-high suspension bridge and the Shifen Falls area, whose miniature 'Niagara of Taiwan' cascade is accessible on a 20-minute walk from Old Street. This region lights up in early February during the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Climate in Taipei

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
17°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Taipei17
18°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Taipei18
20°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Taipei20
24°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Taipei24
27°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Taipei27
30°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Taipei30
32°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Taipei32
32°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Taipei32
30°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Taipei30
26°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Taipei26
23°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Taipei23
19°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Taipei19
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
19 days with some rainfall in January in Taipei19
19 days with some rainfall in February in Taipei19
20 days with some rainfall in March in Taipei20
18 days with some rainfall in April in Taipei18
21 days with some rainfall in May in Taipei21
19 days with some rainfall in June in Taipei19
15 days with some rainfall in July in Taipei15
17 days with some rainfall in August in Taipei17
16 days with some rainfall in September in Taipei16
16 days with some rainfall in October in Taipei16
17 days with some rainfall in November in Taipei17
17 days with some rainfall in December in Taipei17

The above guide shows the climate in Taipei. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Taiwan.

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More about Taiwan

Taiwan by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Becki Enright

Becki Enright

Posted in: Asia City Culture

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