Taipei Exploration
When you arrive within the coronary heart of Taipei, go and shortly take pleasure in its iconic landmarks in addition to its busy night time markets and colourful tradition! With that, I’ll be itemizing the highest points of interest within the metropolis; nonetheless, it will be unimaginable to completely go to EVERYTHING (except you swiftly undergo each location).
That’s why, relying in your pursuits, choose the most effective locations that you just’d prefer to see throughout the day to your Taiwan itinerary primarily based on the descriptions that I’ll be offering beneath (my high favorites are marked with a star ★); after which, you possibly can go to the remainder throughout your different free time or throughout your different journey days in the event you’re staying longer than 3 days in Taiwan.
◘◘ ★ Taipei 101
Previously often called the Taipei World Monetary Middle, Taipei 101 was as soon as known as the world’s tallest constructing in 2004 — till Burj Khalifa in Dubai was accomplished in 2010.
Both manner, these days, it holds the best award because the tallest and largest inexperienced constructing on the planet based on LEED (Management in Vitality and Environmental Design). By now, I’m positive you’ve heard of this constructing earlier than; in any case, it serves as an icon of contemporary Taiwan (although it was initially constructed as an emblem of the evolution of expertise and Asian custom); as such, it’s a should to incorporate this in your Taiwan itinerary.
Towering at 101 tales, the bottom of the constructing homes a number of outlets and eating places (such because the well-known Din Tai Fung chain) however what most guests purpose to do is to entry the observatory. To checklist out the highlights of the constructing:
- 5F Taipei 101 Mall: The ground the place you should purchase tickets and take the Guinness World File high-speed elevator to the observatory on the 89th flooring (it travels at 1,010 meters/min or 60.6kph, taking solely 37 seconds complete). Nonetheless, it’s greatest to buy on-line to get a reduced worth — I’ll talk about this within the element within the ‘admission‘ part beneath.
- 89F Indoor Observatory: Presents unobstructed views of Taipei. It additionally has a museum the place you possibly can be taught in regards to the development of Taipei 101.
- 88F Great thing about Taiwan Multimedia Hall, Tremendous Large Wind Damper, Treasure Sky: The spotlight of this flooring is at 5.5m (in diameter) and there’s a 660-ton wind damper that’s constructed within the core of the tower. Apparently, this wonderful expertise helps preserve the constructing from swaying and helps preserve it stand upright. In the meantime, Treasure Sky is a spot the place you will discover jewel crafts.
- 91F Outside Observatory: That is accessible by way of the steps from the 89th flooring, however because the winds can get fairly robust, this flooring is just open on days when the climate is favorable. Anyhow, inside, you will see a small theatre that options movies in regards to the annual New Years’ fireworks show set off from Taipei 101.
ADMISSION: Basic ticket is NT$600 (college students are charged NT$540 and youngsters below 115cm are charged free). Nonetheless, in the event you ebook on-line, you’ll solely pay round NT$400! With this, you not solely get a reduction however you additionally don’t have to attend in an extended line.
HOURS: 9:00AM to 10:00PM
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line (Xiangshan practice) to Taipei 101 station or Blue Line to Taipei Metropolis Corridor Station
◘◘ Elephant Mountain
That is yet one more great spot for buying nice views over Taipei particularly in the event you’re into doing a little gentle mountaineering! Often known as the Nangang District Mountain climbing Path or Xiangshan, the mountaineering path as much as Elephant Mountain is discovered near the Xinyi Purchasing District and Taipei 101. The entire steep hike takes about 15 to twenty minutes just one manner.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you possibly can be a part of an Elephant Mountain day tour which is able to already embrace a visit to Pinglin’s Thousand Island Lake, Bagua Tea Plantation and Shenkeng Previous Avenue.
HOURS: It’s greatest to keep away from coming right here throughout weekends as a result of it might probably get crowded. For the most effective occasions to hike, it is going to be in the course of the late afternoon with the intention to catch the daylight, sundown and nighttime views of Taipei.
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line to Xiangshan Station (or in the event you’re in Taipei 101, stroll east on Xinyi Street till you attain Xiangshan Station for quarter-hour)
◘◘ ★ Nationwide Palace Museum
That is house to the largest everlasting assortment of historic Chinese language artifacts and artworks (spanning over 700,000 items)! They cowl about 8,000 years of Chinese language artwork historical past from the Neolithic to the fashionable age; plus, most of them are high-quality items that had been collected by China’s emperors — which signifies that quite a lot of them had been rooted within the Palace Museum of Beijing’s Forbidden Metropolis.
With such a quantity, it helps to notice although that the reveals constantly rotate as a result of solely a small quantity could be displayed at a time so as to correctly protect them. Nonetheless, it’s fairly a formidable assortment that’s value visiting in the event you’re into Chinese language tradition and historical past!
Upon admission, you might additionally entry the attractive backyard close by known as Zhishan Backyard. Not too distant would even be the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines which could possibly be accessed without cost when you pay the doorway for the Nationwide Palace Museum. (TIP: The Nationwide Palace Museum holds free English excursions at 10AM and 3PM; ebook on-line beforehand to order your spot. Whereas the Shung Ye options free excursions at 2PM each weekend; no reserving is required).
ADMISSION: NT $350 (for college students with ID, solely NT $150)
HOURS: 8:30AM to six:30PM from Sunday to Thursday (to 9:00PM from Friday to Saturday)
PROMO: E book on-line to buy your admission ticket since it’s cheaper
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line Shilin Sation (士林)
◘◘ Presidential Constructing
This recognizable constructing in Taipei was initially constructed to behave because the Workplace of the Governor-Basic in the course of the Japanese colonial interval, nevertheless it has since been renovated after it was partially destroyed throughout World Conflict II. By the tip of the Chinese language Civil Conflict, it served because the Presidential Workplace Constructing of the Kuomintang management within the metropolis. As such, it is a great spot to cease by to your Taiwan itinerary if you wish to be taught extra in regards to the nation’s previous when it comes to political improvement.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you possibly can be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which is able to embrace a cease to this attraction
HOURS: 9:00AM to 11:30AM from Monday to Friday
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line to NTU Hospital Station (move by way of Exit 1)
◘◘ ★ Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Memorial Corridor
In-built reminiscence of the previous President of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, this monument is a outstanding historic landmark in Taiwan that was opened in 1980 as a part of the nationwide park. The sq. is definitely formally known as Liberty Sq. however the title was modified as a consequence of political motivations, and as a consequence of individuals nonetheless generally referring to it because the CKS Memorial Corridor.
TRIVIA: The 8 sides of the octagon-shaped constructing symbolize the quantity 8 which is commonly historically related to fortune and wealth as per Chinese language symbolism. In the meantime, the two units of 89 steps symbolize Chiang Kai-shek’s age of dying (and you will see a bronze statue of him in the primary corridor). One of many nice spectacles of this corridor too is the hourly altering of the guards on both aspect of the statue.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you possibly can be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which is able to embrace a cease at this attraction
HOURS: 9:00 AM to five:00PM day by day
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line or Inexperienced Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Corridor Station
◘◘ Nationwide Solar Yat-sen Memorial Corridor
That is one other memorial corridor, however this time round, it’s devoted to the founding father of the Republic of China: Dr. Solar Yat-sen. When you enter the premises, you will see shows displaying his accomplishments that spanned from the revolution throughout and after the autumn of the Qing Dynasty. However aside from this, the corridor can also be typically used for varied performances and exhibitions. You could possibly even benefit from the surrounding park known as Zhongshan Park which options gardens, ornamental historic partitions, and Lake Cui or Emerald Pond which has a close-by exhibition space.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 9:00 AM to six:00PM day by day
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Solar Yat-sen Memorial Corridor Station
◘◘ Martyrs’ Shrine
Formally known as the Nationwide Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, this mainly marks the reminiscence of virtually 400,000 troopers who died in the course of the battle towards the communist in mainland China. The advanced, which was in-built 1969, is a typical instance of the northern ‘palace type’ structure that was popularised throughout Chiang Kai-shek’s reign.
For many guests, very like the CKS Memorial Corridor, the Martyrs’ Shrine is thought for its altering of the guards or troopers on the entrance gate. This occasion occurs each hour till 5PM and lasts for about 20 minutes so it’s worthy to contemplate to your Taiwan itinerary. When you’re achieved watching the guards, simply don’t neglect to take advantage of your keep and discover the encircling structure.
ADMISSION: Free
TOUR: For a hassle-free expertise, you possibly can be a part of a Taipei metropolis tour which is able to embrace a cease at this attraction
HOURS: 9:00 AM to five:00PM day by day
NEAREST MRT: Jiantan Station
◘◘ Dalongdong Bao’an Temple
It is a lovely Taiwanese Taoist temple that acquired a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for each its restoration and revival qualities of temple rites and festivities. Devoted to the Taoist saint, Baosheng Dadi, this 900sqm temple is an beautiful construction that may be a nice instance of the standard ornamental arts. When you time your go to from March to June, you might even witness the favored Baoshen Cultural Competition the place you possibly can watch parade excursions, fire-walking rituals, lion dances, Taiwanese opera performances, puppet exhibits, and different cultural shows. For an correct schedule of the occasions, see the temple’s web site.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 7:00 AM to 10:00PM day by day
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line to Yuanshan Station
◘◘ ★ Maokong Gondola
The mountain village of Maokong is the most effective spot in Taipei that gives a surprising panoramic view of the town — to not point out, additionally they have all kinds of high-quality native tea.
To succeed in this village, you need to take the Maokong Gondola which is a 4-km scenic cable automotive experience. With their Crystal Cabins or glass-bottom vehicles, you can be rewarded with wonderful views and angles not solely over the metropolis but additionally over the plush Zhinan River as you make your manner as much as Maokong (the experience spans about half-hour).
ADMISSION: One-way NT$120 for adults and NT$50 for youngsters (FREE if you buy a Taipei Go)
PROMO: E book on-line to buy your admission ticket since it’s a cheaper package deal inclusive of roundtrip tickets with FREE Taipei Double-decker Sightseeing Night time Bus ticket for under NT$220.
HOURS: Usually open from 9AM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 9AM to 10PM on Fridays, 8:30AM to 10PM on Saturdays and eight:30AM to 9PM on Sundays (word that the gondola’s opening hours rely on the climate scenario)
NEAREST MRT: Brown Line to the terminus station, Taipei Zoo
◘◘ ★ Mengjia Longshan Temple
This is among the largest and oldest well-known temples in Taiwan that’s positioned within the historic Wanhua district. Mentioned to have been in-built 1738 by Fujian settlers as a gathering place for Chinese language settlers, Longshan Temple has since been rebuilt a number of occasions after destruction by earthquakes, typhoons, and WWII bombings. At the moment, it stands as a Taiwanese worship home for a combination of Buddhist, Taoist, and deities equivalent to Matsu (or the goddess of the ocean).
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 6:00AM to 10:00PM (greatest occasions to go to can be at 6AM, 8AM or 5PM when crowds would collect and have interaction in hypnotic chanting)
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Longshan Temple
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Night time Markets
Taiwan is a haven for foodies so when the night time begins to creep in, select from any of the night time markets beneath to stuff your self full!
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you possibly can be a part of a Taipei Night time Market tour to your Taiwan itinerary so as to get probably the most out of the town’s high genuine Taiwanese dishes and native flavors with the assistance of a neighborhood information! In any other case, take a look at this checklist of eating places that you could ebook on-line for scoring particular offers and charges.
◘◘ ★ Raohe Avenue Night time Market
That is mentioned to be Taipei’s oldest night time market! It’s a single pedestrian lane spanning about 600 meters and it goes alongside Raohe road between 2 ornate gates. Right here, you’ll discover an array of quaint outlets and stalls that serve meals, snacks, and different objects. For the must-try meals objects? Come learn my publish beneath:
» READ: Taiwan Avenue Meals in Raohe Avenue Night time Market
Apart from consuming, you too can store for garments in the event you stroll by way of the close by Clothes Purchasing Outlet in Wufenpu, or you might additionally go to the Ciyou Temple which is on the jap finish of the night time market.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 5:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Inexperienced Line to Songshan Station
◘◘ Huahsi (or Huaxi) Night time Market
Additionally known as “Snake Alley”, Huahsi is conveniently discovered subsequent to Longshan Temple, in addition to 2 different markets particularly Guangzhou and Wuzhou. There’s a variety of meals objects that you will discover right here however probably the most well-known ones can be the dishes constituted of snakes and turtles. When you’re up for one thing this unique to your Taiwan itinerary, do attempt the snake soup! For one thing extra ‘regular’, attempt the well-known Tainan dan-dan noodles.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 4:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Longshan Temple Station
◘◘ Shilin Night time Market
This is among the largest and hottest night time markets in Taiwan to vacationers. With its maze of alleyways, you will discover quite a lot of native, conventional, and worldwide merchandise — native cuisines included, after all! So just be sure you cease by the underground foodie paradise on the western aspect of the market. Among the issues to attempt are oyster vermicelli, fried pork buns, bubble tea, pungent tofu, and oyster omelet.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 4:00PM to midnight
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line to Jiantan Station
◘◘ Tonghua Night time Market
It is a brief strolling distance from Taipei 101 and it’s the most effective night time market to go to if you would like one thing extra native and fewer touristy. Apart from clothes and different merchandise, there are meals stalls right here that promote sushi, steaks, and dumplings amongst many different issues.
ADMISSION: Free
HOURS: 6:00PM to 1:00AM
NEAREST MRT: Crimson Line to Xinyi Anhe Station
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Taipei Meals
◘◘ LUNCH: Eatogether Xinyi Restaurant
It’s essential to NEVER go away Taiwan with out tasting the highest native fares of xiaolongbao, beef noodles soup, and bubble tea! To get the most effective of all the things, head over to this highly-rated buffet chain.
BOOK: On-line
◘◘ DINNER: Any of the night time markets
Taipei’s night time markets can simply fill you up for dinner; so go and take your choose from any of the earlier night time markets that I’ve talked about, and also you’re positive to benefit from the night time away!
In any other case, take a look at this checklist of Taipei eating places that you could ebook on-line for scoring particular offers and charges.
Uncover North of Taiwan
After you had your fill of a few of Taipei’s key points of interest, it’s time to enterprise out of the town to find northern Taiwan’s wonders!
◘◘ Day tour to Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen
This is among the greatest day excursions that I’ve ever skilled for my Taiwan itinerary! For an entire day, you can be exploring the next key places…
- Geopark: This lovely limestone cape has a variety of fascinating rock/geological formations which have been aptly named based on their form (instance: Fairy’s Shoe and Queen’s Head).
- Shifen Previous Streets and Shifen Waterfall: Discovered within the Pingxi space, Shifen is mainly a small city that surrounds the Shifen railway station. This place is legendary not just for its picturesque practice tracks and market but additionally for its outlets that allow you to launch a Chinese language sky lantern — in case you possibly can’t make it to their official Sky Lantern Competition (held often on the fifteenth day of the primary month within the lunisolar Chinese language calendar). One other close by attraction that you will discover is the 20-meter tall Shifen Waterfall which is claimed to be probably the most scenic in Taiwan.
- Jiufen: As soon as a affluent gold mining city, Jiufen is now a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for its quaint scenes that relive scenes from the previous. Right here, you will see picturesque streets and tea homes adorned with purple lanterns and a few nice spots for viewing the Pacific Ocean! When you’re a fan of Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”, you need to go to Jiufen since many of the scenes from the film had been impressed by this place.
DETAILED EXPERIENCE: Learn this Jiufen Tour evaluation
DURATION: About 8 hours (return time roughly 5:30PM)
BOOKING: On-line
» Need another day tour choices to your Taiwan itinerary? See right here to view a whole checklist.
◘◘ Ximending Youth Purchasing District
Dubbed because the ‘Harajuku’ of Taipei, that is the stylish buying and nightlife haven within the metropolis that has a big selection of retailers, eating places, golf equipment, and bars discovered all all through its streets. In truth, the second that I stepped right here, it actually made me really feel like I visited Shibuya in Japan! That being mentioned, earlier than the day ends, go and store right here ’til you drop — or in the event you’re extra into golf equipment and bars, there’s an array of selections for you.
HOURS: It’s open all day as much as the night time, however the most effective time to go can be ranging from 5PM up into the wee hours
NEAREST MRT: Blue or Inexperienced Line to Ximen
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Taipei Meals
◘◘ Din Tai Fung Restaurant
That is the internationally-famous Taiwanese restaurant that makes great-tasting xiaolongbao (a type of tasty soup dumpling); subsequently, no journey to Taiwan is full with out visiting certainly one of its branches — particularly its unique Taipei department discovered on Xinyi Street. Regrettably… the disadvantage is that there could be an insanely lengthy wait as a result of quite a lot of vacationers additionally need to get a style of this place. My recommendation? Go to within the morning to try to skip the traces!
TIP: In case you are pressed on time throughout your Taiwan itinerary and might’t dedicate hours-long of ready at Din Tai Fung, you possibly can reserve your spot on-line at both the Xinyi or Taipei 101 department — or be a part of a Taipei night time tour that features a dinner at Din Tai Fung. For different substitutes, you will get some nice tasting xiaolongbao at Kao Chi.
NEAREST MRT: Dongmen Station (for the Xinyi department)
◘◘ Different choices for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
If you’d like nice discounted/packaged meals in Taipei to your Taiwan itinerary, take a look at these on-line offers. They’ve selections from sizzling pots, lobster units, beef noodles, and extra! In any other case, you too can revisit the night time markets for a meal.
BOOKING: Taipei eating places
Nature Exploration
At the present time is for witnessing yet one more instance of Taiwan’s grandeur with regards to pure landscapes.
◘◘ Day tour to Alishan Nationwide Scenic Space
Alishan or “Mount Ali” is Taiwan’s most visited nationwide park. Attributable to its elevation, you will see fascinating flora in its ‘Big Forest’ that is stuffed with towering 2,000-year-old large Taiwanese purple cypresses. The realm additionally enjoys a cooler local weather and an erratic climate sample so you possibly can expertise a cloudless morning with denser clouds of mist or fog within the latter a part of the day, after which adopted by a lightning storm and a few rain (so make certain to pack an umbrella and a jacket).
When you experience the well-known Alishan Mountain Railway, you too can go to a number of key places within the nationwide park by way of the Sacred Tree Line, Zhushan Line (for dawn views over the Jade Mountain), and Mianyuei Line. For hiking-lovers, there are a number of nice trails that you could undergo on this location equivalent to the trail that results in the Big Tree of Mt. Shuishan (the oldest tree within the park at 2,700 years previous).
On the way in which to Alishan with this day tour, additionally, you will get the prospect to cease over these further places…
- Fenqihu: It is a medieval mountain railroad city close to Alishan. Just remember to go to its previous slender streets to buy fascinating souvenirs to deliver again house, see its previous railway museum, in addition to to eat their well-known ‘Fenqihu lunch field’ on the unique restaurant that serves it (discovered beneath 7/11 on the primary highway — NT$100 just for takeaway or NT$120 for consuming it on the spot).
- Alishan Shouzhen Temple: This place enshrines the Supreme Emperor of the Darkish Heaven (玄天上帝) as its fundamental deity and it’s the highest temple in Taiwan when it comes to elevation.
BOOKING: On-line
DURATION: About 8 hours
MEETING POINT: On this tour, it’s potential to choose you up from any of the inns present in Kaohsiung, Chiayi and Tainan Metropolis. In any other case, in the event you’re coming from Taipei, they’ll choose you up from Excessive Velocity Railway stations present in Chiayi or Tainan. To get to those practice station places from Taipei, that you must ebook an HSR practice. E book a ticket, or you too can ebook an limitless move particularly in the event you’re staying longer in Taiwan and plan to go to different locations outdoors of Taipei).
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: If you wish to discover Alishan by your self to your Taiwan itinerary, when you attain Chiayi station, take the direct bus to Alishan for about NT$300 (a technique) which runs between 10:00AM to 11:30AM. There are additionally non-direct buses that price NT$221 every manner. Take word that the final bus to Alishan is at 2PM and the final bus again to Chiayi leaves at 5:10PM (discovered close to Alishan’s 7-11 retailer).
» Need another day tour choices to your Taiwan itinerary? See right here to view a whole checklist.
◘◘ Discover the remainder of Taipei
When you’re again in Taipei after your day tour, this may be the right time to see the opposite historic landmarks or night time markets that you just haven’t managed to go to! (Seek advice from the checklist I’ve made below Day #1 to see the variety of selections).
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Taipei Meals
If you’d like nice discounted/packaged meals in Taipei throughout your Taiwan itinerary, take a look at these on-line offers. They’ve selections from sizzling pots, lobster units, beef noodles, and extra! In any other case, you too can revisit the night time markets for a meal.
BOOKING: Taipei eating places
