by Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0

Where the Iconic Taipei 101 Tower Soars Above a Landscape Rich with the Heritage of the National Palace Museum

A. About Taipei

Nickname: The City of Azaleas

Taiwan's cosmopolitan capital offers – like other great Asian cities – excellent shopping, delicious food, various interesting sights (mainly skyscrapers, museums, and temples), and great parks.

The high-tech metropolis of Taipei combines the past and modernity in an impressive way.

In addition, just a few minutes from the heart of the city you can visit the beautiful Yangmingshan National Park with its famous hot springs.

Best Things to do in Taipei

The Good

Taipei performs solidly in almost all categories while offering excellent shopping and transport.

Negative Aspects

Taipei suffers from rather bad climatic conditions.


B. Best Things to Do in Taipei in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty sights in Taipei. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.60/10 in this most important category:

# Taipei 101 Tower 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Reminiscent of a bamboo stalk, the iconic Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world from 2004, until Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was finished in 2010.

It features an Indoor Observation deck on the 88th and 89th floor (383.4 m, 1,258 ft) and an Outdoor Observation deck on the 91st floor (391.8 m, 1,285 ft).

Skyscraper Total Height: 439.2 m / 1,441 ft | Observation Deck Height: 383.4 m / 1,258 ft | View Type: Glass Windows and Outdoor | Completed: 2004

by peellden / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# National Palace Museum 6 3.2 out of 5 stars

The National Palace Museum houses an impressive collection of almost 700,000 ancient Imperial Chinese artifacts including Jade, paintings, bronzes, and porcelain that were formerly held in the Forbidden City of Peking.

The exhibits cover over 10,000 years of Chinese history from the Neolithic age to the modern. Around 3,000 items are on display in several large palatial buildings spread over three floors. The National Palace Museum's main building was completed in 1965.

Museum Gallery Space: 9,613 m2 / 103,470 ft2 | Artworks on Display: ca. 3,000 | Established: 1925 | Visitors (2017): 4,436,118 (southern branch)

by Peellden / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 6 3.2 out of 5 stars

Inaugurated on 5 April 1980, this beautiful octagon-shaped national monument is dedicated to the memory of former President Chiang Kai-shek.

Landmark

by AngMoKio / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Longshan Temple 6 3.2 out of 5 stars

Dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, this beautifully maintained 18th-century temple is arguably the most famous temple in Taiwan. The temple is open to Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional Taiwanese beliefs.

Temple Erected: 1738, Rebuilt: 1919–1924

by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Elephant Mountain 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This 183-meter-high summit is known as the best place for magnificent cityscape panoramas. The not too taxing hike to the top takes around 30 minutes.

Hill | Viewpoint

by AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Yangmingshan National Park 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Located on the city’s outskirts and easily (a 45-minute bus ride) accessible from downtown, Yangmingshan National Park is known for its cherry blossoms (in spring), hot springs, sulfur deposits, fumaroles, and scenic hiking trails with spectacular views of Taipei.

National Park

by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Ximending 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This pedestrian shopping area – reminiscent of Shibuya in Tokyo or Myeongdong in Seoul – pulsates with colors and life and is home to a massive variety of fashion clothing shops, eclectic restaurants, clubs, and bars.

Youth Shopping District 

by Multivariable / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Bao'an Temple 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1804, this extremely ornate and beautiful Taiwanese folk religion temple is one of the largest temples in Taipei.

Taiwanese Folk Religion Temple Erected: 1804

by Meiguoren / Public Domain  

# Taipei Zoo 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

With a total area of 165 hectares, the celebrated Taipei Zoo is one of Asia’s largest and best zoos. The animals seem well looked after and their enclosures are large and suitably made to match their native habitats.

It is home to more than four hundred animal species such as koalas, kangaroos, giant pandas, red pandas, and a variety of African wildlife.

Zoo Opened: 1914 | Land area: 165 hectares / 407 acres | Species: 377 | Animals: 2,783 | Annual Visitors (2019): ca. 3,000,000 million

by Pang Yu Liu / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

# Confucius Temple 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Originally built in 1879 during the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in 1930, this beautiful temple is modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, China.

Confucian Temple Built: 1879, Rebuilt: 1930

by Dudva / CC BY-SA 4.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Taipei

    • Taipei Old Town 5 
    • Xiahai City God Temple 5
    • Qingshan Temple 5
    • Xingtian Temple 5
    • Shilin Night Market 5
    • Lin Family Mansion and Garden 5
    • Shilin Night Market 5
    • Grand Hotel 5
    • Beitou Public Hot Springs 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Taipei

Jiufen 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Jiufen, nestled in the hills of northern Taiwan, is a charming old mining town renowned for its narrow cobblestone streets and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

City  Distance from Taipei: 38 km

by Supanut Arunoprayote / CC BY 4.0  

 

Maokong Gondola (9 km from Taipei) 5

 Beitou hot springs (15 km from Taipei) 5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Taipei (including close-by excursions)

Taipei 101 Tower 7

National Palace Museum 6

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 6

Longshan Temple 6

Elephant Mountain 6

 Jiufen (38 km from Taipei) 6

Yangmingshan National Park 5

Ximending 5

Bao'an Temple 5

Taipei Zoo 5