I not too long ago determined to revamp my Taipei itinerary, at the start as a result of I known as this unbelievable metropolis residence for almost two years. Needless to say, I do know Taipei much more intimately than I did once I first created this put up.
Over the previous 18 months I resided within the Taiwanese capital, I explored Taipei sights starting from the mainstream to the obscure, and gotten to know the town from the angle of each an area and a vacationer. In specific, I’ve thought lengthy and laborious about what number of days in Taipei it’s best to spend, relying not solely upon what you wish to do right here, however certainly how lengthy you’ve in Taiwan as an entire.
And I do hope you’ll stay on this magnificent island for some time, whether or not you spend simply 5 days in Taiwan, or keep many months like I did. Taiwan is a very particular place—that was true even earlier than it compelled me to reside there so long as I did.
Where to Stay in Taipei
Irrespective of what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending, discovering the proper place to remain (each neighborhood, in addition to appropriate lodging) is vital. I’ll begin by saying that Taipei is among the solely cities on the planet the place I choose staying in residences as a substitute of accommodations. While sure properties resembling W Taipei are stylish, comfy and centrally-located, I discover that accommodations in Taipei (and Taiwan normally) depart loads to be desired.
As far as the place in Taipei it’s best to start your Airbnb search, I’m of a pair totally different minds. If you wish to keep someplace that’s each centrally-located and quiet, the Da’an and Zhongzheng districts close to the MRT stations of Dongmen and Guting are an important place to look. If you favor to be in the midst of the motion (and to really feel prefer it as properly), you’ll as a substitute wish to discover spots close to Ximen, Taipei Main Station or Taipei City Hall.
Top Things to Do in Taipei
Explore Taipei Landmarks
When deciding what number of days to spend in Taipei, it’s important to assume you’ll want no less than 24 hours on the vacationer path, as a lot as one exists right here. Taipei’s most well-known landmarks sit on both finish of Xinyi Road, with Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall at its western terminus, Taipei 101 on the jap finish and plush Da’an Forest Park proper within the center. Near CKS Hall, you may as well discover the 228 Martyrs Memorial Park (devoted, considerably mockingly, to patriots whose slaughter Chiang himself ordered), whereas the upmarket Breeze Xinyi buying district awaits when you’ve descended from the observatory of the previous tallest constructing on the planet. My favourite Taipei museums, in the meantime, embody the wonderful Taipei Fine Arts Museum in Yuanshan and the National Palace Museum, accessible by bus from Shilin station.
Devour Taipei Food (in Night Markets and Elsewhere)
Tourist traps apart, meals is one other consideration to make when deciding how lengthy to spend in Taipei. Many journey guides veer closely towards recommending Taipei evening markets, such because the well-known one in Shilin and extra obscure choices like Raohe Street in Songshan and Shida in Guting. I don’t thoughts these markets, however I do choose a sit-down meal in areas like Yongkang Street (which is residence to the unique Din Tai Fung—and loads of cheaper, tastier options). In Shipai, in the meantime, which is a pair stops north of Shilin, you’ll discover Angelica, whose duck rice (and duck meatball soup—don’t overlook to order this!) lives as much as its beatific title.
Another foodie vacation spot to discover in Taipei, what number of days you determine to spend right here however, is the Ximending pedestrian space. I’ll encourage you to comply with your tastebuds to some extent, however it would be best to be sure to search out cong bing scallion pancakes, Taiwanese-style fried rooster and naturally, bubble milk tea. (There are loads of spots to eat every of those—TIP: the longest strains don’t at all times correspond with the very best style!) Ximen’s Red House can be the homosexual hub of Taipei, and is value a go to (or a drink) even when you aren’t a member of the LGBT group.
Say Your Prayers in Taipei Temples
When contemplating the query of what number of days, Taipei temples are one thing else I take into consideration. The most well-known temple in Taipei might be Longshan Temple in Ximen, however I additionally wish to discover temples round Yuanshan station, resembling Taipei Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple. A extra obscure choice could be Jieyun Temple within the Banqiao space of New Taipei City, whereas lovers (Chinese-speaking ones any means) have a tendency to go to Xiahai “City God” Temple alongside Dihua Street, a paradise of historic structure a stone’s throw from the Dadaocheng Wharf sundown spot.
Take Amazing Taipei Hikes
Taipei is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes the town and its environs a hiker’s paradise. The hottest Taipei hike might be Xiangshan mountain, accessible by way of the MRT station of the identical title, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a tremendous view of Taipei 101 and the remainder of the skyline. Another nice (however lesser identified) Taipei viewpoint is Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang in Neihu—Taipei City seems to be simply beautiful framed by the phoenixes of a standard Taiwanese temple. Hiking sizzling spots even farther outdoors the town embody Seven Stars Mountain in Yangmingshan National Park, and the assorted trails beneath the Maokong Gondola close to Taipei Zoo. Depending upon how lengthy in Taipei you spend, you can fill a number of days with climbing!
Want to observe airplanes land at Songshan Airport? Another favourite Taipei hike of mine is to Lao Di Fang Lookout. You can write this as “老地方觀景平台” in Chinese, assuming you favor to take an Uber as a substitute of climbing from Jiantan station. (TIP: In order get unbelievable pictures just like the one I did above, make sure that to deliver zoom lens!)
I’ve written a separate Taipei day journey itinerary, however I’ll define a few of the finest choices right here. More standard day journeys from Taipei embody Jiufen Old Street, Miaokou Night Market and Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, the “Queen’s Head” rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, Beitou sizzling springs space and Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf. More avant-garde choices, notably in case your time on the island exceeds a Taiwan itinerary 5 days in size, embody the aboriginal city of Wulai and Quanhua Temple, the latter of which you’ll be able to attain by way of rare bus service from HSR Hsinchu Station, or extra conveniently with your individual rental automobile.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Taipei?
I haven’t but addressed the subject of what number of days in Taipei it’s best to spend, no less than circuitously, as a result of I wished you to first get an thought of the depth and breadth of issues to do right here. Back once I first visited Taiwan, I normally beneficial 3 days in Taipei: One for sightseeing, one for climbing and one to take a day journey. I nonetheless assume this can be a good plan, notably when you don’t have a very long time in Taiwan as an entire, although it’s not utterly optimum.
When to Visit Taipei
The finest time to go to Taipei, for many vacationers, is every time you’ll be able to handle to come back right here. Taipei doesn’t get tremendous chilly within the winter (or, by the requirements of sub-tropical Asia, all that sizzling in the summertime); rain is feasible twelve months per yr, so umbrella is extra necessary than an expectation for solar. With this being stated, sure elements of the yr are higher for visiting Taipei than others. If you’re homosexual, for instance, you’ll most likely wish to go to in October, when Taipei Pride (Asia’s largest and, for the reason that legalization of homosexual marriage in Taiwan, its most necessary) takes place.
On the opposite hand, you’ll most likely wish to keep away from Chinese New Year, which takes place in late January or early February, as this era can see Taipei uncomfortably crowded. Here once more, nevertheless, is why it’s good to be as versatile as you’ll be able to with regard to how lengthy to remain in Taipei. The extra days you’ve in Taipei (and certainly, in Taiwan as an entire), the much less you’ll be affected by unhealthy climate or unruly crowds!
Other FAQ About Planning a Taipei Itinerary
How many days in Taipei is sufficient?
I lived in Taipei for greater than a yr, so I’m not what you’d name an goal supply on this. Even after greater than twelve months in Taipei, I nonetheless didn’t deal with my whole bucket record! With this being stated, I’d say that the majority vacationers can get by with 2-3 days in Taipei in the beginning of their Taiwan journeys, after which one other day or two on the finish.
The Bottom Line
This Taipei itinerary will assist you take advantage of Taiwan’s capital, even when you don’t find yourself transferring right here like I did, and regardless of what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending. Whether you go to Taipei landmarks like Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, hike to viewpoints like Elephant Mountain and Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang or just eat your means via the Ximending pedestrian space and Raohe Street Night Market, Taipei will shortly really feel like residence.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications resembling “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.