The Perfect 3-Day Taipei Itinerary (2023 Updated Travel Guide)
Taipei has lengthy been a gorgeous journey vacation spot for vacationers from neighboring international locations. While it has by no means actually established itself within the backpackers’ path, town attracts loads of midrange and high-end vacationers trying to pattern the native avenue meals, store within the evening markets, soak within the scorching springs and work together with the extremely hospitable locals. Personally, Taipei is a feel-good place. I don’t go there anticipating to see some mind-boggling sights. Like Tokyo, I’m going there time and time once more for the fantastic ambiance.
If you’re heading down south, additionally take a look at this Kaohsiung and Tainan itinerary.
Here is a well-balanced itinerary for Taipei that you are able to do in 3-days. It presents a fantastic combine between sights, consuming and buying and likewise has a number of off-the-beaten path points of interest thrown in.
chiang kai shek memorial corridor
Day 1 – Quintessential Taipei
Morning
Tip: If you’re touchdown in Taoyuan International Airport and want to purchase an area sim card for knowledge wants, the airport does promote these however the queue tends to be fairly lengthy (to not point out it could get fairly lengthy at immigration as effectively). A strategy to circumvent that is by shopping for your sim card beforehand and simply accumulate on the airport. I normally pre-order right here to keep away from the queues and the package deal additionally comes with a ticket for the airport prepare to Taipei.
The National Palace Museum (tickets out there right here) is the farthest amongst Taipei’s points of interest so may as effectively begin right here so as to commit the remainder of your time within the metropolis. When the Kuomintang fled from Mainland China and transferred their seat of energy in Taipei, they introduced with them loads of treasured artifacts. These at the moment are saved within the National Palace Museum. This is among the – if not the – finest locations to see Chinese artwork. Good factor about this museum is that it opens at 8:30AM so you possibly can have a comparatively early begin right here. Opening hours: 9:00am to five:00pm each day besides Monday
I’m not actually a museum sort of individual however I do suggest heading over to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Taipei to see loads of quirky artwork items. Honestly, this is among the museums that I genuinely loved and received’t hesitate to return to. Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 each day besides Monday / Nearest MRT: Taipei Main Station
Tip: Buses run aplenty in Taipei and is the very best mode of public transport for many who wish to decrease strolling to their vacation spot. It’s additionally the most affordable with fares at TWD 15 per experience. Do notice that drivers don’t present change and for some cause, some buses require cost upon boarding whereas others require cost upon alighting. You can simply inform these buses aside by way of the signal board on prime of the motive force seat. 上 means you pay upon boarding whereas 下 means you pay while you get off.
Stop over at Jinfeng Braised Pork Rice (#10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road) for lunch. There’s usually a protracted queue right here for the rice topped with braised pork. I personally don’t take pleasure in it attributable to all of the fats however many individuals rave about it. Opening hours: 11:00 to 1:00 each day / Nearest MRT: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station
jinfeng braised pork rice
Afternoon
the gate to the chiang kai shek memorial corridor
Make your manner to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall which is only a quick stroll from Jinfeng. The place is finest visited within the afternoon because the façade faces the west. Before the Taipei 101 was constructed, this construction served as town’s most iconic construction. While there, be certain to take a look at the altering of the guard ceremony which occurs each hour on the hour. Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:00 / Admission: Free / Nearest MRT: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station
longshan temple
From right here, it’s a brief bus experience to Longshan Temple, one of the vital widespread temples in Taipei and an important instance of classical Taiwanese structure. It additionally presents an excellent peek at native spiritual life. Two blocks away from the temple is the historic Bopiliao Walking Street the place you possibly can relive the olden days with Taisho (colonial Japanese) period structure and take a look at your hand at age-old crafts. Opening hours for Longshan Temple: 6:00 to 22:00 / Admission: Free / Nearest MRT: Long Shan Temple Station
pink home ximending
Depending in your tempo, it’d be late afternoon by this time – excellent to witness the lights turning on on the buzzing Ximending buying space. This is equal to Taipei’s excessive avenue and you’ll find all kinds of manufacturers right here in addition to a number of outlets promoting conventional delicacies and tea. The Red House is an emblem of the realm and inside you’ll find loads of unbiased stalls run by enterprising locals. If that is your first time in Taipei, that you must take a look at Ximending. Alternatively, you can too take a look at this helpful information on Taipei for first timers. Nearest MRT: Ximen Station
While you can see loads of eating places in Ximending, I like to recommend skipping these and heading straight to Ningxia Night Market as an alternative. You can both take a brief cab experience or stroll the 2km stretch. Taipei is legendary for its evening markets with every having its personal specialty. Ningxia Night Market is well-known for meals and folks from all around the world come right here to eat oyster omelette and mochi. While there are a pair of shops promoting these things right here, the place you need to strive for oyster omelette is: 圓環邊蚵仔煎 (Roundabout Oyster Omelette) and for mochi, it’s: 林記燒麻糬 Nearest MRT: Shuanglian Station or Zhongshan Station
Day 2 – Excursion to Yehliu and Jiufen
Start early within the morning and take bus 1815 to Yehliu GeoPark. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and relying on the climate and the gang, you’ll discover loads of rocks jutting from the bottom like mushrooms. It’s a fairly sight besides when it will get too crowded. Avoid the weekends for those who can. Alternatively, take the prepare to Pingxi and launch a sky lantern.
jiufen
Take one other bus to Jiufen, an outdated seaside mining city that has developed right into a vacationer attraction full of teahouses, cafes and memento outlets. It’s an enthralling place to easily wander round or to spend an hour or two holed up in one of many teahouses. For historical past buffs, there are additionally museums showcasing the city’s mining heritage. Alternatively, you can too take a 3-in-1 day tour from Taipei Main Station which brings you to Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen and again inside a day. This choice saves you the commuting time and the necessity to discover instructions. You can discover out extra info right here.
taipei 101 as seen from shangri-la far jap plaza resort taipei
Try to go away Jiufen by round 3 to three:30pm and head again to Taipei by way of Bus #1062. Make your strategy to the Elephant Mountain Trail, a viewpoint that you simply climb so as to see sweeping views of Taipei 101 throughout sundown. Alternatively, you can too head as much as the observatory of Taipei 101 itself (discounted tickets right here). In my opinion, this iconic constructing is healthier appreciated from afar.
For a very particular dinner expertise, head to RAW (301 Lequn third Road), the restaurant of one-Michelin starred chef, Andre Chiang. The delicacies is a fusion of Taiwanese and French cuisines. It will get booked out simply and on-line reservations are required.
raohe evening market
End your day on the Raohe Night Market positioned on the different facet of the river. This evening market packs in a plethora of eats in addition to ready-to-wear attire. Nearest MRT: Songshan Station
Day 3 – Modern and Hipster Taipei
After two whirlwinds days exploring town’s predominant points of interest and likewise doing a day journey to Yehliu and Jiufen, your third day will be spent simply chilling and exploring the extra hipster facet of town. Taipei presents a lot for shopaholics on the market and a few up-and-coming neighborhoods supply an important counterpoint to characterless buying malls.
Morning
fujin avenue in taipei
Start your day with some espresso from Fujin Tree 353 Cafe in Fujin Street – in all probability essentially the most hipster space in Taipei. You’ll discover loads of quirky eating places and boutiques with equally quirky individuals patronizing them. Even if you’re not trying to purchase something, Fujin Street can also be an important place for a stroll, being one of many uncommon tree-lined streets within the metropolis. Opening hours: 9:00 to 21:00, each day
Continuing on with quirky issues, head over to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. What was a vineyard has been transformed right into a inventive house attracting writers, moviemakers and even painters. There is all the time an exhibition occurring in right here which is price testing. You’ll additionally discover plenty of native crafts and unbiased shops throughout the neighborhood. Do notice that the park is definitely fairly unfold out and also you’ll discover the shops and exhibition areas in several buildings throughout the complicated. It might not be a super place to go to every time it’s raining. For tech geeks, you possibly can proceed on to Guanghua Digital Plaza for all of your IT wants. Taiwan is a significant producer of computer systems and {hardware}. Opening hours: 11:00 to 21:00, each day / Nearest MRT: Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station
daan forest park mrt station
Afternoon
Pause for lunch on the well-known Lin Dong Fang (#274, Section 2, Bade Road) for some scrumptious beef noodles earlier than persevering with on to Daan Forest Park for some r&r. The namesake metro station – Daan Forest Park – is an attraction in itself with curved glass curtain partitions and loads of artwork installations. Two metro stops away is the Kishu An Forest of Literature the place you’ll be transported to a different world with its Japanese model bungalow. Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday
matcha canele at heiankyo in taipei
While you’re within the normal neighborhood, take a look at Heiankyo (165 Shida Road, open 12:30PM to 7:30PM besides Tuesdays) for some conventional and fashionable matcha-based desserts. My private favorites are the matcha canele (the primary time I’ve seen one) and the wealthy and flavorful match ice cream. The venue is very genuine, replete with a mini Japanese rock backyard outdoors and interiors mimicking a standard tea home.
koo chen fu nationwide library at nationwide taiwan college
Even those that have little interest in studying will in all probability be awed by the interiors of the Koo Chen Fu National Library (contained in the National Taiwan University). Designed by Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, the studying room is made up of over 88 white columns that creates one thing like a forest out of minimalism. Admission is free however do notice the library closes barely earlier, at 5PM, throughout weekends.
Spend the late afternoon at Dihua Street, a colonial period a part of city that has been rejuvenated with loads of conventional outlets. You’ll discover Chinese drugs shops interspersing with cafes, vintage outlets in addition to the odd artwork studio. Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:30, each day / Nearest MRT: Shuanglian Station
End the day at Shilin Night Market, undoubtedly Taipei’s greatest and most well-known evening market. The place is understood for native delights reminiscent of smelly tofu in addition to oyster mee sua so be certain to come back with an empty abdomen. Opening hours: 15:00 to 1:00, each day / Nearest MRT: Jiantan Station
Getting to Taipei from Taoyuan International Airport
- Available 24 hours. Taxis price roughly TWD 1,000 to 1200 from the airport to town heart. Alternatively, you possibly can e book right here for personal automobile transfers at round 15 to twenty% cheaper than taxis. If there are 3 to 4 individuals in your group, this selection is advisable over public transport or the MRT.
- The comparatively new Taoyuan Airport MRT will get you from the airport to Taipei Main Station in roughly 37 minutes. The worth is TWD 230 per individual. You can purchase tickets on-line at a hefty low cost right here.
- You can even take certainly one of a number of airport buses that cease in Taipei’s predominant station. In case you’re arriving in Taipei previous midnight and don’t want to spend on taxis, take the #1819 Kuo Kuang bus. It prices TWD 125.
Travel Tips for Taipei
- Best time to go to Taipei: It is between October to March when the times are comparatively cool. Even throughout the “depth of winter” in January, temperatures not often fall under 10 levels celsius. Summer is between June to September and it could get actually humid within the metropolis. That being mentioned, summer season is the very best time to go to town for those who want to see town with sunshine. This is very useful for those who want to climb Elephant Mountain as an illustration and witness a pleasant sundown blanketing town. Taipei is notoriously identified for its extended cloud cowl. It’s one of many least sunniest capitals on the earth!
- Travel Insurance: In these unsure instances, it might be smart to get journey insurance coverage earlier than touring to Taiwan. I usually purchase from Worldnomads as a result of comparatively in depth protection of their insurance policy. If you reside in Singapore, take a look at Starr Travelead, one of many most cost-effective journey insurance coverage. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 money rebate that helps to cowl the insurance coverage price.
- Changing Money in Taipei: If you come from Singapore and are armed with Singapore Dollars, you may discover the charges in DBS (the native Taipei department) fairly aggressive. For of us from elsewhere who’re bringing in USD, you possibly can change cash within the airport. The unfold is barely lower than 1%. In town, it’s advisable to alter cash at massive banks reminiscent of Bank of Taiwan.
- Transport Passes: If you foresee your self taking buses and the subway in Taipei, it’s advisable to buy their native transport cross – the Easycard. You get 20% low cost for public transport rides in Taipei. It additionally works in Kaohsiung’s public transport system in addition to for grocery store, comfort retailer and different locations. At the top of your journey, you possibly can refund any unused quantity with a mere TWD 20 service cost.
Where to remain in Taipei
Taipei has a plethora of lodging choices however the metropolis is most well-known for its boutique resorts – a few of which have “branches” all through the capital. I personally loved staying at citizenM Taipei Northgate with its high-tech rooms and beds located simply subsequent to the window with panoramic views of town. The property can also be 5 minutes stroll to the airport MRT station and quarter-hour stroll to Ximending. Alternatively, the amba Taipei Zhongshan will appeal to those that are right into a clear, all-white and minimalist theme. You can even take a look at extra Taipei resorts HERE to check for the very best costs.
