Taipei

Taipei Travel Guide

Taiwan's capital, a vibrant city where night markets, temples, and modern landmarks come together. The endless street food at Shilin and Raohe night markets, Taipei 101's cityscape, Longshan Temple's living religious culture, and the charming cafe alleys of Yongkang Street define Taipei's appeal. The unique culture of the entire city transforming into night markets after dark, paired with the warmth of local hospitality, keeps travelers coming back. Perfect for foodies and night-market lovers.

Essential Taipei Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Taipei

★ 4.7

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 stands 508m tall over 101 floors and was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010. Its distinctive exterior is inspired by segmented bamboo stalks, and indoor observatories on the 89th floor and outdoor decks on the 91st floor deliver 360-degree views of Taipei. A 660-ton tuned mass damper inside the tower guards against typhoons and earthquakes, and visitors can view it in person. Observatory admission TWD 600. Directly at MRT Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station.

Hours11:00-21:00 daily

LocationXinyi District, Taipei

TipsTime your observatory visit around sunset to see Taipei in both day and night. The New Year's Eve countdown fireworks on December 31 are the city's biggest event.

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★ 4.8

National Palace Museum

Ranked among the world's top four museums, the National Palace Museum holds about 700,000 treasures covering 5,000 years of Chinese history. National icons include the Jadeite Cabbage, the Meat-Shaped Stone, and the Mao Gong Ding bronze vessel. Exhibits rotate every three months, so each visit reveals something new, and the collections of paintings, calligraphy, and ceramics from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties are world-class. Admission TWD 350. About 10 minutes by bus or taxi from MRT Shilin Station.

HoursTuesday-Sunday 09:00-17:00 (closed Mondays)

LocationShilin District, Taipei

TipsOnline tickets are recommended in advance, and the audio guide (available in Korean) deepens your understanding. The museum has extended Saturday evening hours.

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★ 4.5

Longshan Temple

Founded in 1738 by immigrants from Fujian, Longshan Temple is Taipei's oldest temple and is dedicated primarily to Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. Intricate dragon and phoenix carvings and stone pillar reliefs in traditional Minnan style are of high artistic value. Watching locals light incense and pray offers a glimpse into Taiwan's living religious culture, and the temple pairs well with a visit to nearby Huaxi Street Night Market. Free admission. Directly at MRT Longshan Temple Station, Exit 1.

Hours06:00-22:00 daily (free admission)

LocationWanhua District, Taipei

TipsPair your visit with the nearby Huaxi Street Night Market (Snake Alley). Direct access from MRT Longshan Temple Station.

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★ 4.4

Shilin Night Market

Shilin is Taiwan's largest night market, divided into food and shopping zones. The underground food court serves Taiwanese street food icons like XXL fried chicken cutlets, pepper buns, shaved ice, and stinky tofu. Above ground, stalls overflow with clothing, accessories, and games. The market buzzes every evening and offers the essence of Taiwanese night market culture. Free admission. A 5-minute walk from MRT Jiantan Station, Exit 1.

HoursDaily 16:00-24:00 (until 01:00 on Friday-Saturday)

LocationShilin District, Taipei

TipsA 5-minute walk from MRT Jiantan Station. Come hungry so you can sample many small bites.

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★ 4.5

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Completed in 1980 to honor former President Chiang Kai-shek, this grand memorial spans about 250,000㎡ in white marble. From the front gate ('Da Zhong Zhi Zheng'), 89 steps lead up to the main hall where a 5m-tall bronze statue of Chiang sits. The hourly guard-change ceremony with its precise drill movements is a beloved tourist attraction, and the flanking National Concert Hall and National Theater are centers of Taiwan's performing arts. The surrounding Liberty Square, flowers, and fountains make it perfect for a stroll. Free admission. Directly at MRT CKS Memorial Hall Station, Exit 5.

Hours09:00-18:00 daily (square open 24 hours)

LocationZhongzheng District, Taipei

TipsThe guard change happens on the hour (09:00-17:00) and lasts about 15 minutes. Liberty Square is a popular photo spot.

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★ 4.5

Raohe Night Market

Founded in 1987, Raohe is Taipei's oldest night market, with about 300 stalls along a single 600m-long street, giving it a tidier feel than Shilin. At the entrance, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Fuzhou Pepper Bun stall always has a long line for crispy pepper buns baked in clay ovens. Lamb skewers, shaved ice, oyster omelets, and Taiwanese sausages fill out the offerings, and at the far end stands the colorful Songshan Ciyou Temple. Free admission. A 1-minute walk from MRT Songshan Station, Exit 5.

HoursDaily 17:00-24:00

LocationSongshan District, Taipei

TipsThe pepper buns (TWD 60) sell out fast — queue around 6 PM. Pair your visit with the cafes and workshops at nearby Songshan Cultural Park.

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★ 4.3

Tamsui Old Street

Tamsui developed as a port town through Spanish-Dutch, Qing, and Japanese rule from the 17th century, and at just 40 minutes by MRT from downtown Taipei it's a beloved day trip. Tamsui Old Street stretches over 1km along the riverside walkway, lined with century-old shops selling local specialties like a-gei (fried tofu stuffed with glass noodles), fish ball noodles, mango shaved ice, and taro cakes. The ferry crossing to Bali village offers sunset views ranked among Taiwan's '8 great scenic views.' Combine with Fort San Domingo (the old Spanish/Dutch fort) and the campus of Aletheia University. Free to explore. Directly at MRT Tamsui Station.

HoursStreet 24 hours (shops 10:00-22:00)

LocationTamsui District, New Taipei City

TipsArrive an hour before sunset (summer 5-6 PM, winter 4-5 PM) and catch the Bali ferry to watch the sunset from the water. A-gei (about TWD 50) is a Tamsui-only specialty.

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Things to Do in Taipei

Shopping

Shilin Night Market Food Crawl

Sample XXL fried chicken, pepper buns, shaved ice, and stinky tofu at Taiwan largest night market. The underground food court is the must-visit zone.

Price TWD 30-100 per itemDuration About 2-3 hours

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Wellness

Yangmingshan Hot Springs

Soak in natural sulfur hot springs at Yangmingshan National Park north of Taipei. Enjoy open-air baths with mountain views and nearby hiking trails.

Price TWD 200-600Duration About 2-3 hours

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Tour

Taipei 101 Observatory

Take in 360-degree views from the 89th-floor indoor and 91st-floor outdoor observatories of 508m Taipei 101. See the 660-ton tuned mass damper up close.

Price TWD 600Duration About 1-1.5 hours

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Nature

Maokong Gondola & Tea Plantation

Ride the Maokong Gondola 4km up to the mountain tea plantations and savor Taiwan's top-grade Tieguanyin oolong tea. Gondola round trip TWD 240

Price Gondola TWD 240 RT + tea TWD 100-300Duration About 3-4 hours

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Culture

Din Tai Fung Original Restaurant

Watch chefs hand-fold authentic xiaolongbao at the Michelin-starred original Din Tai Fung on Yongkang Street. About TWD 400-800 per person

Price About TWD 400-800 per personDuration About 1-1.5 hours

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Tour

Tamsui Sunset Ferry

Take the Tamsui-Bali ferry at sunset to watch one of Taiwan's '8 great scenic views' from the water, then explore Tamsui Old Street's street food. One-way ferry about TWD 35

Price Ferry TWD 35 one wayDuration About 3-4 hours (with transport)

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Must-Try Food in Taipei

Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)

🍱 Traditional

Taiwanese soup dumplings with thin wrappers and rich broth inside. Din Tai Fung is the most famous. About TWD 220-300 per basket (10 pieces). The original Din Tai Fung on Yongkang Street has long lines but is well worth the wait.

Bubble Tea

🍵 Drink

Tapioca pearl milk tea invented in Taiwan and beloved worldwide. About TWD 40-70 per cup. Chun Shui Tang is the originator; 50 Lan and Gong Cha are also local favorites.

Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice)

🍱 Traditional

Lu Rou Fan: braised minced pork in soy sauce over steamed rice, a Taiwanese national comfort food. About TWD 30-50 per bowl. Local restaurants on Yongkang Street and at Shilin Night Market serve authentic versions.

Pepper Bun (Hujiao Bing)

🍢 Street Food

Pepper Bun: peppered pork and scallions baked in a clay oven for a crispy crust. About TWD 60-70 each. The Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Fuzhou Pepper Bun at the entrance of Raohe Night Market is most famous.

Oyster Omelet (O-a-jian)

🍢 Street Food

Oyster Omelet: fresh oysters, egg, and vegetables griddled together and topped with a sweet sauce — a Taiwanese street food classic. About TWD 70-100 per plate. Available hot off the griddle at Shilin and Raohe night markets.

Chou Doufu (Stinky Tofu)

🍢 Street Food

Chou Doufu: fermented tofu fried or stewed and served with pickled cabbage — Taiwan's signature street food. The pungent aroma is bold but oddly addictive. About TWD 50-80 per plate. Wang's fried stinky tofu at Shilin Night Market is famous.

Mango Shaved Ice (Mang Guo Bing)

🍰 Dessert

Mango Shaved Ice: fluffy shaved ice piled with mountains of fresh mango — the queen of Taiwanese summer desserts. About TWD 200-280 per bowl (serves 2-3). Ice Monster and Yongkang's Smoothie House are the top two destinations.

Taipei Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Taipei?

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are best. Summers are very hot and typhoon season runs from July to September.

How much does it cost to travel in Taipei?

Daily budget approx. $35-85 (lodging $20-50, food $7-20, transport and sightseeing $7-15)

How do I get around in Taipei?

The MRT Airport Line connects Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Station in 35 minutes. The city MRT is highly convenient, and an EasyCard is essential. SIM cards available at the airport (about TWD 300-500/week). EasyCard works for transit, convenience stores, and many restaurants; bring cash for night markets. Tipping is not customary.

Do I need a visa to visit Taipei?

Korean passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

Is Taipei safe for tourists?

A very safe city, but traffic is heavy with scooters - be cautious when crossing streets.

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