irst time visiting Taipei and looking for fun things to do for your travel itinerary? Taipei is one of those cities that somehow does everything at once, cultural sites that actually feel alive, food that ruins you for “normal” street food, nightlife that ranges from classy to chaos (in a good way), and neighbourhoods that each have their own personality.
I get all the hype around Tokyo and Japan. I really do. But honestly, as I tell all my friends, Taipei has got it all, just with a discount.
I recently returned from a trip to Taiwan with friends and visited Taipei for the first time myself. It was a fantastic first impression, night markets, Taipei 101 views, a real hit of history at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and a few blurry nights in Xinyi.
I traveled with my boyfriend, who’s Taiwanese, which meant I got to see Taipei through a local lens. I also got plenty of rants along the way about the common tourist traps people fall into.
So this is my “do this first” list, because I’m not gonna gatekeep, ranked in the order I’d send to friends planning their first Taipei trip.
And yes, if you’re a foodie or a claw-machine addict, this guide is absolutely for you.
Read this first: Taipei logistics of getting around
Taipei is ridiculously easy to get around, and that is half the reason it’s such a great friends-trip city. I still recommend grabbing an EasyCard (or iCash) as your default. These cards work across MRT, buses, and even convenience stores.
Everything I'm about to suggest, with maybe the exception of the National Palace Museum, can be easily accessed by the MRT.
The only update worth knowing is that Taipei Metro is expanding beyond “card only” life. You can now enter with QR codes through supported mobile payment apps, and the system is being upgraded so tap-in with bank cards is part of the plan, with Apple Pay expected once testing and rollout are complete. As of writing, Apple Pay is only currently available expermentially with local banks, but with plans to expand to foriegn credit cards Apple Pay system.
And yes, I’m still obsessed with the card designs. If I’m being honest, buying an EasyCard at the Airport MRT station is the most boring possible version of this experience, so I usually wait until I’m actually in the city and grab one at a convenience store. That’s where the fun designs show up, keychains, cartoon characters, even stuff shaped like tiny food. It’s the rare souvenir that I actually use all day, every day.
EasyCards in Taiwan comes in all shapes and forms, and I mean that quite literally. I saw one that comes in a shape of a miniature boba tea. You can go on the convenience store hunt for the EasyCard you want! They're typically available in almost every convenience store in front of the cashier.
One small practical note that saves confusion: all three cards can handle transit, but they’re not equal as payment. iCash 2.0 is tied closely to 7-Eleven and a smaller set of stores, while EasyCard and iPASS tend to be accepted more broadly, including places like FamilyMart.
What to Do in Taipei (Things I recommend to Do and See)
1. Try all the street foods at the Taipei Night Markets
If I could only recommend one thing to do in Taipei, it’s the night markets. Slightly controversial, but I stand by my hot take. Night markets are where Taipei stops being “a city you’re visiting” and becomes “a foodie heaven”
Shilin and Raohe are the big names, but I also loved smaller markets like Ningxia when I wanted something that felt less chaotic and more snack-focused. And yes, I’m saying this with my full chest: if you’ve never tried deep-fried milk, fix that immediately.
One warning: night markets are not always the most foreigner-friendly. Menus can be oddly translated, and some stalls speak limited English, so I’d look up a couple of “must-eat” stalls ahead of time and go in with a plan. Taipei rewards light prep. Or you can do the age old point-and-order technique. Tried and true.
Slightly unrelated, but if you're visiting Shilin, my favorite game is the shrimp-fishing game at the Shilin Night Market. The goal is to fish as many shrimps as possible without breaking the rod and any shrimp you drop in the bucket gets grilled for you to eat. I'm usually terrible at carnival games, but I was surprisingly good at this one!
2. Enjoy the View from the Taipei 101 Indoor Observatory
I grew up in Toronto, so I get the skepticism when Taipei 101 shows up as a “must-do.” I never really understood the tourist urge to visit the tallest skyscraper just to look down at a city. This trip proved me wrong.
Taipei 101 is iconic for a reason. As my Taiwanese boyfriend said: "It's actually worth going as a foreigner". There, stamp of approval LOL.
The move is to time it near sunset, so you get the city in daylight and then watch it shift into night. It stops feeling like “I paid for a photo,” and starts feeling like “I watched the whole city change.”
The Observatory is centered around the 89th-floor observation deck (that’s the main one), and it’s genuinely impressive how far you can see on a clear day. If you get lucky on a clear day, you're able to go up to the outdoor observatory. The views are UNREAL.
I recommend purchasing a general-admission ticket for the indoor observatory on the 88th & 89th floors, though there are also outdoor observatories on floors 91 and 101. Go right before sunset to experience the daytime and nighttime views with just one ticket.
The unexpectedly cool nerdy part is the famous tuned mass damper, the giant stabilizer that helps reduce building sway. It’s a real piece of engineering history you can actually see, not just a factoid.
3. Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of those places where the scale hits you first, then the context hits you later.
The Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial in Liberty Square within the Zhongzheng District represents Taiwan's historical and political evolution. CKS Memorial is a must-visit attraction for a photo opp for every first-time visitor in Taipei.
Whilst controversial, it was erected in honor of former Taiwanese president Chiang Kai-shek. Its proximity to the National Theater and National Concert Hall make it a great tourist attraction in Taipei to soak in local arts & culture.
One quick update: ceremonies and guards have changed over time, so if you’re going specifically for a “changing of the guard” style moment, I’d treat schedules as something to double-check the week you’re there
Marvel at its traditional Chinese architecture and experience the changing of the guards, a free ceremony that occurs hourly from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
4. Marvel at the Artifacts in the National Palace Museum
One of the coolest places I went was the National Palace Museum!
A ticket to the National Palace Museum provides access to 690,000+ pieces, including the famous Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone in the "Gathering of Treasures" exhibition.
The museum holds some of the most amazing things to see in Taipei, an extensive array of Chinese artifacts of historical and cultural significance once part of the imperial collection in Beijing's Forbidden City.
Plan to spend a couple of hours visiting the exhibitions on all three floors to experience everything the National Palace Museum offers.
How do you get to the National Palace Museum? Located against the scenic backdrop of green mountains in the Shilin District north of the Keelung River, the museum is away from the city center and a tad bit difficult to transit to.
But public-transiting costs are more affordable than any shuttle service, so look up the route ahead of time for smooth travel. You can also take one of the two main Taipei Sightseeing bus routes—the blue one, as shown on this map, makes its final stop north at the museum.
Travel tip: The National Palace Museum displays the Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone on rotation, so expect only to see one during your visit. Plus, the museum has a souvenir store that sells replicas of the Meat-Shaped Stone, one of the most awesome things to buy in Taiwan.
5. Hike Elephant Mountain for Amazing Views
This famous mountain in Taipei's Xinyi District called Xiangshan, which translates to "Elephant Mountain," is named after the mountain's elephant-like shape.
Elephant Mountain has the best view of the city, including Taipei 101. For my money, it's the most picturesque place in Taipei and great for Instagram influencers, the perfect mix of nature and city.
While the day view is spectacular, the colorful sunset scene is also one to behold. Luckily, the hike to the popular viewpoint is just a short 30-minute trail.
The trail has a moderate incline, which means it's a little steep, but it's well-maintained with benches & rest stops along the way and isn't technically challenging, making it an easy trek even for non-hikers.
Elephant Mountain is free to hike and you can do it within two hours from when you leave the city center to when you return. Factor in the spectacular views and Elephant Mountain is worth adding as a fun adventure to your itinerary when traveling with friends.
To get to Elephant Mountain, exit the Xiangshan Metro Station and follow the signposts for a short 10-minute walk (0.44 miles) or walk 18 minutes (0.75 miles) directly from Taipei 101.
Travel tip: Stock up on travel essentials when planning your trip to Taipei, like a light rain jacket or insect repellent in case it rains during your hike or the mosquitoes on Elephant Mountain decide to have a field day.
6. See the Lungshan Temple
Taipei's Lungshan Temple is famous for its traditional Chinese architecture & artistic carvings, its rich history dating back to the 18th century and its spiritual significance as a place of worship, making it a top tourist attraction for first-time travelers to Taipei.
Surviving earthquakes and war over the years—and undergoing multiple renovations as a result—this building symbolizes resilience and is officially recognized by the Taiwanese government as a historical site.
Built in 1738 by Chinese settlers during the Qing dynasty to commemorate the Buddhist goddess Guanyin, the temple glimpses into Taiwan's religious practices and cultural heritage.
Visitors can observe Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist rites and the temple contains altars to Chinese deities like Mazu and Guan Yu.
Soak in the cultural experience At the Lungshan Temple like the beautiful grounds, the dragon statues and the engravings of Chinese literature & poems!
Travel tip: Remember this is a religious temple, so regard it with respect. Examples of proper etiquette for Taiwanese temples include taking off shoes, showing restraint with photographs and stepping over door sills, not on them. Oh, and don't point at the gods (it's rude)!
7. Revel in the History at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
The National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of the coolest places to go in Taipei if you're a history or politics nerd and want to learn about Taiwan's past.
The hall is a tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his contributions as the founding father of the Republic of China, the government that relocated to Taiwan from mainland China after his death.
In addition to the grand memorial hall, the site has a small museum dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a peaceful park on the memorial grounds to explore.
It also hosts Taiwan's most popular annual film-awards ceremony, the Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, and like the CSK Memorial, it features an hourly ceremony for a changing of the guards.
8. Experience Local Culture at the Red House Theater
Edit: I've been back to Taipei 3 times now, and Ximending is the one I always go back to, admittedly for the shopping instead haha.
Situated in the energetic Ximending neighborhood in Taipei's Wanhua District, the Red House is a creative hub for indie craft shops, art exhibitions and live performances.
Constructed in 1908, the Red House, named for its red-bricked exterior, has been a marketplace, a theater and a government office. And the old architecture blends Western and Meiji-era Japanese styles for the perfect photo backdrop.
Taiwan officially designated the Red House as a historical site and is popular with the local gay community, hosting Taipei Pride events. Today, it's considered "the most iconic location" of the Taiwanese creative & cultural industries.
You can also walk around Ximending to discover a variety of local shops and experience the lively atmosphere of Taipei's urban life. There's tons of good food and shops around Ximending, and where tons of hostels are located in!
9. Visit the Taipei Zoo & ride the Maokong Gondola
Imagine this: you and your crew experience Taiwan's traditional cultures and cuisines in Maokong, the enchanting forest in southeastern Taipei that offers a serene escape into nature with sprawling tea plantations and traditional tea houses.
It's a perfect destination for friends to savor the local tea culture and enjoy leisurely hikes.
To get there, you'll have to take the Maokong Gondola, a cable-car system connecting Maokong to the Taipei Zoo at the edge of the city's urban area.
The gondola ride is about 20–30 mins and you can choose between regular or crystal-bottomed cabins to immerse yourself in the lush surrounding landscapes.
The Maokong Gondola fares are priced by the number of stations traveled, but you can buy a day pass for the gondola that also includes entrance to the nearby Taipei Zoo, the largest zoo in Southeast Asia.
You'll save money by bundling costs—but most importantly, you and your friends can make a proper day trip out of your travels now. Breathtaking forest views, traditional Taiwanese tea houses, fun hikes and…pandas!
10. Have Fun in Daan Forest Park
One of the best things to do in Taipei is to escape the busy city at Daan Forest Park.
Locals consider the 26-hectare Daan Park, in Taipei's Da'an District in the city center built in 1994 on municipal land to serve as Taipei's version of New York City's Central Park and London's Hyde Park, "the lungs of the city."
Take a stroll to enjoy art installations, relax in one of the pavilions, rent a paddleboat to explore the lotus pond, jog the running trails or buzz around at the outdoor roller-skating rink!
Balance tradition and modernity (without overplanning)
Taipei is the rare city where you can do big-ticket sights and still feel like you had space to wander, snack, and stumble into little moments. That’s the sweet spot.
When I plan Taipei now, I think in clusters: night market night, a museum half-day, a “views” day (101 plus Elephant Mountain if you’re ambitious), and one calm day (Maokong or Daan Park). Do that, and it starts feeling less like a checklist and more like a trip you actually lived.
And once the safety blanket of “what should I do?” is gone, the fun part starts: building a shared itinerary, dropping pins, and making it real.
