Attractions · Taipei
Things to do in Taipei.
The capital's big sights sit inside the metro map: the National Palace Museum in Shilin, Taipei 101 in Xinyi, the old temples of Wanhua, and the hills of Yangmingshan and Maokong at the city's edges.
The National Palace Museum
One of the world's great collections of Chinese art: jade, porcelain, bronzes and painting across a hillside palace in Shilin. The Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone are the famous two; the galleries reward a half day.
How to book: Tickets at the door or online in advance. Free audio guides need ID as a deposit; the Zhishan Garden next door is included and quieter.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookTaipei 101 Observatory
The bamboo-shaped tower that defined the skyline: indoor and outdoor observatories at 89 and 91 floors, and the great tuned mass damper ball in between. Sunset slots are the prize.
How to book: Timed tickets online or at the tower; sunset and New Year periods sell out. The mall and food court below need no ticket.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookLongshan Temple
Taipei's most loved temple, in Wanhua since 1738: incense, waterfalls at the gate, and the evening crowd of regulars. The surrounding lanes hold the old city's herbal and market streets.
How to book: Free entry, open early to late. MRT Longshan Temple station puts you at the gate; dress modestly and follow the regulars' route through.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The great white hall and its blue tiled roof over Liberty Square, with the two theatre and concert halls facing it across the gardens. The guard change on the hour is the set piece.
How to book: Free entry to the grounds and the hall's lower exhibitions. The square is a park at dawn: tai chi, dance practice and kites.
Maokong Gondola
The cable car from Taipei Zoo up into the tea hills of Muzha: glass-bottom Crystal Cabins for the brave, teahouses at the top station, and the city spread out below at dusk.
How to book: EasyCard works at the gates, which is the local way. Queues build on fine weekends; the Crystal Cabins have their own line.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookBeitou Hot Springs
The hot spring valley at the city's north edge, a short MRT ride away: the steaming Thermal Valley, the Japanese-era Hot Spring Museum, and bathhouses from public pools to hotel spas.
How to book: The public outdoor baths take a small entry and need swimwear and a cap. The museum is free. Xinbeitou station is the start of the branch line built for the springs.
Shilin Night Market
The famous one: a covered food hall and lanes of stalls near Jiantan station, from pepper buns and fried chicken cutlets to the games arcades. Big, loud and best hungry.
How to book: Free entry. Evenings from about 16:00 until late; Jiantan MRT is closer than Shilin station despite the name.
Yangmingshan National Park
The volcanic park inside the city limits: fumaroles at Xiaoyoukeng, grasslands at Qingtiangang, hydrangeas and calla lilies in season, and the flower clock crowds in spring.
How to book: Buses run from Jiantan and Shilin MRT stations and circulate inside the park. Entry is free; some sites charge small fees, and the park buses take EasyCard.
Planning the stay itself: the city guides cover what is on, and the hotels page covers where to sleep near it.