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Essential Guide for an Amazing Taipei Trip
Taiwan is a fantastic place with something for everyone, and the capital Taipei is a small part of this vast country, with all the goodness concentrated in an area of 271.8 km². A trip to Taiwan wouldn't be complete without a magnificent tour of Taipei.
With unbeatable street food, bustling urban landscapes, and mountainous beauty all mixed into one city, you'll have a hard time deciding where to go. That's why Klook has narrowed down those choices, bringing you the best of Taipei in a 3-day, 2-night itinerary.
Day 1
1. Enjoy Coffee on Fujin Street
Who doesn't love a good cup of coffee? If you're still feeling jet-lagged from your flight, this is the perfect place to relax and indulge at the same time.
Fujin is a street in Taipei filled with peaceful cafes. There's even a cafe oasis for you to choose from, but most patrons opt for brunch at Fujin Tree 353, Beans and Beats, and Kyushu Pancake Cafe.
Address: Fujin Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
2. Explore the Glittering Xinyi District
Xinyi District could be considered the heart of Taipei, with its beautiful architecture and skyscrapers. Think of it as Taipei's Fifth Avenue.
Eslite Bookstore
Eslite (Xinyi branch) is the largest bookstore in Taiwan, spanning 8000m² for you to get lost in. If you think Kinokuniya is big enough, this place will leave you gaping in astonishment.
Not only does it have every type of book imaginable (mostly in English and Chinese), but it also features a children's museum on the 5th floor and a shopping area with food stalls in the basement. It also sells CDs, art supplies, music—you name it, they have it.
Whether you're a bookworm or not, you'll surely want to come here and find joy in your own way.
Plus, it's conveniently located near MRT Taipei City Hall and stays open late into the night. Join the crowd here to experience the evening.
Address: No.11 Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 10 am – 2 am, daily
Taipei 101 Tower
When it comes to Taiwan, this skyscraper always steals the spotlight. Standing among the tallest buildings in the world at 508 meters tall, Taipei 101 offers breathtaking views of the entire city. On clear days, you can even see the Taiwan Strait!
Step into the world's fastest elevator to reach the observatories at the top in just 37 seconds. There are both indoor and outdoor observatories—with the outdoor one located on the top floor of the building, on the 91st floor. Remember to bring a jacket as it can get quite windy outside.
Address: Taipei 101, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Opening Hours: 9 am – 10 pm, daily (Last entry at 9:15 pm)
Book your discounted tickets to Taipei 101 Tower with Klook now
Did you know Taipei 101 also houses the world's highest Starbucks?
To locate the cafe, head to the commercial entrance rather than the shopping entrance. You'll need to spend a minimum of 200NT$, but it's well worth it for this record-breaking cafe. Visitors are usually allowed to stay for up to 90 minutes, and flip-flops or shorts are not permitted—so dress smartly!
Klook Tip: call Starbucks in advance to reserve a table at least 1 day ahead. Seats might fill up fast if you don't book in advance.
Opening Hours: 7:30 am – 8 pm
Contact: +886 2 8101 0701
3. Indulge in street food delights at Raohe Night Market
Raohe Night Market might just be the second-ranked night market in all of Taiwan (what's the first? Stay tuned until the end of the article to find out)
Just a minute's walk from Shongshan Station, and you can't miss the giant illuminated red gate that shines after sunset.
Right at the entrance is one of Raohe's tastiest treats: the Fu Zhou Pepper Bun. These buns are stuffed with pork and have a crispy outer layer with sesame seeds. There's often a long line for these buns—a sure sign of their deliciousness.
Other street food delights include braised milk and Angus beef skewers. Come with an empty stomach, or you'll regret it!
Location: Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm daily
Day 2
1. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of northeastern Taipei
Go full throttle on Day 2 to explore the northeastern part of Taipei, where unique landmarks and tranquil old neighborhoods abound—a must for anyone seeking the perfect Taipei experience.
Arranging a private shuttle is a great way to explore Taipei's northeast, as public transportation isn't direct and tends to get crowded, even on weekdays.
For a more comfortable journey, book a Shuttle from Ximen to Yehliu (Yeliu), the Yin and Yang Sea, Pingxi area, and back to Ximen for dinner time.
Yehliu Geological Park (Yeliu)
Start your Day 2 at Yehliu Geological Park, the beautiful coastal area at the northern tip of Taiwan. Here, you'll find numerous unique rock formations, ranging from mushroom rocks to the famous 'Queen's Head'.
The Queen's Head resembles Queen Elizabeth I from a certain angle. Try to find that angle and snap a photo! This rock formation has been present for over 4,000 years but is not expected to last more than 10 years due to erosion. Visit early in the day at 8 AM when the park opens to avoid crowds. The Queen's Head area tends to get very crowded, especially with tour groups.
Klook tip: Visit when the park opens at 8 AM to avoid crowds. The Queen's Head area tends to get very crowded, especially with tour groups.
Location: No.167-1, Kangton Rd., Yeh Liu Village, Wanli Dist., Xinbei 20744, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM, daily
Book a bus shuttle from Ximen to Yehliu Geological Park with Klook
The Yin and Yang Sea
This is a region of the sea with swirling bands of turquoise and golden hues. Depending on the tide, it can appear as if the water is divided into two halves! Sounds mythical but it's true.
The area is much smaller compared to Yehliu, but it's a fascinating phenomenon and free for everyone to visit. You can easily reach here if you have the necessary transportation – like a private car or a bus route.
Klook tip: If you have enough time, hike up the nearby hill to get the clearest view of the divided sea.
Location: Ruifang District, New Taipei City 226, Taiwan
2. Explore Ruifang and Pingxi districts
Jiufen
Start your Pingxi exploration in Jiufen, an ancient town with stone steps and wooden houses hosting small shops, overlooking the mountainous area of the East China Sea.
Explore every nook and cranny of the old town, and you'll find yourself at a crossroads to a new street to discover. Jiufen is famous for sweet treats like Granny Lai's Taro Balls and Ah Zhu's Peanut Ice Cream Rolls. Make sure you try these, they're not hard to find.
Klook tip: Jiufen Old Street inspired the setting for Studio Ghibli's film “Spirited Away.” If you're a fan, seek out jewelry and snacks reminiscent of the movie. Look for a few film-like spots of the buildings too, you'll surely find many.
Location: Jishan Street, Ruifang District, Xinbei 22450, Taiwan
Klook now for a tour to Jiufen Village and the northern coastline
Golden Waterfalls
Take a 30-40 minute walk, coach, or public bus 788 or 856 to reach the nearby golden waterfalls. Many are unaware of this gem near Jiufen, with its amber-colored cascades due to metal residue from nearby old mines.
Klook tip: The waterfalls are most beautiful right after a heavy rain.
Location: Jinguashi village, Ruifang District, Xinbei, Taiwan
Shifen
Shifen is the spot for sky lantern releasing, as well as capturing photos reminiscent of the movie “Our Times” on the railway track.
There are plenty of shops for you to choose from. The average price for each sky lantern is around 100-150NT$. You'll be provided with a fairly large paper lantern and some paint to write your wish on it (P.S: many people often wish for wealth and good grades). The staff will be very friendly and ready to capture your lantern release moment.
An odd thing is that both the wishing and lantern releasing are done on the Pingxi railway track. Every hour, there will be a train whistle announcement and a train will arrive on the track. Be prepared to step off the track.
If you're there, visit the waterfalls near Shifen, just a 20-minute walk away.
Location: Xinbei, Taiwan
Klook now for a bus from Ximen to Shifen
3. Shopping spree at Ximending
As night falls, head to Ximending (Dubbed the Shinjuku of Taiwan), a bustling shopping district where young people come to shop and dine.
There are plenty of trendy fashion stores at reasonable prices in this area. Compared to other famous night markets, here you'll find more well-known international brands like Uniqlo and Watsons, and fewer street food options.
But that doesn't mean there's no delicious food. The first thing you should try here is Ah Zong Mian Zian, which only sells one dish: rice noodles. It's a place with no seating at all yet people still stand in long lines even on hot days.
There are also globally famous restaurants here like Modern Toilet.
Klook Tip: Some shops will charge you for plastic bags, so make sure to bring a reusable bag.
Location: Wanhua District, Taipei 108, Taiwan
Day 3
1. Enjoy a fantastic morning at Huotong Cat Village
If you're fond of these walking furballs, skip the regular cat cafes and head to the Cat Village just 35km east of Taipei. Nestled amidst hills and former coal mining areas is a village filled with hundreds of cats.
Cats reside in makeshift shelters, on railway tracks, and at wharves. There are cat cafes and cat-themed artworks, even cat-shaped signs pointing the way.
Both tourists and locals adore the feline residents for helping the former coal mining town from becoming an abandoned village (plus, they're just too cute to resist).
Klook Tip: Instead of heading to the village center where most tourists gather, explore the surrounding areas like the bridge to play with the cats without the crowds.
Location: No. 70, Chailiao Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
2. Hike through Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan is one of Taiwan's beloved natural attractions, nestled in a lush hillside covering 114km²
Remember to visit the Sulfur Geysers of Liuhuanggu and Xiaoyoukeng to witness sulfuric smoke billowing from the ground. The air often gets hazy and smells like rotten eggs!
There's plenty to do here including: Yangming Park – a Chinese-style garden near the entrance of Yangmingshan National Park and the Qingtiangang Grassland Trail – a scenic walking route with some of the park's finest views.
Klook Tip: Check the weather forecast before heading to Yangmingshan. Some areas in the park lack easy shelter from rain. You can also check the park's website for live park videos and weather conditions as well as crowd levels.
After exploring the park, head to the nearby Japanese-style hot springs. You can find some of the best hot springs in the area in Beitou, with natural hot water bubbling up from underground – perfect for relaxing tired muscles after a day of walking.
Location: Jhuzihhu Rd, Beitou District, Taipei 112, Taiwan
3. Experience the ultimate night market in Shilin
Last but certainly not least is the top-notch night market in Taiwan. Shilin is the largest and regarded as the best night market in the city, boasting plenty of street food and reasonably priced shops.
Food stalls in Shilin usually open very early, with some starting as early as 5 p.m. But Klook suggests heading there from 7-8 p.m. when all the stalls are open and the crowds have arrived, creating a lively atmosphere for the night market experience.
In addition to food, there are also movie theaters, game rooms, and karaoke bars surrounding the night market.
Klook Tip: Discover the secret entrance to Shilin Underground Market! You'll find plenty of delicious treats here!
Location: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Opening Hours: Around 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Now that you've got all your plans sorted, consider yourself ready for an incredible Taipei adventure! Don't forget to grab an unlimited 4G Wifi device for your trip around Taiwan for seamless connectivity. And check out our car rental and car rental with driver services if you want to add flexibility to your journey.
If Taipei is just one stop on your Taiwan itinerary, the easiest and most hassle-free way to travel between cities in Taiwan is through the Taiwan Railway System and Taiwan High Speed Rail. Check out the guides for using the 3-Day THSR Pass and 5-Day Joint Pass in Taiwan for more information.
