Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a vibrant and welcoming city famed for its incredible night markets, the towering Taipei 101, hot springs, temples, delicious food and warm hospitality. Modern yet traditional, it delights every visitor. The best time to visit is October to April, and three days let you explore its markets, food and culture.
Why Visit Taipei
Taipei is one of Asia’s most welcoming and enjoyable capitals, a vibrant city that blends modern energy with rich traditions, delicious food and famously friendly people. Famous for its incredible night markets, its iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, its temples, its hot springs and its wonderful food scene, Taipei offers a fantastic mix of experiences. This combination of great food, fascinating culture, modern convenience and genuine warmth makes Taipei a delightful and rewarding destination that visitors adore.
The city offers a wonderful blend of the modern and the traditional, from gleaming towers and efficient transport to atmospheric temples, historic streets and mountain surroundings with hot springs. Above all, it is a paradise for food lovers, celebrated for its street food and night markets. Whether you come for the night markets, the food, the temples, the hot springs or the friendly atmosphere, Taipei offers a delightful and thoroughly enjoyable experience in the heart of Taiwan.
Top Things to Do in Taipei
Taipei offers incredible night markets, Taipei 101, temples and hot springs.
Feast at the Night Markets
Taipei’s night markets are legendary and a highlight of any visit, bustling with stalls serving an incredible array of delicious street food, snacks and treats. Exploring these vibrant markets, sampling the amazing variety of food, from savoury to sweet, and soaking up the lively, buzzing atmosphere is a quintessential Taipei experience. The night markets capture the city’s food obsession and friendly energy and are one of the great joys of visiting Taipei.
Visit Taipei 101
Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world, is the iconic symbol of the city, a striking skyscraper offering panoramic views over Taipei from its high observation deck. Admiring this landmark, ascending for the stunning vistas and exploring the surrounding district is a highlight. The impressive tower, with its distinctive design and rapid elevators, captures the modern side of Taipei and offers a spectacular view over the city and its mountain surroundings.
Explore the Temples and Culture
Taipei has beautiful, atmospheric temples, above all the famous Longshan Temple, along with historic streets, museums and cultural sites. Exploring these ornate, incense filled temples, admiring the traditional architecture and soaking up the spiritual atmosphere offers a wonderful contrast to the modern city. Visiting the temples and cultural sites, including the excellent National Palace Museum with its Chinese treasures, reveals the rich heritage and traditions of Taipei and Taiwan.
Relax in the Hot Springs
Taipei is blessed with natural hot springs, especially in the nearby Beitou district, where you can relax in soothing, mineral rich thermal waters amid scenic surroundings. Enjoying a hot spring, whether in a public bath or a private resort, is a wonderfully relaxing and distinctive Taipei experience. This easy access to hot springs, set against the city’s mountain backdrop, offers a lovely way to unwind and is a delightful highlight of a visit to Taipei.
Food You Must Try in Taipei
Taipei is a paradise for food lovers.
- Xiao long bao, the famous soup dumplings.
- Beef noodle soup, a beloved national dish.
- Bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan.
- Night market snacks like fried chicken and buns.
- Stinky tofu, a pungent local favourite.
Taipei is a food lover’s paradise, so be sure to try the famous xiao long bao soup dumplings and beloved beef noodle soup, savour Taiwanese bubble tea, and feast on the incredible variety of night market snacks that make the city a culinary delight.
History and Culture
Taipei has a fascinating history shaped by various influences over the centuries, including a period of Japanese rule that left its mark, before becoming the capital of Taiwan. This layered history is reflected in the city’s temples, historic streets, architecture and museums, including the remarkable National Palace Museum, which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of Chinese art and treasures. This rich heritage gives Taipei a deep cultural dimension alongside its modern character.
Taiwanese culture blends Chinese traditions with local and other influences, reflected in the island’s temples, festivals, cuisine, arts and famously warm, friendly and hospitable people. Taipei is known for its vibrant food culture, its night markets, its blend of modern and traditional, and its welcoming, easygoing spirit. This combination of rich cultural heritage, wonderful food, modern convenience and genuine friendliness gives Taipei its distinctive and thoroughly appealing character as the capital of Taiwan.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
Taipei is well placed for several rewarding day trips.
- The historic mountain town of Jiufen, with its lantern lit streets.
- The hot springs and scenery of Beitou.
- Yangmingshan National Park, with its volcanic scenery.
- The scenic north coast and Pingxi sky lanterns.
The atmospheric mountain town of Jiufen, with its lantern lit streets and teahouses, makes a wonderful day trip, while the hot springs of Beitou, the scenery of Yangmingshan National Park and the Pingxi sky lantern area offer further rewarding excursions from Taipei.
Best Time to Visit Taipei
October to April is generally the most pleasant time to visit, with cooler, more comfortable weather, avoiding the intense summer heat and humidity. Autumn and spring are especially lovely, with pleasant conditions. Summer, from around June to September, is hot, very humid and can bring typhoons, while winter is mild but can be cool and rainy. For the most comfortable weather to explore the city, night markets and surroundings, the months from October to April are ideal.
How to Reach Taipei
Taipei is well connected, served by an international airport that is a major regional hub, linking it to destinations across Asia and beyond, with fast transport links into the city. It has excellent rail connections, including high speed trains across Taiwan. Within Taipei, an excellent, efficient and modern metro network, along with buses and taxis, makes getting around remarkably easy, with signage in English. The superb metro is the best way to explore this convenient and friendly city.
Where to Stay in Taipei
Taipei offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to comfortable mid range options, boutique stays and budget hostels, at good value. Staying centrally, near a major district, a night market or a metro station, keeps you close to attractions, food and the excellent transport, making it easy to explore. The superb metro makes getting around easy from most areas. Choosing a well located stay near a metro station helps you make the most of a visit to friendly Taipei.
Planning Your Trip
Taipei rewards around three days for its incredible night markets, Taipei 101, temples and hot springs, with time to enjoy the food and friendly atmosphere, and it makes a great base for day trips like Jiufen. Feast at the night markets, ascend Taipei 101, explore the temples, and relax in a hot spring. Use the excellent metro to get around. Consider a trip to the mountain town of Jiufen. With its food, culture and warmth, Taipei offers a delightful experience.
Practical Travel Tips
- Feast on street food at the incredible night markets.
- Ascend Taipei 101 for panoramic city views.
- Explore atmospheric temples like Longshan Temple.
- Relax in the hot springs of the Beitou district.
- Use the excellent metro to get around the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taipei famous for?
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is famous for its incredible night markets, the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, its atmospheric temples, its nearby hot springs, its delicious food and its famously warm and friendly people.
How many days do you need in Taipei?
Around three days let you enjoy the incredible night markets, Taipei 101, temples and hot springs, with time for the food and atmosphere. Taipei also makes a great base for day trips like the mountain town of Jiufen.
What are the night markets in Taipei like?
Taipei’s night markets are legendary, bustling with stalls serving an incredible array of delicious street food, snacks and treats. Exploring them, sampling the amazing variety of food and soaking up the lively atmosphere is a highlight of any visit.
What is the best time to visit Taipei?
October to April offers cooler, more comfortable weather, with autumn and spring especially lovely. Summer from June to September is hot, humid and can bring typhoons, while winter is mild but can be cool and rainy.
What food should you try in Taipei?
Be sure to try the famous xiao long bao soup dumplings and beef noodle soup, savour Taiwanese bubble tea, and feast on the variety of night market snacks. Taipei is a wonderful paradise for food lovers.
Final Thoughts
Taipei is a vibrant and welcoming capital where incredible night markets, the towering Taipei 101, atmospheric temples and soothing hot springs come together with delicious food and warm hospitality. Feast on street food at the legendary night markets, ascend the iconic skyscraper, explore the ornate temples and unwind in the hot springs. Modern, traditional and wonderfully friendly, Taipei offers a delightful and thoroughly enjoyable experience, blending rich culture with fantastic food and the genuine warmth that makes Taiwan so beloved by travellers.