Taipei 101
508 m tower, world's tallest building 2004-2010, with an indoor observatory on floors 88-91 (NT$600) and the open-air Skyline 460 on floor 101 (combined NT$980, about $31). Houses a 660-tonne tuned mass damper visible from the 88th floor.
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About Taipei
Taipei sits in a basin at the northern end of Taiwan, surrounded by the Yangmingshan and Xindian mountain ranges, and mixes Japanese colonial architecture, Qing-dynasty temples, and modern towers. The Taipei Metro (MRT) reaches nearly every major sight, from Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to Longshan Temple, Shilin Night Market, and the hot-spring district of Beitou. Trails such as Elephant Mountain start within minutes of downtown, and the Maokong Gondola climbs to tea houses above the city. The city is safe, inexpensive by developed-country standards, and open late, making it one of East Asia's easiest destinations for solo travelers and first-time visitors. Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) handles most international flights, while Songshan Airport (TSA) sits inside the city.
- Capital
- Taipei
- Largest city
- Taipei
- Population
- ~2.5 million (city), ~7 million (metro area)
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, English (limited)
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar
- Time zone
- National Standard Time (UTC+8), no daylight saving
Explore Taipei by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Taipei
The 24 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
National Palace Museum
Home to roughly 700,000 pieces of Chinese imperial art moved from Beijing's Forbidden City in 1949, including the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone. One of the world's major Chinese art collections.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Blue-tiled, white marble memorial completed in 1980 and set in Liberty Square between the National Theater and National Concert Hall. The guard-change ceremony runs hourly, and a museum inside covers Chiang Kai-shek's life.
Longshan Temple
Buddhist and Taoist temple founded in 1738 by settlers from Fujian, rebuilt after wartime bombing. Known for carved dragon pillars and a crowded, active worship hall.
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest and best-known night market, with the food hall in the Shilin Market Building, oyster omelettes, fried chicken cutlets and street games. Arrive on a weekday to avoid the densest crowds.
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
Short steep stair climb of around 600 stairs to the classic viewing platforms with the Taipei 101 skyline. About 20-30 minutes to the main viewing spot.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Taipei Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Taipei, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Taipei
- Days 1-2Taipei city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Taipei
- Days 1-3Taipei comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Taipei, departure
Where to stay in Taipei
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget NT$1,600 ($50)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range NT$4,000 ($126)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury NT$11,000+ ($346+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Mandarin Oriental Taipei
A 25-storey tower on Dunhua North Road, Mandarin Oriental Taipei is one of the city's flagship luxury hotels. It houses the Bencotto Italian restaurant and Ya Ge Cantonese restaurant, an indoor pool and a full spa, and sits a short taxi ride from Songshan Airport.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hyatt Taipei
Grand Hyatt Taipei is a 5-star hotel next to the Taipei World Trade Center and a few minutes' walk from Taipei 101. It has roughly 850 guestrooms and suites, several restaurants, an outdoor pool and a fitness club.
Check rates on Booking.comRegent Taipei
Regent Taipei stands in the Zhongshan district amid the Shuangcheng shopping and dining streets, close to Zhongshan MRT station. The hotel is known for large rooms, an indoor pool and spa, and a wide selection of on-site restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comPalais de Chine Hotel
Palais de Chine Hotel is a 5-star hotel a few minutes from Taipei Main Station, with Chinese-palace-inspired interiors and the fine-dining restaurant Le Palais on an upper floor. It is a practical base for rail and airport-bus connections.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Taipei
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Din Tai Fung Xinyi Flagship
The original Din Tai Fung shop on Xinyi Road grew from a cooking-oil retailer into the world's best-known xiaolongbao house, and the Michelin-listed kitchen still folds each dumpling with 18 pleats.
Din Tai Fung Taipei 101
A large branch in the basement of the Taipei 101 mall that serves the same xiaolongbao and noodle menu with a shorter wait than the Xinyi Road original.
Yong Kang Beef Noodles
A Bib Gourmand-recognised shop just off Yongkang Street that has served Taipei-style braised beef noodle soup since 1963 in a rich, spicy broth.
Fuhang Soybean Milk
A second-floor breakfast hall near Shandao Temple known for warm salty soybean milk, thick egg pancakes (dan bing) and sesame flatbread with fried dough; queues start before 7AM.
Raohe Street Night Market
A 600-metre lantern-lit lane beside Songshan Station, ending at Ciyou Temple, with about 100 stalls selling pepper buns, herbal pork-rib soup, stinky tofu and grilled skewers.
Fuzhou Shizu Pepper Bun
A famous stall at the entrance of Raohe Street Night Market that bakes black-pepper pork buns against the wall of a clay drum oven; the queue moves quickly.
Getting around Taipei
Taipei is one of Asia's easiest cities to navigate. The Taipei Metro (MRT) has several colour-coded lines reaching most sights, the Taoyuan Airport MRT connects Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) with Taipei Main Station, and buses and YouBike bike share fill the gaps. One stored-value EasyCard or iPass pays for the MRT, buses, YouBike, the Maokong Gondola and many shops. Intercity travel is handled by the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR, stations at Nangang, Taipei Main, Banqiao) and Taiwan Railway (TRA), and Songshan Airport (TSA) in the city centre serves domestic and some regional flights.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in TWD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | NT$600 ($19) | NT$2,200 ($69) | NT$7,000 ($220) |
| Food (per day) | NT$500 ($16) | NT$900 ($28) | NT$2,500 ($79) |
| Transportation | NT$200 ($6) | NT$300 ($9) | NT$600 ($19) |
| Activities | NT$300 ($9) | NT$600 ($19) | NT$900 ($28) |
| Daily total | NT$1,600 ($50) | NT$4,000 ($126) | NT$11,000+ ($346+) |
Best time to visit Taipei
Weather through the year in Taipei
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Taipei.
Autumn (October-December) and spring (March-April) offer the most comfortable weather for hiking and sightseeing.
Taipei is humid subtropical: summers are hot (30-36°C) and humid, winters are mild (12-18°C) and damp. Autumn brings the clearest skies and mild temperatures.
Essential travel tips
- Buy an EasyCard at any MRT station or 7-Eleven for the MRT, buses, YouBike, and small purchases
- Carry some cash in NT$; many night-market stalls and small eateries do not accept cards
- Tipping is not expected; restaurants often add a 10% service charge
- Eating and drinking are prohibited on the MRT, with fines up to NT$7,500 ($236)
- Stand on the right and walk on the left on MRT escalators
- Most museums close on Mondays; check hours before visiting
Safety information
Taipei is among the safest major cities in Asia, with very low violent crime.
Carry a passport copy or ARC; police may ask for ID.
Earthquake and typhoon alerts arrive by National Alert SMS on all phones; the Central Weather Administration (cwa.gov.tw) publishes warnings.
Watch for scooters, which sometimes ride on pavements or turn against signals.
In July-August drink water and use sunscreen; heat exhaustion is common.
Hike Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan in daylight with water and a rain layer.
During typhoons, stay indoors, avoid rivers and mountain trails, and follow city announcements.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration 24-hour hotline is 0800-011-765 (or 1950) for help and information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Taipei?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most EU countries can enter Taiwan visa-free for 14 to 90 days depending on nationality; most Western passport holders receive 90 days. Passports should be valid for at least six months. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the Bureau of Consular Affairs at boca.gov.tw before traveling.
How do I get from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to central Taipei?
The Taoyuan Airport MRT runs between TPE and Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes by express, costing NT$160 (about $5). Buses and taxis are also available; a taxi typically costs NT$1,000-1,400 ($31-44). Songshan Airport (TSA) sits inside the city and is served by the MRT Wenhu Line at Songshan Airport Station.
What is the best time to visit Taipei?
October to December and March to April offer the most comfortable weather, with mild temperatures and lower rainfall. Summers are hot, humid, and prone to typhoons, while winters are mild but often rainy. Lunar New Year (January-February) is busy and many small businesses close.
What food is Taipei famous for?
Taipei is known for xiaolongbao soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, stinky tofu, oyster omelets, scallion pancakes, and bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan. Night markets such as Shilin, Raohe, and Ningxia are the best places to sample many dishes cheaply. Salty soy milk breakfasts are a local tradition.
What are the top attractions in Taipei?
The top attractions in Taipei include Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market, Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Elephant Mountain, Beitou hot springs, and the Maokong Gondola. Most are reachable by MRT, making it easy to combine several in one day.
Is Taipei safe for solo travelers?
Yes. Taipei has very low violent crime, reliable public transport, and well-lit streets at night, and is widely considered among the safest major cities in Asia for solo travelers, including women. Typhoons and earthquakes are the main natural hazards; the Taiwan Tourist Hotline is 0800-011-765 and the police number is 110.
Explore Taipei by city
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.