14 Things to Do in Taipei for Your First Visits

We were in Phuket when we started to get excited about Taipei.

Working online allows us to stay in places for as long as we want, or for as long as the country will allow us to stay. And our time in Thailand was almost up since visitors are only allowed a one-month stay without a visa.

The dilemma was where to go next. We don’t always know where we’ll go, but that can be apart of the fun sometimes. And this time, a very well done video by Erwan Heussaff pointed us in the direction of Taipei.

The footage of the night markets, temples, and urban life intrigued us, so we quickly booked an Airbnb and a flight, and were off in three days.

For two months we wandered around the city in the cool spring air and created wonderful memories, met very kind and helpful people, and drank the bountiful amounts of bubble milk tea.

And now we’ve decided to write about Taipei and the wonderful places to see (and eat!). There are so many great experiences and things to do in Taipei, and we’re happy to share them.

So if you plan on visiting Taipei sometimes soon, and checking out their iconic landmarks and tasty night markets, then this list should give you a pretty good idea on what you can do in this city.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial

The Taipei MRT is a very comprehensive subway system that has stops at many of the well-known sites in the city. And the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of them.

When first coming out of the MRT exit, I was stunned at the massive site of the memorial. It was a large space with captivatingly huge buildings with traditional architecture.

Large red pillars lined the concert and performance halls. The main entrance (which we did not take), was a large white gate with a blue tile roof, and at the opposite end of this gate was the main attraction. A beautiful building housing the statue of Chiang Kai-Shek.

The stairs that went up to the large gates and room with the statue, bring you to a wonderful view. Silas and I seriously loved going there at night and looking at the city lights.

This is definitely something to put on your what to do in Taipei list.

Explore Da’an District and It’s Tea Shops

If you love tea and beautiful old neighborhoods, or you just want to experience the tea culture in this city, then the Da’an District is a great place to go.

It’s so much fun to walk around in; there are moss covered roofs, large trees, pretty shops, and a bountiful amount of tea shops.

The one we went to was the Wistaria Tea House. We loved it! It was so serene and a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some traditional sweets and great tea.

Maokong Gondolas

Silas and I kind of have a thing for gondolas, so when we found out that Taipei had one, we made plans quickly.

We were not disappointed. For around 20-30 minutes, you’ll hover above a thick green forest, passing by many mountain temples, and hearing nothing but the birds around you.

There are a few stops along the way, giving you the option to get off and explore the temples and paths. Honestly, this is such a great outing to do when you visit Taipei for the first time, and will probably be one of the main highlights of your trip.

Quick Note: The Taipei Zoo is also right next to the gondolas. We never made it that trip, but it might be something you’ll want to check out and do!

Night Markets

If you’re going to pick a place to stay, make sure it’s really close to a night market. They’re everywhere and so much fun.

Some of the more well-known ones include the Shilin and Raohe Night Market. Shilin is the biggest since it also includes clothing and trinket shops, food stands, and games. However, we both preferred Raohe since we felt it had a better food selection.

In night markets, you’ll find flame cooked steak tips, soup dumplings, fresh juices, pannacotta, stir-fry, creamy purple rice drinks (super good, I promise), cheesy noodles, and so much more.

Exploring the bustling night markets is one of the best things do in Taipei. With all the lanterns, people cooking, and delicious street food, it’ll be one of your top unforgettable experiences.

44 South Village

Under the shadow of Taipei 101, is 44 South Village. It was a residence to military personnel in the 1940’s, but now it’s an open complex you can wander through with small artsy shops and an eatery.

Good Cho’s is the main restaurant in the complex, and we both loved it. With great drinks and food, it’s a nice place to relax on a warm Sunday afternoon.

Din Tai Fung

After getting a craving for dumplings and a bit of research, we found Din Tai Fung. Famous for their xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings), it wasn’t something we could miss.

With prompt service, they brought us a tower of bamboo steamers filled with chicken dumplings, pork and truffle dumplings, bao, and taro dumplings for dessert.

The pork and truffle dumplings (our favorite) were filled with juices and bursting with flavor (literally). As soon as you popped one in your mouth and started to eat, it would explode with savory juices and meat.

And if it’s your first time in Taipei, then I would highly recommend going; it’s such a fun experience!

Songshan Cultural & Creative Park

Originally a tobacco factory back in 1937, it’s now a place with gardens, cultural events, a small pond, and eateries. It may be within the city, but it’s a great place to get away from the rush of the city and relax after exploring Taipei .

Yue Yue

Yue Yue is a cafe within the Songshan Cultural & Creative Park, but we wanted to talk about it separately since it really has its own atmosphere.

It felt like Yue Yue was our go-to for rainy days. Hopping off the Taipei City Hall MRT Station, we’d make our way down a quiet street, stop to get some small pineapple cakes (a Taiwanese specialty) at a bakery, and then take the wood path beside the pond to Yue Yue.

Inside are shelves filled with books, warm woods, banker’s lamps, hanging Edison bulbs, comfy furniture, and The Beatles and Miyazaki softly playing in the background.

Grab some hot tea and a book and you’re set for a few hours.

Explore the Different Bubble Tea Shops

Taiwan is famous for their bubble tea (it’s where it was first invented), and boba shops are everywhere.

So if you’re out for a night walk to explore the city (highly recommend), then finding your favorite bubble tea shops is one of the most fun things to do in Taipei.

There are so many tasty flavors you can try and it’s such a great way to stay refreshed!

Pro Tip: Xing Fu Tang has gold leaf topped boba. So if you want something tasty and great for photos, then this is a good one to try!

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Formerly a winery, it has now become a place with great eateries, coffee and tea houses, shops, and live entertainment.

We went here on a cool evening and had fun looking at the vine-covered buildings and people watching.

This might become one of your favorite Taipei experiences if you like exploring fashionably repurposed buildings.

Dihua Street

Dihua Street is a place where time seems to slow down. Spice, tea, sweets, medicinal, and fabric shops line the road while incense rises from a large basin in front of an old temple.

And if you’re looking for a great place to get food or a drink, definitely check out Fleisch. Their teas and coffee are really good (lots of variety), and you can sit next to the window, have a great meal (smoked duck?) and watch the people who come and leave the temple across the street.

Exploring this area was honestly one of my favorite Taipei attractions.

Travel Note: People specifically go to this temple to pray for their future spouse. There’s a constant flow of young adorable students offering incense.

Here’s Dihua Street during Lunar New Year. It was so much fun!

Taipei 101

The Taipei 101 building is the second tallest building on Earth and has an amazing view.

After eating at the Raohe Night Market one night, we decided to do it on a whim. For around $20 an adult, we got in a large elevator and headed to the top. It was a weeknight, so it wasn’t very crowded and the view was stunning.

It was one of our favorite nights, and it’s definitely one of the top must see places in Taipei.

Go Temple Hunting! No Seriously.

If you have a free night during your stay in Taipei, then I’d definitely take some evening walks through the city. Check out Google Maps app to see which ones you’re near and head on out.

We found some amazing temples lit up brightly with incredible architecture and art.

Our favorites are Ciyou Temple (right next to the Raohe Night Market and Songshan MRT station), Jingfu (near the Zhongshan Elementary MRT Station), and Taipei-Fu Chenghuang Temple (near Ciyou Temple).

Addiction Aquatic

Addiction aquatic center really is a unique place. In one large room, there are large pools of different sea life that they’ve grown within the facilities. And connected to it is another very large building that’s part store, part restaurant.

The store is filled with goods such as cheeses, wines, bread, the fish and shellfish they have grown, and so much more. However, the restaurant is the main attraction because you can have fresh sushi made from the fish that’s been harvested only an hour or so before.

Make sure to go during a time when it’s not crowded or you may be waiting awhile to get your food though!

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I’ve been to many cities, but Taipei was one of the easiest ones to get around in. The traffic was almost always perfect, the transit systems easily accessible and cheap, Uber drivers polite and professional, and people were super helpful when we got disoriented.

If you’re planning to go at some point in the future, I hope that this guide will prove helpful. And if you have any questions about Taipei, please feel free to ask me in the comments down below!