Top 8 Must-Do Activities in Taipei

Taipei offers a wealth of experiences—whether you're soaking in breathtaking city views, savoring incredible cuisine at iconic night markets, or exploring Taiwan's rich history and culture in its numerous temples and memorials.

Make sure to prioritize these activities to fully enjoy the highlights of Taipei on your next trip.

1. Explore the natural beauty in the mountains surrounding the city

Taipei is enveloped by lush, forested mountains, and accessing these scenic areas from the city center is surprisingly simple. My favorite route is the breathtaking Jinmianshan Trail, which begins a short walk from Xihu Station and links to various other trails, allowing you to hike as much or as little as you desire. However, the most popular path is undoubtedly the Xiangshan Trail, which winds up Elephant Mountain, located right next to the city center.

Tip for planning: The Xiangshan Trail offers a one-hour loop with stunning views of the city and the iconic Taipei 101.

2. Discover treasures at the National Palace Museum

If you appreciate historical artifacts, the National Palace Museum is a must-visit, showcasing 700,000 ancient imperial pieces from China and Taiwan. Many rare items, originally displayed at the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City, are featured here due to the museum's strong connections.

Art enthusiasts particularly love this museum, drawn in by its vast collections of decorative carvings, ceramics, lacquerware, enamelware, and ceremonial bronzes. A standout piece is the exquisitely carved jade cabbage, which features a locust nestled among its leaves, believed to have been gifted to a former emperor’s consort in the late 19th century.

3. Explore the stunning temples of Taipei

Taipei is home to some of the most exquisite temples in Asia, many reflecting the Southern Chinese architectural style of the Qing Dynasty—familiar if you've visited Singapore. The majority of these temples honor Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, with a few dedicated solely to Buddhism.

For the finest examples, visit Taipei’s oldest neighborhoods like Wanhua, which was once a fortified city (only one original city gate remains). Here, you can discover the historic Bangka Longshan Temple, established in 1738, and the Qingshan Temple, which features a statue of Zhang Gun—a Taoist deity reputed to follow visitors with its gaze as they move about the temple.

Planning tip: While there's no strict dress code, it's essential to dress respectfully, remove your shoes, and step over the door sill when entering each temple. These sills are believed to protect against unwanted spirits and signify your entry into a sacred space.

4. Ascend Taipei 101, one of the tallest structures in the world

Are you comfortable with heights? Make your way to Taipei 101, which held the title of the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2009, when Dubai’s Burj Khalifa took over. This 1,667-ft (508m) skyscraper is engineered to endure powerful earthquakes—an essential feature considering it sits just 600ft from a major fault line.

Observation decks are available on levels 88, 89, and 91, but it’s worth noting that the one on level 88 primarily offers a view of the stunning mass damper—the largest and heaviest in the world. This massive steel sphere sways to counteract the building’s movements. Be sure to visit level 91, which is open-air and has hosted several concerts, including performances by the Japanese pop group AKT48.

5. Shop at a night market

Taiwan’s night markets are renowned. Scattered throughout the city, these vibrant clusters of stalls serve up traditional delights like braised pork rice, Taiwanese spring rolls, and tempura. The most famous include Wanhua's Huaxi Night Market, known for its traditional fare (how about some salty rice pudding with snake wine?), but I also really enjoy the market on Linjiang Street, celebrated for its budget-friendly dishes. And it’s not just food—you can find everything from home goods to clothing at the stalls.

Planning tip: Serious food lovers should also make time for Ningxia Night Market, famous for its oyster omelets, sesame-covered mochi, and taro balls.

6. Dine at Din Tai Fung, Taipei's premier dumpling spot

You haven't truly experienced xiao long bao dumplings until you've tasted those at Din Tai Fung, a restaurant chain that began in the 1970s with founder Bing Yi-Yang, who moved to Taiwan as a child. The Hong Kong branch earned a Michelin star in 2010, making it the first Taiwanese restaurant to receive this honor, and there are now locations in America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Planning tip: For the ultimate dumpling experience, visit the branch at the base of Taipei 101, where a glass-walled kitchen lets you observe chefs in action as waitstaff navigate the restaurant with towering stacks of dumpling baskets. I highly recommend the original xiao long bao dumplings, and don’t miss the legendary braised beef soup as well.

7. Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall stands as a national monument dedicated to the late Chiang Kai-shek, the former Chinese president who retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after the rise of the Communist Party. Upon arriving in Taipei, he established a government in exile and remains Taiwan’s longest-serving leader, though his legacy is controversial—his regime imprisoned 140,000 Taiwanese, and it is believed that Chiang hoped to reclaim control of China until his death.

While many Taiwanese believe that the numerous memorials dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek should be dismantled, regardless of your stance, a visit to this memorial—featuring a bronze statue of Chiang and the emblem of the Chinese Nationalist Party on the vaulted ceiling—is an excellent opportunity to learn about Taiwan's complex history.

8. Explore the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

For a different perspective on Taiwan’s history, head to the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which honors the man regarded as the father of the Republic of China. A physician, revolutionary, and political leader, he played a key role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty in the late 1800s. He became the first President of the Republic of China in 1912 and is celebrated in both China and Taiwan, where his portrait hangs in parliament.

The hall features several exhibition spaces showcasing Chinese art, along with a library filled with thousands of Chinese manuscripts. However, the main draw for me is the hourly changing of the guard in the Central Hall, where impeccably dressed soldiers perform a synchronized routine in front of the massive statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.