Are you looking for the unforgettable Taipei points of interest? I have listed some of the most iconic landmarks and must visit places in Taipei.
Planning a trip to Taipei is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. Taipei is a beautiful, friendly, historic yet modern city, with so much to offer. It may be overwhelming on where to start in travel planning. Not to worry, this Taipei travel guide will give you some key places to visit as well as some hidden gems.
You are going to learn about landmark places to see like the famous Taipei 101 tower, Jiufen Old Street and Raohe Street Night Market as well as where to get the best boba and xiao long bao. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Taipei travel adventure!
This post is about the best Taipei points of interest.
Best Taipei Points of Interest
1. Taipei 101
The most iconic modern building in Taipei is Taipei 101. From 2004 to 2007 it was considered the tallest building in the world. The observatory is located on the 89th floor, with only a 37 second ride from the 5th floor! This wrap-around observatory gives you 360 views of the whole city of Taipei. It also offers many photo shoot opportunities, with different sections of the observatory decorated in different themes. Inside the center of the observatory, you will find the tuned mass damper (TMD), a large steel sphere that reduces the building’s swaying during an earthquake. This area includes a video explaining how the TMD works and video footage of what happened during the 2024 Hualien earthquake. This is such an informative, beautiful, and fun place to check out while in the city.
2. Boba Tea
A trip to Taiwan is not complete without boba tea! The original bubble tea was first introduced in the Chun Shui Tang store in Taichung. 41 years later, there are now multiple locations throughout Taiwan. We went to the location inside the National Theater and Concert Hall (Memorial Hall store). This location in particular is great because you can make a day out of it, exploring the National Theater and Concert Hall and surrounding memorials before or after. I highly recommend getting the classic milk tea, however, there are many other flavors and combinations to try! If you’re not into boba, consider ordering the honey lemon drink, which was also delicious!
3. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-shek is a national monument located in the Zhongzheng district. We happened to be there during the changing of the guards (patrols and drills), which was really special to witness. If you would like to see the patrols and drills, they occur daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm each hour. They take place in front of the memorial hall, at the base of the stairs.
4. Nanmen Market
Near the Memorial Hall, you’ll find Nanmen Market. This is a large indoor market with 3 floors of shopping. The first and second floors have several food stalls, selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meat, seafood, and snacks. The third floor has retail items like clothing and accessories. It is conveniently located near a metro train stop if you’re using public transportation.
5. Din Tai Fung
Known for the xiao long bao, a delicious soup dumpling that has won Michelin stars, Din Tai Fung is a must visit restaurant when traveling to Taiwan. The original Din Tai Fung is located on Xinyi Road. However, there are several locations throughout the city. Some items that I recommend ordering are their classic pork xiao long bao, spicy wontons, and for dessert the chocolate xiaolongbao with a side of sea salt cream.
6. Raohe Street Night Market
Located in the Songshan district, the Raohe Street Night Market is where to go for all of the popular Taiwanese late night snacks. You’ll find unique foods like stinky tofu, tanghulu, black pepper buns, pork ribs, oyster vermicelli, and more.
7. National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is one of the better Taipei points of interest because it houses a huge collection of Chinese artifacts. If you’re into history, this place is not to miss. The collection includes over 700,000 artifacts, some dating back 8000 years. It’s a great museum to check out if you want to learn more about Chinese history.
8. Ximending (Shi Men Ting)
If you want to do more shopping and explore Taipei entertainment, check out the Ximending neighborhood. This is a fun area that looks a lot like Times Square in New York. There are several souvenir shops, restaurants, food stalls, and entertainment activities. We took our time exploring, visiting several of the stores and even taking some photos in a photo booth shop!
9. Hello Kitty 7-11
If you’re looking for something unique to do, check out the Hello Kitty themed 7-11! As you make your way to Shi Men Ting, check out this cute little store. It is smaller than I expected it to be, but if you’re a big Hello Kitty fan, it’s worth visiting. I loved the ceiling decorations and the Hello Kitty section of the store.
10. National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine
Another one of Taipei’s points of interest is the Martyrs’ Shrine to honor the war dead of the Republic of China. It is located in the Zhongshan district near the Grand Hotel. The shrine offers beautiful views of the river and mountains. There is a changing of the guard that occurs hourly between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm.
11. Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
A fun place to check out is the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Originally a tobacco factory, it has since been transformed into a place to inspire creativity. Outside, you’ll find a garden and pond. Inside, there are several unique shops and exhibitions waiting to be explored. A short distance away from the hustle and bustle of the business district of Taipei, this area offers a nice, peaceful break.
12. Yehliu Geopark
Outside of Taipei, is the Yehliu Geopark. It is located in northern Taiwan, about a 40 minute drive from Taipei. You can easily spend a whole day visiting this incredible geopark. Some of the must see landmarks include the Queen’s Head, Lovers’ Cave, and Beehive Rock. When we went in July it was incredibly hot and being outdoors, it was directly in the sun. If you plan to go during the summer months, be prepared to bring sunscreen, sun hats, and even umbrellas to give you some shade.
13. Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen Old Street is a long narrow street in the hills with plenty of tea houses and other Taiwanese delicacies including stinky tofu, tanghulu, and boba tea. There are several shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to spend the day, browsing the stores and enjoying the views. It has become quite popular since the movie Spirited Away, so plan on it being busy no matter when you visit. It is a short 40 minute drive from the city center of Taipei.
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