I not too long ago determined to revamp my Taipei itinerary, at first as a result of I known as this unimaginable metropolis dwelling for almost two years. For sure, I do know Taipei much more intimately than I did after I first created this put up.
Over the previous 18 months I resided within the Taiwanese capital, I explored Taipei points of interest starting from the mainstream to the obscure, and gotten to know the town from the angle of each a neighborhood and a vacationer. Particularly, I’ve thought lengthy and exhausting about what number of days in Taipei it’s best to spend, relying not solely upon what you wish to do right here, however certainly how lengthy you’ve got in Taiwan as a complete.
And I do hope you’ll stay on this magnificent island for some time, whether or not you spend simply 5 days in Taiwan, or keep many months like I did. Taiwan is a really particular place—that was true even earlier than it compelled me to dwell there so long as I did.
The place to Keep in Taipei
No matter what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending, discovering the suitable place to remain (each neighborhood, in addition to appropriate lodging) is essential. I’ll begin by saying that Taipei is without doubt one of the solely cities on this planet the place I want staying in residences as a substitute of inns. Whereas sure properties comparable to W Taipei are stylish, snug and centrally-located, I discover that inns in Taipei (and Taiwan usually) depart loads to be desired.
So far as the place in Taipei it’s best to start your Airbnb search, I’m of a pair totally different minds. If you wish to keep someplace that’s each centrally-located and quiet, the Da’an and Zhongzheng districts close to the MRT stations of Dongmen and Guting are an amazing place to look. Should you want to be in the course of the motion (and to really feel prefer it as properly), you’ll as a substitute wish to discover spots close to Ximen, Taipei Primary Station or Taipei Metropolis Corridor.
Prime Issues to Do in Taipei
Discover Taipei Landmarks
When deciding what number of days to spend in Taipei, you need to assume you’ll want no less than 24 hours on the vacationer path, as a lot as one exists right here. Taipei’s most well-known landmarks sit on both finish of Xinyi Street, with Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor at its western terminus, Taipei 101 on the jap finish and luxurious Da’an Forest Park proper within the center. Close to CKS Corridor, you can even discover the 228 Martyrs Memorial Park (devoted, considerably mockingly, to patriots whose slaughter Chiang himself ordered), whereas the upmarket Breeze Xinyi buying district awaits when you’ve descended from the observatory of the previous tallest constructing on this planet. My favourite Taipei museums, in the meantime, embrace the wonderful Taipei Positive Arts Museum in Yuanshan and the Nationwide Palace Museum, accessible by bus from Shilin station.
Devour Taipei Meals (in Night time Markets and Elsewhere)
Vacationer traps apart, meals is one other consideration to make when deciding how lengthy to spend in Taipei. Many journey guides veer closely towards recommending Taipei evening markets, such because the well-known one in Shilin and extra obscure choices like Raohe Road in Songshan and Shida in Guting. I don’t thoughts these markets, however I do want a sit-down meal in areas like Yongkang Road (which is dwelling to the unique Din Tai Fung—and loads of cheaper, tastier options). In Shipai, in the meantime, which is a pair stops north of Shilin, you’ll discover Angelica, whose duck rice (and duck meatball soup—don’t overlook to order this!) lives as much as its beatific identify.
One other foodie vacation spot to discover in Taipei, what number of days you resolve to spend right here however, is the Ximending pedestrian space. I’ll encourage you to observe your tastebuds to some extent, however you’ll want to ensure you hunt down cong bing scallion pancakes, Taiwanese-style fried rooster and naturally, bubble milk tea. (There are many spots to eat every of those—TIP: the longest strains don’t all the time correspond with the perfect style!) Ximen’s Pink Home can also be the homosexual hub of Taipei, and is value a go to (or a drink) even in case you aren’t a member of the LGBT group.
Say Your Prayers in Taipei Temples
When contemplating the query of what number of days, Taipei temples are one thing else I take into consideration. Probably the most well-known temple in Taipei might be Longshan Temple in Ximen, however I additionally prefer to discover temples round Yuanshan station, comparable to Taipei Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple. A extra obscure possibility can be Jieyun Temple within the Banqiao space of New Taipei Metropolis, whereas lovers (Chinese language-speaking ones any approach) have a tendency to go to Xiahai “Metropolis God” Temple alongside Dihua Road, a paradise of historic structure a stone’s throw from the Dadaocheng Wharf sundown spot.
Take Superb Taipei Hikes
Taipei is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes the town and its environs a hiker’s paradise. The most well-liked Taipei hike might be Xiangshan mountain, accessible by way of the MRT station of the identical identify, the place you possibly can take pleasure in a tremendous view of Taipei 101 and the remainder of the skyline. One other nice (however lesser identified) Taipei viewpoint is Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang in Neihu—Taipei Metropolis seems simply beautiful framed by the phoenixes of a standard Taiwanese temple. Climbing scorching spots even farther exterior the town embrace Seven Stars Mountain in Yangmingshan Nationwide Park, and the varied trails beneath the Maokong Gondola close to Taipei Zoo. Relying upon how lengthy in Taipei you spend, you might fill a number of days with mountaineering!
Wish to watch airplanes land at Songshan Airport? One other favourite Taipei hike of mine is to Lao Di Fang Lookout. You possibly can write this as “老地方觀景平台” in Chinese language, assuming you favor to take an Uber as a substitute of mountaineering from Jiantan station. (TIP: So as get unimaginable pictures just like the one I did above, make sure that to deliver zoom lens!)
I’ve written a separate Taipei day journey itinerary, however I’ll define a few of the finest choices right here. Extra standard day journeys from Taipei embrace Jiufen Outdated Road, Miaokou Night time Market and Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, the “Queen’s Head” rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, Beitou scorching springs space and Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf. Extra avant-garde choices, significantly in case your time on the island exceeds a Taiwan itinerary 5 days in size, embrace the aboriginal city of Wulai and Quanhua Temple, the latter of which you’ll be able to attain by way of rare bus service from HSR Hsinchu Station, or extra conveniently with your individual rental automobile.
How Many Days Ought to You Spend in Taipei?
I haven’t but addressed the subject of what number of days in Taipei it’s best to spend, no less than in a roundabout way, as a result of I wished you to first get an concept of the depth and breadth of issues to do right here. Again after I first visited Taiwan, I normally beneficial 3 days in Taipei: One for sightseeing, one for mountaineering and one to take a day journey. I nonetheless assume it is a good plan, significantly in case you don’t have a very long time in Taiwan as a complete, although it’s not utterly optimum.
When to Go to Taipei
The perfect time to go to Taipei, for many vacationers, is every time you possibly can handle to return right here. Taipei doesn’t get tremendous chilly within the winter (or, by the requirements of sub-tropical Asia, all that scorching in the summertime); rain is feasible one year per 12 months, so umbrella is extra essential than an expectation for solar. With this being mentioned, sure elements of the 12 months are higher for visiting Taipei than others. Should you’re homosexual, for instance, you’ll in all probability wish to go to in October, when Taipei Satisfaction (Asia’s largest and, because the legalization of homosexual marriage in Taiwan, its most essential) takes place.
Alternatively, you’ll in all probability wish to keep away from Chinese language New Yr, which takes place in late January or early February, as this era can see Taipei uncomfortably crowded. Right here once more, nonetheless, is why it’s good to be as versatile as you possibly can with regard to how lengthy to remain in Taipei. The extra days you’ve got in Taipei (and certainly, in Taiwan as a complete), the much less you’ll be affected by dangerous climate or unruly crowds!
Different FAQ About Planning a Taipei Itinerary
What number of days in Taipei is sufficient?
I lived in Taipei for greater than a 12 months, so I’m not what you’d name an goal supply on this. Even after greater than one year in Taipei, I nonetheless didn’t deal with my total bucket checklist! With this being mentioned, I’d say that almost all vacationers can get by with 2-3 days in Taipei originally of their Taiwan journeys, after which one other day or two on the finish.
The Backside Line
This Taipei itinerary will allow you to profit from Taiwan’s capital, even in case you don’t find yourself transferring right here like I did, and regardless of what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending. Whether or not you go to Taipei landmarks like Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor, hike to viewpoints like Elephant Mountain and Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang or just eat your approach via the Ximending pedestrian space and Raohe Road Night time Market, Taipei will shortly really feel like dwelling.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications comparable to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Go away Your Each day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.