Must See Attractions in Taipei
Taipei 101 – Standing Above the City
Rising above the skyline like a giant glass stalk of bamboo, this Taipei 101 offers more than just a view. The experience starts with the sheer elegance of the marble lobby, but the highlight is the record-breaking ascent. One minute you’re standing at street level; the next, you’re 89 floors up with the world at your feet. From the “silver” rivers to the mountains hugging the city limits, it’s a stunning reminder of how nature and modern life coexist. It’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, and it’s an absolute must-see. At the time it was built, Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest skyscraper and remains one of the tallest in the world.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: A Study in Scale
The massive white monument, crowned with deep blue tiles, stands as a bold anchor against the city’s horizon. The journey starts with the vastness of the plaza, where every footstep on the stone seems to echo with intention. One minute you’re watching the striking, rhythmic precision of the changing guard; the next, you’ve stepped inside where the city’s roar vanishes into a deep, meditative silence. Outside, the formality softens into gardens where daily life plays out. It’s grand, it’s reflective, and it’s an essential piece of Taiwan’s heart. What’s more, it’s a Taipei attraction that you shouldn’t miss on your first visit.
Related: How to Ride the Taipei MRT Subway
Longshan Temple: Faith in Motion
Belief at Longshan isn’t preserved behind glass—it’s alive, humming, and heavy with the scent of incense. The atmosphere starts with the sight of red lanterns swaying overhead against weathered dragon columns. One minute you’re navigating the frantic city streets; the next, you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with locals murmuring prayers while wooden fortune blocks clack against the floor. From the chanting to the patient fortune tellers, the temple feels deeply personal. It’s ancient, it’s practical, and it’s a masterclass in living tradition.
Ximending: The Neon Heartbeat
Taipei’s pulse beats loudest in this neon-soaked playground where youth culture takes the lead. The experience starts with a sensory overload of flashing LED screens and K-pop basslines. One minute you’re admiring fearless street fashion; the next, you’re caught in a crowd watching a world-class street performer or a perfectly posed cosplayer. Beneath the chaotic surface is a fierce sense of identity and trend-setting energy. It’s loud, it’s vibrant, and it’s the ultimate urban theater.
Shilin Night Market: A Feast for the Senses
This is an Olympic-level culinary experience that demands you let your hunger take the lead. The experience starts with a wall of steam and the sound of vendors shouting menus over the sizzle of hot oil. One minute you’re dodging the crowd in a narrow lane; the next, you’re diving into a massive, crispy chicken cutlet or a dripping sweet treat. It’s a place where families, students, and travelers are all united by a single appetite. It’s smoky, it’s crowded, and it’s a delicious rite of passage.
National Palace Museum: Treasures of Time
Tucked into the emerald hills, this museum guards thousands of treasures that survived war and exile to tell a story centuries in the making. The visit starts with the sheer scale of the palace architecture, but the highlight is the intimacy of the artifacts. One minute you’re looking at glowing jade carvings; the next, you’re lost in the intricate details of a silk scroll from a forgotten dynasty. It’s humbling, it’s sophisticated, and it’s a stunning testament to human craftsmanship.
Beitou Hot Springs: The Earth’s Exhale
Beitou is a natural wonder where the earth’s heat meets Japanese-era charm. The experience starts with the scent of sulfur drifting through tree-lined paths and historic wooden bathhouses. One minute you’re walking past colonial architecture; the next, you’re soaking in mineral-rich waters while white steam clouds rise from the Thermal Valley. It’s a gift to your body after days of city walking. It’s misty, it’s healing, and it’s the perfect mountain breather.
Elephant Mountain: The Earned View
The climb up Elephant Mountain is a steep, heart-pumping challenge that makes the reward feel entirely earned. The hike starts with sharp stone stairs cutting through dense jungle greenery. One minute your legs are questioning your choices; the next, the trees part to reveal Taipei 101 glowing against a sunset sky. From up here, the city looks like a living postcard spread across the valley. It’s demanding, it’s rewarding, and it’s the best photo op in the city.
Taipei Zoo & Maokong Gondola: Above the Canopy
This duo offers a world-class animal encounter followed by a literal flight into the mountains. The day starts with the joy of watching famous pandas lounge in the bamboo. However, another highlight is the breathtaking 4-kilometer gondola ride that follows. One minute you’re watching penguins and elephants; the next, you’re floating in a glass-bottomed car over tea plantations and ancient temples. It’s scenic, it’s playful, and it’s a masterclass in aerial views.
Daan Forest Park: The City’s Exhale
Think of this as the lungs of Taipei, a place where the concrete jungle finally gives way to soft grass and lotus ponds. The experience starts with a sudden muffled quiet as tall trees begin to drown out the scooter engines. One minute you’re dodging urban traffic; the next, you’re watching a tai chi master move in slow motion under the morning sun. Whether you are chasing birds across the lawn or listening to a musician in a shaded corner, the pace of life resets. It’s peaceful, it’s lush, and it’s a necessary breather.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park: History Reimagined
What was once a silent wine factory now hums with the pulse of modern design and local art. The visit starts with the sight of vines climbing over industrial steel and old factory brick. One minute you’re walking through a space once filled with heavy machinery; the next, you’re lost in a world of rotating art exhibits, designer markets, and indie bookstores. It is a place where history and creativity collide in a beautifully repurposed playground. It’s edgy, it’s innovative, and it’s a stunning example of urban evolution.
Tamsui Old Street: The Riverside Slowdown
The rush of the city ends where the river meets the sea. The experience starts with the smell of iron eggs and grilled squid wafting from century-old brick buildings. One minute you’re browsing eccentric food stalls; the next, you’re standing at the water’s edge watching fishing boats drift through the golden hour. When the sun begins to dip, the entire riverfront pauses to watch the sky catch fire. It’s nostalgic, it’s scenic, and it’s the perfect, gentle conclusion to a Taipei day.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
