Things to Do in Taiwan: A Travel Guide with Taipei Highlights

Quick answer: The best things to do in Taiwan are a mix of Taipei highlights (Taipei 101, temples and night markets), street food, easy hikes like Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan, day trips such as Jiufen, Shifen, Tamsui and Beitou, and longer weekend trips to Sun Moon Lake, Tainan or Kaohsiung. If you are based in Taipei, you can see most of it on weekends. Prices below are approximate and can change.

Taipei highlights

Taipei 101. At 508 meters, it was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 and is still the symbol of the city. A standard observatory ticket is about 600 TWD (roughly 19 USD), and a combined ticket with the open-air deck is about 980 TWD (roughly 30 USD). Prices change, so check before you go. For a free view of the tower, climb Elephant Mountain instead (see below).

Temples. Taipei has many working temples, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and do not touch the offerings. Longshan Temple is a popular one to start with. If you want to understand what you see, our guide to Asian superstitions to know before you visit explains common beliefs around offerings, numbers and gifts.

Night markets. Shilin is the most famous, and Raohe is one of the oldest and easy to enjoy in an evening. Expect a full dinner for roughly 200 to 400 TWD (about 7 to 13 USD) at a night market.

Food to try

Taiwan is one of the easiest places in Asia to eat well on a small budget. Look for these at night markets and street stalls:

• Oyster omelette
• Stinky tofu (the smell is stronger than the taste)
• Pepper buns
• Mango shaved ice
• Bubble tea

Go with housemates or coworkers so you can share and try more dishes.

Nature and hikes near Taipei

Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station. The trail is short and steep but free, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the main viewpoint. It is one of the best places to see Taipei 101 over the skyline, so go near sunset.

Yangmingshan National Park. This volcanic park sits inside the Taipei city boundary and is reachable by city bus. There are more than 100 km of trails, including the route up Qixingshan to the steaming vents at Xiaoyoukeng. Calla lilies bloom from about February to May, and the park gets very busy in flower season.

Day trips from Taipei

Jiufen. This old mountain town is known for its steep lanes, teahouses and sea views. Take a train to Ruifang, then bus 1062 to Jiufen (about 25 minutes). A direct bus from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT also runs. Go early or on a weekday, as the old street gets crowded.

Shifen and the Pingxi Line. From Ruifang, a small local train line runs to Shifen, where people release paper sky lanterns. A lantern costs around 200 TWD (about 6 to 7 USD), and a one-day Pingxi Line pass is about 80 TWD (about 2.50 USD). You can tap an EasyCard on these trains.

Tamsui. Take the MRT Red Line to the last stop, about 35 to 40 minutes from central Taipei. Walk the old street and the riverfront, then watch the sunset near Fisherman's Wharf.

Beitou hot springs. Take the MRT to Xinbeitou Station. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is free, and Thermal Valley, a steaming natural pool you view from a deck, is free to visit. Bathing prices vary, and some facilities close for renovation, so check before you go.

Weekend trips

Taroko Gorge. Taroko National Park in Hualien is famous for its marble cliffs, but access has changed since the April 2024 earthquake. At the time of writing, many of the best-known trails (such as Shakadang, Swallow Grotto and the Eternal Spring Shrine trail) were listed as closed, there was no bus service inside the park, and the main road was open only under traffic controls. Check the official Taroko National Park website before you plan, and have a backup plan.

Sun Moon Lake. Taiwan's largest lake sits in the mountains of Nantou. From Taipei, take the High Speed Rail to Taichung (about one hour), then a Nantou Bus from the HSR station to Shuishe, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs roughly 197 TWD (about 6 USD). A direct bus from Taipei takes about 3.5 hours and costs around 465 TWD (about 15 USD).

Tainan and Kaohsiung. Tainan is Taiwan's old capital, with Anping Fort and Chihkan Tower, and it is known for food. Kaohsiung is about an hour south of Tainan and has the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Pier-2 Art Center and the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard MRT station. The High Speed Rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs roughly 1,500 TWD one way (about 45 to 50 USD). Fares may change, so check the official site.

Festivals by season

Many Taiwanese festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move each year. Check the current date before you plan.

• Lantern Festival (January or February): It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and sky lanterns are released in the Pingxi area.
• Dragon Boat Festival (usually June): It falls on the 5th day of the fifth lunar month, with dragon boat races.
• Ghost Month (usually August or September): It is the seventh lunar month, when families make offerings to the dead. Locals follow some customs, so it is polite to ask what to avoid.
• Mid-Autumn Festival (September or early October): Families gather and share mooncakes.

Practical tips for interns

The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is milder. Get an EasyCard for the MRT and buses, and use the High Speed Rail for long weekends. Many popular places are packed on Saturdays, so try Sundays or early mornings. On weekdays, remember workplace manners: our guide to business etiquette in Taiwan is a helpful read before your first day.

If you work in a field like electronics, engineering or supply chain, Taiwan's top 5 industries shows what the local job market looks like.

AIP places interns in Taipei with companies that work in English. Weekends are when you will do most of the trips in this guide, so living near an MRT station helps a lot.

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Taiwan for first-timers?

Start with Taipei 101, a temple such as Longshan, a night market like Shilin or Raohe, and the Elephant Mountain hike for city views. Then add a day trip such as Jiufen and Shifen, Tamsui or the Beitou hot springs.

What are the best things to do in Taipei?

Taipei 101, temples, night markets, Elephant Mountain, Beitou hot springs and a sunset at Tamsui are the classics. Most are reachable by MRT, so you can do them on weekends without a car.

Is Taroko Gorge open to visitors?

Access has been limited since the April 2024 earthquake. At the time of writing, several famous trails were still closed and there was no bus service inside the park. Check the official Taroko National Park website for current status before you book anything.

How much does a night market meal cost in Taipei?

A full night market dinner is roughly 200 to 400 TWD (about 7 to 13 USD). These are approximate figures and prices vary by stall and market.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are usually the most comfortable for hiking and sightseeing. Summers are hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt plans, so keep your weekend plans flexible.

Thinking of spending a few months in Taipei? Read about an internship in Taiwan with AIP.