Planning a trip to Taipei or all Taiwan? This guide is made just for you.

Discover the best things to do in Taipei, from iconic landmarks and cultural attractions to hidden gems waiting to be explored. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or planning your next adventure, you’ll find expert travel tips, must-visit destinations, and unforgettable experiences with Taiwan Island Tour.

1. Taipei 101: Taiwan’s Iconic Skyscraper and Observatory

2. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall & Guard Changing Ceremony

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei’s most iconic landmarks, attracting visitors with its impressive white marble architecture, blue-tiled roof, and rich historical significance. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and Liberty Square, the memorial offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s modern history and serves as one of the city’s most important cultural attractions.

One of the highlights of every visit is the Guard Changing Ceremony, held regularly throughout the day. Watch the honor guards perform their precise marching, synchronized movements, and ceremonial rifle drills with remarkable discipline. This captivating tradition has become a must-see experience for international visitors, offering a unique combination of military tradition, history, and Taiwanese culture.

3. Longshan Temple

With over 280 years of history, Longshan Temple is one of Taipei’s oldest and most beloved temples, where tradition, faith, and daily life come together. Dedicated to the Buddhist Bodhisattva Guanyin while also honoring Taoist and folk deities, the temple reflects Taiwan’s unique blend of religious beliefs and cultural traditions.

Admire the temple’s intricate carvings, colorful dragon pillars, and beautifully crafted roof decorations as you explore this architectural masterpiece. Throughout the day, you’ll see locals praying, offering incense, and seeking blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity, giving visitors an authentic glimpse into Taiwan’s living spiritual culture.

4. National Palace Museum: Discover the World’s Greatest Collection of Chinese Art

Home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of Chinese art and historical treasures, the National Palace Museum houses nearly 700,000 priceless artifacts spanning over 8,000 years of history. From ancient jade carvings and delicate ceramics to imperial paintings and calligraphy, every gallery reveals the artistic and cultural legacy of Chinese civilization.

Among its most famous masterpieces are the Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone, two extraordinary works that attract visitors from around the globe. As you explore the museum, you’ll uncover the fascinating stories behind these national treasures and gain a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship, history, and traditions they represent.

5. National Taiwan Museum: Discover Taiwan’s Natural and Cultural Heritage

As Taiwan’s oldest museum, the National Taiwan Museum offers a fascinating journey through the island’s rich history, diverse cultures, and unique natural environment. From indigenous heritage and wildlife to geology and historical artifacts, each exhibition reveals the stories that have shaped Taiwan over thousands of years.

Explore interactive displays, rare collections, and beautifully preserved exhibits that introduce Taiwan’s biodiversity, traditions, and cultural development. Housed in a stunning colonial-era building, the museum combines historical architecture with engaging exhibitions, making it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages.

Whether you’re interested in history, science, or local culture, the National Taiwan Museum provides an enriching experience and is one of the best places to understand the true spirit of Taiwan.

6. Ximending Shopping Area: Taipei’s Trendiest District for Food, Fashion, and Entertainment

Known as the “Harajuku of Taipei,” Ximending Shopping Area is one of the city’s most vibrant destinations, where fashion, street culture, and entertainment come together. Its lively pedestrian streets are filled with trendy boutiques, local designer shops, colorful street art, and some of Taiwan’s most popular street food.

7. Dihua Street: Step Into Taipei’s Historic Heart

Dihua Street is one of Taipei’s oldest streets, where old buildings, traditional shops, and modern cafés sit side by side. Walking here feels like stepping into a different side of the city, with narrow lanes filled with tea shops, Chinese medicine stores, fabric stalls, and small local boutiques.

It’s especially lively during Lunar New Year, when the whole area turns into a bustling market full of snacks, decorations, and festive energy. But even on a normal day, you’ll find a mix of quiet heritage corners and trendy creative spaces that show how old Taipei is slowly blending with new ideas.

8. Dadaocheng Wharf

Located along the Tamsui River, Dadaocheng Wharf offers a refreshing blend of natural scenery, local culture, and Taipei’s historic atmosphere. Once a major trading port during Taipei’s early development, this riverside area played an important role in the city’s growth and remains a meaningful connection to the stories of old Taipei.

Today, visitors can enjoy relaxing riverside walks, beautiful sunset views, cycling paths, and seasonal events along the waterfront. As night falls, the wharf transforms into a lively yet laid-back hangout spot, where cargo container bars (container-style bars) light up the riverside, offering drinks, music, and a unique open-air nightlife experience right by the water.

The wharf is also a popular place to experience Taipei’s slower pace, where traditional neighborhoods, river landscapes, and modern leisure activities come together.

9. Jiufen Old Street & A-Mei Tea House: A Scenic Day Trip from Taipei

Just about 1 to 1.5 hours from Taipei, Jiufen Old Street is one of the most popular day trips in northern Taiwan, offering a magical escape into a historic mountain village overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Once a thriving gold mining town, Jiufen is now famous for its narrow alleyways, nostalgic atmosphere, and endless street food stalls that bring Taiwan’s old-world charm to life.

At the heart of Jiufen sits the iconic A-Mei Tea House, instantly recognizable by its glowing red lanterns and traditional wooden architecture. Perched on the hillside, it offers stunning views of the mountains and sea, making it one of the most photographed spots in Taiwan. Visitors often stop here to enjoy a cup of Taiwanese tea while soaking in the peaceful, cinematic atmosphere.

Whether you come in the afternoon to explore the bustling old street or stay into the evening when lanterns light up the entire village, Jiufen Old Street and A-Mei Tea House deliver an unforgettable experience that perfectly combines history, culture, food, and breathtaking scenery—all within easy reach of Taipei.

10. Yehliu Geopark: Discover Taiwan’s Extraordinary Coastal Rock Formations

Yehliu Geopark is on Taiwan’s northern coast. Yehliu Geopark is a spectacular natural wonder famous for its unique rock formations shaped by thousands of years of wind, waves, and geological activity. The park’s dramatic coastline features incredible landscapes, including the iconic Queen’s Head Rock, which has become one of Taiwan’s most recognizable natural landmarks.

As you walk along the coastal trails, you’ll discover fascinating rock structures with names inspired by their shapes, from mushroom rocks and candle rocks to formations that reveal the powerful forces of nature. Beyond its geological beauty, Yehliu also offers stunning ocean views and a chance to learn about Taiwan’s unique coastal environment.

11. Shifen Old Street Skylantern Experience

Located in New Taipei City, Shifen Old Street is a charming historic town known for its railway tracks running through the street and its famous sky lantern tradition. Once a mining village, it has become one of Taiwan’s most popular day trips from Taipei, with a scenic train ride of about 1.5 to 2 hours from central Taipei via the Pingxi Line.

The highlight is the Sky Lantern Experience, where visitors write wishes on a lantern and release it into the sky, symbolizing hope and good fortune. Trains still pass through the narrow street, creating a unique and unforgettable scene that blends daily life with railway history.

A visit to Shifen is a magical cultural experience that combines history, local life, and one of Taiwan’s most iconic traditions, making it a must-see stop on any Taipei day trip itinerary.

12. Shifen Waterfall

Hidden in the mountains of New Taipei City, Shifen Waterfall is one of Taiwan’s most impressive natural sights. Often called the “Little Niagara of Taiwan,” it’s known for its wide, powerful cascade and the refreshing mist that fills the air as water rushes down into the river below.

A short walk along easy forest trails brings you to several viewing platforms, each offering a different angle of the waterfall. It’s a peaceful place to slow down, listen to the sound of rushing water, and take in the surrounding greenery.

13. Yangmingshan National Park: Taipei’s Natural Escape of Volcanoes, Hot Springs, and Flowers

Just a short distance from central Taipei, Yangmingshan National Park offers a refreshing escape into nature with volcanic landscapes, lush mountains, hot springs, and seasonal flower displays. As one of Taiwan’s most accessible national parks, it is the perfect destination for travelers who want to experience the beauty of nature without leaving the city.

Explore unique volcanic features such as fumaroles, sulfur vents, and the famous Xiaoyoukeng Geological Area, where steam rises from the earth and reveals the powerful forces beneath the island. Throughout the year, visitors can also enjoy breathtaking scenery, including cherry blossoms in spring, colorful flowers in summer, and silver grass fields in autumn.

14. Beitou Hotspring

Imagine stepping off the MRT and, within minutes, finding yourself surrounded by steaming valleys, misty air, and the soothing scent of minerals rising from the earth. This is Beitou Hot Spring, one of Taipei’s most unique natural escapes where urban life fades away and relaxation begins.

At the heart of Beitou lies Thermal Valley, a surreal landscape where emerald-green hot spring water bubbles continuously from volcanic activity beneath the ground. The rising steam creates an almost dreamlike atmosphere, especially in the early morning or cool winter air. Just nearby, the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, a beautifully preserved Japanese-era building, tells the story of how this area became one of Taiwan’s most famous wellness destinations.

15. Wulai Waterfall: A Hidden Mountain Escape Just Outside Taipei

If you’re looking for a break from the city, Wulai Waterfall is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes from Taipei. Tucked away in the mountains of New Taipei City, this powerful waterfall plunges into a deep green valley surrounded by forest, mist, and fresh mountain air.

What makes Wulai special is not just the scenery, but the journey itself. You can ride the scenic Wulai Cable Car for a bird’s-eye view of the waterfall, then wander down to the riverside paths where the sound of rushing water fills the air. Just a short walk away, Wulai Old Street offers local snacks, handmade treats, and a glimpse into the daily life of the Atayal Indigenous community.

16. Maokong Gondola: A Scenic Journey Above Taipei’s Tea Mountains

Rising above the southern hills of Taipei, the Maokong Gondola offers one of the city’s most relaxing and scenic experiences, combining breathtaking views, mountain landscapes, and traditional tea culture. The cable car journey takes visitors from Taipei Zoo into the peaceful hills of Maokong, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding nature.

Known for its famous tea plantations, Maokong has been a historic tea-growing area for generations. After arriving by gondola, visitors can explore charming tea houses, taste locally grown tea, and enjoy the beautiful scenery overlooking Taipei.

17. Taipei Tea Experience

Beyond Taipei’s modern skyline and bustling streets lies a peaceful world of mountains, tea gardens, and traditional tea culture. A Taipei Tea Experience offers travelers the opportunity to explore the history, craftsmanship, and flavors behind Taiwan’s famous teas, from the fragrant aromas of Wenshan Baozhong Tea to the elegant tradition of Taiwanese tea ceremonies.

18. Thousand Islands Lake: Discover Taipei’s Hidden Mountain Paradise

This is one of the most beautiful and underrated scenic spots near Taipei, and it is absolutely worth visiting if you want to experience Taiwan’s quieter, more natural side. The panoramic viewpoints are especially stunning on clear days, when the lake reflects the surrounding mountains and tea fields like a mirror.

Surrounded by lush tea fields and charming countryside views, Thousand Islands Lake is a perfect destination for travelers seeking a peaceful escape from the city. From Taipei City, it takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by car or taxi, making it an ideal half-day or full-day trip. Visitors can enjoy scenic viewpoints, explore nearby tea plantations, and experience the beauty of Taiwan’s rural landscapes away from the city’s busy streets.

19. Elephant Mountain: The Best Viewpoint to See Taipei 101

Located just minutes away from downtown Taipei, Elephant Mountain is one of the city’s most popular hiking spots and the ultimate viewpoint for breathtaking views of Taipei 101. Known for its short but rewarding trail, this mountain offers travelers a chance to experience Taiwan’s natural beauty while enjoying one of the most iconic city panoramas in Asia.

The hike takes you through a peaceful forest path with several scenic platforms along the way, where you can capture stunning photos of Taipei’s skyline, especially during sunset and nighttime when the city lights begin to shine. The famous viewpoint overlooking Taipei 101 has become a must-visit location for photographers and travelers from around the world.

20. Taipei Zoo

Located in southern Taipei, Taipei Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in Asia and a great place for a family day out. It’s home to many animals from around the world, including forests, deserts, and Taiwan’s local wildlife.

The most popular stars here are the giant pandas, which many visitors come to see. You can also find koalas, penguins, elephants, and many other animals while walking through different themed areas.

The zoo is big, green, and easy to explore, and it’s also connected to the Maokong Gondola, so you can continue your trip up into the mountains for great views and tea houses.