Things to do in Taipei - Thinking of a new holiday destination? We highly recommend you to visit Taipei! Taipei is a metropolitan city full of skyscrapers, night markets, and shopping streets. If you love to spend your off time in a modern place, you’ll be very fit in Taipei. There are a lot of urban destinations and great things to do in Taipei for tourists.

Even though it’s an extra modern city, you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a holiday in Taipei. Also, with good preparation and planning, you can even save more on your budget. The choice of hotel or daily meal you prefer will surely affect how expensive or cheap your stay will be, but overall, Taipei’s rate for holiday is average.

So, are you ready to learn more about the city and all the things to do in Taipei for fun?

Before you go to Taipei, you should know the essential things to have and prepare for your vacation. Here’s the list of Taipei travel essentials we made for you:

Taipei has so many areas, but you might want to know the best ones to visit or to stay for your vacation. Look no more, we already have a list for you:

This lively district is known for its youthful vibe, shopping, and entertainment options, including a variety of restaurants and night markets. It's a great area for those who want to experience Taipei's urban culture and nightlife.

Located in the heart of Taipei, Zhongxiao East Road is a bustling commercial district with a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It's well-connected to public transportation, making it an ideal area for both business and leisure travelers.

Da'an Park is a green oasis in the heart of Taipei, with jogging and cycling paths, ponds, and gardens. The surrounding neighborhood is a trendy residential area with a variety of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. It's a great area for those who want a peaceful retreat from the busy city.

Taipei Main Station is the transportation hub of Taipei, with easy access to high-speed rail, metro, and bus services. The area around the station is a bustling commercial district with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It's a great area for those who want to be centrally located and well-connected to the rest of Taipei.

Dadaocheng is a historic neighborhood with traditional architecture, antique shops, and tea houses. It's a great area for those who want to experience Taipei's rich cultural heritage and history.

Beitou is a mountainous area known for its natural hot springs and scenic hiking trails. It's a great area for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in a peaceful natural setting.

With plenty of best areas to explore, Taipei also has a lot of fun activities that will make your vacation worthy. Now, you can pick an area to stay and decide which thing to do in Taipei you want to do first. Keep reading for more information!

During your vacation, there are actually countless great things to do in Taipei. We have sorted the best ones to make it easier for you! Check our list below:

Location: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District

Opening Hours: 9 AM - 10 PM

If you haven’t heard about Taipei 101 at all, it is a tall building (it has 101 floors!). Back in 2004, it was the tallest building in the world. It is located in Xinyi District. Right now, the shopping mall consists of plenty of top brands in the world, like Dior, Gucci, and many more!

Aside from shopping all those branded things, you can enjoy the cafes and restaurants within the building. There is also a bookstore for book lovers, Page One, placed at Level 4. Yup, it has everything for everybody.

Another thing you can do in Taipei 101 is visit its observatory deck. Experience standing so tall on the 91th level, which is as high as 400 m above the sea level. Take pictures and enjoy the view of the city as you stand on the glass deck.

Almost every big city in the world has some night markets worth visiting, including Taipei. Hence, the next fun thing to do in Taipei is visiting one of the night markets. There’s Shilin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, and more. They usually open around 4 or 5 PM and close around midnight.

You can hunt for almost everything in the night market, and you can get them at affordable prices. You can shop for clothes, street food (and we think this is a must!), and souvenirs like ceramics, Chinese tea sets, and all kinds of accessories.

Some night markets will have live music to make your walk more lively. Some will have more kids attractions so it will be more kids friendly. Interested? You can browse for each night market location and find the nearest hotel to stay.

Location: No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Opening Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (or also known as CKS Memorial Hall) is a national landmark located within Liberty Square, along with the National Theatre and National Concert Hall. The most unique thing about this building is its shape. It is an octagon, a shape that symbolizes the number eight, which in Chinese means fortune.

The landmark is made to commemorate the life of the former president of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek. Inside it is the life story of the former president, the large statue of him, and the history of Taiwan itself. It is also surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Location: No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Opening Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

If you love culture and history, the next thing to do in Taipei for you is visiting the National Palace Museum. It is home to an extensive collection of Chinese artifacts and artworks, spanning over 7,000 years of history. Aside from the collections, the architecture of the building itself is a great sight to the eyes

Here, you can find a vast array of treasures, including ancient ceramics, jade carvings, calligraphy, and paintings. Many of these pieces were once part of China's imperial collection, and they offer visitors a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage.

Maokong is a must-visit destination in Taipei that has the must-try things to do in Taipei that you will rarely find in other places. Maokong is known for its stunning tea plantations and panoramic views of the city.

Meanwhile, the Maokong Gondola is the best way to get to the tea plantations, offering a scenic ride through the mountains and lush greenery. The breathtaking views and the surrounding countryside will be something nice for your eyes to see.

Once you reach Maokong, you can explore the tea plantations and learn about the tea-making process. After that, you can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while enjoying the view around at the same time. Looking for something to do that is more adventurous? Try hiking here!

Soaking in Beitou Hot Springs has become the must thing to do in Taipei as well. The place is located in the northern part of Taipei. It has a beautiful surroundings and the water is said to have a therapeutic effect on our body due to a certain mineral in it.

You can find plenty of public and private bathhouses in Beitou. Some historical sites are available to explore too, like the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and the Thermal Valley.

Location: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours

A cultural center must be a suitable place for youngsters traveling to Taipei. Lucky for us all, there’s Huashan 1914 Creative Park. It’s a creative hub, usually used for exhibitions, music performances, film festivals, and more.

Other than checking out the galleries, you can buy souvenirs at the shop and visit their cafes and restaurants. It will be an artsy time spent in Huashan 1914 Creative Park. Calling out all art lovers, please add this to your list of things to do in Taipei!

Still suitable for the youngsters, Ximending is like the Harajuku or the Shibuya of Taipei. It is a trendy district, where you can watch people, shop, and dine. There are so many restaurants, cafes, and boutiques in Ximending.

You can also have fun by visiting the cinema or having a karaoke with your friends in Ximending. Bars can be found easily too! So, if you want to taste the urban culture of Taipei, exploring Ximending is the first thing to do in Taipei.

Location: Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Opening Hours: -

Do you want to get engaged with nature and admire the view of Taipei at the same time? If you do, hiking in the Elephant Mountain (or also known as Xiangshan) is the must thing to do in Taipei for you as well!

The trail of the Elephant Mountain, which takes about 20-30 minutes to hike, leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Taipei 101 skyscraper and the city skyline. It's a great spot to watch the sunset or to take in the dazzling city lights at night. So, maybe it’s a good idea to have a romantic hike with your significant other.

A little tip: since the hiking track is quite challenging, a sport routine before you go will help you not get too tired.

Massage with a knife? Well, it’s quite scary and controversial. But, since you’re in Taipei, trying the traditional knife massage will be the most memorable thing to do in Taipei for you.

Back then, the farmers used the knives to massage their muscles after a long day of work in the fields. Now the massage is done by a qualified therapist with specially designed knives that are blunt-edged. They will use the knives to make pressure in specific areas. The massage can help to release the tension and make your body relax, though some will actually think that the pressure made is quite hard and hurting.

Location: No. 53, Nanhai Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Opening Hours: 6 AM - 8 PM (Close Every Monday)

Your vacation in Taipei won’t be completed if you haven’t got in touch with the natural side of the city. Taipei Botanical Garden is located in the heart of the city. Established in 1921, the garden covers an area of approximately 8 hectares and is home to over 2,000 species of plants from around the world.

There are paths where you can stroll and admire the collections of plants in Taipei Botanical Garden. You can see Taiwan sacred bamboo, the Japanese camellia, and the National Flower of Taiwan, the Plum Blossom. Aside from the plants, you can also see some historical sites in it, including the Old Taipei Railway Administration Office and a traditional Japanese-style house.

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Now, you are possibly more interested in visiting the city, especially with so many amusing things to do in Taipei. The next thing you should do is check your calendar, mark your off days and book your flight and hotel in Taipei only in Traveloka, your lifestyle super app!