Taipei

Taipei is one of Asia's easiest cities to enjoy. The metro is clean and simple, the food is excellent at every price, and green mountains and hot springs are close to the centre. It doesn't have one headline sight so much as a very good everyday rhythm: temples and museums by day, and night markets after dark.

At a glance

Best for: food, night markets, museums, short hikes and easy day trips.

How long: three to four days, with one day for Jiufen or the northeast coast.

Getting around: the MRT covers most sights, and a rechargeable EasyCard also works on buses.

Seasons: October to April is the most comfortable, though winter can be damp. Summers are hot, with typhoon risk.

Good to know: many museums close on Mondays, and rain is common, so carry a small umbrella.

Understanding the city

Zhongzheng and Main Station. The transport hub, with trains, the airport MRT and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

Ximending and Wanhua. Youthful shopping streets next to the old Longshan Temple area.

Dadaocheng and Zhongshan. Old merchant streets, cafés and Ningxia Night Market, with stylish shops around Zhongshan.

Da'an and Xinyi. Leafy neighbourhoods, good restaurants, Taipei 101 and modern malls.

Beitou and Shilin. The north of the city, with hot springs, the National Palace Museum and a big night market.

Highlights worth your time

National Palace Museum. One of the world's great collections of Chinese art. Allow at least half a day. In November 2026, guides listed adult tickets starting from about NT$350, and it's usually closed on Mondays.

Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain. Go up the tower for the view from inside, or hike Elephant Mountain for the classic photo of it. The climb takes around 20 to 30 minutes, and it's best at sunset.

Night markets. Raohe is compact and easy to walk, Ningxia is known for food, and Shilin is the largest. Go hungry and share small plates.

Longshan Temple and Dadaocheng. An active temple, followed by a walk along Dihua Street for its old shophouses, dried goods and tea.

Jiufen. A hillside former mining town with lantern-lit lanes and teahouses, around an hour or more away. It's very crowded on weekends and at sunset, so weekdays are better.

Food

Try beef noodle soup, xiaolongbao, scallion pancakes, braised pork rice, bubble tea and shaved ice. Many of the best places are small and cheap, and some take only cash. Long queues usually move fast.

When to go

Autumn is the most reliable season. Winter is mild but often grey and drizzly, especially toward Jiufen. Spring brings flowers on Yangmingshan, and summer is hot and humid, with afternoon storms. Typhoons are most likely from July to September. Some shops close during Lunar New Year, while trains and hotels fill up.