Taipei Itinerary • The Finest Sights in 3 Days, 2 Nights

Let’s get one factor clear: Three days isn’t sufficient to completely get pleasure from what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unimaginable vacation spot full of points of interest that would depart you wanting extra.

However hey, we perceive that not all vacationers have the luxurious of time. Maybe you’re a full-time worker who solely has an extended weekend to spare for trip otherwise you’re touring to Taipei to attend a convention and need to prolong their keep for a bit longer.

Don’t fear, it’s attainable to expertise the very best of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of the very best boba milk tea when there’s an entire tank of it in entrance of you. However with its extremely developed services and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of town even in such a brief interval.

Be aware: Because you solely have three days, this information stays strictly inside Taipei Metropolis and we’re not venturing out. However Taipei Metropolis alone is so full of sights, sounds, and flavors that it might probably fill an extended weekend effortlessly.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING

Should you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you may have two fundamental public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.

BY MRT

Each Terminals 1 and a couple of have their very own MRT Station:

• Terminal 1: A12 Station
  Terminal 2: A13 Station
• Working hours: round 6am to 10:55 pm
  Journey time: 37 minutes (if Specific)
  Fare: NT$150

You could find extra information right here.

BY BUS

Should you’re arriving exterior the MRT working interval otherwise you merely want the bus, head over to the bus counters near the Arrival Corridor of the airport. These buses are operated by numerous firms, and journey time and fare fluctuate relying in your route and vacation spot. However listed here are some tough estimates:

• Journey time: 60-90 minutes
• Fare: NT$ 125-160

Extra particular information right here.

Should you’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then examine in to your resort room. In any other case, simply drop your luggage for now and let’s begin exploring instantly!

Our first and solely cease for in the present day is Ximending. Fear not, there’s quite a bit to see and do right here!

Typically known as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, road performers, and retailers bursting with knick-knacks you by no means knew you wanted. This neighborhood is the place Taipei’s youth come to flex, snack, and store until they drop. It has an nearly electrical vitality to it. So get your recreation face on, and let’s head out to discover one in every of Taipei’s most vibrant districts.

Rainbow Street

Should you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that may greet you is the Rainbow Street, due to its row of colours and the group that type subsequent to it, making an attempt to take their IG photographs.

It isn’t only a street-—it’s an announcement! These colours splashed throughout the pavement turned an abnormal crosswalk right into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Street is Taipei’s daring high-five to the group, exhibiting off its delight with each vivid stripe.

Whether or not you’re right here to rejoice, present assist, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this highway virtually waves at you for a pic. Individuals flock right here, cameras in hand, able to immortalize their second in all that colourful glory. Photobombs are inevitable, however that’s a part of the problem!

More often than not, road performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the standard singers, bands, and dancers, however from time to time you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that may make you cease and keep a bit longer.

The Pink Home

Cross the adjoining highway and also you’ll be greeted by the Pink House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related by a long time of reinvention. Inbuilt 1908, this octagonal red-brick constructing has worn many hats: a theater, a market, and now a museum-slash-shop. Step inside, and also you’ll discover indie craft stalls, LGBTQ+ pleasant areas, and native paintings that put a contemporary twist on this outdated magnificence. You would possibly end up questioning why your hometown can’t protect historical past with this a lot swag.

Our final go to coincided with Delight Month celebrations, so the ambiance was rather more fab and festive and there have been loads of freebies round.

Pop Mart Flagship Retailer

Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, the place cabinets groan beneath the load of collectibles that’ll drain your pockets however heal your inside baby.

Recognized for its cute collectible figurines and trinkets, this place is floor zero for these seeking to snag a unusual memento particularly of Labubu, the now insanely widespread and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. These serrated tooth and mischievous look don’t cease individuals from falling in love with it or, a minimum of, leaping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favourite, there’s at all times a crowd constructing in entrance of this pop mart retailer. Each one is hoping to get their fingers on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the value resellers are charging again house. And sure, Labubu objects, particularly the plush key chains, had been bought out after we visited.

Some don’t perceive why it’s so widespread and a few say it’s only a fad, however we wished to grasp so we joined the enjoyable and bought three thriller containers at one other Pop Mart store. And sure, they’re so cute and we could or could not get extra subsequent time we had the possibility.

Dinner

It’s time for supper, and Ximending is a feast for each price range and style. We’ll be mentioning three meals spots right here, however we truly tried extra.

• Finances Choice: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is road meals at its most interesting—no seats, simply seize a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavour. It’s solely NT$ 60 per small serving, nevertheless it’s actually, actually tasty. No surprise there’s at all times a loooong queue right here. Each silky serving is topped with a little bit of offal, which surprisingly didn’t have any hint of gutsy odor or aftertaste. Even Vins, who doesn’t usually like consuming innards, discovered it scrumptious and wished to have one other bowl. It’s much more flavorful once you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is on the market for self-service on a station on the facet.



• Mid-Vary Choice: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go all the way down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals court docket. However look particularly for Lao Shan Dong Do-it-yourself Noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. This humble institution has been serving bowls of piping sizzling beef noodles since 1949; it’s a Ximending establishment. The place was packed after we visited. Vins ordered the meat brisket noodle soup whereas I had the so-called “three treasures” noodle soup, which had brisket, tendon, and tripe. We might simply inform that the noodles had been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly lower. It was agency, simply the way in which I appreciated it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chew of the brisket was succulent. They’re identified for his or her dumplings, too!



• Splurge Choice: Should you’re with a gaggle (household or pals) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and need to go massive, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Scorching Pot, a sizzling pot spot that may make any emperor proud. Whereas ready in your desk, you possibly can attempt on elaborate costumes to essentially embrace the royal theme of the place. You may attempt on conventional Chinese language-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historical dynasties and channel your inside emperor or empress. It’s not day-after-day you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready in your broth to boil, so we grabbed the possibility. The workers was joyful to snap images, so it’s an amazing alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The entire expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.

  Ah sure, let’s speak concerning the meals. They provide a big selection of recent components — prime cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies — all ready to be dunked in both a homey clear broth or the additional savory and spicy mala soup. After you’ve feasted on all of the proteins, you possibly can dive right into a freezer stuffed with Häagen-Dazs flavors to high all of it off. They’ve 16 flavors, and it’s all yours to get pleasure from. I had caramel biscuit and mango raspberry! We’ll be breaking down this eating expertise in one other article.

After your meal, discover this tiny stall promoting freshly fried Crispy Milk Donut (NT$ 40). You might need to attend in line for a bit too, however that’s often the case for something scrumptious lately.

Boba Milk Tea

Wash your dinner down with a cup of milk tea. However as you already know, Taiwan is the land of boba, so it is likely to be laborious to decide on which one to attempt even right here in Ximending.

• Each single Taipei native now we have met recommends 50 Lan’s boba milk tea (NT$ 60), recognizable by its yellow and blue branding. It’s a sequence, and also you’ll discover a few branches in Ximending. 50 Lan’s model is basic – no frills, no gimmicks, only a completely balanced mix, with simply the precise sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. That is additionally the very best milk tea for us.
• However most vacationers appear to be magnetized by the loud and flashy Xing Fu Tang flagship retailer. You gained’t miss it as a result of there’s a lengthy queue any time of the day. It’s laborious to not be drawn to it as a result of they prepare dinner the pearls within the open. We’ve tried their basic boba milk tea earlier than, however on our most up-to-date journey, we had its best-selling signature brown sugar boba milk (NT$ 120), one thing I used to be ready to hate due to its extreme worth, however was truly very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on high add a little bit of playfulness to the graceful milky drink.
• Should you’d quite have it as an icy dessert, head over to Kenting Dan Dan Duai Nai, the place they serve milk tea within the type of a shave ice deal with.

Taipei Cinema Park & Graffiti Spots

Finish your night time with a stroll by Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for good Instagram backdrops. It’s road artwork galore, with painted masterpieces that vary from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and take in this cool, colourful vibe on this typically uncrowded part of Ximending.

You’ll additionally discover Wow Land, a claw machine heaven! There are numerous claw machines in Taipei; you’ll see them in all places. However what makes these explicit machines outstanding is that you might truly win one thing if in case you have the talent. It’s not rigged, or a minimum of not as rigged because the others! Once we enter this place, we by no means go away empty-handed!

And that’s it for Day 1. I advised you, it’s a bit packed, however buckle up as a result of we’ve solely simply began.

DAY 2: BEITOU & SHILIN

As we speak, we’ll be exploring two of Taipei’s most fascinating districts: Shilin and Beitou.

Beitou Thermal Valley

Begin Day 2 with a go to to Beitou Thermal Valley for the mist that rises eerily from inexperienced sulfuric waters.

If you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, the place you possibly can really feel the water and provides your fingers a shower. However as you stroll deeper, you’ll ultimately see the steamy sizzling springs that appear to be nature’s large cauldron. When you can’t take a dip right here, it’s mesmerizing to look at. Stroll round it, catch that sulfur-scented air, and soak within the barely mystical ambiance.

Earlier than going, attempt some tea eggs, bought by retailers in entrance of the doorway, for very mild however on-theme breakfast. Then stroll to your proper for 10 minutes to our subsequent cease.

Beitou Scorching Springs Museum

Step again in time on the Beitou Scorching Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. Inbuilt 1913, this well-preserved architectural allure showcases the golden age of sizzling springs in Beitou, together with an enormous bathtub the place company as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s a gorgeous, nostalgic slice of outdated Taiwan and makes you recognize the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy previous.

Once we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese faculty youngsters on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than typical. However in any other case, it’s often very chill and enjoyable. As in any onsen, you’ll should take away your sneakers and deposit them in lockers. Placed on the offered slippers and observe the marked path across the museum.

After this, it’s time for lunch. Resolve whether or not you desire a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your means by a meals market!

• Should you go for beef noodles, proceed to Su Jia. enter this in your Google Maps app: 粟家牛肉麵. You’ll discover two outcomes. Select the one alongside Yongxing Avenue. You need to attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
• Should you’d quite stroll and munch on the identical time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s nearer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.

Lunch Choice A: Su Jia Beef Noodles

It’s beef noodle time (once more!) —Taiwan’s soul meals in a bowl.

Su Jia makes use of noodles which might be agency and chewy, drowned in a wealthy broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the identical three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. However if you happen to’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).

We beloved how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with loads of meat nonetheless hooked up to it. If I examine it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat recreation simply, however Lao Shandong had extra flavorful broth. Nevertheless it was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl general. Don’t be shocked if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.

Should you’re not within the temper for an additional serving to of beef noodles or if you happen to’ve received room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s at all times room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!

Lunch Choice B: Beitou Market

Beitou Market is a kind of locations the place you are feeling like an area, purchasing shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.

One of many greatest attracts of Beitou Market is the number of road meals stalls providing every part from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. Should you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s sizzling springs, it’s a improbable place to seize a fast, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, sure—-lest I forget-—dessert! Right here, you possibly can pattern quirky native treats, like mushy pastries stuffed with crimson bean or egg custard, or chewy mochi balls.

From the Beitou Market, take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station (Fare: NT$25; Journey time: 11 minutes) and catch Bus R30 to achieve our subsequent cease, the Nationwide Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 11 minutes).

Nationwide Palace Museum

Time for some tradition! The Nationwide Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 items, it’s like stepping right into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, stuffed with intricately crafted jade carvings, gorgeous calligraphy, and fantastically preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese language tradition.

However right here’s the factor. It’s a giant museum – large! And it’s simple to get misplaced in its galleries. And if you wish to see each single piece on show, you’ll most likely want greater than a day. So plan your go to correctly. Analysis which items you need to see and discover them.

In our case, we let this Google Arts and Tradition article prepared the ground.

It listed out six of the must-see items inside and we made them our northern stars:

• Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
• Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell product of bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
• Bi and Cong, utilized in rituals by the traditional Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
• Ceramic polo gamers, collectible figurines of feminine polo gamers within the Tang dynasty
• Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly practical.
• Meat-shaped stone, produced from jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach

After all, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the way in which. However to make our go to extra attention-grabbing, we used the listing above as our targets.

• If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting possibility when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – achieve this. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Simply watch for time for supper and head on to Shilin Night time Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Journey time: 15-25 minutes).
• However if you happen to really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and vitality, squeeze in a go to to the subsequent cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Power Headquarters (Fare: NT$ 15; Journey time: 12 minutes) after which stroll for 14 minutes to the Martyr’s Shrine.

Martyr’s Shrine

The Nationwide Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine is sort of a mini-palace devoted to fallen heroes. Inbuilt conventional Chinese language architectural fashion, it’s a grand tribute to the troopers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is gorgeous and peaceable, a pleasant breather after all of the sightseeing.

Catch the altering of the guards, which occurs on high of each hour from 9AM-5PM. It’s a powerful ceremony the place guards in crisp uniforms carry out their routine with navy precision. The same routine occurs on the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, however this one is prolonged since you get to look at them stroll the complete size of the location – from the doorway to the shrine and again.

To get to Shilin Night time Market from right here, take Bus 902 or R3 to Mingchuan College (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 5-7 minutes) and stroll for 7 minutes to our last cease of the day.

Shilin Night time Market

No day in Taipei is full with out a night time market, and Shilin Night time Market is the granddaddy of all of them. Whereas the basement meals court docket is beneath renovation, there’s nonetheless lots to eat. Right here, essentially the most well-known is Scorching-Star Massive Fried Hen, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion really useful one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Hen (NT$100).

Like Scorching-Star, there’s additionally a queue that kinds towards it, and it’s additionally a large piece of breaded rooster cutlet. However this one is de facto juicy and full of advanced flavors, led to by its sophisticated cooking course of. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded earlier than getting deep fried. After which – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, nevertheless it all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! The very best fried rooster we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, however nonetheless.

When you’ve had your ji pai repair, stroll a bit to Good Good friend Chilly Noodles to have your dose of carbs, within the type of chilly noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Huge: NT$70). Good Good friend serves bowls which might be oddly refreshing, one thing we desperately wanted after hours of simply strolling round Taipei.

It’s deceptively easy: skinny, bouncy noodles, doused with a wealthy, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for additional crunch, and a touch of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s easy, sure, however low cost, filling, and scrumptious. Sure, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.

With this, time to name it a day! Head again to your resort, sleep tight, and put together in your final day in Taipei!

DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS

Begin your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your resort. You may stash your luggage on the resort reception or discover a metro station locker and decide it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a go to to a few of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.

You are able to do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.

• By MRT. Put together NT$ 20-25 per means. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It should inform you the instructions together with which MRT line to take and which station to alight at.
• By Sightseeing Bus. A 4-hour move usually prices NT$330 if you happen to purchase on the bus itself. Should you guide with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you are going to buy tickets on the bus itself and you employ Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So that you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.

✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!

You may catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Principal Station, simply exterior EXIT M4. There’s a marked bus cease there. From right here, hop on the bus and get off at your first cease of the day.

Lungshan Temple

Begin with town’s most well-known, Lungshan Temple, a masterpiece of conventional design and religious vitality. Inbuilt 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World Struggle II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate picket carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to wish right here each day.

One factor I observed is that there are not any incense sticks right here. Apparently, it was banned by the administration to enhance the air high quality within the space. As a substitute, worshippers could place different choices on the desk.

Entrance Price: FREE
Hours open: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor

This grand memorial honors Chiang Kai-shek, that is Taipei’s assertion piece with huge white partitions, hanging blue-tiled roof, an infinite bronze statue of Taiwan’s former chief. Inside, find out about his life and legacy whereas marveling on the structure. Remember to catch the altering of the guard right here, too.

Entrance Price: FREE
Hours Open: 9:00 AM to six:00 PM

Taipei 101

The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over town like a large bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese language takeout containers. Whether or not you go up or simply admire it from the skin, Taipei 101 is a sight to behold.

At 508 meters tall, this was as soon as the tallest constructing on the planet. It now not holds the report, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that permits sweeping panoramic views of town. Right here’s a recreation: when you’re atop Taipei 101, attempt to discover the opposite landmarks and points of interest that you’ve visited on this journey. Begin with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the simplest to identify!

One other attention-grabbing to catch a glimpse of right here is its tuned mass damper, which stabilizes and retains the constructing standing and a reminder of Taipei 101’s resilience. It additionally homes workplaces and retail retailers.

Talking of outlets, simply near Taipei 101 is a posh of purchasing malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. Should you nonetheless have time, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day purchasing. Should you don’t, then decide up your baggage and head to the airport!

Departure

And similar to that, you’ve conquered Taipei. Three days is extra like a whirlwind romance, quick and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. However that ought to provide you with a cause to guide one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!

The place to Keep in Taipei

Right here’s an inventory of the inns and hostels we tried in Taipei:

Seek for extra Taipei Inns!