5 days in Taipei

Day by day

1. Day 1: Taipei 101 Observatory and Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

   Taipei 101 Observatory, Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, then Longshan Temple in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Taipei 101 Observatory

      Go on a clear afternoon and stay through sunset; check visibility before buying tickets, as low cloud often hides the view. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

      Climb about 45 minutes before sunset and stay until the city lights come on; bring water and a torch for the descent. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Beef noodle soup

      Specialist shops across the city, including several on Taoyuan Street near Ximending and around Yongkang Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

      Visit after Elephant Mountain or Taipei 101; the factory's baroque courtyard garden is easy to miss. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Longshan Temple

      Come in the early morning or around evening prayers to hear the chanting; visitors are welcome to watch quietly.

2. Day 2: National Palace Museum and Shilin Night Market

   National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, then Raohe Street Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Palace Museum

      Arrive at opening or in the late afternoon to avoid tour groups, and use the audio guide; check which highlights are on display before you go. (3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Shilin Night Market

      Arrive around 6–7pm before the biggest crowds, and explore the lanes beyond the main food court. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Xiaolongbao

      Dumpling restaurants citywide, including the original Din Tai Fung on Xinyi Road near Yongkang Street and many smaller local shops.

   4. Afternoon

      Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

      Visit in the early evening when the buildings are lit and locals rehearse dance routines on the square. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Raohe Street Night Market

      Join the pepper bun queue first, then walk the market and finish at Ciyou Temple when it is lit up.

3. Day 3: Beitou hot springs and Yangmingshan National Park

   Beitou hot springs, Yangmingshan National Park and Maokong Gondola, then Xinyi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Beitou hot springs

      Bring swimwear for the public bath (it is mixed and requires costumes), or book a private hotel bath for a more relaxing soak. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Yangmingshan National Park

      Take a bus from Jiantan or Shilin MRT on a clear weekday, and bring layers; it is noticeably cooler and often misty at altitude. (Half to full day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Braised pork rice

      Small diners and night-market stalls everywhere; order a bowl with soup and greens.

   4. Afternoon

      Maokong Gondola

      Ride up in the late afternoon, drink oolong at a tea house through sunset, and come down after dark; the gondola closes in bad weather. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Xinyi

      Clubs, rooftop bars and lounges around Taipei 101 and the ATT 4 FUN building.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Jiufen

   About 1–1.5 hours by bus each way. Getting there: Direct bus from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT, or train to Ruifang and bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Jiufen

      About 1–1.5 hours by bus (Direct bus from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT, or train to Ruifang and bus); about 40 km.

   2. Day

      Jiufen

      A former gold-mining town clinging to a hillside above the north-east coast, with lantern-hung lanes, steep stairways and tea houses with sea views. Best for first-timers, couples and food lovers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Taipei

      Dinner: try Pepper bun.

5. Day 5: Taipei Zoo and Dihua Street and Dadaocheng

   Taipei Zoo, Dihua Street and Dadaocheng and Huashan 1914 Creative Park, then Da'an in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Taipei Zoo

      Use the zoo's internal shuttle to reach the far end, then walk downhill; combine with the Maokong Gondola next to the entrance. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Dihua Street and Dadaocheng

      Walk it in the afternoon and finish at Dadaocheng Wharf for sunset over the Tamsui River. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pepper bun

      The stall at the Ciyou Temple entrance of Raohe Street Night Market is the most famous; others are found in most night markets.

   4. Afternoon

      Huashan 1914 Creative Park

      Check what exhibitions are on before you go; the grounds are free to wander. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Da'an

      Intimate cocktail bars and craft-beer pubs on the lanes off Zhongxiao East Road and Anhe Road.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Taipei Main Station (Zhongzheng) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ximending ($$) suits budget, shopping, nightlife and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 27–33 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Taipei
• 2 days in Taipei
• 3 days in Taipei
• 4 days in Taipei
• 7 days in Taipei

Questions travellers ask