Free things to do · Taipei · Taiwan
9 free things to do in Taipei
Taipei without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Taipei without paying an entry fee: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) and Dihua Street and Dadaocheng are all free. Night markets and small diners serve full meals for a few dollars.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January and March–September
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Taipei Main Station (Zhongzheng)
1.Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Visit in the early evening when the buildings are lit and locals rehearse dance routines on the square.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Wanhua
2.Longshan Temple
Come in the early morning or around evening prayers to hear the chanting; visitors are welcome to watch quietly.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Viewpoint · Xinyi
3.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.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Photo spot
- Couples
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Street · Dadaocheng (Datong)
4.Dihua Street and Dadaocheng
Walk it in the afternoon and finish at Dadaocheng Wharf for sunset over the Tamsui River.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Food
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Taipei Main Station (Zhongzheng)
5.Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Check what exhibitions are on before you go; the grounds are free to wander.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Xinyi
6.Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
Visit after Elephant Mountain or Taipei 101; the factory's baroque courtyard garden is easy to miss.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Beitou
7.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.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
- Free
Religious site · Datong
8.Dalongdong Baoan Temple
Visit both temples together from Yuanshan MRT station, then walk to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Wanhua
9.Bopiliao Historic Block
Stop here on the way to or from Longshan Temple; it is a five-minute walk.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei Main Station (Zhongzheng) | Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Huashan 1914 Creative Park | 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Wanhua | Longshan Temple and Bopiliao Historic Block | 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Xinyi | Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park | 1–1.5 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Dadaocheng (Datong) | Dihua Street and Dadaocheng | 2 hours |
| Beitou | Yangmingshan National Park | Half to full day |
| Datong | Dalongdong Baoan Temple | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Shilin
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.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Market · Shilin
Shilin Night Market
Arrive around 6–7pm before the biggest crowds, and explore the lanes beyond the main food court.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
- Kids
- Shopping
Market · Songshan
Raohe Street Night Market
Join the pepper bun queue first, then walk the market and finish at Ciyou Temple when it is lit up.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Free
Experience · Beitou
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Nature
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Wenshan
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Nature
Zoo · Wenshan
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Museum · Taipei Main Station (Zhongzheng)
National Taiwan Museum
Combine it with a walk through 228 Peace Memorial Park and the memorial to the 1947 incident.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · Zhongshan
Taipei Fine Arts Museum
Pair it with the temples near Yuanshan MRT or the Expo Park across the road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
More ways to save
- Night markets and small diners serve full meals for a few dollars.
- Use an EasyCard for all transport; MRT–bus transfers are discounted when paid with the card.
- Many highlights are free: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, temples, Elephant Mountain, Yangmingshan and the creative parks.
- Beitou's public open-air bath costs a fraction of a hotel hot-spring visit.
- Lunch sets at restaurants are much cheaper than the same food at dinner.
- Shops displaying the tax-refund sign can refund VAT to foreign visitors on qualifying purchases.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Taipei expensive to visit?
Taipei is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Taipei?
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Visit in the early evening when the buildings are lit and locals rehearse dance routines on the square.