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

Let’s get one factor clear: Three days shouldn’t be sufficient to totally take pleasure in what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unbelievable vacation spot full of points of interest that would depart you wanting extra.

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

Don’t fear, it’s attainable to expertise one of the best of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of one of the 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 may well fill a protracted weekend effortlessly.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING

In the event you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you’ve got two foremost public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.

BY MRT

Each Terminals 1 and a pair 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 data right here.

BY BUS

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

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

Extra particular data right here.

In the event 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 immediately!

Our first and solely cease for at the moment is Ximending. Fear not, there’s so much to see and do right here!

Typically referred to as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, avenue 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 power 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

In the event you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that can greet you is the Rainbow Street, due to its row of colours and the gang 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 neighborhood, displaying off its satisfaction with each vibrant stripe.

Whether or not you’re right here to have a good time, present help, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this highway virtually waves at you for a pic. Folks 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, avenue performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the same old singers, bands, and dancers, however once in a while you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that can make you cease and keep a bit longer.

The Crimson Home

Cross the adjoining highway and also you’ll be greeted by the Crimson House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related by means of a long time of reinvention. In-built 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 art work that put a contemporary twist on this previous 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 Satisfaction Month celebrations, so the ambiance was way more fab and festive and there have been numerous freebies round.

Pop Mart Flagship Retailer

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

Identified 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 in style and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. These serrated tooth and mischievous look don’t cease folks from falling in love with it or, at the very least, leaping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favourite, there’s all the time a crowd constructing in entrance of this pop mart retailer. Each one is hoping to get their arms on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the value resellers are charging again residence. And sure, Labubu objects, particularly the plush key chains, had been offered out once we visited.

Some don’t perceive why it’s so in style and a few say it’s only a fad, however we needed to grasp so we joined the enjoyable and bought three thriller bins 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 prospect.

Dinner

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

• Price range Choice: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is avenue meals at its best—no seats, simply seize a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavour. It’s solely NT$ 60 per small serving, but it surely’s actually, actually tasty. No surprise there’s all the time 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 needed to have one other bowl. It’s much more flavorful whenever you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is out there for self-service on a station on the aspect.



• Mid-Vary Choice: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go right 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 once 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 may simply inform that the noodles had been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly minimize. It was agency, simply the way in which I preferred it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re identified for his or her dumplings, too!



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

  Ah sure, let’s speak in regards to the meals. They provide a big selection of recent substances — 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 prime all of it off. They’ve 16 flavors, and it’s all yours to take pleasure in. 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 normally the case for something scrumptious today.

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 perhaps onerous to decide on which one to attempt even right here in Ximending.

• Each single Taipei native we’ve 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 appropriate sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. That is additionally one of the 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 onerous to not be drawn to it as a result of they cook 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 value, however was really very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on prime add a little bit of playfulness to the graceful milky drink.
• In the event you’d slightly 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 evening with a stroll by means of Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for good Instagram backdrops. It’s avenue artwork galore, with painted masterpieces that vary from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and absorb 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 all over the place. However what makes these specific machines exceptional is that you can really win one thing when you have the ability. It’s not rigged, or at the very least 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

At present, 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.

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

Earlier than going, attempt some tea eggs, offered 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. In-built 1913, this well-preserved architectural appeal showcases the golden age of sizzling springs in Beitou, together with an enormous tub the place company as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s an exquisite, nostalgic slice of previous Taiwan and makes you respect 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 standard. However in any other case, it’s normally very chill and stress-free. As in any onsen, you’ll should take away your sneakers and deposit them in lockers. Placed on the supplied slippers and comply with the marked path across the museum.

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

• In the event 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. It’s best to attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
• In the event you’d slightly 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 are agency and chewy, drowned in a wealthy broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the identical three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. However for those who’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).

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

In the event you’re not within the temper for one more serving to of beef noodles or for those who’ve bought room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s all the time 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 avenue meals stalls providing all the pieces from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. In the event you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s sizzling springs, it’s a incredible 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 smooth pastries full of purple 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 succeed in 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, full of 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 an enormous 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 in all probability want greater than a day. So plan your go to properly. Analysis which items you wish 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 manufactured from 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 lifelike.
• Meat-shaped stone, constituted of 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 record above as our objectives.

• If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting choice when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – accomplish that. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Simply look ahead to time for supper and head on to Shilin Evening Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Journey time: 15-25 minutes).
• However for those who really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and power, squeeze in a go to to the subsequent cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Pressure 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. In-built conventional Chinese language architectural type, 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 prime of each hour from 9AM-5PM. It’s a formidable 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 observe them stroll the complete size of the positioning – from the doorway to the shrine and again.

To get to Shilin Evening 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 closing cease of the day.

Shilin Evening Market

No day in Taipei is full and not using a evening market, and Shilin Evening Market is the granddaddy of all of them. Whereas the basement meals court docket is underneath renovation, there’s nonetheless lots to eat. Right here, essentially the most well-known is Scorching-Star Massive Fried Rooster, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion advisable one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Rooster (NT$100).

Like Scorching-Star, there’s additionally a queue that types towards it, and it’s additionally an enormous piece of breaded rooster cutlet. However this one is actually juicy and full of advanced flavors, caused 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, but it surely all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! The most effective 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; Large: NT$70). Good Good friend serves bowls which are 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 further 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 possibly can 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 method. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It can 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 for those who purchase on the bus itself. In the event you e book with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you are going to buy tickets on the bus itself and you utilize Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So that you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.

✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!

You possibly can catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Important 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 non secular power. In-built 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World Struggle II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate picket carvings, and the extreme devotion of locals who come to wish right here every day.

One factor I observed is that there aren’t any incense sticks right here. Apparently, it was banned by the administration to enhance the air high quality within the space. As an alternative, 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, putting 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. You’ll want 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 an enormous bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese language takeout bins. Whether or not you go up or simply admire it from the surface, Taipei 101 is a sight to behold.

At 508 meters tall, this was as soon as the tallest constructing on this planet. It not holds the document, but it surely’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that allows 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. In the event you nonetheless have time, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day purchasing. In the event you don’t, then decide up your baggage and head to the airport!

Departure

And identical 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 purpose to e book one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!

The place to Keep in Taipei

Right here’s a listing of the inns and hostels we tried in Taipei:

Seek for extra Taipei Lodges!