Taiwan 17 attractions across 4 categories
As of 2026, the must-see places in Taipei include Taipei 101 Observation, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum. See highlights, time needed and tips for each below.
Taipei blends historic landmarks, natural scenery, and local food experiences. We've organized 17 attractions across 4 categories. Each attraction card includes entry fees, opening hours, and local tips so you can plan straight from the page. Use the quick links below to jump to your favorite category.
1 World's tallest 2004-2010 (508m). Damper ball on 88F is iconic.
Pre-book online for skip-the-line. Outdoor 91F deck only on clear days (extra NT$100).
2 1980 Ming-style monument. Hourly honor guard changing ceremony.
Catch the changing of guard at every hour on the hour. Skip Mondays (closed).
700,000 imperial Chinese artifacts (Beijing's Forbidden City collection). Jadeite Cabbage is the icon.
Most Chinese-tour-bus crowded 10am-2pm. Arrive 9am or after 3pm.
4 20-min hike for the postcard Taipei 101 sunset shot.
Six Giant Rocks viewpoint = the famous angle. Bring water in summer; trail is mostly stairs.
1 1738 Buddhist-Taoist temple in Wanhua. Survived WWII bombing intact.
Bring 3 incense sticks (NT$30 at counter). Most active during morning chanting 6-7am.
UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award winner. 200+ year folk-art carvings.
Confucius Temple is across the street (free combo). Less touristy than Longshan.
Qing-dynasty merchant street. Dried goods, herbal medicine, baroque facades from 1850s.
Best during Lunar New Year market (last 2 weeks of January). ASW Tea House for rooftop view.
Volcanic sulfur springs with public + ryokan-style baths. Free outdoor footbath at Quanyuan Park.
Take MRT Xinbeitou line. Public bath is gender-separated, no swimsuit.
1 Largest night market. Oyster omelet, stinky tofu, large fried chicken cutlet.
Best after 8 PM. Cash only at most stalls. Hot Star Large Chicken is the queue-worthy stall.
Compact 600m strip with the original Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun (Michelin Bib Gourmand).
Black pepper bun stall has a 20-min queue but moves fast. Less touristy than Shilin.
Local-favorite traditional market. Liu Yu-Zai taro balls + Fang Chia dragon dumplings.
Compact, walkable in 30 min. Less English than Shilin but cleanest food prep.
Michelin one-star xiaolongbao birthplace (1972). 18-fold dumpling pleats.
Reservations not accepted. Get a queue ticket 1h before opening. Most other branches have shorter waits.
1 Hilltop teahouse town. Inspiration for Spirited Away (officially denied by Ghibli but visually identical).
1h bus from Taipei (Bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing). Sunset = the iconic red lantern shot. Avoid weekends.
Old coal-mining train town. Write wishes on lanterns and release them above the tracks.
Train runs every 30 min from Ruifang. Combine with Jiufen (90 min apart). Shifen Waterfall = 10 min walk.
3 Volcanic park 30 min from city. Cherry blossoms (Feb-Mar), calla lilies (Mar-Apr), silvergrass (Oct-Nov).
Bus 260 from Taipei Main Station. Xiaoyoukeng sulfur vents = the iconic photo spot.
4 Old port town at MRT red line terminus. Sunset over the Taiwan Strait + Fisherman's Wharf.
A-gei (stuffed tofu) is the local specialty. Walk Fort San Domingo (1644 Spanish fort) + Lover's Bridge.
Indigenous Atayal town with free wild riverside hot springs.
1h bus from Xindian MRT. Bring swimsuit for wild springs (mixed-gender). Wulai Waterfall = 10 min walk from village.
Local know-how that saves you time and money on the ground.
Pre-book Taipei 101 online for skip-the-line.
Bubble tea was invented in Taiwan — try at Tea Top or 50嵐.
Jiufen 1h drive — Spirited Away inspiration sunset iconic.
Night markets cash only.
EasyCard pays for metro + bus + 7-Eleven.
Taipei Metro 6 lines + bus. EasyCard $3 / NT$100 deposit. Walking realistic central districts.
Booking online is typically cheaper than walk-up rates and reserves your spot.
World's tallest 2004-2010
$20
Spirited Away old street + Queen's Head rock
$50
Largest Chinese art collection in the world
$7
5+ tastings + cultural commentary
$60
Iconic Taiwan lake 3h south
$110
Common questions about attractions and activities in Taipei.
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — everything in one place.
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.