Taipei, the vibrant capital of Taiwan, is a dynamic mix of modern skyscrapers, ancient temples, lively night markets, and breathtaking natural scenery. Whether you’re into history, shopping, food, or nature, Taipei has something for everyone.
Here are the top 10 must-visit places in Taipei City:
1. Taipei 101
TAIPEI 101 is one of the best places to visit in Taipei, with more than one hundred and twenty-five tenants and ten thousand people working there every day. This 101-story skyscraper is considered one of the best places in Taipei that incorporates traditional Asian aesthetics into a modernist architectural design. It is the most impressive skyscraper in the entire world, having a roof height of 1,474 ft and an architectural height of 509.2 meters.
2. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
End your search for the best places to visit in Taipei by taking a tour of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall which was built to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of R.O.C. It is a large octagon-shaped building designed by Lu Yanzhi in 1931 with funds raised by overseas and local Chinese people.
The design of the building is inspired by the structure of the Chinese palace, and it is a hotspot for performances and large meetings. It has been listed officially as one of the first-class cultural relics in the Province of Guangdong.
3. Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain is a long trail of about six hundred stairs that lead you up to a series of platforms and lookout points, offering you splendid views of Taipei 101 and Taiwan. It is also known as Xiangshan, and being an urban trail, it is dotted with garden plots, power lines, and shacks.
There are different peaks that you can traverse in this diverse system of trails. It is the best sunset-seeking spot, and thousands of visitors flock to this mountain every evening to catch the splendid view.
4. National Palace Museum
Historic museum with an enormous collection of Chinese artifacts and artworks from more than 10,000 years ago. The National Palace Museum's collection is huge. It has over 7,00,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks. These artifacts were actually located initially in the Palace Museum in Beijing, were shifted to Shanghai and Nanjing during the Sino-Japanese wars, and then finally the decision was made to send the most important collections to Taiwan, where they sit today.
5. Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall
A national monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the People's Republic of China which was founded in 1949. It is one of Taiwan's most popular landmarks. The memorial was proposed after the revolutionary and inspirational leader died in 1975. Since then, it has become the site of many events and the starting point of many movements, not to mention one of the country's greatest tourist attractions.
An interesting fact about the memorial hall is that it has a combination of 89 stairs, signifying the age of Chiang Kai-shek when he died. The entire complex is beautified with gardens and ponds, greatly enhancing the aesthetics.
6. Longshan Temple
One of the oldest temples in Taiwan, in the district of Wahua. The temple area is also very popular due to it's markets. The Longshan Temple was built by the first Chinese settlers in 1738. In its long history, it has been destroyed or damaged many times, being renovated by the locals each time due to its significance. It is a popular place of worship and welcomes Buddhism and many traditional religions as well. It is also symbolic of classic Taiwanese architecture.
7. Martyr's Shrine
This is an architecturally impressive shrine that stands majestically, overlooking the Keelung River. It is inspired by the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City of Beijing. The shrine is dedicated to the three lakh ninety thousand soldiers killed during the War of Resistance and the civil war between the communist forces and Chinese Republicans.
8. Beitou Hot Springs
Beitou is one of the largest concentrations of hot springs in the world. This area is popular with visitors, but it’s also the local’s favorite way to spend an afternoon. From Taipei city center, it takes about 20 minutes by MRT to get to Beitou. There are more than enough spas and resorts for you to choose if you want a more private and luxurious experience.
9. Taipei Zoo
The Taipei Zoo has exhibits of animal and bird species all over the world and is the largest zoo in all of Asia. The zoo was opened way back in 1914. Its exhibits include animals from Asia, Australia, Africa, and many other zones from all over the globe. The most popular exhibitions, however, are the pandas Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, which were received as a gift from Beijing.
There is also a children's zoo, which has docile and usually domesticated animals such as water buffaloes, pigs, ducks, rabbits, and llamas among many others. Other dedicated exhibits are of the Asian and African rainforest areas, desert animals, insects, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and even penguins.
10. Shilin Night Market
If you're a shopping fanatic, you must visit Shilin Night Market, a mecca for fashionistas and street-style shoppers. It is also the busiest and the biggest night market in Taipei, having an amalgamation of modernism and heritage. You can find everything over here at the best prices, from trinkets to souvenirs and apparel to jewelry.
You can also find here a wide variety of local food ranging from traditional Taiwanese snacks to the main course. In addition to the food courts, alleys, and side streets are lined with roadside and storefront stands.
