Taipei City offers many things to see and do for visitors of all kinds – be it breathtaking views, relaxing spa services or discovering something new! There’s always something exciting going on here.
Here are some of Taipei’s must-see travel attractions you should check out during your stay! Cathay to Pacific now offers Hong Kong to Taipei flights.
1. National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is Taiwan’s top attraction and an absolute must for first-timers. Boasting both an impressive exterior and interior, this modern museum employs advanced technologies to protect its ancient artifacts – only displaying small portions at any one time to avoid wear and tear. Easy to navigate on foot, a visit will typically last 3-4 hours depending on how deep into Forbidden City you go.
The 101-floored tower is steeped with symbolism. As a shining monument housing offices, observation levels, and displays; visitors can enjoy panoramic city views from its observatory while learning more about its history and significance through informative displays.
Maokong District lies just steps from the tower, offering winding footpaths to explore, teahouses and cafes to visit, tea leaves that you can smell as you walk by, teahouses and cafes to stop by and plenty of opportunities for exploration. Once known as an important tea-growing region, this district remains lined with tea leaves that you can smell as you make your way around its streets.
Visit the Monument of Chiang Kai Shek to pay your respects to Taiwan’s late President and gain more knowledge of Taiwanese history. A large bronze statue stands guarding his statue and guarding soldiers adorned in ceremonial uniforms; additionally there is a library and educational displays at this monument.
2. Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark in Wanli District of New Taipei City is well-known for its odd-looking rock formations. Queen’s Head, said to resemble Britain’s monarchy, is among its more well-known attractions; other popular features in the park include mushroom rocks and honeycomb rocks as well as candle-shaped structures.
The park provides visitors with numerous trails that allow them to discover its many natural wonders, with some leading directly into the ocean where surfers catch waves or paragliders glide overhead. Furthermore, there are various species of wildlife living here.
Yehliu Ocean World, a marine park dedicated to informing tourists about Taiwan’s marine wildlife species and environment, is also an exceptionally popular tourist attraction in this area. Families and kids can enjoy watching its dolphin and sea lion shows as well as high-dive stunts performed here.
Other must-see attractions in Taipei include the National Taiwan Museum, which showcases an array of different scientific fields and is suitable for adults and children alike. National Palace Museum features classic Chinese palace-style exhibits with fine collections of Chinese cultural treasures that are great for families, seniors and international travelers. Visit Taipei Astronomical Museum for viewing science-themed documentaries as well as gazing into the night sky via their planetarium!
3. Jiufen
Jiufen is a favorite destination of foodies due to its picturesque spots, views, and temples. Stroll through the old town for snacks, teas, desserts and the A-Mei tea house’s Japanese architecture with greenery and lanterns that add charm.
Keelung Mountain provides great night views of the town, while hiking up this 588 meter summit will bring even greater panoramas. Hiking Keelung can fit easily into a day trip depending on your schedule; hikers who wish to cover more ground may consider ascending Keelung via its cable car system instead.
Jiufen offers many museums and cultural centers worth visiting, such as the Heritage and Culture Center for those interested in Taiwan’s history. Here, visitors will find exhibits that showcase various historical periods, including Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911) and Japanese colonial period (1945-1949).
Jiufen, located 20 miles east of Taipei in Ruifang District, can be easily accessed by bus or private car. For added convenience and savings in both time and money, consider booking an organized tour that includes both Yehliu Geopark and Jiufen (like this one) as it will save both.
4. Mount Keelung
Mount Keelung towers majestically above Jiufen’s mining town and offers postcard-worthy views of Keelung city below. Hike along Elephant Mountain Trail (Xiang Shan Bu Dao), or head directly to its summit for 360 degree vistas over Keelung – also a great spot for watching sunset!
Hike up the forested Butterfly Valley Trail for stunning views of wild ginger flowers, chrysanthemums and New Guinea impatiens, as well as cedar groves filled with phytoncide–an essential oil which has been shown to reduce stress hormones.
Keelung Guanyin Statue Park (Ji Long Zhong Zheng Gong Yuan) offers another exciting attraction. This Buddhist-themed park features a temple, giant drum, traditional pavilions and food stalls; in addition to being one of Taiwan’s most iconic religious landmarks and an irreplaceable landmark when visiting Keelung.
The Heritage and Culture Center () is a collection of buildings that showcase different periods in Taiwan’s history from Qing Dynasty through Japanese occupation to 1945, featuring Dawulan Fort (Dawulan Shan).
Are you an art enthusiast? Be sure to visit the National Museum of Fine Arts when visiting Taipei – its incredible collection spans from early 20th century art through to today, with tube-like suspended corridors providing another attraction.
5. Bopiliao Old Street
Bopiliao Old Street in Taipei’s Wanhua district is one of Taipei’s oldest streets, featuring one and two storey old buildings that have been preserved to become museums, shops, restaurants and cafes. There’s also a schoolroom and heritage and culture education center; visitors can view exhibits ranging from architecture designs to abstract paintings here.
Its most striking characteristic is the charming neighborhood’s mottled red bricks and cobbled streets, making it a desirable tourist spot. Stroll along paved pathways or take one of the overhead train tracks nearby or enjoy its stores or watch a performance or theater production!
Taipei Cultural Center is another must-see attraction, featuring an exhibition hall and auditorium with large hall. This building serves as Taiwan’s primary art center, hosting performances and theatrical shows of all sorts as well as exhibits or festivals throughout the year. Also situated within this complex are National Theater and Concert Hall as well as a statue honoring former President Chiang Kai-shek with solemn soldiers defending it; memorial hall also hosts regularly changing art exhibitions.
6. Heritage and Culture Center
Families, international tourists and youth travelers will all find something of interest at the Heritage and Culture Center. The museum complex includes an Imax theater and planetarium as well as exhibits showcasing Taiwan’s rich cultural history – including a traditional teahouse and folk-religion temple.
This location is also an excellent option for art enthusiasts, as it contains numerous thought-provoking art pieces by acclaimed architect Juro Kondo. His distinctive building design incorporates Japanese and colonial elements into its construction; with an octagonal hall connected by cruciform main building via plazas on either end to create an intriguing composition of shapes and colors.
At the Heritage and Culture Center, one of the highlights is their collection of over 1,500 ghost masks. Ranging from grotesque to comedic designs, each mask is painstakingly hand-made and decorated with anything from animal hair, cigarette butts or scraps of cloth – truly making each unique.
Jiufen is an ideal spot for anyone curious about Taiwan’s gold mining history. As one of Asia’s best preserved examples of a former gold mining village, it allows visitors to reimagine life here 100 years ago. Stroll through its historic streets as soon as you arrive as midday crowds tend to congest this area quickly.
