As the capital city of the island of 24 million, Taipei is the heart and soul of Taiwan, displaying a wonderful blend of cultures from Chinese, Japanese, and a little Southeast Asian and American influences, all mixed up in a way that is unlike any other city in the world.
Taipei is an extremely modern city, and yet it is affordable and accessible to all types of travelers. The city maintains its tradition while also adopting a fun and colorful culture similar to what you find in Japan. It is the perfect mix of these cultures that makes Taipei, and Taiwan in general, such an intriguing travel destination.
When I was backpacking through Taiwan, I had a chance to spend 4 days in this wonderful city exploring all the cool things one can do in and around Taipei. Here is a complete backpacking guide on things to do in Taipei with a suggested 4-day itinerary for solo travelers. Without further ado, let's begin with the Taipei itinerary map:
- Taipei Things to Do Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Taipei, Taiwan?
- Quick Summary: Things to do in Taipei
-
12 Best Things to Do in Taipei
- Check Out Longshan Temple
- Admire the Local Artistry at the Red House
- Stroll Around Ximending Walking District
- Visit National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at Sunset
- Visit Taipei 101
- Hike Up the Elephant Trail at Sunset
- Eat Street Food at Ningxia Night Market
- Snap the Best Shot of Taipei 101 at Lane 253, Songren Road at Night
- Hike Around Yangmingshan National Park for a Day
- Spend Half-Day at Shifen Old Town and Shifen Waterfall
- Spend Another Half-Day in Jiufen
- Other Things to Do in Taipei
- More Taipei Activities
- What to Eat and Drink in Taipei?
- Taiwan Travel Video
- How to Get to Taipei, Taiwan?
- How to Get from Taipei Airport to the City Center?
- Traveling Around Taipei with EasyCard
- How to Get Around Taipei, Taiwan?
- How Many Days to Spend in Taipei?
- How Much Money Do I Need for Taipei?
- Is it Safe in Taipei?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Taipei?
- What to Pack for Taipei, Taiwan?
- Further Reading for Taiwan
Taipei Things to Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary: Things to do in Taipei
- Star Hostel Taipei Main Station (Budget)
- Meander Taipei Hostel - Ximending (Mid-Range)
- Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao (High-End)
- 8-Hour Private Taipei Day Tour: PLANLESS (8 hours)
- Small-Group Tour: Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Shifen from Taipei (9 hours)
- Private Custom Taipei Airport Layover Tour (6 to 8 hours)
12 Best Things to Do in Taipei
1. Check Out Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is a Chinese temple built in the 18th century by Fujian immigrants from mainland China who came to the island and erected a temple on the spot. It is one of the most popular temples in Taiwan and has come to represent the pride of the Taiwanese people.
Despite it being built in the 18th century, the temple has gone through several reconstructions that added and improved the temple and its surroundings to what it is today.
The temple consists of three sections: front, middle, and rear halls, all lavishly decorated with poles covered in beautiful dragon sculptures, intricate wooden carvings, and colorful paintings. It is one of the largest and most beautiful temples in Taipei.
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The temple also attracts many visitors every day because it is actually for Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian faiths. The temple gets even more crowded on the 1st and 15th day of each month of Lunar Year, attracting both tourists and locals from all around the world.
To get to Longshan, you can take the MRT Blue Line to Longshan Temple Station where you can then take Exit 1 and walk north through the Mengxia Park, and you should see Longshan Temple just across the street.
Where to Stay in Taipei, Taiwan?
2. Admire the Local Artistry at the Red House
After spending your morning admiring the beauty of Longshan, take the MRT Green Line and get off at Ximen Station where you will find a beautiful landmark of Taipei, the Red House.
The Red House was originally built as a department store by a Japanese architect during the Japanese rule in 1908. Its beautiful western-style pattern on the exterior and the octagonal layout of the building grab the attention of visitors and locals alike.
The building has since been renovated into an art and creative marketplace, promoting the locals' artistry and other cultural industries. It's a great place to start your journey into exploring one of the most vibrant districts of Taipei, Ximending.
To get to The Red House, you will have to take the MRT Green Line to Ximen Station and take Exit 1, and you will be right at the entrance of The Red House.
3. Stroll Around Ximending Walking District
Ximending Street, also known as the Harajuku of Taipei, is one of the most popular shopping districts in Taipei. The entire neighborhood is filled with stores, street food stalls, and all kinds of entertainment you can imagine.
Ximending is one of the best places to go people-watching and attracts many young creative individuals, as well as tourists from around the world, every month.
Although Ximending is not a full-blown night market like the others in Taipei, you will still find many iconic street foods here in the evening, as well as long lines of people waiting to buy the famous Boba tea of Xing Fu Tang. So if you are looking for a place to try some local cuisine, be sure to drop by here at night.
To get to Ximending, you will have to take the MRT Green Line to Ximen Station and take Exit 6 where you will be right at the entrance of the Ximending shopping street.
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4. Visit National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at Sunset
If you are looking for a great place to watch the sunset, the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a great place to do so. Its spacious courtyard, beautiful vegetation, and the elevated platform of the memorial hall will allow you to see the spanning view of Chiang Kai-shek Square against the backdrop of Liberty Square Arch and the beautiful sunset sky.
The Liberty Square where the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is located is full of beautiful architecture waiting for you to explore. The beautiful Liberty Square Arch at the northeast end of the square, the National Art Center and Theater on the South and North ends of the park respectively are some of the most beautiful architecture you will find in Taipei.
If you are at the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at the right time, you might be able to witness the change of guard ceremony, which happens every hour on the hour from 9 AM to 6 PM.
At 6 PM, you will also be able to witness the Flag Coming Down Ceremony, as well as the guards marching down the hall and to the flag pole at the center of Liberty Square to perform the Flag Coming Down Ceremony.
The whole ceremony is elaborated and quite interesting to watch, so if you are in Taipei, be sure to visit the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall at 6 PM.
To get to the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, you will have to take the MRT Red or Green Line and get off at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station, where you can then take Exit 5 and you will be right at the side entrance of Liberty Square.
5. Visit Taipei 101
One of the most iconic architectures in Taipei, Taipei 101, is a futuristic skyscraper located in the Xinyi District of Taipei. With its 101 floors standing at 509.2 m high, Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the world in 2004 and only lost its title after Burj Khalifa was built in Dubai in 2010.
Now, Taipei 101 is the 11th tallest building in the world, and it is one of the most iconic landmarks of Taipei. You can take one of the fastest elevator rides ever to the 89th floor, which should take about 30 seconds, and absorb the view of Taipei and its surroundings from incredible heights.
On the 88th floor, you will also get to see the impressive tuned mass damper, a 660 metric ton steel pendulum that sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong winds.
To get to Taipei 101, you will have to take the MRT Red Line and get off at Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station. Take Exit 4 on your way out, and you should be right in front of the Taipei 101 building.
To get to the Taipei 101 Observatory Deck at the top, you will first have to buy a ticket from the Taipei 101 website or on the 5th floor on-site. The ticket will cost you 600 NTD per person, which is quite expensive. However, if you are looking for the highest point in the city to absorb the view of Taipei, there is no better place than this.
The indoor observatory opens from 9 AM to 10 PM every day of the week, and the outdoor observatory opens at the same time as weather permits. You can also pay 3,000 NTD to get to the 101st floor, strap yourself with a secure cord, and walk on the railing outside with an unobstructed 360˚ view of Taipei.
6. Hike Up the Elephant Trail at Sunset
If you are not keen on paying 600 NTD to get the view of the city, the best alternative is to go a little further east and hike the famous Elephant Trail, free of charge!
This is one of the best short trails you can do in Taipei. The trail is a steep, paved stair that takes about 20 minutes to climb, and from the viewpoint, you will have an unbeatable view of Taipei, together with the Taipei 101 skyscraper in one frame.
The best time to hike the Elephant Trail is around sunset time, as the sky turns purple and the artificial light illuminates the city. The trail is quite popular among locals and tourists, so do not expect a quiet nature trail from this one. Just enjoy the climb and the view at night, and you are all set.
To get to the Elephant trailhead, you will have to take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station, take Exit 2 and walk south along the Xiangshan Park until the end of the road and then turn left and follow the road to the Xiangshan Trailhead.
From there, simply climb up the stairs for about 20 minutes and you should arrive at the Elephant Trail viewpoint, where most people will stop. I recommend that you continue a bit further to Xiangshan Six Rocks, which should only take you no more than 5 minutes from the viewpoint, for a better view of Taipei.
7. Eat Street Food at Ningxia Night Market
After a small hike, it's time to indulge yourself in the amazing street food of Taipei, and there is no better place to experience that than the Ningxia Night Market.
The Ningxia Night Market is well-known for its crowded street full of street food trucks, from the crispy fried chicken cutlets to the tasty rice sausage (Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang). The moment you enter the market, you know that you are in the middle of the Taiwanese street food craze, and there is no going back.
I've been to several other night markets in Taipei, but Ningxia is by far one of my favorites because they have a wider range of street food available for me to indulge myself in, in comparison to the others. You can spend hours and hours looking through all the possible food you can eat here.
To get to Ningxia Night Market, you will have to take the MRT Green Line to Zhongshan Station, take Exit 5, and follow the road west until you arrive at Jiancheng Circle before turning right to the night market. The Ningxia night market opens from 5 PM to 1 AM, so be sure to go there at the right time.
8. Snap the Best Shot of Taipei 101 at Lane 253, Songren Road at Night
If you still haven't had enough awesome photos from Taipei, I know the best place to capture the iconic Taipei 101. One of the best photo spots in Taipei is at the Lane 253, Songren Road in Xinyi District near the Takemura Izakaya restaurant.
This is the street where you can capture the iconic Taipei 101, positioned between two buildings, creating the symmetrical art that you see above. If you are interested in street photography, be sure to drop by Lane 253 at night to see Taipei 101 from this beautiful perspective.
To get to Lane 253, Songren Road, you will have to take the MRT Red line to Xiangshan Station, and follow the road just like how you get to the Elephant Trail. Instead of turning left at the end of the road, turn right and then turn left at the next intersection. The street should be on your left at the second intersection. To make it simple, simply make your way to Takemura Izakaya restaurant and you will be right at Lane 253.
9. Hike Around Yangmingshan National Park for a Day
If you have a day to spare, I would recommend that you spend that day hiking around Yangmingshan National Park, a full-blown nature park filled with attractions and hiking trails that will occupy your entire day.
Places to visit in Yangmingshan National Park are Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area, a post-volcanic geological landscape area with a few scenic trails you can explore, Qixingshan (Seven Star Mountain) Trail, a 5.7 km long hiking trail that will take you to the top of Qixingshan Main Peak, and Erziping, a recreational area full of forests and mountains, etc.
I made it to Yangmingshan National Park, but it was too rainy and cloudy, so I had to cut my trip short without seeing any of these places. Therefore, if you are planning to visit Yangmingshan National Park, be sure to check the weather forecast and avoid cloudy days if possible.
To get to Yangmingshan National Park, you will have to take the MRT Red Line to Jiantan Station, take Exit 1, and catch the bus at the bus stop on your left-hand side that is heading northward to Yangmingshan. You can take bus S15 or S17 from there to Yangmingshan station. The bus fare is 15 NTD, and the journey should take about 1 hour.
To get around Yangmingshan, you can take bus #108 that loops around the park every 20 - 40 minutes and costs 15 NTD per trip or 60 NTD for a day pass.
For more information about Yangmingshan Transportation, check out: Yangmingshan Bus Schedule.
10. Spend Half-Day at Shifen Old Town and Shifen Waterfall
Another awesome day trip you can do from Taipei is a visit to Shifen, home to the mystical Shifen Waterfall and Jiufen, a seaside old mountain village with streets full of lanterns, tea houses, and street food stalls for you to indulge yourself in.
You can spend the first half of your day exploring Shifen and its charming old town where the Pingxi train track runs through. Shifen is known for its floating lanterns that were used during the civil war by protectors of the city to signal people who ran away into the forest that it is now safe to return.
Nowadays, most people will write their wishes down onto the lantern, snap the iconic photo with the lantern on a train track, and set the floating lantern free, in hopes that the wish will come true.
Along the streets of Shifen Old Town, you will find many street food stalls and restaurants. So, you can also have breakfast or lunch here before heading out to Jiufen.
Another popular attraction in Shifen is the Shifen Waterfall, a beautiful 40m tall waterfall that is considered to be the most scenic waterfall in Taiwan. From Shifen Old Town, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to Shifen Waterfall through a scenic trail that takes you across some stunning suspension bridges.
Once you arrive at the waterfall, there are several small walking paths you can take to see Shifen Waterfall from a different angle. Be prepared to get wet the closer you are to the waterfall, as the splashes can be quite violent at times.
After spending a few hours in Shifen, you can backtrack your way to the Shifen train station and make your way to Jiufen.
To get from Taipei to Shifen, you will have to first take a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang via TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration), which should take around 42 minutes and cost 49 NTD per trip.
There are several trains per day starting at 5:30 AM and ending at 10:30 PM that leave from Taipei Main Station. If you have an EasyCard, you do not have to book a ticket. Simply tap the machine to enter the platform, make sure you are on the correct platform, take the train, and tap the card again at the destination to exit.
If you want to book the train to Ruifang, you can book it through the TRA app on Android or iOS or through the TRA official website.
After you arrive in Ruifang, you will have to transit to the Pingxi line and take the train to Shifen from Platform 3 by following the sign to the Pingxi Waiting Area. Hop on a train towards Jing Tong with train number 4722, which should stop at Shifen.
11. Spend Another Half-Day in Jiufen
After spending half a day in Shifen, you can continue your day to Jiufen, a beautiful old town that inspired the Japanese hit movie, Spirited Away.
Jiufen is a decommissioned gold mine town located on a mountain by the seaside, north of Taipei. The town is now known for its night markets full of delicious food to try, the maze of small lanes and alleyways full of history, and the beautiful A-MEI Tea House that inspired some scenes in the movie Spirited Away.
Jiufen old town is best visited during the late afternoon, around 4-5 PM, as the streets are still relatively empty and the restaurants and tea houses are opening.
Jiufen at 6 PM and beyond gets extremely crowded, to the point where there were times when no one could move for about 15 minutes. People would be stuck in the crowded intersection, which is why I would recommend visiting Jiufen earlier in the evening.
Most of the attractions, cafes, and street food stalls in Jiufen are all concentrated on Shuqi Road, so once you arrive at the Jiufen Old Town Bus Stop, continue up the road, and start exploring Jiufen Old Town from the small alleyway near 7-11.
To get from Shifen to Jiufen, you will have to take the train back from Shifen to Ruifang with the same train that took you there. Once you arrive at Ruifang Train Station, walk to the main road and follow the sign that says "Bus towards Jiufen" until you arrive at the Ruifang Industrial Vocational High School bus stop.
From the bus stop, you can then take either bus #960 or #788, which should drop you off at Jiufen Old Town Bus Stop. The bus will cost you 15 NTD and takes about 15 minutes.
Other Things to Do in Taipei
1. Hike the Teapot Mountain and Banpingshan Trail in Jiufen
If you have one more day in Taipei, I would recommend you come back to Jiufen and hike the Teapot Mountain and Banpingshan Trail, two of the best hikes you can do in Northern Taiwan that will reward you with a stunning view of the northern coastline of Taiwan.
The trail begins at the Gold Museum in Jiufen, and you will have to hike about 5.2 km for an hour before reaching Teapot Mountain. From the peak, it's another 20 minutes to Banpingshan.
For more information on how to hike the Teapot Mountain and Banpingshan Trail, check out: Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Teapot Mountain and Banpingshan Trail.
What to Eat and Drink in Taipei?
1. Try all the Street Food at a Night Market
I would need another post to list all the awesome street food in Taiwan that you should try while you are here. So, here is a summary of things you should try when visiting a night market in Taipei.
The Spring Onion Pancake (Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake) is one of my favorite street foods to eat. It's like a Taiwanese version of a sandwich, where you can choose the filling you want inside the crispy, tasty onion pancake. It can be found in almost every night market in the city, and it is a must-try when you are in Taipei.
Peanut Ice Cream Roll is another great dessert you should try. It's basically the burrito ice cream or a spring roll filled with ice cream, ground peanut candy, and cilantro. It may not sound that appealing, but trust me, when you try it, you will love it.
Taiwanese Sticky Rice Sausage is the Taiwanese version of hot dogs, but instead of a bun, glutinous rice is used. Additionally, instead of the regular hot dog, the Taiwanese sweet hot dog is used. It is something to look out for in a night market in Taipei.
As mentioned earlier, Ningxia Night Market is the place to be if you are looking to try all the street food in Taipei in one go. You can find all of the mentioned snacks above at Ningxia Night Market.
2. Try Xiao Long Bao (The Soupy Dumplings)
Another must-try food in Taiwan is Xiao Long Bao, a soup dumpling that will make your mouth water even before you chew it. Do not mistake Xiao Long Bao as just another Chinese dumpling.
The soft white steam bun of Xiao Long Bao is filled with a tasty soup that you either have to drink from or swallow whole to truly appreciate it. You can find Xiao Long Bao in most Taiwanese restaurants, as well as at some street food stalls in a night market.
3. Drink Pearl Milk Tea (Boba Tea)
One of the fanatic trends that swept throughout Asia in the past decade is the Boba Tea Craze (bubble/pearl milk tea), and it all originated from Taiwan, and you will regret not trying the Pearl Milk Tea at its birthplace.
Pearl Milk Tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that contains tea, milk flavors, and chewy tapioca balls, hence the name pearl/bubble tea. There are many varieties of pearl milk tea with a wide range of flavors that you can try. You should have no trouble finding a place to try this, as they are literally everywhere in Taiwan.
4. Fill Up with Taiwanese Taro Ball
Another popular dessert in Taiwan that you should try is the Taiwanese Taro Ball, a traditional Fujian dessert made of taro balls (mashed taro with water and flour) mixed with syrup and more.
Its soft, spongy taro balls, together with the mild sweetness of the syrup and flour, create one of the most iconic desserts in Taiwan. You can find Taro Balls at one of the first few restaurants when you enter Jiufen Old Town or you can find them in most night markets in Taipei.
How to Get to Taipei, Taiwan?
Most of the flights coming to Taiwan will arrive at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, and depending on where you are, there are several airlines you can fly with to Taipei.
From the US, there are several direct flights from big cities like New York and LA via United Airlines, or you can also fly directly to Taipei via EVA Airlines, its national carrier.
From within Europe, you can also fly directly via EVA Airlines or popular carriers like KLM or AirFrance to Taipei. You can also fly via Asian airlines like Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways, but you will have to transit in their respective home countries.
From Asia, traveling to Taiwan gets a lot easier and cheaper with several low-cost airlines operating this route from hub cities like Bangkok and Singapore. Lion Air, as well as AirAsia, has many flights flying from Bangkok/KL to Taipei every day, so you should have no problem finding one if you are planning to fly from Asia.
To find a cheap flight to Taipei, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
How to Get from Taipei Airport to the City Center?
From Taoyuan International Airport, there are two ways you can travel to the city: by bus and by the Metro. The easiest option is by taking bus #1819 from outside of the Airport Terminal 2, which will take you to Taipei Main Station.
By Bus
Bus #1819 runs 24 hours every 15-20 minutes during the day and once every hour in the early mornings (2 AM - 5 AM). The ticket can be bought at the ticket kiosk before you exit Terminal 2.
Simply follow the "Bus to City" sign until you find a line of ticket kiosks, where you can then buy the ticket. The ticket should cost you around 125 NTD, and the journey from the airport to Taipei Main Station should take around an hour.
You can find an updated bus timetable for bus #1819 from their official website here: Bus #1819 Timetable.
By MRT
You can also take the MRT (Taipei's metro system) to the city via the MRT's purple line, straight to Taipei Main Station, but it is often longer and a little less convenient, especially if you have a lot of luggage.
The journey should take about 1.5 hours, and it should cost you around 160 NTD. The last Express train and commuter train bound for Taipei Main Station are at 22:58 and 23:27, respectively.
I highly recommend that you buy an EasyCard at the airport and use it to travel by metro/bus instead of buying individual tickets, as it will be more convenient for you in the long run. Read more about the EasyCard under the "Traveling Around Taipei with EasyCard" section below.
Traveling Around Taipei with EasyCard
One of the best things about Taiwan is how easy it is to travel around the country, thanks to the adoption of the IC (Integrated Circuit) card. This card makes getting around Taipei, as well as around the country, such a breeze. Here's how it works:
EasyCard is a universal IC money card that can be used to pay for everything from buses to trains to groceries all over Taiwan. It makes traveling in Taiwan a whole lot easier for those of us who don't know Mandarin. I was able to travel the entire island on buses, trains, and the metro just by using the EasyCard.
To travel around Taipei with EasyCard, all you have to do is simply tap on the card reader machine when you get on and tap once again when you get off, and that's it. You have already paid for your transportation!
You can buy the EasyCard from the airport, any of the MRT stations in Taipei, or from any of the 7-Eleven or Family Mart convenience stores around the country.
The card should cost around 100 NTD, and you can then top up the card with more money from the ticket machines in all the MRT Metro Stations in Taipei or at 7-11 and Family Mart.
The amount of value deducted from the card will depend on the distance you have traveled, so be sure to have enough money on your EasyCard before the trip. Otherwise, you might have to buy the ticket directly from the bus driver instead.
How to Get Around Taipei, Taiwan?
With the introduction of EasyCard above, you should be able to travel around Taipei quite easily without having to deal with the language barrier. There are two main ways to get around Taipei: one is by the Metro/Trains and another is by bus, both accepting EasyCard.
Getting Around By Metro
For most of the places listed in this travel guide, you should be able to get to them by Metro. The price for a single-journey metro token ranges from 20 NTD to 65 NTD, depending on the distance.
To use the metro, you can either buy a token from the ticket booth or use EasyCard, as mentioned above, to pay for the Metro. Simply tap onto the machine when you enter the platform and tap once again at your destination, and the money will be deducted from the card automatically.
Getting Around By Bus
Some places that are further away from Taipei may require you to take the bus instead of the Metro, such as Yangmingshan and Jiufen/Shifen. Navigating a big city like Taipei by bus can be quite confusing.
Fortunately, Google Maps works really well at finding the bus route you need to take in Taiwan. So, if you find yourself unable to visit a place via the Metro, make sure to see if there is a bus going there on Google Maps.
To use Google Maps in Taiwan, all you have to do is punch in the destination you want to visit, and the app will suggest which bus route to take, where to take them, and at what time you have to be there.
Traveling on a bus in Taiwan is also quite straightforward. With EasyCard, all you have to do is get on the bus front door, tap the card on the card reader in front of the bus driver, and tap again when you get off, and the cost will be deducted automatically.
If you find yourself out of cash on your card, you can pay the bus driver directly in cash. The bus price in Taipei usually ranges from 15 NTD to 45 NTD, depending on how far you are traveling. Be sure to have the exact amount of cash, as most buses don't give change.
For the latest updated Taipei Metro Stations map, be sure to check their official website: Taipei Route Map & Timetables.
Getting Around by Bike
Taipei has one of the best city bike rental services I have seen so far. Along the roads near the Metro Stations in Taipei, you will find several orange Youbike bikes parked nearby, where you can rent for a day and explore the city on a two-wheeler.
To rent a bike, all you have to do is approach the bike rental dock control panel and, with EasyCard, tap the machine to take the bike. Now you have a bike to explore Taipei.
Once you are done, simply take it back to any of the bike stations around the city, tap the dock's control panel again to lock the bike, and the cost will be deducted from your card.
For more information on how to use Youbike in Taipei, be sure to check out their official website: Taipei's Youbike Rental Guide.
How Many Days to Spend in Taipei?
There is a lot to do in and around Taipei, and I found that having around 4 days minimum is a good enough time to see the city while allowing you to spend a few days exploring places outside Taipei. Here is a rough itinerary on what you can do in Taipei in 4 days:
Day 1: Spend your first day in Taipei visiting all the beautiful architecture in the city. Start your morning at Longshan Temple, followed by visiting the Red House, and then walk around the Ximending Shopping District.
In the evening, go and watch the sunset at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before visiting one of the many night markets, and end your first day.
Day 2: On your second day, you can visit Taipei 101, an iconic skyscraper, and then go hiking on the Elephant Trail for an incredible view of Taipei 101 and the city. Spend the rest of the day finding amazing cafes and enjoying the city vibe before ending your day at the Ningxia Night Market.
Day 3: Spend your third day exploring the beautiful natural attractions in Yangmingshan National Park.
Day 4: On your last day in Taipei, take the train north to Shifen and explore its old town and Shifen Waterfall in the morning, and end your day in the beautiful old town of Jiufen in the evening.
How Much Money Do I Need for Taipei?
With the 4-day Taipei itinerary above, we can estimate how much money you would need for the trip. The estimated costs of this itinerary are as follows:
Accommodation: With a total of 5 nights, you will be paying around 115 USD (3,446 NTD).
Food: A good meal in Taipei should cost about 115 NTD or around 345 NTD per day, so you will pay around 1,380 NTD for 4 days of food in total.
Transportation: When you first arrive, you will have to pay approximately 160 NTD for a transfer from the airport to the city center.
On average, the metro should cost around 40 NTD per trip, and you can expect to use the metro at least 5 times with this itinerary, so that's 200 NTD in total for the metro.
You will also have to pay for buses and trains to Yangmingshan, Shifen, and Jiufen, which should cost you around 100 NTD for all the round-trip buses and 152 NTD for roundtrip train tickets from Taipei to Ruifang. In total, you will pay around 252 NTD for transportation.
Activities: Fortunately, the things to do listed here are all free of charge, so you will unlikely be spending much on activities. 0 NTD for activities for this itinerary.
Total budget for 4 days in Taipei: 5,078 NTD (169.46 USD)
Is it Safe in Taipei?
Taiwan is probably one of the safest countries I've been to so far. You are unlikely to encounter any scammers, catcallers, or pickpockets in any of the cities you visit in Taiwan. That said, it is best to exercise precautions like keeping your belongings with you, just as you would when visiting any other big cities.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Taipei?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Taipei, Taiwan without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Taipei, Taiwan:
Taipei and Taiwan, in general, have one of the fastest public WIFI out there. You can find WIFI in almost every cafe and restaurant in Taipei. Most of the hostels I stayed in Taiwan have fast, reliable WIFI, and you could go by without having a local SIM card. However, if you wish to navigate the city by bus, I recommend getting a local SIM card at the airport upon your arrival.
I recommend Chungwa Telecom, one of the leading telecommunication carriers in Taiwan that offers several 4G unlimited unthrottled data packages with a price range from 300 NTD - 1,000 NTD.
You can find their kiosk among other carriers at the arrival hall at Taoyuan International Airport. Simply approach them, and they will show you the list of packages available from which you can pick. They will ask for your passport, pop the SIM card in for you, and within 2 minutes, you will have unlimited 4G data for your Taiwan trip.
I had 15 days in Taiwan, so I bought their 15-day unlimited data SIM card for 700 NTD (they also accept credit cards). I was able to get a 4G connection everywhere I went in the country. So, if you are looking for a reliable way to stay connected throughout your stay in Taiwan, be sure to get a local SIM card at the airport.
For more information about Taiwan's local SIM card: Taiwan Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Taipei, Taiwan?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Taipei, Taiwan:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan for Solo Travelers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Taipei, Taiwan! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Taipei, Taiwan independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Taiwan
Looking for more information about your trip to Taiwan? Here are a collection of articles about Taiwan that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Taiwan? Check out: 2-Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Taiwan.
- Looking to visit Taroko Gorge, one of the most pristine travel destinations in Taiwan? Check out: The Ultimate Backpacking Guide for Taroko Gorge
- Getting a view of the border between mountains and cities? How about taking a break at the beach-side town of Kenting? Discover the 9 Best Things to Do in Kenting.
- If Taroko is known for its gorges and rivers, Alishan is known for its forest and gigantic trees as old as Christendom. Here's a complete guide to Alishan: The Ultimate Backpacking Guide To Alishan
- Spend a day biking around the stunning Sun Moon Lake with The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Sun Moon Lake.
- Taiwan is known for the unmatched deliciousness of its street food. Here are Top 12 Street Food To Try In Taiwan.
- Looking for something more visual to convince you about visiting Taiwan? How about watching a Taiwan travel video? Turbo Taiwan
- Wondering where to go after Taiwan? How about you continue on to Japan and after, visit China?
- For all articles about Taiwan, visit the Taiwan Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to East Asia? Check out all my articles about East Asia here: East Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.