Taipei Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Taipei

Taipei is packed with food, culture and nature, all easily reached by metro.

• Taipei 101 — The landmark skyscraper, with an observatory offering sweeping views over the city and mountains.
• National Palace Museum — One of the world’s great collections of Chinese art, from jade and bronzes to paintings and calligraphy.
• Longshan Temple — A historic, ornate temple in Wanhua, busy with worshippers throughout the day.
• Night markets — Shilin and Raohe are among the best known, packed with snacks such as beef noodles, bubble tea and pepper buns.
• Elephant Mountain — A short but steep hike rewarding you with classic views of Taipei 101.
• Beitou hot springs — A leafy district of hot spring baths and resorts at the northern end of the metro.
• Maokong Gondola — A cable car ride up to hillside tea houses in the south of the city.

Best time to visit Taipei

Taipei has a humid subtropical climate. Autumn, from October to December, is often the most pleasant season, with warm, drier days ideal for walking and hiking. Spring, from March to May, is also comfortable, though it can be showery, and the hills come alive with blossom.

Summer, from June to September, is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms and a risk of typhoons, so keep plans flexible. Winter is mild but often grey and damp. Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival, long-established celebrations in January or February, bring decorations and events across the city, though some businesses close for the holidays.

Getting from the airport

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport lies about 40 km west of central Taipei, in neighbouring Taoyuan. The Taoyuan Airport MRT links both terminals with Taipei Main Station, with express services making the journey in under an hour.

Airport buses run to various hotels and districts in Taipei, and taxis are available from official ranks outside arrivals; the drive typically takes 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Taipei is also served by the smaller Songshan Airport in the city, used mainly for regional flights. Payment cards for the metro can be bought at the airport.

Where to stay

Taipei’s excellent metro means most areas are well connected, but each has its own character.

• Xinyi — Modern skyscrapers, shopping malls and upscale hotels around Taipei 101; ideal for business and luxury stays.
• Zhongzheng and Taipei Main Station — Central and convenient for transport, including the airport rail link.
• Ximending and Wanhua — Lively, youthful streets near Longshan Temple; suits budget travellers and shoppers.
• Da’an — Leafy and residential, with cafés, restaurants and Da’an Forest Park; good for longer stays.

Travel tips

• Money: Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and chain stores, but cash is still common at night markets and small eateries.
• Getting around: A rechargeable transport card works on the metro, buses and in many convenience stores.
• Etiquette: Eating and drinking are not allowed on the metro, and people queue in orderly lines on platforms.
• Weather: Carry an umbrella year-round, and follow official advice if a typhoon warning is issued.
• Language: Mandarin is the main language; signs on public transport are in English, and a translation app helps at markets.