Taipei Itinerary • The Finest Sights in 3 Days, 2 Nights

Let’s get one factor clear: Three days is just not sufficient to completely get pleasure from what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unimaginable vacation spot full of points of interest that would depart you wanting extra.

However hey, we perceive that not all vacationers have the posh of time. Maybe you’re a full-time worker who solely has a protracted weekend to spare for trip otherwise you’re touring to Taipei to attend a convention and wish to prolong their keep for a bit longer.

Don’t fear, it’s potential to expertise one of the best of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of one of the best boba milk tea when there’s a complete tank of it in entrance of you. However with its extremely developed amenities and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of town even in such a brief interval.

Notice: Because you solely have three days, this information stays strictly inside Taipei Metropolis and we’re not venturing out. However Taipei Metropolis alone is so full of sights, sounds, and flavors that it might fill a protracted weekend effortlessly.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING

In the event you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you will have two major public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.

BY MRT

Each Terminals 1 and a couple of have their very own MRT Station:

• Terminal 1: A12 Station
  Terminal 2: A13 Station
• Working hours: round 6am to 10:55 pm
  Journey time: 37 minutes (if Categorical)
  Fare: NT$150

You could find extra data right here.

BY BUS

In the event you’re arriving outdoors the MRT working interval otherwise you merely want the bus, head over to the bus counters near the Arrival Corridor of the airport. These buses are operated by numerous firms, and journey time and fare fluctuate relying in your route and vacation spot. However listed below are some tough estimates:

• Journey time: 60-90 minutes
• Fare: NT$ 125-160

Extra particular data right here.

In the event you’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then examine in to your resort room. In any other case, simply drop your luggage for now and let’s begin exploring immediately!

Our first and solely cease for right now is Ximending. Fear not, there’s so much to see and do right here!

Typically referred to as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, avenue performers, and retailers bursting with knick-knacks you by no means knew you wanted. This neighborhood is the place Taipei’s youth come to flex, snack, and store until they drop. It has an virtually electrical vitality to it. So get your recreation face on, and let’s head out to discover one in all Taipei’s most vibrant districts.

Rainbow Street

In the event you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that can greet you is the Rainbow Street, due to its row of colours and the group that type subsequent to it, making an attempt to take their IG photographs.

It isn’t only a street-—it’s a press release! These colours splashed throughout the pavement turned an peculiar crosswalk right into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Street is Taipei’s daring high-five to the neighborhood, displaying off its delight with each vivid stripe.

Whether or not you’re right here to have a good time, present assist, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this street virtually waves at you for a pic. Individuals flock right here, cameras in hand, able to immortalize their second in all that colourful glory. Photobombs are inevitable, however that’s a part of the problem!

More often than not, avenue performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the standard singers, bands, and dancers, however once in a while you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that can make you cease and keep a bit longer.

The Pink Home

Cross the adjoining street and also you’ll be greeted by the Pink House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related by means of many years of reinvention. Inbuilt 1908, this octagonal red-brick constructing has worn many hats: a theater, a market, and now a museum-slash-shop. Step inside, and also you’ll discover indie craft stalls, LGBTQ+ pleasant areas, and native art work that put a contemporary twist on this previous magnificence. You may end up questioning why your hometown can’t protect historical past with this a lot swag.

Our final go to coincided with Pleasure Month celebrations, so the ambiance was far more fab and festive and there have been plenty of freebies round.

Pop Mart Flagship Retailer

Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, the place cabinets groan underneath the burden of collectibles that’ll drain your pockets however heal your inside baby.

Recognized for its lovely collectible figurines and trinkets, this place is floor zero for these trying to snag a unusual memento particularly of Labubu, the now insanely widespread and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. These serrated tooth and mischievous look don’t cease folks from falling in love with it or, no less than, leaping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favourite, there’s all the time a crowd constructing in entrance of this pop mart retailer. Each one is hoping to get their fingers on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the worth resellers are charging again residence. And sure, Labubu gadgets, particularly the plush key chains, had been offered out after we visited.

Some don’t perceive why it’s so widespread and a few say it’s only a fad, however we wished to know so we joined the enjoyable and bought three thriller packing containers at one other Pop Mart store. And sure, they’re so cute and we could or could not get extra subsequent time we had the possibility.

Dinner

It’s time for dinner, and Ximending is a feast for each finances and style. We’ll be mentioning three meals spots right here, however we really tried extra.

• Funds Choice: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is avenue meals at its best—no seats, simply seize a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavour. It’s solely NT$ 60 per small serving, but it surely’s actually, actually tasty. No marvel there’s all the time a loooong queue right here. Each silky serving is topped with a little bit of offal, which surprisingly didn’t have any hint of gutsy scent or aftertaste. Even Vins, who doesn’t usually like consuming innards, discovered it scrumptious and wished to have one other bowl. It’s much more flavorful while you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is offered for self-service on a station on the aspect.



• Mid-Vary Choice: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go all the way down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals court docket. However look particularly for Lao Shan Dong Do-it-yourself Noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. This humble institution has been serving bowls of piping scorching beef noodles since 1949; it’s a Ximending establishment. The place was packed after we visited. Vins ordered the meat brisket noodle soup whereas I had the so-called “three treasures” noodle soup, which had brisket, tendon, and tripe. We may simply inform that the noodles had been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly lower. It was agency, simply the best way I favored it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re recognized for his or her dumplings, too!



• Splurge Choice: In the event you’re with a bunch (household or pals) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and wish to go huge, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Scorching Pot, a scorching pot spot that may make any emperor proud. Whereas ready on your desk, you possibly can attempt on elaborate costumes to essentially embrace the royal theme of the place. You’ll be able to attempt on conventional Chinese language-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historical dynasties and channel your inside emperor or empress. It’s not day by day you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready on your broth to boil, so we grabbed the possibility. The workers was comfortable to snap images, so it’s an awesome alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The entire expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.

  Ah sure, let’s discuss concerning the meals. They provide a wide array of contemporary components — prime cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies — all ready to be dunked in both a homey clear broth or the additional savory and spicy mala soup. After you’ve feasted on all of the proteins, you possibly can dive right into a freezer stuffed with Häagen-Dazs flavors to high all of it off. They’ve 16 flavors, and it’s all yours to get pleasure from. I had caramel biscuit and mango raspberry! We’ll be breaking down this eating expertise in one other article.

After your meal, discover this tiny stall promoting freshly fried Crispy Milk Donut (NT$ 40). You may need to attend in line for a bit too, however that’s often the case for something scrumptious as of late.

Boba Milk Tea

Wash your dinner down with a cup of milk tea. However as you already know, Taiwan is the land of boba, so it could be arduous to decide on which one to attempt even right here in Ximending.

• Each single Taipei native we now have met recommends 50 Lan’s boba milk tea (NT$ 60), recognizable by its yellow and blue branding. It’s a sequence, and also you’ll discover a few branches in Ximending. 50 Lan’s model is basic – no frills, no gimmicks, only a completely balanced mix, with simply the proper sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. That is additionally one of the best milk tea for us.
• However most vacationers appear to be magnetized by the loud and flashy Xing Fu Tang flagship retailer. You received’t miss it as a result of there’s a lengthy queue any time of the day. It’s arduous to not be drawn to it as a result of they cook dinner the pearls within the open. We’ve tried their basic boba milk tea earlier than, however on our most up-to-date journey, we had its best-selling signature brown sugar boba milk (NT$ 120), one thing I used to be ready to hate due to its extreme value, however was really very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on high add a little bit of playfulness to the sleek milky drink.
• In the event you’d somewhat have it as an icy dessert, head over to Kenting Dan Dan Duai Nai, the place they serve milk tea within the type of a shave ice deal with.

Taipei Cinema Park & Graffiti Spots

Finish your night time with a stroll by means of Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for good Instagram backdrops. It’s avenue artwork galore, with painted masterpieces that vary from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and absorb this cool, colourful vibe on this typically uncrowded part of Ximending.

You’ll additionally discover Wow Land, a claw machine heaven! There are numerous claw machines in Taipei; you’ll see them all over the place. However what makes these specific machines exceptional is that you may really win one thing when you have the ability. It’s not rigged, or no less than not as rigged because the others! After we enter this place, we by no means go away empty-handed!

And that’s it for Day 1. I instructed you, it’s a bit packed, however buckle up as a result of we’ve solely simply began.

DAY 2: BEITOU & SHILIN

Immediately, we’ll be exploring two of Taipei’s most fascinating districts: Shilin and Beitou.

Beitou Thermal Valley

Begin Day 2 with a go to to Beitou Thermal Valley for the mist that rises eerily from inexperienced sulfuric waters.

Whenever you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, the place you possibly can really feel the water and provides your fingers a shower. However as you stroll deeper, you’ll finally see the steamy scorching springs that appear like nature’s large cauldron. When you can’t take a dip right here, it’s mesmerizing to look at. Stroll round it, catch that sulfur-scented air, and soak within the barely mystical ambiance.

Earlier than going, attempt some tea eggs, offered by retailers in entrance of the doorway, for very gentle however on-theme breakfast. Then stroll to your proper for 10 minutes to our subsequent cease.

Beitou Scorching Springs Museum

Step again in time on the Beitou Scorching Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. Inbuilt 1913, this well-preserved architectural allure showcases the golden age of scorching springs in Beitou, together with a large tub the place company as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s a phenomenal, nostalgic slice of previous Taiwan and makes you respect the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy previous.

After we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese college kids on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than normal. However in any other case, it’s often very chill and enjoyable. As in any onsen, you’ll need to take away your footwear and deposit them in lockers. Placed on the supplied slippers and comply with the marked path across the museum.

After this, it’s time for lunch. Determine whether or not you need a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your approach by means of a meals market!

• In the event you go for beef noodles, proceed to Su Jia. enter this in your Google Maps app: 粟家牛肉麵. You’ll discover two outcomes. Select the one alongside Yongxing Avenue. You must attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
• In the event you’d somewhat stroll and munch on the similar time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s nearer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.

Lunch Choice A: Su Jia Beef Noodles

It’s beef noodle time (once more!) —Taiwan’s soul meals in a bowl.

Su Jia makes use of noodles which might be agency and chewy, drowned in a wealthy broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the identical three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. However when you’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).

We liked how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with loads of meat nonetheless hooked up to it. If I examine it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat recreation simply, however Lao Shandong had extra flavorful broth. Nevertheless it was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl general. Don’t be stunned if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.

In the event you’re not within the temper for one more serving to of beef noodles or when you’ve obtained room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s all the time room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!

Lunch Choice B: Beitou Market

Beitou Market is a type of locations the place you are feeling like a neighborhood, buying shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.

One of many largest attracts of Beitou Market is the number of avenue meals stalls providing every thing from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. In the event you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s scorching springs, it’s a incredible place to seize a fast, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, sure—-lest I forget-—dessert! Right here, you possibly can pattern quirky native treats, like mushy pastries stuffed with pink bean or egg custard, or chewy mochi balls.

From the Beitou Market, take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station (Fare: NT$25; Journey time: 11 minutes) and catch Bus R30 to achieve our subsequent cease, the Nationwide Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 11 minutes).

Nationwide Palace Museum

Time for some tradition! The Nationwide Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 items, it’s like stepping right into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, stuffed with intricately crafted jade carvings, gorgeous calligraphy, and fantastically preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese language tradition.

However right here’s the factor. It’s a giant museum – enormous! And it’s simple to get misplaced in its galleries. And if you wish to see each single piece on show, you’ll in all probability want greater than a day. So plan your go to correctly. Analysis which items you wish to see and discover them.

In our case, we let this Google Arts and Tradition article cleared the path.

It listed out six of the must-see items inside and we made them our northern stars:

• Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
• Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell manufactured from bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
• Bi and Cong, utilized in rituals by the traditional Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
• Ceramic polo gamers, collectible figurines of feminine polo gamers within the Tang dynasty
• Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly real looking.
• Meat-shaped stone, created from jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach

After all, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the best way. However to make our go to extra fascinating, we used the record above as our objectives.

• If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting possibility when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – accomplish that. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Simply look forward to time for dinner and head on to Shilin Evening Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Journey time: 15-25 minutes).
• However when you really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and vitality, squeeze in a go to to the subsequent cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Power Headquarters (Fare: NT$ 15; Journey time: 12 minutes) after which stroll for 14 minutes to the Martyr’s Shrine.

Martyr’s Shrine

The Nationwide Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine is sort of a mini-palace devoted to fallen heroes. Inbuilt conventional Chinese language architectural fashion, it’s a grand tribute to the troopers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is gorgeous and peaceable, a pleasant breather after all of the sightseeing.

Catch the altering of the guards, which occurs on high of each hour from 9AM-5PM. It’s a powerful ceremony the place guards in crisp uniforms carry out their routine with army precision. An analogous routine occurs on the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, however this one is prolonged since you get to look at them stroll your entire size of the positioning – from the doorway to the shrine and again.

To get to Shilin Evening Market from right here, take Bus 902 or R3 to Mingchuan College (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 5-7 minutes) and stroll for 7 minutes to our last cease of the day.

Shilin Evening Market

No day in Taipei is full and not using a night time market, and Shilin Evening Market is the granddaddy of all of them. Whereas the basement meals court docket is underneath renovation, there’s nonetheless a lot to eat. Right here, essentially the most well-known is Scorching-Star Giant Fried Hen, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion really useful one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Hen (NT$100).

Like Scorching-Star, there’s additionally a queue that kinds towards it, and it’s additionally a large piece of breaded hen cutlet. However this one is basically juicy and full of complicated flavors, caused by its sophisticated cooking course of. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded earlier than getting deep fried. After which – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, but it surely all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! One of the best fried hen we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, however nonetheless.

When you’ve had your ji pai repair, stroll a bit to Good Good friend Chilly Noodles to have your dose of carbs, within the type of chilly noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Huge: NT$70). Good Good friend serves bowls which might be oddly refreshing, one thing we desperately wanted after hours of simply strolling round Taipei.

It’s deceptively easy: skinny, bouncy noodles, doused with a wealthy, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for further crunch, and a touch of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s easy, sure, however low cost, filling, and scrumptious. Sure, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.

With this, time to name it a day! Head again to your resort, sleep tight, and put together on your final day in Taipei!

DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS

Begin your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your resort. You’ll be able to stash your luggage on the resort reception or discover a metro station locker and decide it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a go to to a few of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.

You are able to do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.

• By MRT. Put together NT$ 20-25 per approach. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It should let you know the instructions together with which MRT line to take and which station to alight at.
• By Sightseeing Bus. A 4-hour cross usually prices NT$330 when you purchase on the bus itself. In the event you e-book with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you are going to buy tickets on the bus itself and you utilize Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So that you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.

✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!

You’ll be able to catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Principal Station, simply outdoors EXIT M4. There’s a marked bus cease there. From right here, hop on the bus and get off at your first cease of the day.

Lungshan Temple

Begin with town’s most well-known, Lungshan Temple, a masterpiece of conventional design and non secular vitality. Inbuilt 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World Conflict II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate picket carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to hope right here day by day.

One factor I seen is that there aren’t any incense sticks right here. Apparently, it was banned by the administration to enhance the air high quality within the space. As an alternative, worshippers could place different choices on the desk.

Entrance Price: FREE
Hours open: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor

This grand memorial honors Chiang Kai-shek, that is Taipei’s assertion piece with huge white partitions, hanging blue-tiled roof, an unlimited bronze statue of Taiwan’s former chief. Inside, study his life and legacy whereas marveling on the structure. Remember to catch the altering of the guard right here, too.

Entrance Price: FREE
Hours Open: 9:00 AM to six:00 PM

Taipei 101

The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over town like a large bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese language takeout packing containers. Whether or not you go up or simply admire it from the surface, Taipei 101 is a sight to behold.

At 508 meters tall, this was as soon as the tallest constructing on the planet. It not holds the report, but it surely’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that permits sweeping panoramic views of town. Right here’s a recreation: when you’re atop Taipei 101, attempt to discover the opposite landmarks and points of interest that you’ve visited on this journey. Begin with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the simplest to identify!

One other fascinating to catch a glimpse of right here is its tuned mass damper, which stabilizes and retains the constructing standing and a reminder of Taipei 101’s resilience. It additionally homes places of work and retail retailers.

Talking of retailers, simply near Taipei 101 is a fancy of buying malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. In the event you nonetheless have time, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day buying. In the event you don’t, then decide up your baggage and head to the airport!

Departure

And identical to that, you’ve conquered Taipei. Three days is extra like a whirlwind romance, brief and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. However that ought to provide you with a cause to e-book one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!

The place to Keep in Taipei

Right here’s a listing of the accommodations and hostels we tried in Taipei:

Seek for extra Taipei Inns!