I lately determined to revamp my Taipei itinerary, at first as a result of I referred to as this unimaginable metropolis house for almost two years. For sure, I do know Taipei much more intimately than I did after I first created this submit.
Over the previous 18 months I resided within the Taiwanese capital, I explored Taipei sights starting from the mainstream to the obscure, and gotten to know the town from the attitude of each a neighborhood and a vacationer. Specifically, I’ve thought lengthy and arduous about what number of days in Taipei it is best to spend, relying not solely upon what you need to do right here, however certainly how lengthy you will have in Taiwan as an entire.
And I do hope you’ll stay on this magnificent island for some time, whether or not you spend simply 5 days in Taiwan, or keep many months like I did. Taiwan is a very particular place—that was true even earlier than it compelled me to reside there so long as I did.
The place to Keep in Taipei
No matter what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending, discovering the appropriate place to remain (each neighborhood, in addition to appropriate lodging) is vital. I’ll begin by saying that Taipei is likely one of the solely cities on the earth the place I favor staying in residences as an alternative of lodges. Whereas sure properties similar to W Taipei are stylish, snug and centrally-located, I discover that lodges in Taipei (and Taiwan generally) depart quite a bit to be desired.
So far as the place in Taipei it is best to start your Airbnb search, I’m of a pair completely different minds. If you wish to keep someplace that’s each centrally-located and quiet, the Da’an and Zhongzheng districts close to the MRT stations of Dongmen and Guting are an awesome place to look. Should you favor to be in the midst of the motion (and to really feel prefer it as effectively), you’ll as an alternative need to discover spots close to Ximen, Taipei Principal Station or Taipei Metropolis Corridor.
High Issues to Do in Taipei
Discover Taipei Landmarks
When deciding what number of days to spend in Taipei, you need to assume you’ll want at the very least 24 hours on the vacationer path, as a lot as one exists right here. Taipei’s most well-known landmarks sit on both finish of Xinyi Street, with Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor at its western terminus, Taipei 101 on the japanese finish and luxurious Da’an Forest Park proper within the center. Close to CKS Corridor, you may as well discover the 228 Martyrs Memorial Park (devoted, considerably paradoxically, to patriots whose slaughter Chiang himself ordered), whereas the upmarket Breeze Xinyi buying district awaits when you’ve descended from the observatory of the previous tallest constructing on the earth. My favourite Taipei museums, in the meantime, embody the superb Taipei Wonderful Arts Museum in Yuanshan and the Nationwide Palace Museum, accessible by bus from Shilin station.
Devour Taipei Meals (in Evening Markets and Elsewhere)
Vacationer traps apart, meals is one other consideration to make when deciding how lengthy to spend in Taipei. Many journey guides veer closely towards recommending Taipei evening markets, such because the well-known one in Shilin and extra obscure choices like Raohe Avenue in Songshan and Shida in Guting. I don’t thoughts these markets, however I do favor a sit-down meal in areas like Yongkang Avenue (which is house to the unique Din Tai Fung—and loads of cheaper, tastier alternate options). In Shipai, in the meantime, which is a pair stops north of Shilin, you’ll discover Angelica, whose duck rice (and duck meatball soup—don’t overlook to order this!) lives as much as its beatific title.
One other foodie vacation spot to discover in Taipei, what number of days you determine to spend right here however, is the Ximending pedestrian space. I’ll encourage you to observe your tastebuds to some extent, however it would be best to be sure you search out cong bing scallion pancakes, Taiwanese-style fried rooster and naturally, bubble milk tea. (There are many spots to eat every of those—TIP: the longest traces don’t at all times correspond with the perfect style!) Ximen’s Pink Home can be the homosexual hub of Taipei, and is value a go to (or a drink) even if you happen to aren’t a member of the LGBT group.
Say Your Prayers in Taipei Temples
When contemplating the query of what number of days, Taipei temples are one thing else I take into consideration. Essentially the most well-known temple in Taipei might be Longshan Temple in Ximen, however I additionally wish to discover temples round Yuanshan station, similar to Taipei Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple. A extra obscure possibility could be Jieyun Temple within the Banqiao space of New Taipei Metropolis, whereas lovers (Chinese language-speaking ones any method) have a tendency to go to Xiahai “Metropolis God” Temple alongside Dihua Avenue, a paradise of historic structure a stone’s throw from the Dadaocheng Wharf sundown spot.
Take Wonderful Taipei Hikes
Taipei is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes the town and its environs a hiker’s paradise. The preferred Taipei hike might be Xiangshan mountain, accessible through the MRT station of the identical title, the place you possibly can take pleasure in a tremendous view of Taipei 101 and the remainder of the skyline. One other nice (however lesser identified) Taipei viewpoint is Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang in Neihu—Taipei Metropolis seems to be simply beautiful framed by the phoenixes of a conventional Taiwanese temple. Mountain climbing sizzling spots even farther outdoors the town embody Seven Stars Mountain in Yangmingshan Nationwide Park, and the assorted trails beneath the Maokong Gondola close to Taipei Zoo. Relying upon how lengthy in Taipei you spend, you possibly can fill a number of days with mountain climbing!
Wish to watch airplanes land at Songshan Airport? One other favourite Taipei hike of mine is to Lao Di Fang Lookout. You may write this as “老地方觀景平台” in Chinese language, assuming you like to take an Uber as an alternative of mountain climbing from Jiantan station. (TIP: So as get unimaginable pictures just like the one I did above, make certain to deliver zoom lens!)
I’ve written a separate Taipei day journey itinerary, however I’ll define a few of the finest choices right here. Extra standard day journeys from Taipei embody Jiufen Previous Avenue, Miaokou Evening Market and Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, the “Queen’s Head” rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, Beitou sizzling springs space and Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf. Extra avant-garde choices, notably in case your time on the island exceeds a Taiwan itinerary 5 days in size, embody the aboriginal city of Wulai and Quanhua Temple, the latter of which you’ll attain through rare bus service from HSR Hsinchu Station, or extra conveniently with your personal rental automobile.
How Many Days Ought to You Spend in Taipei?
I haven’t but addressed the subject of what number of days in Taipei it is best to spend, at the very least in a roundabout way, as a result of I needed you to first get an concept of the depth and breadth of issues to do right here. Again after I first visited Taiwan, I normally really useful 3 days in Taipei: One for sightseeing, one for mountain climbing and one to take a day journey. I nonetheless assume this can be a good plan, notably if you happen to don’t have a very long time in Taiwan as an entire, although it’s not utterly optimum.
When to Go to Taipei
The most effective time to go to Taipei, for many vacationers, is each time you possibly can handle to come back right here. Taipei doesn’t get tremendous chilly within the winter (or, by the requirements of sub-tropical Asia, all that sizzling in the summertime); rain is feasible three hundred and sixty five days per yr, so umbrella is extra essential than an expectation for solar. With this being stated, sure components of the yr are higher for visiting Taipei than others. Should you’re homosexual, for instance, you’ll most likely need to go to in October, when Taipei Delight (Asia’s largest and, because the legalization of homosexual marriage in Taiwan, its most essential) takes place.
Alternatively, you’ll most likely need to keep away from Chinese language New 12 months, which takes place in late January or early February, as this era can see Taipei uncomfortably crowded. Right here once more, nonetheless, is why it’s good to be as versatile as you possibly can with regard to how lengthy to remain in Taipei. The extra days you will have in Taipei (and certainly, in Taiwan as an entire), the much less you’ll be affected by dangerous climate or unruly crowds!
Different FAQ About Planning a Taipei Itinerary
What number of days in Taipei is sufficient?
I lived in Taipei for greater than a yr, so I’m not what you’ll name an goal supply on this. Even after greater than three hundred and sixty five days in Taipei, I nonetheless didn’t sort out my whole bucket checklist! With this being stated, I’d say that the majority vacationers can get by with 2-3 days in Taipei at the start of their Taiwan journeys, after which one other day or two on the finish.
The Backside Line
This Taipei itinerary will assist you take advantage of Taiwan’s capital, even if you happen to don’t find yourself transferring right here like I did, and regardless of what number of days in Taipei you find yourself spending. Whether or not you go to Taipei landmarks like Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor, hike to viewpoints like Elephant Mountain and Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang or just eat your method by way of the Ximending pedestrian space and Raohe Avenue Evening Market, Taipei will shortly really feel like house.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications similar to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Depart Your Each day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.
