10 Taipei Attractions & Popular Places to See in Taiwan

Taipei, the vibrant capital of Taiwan, is a fascinating blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation. Nestled between lush green mountains and infused with rich cultural history, this dynamic city offers an unforgettable travel experience for every type of adventurer. Whether you’re drawn to bustling night markets, serene temples, or cutting-edge architecture, Taipei delivers a colorful mix of sights, flavors, and experiences that make it one of Asia’s most underrated destinations.

In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through 10 of the most compelling attractions in Taipei—each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s diverse character. We’ll explore the creative energy of Huashan 1914 Creative Park, pay tribute to history at the National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, and dive into the electric atmosphere of Shilin Night Market. You’ll step back in time at the National Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, and Mengchia Chingshui Temple, and encounter the more curious side of Taipei at Snake Alley. From soaking in history at the Beitou Hot Springs Museum to finding tranquility at Fagushan Nongchan Temple, and marveling at the iconic Taipei 101, this guide has you covered.

We’ll also share insights on the best time to visit Taipei, so you can make the most of your trip, and round out your adventure with a curated list of restaurants in Taipei that deserve your attention. Let’s dive into the heart of Taiwan’s capital and discover what makes Taipei so special.

1. Taipei Attractions | Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Once a privately owned winery during Japan’s rule over the city, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is now a picturesque recreation spot complete with perfectly manicured lawns, art centers, and more. This is a place that inspires creativity and encourages locals as well as guests to explore their inner artists and learn about the culture of Taipei.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is located at No.1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District and offers a variety of activities that are geared toward the artistic mind. Whether you want to discover an up and coming artist, or learn how to create works of art like the residents of Taipei do, you are sure to discover something fascinating when you visit this park. Be sure to check the park’s website when planning your trip to see if there is an event or concert going on while you are in town.

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2. Taipei Attractions | National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Standing tall in the center of the city, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is an iconic monument of the city that pays tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen – the founder of the Republic of China. This stunning building represents a historic period when Taiwan was ruled by the Qing Dynasty, and it invites visitors to take a closer look inside.

Adorned in ornate architecture that showcases the Chinese influence of the area, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall was constructed in 1972 and is a hub that hosts cultural activities and events throughout the year. Within the building, you will find an assortment of artifacts and displays that tell about the history and accomplishments of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen throughout his life. National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is located at No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Xinyi District, and has manicured lawns, colorful adornments, and pristine gardens that beg to be explored further.

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3. Taipei Attractions | Shilin Night Market

A true culinary and unique gift wonderland for those who want to explore the inner depths of the Taiwanese culture, Shilin Night Market is an extraordinary experience that will not disappoint. If you have ever wanted to explore the iconic night market scene of Taipei, this night market is the place to go. It is the biggest night market the city has to offer and is most popular with international tourists to the area.

Shilin Night Market is located at No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, and opens at 4pm daily for your shopping and dining pleasure. This particular market has around 540 vendor stalls that sell everything from cheap baseball caps to air dried fish and stinky tofu snacks. When visiting this night market, you will want to ensure you have at least a couple of free hours to spare so you can take it all in. Shilin Night Market offers a large assortment of homemade food items that will call upon you to try them all.

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4. Taipei Attractions | National Palace Museum

Home to one of the largest historic artifact collections in the world, the National Palace Museum is an attraction you do not want to miss. This museum is home to over 700,000 pieces of history that date back to ancient times and is a place where people of all ages can learn something new. Whether you are into art, historic hand tools, cooking memorabilia, or something in between, there is an exhibit within this museum that will make you stand in awe.

The National Palace Museum is open daily from 8:30am-6:30pm, and offers special extension hours during the peak travel seasons. You will find the museum at No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, in the heart of the city. The National Palace Museum is made up of several branch buildings that you can explore on your own or take a tour with an expert historian. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make it through all of the fascinating exhibits located at this museum. Once you are done exploring the inside, you can head out to the gardens that make up the property and reflect on history while you relax in nature.

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5. Taipei Attractions | Longshan Temple

Regarded as the captivating prized-possession of the city of Taipei, Longshan Temple is famously decked out in detailed architecture that will take your breath away. The temple was constructed in 1738 and features a variety of intricate design work and colorful embellishments and art.

Longshan Temple is located at No.211 Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, in the heart of Longshan District and attracts visitors from near and far each year to marvel at its exquisite beauty. You can explore the temple for free, but it is recommended that you bring a monetary donation with you to contribute to the ongoing care and upkeep of the facility. Once inside, you can explore the two buildings and check out the religious artifacts contained within.

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6. Taipei Attractions | Snake Alley

Known for its seedy pornographic history, unique assortment of local delicacies, and a flair for the bold and bizarre, Snake Alley is for those who want to experience all of the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas style night while visiting downtown Taipei. Snake Alley is frequented among tourists who want to be impressed by over the top attractions and those who are looking for an authentic Taiwanese meal in a coveted night market setting.

Snake Alley is located at Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, and opens at 4pm daily. Locals to the area, also refer to this market as Huaxi Street Night Market. At the market, you will find vendors selling flavorful bowls of snake soup, as well as an assortment of skewered food and snacks encased in fried breading. After getting your fill on the local cuisine, you can wander into one of the many shops and get yourself some cheap clothing, enjoy a Chinese massage, or even have a fortune teller give you a glimpse into the future.

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7. Taipei Attractions | Mengchia Chingshui Temple

Built in honor of the God Qingshui Zushi, who saved the city of Taipei from drought during ancient times, Mengchia Chingshui Temple is a must see attraction for those who have a profound love of history and beautiful things. This temple is smaller in size than some of the other famous temples of the city, but is still impressive none the less.

Mengchia Chingshui Temple is located at No.81 Kangding Road, Wanhua District and is open until 9pm daily so you can visit it at a time that works best for you. The temple features an ornately carved roof and exterior facade that has architecture that pays tribute to the Qing Dynasty. Once you go inside, you can learn about the famous God in the temple’s honor and check out historic relics from centuries ago.

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8. Taipei Attractions | Taipei 101

Once known as the tallest building in the entire world, Taipei 101 is a relatively new building to the world’s massive skyscraper scene, and features a postmodernist look and feel to it. The building was constructed in such a way that it brings the best of classic Asian design with modern Western influences. This building is home to 101 above ground floors that host offices, restaurants, business centers, observatories, and more.

Taipei 101 is located at No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, right in the heart of the city. No matter where you are coming from, you will not miss this majestic cascading structure. If you have a love of shopping and hanging out at the mall, the base of the tower is comprised of a modern shopping mall that is filled with upscale stores and fine dining opportunities. You can ride up one of the supercharged elevators and check out the observation deck on the 89th floor, the whole ride will take you less than 45 seconds. Once you get to the observation deck, you will be mesmerized by the view you are in for! This attraction is a must for your itinerary when you visit the city.

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9. Taipei Attractions | Beitou Hot Springs Museum

Constructed in honor of traditional Roman bathhouses, Beitou Hot Springs Museum pays tribute to the art of natural healing and beauty treatments in the region. The building the museum sits in was constructed in 1913 and is adorned in traditional Japanese architecture that embodies the essence of the Japanese rule of the time. The museum is meant to be a relaxing retreat for travel weary visitors.

You will find Beitou Hot Springs Museum at No. 2, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District in the heart of the mountains that overlook the city. This region is filled with bathhouses and relaxation spas that utilize the natural milky spring water of the area. The Museum is free to all, and is open daily for you to stop by and pay a visit. Once inside, you can take in a lecture or an event in the auditorium, partake in an art or cultural event, check out the exhibits, or even relax in the lobby. Be sure to check out the mineral room on the first floor of the museum as it is a local treasure.

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10. Taipei Attractions | Fagushan Nongchan Temple

A place of utter and complete zen, Fagushan Nongchan Temple is a place where you can go and pay respects to a former monastery society that lived completely off the land. It is an interesting fortress where you can learn about culture, religion, and the pursuit of personal purity. The building and surrounding wall were dreamed up in the 1960s and became a reality to the region by 1975. It was to be a place where traditional Buddhist teachings were practiced.

You will find Fagushan Nongchan Temple at No.89, Lane 65 Daye Road, Baitou, and the temple is open from 9am-5pm daily. The temple and surrounding structures are constructed on concrete materials and it boasts a modern zen like atmosphere that is perfect for promoting relaxation. Learn how religion was taught though the art of self sustaining practices when you visit this temple.

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Best Time to Visit Taipei

Taipei enjoys a tropical environment, much like other countries in Asia. If you are planning a trip to this city, it is best if you plan your trip during the fall, winter, and spring months when the temperatures are cooler. Taipei has summers that are hot and humid, and may be uncomfortable for those who are sensitive to heat. When the weather is cold and snowy in many areas of the globe, you will get to bask in temperatures that rarely go below 55°F during the winter months.

When you plan your trip to Taipei during the fall and winter months, you will avoid all of the tourist traffic that is prevalent during the spring and summer months. Taipei is gaining popularity among “summer vacationers” in pursuit of a warm weather getaway that is cheap on the pocketbook. Plan your trip during the tourism off-season and you are likely to save a lot of money on airfare, hotels, attraction entrance fees and more.

Restaurants in Taipei that Deserve your Attention

Are you looking for something delicious to eat while you are visiting? Perhaps you would like to know the secret spot where all the locals eat? Whether you are a self-proclaimed foodie or just want to fully immerse yourself in the culture of Taipei there are several delectable restaurants that deserve your attention!

Yen Taipei

Located at 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Yen Taipei is an authentic Taiwanese restaurant that does not hold back when it comes to flavor and food presentation. This is a fine dining restaurant where you will need reservations just to get in the front door. The dress code is clean casual and the ambiance of the restaurant is modern, yet elegant. You can dine on local favorites like Dim Sum, rib-eye steak and asparagus, or even taro steamed custard cake. The restaurant is open until 9pm daily.

Balle Balle Indian Restaurant and Bar

Dolling out piping hot flavorful dishes in fine metal pots, Balle Balle Indian Restaurant and Bar focuses on good food served up in a relaxed and intimate setting. Balle Balle Indian Restaurant and Bar is a budget friendly family restaurant where the food is made with heart. This restaurant is located at No.12 Guangfu North Road, Songshan District, Taipei 105, and it caters to many different diets including those who are vegan. The food at this restaurant is meant for sharing, and the setting is meant to be fun and relaxing. While you are there, try the handmade naan bread, tikka masala, and vegetable curry.

Mume

Founded culinary masterminds who believe that food should be an experience for the senses, Mume is an upscale and modern restaurant where the chefs play with the food. At Mume you can enjoy small plate foods that are just as nice to look at as they are as good to eat. Mume is located at No. 28, Siwei Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 and opens nightly for dinner. The restaurant features a very modern urban chic appeal and is packed with guests who have a profound love of artistic food. At Mume you will find an ever changing menu where the food is always made with fresh and local ingredients.

Mountain and Sea House

For the health conscious eater, or those who want to support local farming and fishing practices, Mountain and Sea House is a fun concept restaurant that specializes in fresh and organic menu items. At this fine dining establishment, you will only find menu items that are in season as all of the ingredients are locally sourced. Mountain and Sea House is located at No. 16, Lane 11, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District and specializes in banquet and group eating food.

Fu Hang Dou Jiang

If you are looking for a cheap and easy way to start your day out right, look no further than Fu Hang Dou Jiang. This delicious casual haunt specializes in traditional breakfast foods of the area and dolls out heart proportions for rock bottom prices. Fu Hang Dou Jiang is tucked away at Zhongzheng District Taipei City, Taiwan 100 and serves up everything from deep fried breads to mini shrimps and pickled vegetables. Fu Hang Dou Jiang opens at 8am daily and has a relaxed casual atmosphere.

My

A traditional Taiwanese eatery that is open from 11:30am to 9:30pm daily, My specializes in comfort foods served up at affordable prices. My is a casual dining restaurant where you will find spiced meats over rice and an assortment of flavorful vegetable dishes. The restaurant is located at No. 9-1, Lane 100, Songjiang Rd, Zhongshan District Taipei City, Taiwan 104, and is adorned in traditional paper decor.

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