Let’s get one factor clear: Three days just isn’t sufficient to completely get pleasure from what Taipei has to supply. It is an unimaginable vacation spot filled with points of interest that would depart you wanting extra.
But hey, we perceive that not all vacationers have the posh of time. Perhaps 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 need to prolong their keep for a bit longer.
Don’t fear, it’s attainable to expertise the perfect of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of the perfect boba milk tea when there’s a complete tank of it in entrance of you. But with its extremely developed services and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of town even in such a brief interval.
Note: Since you solely have three days, this information stays strictly inside Taipei City and we’re not venturing out. But Taipei City alone is so filled with sights, sounds, and flavors that it may well fill a protracted weekend effortlessly.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING
If you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you have got two primary public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.
BY MRT
Both Terminals 1 and a couple of have their very own MRT Station:
- Terminal 1: A12 Station
Terminal 2: A13 Station - Operating hours: round 6am to 10:55 pm
Travel time: 37 minutes (if Express)
Fare: NT$150
You can discover extra data right here.
BY BUS
If you’re arriving exterior the MRT working interval otherwise you merely favor the bus, head over to the bus counters near the Arrival Hall of the airport. These buses are operated by numerous corporations, and journey time and fare differ relying in your route and vacation spot. But listed here are some tough estimates:
- Travel time: 60-90 minutes
- Fare: NT$ 125-160
More particular data right here.
If you’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then verify in to your resort room. Otherwise, simply drop your baggage for now and let’s begin exploring straight away!
Our first and solely cease for at this time is Ximending. Worry not, there’s so much to see and do right here!
Sometimes known 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 nearly electrical power to it. So get your recreation face on, and let’s head out to discover one in every of Taipei’s most vibrant districts.
Rainbow Road
If you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that may greet you is the Rainbow Road, due to its row of colours and the group that type subsequent to it, attempting to take their IG photographs.
It isn’t only a street-—it’s a press release! These colours splashed throughout the pavement turned an strange crosswalk right into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Road is Taipei’s daring high-five to the neighborhood, exhibiting off its satisfaction with each shiny stripe.
Whether you’re right here to have a good time, present help, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this highway virtually waves at you for a pic. People 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!
Most of the time, avenue performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the standard singers, bands, and dancers, however from time to time you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that may make you cease and keep a bit longer.
The Red House
Cross the adjoining highway and also you’ll be greeted by the Red House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related via a long time of reinvention. Built in 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 outdated 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 Pride Month celebrations, so the ambiance was way more fab and festive and there have been plenty of freebies round.
Pop Mart Flagship Store
Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, the place cabinets groan below the burden of collectibles that’ll drain your pockets however heal your interior little one.
Known for its lovable collectible figurines and trinkets, this place is floor zero for these seeking to snag a unusual memento particularly of Labubu, the now insanely fashionable and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. Those serrated enamel and mischievous look don’t cease folks from falling in love with it or, at the very least, 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. Every 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 house. And sure, Labubu objects, particularly the plush key chains, had been bought out after we visited.
Some don’t perceive why it’s so fashionable and a few say it’s only a fad, however we needed to grasp so we joined the enjoyable and bought three thriller containers at one other Pop Mart store. And sure, they’re so cute and we might or might not get extra subsequent time we had the prospect.
Dinner
It’s meal time, and Ximending is a feast for each price range and style. We’ll be mentioning three meals spots right here, however we truly tried extra.
- Budget Option: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. This is avenue meals at its most interesting—no seats, simply seize a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavour. It’s solely NT$ 60 per small serving, however it’s actually, actually tasty. No surprise there’s all the time a loooong queue right here. Every silky serving is topped with a little bit of offal, which surprisingly didn’t have any hint of gutsy odor or aftertaste. Even Vins, who doesn’t usually like consuming innards, discovered it scrumptious and needed to have one other bowl. It’s much more flavorful while you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is out there for self-service on a station on the aspect.
- Mid-Range Option: Find the Wan Nian Building and go right down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals court docket. But look particularly for Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. This humble institution has been serving bowls of piping sizzling 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 preferred it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Every chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re recognized for his or her dumplings, too!
- Splurge Option: If you’re with a gaggle (household or buddies) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and need to go massive, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Hot Pot, a sizzling pot spot that may make any emperor proud. While ready in your desk, you possibly can strive on elaborate costumes to actually embrace the royal theme of the place. You can strive on conventional Chinese-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historic dynasties and channel your interior emperor or empress. It’s not day-after-day you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready in your broth to boil, so we grabbed the prospect. The employees was glad to snap images, so it’s an ideal alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The complete expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.
Ah sure, let’s speak in regards to the meals. They provide a wide array of contemporary substances — 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 have 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 might need to attend in line for a bit too, however that’s normally the case for something scrumptious as of late.
Boba Milk Tea
Wash your dinner down with a cup of milk tea. But as you already know, Taiwan is the land of boba, so it may be onerous to decide on which one to strive even right here in Ximending.
- Every 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 traditional – no frills, no gimmicks, only a completely balanced mix, with simply the proper sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. This can be the perfect milk tea for us.
- But most vacationers appear to be magnetized by the loud and flashy Xing Fu Tang flagship retailer. You gained’t miss it as a result of there’s a lengthy queue any time of the day. It’s onerous to not be drawn to it as a result of they prepare dinner the pearls within the open. We’ve tried their traditional 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 worth, however was truly very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on high add a little bit of playfulness to the graceful milky drink.
- If you’d reasonably 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
End your night time with a stroll via 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 usually 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 in every single place. But what makes these explicit machines outstanding is that you would truly win one thing if in case you have the talent. It’s not rigged, or at the very least not as rigged because the others! When 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
Today, we’ll be exploring two of Taipei’s most fascinating districts: Shilin and Beitou.
Beitou Thermal Valley
Start Day 2 with a go to to Beitou Thermal Valley for the mist that rises eerily from inexperienced sulfuric waters.
When 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. But as you stroll deeper, you’ll finally see the steamy sizzling springs that appear to be nature’s big cauldron. While you possibly can’t take a dip right here, it’s mesmerizing to look at. Walk round it, catch that sulfur-scented air, and soak within the barely mystical ambiance.
Before going, strive some tea eggs, bought by retailers in entrance of the doorway, for very mild however on-theme breakfast. Then stroll to your proper for 10 minutes to our subsequent cease.
Beitou Hot Springs Museum
Step again in time on the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. Built in 1913, this well-preserved architectural appeal showcases the golden age of sizzling springs in Beitou, together with an enormous tub the place visitors as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s a phenomenal, nostalgic slice of outdated Taiwan and makes you admire the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy previous.
When we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese faculty youngsters on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than ordinary. But in any other case, it’s normally very chill and stress-free. As in any onsen, you’ll should take away your footwear and deposit them in lockers. Put on the offered slippers and comply with the marked path across the museum.
After this, it’s time for lunch. Decide whether or not you need a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your method via a meals market!
- If 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. Choose the one alongside Yongxing Street. You ought to attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
- If you’d reasonably stroll and munch on the similar time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s nearer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Lunch Option 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. But if you happen to’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).
We beloved how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with loads of meat nonetheless connected to it. If I examine it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat recreation simply, however Lao Shandong had extra flavorful broth. But it was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl general. Don’t be shocked if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.
If you’re not within the temper for one more serving to of beef noodles or if you happen to’ve acquired room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s all the time room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!
Lunch Option B: Beitou Market
Beitou Market is a type of locations the place you’re feeling like an area, buying shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.
One of the most important attracts of Beitou Market is the number of avenue meals stalls providing the whole lot from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. If you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s sizzling springs, it’s a unbelievable place to seize a fast, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, sure—-lest I forget-—dessert! Here, you possibly can pattern quirky native treats, like delicate 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; Travel time: 11 minutes) and catch Bus R30 to achieve our subsequent cease, the National Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Travel time: 11 minutes).
National Palace Museum
Time for some tradition! The National Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 items, it’s like stepping right into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, stuffed with intricately crafted jade carvings, beautiful calligraphy, and superbly preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese tradition.
But right here’s the factor. It’s an enormous museum – big! And it’s simple to get misplaced in its galleries. And if you wish to see each single piece on show, you’ll in all probability want greater than a day. So plan your go to properly. Research which items you need to see and discover them.
In our case, we let this Google Arts and Culture article paved the way.
It listed out six of the must-see items inside and we made them our northern stars:
- Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
- Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell product of bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
- Bi and Cong, utilized in rituals by the traditional Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
- Ceramic polo gamers, collectible figurines of feminine polo gamers within the Tang dynasty
- Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly practical.
- Meat-shaped stone, produced from jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach
Of course, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the best way. But to make our go to extra fascinating, we used the record above as our objectives.
- If you need to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting possibility when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – achieve this. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Just anticipate meal time and head on to Shilin Night Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Travel time: 15-25 minutes).
- But if you happen to really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and power, squeeze in a go to to the following cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Force Headquarters (Fare: NT$ 15; Travel time: 12 minutes) after which stroll for 14 minutes to the Martyr’s Shrine.
Martyr’s Shrine
The National Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine is sort of a mini-palace devoted to fallen heroes. Built in conventional Chinese architectural fashion, it’s a grand tribute to the troopers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is beautiful 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 formidable ceremony the place guards in crisp uniforms carry out their routine with navy precision. The same routine occurs on the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, however this one is prolonged since you get to look at them stroll the complete size of the location – from the doorway to the shrine and again.
To get to Shilin Night Market from right here, take Bus 902 or R3 to Mingchuan University (Fare: NT$15; Travel time: 5-7 minutes) and stroll for 7 minutes to our closing cease of the day.
Shilin Night Market
No day in Taipei is full with out a night time market, and Shilin Night Market is the granddaddy of all of them. While the basement meals court docket is below renovation, there’s nonetheless lots to eat. Here, probably the most well-known is Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, which we tried a few years in the past. But our native companion really useful one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Chicken (NT$100).
Like Hot-Star, there’s additionally a queue that kinds towards it, and it’s additionally an enormous piece of breaded rooster cutlet. But this one is absolutely juicy and filled with complicated flavors, caused by its sophisticated cooking course of. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded earlier than getting deep fried. And then – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, however it all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! The finest fried rooster we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, however nonetheless.
Once you’ve had your ji pai repair, stroll a bit to Good Friend Cold Noodles to have your dose of carbs, within the type of chilly noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Big: NT$70). Good Friend serves bowls which might be oddly refreshing, one thing we desperately wanted after hours of simply strolling round Taipei.
It’s deceptively easy: skinny, bouncy noodles, doused with a wealthy, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for further crunch, and a touch of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s easy, sure, however low-cost, filling, and scrumptious. Yes, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.
With this, time to name it a day! Head again to your resort, sleep tight, and put together in your final day in Taipei!
DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS
Start your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your resort. You can stash your baggage on the resort reception or discover a metro station locker and choose it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a go to to a few of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.
You can do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.
- By MRT. Prepare NT$ 20-25 per method. Just obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It will 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 if you happen to purchase on the bus itself. If you guide with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you buy tickets on the bus itself and you employ Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.
✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!
You can catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Main Station, simply exterior EXIT M4. There is a marked bus cease there. From right here, hop on the bus and get off at your first cease of the day.
Lungshan Temple
Start with town’s most well-known, Lungshan Temple, a masterpiece of conventional design and non secular power. Built in 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World War II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate wood carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to wish right here every day.
One factor I observed 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. Instead, worshippers might place different choices on the desk.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Hours open: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
This grand memorial honors Chiang Kai-shek, that is Taipei’s assertion piece with large white partitions, placing blue-tiled roof, an infinite bronze statue of Taiwan’s former chief. Inside, study his life and legacy whereas marveling on the structure. Be positive to catch the altering of the guard right here, too.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Hours Open: 9:00 AM to six:00 PM
Taipei 101
The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over town like an enormous bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese takeout containers. Whether you go up or simply admire it from the skin, 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 file, however it’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that allows sweeping panoramic views of town. Here’s a recreation: when you’re atop Taipei 101, attempt to discover the opposite landmarks and points of interest that you’ve got visited on this journey. Start with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the best to identify!
Another 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 workplaces and retail retailers.
Speaking of outlets, simply near Taipei 101 is a fancy of buying malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. If you continue to have time, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day buying. If you don’t, then choose up your baggage and head to the airport!
Departure
And similar to that, you’ve conquered Taipei. Three days is extra like a whirlwind romance, brief and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. But that ought to provide you with a purpose to guide one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!
Where to Stay in Taipei
Here’s an inventory of the accommodations and hostels we tried in Taipei:
Search for extra Taipei Hotels!
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