I just lately determined to revamp my Taipei itinerary, before everything as a result of I referred to as this unbelievable metropolis residence for practically two years. For sure, I do know Taipei much more intimately than I did once I first created this put up.
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 town from the angle of each a neighborhood and a vacationer. Specifically, I’ve thought lengthy and exhausting about what number of days in Taipei you must spend, relying not solely upon what you wish to do right here, however certainly how lengthy you’ve 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 really 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 proper place to remain (each a very good neighborhood, in addition to appropriate lodging) is vital. I’ll begin by saying that Taipei is likely one of the solely cities on this planet the place I choose staying in flats as a substitute of lodges. Whereas sure properties akin to W Taipei are stylish, snug and centrally-located, I discover that lodges in Taipei (and Taiwan typically) go away rather a lot to be desired.
So far as the place in Taipei you must start your Airbnb search, I’m of a pair totally 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 ideal place to look. When you choose to be in the midst of the motion (and to really feel prefer it as nicely), you’ll as a substitute wish to discover spots close to Ximen, Taipei Predominant Station or Taipei Metropolis Corridor.
Prime Issues to Do in Taipei
Discover Taipei Landmarks
When deciding what number of days to spend in Taipei, you must assume you’ll want not less than 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 Highway, with Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor at its western terminus, Taipei 101 on the japanese finish and plush Da’an Forest Park proper within the center. Close to CKS Corridor, you too can 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 this planet. My favourite Taipei museums, in the meantime, embrace the superb Taipei Superb 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 Road in Songshan and Shida in Guting. I don’t thoughts these markets, however I do choose a sit-down meal in areas like Yongkang Road (which is residence 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 resolve to spend right here however, is the Ximending pedestrian space. I’ll encourage you to comply with your tastebuds to some extent, however it would be best to be sure to hunt down cong bing scallion pancakes, Taiwanese-style fried hen 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 most effective style!) Ximen’s Crimson Home can be the homosexual hub of Taipei, and is value a go to (or a drink) even should you aren’t a member of the LGBT neighborhood.
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, akin to Taipei Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple. A extra obscure possibility can be Jieyun Temple within the Banqiao space of New Taipei Metropolis, whereas lovers (Chinese language-speaking ones any means) have a tendency to go to Xiahai “Metropolis God” Temple alongside Dihua Road, a paradise of historic structure a stone’s throw from the Dadaocheng Wharf sundown spot.
Take Superb Taipei Hikes
Taipei is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes town and its environs a hiker’s paradise. The most well-liked Taipei hike might be Xiangshan mountain, accessible through the MRT station of the identical title, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from an incredible view of Taipei 101 and the remainder of the skyline. One other nice (however lesser recognized) Taipei viewpoint is Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang in Neihu—Taipei Metropolis seems to be simply beautiful framed by the phoenixes of a conventional Taiwanese temple. Mountaineering scorching spots even farther exterior town embrace Seven Stars Mountain in Yangmingshan Nationwide Park, and the varied trails beneath the Maokong Gondola close to Taipei Zoo. Relying upon how lengthy in Taipei you spend, you would 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’ll be able to write this as “老地方觀景平台” in Chinese language, assuming you favor to take an Uber as a substitute of mountain climbing from Jiantan station. (TIP: So as get unbelievable photographs just like the one I did above, be certain to carry a very good zoom lens!)
I’ve written a separate Taipei day journey itinerary, however I’ll define a few of the finest choices right here. Extra typical day journeys from Taipei embrace Jiufen Outdated Road, Miaokou Evening Market and Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, the “Queen’s Head” rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, Beitou scorching 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, embrace 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 individual 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 you must spend, not less than indirectly, as a result of I needed you to first get an thought of the depth and breadth of issues to do right here. Again once 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 should you don’t have a very long time in Taiwan as an entire, although it’s not fully optimum.
When to Go to Taipei
The most effective time to go to Taipei, for many vacationers, is each time you’ll be able to handle to return right here. Taipei doesn’t get tremendous chilly within the winter (or, by the requirements of sub-tropical Asia, all that scorching in the summertime); rain is feasible one year per yr, so a very good umbrella is extra vital than an expectation for solar. With this being mentioned, sure components of the yr are higher for visiting Taipei than others. When you’re homosexual, for instance, you’ll most likely wish to go to in October, when Taipei Delight (Asia’s largest and, because the legalization of homosexual marriage in Taiwan, its most vital) takes place.
However, you’ll most likely wish 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, nevertheless, is why it’s good to be as versatile as you’ll be able to with regard to how lengthy to remain in Taipei. The extra days you’ve 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’d name an goal supply on this. Even after greater than one year in Taipei, I nonetheless didn’t deal with my total bucket checklist! With this being mentioned, I’d say that the majority vacationers can get by with 2-3 days in Taipei at first of their Taiwan journeys, after which one other day or two on the finish.
The Backside Line
This Taipei itinerary will show you how to take advantage of Taiwan’s capital, even should you don’t find yourself shifting 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 means by way of the Ximending pedestrian space and Raohe Road Evening Market, Taipei will rapidly really feel like residence.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications akin to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Day by day Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric features of life as a traveler.
