Taipei Itinerary • The Greatest Points of interest in 3 Days, 2 Nights

Let’s get one factor clear: Three days isn’t sufficient to totally get pleasure from what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unimaginable vacation spot full of sights 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 an extended 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 doable 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 services and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of the town even in such a brief interval.

Word: 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 may well fill an extended weekend effortlessly.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING

For those who’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you will have two most important public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.

BY MRT

Each Terminals 1 and a pair 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 Specific)
  Fare: NT$150

Yow will discover extra data right here.

BY BUS

For those who’re arriving exterior 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 varied firms, and journey time and fare fluctuate relying in your route and vacation spot. However listed here are some tough estimates:

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

Extra particular data right here.

For those who’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then examine in to your lodge room. In any other case, simply drop your luggage for now and let’s begin exploring instantly!

Our first and solely cease for right this moment is Ximending. Fear not, there’s quite a bit to see and do right here!

Generally known as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, road performers, and outlets 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 sport face on, and let’s head out to discover certainly one of Taipei’s most vibrant districts.

Rainbow Highway

For those who’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that can greet you is the Rainbow Highway, because of 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 atypical crosswalk right into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Highway is Taipei’s daring high-five to the group, exhibiting off its delight with each brilliant stripe.

Whether or not you’re right here to have fun, present assist, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this street virtually waves at you for a pic. Folks 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, road 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 can make you cease and keep a bit longer.

The Crimson Home

Cross the adjoining street and also you’ll be greeted by the Crimson House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related by a long time 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 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 Pleasure Month celebrations, so the environment was way more fab and festive and there have been a number of freebies round.

Pop Mart Flagship Retailer

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

Identified for its cute 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 enamel and mischievous look don’t cease individuals from falling in love with it or, a minimum of, leaping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favourite, there’s at all times a crowd constructing in entrance of this pop mart retailer. Each one is hoping to get their arms on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the value resellers are charging again dwelling. And sure, Labubu gadgets, particularly the plush key chains, had been bought 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 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 could or could not get extra subsequent time we had the prospect.

Dinner

It’s time for dinner, 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.

• Finances Choice: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is road 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 surprise there’s at all times 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 if you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is out there for self-service on a station on the facet.



• Mid-Vary Choice: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go right down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals courtroom. However look particularly for Lao Shan Dong Home made 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 might simply inform that the noodles had been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly lower. It was agency, simply the way in which I favored it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re identified for his or her dumplings, too!



• Splurge Choice: For those who’re with a gaggle (household or buddies) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and wish to go large, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Sizzling Pot, a sizzling pot spot that may make any emperor proud. Whereas ready to your desk, you may attempt on elaborate costumes to actually embrace the royal theme of the place. You may attempt on conventional Chinese language-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historic dynasties and channel your inside emperor or empress. It’s not daily you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready to your broth to boil, so we grabbed the prospect. The employees was completely happy to snap photographs, so it’s an ideal alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The entire expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.

  Ah sure, let’s discuss in regards to the meals. They provide a big selection 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 may dive right into a freezer filled with Häagen-Dazs flavors to prime 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 nowadays.

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 may be onerous to decide on which one to attempt even right here in Ximending.

• Each single Taipei native we have now 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 appropriate 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 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 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 worth, however was truly very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on prime add a little bit of playfulness to the graceful milky drink.
• For those who’d fairly 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 Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for excellent Instagram backdrops. It’s road 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 all places. However what makes these explicit machines outstanding is that you might truly win one thing in case you have the talent. It’s not rigged, or a minimum of not as rigged because the others! Once we enter this place, we by no means go away empty-handed!

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

DAY 2: BEITOU & SHILIN

At the moment, 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.

Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, the place you may really feel the water and provides your arms a shower. However as you stroll deeper, you’ll ultimately see the steamy sizzling springs that seem like nature’s big 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 environment.

Earlier than going, attempt some tea eggs, bought by outlets 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 Sizzling Springs Museum

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

Once we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese college kids on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than typical. 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 desire a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your manner by a meals market!

• For those who 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 Road. It is best to attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
• For those who’d fairly 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 can 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 in the event you’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).

We cherished how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with loads of meat nonetheless connected to it. If I evaluate it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat sport simply, however Lao Shandong had extra flavorful broth. But it surely was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl general. Don’t be shocked if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.

For those who’re not within the temper for an additional serving to of beef noodles or in the event you’ve obtained room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s at all times room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!

Lunch Choice B: Beitou Market

Beitou Market is a kind of locations the place you’re feeling like a neighborhood, procuring shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.

One of many greatest attracts of Beitou Market is the number of road meals stalls providing every thing from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. For those who’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s sizzling springs, it’s a improbable place to seize a fast, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, sure—-lest I forget-—dessert! Right here, you may pattern quirky native treats, like delicate pastries crammed with crimson 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 succeed in 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, crammed with intricately crafted jade carvings, gorgeous calligraphy, and superbly preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese language tradition.

However 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. Analysis which items you wish to see and discover them.

In our case, we let this Google Arts and Tradition article prepared the ground.

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 made 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 lifelike.
• Meat-shaped stone, produced from jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach

In fact, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the way in which. However to make our go to extra attention-grabbing, we used the record above as our objectives.

• If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting choice when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – achieve this. 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 in the event you really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and vitality, squeeze in a go to to the following 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 model, 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 prime 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 identical 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 closing cease of the day.

Shilin Evening Market

No day in Taipei is full with out a night time market, and Shilin Evening Market is the granddaddy of all of them. Whereas the basement meals courtroom is beneath renovation, there’s nonetheless loads to eat. Right here, essentially the most well-known is Sizzling-Star Giant Fried Hen, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion really helpful one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Hen (NT$100).

Like Sizzling-Star, there’s additionally a queue that varieties towards it, and it’s additionally an enormous piece of breaded rooster cutlet. However this one is absolutely juicy and full of complicated flavors, caused by its difficult 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! The most effective fried rooster 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 can 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 lodge, sleep tight, and put together to your final day in Taipei!

DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS

Begin your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your lodge. You may stash your luggage on the lodge 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 are able to do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.

• By MRT. Put together NT$ 20-25 per manner. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It is going to inform you 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 in the event you purchase on the bus itself. For those who guide 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 may catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Primary Station, simply exterior 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 the 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 Struggle II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate picket carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to wish right here every 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 Charge: 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, placing blue-tiled roof, an infinite bronze statue of Taiwan’s former chief. Inside, find out about his life and legacy whereas marveling on the structure. Be sure you catch the altering of the guard right here, too.

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

Taipei 101

The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over the town like an enormous bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese language takeout 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 earth. It not holds the file, but it surely’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that allows sweeping panoramic views of the town. Right here’s a sport: when you’re atop Taipei 101, attempt to discover the opposite landmarks and sights that you’ve got visited on this journey. Begin with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the best to identify!

One other attention-grabbing 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 outlets.

Talking of outlets, simply near Taipei 101 is a fancy of procuring malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. For those who nonetheless have time, you may spend the remainder of the day procuring. For those who 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, quick and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. However that ought to provide you with a motive to guide one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!

The place to Keep in Taipei

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

Seek for extra Taipei Lodges!