What to do in Taiwan

89 steps. Changing of the Guard every hour 9AM-5PM. Liberty Square flanked by two museums.

"Massive memorial to Taiwan's founder with a regular changing of the guard ceremony"

World's fastest elevator (37 sec to 89F). 660-ton tuned mass damper — only one open to public in the world.

"89th floor observatory with world's fastest elevator, 660-ton tuned mass damper open to visitors"

Best free viewpoint in Taipei. 20-min hike, steep stairs. THE classic Taipei 101 photo.

"20-minute hike to a great viewpoint of Taipei, worth doing for sunset"

Famous pepper buns (clay oven, eat immediately — they deflate). Songshan Ciyou Temple at entrance. Green Line → Songshan.

"eat the pepper buns immediately — they deflate"

Lantern-lit hillside alleys. Spirited Away vibes. A-Mei Teahouse. Taro balls + peanut ice cream roll.

"Magical at night with pure Spirited Away vibes, part of a $26 day tour"

Taipei's Shibuya. Vibrant pedestrian zone, street food, nightlife. Best after dark.

"Vibrant district called the Shibuya of Taiwan, lots of shops and energetic vibe"

90°C boiling sulfurous water, dramatic steam clouds, vivid blue-green. Surreal and free.

"steaming volcanic vent where water boils at 90°C with intense sulfur smell, described as a giant boiling pot"

Sky lanterns (~$8, fits 4 people, get biodegradable). Railway through town. Shifen Waterfall.

"Release a sky lantern filled with hopes and dreams for $8, plus stunning Shifen Waterfall"

Most important temple in Taipei (1738). Moon block divination.

"Temple where locals use moon blocks to ask yes/no questions and receive guidance from the gods"

Taiwan's most visited landmark. Electric bike 30km loop. CNN Top 10 cycle path.

"Crystal clear waters perfect for a scenic boat ride or cycling adventure around the lake"

Michelin oyster omelet (Yen One Pian, NT$95). Sesame oil chicken. Compact, local, retro.

"Popular night market open daily 5:30-11:30pm with crazy food variety, games, and packed crowds"

Biggest in Taipei (500+ stalls). Best food in the basement food court. Good Friend Noodles (Michelin beef noodles).

"biggest night market in Taipei; 500+ vendors"

700,000+ Chinese imperial artifacts. One of the world's greatest collections. Half-day minimum.

"World's largest Chinese artifact collection with 700,000 pieces relocated from the Forbidden City"

200+ year old preserved Qing Dynasty lanes. Narrow lanes, covered walkways. Next to Longshan Temple.

"hidden gem"

Old Japanese tobacco factory → indie design space. Japanese baroque garden. Design shops, exhibitions.

"Old Japanese colonial tobacco factory turned creative hub with design shops and boutiques"

Ancient cypress forests (3,000 years old). Sunrise train to Zhushan Mountain.

"Peaceful mountain retreat worth visiting outside of Taipei"

Alien-like mushroom rock formations. Part of combo day tour with Jiufen + Shifen.

"Famous for fascinating alien-like rock formations"

Oldest commercial street. Qing Dynasty architecture. Wang Tea. Yongle Market. Herbal medicine shops.

"dates back to the 1600s"

18 precise folds per xiaolongbao. Watch open kitchen. Zhongshan branch has shorter queues.

"Taiwan's most famous restaurant, known for xiaolongbao soup dumplings made in an open kitchen"

Michelin breakfast. You tiao, scallion flatbread, fan tuan, warm soy milk. Queue 30-60 min.

"queue 30-60 min, worth it"

Most photographed spot in Jiufen, iconic red lanterns. Vibes are real, tea is average.

"Part of Jiufen's magical evening stroll with Spirited Away vibes"

Former Japanese bathhouse. Tatami rooms. Learn about Hokutolite — a rare slightly radioactive mineral.

"former Japanese colonial bathhouse with tatami rooms and exhibits"

Scenic ride over tea hills. Crystal cabin with clear floor. Taipei Zoo mid-stop. Tea houses at top.

"Scenic ride over lush green hills from $2 one-way, crystal cabin with clear floor available"

Secret foot spa. Free barley tea. Run by volunteers, almost nobody knows about it.

Volcanic park, sulfur fumaroles, hiking. Free foot soak at Lengshuikeng. April = peak cherry blossom + azalea.

"April = cherry blossoms + azaleas at peak"

Smoked goose with sauce, bamboo shoot soup, noodles. Local favorite.

"smoked goose + bamboo shoot soup; highly recommended"

Marble gorge, crystal rivers. Shakadang Trail, Eternal Spring Shrine.

"Jaw-dropping gorge with crystal clear river trails and marble cliff hikes, check for closures"

Gold Museum, Golden Waterfall, Teapot Mountain hike. Barely any tourists compared to Jiufen.

"Quieter alternative to Jiufen with Gold Museum, historic miner homes, and scenic overlooks"

Lit-up bridges with Taipei 101 in the distance. Cross Rainbow Bridge → leads to Raohe Night Market.

Weekend farmers' market — not touristy. Taipei Fine Arts Museum across the street.

"Taipei Fine Arts Museum grounds"

Old Taiwan stuff — the most unique souvenirs in Taipei. Mostly weekends.

Underground reservoir — eerily beautiful, Blade Runner aesthetic. Very limited opening schedule.

Beautiful beaches, sea turtles at Wanlitong. Very far south — 6 hrs from Taipei.

"Southern tip national park with beautiful beaches, amazing snorkeling, and best night market of the trip"

Local favorite, multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand vendors. No tourists. Mark Wiens loved it.

"entire video dedicated to this market; Michelin vendors"

~30 min from Taipei by train. Temple-side night market. Sticky rice, pork knuckle noodles, oyster omelette.

"~30 min from Taipei; Bon Appétit chefs rate it Taiwan's busiest"

Former mining town turned cat sanctuary. On the Pingxi Line — combine with Shifen.

"visited as part of Pingxi Line day trip"

Riverside boardwalk, street food, sunset views. Fort San Domingo nearby. Red Line to the end.

"riverside walk + Fort San Domingo"

Former military housing painted by one old soldier. Vibrant murals. Small but iconic.

"the place they wanted to visit most; few tourists"

Stunning sunsets over windmills. Walk on the boardwalk at low tide. Clam digging, crabs.

"breathtaking sunsets; crabs and clam digging at low tide"

Restored 1916 Japanese railway station. Museum + gift shop. Quick 15 min.

Public outdoor baths. Women: one-piece required. Men: Speedo-style. Best on weekdays or rainy days.

World Barista Champion cafe in Taipei 101. Brown sugar latte, honey castella cake. Reserve ahead!

Historic tea factory turned modern bar. Nitro cold brew tea, sparkling tea, tea beer on tap.

Silky noodle soup. Michelin. Standing room only. Impossibly cheap and impossibly good.

The benchmark beef noodle experience. Rich broth, tender beef, thick noodles.

Tianjin Scallion Pancake, Yongkang Beef Noodles, Smoothie House mango shaved ice. Relaxed, walkable.