What to Do in Taipei: A Cultural Treasure Hidden in Plain Sight
Taipei is a city that defies expectations. A capital cloaked in subtropical lushness, where Japanese-era mansions sit beside neon-lit night markets and Taoist temples rise among ultra-modern towers, Taipei rewards the curious and cultured with layers of quiet sophistication. For the discerning traveller, discovering what to do in Taipei is less about chasing must-sees and more about surrendering to a rhythm of contrasts - ancient rites and avant-garde design, calligraphy and cuisine, teahouses and high-speed trains.
From imperial heritage to a hyper-modern skyline, this is a city that lives comfortably in both past and future. If you’re wondering what to do in Taipei on your next cultural getaway, start here.
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Top Experiences in Taipei
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Taipei 101 Observatory
Despite having its 'world's tallest building' crown stolen by Dubai's Burj Khalifa and subsequently falling down the rankings, Taipei 101 is still one of the main players in the sport of very tall things. With unobscured, panoramic views of Taiwan's capital, accessed by one of the fastest elevators in the world, there's no better way to view _The City of Azaleas_ than from its 89th floor Observatory.
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Taipei Day Tour: CKS Memorial Hall, 101, Bangka & Dadaocheng
This day tour will immerse you in Taiwan's top sights, allowing you to embark on an adventurous journey accompanied by professional guides and drivers. You'll experience the diverse charm of Taiwan, making your trip more exciting and leaving you with unforgettable memories. It only takes one day for a professional tour guide to take you to visit the famous scenic spots in downtown Taipei! Chiang Kai‐shek Memorial Hall, Yongkang Commercial District, Taipei 101 Building, Four Four South Village, Longshan Temple, Dihua Street, and finally Ximending to experience the young and enthusiastic atmosphere. Our professional team will provide you with a safe and convenient travel experience, leaving you with unforgettable memories. Come join us and start your adventure in Taiwan!
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Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Taipei
Get to know the city through the eyes of a local guide. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it to the local for an enlightening introduction to the city. With our private walking tours, you'll skip the mundane historical tours and experience the city through the eyes of a real local. Our local guides are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and insights. The will offer an authentic and personal experience. By the end of the tour, you will feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. - Private tour for just you and your group - Your guide customizes your tour to your interests and personality - Get a deeper insight into Taipei life than possible alone - See Taipei through the eyes of a local and discover its hidden gems Choose from 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8‐hour tour options.
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Taipei LGBT Day Tour
October is the month to celebrate the achievement of supporting LGBT rights, and also the month that Asia’s biggest pride parade is held—Taiwan LGBT Pride. As the only country to legalize same‐sex marriage, and also a pioneer in advocating LGBT rights in Asia, Taiwan has been keen on promoting LGBT tourism; the capital city—Taipei, is considered the most gay friendly city in Asia, where you can find gay bar, nightclubs, queer lifestyle stores, etc in the streets. On this tour, you will explore the significant places along the path to the milestone in Taiwan’s LGBT rights movement, including the Rainbow Starting Line, National Taiwan University, Gin Gin Store, 228 Peace Memorial Park, Ketagalan Boulevard, the Red House and Rainbow Six in Ximending. Additionally, you will visit “Rabbit God Temple”, the only temple dedicated to Rabbit God, the deity who manages marriage and relationship for homosexual people.
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Taipei: Classic Landmarks Guided Tour
Secure a spot on this exciting Taipei day tour and let the city's legendary landmarks and contemporary attractions fascinate you. The trip sweeps you off to the globally acclaimed National Palace Museum, home to the world's most extensive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. Here, the incredible works of art are sure to impress you. The excursion then leads you to the renowned Chiang Kai‐shek Memorial Hall, a monumental symbol of Taiwan's rich historical culture. Feel local spirituality at the Lungshan Temple and admire the towering Taipei 101, an architectural testament to the city's technological advancement and global integration. In addition, other hidden gems await your discovery on this expedition. This all‐encompassing tour offers a riveting exploration of Taipei City's past, present, and future.
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Taipei Private Tasting Tour
Taipei is renowned for its delicious variety of street food and regional specialties. On this private walking tour, explore the atmospheric Zhongzheng District, visit Dongmen Market, and sample a wide selection of Taiwanese dishes, with your guide on hand to explain the ingredients and translate any food preferences.
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Taipei Private Custom Full‐Day Tour with Driver‐Guide
While in bustling Taipei, treat yourself to a full‐day private custom tour of the city’s best sites! Your personal driver will help you design the perfect 8‐hour itinerary, escorting you to key attractions such as Longshan Temple, Taipei 101 and Beitou Hot Springs. Travel at your own pace, and stop to snap photos, grab a souvenir or explore. Taipei City and the northeast coast is at your fingertips on this private tour!
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8‐hour Customized Taipei City Exploration with Private Car
Experience Taipei like never before with this highly customized 8‐hour Taipei City private car charter tour.Instead of a fixed itinerary, you'll have the freedom to craft your own urban adventure. Your knowledgeable driver/guide will be there to curate a personalized journey that aligns with your interests and preferences. Whether you're drawn to cultural landmarks, culinary delights, shopping districts, or scenic parks, your guide will create an itinerary that suits your desires.Some highlights of Taipei City include Taipei 101, Chiang Kai‐shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Dadaocheng, Xiangshan, National Palace Museum, etc. For foodies, Dadaocheng is a culinary haven, offering a wide array of traditional Taiwanese snacks, street food, and local delicacies. You can indulge in mouth‐watering treats like oyster omelets, braised pork rice, and traditional pastries, providing a delightful culinary experience.
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Taipei: Kickstart Your Trip
Explore Taipei from a local’s perspective, and customize the itinerary to suit your interests, on this private tour of the Taiwanese capital. Upon booking, connect with your guide and discuss different options and sights that you’re interested in: from neighborhood tours to an overview of the city’s major highlights, craft your very own sightseeing plan. Pickup is included for centrally located venues, and you can choose a departure time that works best for you.
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Taipei: Small‐Group Morning Bike Tour
Discover Taipei like a local, by pedaling through the streets on a bicycle. This small‐group tour begins with a traditional Taiwanese breakfast to fuel a full morning of adventures as you pedal your way to traditional markets, grand architecture, serene temples, and more. As you explore, your guide will tell you all about the culture and history of the city.
What to Do in Taipei for Cultural Aficionados
Begin your journey in the heart of tradition: Longshan Temple. Built in 1738, the Temple is more than just a religious site - it's a living tableau of incense smoke, chanting devotees, and stunning Southern Chinese architecture. A few minutes’ walk away lies Bopiliao Historical Block, where restored Qing-era merchant houses offer insight into Taipei’s layered identity.
From there, take in the National Palace Museum, home to over 600,000 artefacts from China’s imperial dynasties. This vast trove of jade, bronze, silk, and scrolls ranks as one of the must see Taipei destinations for anyone who prizes artistry and antiquity.
What to Do in Taipei at Night: Where Spirit Meets Sparkle
When the sun dips behind Elephant Mountain, Taipei reveals another side. Begin your evening in Ximending, a youthful district bursting with energy, local designers, and avant-garde street performance. Then move to the more refined Songshan district for cocktails at W Taipei’s WooBar, where skyline views and electronic jazz meet in heady elegance.
For a spiritual-yet-sensory evening, attend a night-time prayer ceremony at Bao’an Temple, where illuminated dragons flicker in the candlelight - it's a sublime addition to your list of unique things to do in Taipei. Cap the night with a late dinner of claypot rice or sesame noodles at a tucked-away eatery in Daan district, a local ritual of indulgent simplicity.
Unique Things to Do in Taipei for the Sophisticated Traveller
If you crave more than guidebook staples, explore Dadaocheng. Once the centre of Taipei’s 19th-century tea trade, it’s now a haven of baroque shopfronts, indie boutiques, and evocative teahouses. Try a ceremonial pour-over of high-mountain oolong at Wang Tea, or join a private incense-making workshop, both deeply-rooted yet undeniably chic experiences.
Art lovers should carve out time for a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), housed in a red-brick colonial school building that blends history with cutting-edge Taiwanese creativity. For a modernist twist, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei’s answer to London’s Design Museum, is definitely one of the top things to do in Taipei for lovers of design, architecture, and innovation.
What to See and Do in Taipei Beyond the Tourist Track
Venture east to the hillside neighbourhood of Maokong by glass-bottomed gondola, and sip locally grown tieguanyin tea while gazing over the cityscape. This tranquil oasis offers a poetic counterpoint to Taipei’s energetic core and deserves a spot on any list of the best things to do in Taipei.
Alternatively, lose yourself in the narrow alleys of Wanhua, where timeworn fortune-telling arcades meet avant-garde bookstores and hidden art spaces. Each street corner seems to whisper a different story - it's a potent answer for anyone looking for things to see and do in Taipei that speak to the soul, not the algorithm.
What to Do in Taipei in One Day: A Curated Cultural Sprint
Pressed for time and wondering what you can do in Taipei in one day? Start your morning with a peaceful stroll through the gardens of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, followed by a guided tour of its solemn yet monumental interior. From there, take the MRT to the National Palace Museum and spend your midday immersed in dynastic artistry.
After lunch in the elegant, gallery-filled Huashan 1914 Creative Park, head to Daan Forest Park for a sunset walk. As evening falls, explore the mouthwatering maze of Raohe Night Market - sensory symphony and cultural rite all in one.
What to Do in Taipei in Two Days: A Deeper Cultural Dive
In Taipei for 48 hours? Crafting an itinerary of what to do over two days lets you move from imperial to hypermodern with luxurious ease. Day one follows the cultural trail - temples, palaces, and the city's well-preserved historic quarters. On day two, hike up Elephant Mountain at dawn for a sweeping view of Taipei 101 rising through the mist, then reward yourself with brunch in the stylish Eastern District.
Later, join a private calligraphy or seal-carving workshop to create a refined and meaningful souvenir. End your day with an omakase dinner at one of the city’s Michelin-starred Japanese-Taiwanese fusion restaurants, a quiet finale to your urban opera.
Final Thoughts: Why Taipei Is a Must‐Do for Culture‐Led Travel
Taipei may not shout for attention - instead it murmurs, enchants, and ultimately captivates. If you're still wondering what to do in Taipei, the truth is this: the best experiences aren’t always the loudest. They’re in the silent bow of a tea master, the glint of temple gold at midnight, the brushstroke on a thousand-year-old scroll.
Whether you have one day in Taipei or two, or you're plotting a longer, more immersive escape, this city offers a rich, refined counterpoint to Asia’s flashier metropolises. It is a cultural symphony — nuanced, expressive, and deeply unforgettable.