10 Best Things To Do In Taipei
The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Taipei in 2024
If you are planning your first-ever solo trip and looking for a destination that offers a perfect blend of adventure, safety, and cultural experiences, Taiwan should be at the top of your list. With its vibrant food scene, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes, Taipei is an ideal city to explore in 2024.
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Is Taiwan safe for solo female travelers?
When it comes to safety, Taiwan is renowned for being one of the safest countries for solo travelers, particularly for women. You can confidently roam the streets of Taipei, immersing yourself in its unique charm and warmth. From mouthwatering street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, there is something to satisfy every palate. Explore Taipei's culture through its temples, museums, and historic sites like the National Palace Museum and Longshan Temple.
In addition to its attractions, Taipei is known for its friendly and welcoming people. You can expect warm hospitality and helpful locals who will gladly assist you in navigating the city and recommending hidden gems.
So, if you are looking for an unforgettable solo adventure in 2024, pack your bags and head to Taipei, Taiwan!
How to get around Taipei like a local?
When you arrive at the airport, you can easily buy an MRT card at the SIM card booth. The MRT card costs $100 NRT, just like in regular stores. Taiwan offers fair prices at the airport, so you won't pay extra. The MRT cards have cute designs and many options to pick from. Whenever you pass through a station, simply tap your MRT card, and you can easily top up your funds as needed. Don't fret if you accidentally put too much money on your card - you can easily obtain a refund for your unused funds at any convenience store. The MRT card can be conveniently used for both trains and buses.
What's the best way to travel around Taiwan?
I prefer the train due to the unreliable bus schedules. However, it's important to note that trains have limited operating hours, and after midnight, alternative transportation options such as taxis, Uber, or e-bikes are necessary.
Can you get around Taipei by yourself?
In terms of navigation, I highly recommend relying on Google Maps. If you ever find yourself a bit disoriented, don't hesitate to seek assistance from the friendly locals, who are more than happy to lend a helping hand.
When at MRT stations, it is recommended to refrain from eating or drinking to avoid incurring fines.
Exploring Taipei by yourself lets you see the city at your own pace. You can use the YouBike system, which is a convenient way to get around. Taipei has many bike lanes, making cycling safe and fun. YouBike is Taipei's public bike-sharing system that runs 24/7 to fit different schedules. It's an eco-friendly and healthy way to travel. You can easily pick up and return bikes at stations near tourist spots, MRT stations, and neighborhoods throughout the city.
Discover Taipei on Your Own with YouBike
One of the most delightful experiences I had was riding e-bikes through the city at 2 PM.
To sign up for YouBike, you can connect your EasyCard or credit card at a station. Some stations allow registration through the YouBike 2.0 app using an international mobile number and credit card. After signing up, you can rent bikes in Taipei.
Process:
EasyCard - Tap it on the sensor at the bike dock to take the bike. Y
ouBike App - Rent a bike in the app, unlock by scanning the QR code or entering the bike's ID.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
I visited the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall first thing in the morning. Before heading to the memorial hall, we had a traditional breakfast at a small restaurant nearby. There were two lines, one for dining in and one for takeaways, and both lines were moving quickly. It's important to have cash with you because most places in Taiwan only accept cash. We ordered a variety of buns, egg rolls, and salted soy milk for takeaways, and then enjoyed our breakfast on the flight of stairs outside the hall.
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei is a significant historical and cultural landmark that is definitely worth a visit. The memorial hall was built in honor of Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China.
One of the highlights of the memorial hall is the impressive architecture. Inside the memorial hall, you'll find a vast exhibition space that showcases artifacts and memorabilia related to Chiang Kai-shek's life and political career.
Another notable feature of the memorial hall is the large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek located in the main hall. The statue is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect place for reflection and contemplation.
Where's the best view of Taipei (paid or free)?
One of the most famous views of Taipei is from the Taipei 101 observatory. You pay anywhere from NT$600 (~$20) to NT$1200 ($38). Since I don’t have much time, and I want to save money, I opted for the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail. You can get the best view of Taipei for free here!!
I get on the train that stops at the Taipei 101 Observatory and make my walk to the Trail. You can also get an e-bike though there is not much to see on the walk from the Taipei 101 station to the hiking, except for a cute alley with some drawings on the wall.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Taipei?
Many people choose to hike the Elephant Mountain in the early morning to catch sunrise. I think around sunset is the best time to hike the mountain because you can see the light transition and the city view from sunset to night time. I’d recommend starting heading from the station around 4 pm. That gives you enough time to hike, rest, take pics, and see the sunset transition.
The Elephant Mountain trail is a short hike up, and it takes you around 20-30 minutes to get to the top. There are structured sets of stairs, but it’s very steep, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes when you go hiking. There are a few platforms for you to stop, rest, admire the scene, and take pictures.
The main attraction of the trail for most tourists is the area known as the ‘Six Giant Rocks’ (六巨石) near the peak of the mountain. The giant rocks are part of an open space near the peak where you’re going to enjoy the best selfie opportunities, but it is also where you’re going to encounter the largest amount of traffic. Before the hike, I read online that you should expect to line up for the photo spot. However, when I was there, the line moved very quickly. I was even able to secure my own spot, eat some food, rest, and watch the sunset. Once you cross past the Giant Rocks area, you will see other viewing platforms that also provide an excellent view of the city.
Exploring the Ximending District
One of the best things to do in Taipei is to visit the vibrant Ximending district. Known as the "Harajuku of Taipei," this trendy neighborhood is filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and street food stalls. It's a great place to soak up the local culture, try delicious snacks, and shop for unique fashion items. This is also the place where you can take the famous Rainbow Road pictures.
Eating at Night Market
It would be a huge miss if you don’t eat at the night markets. There are many night markets around the city, and they are all so good and affordable. I checked out: Raohe Street Night Market, Huaxi Street Night Market, Nanjichang Night Market, Dihua Street, Shilin Night Market. Here you can find all the Michelin Guide Food. Make sure to bring cash with you when eating at the night market. Must-try food in the night market: Stinky Tofu, Pig Blood Pudding with Peanut, Peanut Roll Ice Cream, Chicken Sausage, Tanyuan, Fried Taro Balls, Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun.
Small snacks such as sweet potatoes, tofu pudding (douhua), or a piece of fruit bought from a street vendor typically cost between NT$10 to NT$30, roughly equivalent to $0.30 to $1 USD. A bowl of Taiwanese-style congee, a serving of rice noodle soup, or a portion of oyster omelet is priced around NT$30 to NT$50, which is about $1.70 USD.
Tasting the Signature Sunny Hills Taiwanese Pineapple Cake
Did you know that you can get a free tasting of tea and pineapple at this specific Sunny Hills Taipei Minsheng Park Store location? When you get here, staff will bring you to a table for the tasting experience. You are not obliged to make any purchase!
Day Trip from Taipei
You can take day trips to:
Jiufen - Shifen: Jiufen is the inspiration for the movie “Spirited Away.” This is also known as the cat village. There are cats everywhere, and you can sample a lot of food for free!!! Because Jiufen and Shifen are decently close to each other, I hit them both on the same day. Shifen is famous for the lantern release. Find out more tips about the lantern release experience here.
Beitou District: You can go by bus or train to reach Beitou district. Taipei Public Library, Beitou Hot Spring Museum are very close to each other. When in Beitou, we caught the bus to reach Thermal Valley. This is perfect for a picnic!!! Make sure to get food from Beitou District before you head here because they don’t have a food court, sadly. After a long day of walking, come back to the Beitou District. We paid $10 for an hour foot bath and tea set!!!"
If you have a layover in Taipei and are wondering what to do during these hours, make sure to check out this layover itinerary!
