Taipei is a compact food and culture city. With the MRT taking you almost anywhere, xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung, night-market food, Jiufen's lantern-lit lanes, sky lanterns in Shifen and sunset at Tamsui all fit into a 3-day trip.
Taipei suits short trips of 2 to 4 days. Prices are reasonable and Taiwanese food (dim sum, beef noodle soup, bubble tea) is everywhere. The night view from Taipei 101, the youth culture of Ximending and the world-class collection of the National Palace Museum cover very different tastes.
The best season is the cool, clear period from October to April. May to September can bring heat above 30°C and typhoons (July to September). February and March are the most pleasant and least crowded.
Visa and entry requirements for Taiwan
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
- Visa-exempt entry (eligible nationalities and conditions) (Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan)
Taipei at a glance
- Airports: Taoyuan International (TPE) / Songshan (TSA)
- Suggested itineraries: 2 days (essentials) / 3 days (+ Jiufen and Shifen) / 5 days (+ Taichung and Kaohsiung)
- Best season: October to April, cool and clear (May to September hot, typhoons)
- Getting around: MRT with an EasyCard (transport and convenience-store IC card), buses, taxis
- Currency: New Taiwan dollar (TWD); exchange counters in Ximending offer good rates
Taipei 101 and Ximending: the city core
Taipei 101, 509 m tall and the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010, is the symbol of the city. The 89th-floor indoor observatory (600 TWD) gives a 360-degree panorama, and the 91st-floor outdoor deck opens only in clear weather. The night view is superb, so go around sunset.
Ximending is Taipei's answer to Tokyo's Harajuku, buzzing with cinemas, fashion shops, street food and K-pop fan spaces. It's the best place to see young Taipei; get off at MRT Ximen.
Jiufen and Shifen: red lanterns and sky lanterns
Jiufen (九份), an hour from the city by car (1.5 hours by MRT and bus), is an old gold-mining village of stone steps, red lanterns and teahouses. After 6 pm, when the lanterns light up, it feels like another world. On Jiufen Old Street, try the teahouses, taro cakes and fish-ball soup.
Shifen (十份), 30 minutes from Jiufen by car, is famous for releasing sky lanterns (天燈) with written wishes from the railway tracks. A lantern costs 200 TWD (a wish on each of four sides). Nearby Shifen Waterfall (十份瀑布) is large and beautiful. Jiufen and Shifen are usually combined in a one-day tour.
Tamsui and the National Palace Museum: sunsets and heritage
Tamsui (淡水) is a riverside town right by MRT Tamsui station (the terminus, about 40 minutes). Sunset over the Tamsui River and Guanyin Mountain (5 to 7 pm) is Taipei's most romantic moment. On Tamsui Old Street, try salmon burgers, ice cream and mango shaved ice.
The National Palace Museum, one of the world's great museums, holds over 700,000 pieces from China's imperial collections. The Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-shaped Stone are the two must-sees. It's 15 minutes by bus from MRT Shilin. Admission is 350 TWD.
Night markets: Taipei’s food heaven
| Night market | About | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Shilin Night Market | Taipei's largest: fried chicken cutlets, oyster dishes, bubble tea and more, with an underground food court | MRT Jiantan |
| Raohe Night Market | Many Michelin-listed street foods: black-pepper buns, grilled rice noodles, herbal pork-rib soup | MRT Songshan |
| Ningxia Night Market | A small market loved by locals, strong on braised pork, tofu pudding and oyster omelettes | MRT Zhongshan |
| Huaxi Street Night Market | Unusual foods such as snake dishes and wild herbs; a traditional market in Wanhua | MRT Longshan Temple |
Eating in Taipei: the essence of Taiwanese food
| Food | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaolongbao (小籠包) | Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), Taipei 101 and Xinyi branches; Michelin-starred, expect queues | About 200 TWD for 10 |
| Beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) | Yongkang Street area; rich braised style, also at night markets and local restaurants | 180–350 TWD |
| Fried chicken cutlet (雞排) | Shilin Night Market; Taiwan's signature street food | 70–100 TWD |
| Bubble tea (珍珠奶茶) | 50嵐, CoCo; the tapioca is chewier at the source | 60–100 TWD |
| Mango shaved ice (芒果冰) | Ice Monster and other ice shops; fresh mango, ice cream and condensed milk, a summer essential | 250–400 TWD |
FAQ
What is a good 2-day Taipei route?
Day 1: Ximending (morning shopping), Din Tai Fung (lunch), Taipei 101 observatory (afternoon), Shilin Night Market (evening). Day 2: a Jiufen and Shifen day tour, or a Tamsui sunset (afternoon) and Ningxia Night Market (evening). An EasyCard loaded with 500 TWD covers transport.
How do I book Din Tai Fung?
You can book ahead in the official Din Tai Fung app. The Taipei 101 branch is especially popular, and you often need to queue before it opens at 11 am. The Xinyi and Zhongshan branches are relatively less crowded.
When should I visit Jiufen?
5 to 9 pm, when the red lanterns are lit, is the best time. Daytime has fewer visitors for photos but no lantern atmosphere. In rain, umbrellas clash in the narrow lanes, so bring a raincoat. Weekends are extremely crowded.
How should I handle money?
Exchange counters in Ximending or the underground malls at Taipei Main Station have good rates; airport rates are poor. Most restaurants and night markets prefer cash, so carry enough TWD.
How do I buy an EasyCard?
At the Taoyuan Airport MRT station or service centres at Taipei MRT stations (100 TWD deposit plus the amount you want to load). It works on the MRT, buses, at convenience stores and for bike rental.
Sources
- Visa-exempt entry (eligible nationalities and conditions) · Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan · accessed 2026-10-30
- Taiwan Tourism Administration · Taiwan Tourism Administration · accessed 2026-05-04
- Taipei Travel · Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism · accessed 2026-05-04
- National Palace Museum · National Palace Museum · accessed 2026-05-04
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.