Aug 22–27 · 5nights

Taipei

Night markets, temples, and mountain views

Overview

Taipei at a glance

Attractions, hotels and restaurants — all on one map.

Attractions Hotels Restaurants
Day by Day

The itinerary

Day 1 Aug 22 (Fri)

Arrival & Ximending

  • Arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
  • Take airport MRT to Taipei Main Station (~35 min) ↗
  • Check into hotel, rest and freshen up
  • Evening walk through Ximending pedestrian area Map
  • Dinner at Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodle + explore night market stalls
Day 2 Aug 23 (Sat)

Taipei Icons

  • Morning visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall — watch the guard changing ceremony ↗ Map
  • Lunch at Din Tai Fung (Xinyi) — book ahead to avoid the queue ↗
  • Afternoon at Taipei 101 — observatory on the 89th floor ↗ Map
  • Sunset hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for iconic Taipei 101 views (~20 min climb) Map
  • Evening at Raohe Night Market — pepper buns, stinky tofu, bubble tea Map
Day 3 Aug 24 (Sun)

Temples & Culture

  • Morning visit to Longshan Temple — one of Taipei's oldest and most important temples ↗ Map
  • Walk through Bopiliao Historic Block — preserved Qing dynasty street Map
  • Lunch at Yongkang Beef Noodle on Yongkang Street
  • Afternoon at National Palace Museum — world's largest collection of Chinese art ↗ Map
  • Evening at Shilin Night Market — the largest and most famous night market Map
Day 4 Aug 25 (Mon)

Day Trip: Jiufen & Northeast Coast

  • Take bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT to Jiufen (~1.5 hours)
  • Explore Jiufen Old Street — the inspiration for Spirited Away Map
  • Try taro balls, fish ball soup, and peanut ice cream rolls
  • Visit A-Mei Tea House for mountain views and oolong tea Map
  • Optional: continue to Shifen for sky lanterns and the waterfall Map
  • Return to Taipei, dinner at Addiction Aquatic Development
Day 5 Aug 26 (Tue)

Beitou & Dadaocheng

  • Morning trip to Beitou Hot Springs — take MRT Red Line to Xinbeitou Map
  • Visit Beitou Hot Spring Museum and the thermal valley ↗
  • Optional: soak at a public hot spring (Millennium Hot Spring or hotel spa)
  • Afternoon explore Dadaocheng / Dihua Street — tea shops, traditional goods, historic architecture Map
  • Dinner at Mala Hotpot — interactive DIY hot pot experience
  • Pack and prepare for early train to Hualien tomorrow
🚆

Take the TRA Puyuma/Taroko Express to Hualien (~2.5 hours)

Where to Stay

Hotels in Taipei

Amba Taipei Songshan

↗
★ 4.3 (2,800+)
NT$$ · ~NT$4,500/night Design hotelNear Raohe Night MarketMRT accessible

Trendy design hotel right next to Songshan MRT and Raohe Night Market. Modern rooms with city views.

Ask for a room on a higher floor for better city views.

Hotel Cozzi Zhongxiao

★ 4.2 (1,500+)
NT$$ · ~NT$4,000/night Central locationFamily-friendlyNear Zhongxiao Dunhua

Well-located hotel in the eastern Taipei shopping district. Clean, modern rooms with good amenities.

Walking distance to many restaurants and the Zhongxiao shopping area.

Just Sleep Ximending

↗
★ 4.1 (3,000+)
NT$ · ~NT$3,000/night Budget-friendlyXimending districtNear MRT

Affordable and cheerful hotel in the heart of Ximending, Taipei's youth and entertainment district.

Great base for night market hopping. Book a family room early.

citizenM Taipei North Gate

★ 4.5 (1,200+)
NT$$ · ~NT$4,200/night ModernNear Taipei Main StationGreat rooftop

Stylish international chain hotel near Taipei Main Station. Known for its self-check-in and rooftop bar.

The rooftop has great views of Taipei. Rooms are compact but well-designed.

Where to Eat

Restaurants in Taipei

Din Tai Fung (Xinyi)

★ 4.5 (15,000+)
NT$$ Book ahead XiaolongbaoIconicFamily-friendly

The world-famous dumpling house. The Xinyi flagship location in Taipei 101 mall has the shortest waits.

Must try Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) — watch them being made through the kitchen window

11:00–21:00 daily

Addiction Aquatic Development

★ 4.3 (5,000+)
NT$$ SeafoodMarketSashimi

Part fish market, part food court, part upscale seafood restaurant. An incredible seafood experience.

Must try Fresh sashimi platter and grilled seafood from the standing bar

06:00–00:00 daily

Yongkang Beef Noodle

★ 4.4 (8,000+)
NT$ Beef noodle soupClassicLocal favourite

Arguably the most famous beef noodle soup in Taipei, on the iconic Yongkang Street.

Must try Half-tendon half-meat beef noodle soup — rich, beefy broth with hand-pulled noodles

11:00–21:00, closed Wednesdays

Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodle

★ 4.2 (6,000+)
NT$ Street foodXimendingQuick

Legendary street food stall in Ximending. Always a long queue but moves fast.

Must try Large bowl of thick rice noodles in savoury pork intestine broth

11:00–22:30 daily

Mala Hotpot

★ 4.1 (2,000+)
NT$$ Hot potSpicyInteractive

DIY hot pot where you pick your ingredients buffet-style and cook at your table.

Must try Mala (spicy numbing) broth with thinly sliced beef and handmade dumplings

11:30–01:00 daily