Let’s get one factor clear: Three days isn’t sufficient to completely get pleasure from what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unimaginable vacation spot full of sights that would go away you wanting extra.
However hey, we perceive that not all vacationers have the luxurious of time. Maybe you’re a full-time worker who solely has a protracted weekend to spare for trip otherwise you’re touring to Taipei to attend a convention and need to lengthen their keep for a bit longer.
Don’t fear, it’s doable to expertise the most effective of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of the most effective boba milk tea when there’s an entire tank of it in entrance of you. However with its extremely developed services and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of town even in such a brief interval.
Observe: Because you solely have three days, this information stays strictly inside Taipei Metropolis and we’re not venturing out. However Taipei Metropolis alone is so full of sights, sounds, and flavors that it may possibly fill a protracted weekend effortlessly.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING
In case you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you will have two major public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.
BY MRT
Each Terminals 1 and a pair of have their very own MRT Station:
- Terminal 1: A12 Station
Terminal 2: A13 Station - Working hours: round 6am to 10:55 pm
Journey time: 37 minutes (if Categorical)
Fare: NT$150
Yow will discover extra data right here.
BY BUS
In case you’re arriving outdoors the MRT working interval otherwise you merely desire the bus, head over to the bus counters near the Arrival Corridor of the airport. These buses are operated by varied corporations, and journey time and fare fluctuate relying in your route and vacation spot. However listed below are some tough estimates:
- Journey time: 60-90 minutes
- Fare: NT$ 125-160
Extra particular data right here.
In case you’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then verify in to your resort room. In any other case, simply drop your luggage for now and let’s begin exploring instantly!
Our first and solely cease for in the present day is Ximending. Fear not, there’s lots to see and do right here!
Generally referred to as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, road performers, and retailers bursting with knick-knacks you by no means knew you wanted. This neighborhood is the place Taipei’s youth come to flex, snack, and store until they drop. It has an nearly electrical vitality to it. So get your recreation face on, and let’s head out to discover one in every of Taipei’s most vibrant districts.
Rainbow Highway
In case you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that can greet you is the Rainbow Highway, because of its row of colours and the group that kind subsequent to it, making an attempt to take their IG photographs.
It isn’t only a street-—it’s a press release! These colours splashed throughout the pavement turned an bizarre crosswalk right into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Highway is Taipei’s daring high-five to the group, displaying off its satisfaction with each vibrant stripe.
Whether or not you’re right here to have a good time, present help, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this street virtually waves at you for a pic. Individuals flock right here, cameras in hand, able to immortalize their second in all that colourful glory. Photobombs are inevitable, however that’s a part of the problem!
More often than not, road performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the same old singers, bands, and dancers, however once in a while you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that can make you cease and keep a bit longer.
The Purple Home
Cross the adjoining street and also you’ll be greeted by the Purple House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related via a long time of reinvention. Inbuilt 1908, this octagonal red-brick constructing has worn many hats: a theater, a market, and now a museum-slash-shop. Step inside, and also you’ll discover indie craft stalls, LGBTQ+ pleasant areas, and native art work that put a contemporary twist on this previous magnificence. You would possibly end up questioning why your hometown can’t protect historical past with this a lot swag.
Our final go to coincided with Satisfaction Month celebrations, so the ambiance was way more fab and festive and there have been plenty of freebies round.
Pop Mart Flagship Retailer
Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, the place cabinets groan beneath the burden of collectibles that’ll drain your pockets however heal your interior baby.
Recognized for its cute collectible figurines and trinkets, this place is floor zero for these seeking to snag a unusual memento particularly of Labubu, the now insanely fashionable and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. These serrated tooth and mischievous look don’t cease individuals from falling in love with it or, a minimum of, leaping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favourite, there’s all the time a crowd constructing in entrance of this pop mart retailer. Each one is hoping to get their fingers on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the worth resellers are charging again house. And sure, Labubu gadgets, particularly the plush key chains, had been bought out after we visited.
Some don’t perceive why it’s so fashionable and a few say it’s only a fad, however we needed to know so we joined the enjoyable and bought three thriller containers at one other Pop Mart store. And sure, they’re so cute and we might or might not get extra subsequent time we had the possibility.
Dinner
It’s time for supper, and Ximending is a feast for each funds and style. We’ll be mentioning three meals spots right here, however we truly tried extra.
- Price range Choice: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is road meals at its most interesting—no seats, simply seize a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavour. It’s solely NT$ 60 per small serving, nevertheless it’s actually, actually tasty. No surprise there’s all the time a loooong queue right here. Each silky serving is topped with a little bit of offal, which surprisingly didn’t have any hint of gutsy scent or aftertaste. Even Vins, who doesn’t usually like consuming innards, discovered it scrumptious and needed to have one other bowl. It’s much more flavorful if you add chili, crushed garlic, and a little bit of vinegar, which is offered for self-service on a station on the aspect.
- Mid-Vary Choice: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go all the way down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals courtroom. However look particularly for Lao Shan Dong Do-it-yourself Noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. This humble institution has been serving bowls of piping scorching beef noodles since 1949; it’s a Ximending establishment. The place was packed after we visited. Vins ordered the meat brisket noodle soup whereas I had the so-called “three treasures” noodle soup, which had brisket, tendon, and tripe. We may simply inform that the noodles had been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly reduce. It was agency, simply the way in which I appreciated it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re recognized for his or her dumplings, too!
- Splurge Choice: In case you’re with a gaggle (household or associates) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and need to go huge, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Scorching Pot, a scorching pot spot that will make any emperor proud. Whereas ready on your desk, you’ll be able to strive on elaborate costumes to essentially embrace the royal theme of the place. You’ll be able to strive on conventional Chinese language-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historic dynasties and channel your interior emperor or empress. It’s not daily you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready on your broth to boil, so we grabbed the possibility. The employees was blissful to snap images, so it’s a terrific alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The entire expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.
Ah sure, let’s speak in regards to the meals. They provide a big selection of contemporary elements — prime cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies — all ready to be dunked in both a homey clear broth or the additional savory and spicy mala soup. After you’ve feasted on all of the proteins, you’ll be able to dive right into a freezer stuffed with Häagen-Dazs flavors to prime all of it off. They’ve 16 flavors, and it’s all yours to get pleasure from. I had caramel biscuit and mango raspberry! We’ll be breaking down this eating expertise in one other article.
After your meal, discover this tiny stall promoting freshly fried Crispy Milk Donut (NT$ 40). You may need to attend in line for a bit too, however that’s normally the case for something scrumptious today.
Boba Milk Tea
Wash your dinner down with a cup of milk tea. However as you already know, Taiwan is the land of boba, so it is likely to be exhausting to decide on which one to strive even right here in Ximending.
- Each single Taipei native we’ve met recommends 50 Lan’s boba milk tea (NT$ 60), recognizable by its yellow and blue branding. It’s a sequence, and also you’ll discover a few branches in Ximending. 50 Lan’s model is traditional – no frills, no gimmicks, only a completely balanced mix, with simply the appropriate sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. That is additionally the most effective milk tea for us.
- However most vacationers appear to be magnetized by the loud and flashy Xing Fu Tang flagship retailer. You gained’t miss it as a result of there’s a lengthy queue any time of the day. It’s exhausting to not be drawn to it as a result of they prepare dinner the pearls within the open. We’ve tried their traditional boba milk tea earlier than, however on our most up-to-date journey, we had its best-selling signature brown sugar boba milk (NT$ 120), one thing I used to be ready to hate due to its extreme worth, however was truly very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on prime add a little bit of playfulness to the graceful milky drink.
- In case you’d moderately have it as an icy dessert, head over to Kenting Dan Dan Duai Nai, the place they serve milk tea within the type of a shave ice deal with.
Taipei Cinema Park & Graffiti Spots
Finish your evening with a stroll via Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for good Instagram backdrops. It’s road artwork galore, with painted masterpieces that vary from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and take in this cool, colourful vibe on this typically uncrowded part of Ximending.
You’ll additionally discover Wow Land, a claw machine heaven! There are numerous claw machines in Taipei; you’ll see them in every single place. However what makes these specific machines exceptional is that you may truly win one thing you probably have the ability. It’s not rigged, or a minimum of not as rigged because the others! After we enter this place, we by no means depart empty-handed!
And that’s it for Day 1. I informed you, it’s a bit packed, however buckle up as a result of we’ve solely simply began.
DAY 2: BEITOU & SHILIN
At the moment, we’ll be exploring two of Taipei’s most fascinating districts: Shilin and Beitou.
Beitou Thermal Valley
Begin Day 2 with a go to to Beitou Thermal Valley for the mist that rises eerily from inexperienced sulfuric waters.
While you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, the place you’ll be able to really feel the water and provides your fingers a shower. However as you stroll deeper, you’ll ultimately see the steamy scorching springs that seem like nature’s large cauldron. Whilst you can’t take a dip right here, it’s mesmerizing to observe. Stroll round it, catch that sulfur-scented air, and soak within the barely mystical ambiance.
Earlier than going, strive some tea eggs, bought by retailers in entrance of the doorway, for very gentle however on-theme breakfast. Then stroll to your proper for 10 minutes to our subsequent cease.
Beitou Scorching Springs Museum
Step again in time on the Beitou Scorching Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. Inbuilt 1913, this well-preserved architectural attraction showcases the golden age of scorching springs in Beitou, together with a large bathtub the place visitors as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s a gorgeous, nostalgic slice of previous Taiwan and makes you respect the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy previous.
After we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese college youngsters on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than common. However in any other case, it’s normally very chill and enjoyable. As in any onsen, you’ll should take away your footwear and deposit them in lockers. Placed on the supplied slippers and comply with the marked path across the museum.
After this, it’s time for lunch. Determine whether or not you desire a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your approach via a meals market!
- In case you go for beef noodles, proceed to Su Jia. enter this in your Google Maps app: 粟家牛肉麵. You’ll discover two outcomes. Select the one alongside Yongxing Road. It’s best to attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
- In case you’d moderately stroll and munch on the identical time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s nearer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Lunch Choice A: Su Jia Beef Noodles
It’s beef noodle time (once more!) —Taiwan’s soul meals in a bowl.
Su Jia makes use of noodles which are agency and chewy, drowned in a wealthy broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the identical three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. However for those who’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).
We beloved how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with loads of meat nonetheless connected to it. If I evaluate it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat recreation simply, however Lao Shandong had extra flavorful broth. But it surely was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl general. Don’t be stunned if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.
In case you’re not within the temper for an additional serving to of beef noodles or for those who’ve obtained room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s all the time room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!
Lunch Choice B: Beitou Market
Beitou Market is a type of locations the place you are feeling like an area, procuring shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.
One of many largest attracts of Beitou Market is the number of road meals stalls providing every thing from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. In case you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s scorching springs, it’s a incredible place to seize a fast, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, sure—-lest I forget-—dessert! Right here, you’ll be able to pattern quirky native treats, like mushy pastries full of purple bean or egg custard, or chewy mochi balls.
From the Beitou Market, take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station (Fare: NT$25; Journey time: 11 minutes) and catch Bus R30 to achieve our subsequent cease, the Nationwide Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 11 minutes).
Nationwide Palace Museum
Time for some tradition! The Nationwide Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 items, it’s like stepping right into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, full of intricately crafted jade carvings, gorgeous calligraphy, and fantastically preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese language tradition.
However right here’s the factor. It’s an enormous museum – enormous! And it’s simple to get misplaced in its galleries. And if you wish to see each single piece on show, you’ll most likely want greater than a day. So plan your go to correctly. Analysis which items you need to see and discover them.
In our case, we let this Google Arts and Tradition article prepared the ground.
It listed out six of the must-see items inside and we made them our northern stars:
- Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
- Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell made from bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
- Bi and Cong, utilized in rituals by the traditional Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
- Ceramic polo gamers, collectible figurines of feminine polo gamers within the Tang dynasty
- Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly sensible.
- Meat-shaped stone, constructed from jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach
After all, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the way in which. However to make our go to extra attention-grabbing, we used the checklist above as our objectives.
- If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting possibility when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – accomplish that. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Simply await time for supper and head on to Shilin Night time Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Journey time: 15-25 minutes).
- However for those who really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and vitality, squeeze in a go to to the subsequent cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Pressure Headquarters (Fare: NT$ 15; Journey time: 12 minutes) after which stroll for 14 minutes to the Martyr’s Shrine.
Martyr’s Shrine
The Nationwide Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine is sort of a mini-palace devoted to fallen heroes. Inbuilt conventional Chinese language architectural model, it’s a grand tribute to the troopers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is gorgeous and peaceable, a pleasant breather after all of the sightseeing.
Catch the altering of the guards, which occurs on prime of each hour from 9AM-5PM. It’s a powerful ceremony the place guards in crisp uniforms carry out their routine with navy precision. An analogous routine occurs on the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, however this one is prolonged since you get to observe them stroll the whole size of the location – from the doorway to the shrine and again.
To get to Shilin Night time Market from right here, take Bus 902 or R3 to Mingchuan College (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 5-7 minutes) and stroll for 7 minutes to our closing cease of the day.
Shilin Night time Market
No day in Taipei is full with no evening market, and Shilin Night time Market is the granddaddy of all of them. Whereas the basement meals courtroom is beneath renovation, there’s nonetheless lots to eat. Right here, essentially the most well-known is Scorching-Star Massive Fried Rooster, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion really useful one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Rooster (NT$100).
Like Scorching-Star, there’s additionally a queue that types towards it, and it’s additionally an enormous piece of breaded rooster cutlet. However this one is admittedly juicy and full of complicated flavors, caused by its difficult cooking course of. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded earlier than getting deep fried. After which – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, nevertheless it all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! The very best fried rooster we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, however nonetheless.
When you’ve had your ji pai repair, stroll a bit to Good Good friend Chilly Noodles to have your dose of carbs, within the type of chilly noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Large: NT$70). Good Good friend serves bowls which are oddly refreshing, one thing we desperately wanted after hours of simply strolling round Taipei.
It’s deceptively easy: skinny, bouncy noodles, doused with a wealthy, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for further crunch, and a touch of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s easy, sure, however low-cost, filling, and scrumptious. Sure, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.
With this, time to name it a day! Head again to your resort, sleep tight, and put together on your final day in Taipei!
DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS
Begin your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your resort. You’ll be able to stash your luggage on the resort reception or discover a metro station locker and decide it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a go to to a few of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.
You are able to do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.
- By MRT. Put together NT$ 20-25 per approach. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It is going to let you know the instructions together with which MRT line to take and which station to alight at.
- By Sightseeing Bus. A 4-hour move usually prices NT$330 for those who purchase on the bus itself. In case you e-book with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you buy tickets on the bus itself and you employ Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So that you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.
✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!
You’ll be able to catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Principal Station, simply outdoors EXIT M4. There’s a marked bus cease there. From right here, hop on the bus and get off at your first cease of the day.
Lungshan Temple
Begin with town’s most well-known, Lungshan Temple, a masterpiece of conventional design and non secular vitality. Inbuilt 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World Struggle II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate wood carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to hope right here every day.
One factor I seen is that there are not any incense sticks right here. Apparently, it was banned by the administration to enhance the air high quality within the space. As an alternative, worshippers might place different choices on the desk.
Entrance Charge: FREE
Hours open: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Corridor
This grand memorial honors Chiang Kai-shek, that is Taipei’s assertion piece with huge white partitions, putting blue-tiled roof, an infinite bronze statue of Taiwan’s former chief. Inside, study his life and legacy whereas marveling on the structure. You should definitely catch the altering of the guard right here, too.
Entrance Charge: FREE
Hours Open: 9:00 AM to six:00 PM
Taipei 101
The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over town like an enormous bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese language takeout containers. Whether or not you go up or simply admire it from the skin, Taipei 101 is a sight to behold.
At 508 meters tall, this was as soon as the tallest constructing on this planet. It now not holds the file, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a monumental achievement in structure and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that permits sweeping panoramic views of town. Right here’s a recreation: whilst you’re atop Taipei 101, attempt to discover the opposite landmarks and sights that you’ve visited on this journey. Begin with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the simplest to identify!
One other attention-grabbing to catch a glimpse of right here is its tuned mass damper, which stabilizes and retains the constructing standing and a reminder of Taipei 101’s resilience. It additionally homes workplaces and retail retailers.
Talking of outlets, simply near Taipei 101 is a fancy of procuring malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. In case you nonetheless have time, you’ll be able to spend the remainder of the day procuring. In case you don’t, then decide up your baggage and head to the airport!
Departure
And identical to that, you’ve conquered Taipei. Three days is extra like a whirlwind romance, quick and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. However that ought to offer you a motive to e-book one other flight and provides Taipei one other go!
The place to Keep in Taipei
Right here’s an inventory of the motels and hostels we tried in Taipei:
Seek for extra Taipei Inns!
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