Taipei itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple & Ximending
Liberty Square and the changing of the guard, Longshan Temple and the old streets of Wanhua, and an evening in Ximending.
- 1
Morning
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The white hall with its blue octagonal roof at the top of 89 steps, set on the huge Liberty Square between the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.
- Liberty Square gate
- Memorial hall
- Changing of the guard
- National Theater
The changing of the guard takes place inside the hall every hour from 9 am to 5 pm.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the Changing of the Guard
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
MRT from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to Longshan Temple, about 15 min.
- 2
Late morning
Longshan Temple & Wanhua
Taipei's most famous temple, busy with worshippers and incense from morning to night, at the heart of Wanhua, the city's oldest district of narrow streets and small shops.
- Longshan Temple
- Wanhua's old streets
Visitors are welcome in the temple; walk quietly around people praying.
Wanhua District: Longshan Temple and Old Streets
Video by VIRTUAL TAIWAN on YouTube
Walk north to Ximending, about 15 min, or one MRT stop.
- 3
Evening
Ximending
A pedestrian shopping district often called the Harajuku of Taipei: neon, street food stalls, boutiques and street performers, with the octagonal Red House of 1908 at its edge.
- Ximending pedestrian streets
- The Red House
- Street food stalls
Ximending at Night: Street Food and Shopping
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
Day 2: Dihua Street, Dadaocheng & Ningxia Night Market
The shophouses and tea and herb shops of Dihua Street, Yongle Market and the City God Temple, then dinner at Ningxia Night Market.
- 1
Afternoon
Dihua Street & Dadaocheng
Taipei's oldest commercial street, lined with restored shophouses selling dried goods, tea and herbs, with Yongle Market and the small, much-visited Xiahai City God Temple.
- Dihua Street
- Yongle Market
- Xiahai City God Temple
- Minsheng West Road
The street gets very crowded in the weeks before Lunar New Year, when it turns into a festive market.
Walk east along Minsheng West Road, about 15 min.
- 2
Evening
Ningxia Night Market
A compact night market a short walk from Dadaocheng, known for traditional Taiwanese snacks rather than shopping, ending at the round Jiancheng Circle.
- Ningxia Night Market
- Jiancheng Circle
Day 3: Xinyi, Elephant Mountain & Shilin Night Market
Taipei 101 and the Xinyi plazas, sunset from Elephant Mountain, and a late dinner at Shilin Night Market.
- 1
Afternoon
Xinyi & Taipei 101
The modern side of Taipei: wide plazas, department stores linked by skybridges and the 509-metre Taipei 101 tower at the centre.
- Taipei 101
- Xiangti Avenue Plaza
- Xinyi skybridges
Xinyi Shopping District and Taipei 101
Video by Walking Expedition on YouTube
Walk east past Xiangshan station to the trailhead, about 15 min.
- 2
Sunset
Elephant Mountain
A short, steep climb on stone stairs through the forest of Xiangshan Park to lookouts with the classic view straight at Taipei 101.
- Xiangshan trailhead
- Forest staircases
- Taipei 101 viewpoint
The climb takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is mostly steps; bring water, and go up an hour before sunset to see the city light up.
Elephant Mountain Hike with Taipei 101 Views
Video by Seoul-Along Korean Street ASMR 4K on YouTube
MRT from Xiangshan to Jiantan on the red line, about 30 min.
- 3
Night
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's biggest and most famous night market, with lanes of food stalls (stinky tofu, oyster omelettes and much more) and stalls of clothing and souvenirs.
- Food stalls
- Market lanes
- Shopping stalls
Get off at Jiantan station, not Shilin station; the market is right across the road.
Shilin Night Market Street Food Walk
Video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Taipei plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Taipei
How many days?
Three days covers the old west side, Dadaocheng and two night markets, and Xinyi with the Elephant Mountain view. Two days is enough for the highlights.
Where to stay
Zhongzheng, around Taipei Main Station, is the most convenient base; Ximending is lively and close to the old quarters; Da'an has quieter streets and cafés; Xinyi is modern and close to Taipei 101.
Getting around
The MRT is clean, cheap and covers all the stops here; an EasyCard pays for the MRT, buses and the YouBike share bikes. The centre is flat and easy to walk.
Taipei grew from the river towns in the west of today's city. Wanhua, around Longshan Temple, and Dadaocheng, along Dihua Street, are the oldest quarters, with temples, shophouses and markets; Ximending next door is the young, neon-lit shopping district. The government quarter with the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall sits in the middle, and the modern city stretches east to the towers of Xinyi and Taipei 101, with green hills rising right behind them.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the temples, the old streets and the night markets before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Taipei itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Taipei?
Three days is a good first visit: one for the memorial hall, Longshan Temple and Ximending, one for Dadaocheng and a night market, and one for Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain and Shilin. Two days covers the highlights.
Which night market in Taipei is best?
Shilin is the biggest and most famous, with food and shopping. Ningxia is smaller and focused on traditional snacks. Raohe, near Songshan station, and the streets of Ximending are other easy choices.
Is Taipei walkable?
Yes. The centre is flat with arcaded sidewalks that keep off sun and rain, and the MRT connects every district in this plan. Elephant Mountain is the only real climb.
When is the best time to visit Taipei?
October to December and March to April are the most pleasant. May and June bring the plum rains, summer is hot and humid with typhoons possible from July to September, and winter is cool and often drizzly.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Taipei
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Taipei city guide →