Top 6 Highlights in Taipei, Taiwan

In recent years, Taiwan has become a go-to destination for tourists coming from the East Asia and Southeast Asian regions. With the Taiwanese government relaxing some of its visa restrictions for its neighbouring countries, the island’s influx of tourists dramatically increased, especially those coming from the Philippines and Thailand. Branding itself as a fairly affordable alternative to Japan or South Korea (coupled with their world famous street food, Taiwan definitely belongs high-up in the list of hot Asian getaways.

I’ve gathered a list of top 6 places to see in Taipei based on my experience while I was there. Granted there are a lot of other amazing places to see in Taiwan, but if you are only staying in Taipei for around 4-5 days, then the places featured below are must-see.

1. Shilin Night Market

As mentioned, Taiwan boasts a reputation of having a very sought after cuisine not just in the region but across the world. A foodie’s paradise, this island nation is the cradle of a lot popular mouthwatering Asian culinary creations such as the xiao long bao or soup dumplings, chicken chops, beef noodles and of course Boba or Bubble Milk Tea. BUBBLE TEA. For bubble milk tea addicts, this is the motherland and true enough for locals, bubble tea is deeply ingrained in their diet with some partaking of the popular drink daily.

A hotspot for authentic Taiwanese street food is the Shilin Night Market. You can visit other night markets in Taipei such as the Raohe Night Market and you probably will see the same variety of street food, but Shilin remains to be the most popular one. Let me tell you, there are a LOT of food to choose from. Try the stinky tofu if you’re feeling adventurous! You can even skip dinner in a restaurant and just have street food all night long and you will still crave for more. Definitely must not be missed.

2. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

A perfect place to soak in some culture and history while getting that gram-worthy shot, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial is a large complex which also houses the National Theater and National Concert Hall. Upon entering, you will immediately feel the sense of grandeur of the place.

Walk to the end of the complex and you will arrive at a structure containing a huge statue of Chiang Kai Shek, the former leader of the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) who fought against the Communist Party in China. If you’re lucky, you might also witness the changing of the guards inside the memorial.

3. Yangmingshan National Park

Venturing a bit out of Taipei, Yangmingshan national park is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just located about an hour away (by bus) from Taipei is Yangmingshan National Park, which is a vast area of mountain ranges, fields and flowers, perfect for nature lovers. Of particular interests are the steam vents and the sulphur deposits coming from the mountain. Due to its wide area, I suggest allowing a whole day for this park as you have lots of natural attractions to explore and the places are located quite far from each other.

4. Yeh Liu Geological Park

Another place for nature lovers is the Yehliu Geopark, which is also at the outskirts of the city. You can just take a bus to get here and it could also take about an hour’s drive. Yehliu is definitely a unique place to visit as I have not seen anything like it in my travels. The park is otherworldly to say the least, with its bizarre rock formations that were formed through thousands of years of weathering. The main attraction in this park is the Queen’s Head, which you will have to queue up just to take a picture of the regal rock up close. If you’re a nature buff and you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind place to visit, then Yehliu might just be up your alley.

5. Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail (Best View of Taipei 101)

We’re back in the city! But, just do one more hiking, this time up the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail and you’ll thank me later. Located within the city centre, the Elephant Mountain has the best view of the iconic landmark of Taiwan, the Taipei 101. Once regarded as the tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 remains the country’s most popular symbol, akin to the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. Like these famous structures, Taipei 101 is best appreciated at a distance since going to the actual building entails a lot of queuing and an entrance fee (plus the fact you can’t really see the building since you are inside it). Fair warning: the hike up the Elephant Mountain trail is not that easy for beginners (it has a lot of stairs), so better be prepared by bringing some water and a change of clothes. But think of it this way: cardio + breathtaking view (and snapshot) = win-win!

 

6. Pingxi District (Sky Lantern Experience)

Last but definitely not least on the list is the Pingxi District, where you can experience flying your own sky lantern bringing your wishes and desires up to the heavens. Being located outside of Taipei, you will need to ride the provincial train to go out of Taipei and into Pingxi. This may take about 1-2 hours. In the past, you can only do the sky lantern activity around the Chinese New Year celebrations. However, since it became so popular, tourists can fly their own lanterns all year round. There will be shopkeepers selling paper lanterns and Chinese brushes beside the railroad tracks and you can write your hopes and dreams on the lanterns. You can also find vendors selling delicious street food. Try the ice cream wrap with peanuts and cilantro! While sky lanterns are also being flown off from other parts of Asia (like in Chiang Mai, Thailand), the Pingxi District still remains popular among tourists.

Will definitely come back again to this beautiful island nation and explore its other provinces and towns. But more importantly, return to try more BUBBLE TEA!