Exploring Your Options in Taipei, Taiwan

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Taipei is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a mix of natural beauty plus Taiwanese culture and history. From the modern appeal of Taipei 101 to the historically significant Longshan Temple, visitors will have no shortage of interesting opportunities. Of course, you can’t hit every exciting destination on a single trip, so here are some of the best places to visit in (or near) Taipei, Taiwan.

Taipei 101

There are plenty of attractions in Taipei that you could be forgiven for missing, but if you fail to notice Taipei 101 you are missing one of the best destinations in the city. Dominating the Taipei skyline at 508 meters, built to resemble a giant bamboo stalk, this skyscraper is one of the world’s tallest buildings—so it’s pretty much impossible to not see it towering overhead! The observation decks on the 88^th and 89^th floors provide stellar views of the city, but if the weather permits you should take advantage of the outdoor deck on the 91^st floor. The tower doesn’t just contain some viewing platforms, however—the first five floors of the building contain one of Taipei’s best malls. Get some shopping done, grab a bite in the food court, then ride the incredibly fast elevator up to one of the observation decks!

Shilin Night Market

The Shilin district boasts Taipei’s largest and most famous night market, a destination beloved by tourists and locals alike. Starting at either 3pm or 4pm, depending on the day, and running until either midnight or 1am, be sure to visit the market on an empty stomach. There are literally hundreds of options for street food, so this is the one of the city’s best places for snacking. You’ll definitely find more than food, however—there are also stands selling shoes, clothes, and gifts. Regardless of what you’re looking for, the Shilin Night Market is one destination you won’t want to miss.

National Palace Museum

While the Shilin Night market is a definite must-see, it’s certainly not the only thing the Shilin district has to offer. Anyone remotely interested in art should stop by the National Palace Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese art. With everything from paintings and calligraphy to religious objects and the famed fade cabbage, this museum’s massive collection is an impressive representation of the incredible pieces that Chinese artists have produced. Take advantage of the free guided tours in English that start at 10am and 3pm and learn about these incredible artworks!

Jiufen

The Jiufen area has seen a resurgence of tourists in the last thirty years, and this decommissioned gold mining town is perfect for a day trip. Jiufen is a quaint, magical representation of Taiwan as a whole, with beauty scenery, plenty of tea houses, various retro-Chinese style cafes, and souvenir stores. The town also resembles the village from famed anime Spirited Away, which only adds to its charm. Be sure to visit Jiufen Old Street for some great photo opportunities!

Mount Keelung and the Golden Waterfall

If you’re looking for a brief hike with a great payoff, set aside some time for Mount Keelung. Not far from Jiufen, this extinct volcano allows a wonderful view of the town below as well as panoramas of the Eastern Sea. It’s also pretty close to the Golden Waterfall, the waters of which have a unique yellow hue. Prepare to take lots of photos, as the sunlight reflects beautifully of the coppery water.

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is one of Taiwan’s most famous parks, boasting a reputation centered on beautiful mountain vistas, lovely cherry blossoms, and popular hot springs. The majority of the park lies within Taipei’s city limits, but the forty-plus miles of parkland provide a welcome respite from city life. Many visitors take the opportunity to hike up Qixing Mountain, Taipei’s highest mountain and dormant volcano. Others prefer a more relaxing option and check out the brightly-colored Flower Clock or take a dip in some of the hot springs. Whatever your preference, you won’t regret visiting this incredible park.

Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf

Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf is a lovely spot to soak in a sunset and grab a bite to eat. The Lover Bridge of Tamsui is the place to be at sundown, while the Riverbanks Scenery Platform provides great views of the Tamsui River and Kuanyinshan. There’s also an outdoor lawn and sculpture park if you feel if you feel like some artwork after dining at one of the many restaurants along the wharf.

Shifen Waterfall

Shifen Waterfall is often referred to as the Niagara Falls of Taiwan, and visitors are quick to figure out why. Crossing an iconic suspension bridge will bring you to the largest natural waterfall along the Pingxi Line, a cascade waterfall of breathtaking beauty. Many visitors recount seeing rainbows where the waters splash into the lake, but this area is stunning even without a rainbow. The little town of Shifen is worth a visit as well, with the Shifen Old Streets area in particular offering a unique perspective of Taiwan’s history and culture.

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is a great spot to visit if you’re looking for a glimpse into the daily life of many Taiwanese locals. Built in 1738 as a place of worship and gathering place for Chinese settlers, the temple has survived natural disasters and wars by either being renovated or rebuilt. Longshan is one of the largest and oldest temples in Taiwan, maintaining much of its culture and folk art while remaining a crucial part of daily life for many locals.

Maokong

The village of Maokong sits atop a mountain overlooking downtown Taipei, which provides this quaint little village with some of the best views in all Taipei. You can ride a glass-floored gondola to the top of the mountain, which is the perfect way to experience the 4km voyage to the summit. Sunset is the best time to visit, as the views of the Taipei cityscape are absolutely breathtaking. But the village is also worth visiting during the daytime, when you can try some of the village’s famous teas. Maokong used to be the largest tea-growing area in all of Taipei. It is now a great spot to explore tea culture and take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Taipei.

Taipei is a beautiful place, a delightful mix of modernity and history. Anyone fortunate enough to visit will find plenty to do—certainly more than can be enjoyed within the confines of a business trip!—but hopefully this list will help you hit some of the best stops on your trip.

Looking to hold a corporate meeting or travel incentive in Taipei? Let Gavel International handle all your planning needs.

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Jim Bozzelli

With over 34 years of experience, Jim is fluent in the ins and outs of the meeting and event world. His tenacity and creativity as a strategist have ensured that incentive programs and corporate meetings are highly polished while simultaneously achieving big-picture goals and objectives. Before focusing exclusively on corporate events and incentive programs, he enjoyed over 10 years of success managing and directing national and international sales. During this time, he worked closely with hotels and convention bureaus. His expertise was recognized with rapid promotions along the way. Over 18 years ago he joined the Gavel International team where he works tirelessly with clients to make their events shine by analyzing data, setting goals, negotiating contracts, as well as setting and managing budgets. He is currently the Vice President of Gavel International.