Let’s get one factor clear: Three days shouldn’t be sufficient to completely take pleasure in what Taipei has to supply. It’s an unbelievable vacation spot filled with sights that would depart 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 wish to lengthen their keep for a bit longer.
Don’t fear, it’s doable to expertise one of the best of the Taiwanese capital in simply three days. So yeah, 3 days will really feel like getting a tiny sip of one of the best boba milk tea when there’s a complete tank of it in entrance of you. However with its extremely developed amenities and dependable public transport system, it’s simple to see and discover the highlights of town even in such a brief interval.
Be aware: 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 filled with sights, sounds, and flavors that it will possibly fill a protracted weekend effortlessly.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING
When you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport, you might have two most important public transportation choices: the MRT and the bus.
BY MRT
Each Terminals 1 and a couple 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 Specific)
Fare: NT$150
Yow will discover extra data right here.
BY BUS
When you’re arriving exterior the MRT working interval otherwise you merely choose the bus, head over to the bus counters near the Arrival Corridor of the airport. These buses are operated by varied firms, and journey time and fare fluctuate relying in your route and vacation spot. However listed here are some tough estimates:
- Journey time: 60-90 minutes
- Fare: NT$ 125-160
Extra particular data right here.
When you’re arriving previous 2 or 3PM, then verify in to your lodge room. In any other case, simply drop your luggage for now and let’s begin exploring immediately!
Our first and solely cease for right now is Ximending. Fear not, there’s rather a lot to see and do right here!
Generally referred to as Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, avenue 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 virtually electrical power to it. So get your recreation face on, and let’s head out to discover one in all Taipei’s most vibrant districts.
Rainbow Highway
When you’re popping out of Ximen Station, the very first thing that may greet you is the Rainbow Highway, due to its row of colours and the gang that type subsequent to it, making an attempt to take their IG pictures.
It isn’t only a street-—it’s a press release! These colours splashed throughout the pavement turned an abnormal 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 brilliant stripe.
Whether or not you’re right here to rejoice, present help, or simply jazz up your Instagram feed, this highway virtually waves at you for a pic. Folks 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, avenue performers additionally use the nook subsequent to it as their stage. There are the same old singers, bands, and dancers, however from time to time you’ll additionally see mind-blowing stunts that may make you cease and keep a bit longer.
The Pink Home
Cross the adjoining highway and also you’ll be greeted by the Pink House, a historic gem that’s managed to remain related by way of a long time of reinvention. In-built 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 Pleasure Month celebrations, so the environment was rather more fab and festive and there have been lots of freebies round.
Pop Mart Flagship Retailer
Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, the place cabinets groan below the load of collectibles that’ll drain your pockets however heal your internal little one.
Identified 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 enamel and mischievous look don’t cease individuals from falling in love with it or, not less than, 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 palms on an merchandise as a result of it’s less expensive right here than the value resellers are charging again house. And sure, Labubu objects, particularly the plush key chains, have been offered 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 packing 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 prospect.
Dinner
It’s meal time, and Ximending is a feast for each funds and style. We’ll be mentioning three meals spots right here, however we really tried extra.
- Price range Possibility: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a repair of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. That is avenue 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, however 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 accessible for self-service on a station on the aspect.
- Mid-Vary Possibility: Discover the Wan Nian Constructing and go right down to the basement the place you’ll discover a meals court docket. 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 sizzling 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 have been handmade as a result of they weren’t uniformly lower. It was agency, simply the best way I appreciated it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and completely balanced. Each chunk of the brisket was succulent. They’re identified for his or her dumplings, too!
- Splurge Possibility: When you’re with a bunch (household or associates) otherwise you’re simply feeling royally hungry and wish to go huge, discover the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Sizzling Pot, a sizzling pot spot that might make any emperor proud. Whereas ready in your desk, you’ll be able to strive on elaborate costumes to essentially embrace the royal theme of the place. You possibly can strive on conventional Chinese language-style outfits that resemble robes or robes from historical dynasties and channel your internal emperor or empress. It’s not every single day you get to really feel like a ruler whereas ready in your broth to boil, so we grabbed the prospect. The workers was glad to snap photographs, so it’s an awesome alternative for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The entire expertise provides a playful, immersive twist to your meal.
Ah sure, let’s discuss in regards to the meals. They provide a wide array of contemporary components — 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 take pleasure in. 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 often the case for something scrumptious lately.
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 could be exhausting to decide on which one to strive even right here in Ximending.
- Each single Taipei native we have now met recommends 50 Lan’s boba milk tea (NT$ 60), recognizable by its yellow and blue branding. It’s a series, 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 best sweetness, smoothness, tea perfume, and chewy pearls. And we agree. That is additionally one of the best 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 really very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on prime add a little bit of playfulness to the sleek milky drink.
- When you’d quite 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 by way of Taipei Cinema Park, the place graffiti partitions make for good Instagram backdrops. It’s avenue artwork galore, with painted masterpieces that vary from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and take in this cool, colourful vibe on this usually 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 all places. However what makes these specific machines exceptional is that you can really win one thing when you have the talent. It’s not rigged, or not less than not as rigged because the others! Once we enter this place, we by no means go away 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.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, the place you’ll be able to really feel the water and provides your palms a shower. However as you stroll deeper, you’ll ultimately see the steamy sizzling springs that seem like nature’s large cauldron. When 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 environment.
Earlier than going, strive some tea eggs, offered 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 Sizzling Springs Museum
Step again in time on the Beitou Sizzling Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. In-built 1913, this well-preserved architectural appeal showcases the golden age of sizzling springs in Beitou, together with a large tub the place friends as soon as loved therapeutic dips. It’s a good looking, nostalgic slice of previous Taiwan and makes you recognize the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy previous.
Once we visited, there have been bus-fuls of Japanese faculty kids on an academic tour, so it was extra crowded than traditional. However in any other case, it’s often very chill and enjoyable. As in any onsen, you’ll must take away your sneakers and deposit them in lockers. Placed on the supplied slippers and observe the marked path across the museum.
After this, it’s time for lunch. Resolve whether or not you desire a bowl of beef noodle soup at a correct sit down eatery or eat your means by way of a meals market!
- When 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 Avenue. You must attain it in lower than quarter-hour on foot.
- When you’d quite stroll and munch on the identical time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s nearer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Lunch Possibility 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 might be agency and chewy, drowned in a wealthy broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the identical three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. However in the event you’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. Nevertheless it was nonetheless a really satisfying bowl total. Don’t be shocked if you end up slurping away, eyes closed, misplaced in noodle nirvana.
When you’re not within the temper for one more serving to of beef noodles or in the event you’ve obtained room for dessert (and let’s be actual, there’s all the time room), then cross the road to Beitou Market!
Lunch Possibility B: Beitou Market
Beitou Market is a type of locations the place you are feeling like an area, purchasing shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.
One of many largest attracts of Beitou Market is the number of avenue meals stalls providing every thing from handmade dumplings to savory buns and native Taiwanese specialties. When you’ve labored up an urge for food from exploring Beitou’s sizzling springs, it’s a implausible 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 smooth pastries crammed with crimson 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 succeed in our subsequent cease, the Nationwide Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Journey time: 11 minutes).
Nationwide Palace Museum
Time for some tradition! The Nationwide Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 items, it’s like stepping right into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, crammed with intricately crafted jade carvings, beautiful calligraphy, and fantastically preserved ceramics that inform the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese language tradition.
However right here’s the factor. It’s a giant museum – large! And it’s simple to get misplaced in its galleries. And if you wish to see each single piece on show, you’ll in all probability want greater than a day. So plan your go to correctly. Analysis which items you wish to see and discover them.
In our case, we let this Google Arts and Tradition article paved the way.
It listed out six of the must-see items inside and we made them our northern stars:
- Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
- Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell manufactured from bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
- Bi and Cong, utilized in rituals by the traditional Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
- Ceramic polo gamers, collectible figurines of feminine polo gamers within the Tang dynasty
- Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly lifelike.
- Meat-shaped stone, comprised of jasper that appears precisely like a slice of braised pork stomach
After all, we additionally checked out the opposite rooms alongside the best way. However to make our go to extra fascinating, we used the record above as our objectives.
- If you wish to spend the remainder of the day contained in the museum – a tempting possibility when it’s raining otherwise you’re simply drained – accomplish that. As talked about, the museum is huge and wealthy. Simply anticipate meal time and head on to Shilin Night time Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Journey time: 15-25 minutes).
- However in the event you really feel such as you nonetheless have the time and power, squeeze in a go to to the following cease. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Drive 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. In-built conventional Chinese language architectural type, it’s a grand tribute to the troopers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is beautiful 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 complete 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 ultimate 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 court docket is below renovation, there’s nonetheless loads to eat. Right here, probably the most well-known is Sizzling-Star Giant Fried Rooster, which we tried a few years in the past. However our native companion beneficial one thing else, one thing that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Rooster (NT$100).
Like Sizzling-Star, there’s additionally a queue that varieties towards it, and it’s additionally an enormous piece of breaded rooster cutlet. However this one is basically juicy and filled with advanced flavors, caused by its difficult cooking course of. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded earlier than getting deep fried. After which – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, however it all makes the distinction. It’s actually good! The perfect fried rooster we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, however nonetheless.
When you’ve had your ji pai repair, stroll a bit to Good Good friend Chilly Noodles to have your dose of carbs, within the type of chilly noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Huge: NT$70). Good Good friend serves bowls which might be oddly refreshing, one thing we desperately wanted after hours of simply strolling round Taipei.
It’s deceptively easy: skinny, bouncy noodles, doused with a wealthy, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for additional crunch, and a touch of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s easy, sure, however low-cost, filling, and scrumptious. Sure, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.
With this, time to name it a day! Head again to your lodge, sleep tight, and put together in your final day in Taipei!
DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS
Begin your day early, pack up, and take a look at of your lodge. You possibly can stash your luggage on the lodge reception or discover a metro station locker and choose it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a go to to a few of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.
You are able to do it in two methods: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.
- By MRT. Put together NT$ 20-25 per means. Simply obtain the Google Maps app and let it information you with the transfers. It can 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 in the event you purchase on the bus itself. When you e book with Klook or KKDay, it’s solely NT$300. If you are going to buy tickets on the bus itself and you employ Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So that you’ll solely be paying NT$ 247.5.
✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!
You possibly can catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Fundamental Station, simply exterior 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 religious power. In-built 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World Conflict II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate wood carvings, and the extraordinary devotion of locals who come to hope right here day by day.
One factor I seen is that there aren’t any incense sticks right here. Apparently, it was banned by the administration to enhance the air high quality within the space. As a substitute, worshippers might place different choices on the desk.
Entrance Payment: 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 large white partitions, putting blue-tiled roof, an unlimited 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 Payment: 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 packing 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 document, however 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 best to identify!
One other fascinating 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 purchasing malls together with ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. When you nonetheless have time, you’ll be able to spend the remainder of the day purchasing. When you don’t, then choose 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, brief and candy. Taipei has much more in retailer. However that ought to offer you a cause 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 lodges and hostels we tried in Taipei:
Seek for extra Taipei Motels!
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