Taipei
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At a glance
- Country
- Taiwan
- Region
- Northern Taiwan
- Population
- 2.5 million
- Best time to go
- October to December, March to May
- Main airport
- Taiwan Taoyuan International (TPE)
- Coordinates
- 25.03°N, 121.57°E
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Overview
Taipei is a city of easy contrasts: incense-filled temples beside glass towers, tea houses in the hills and some of Asia's best street food after dark. It is safe, efficient and remarkably friendly to visitors.
Green mountains ring the basin, so hot springs and hiking trails are only a metro ride away. Plan your days around food, because the night markets are where the city really comes alive.
Things to see
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Photo: Peellden, CC BY 3.0 National Palace Museum
One of the world's great collections of Chinese art, from jade carvings to Song dynasty paintings and bronzes.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 Taipei 101
The bamboo-shaped skyscraper has an observatory near the top and a huge tuned mass damper you can see swaying.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to , CC BY 4.0 Longshan Temple
A busy, ornate temple where locals pray, burn incense and consult the gods with wooden moon blocks.
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Photo: AngMoKio, CC BY-SA 3.0 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
A vast white monument with a blue roof and grand plaza, flanked by the national theatre and concert hall.
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Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to , CC BY 4.0 Dihua Street
Old merchant houses selling dried goods, herbal medicine and fabric, now mixed with cafés and design shops.
Things to do
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Photo: Unknown photographer, Public domain Graze the night markets
Raohe and Shilin are the famous ones. Try pepper buns, oyster omelettes and, if you dare, stinky tofu.
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Photo: 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0 Hike Elephant Mountain
A short, steep climb from the metro rewards you with the classic view of Taipei 101, best at sunset.
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Photo: Taiwankengo, CC BY-SA 3.0 Soak in Beitou
Hot springs at the end of a metro line, with public baths and a handsome old bathhouse museum.
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Photo: lumoplank, CC0 Day trip to Jiufen
A hillside former gold-mining town of lantern-hung lanes and teahouses overlooking the sea.
Where to stay
Da'an
Leafy and central, with great restaurants and cafés. Good for first-timers.
Hotels in Da'anXimending
Young, lively and full of shops, near Longshan Temple and good value.
Hotels in XimendingZhongshan
Well connected, with boutique hotels and easy access to the airport train.
Hotels in ZhongshanXinyi
Modern and polished around Taipei 101, with smart hotels and malls.
Hotels in Xinyi
Getting around
The MRT metro is clean, cheap and covers most of the city; get an EasyCard, which also works on buses and YouBike shared bicycles.
The Airport MRT express runs from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes.
When to go
Autumn and early winter bring clear, comfortable days, and spring is pleasant too. Summers are hot and humid with typhoon risk, while the Lantern Festival lights up the city around February.
Plan your trip to Taipei
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.