Things to do in  Taipei

Horseshoe-shaped Shifen Waterfall is one of the most famous falls in Taiwan. Torrents of water plunge into a deep pool and raise a shroud of mist that creates a rainbow effect on sunny days. With a width of more than 131 feet (40 meters), Taiwan’s Little Niagra isn't quite as big as Niagara Falls but its shape is similar.

At a soaring 1,667 feet (508 meters), Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building when it was completed in 2004—Dubai’s Burj Khalifa overtook it in 2010. A landmark in Taipei, it houses offices, restaurants, and a multilevel shopping complex, as well as indoor and outdoor observatories offering stunning panoramic views of Taipei.

Yehliu Geopark, home to the iconic Queen’s Head rock formation, looks more like a landscape from Mars than the northern coast of Taiwan. With its otherworldly natural structures, all of which have alluring names such as the Fairy Shoe and Sea Candles, the park makes for an enriching day trip from Taipei.

Taroko National Park, home to the Taroko Gorge, is one of Taiwan’s foremost tourist attractions. Highlights of this diverse landscape include the looming Qingshui Cliff, the twisting vistas of the Tunnel of Nine Turns, and the dramatic hanging bridges of Swallow Grotto. Then there’s the Eternal Springs Shrine, which hugs a lush green hillside next to its namesake springs. And the Baiyang Trail, which leads to a waterfall.

First constructed in 1921 to transport coal, the Pingxi Branch Rail Line—often known simply as the “Pingxi Line”—is today an enchanting tourist attraction. Stretching eight miles (13 kilometers) through some of the Taipei area’s loveliest scenery, the single-track railway wends its way through the photogenic Keelung River Valley.

Bao’an Temple, one of the most popular and significant religious sites in Taipei, dates back to 1760 when immigrants from Southern China built the original wooden temple. Dedicated to the emperor-deity Paosheng, god of medicine and healing, Bao’an in its current form has stood since 1805 after more than 25 years of construction.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of the most prominent landmarks and popular attractions in Taipei, and sees thousands of visitors daily. Learn about the life of Chiang Kai-Shek and the history of Taiwan inside this impressive building set within a 62-acre (25-hectare) memorial park with gardens, pools, and walkways.

Located in northeast Taiwan, the mountainside village of Jiufen was once the country's gold mining center. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination known for its quaint streets and alleyways; traditional teahouses; myriad food stalls and souvenir shops; and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Pacific Ocean.

The National Palace Museum in Taipei is home to one of the most important collections of Chinese art in the world, and covers more than 8,000 years of Chinese history and culture. Featuring some 690,000 pieces, it covers all areas of Chinese art, including antiquities, painting, calligraphy, bronzes, jade, ceramics, and sculpture.

The oldest temple in Taiwan, Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by immigrants from Fujian, China. The ornate and exquisite structure has been damaged by war and natural disasters, but also rebuilt, expanded, and improved over the years. Today is remains a center of religious life and a bastion of local culture in Taipei.

Built in 1969, the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine is dedicated to the 390,000 soldiers who died in the Chinese Civil War. Today, the striking landmark is popular for its hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony. Located on the slopes of Mt. Chingshan on the Keelung River, the shrine was inspired by the Forbidden City’s Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing.

Located on the northern edge of Taiwan, just a quick trip from Taipei, Yangmingshan National Park offers a dose of nature for city-dwellers and those touring the bustling capital. Visit Yangmingshan to hike through its volcanic scenery and rolling hills, soak in its hot springs, and, in the spring, see the cherry blossoms in bloom.

This street that once served as Taipei’s major commercial center during the late Qing Dynasty still caters to more traditional tastes, giving visitors a glimpse at what the city was like in decades past. The market stalls and Chinese medicine shops sell a variety of teas, herbs, dried mushrooms, sweets, and other dried goods.

Don’t be deterred by the name Elephant Mountain. A relatively easy climb takes you to the top of a hill that affords panoramic views of Taipei. Nestled among other rolling green hills, Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Hiking Trail) is indisputably the best place in Taipei to enjoy a sunset over the capital’s skyline.

As one of the largest Buddhist temples in Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan Monastery is a must-see destination for first-time visitors. Home to a 100-meter (328-foot) statue of a golden Buddha, as well as 500 smaller versions of the religious deity, the complex promises epic photographs and scenic views of the nearby Gaoping River.