How I Spent 72 Hours in Taipei [Things To Do, What To Eat]

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a dream travel destination for many.

It’s a bustling metropolis best known for blending modern conveniences with traditional culture. The city features famous and dominating skyscrapers as well as historic temples. It is also known for its night markets (which have some of the best street food on the planet), the efficient metro system that makes getting around easy, and the wonderful and hospitable locals.

So, when I had the opportunity to travel to Taipei for an inexpensive cash fare from Seoul, South Korea (where I was at the time), I took full advantage of it.

Here’s a look at how I spent 72 hours in Taipei, one of my new favorite places to travel.

Arriving in Taipei, Taiwan

Most international travelers, especially those from the U.S., fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Fortunately, several airlines fly between the U.S. and Taipei.

From the U.S., you can fly nonstop to Taipei on 5 different airlines. Here’s a table of the airlines and the nonstop routes you can fly:

If you are flying into Taipei from China, Japan, or South Korea, consider pricing flights into the smaller Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA).

Where To Stay in Taipei

Although I stayed with a friend in Taipei, there are endless hotel options to choose from. Taipei has many cost-effective local hotels, boutique properties, and hostels, but there are also major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.

Although Taipei is rather large, it is well-connected by public transportation. However, many of its main attractions are spread out, so choosing which area to stay in can be tricky.

As for the accommodations, there are good options, no matter your budget or where you choose to stay. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and convenient Taipei neighborhoods.

Taipei Main Station

If you are looking for the most convenience, the area around Taipei Main Station is where you’ll want to be.

The area is filled with restaurants, cafés, and cheap hotels. There are also several underground malls and shopping streets. Of course, you can also find luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants in the area.

Taipei Main Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Here, you can find the Taiwan Railway Corporation trains, the High Speed Rail, the intersection of the red and blue Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT or Metro) lines, the Airport MRT, and the Taipei bus station.

Hotel Resonance Taipei, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is located near Taipei Main Station.

Ximending

Ximending, or Ximen, is in Wanhua District, the old city of Taipei. The area has kept a historical feeling many other areas of Taipei have long lost.

Ximending is a pedestrian-only shopping district famous for its funky shops, hip cafés, bars and restaurants, LGBT-friendly scene, history, and some of Taipei’s best street food.

It is only 1 MRT stop (about a 15-minute walk) from Taipei Main Station, making it convenient, as well. This area has hotels across all budgets, but there are many cheaper options. Suz & Catorze Taipei, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is in the Ximending area.

Around Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is probably the most recognizable sight in Taiwan. It is in the Eastern District of Taipei, one of the city’s newest areas. This modern area boasts most of the city’s skyscrapers and also has world-class shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.

As a result, the area tends to be quite high-end and higher priced than the rest of the city. It has many of Taipei’s most upscale hotels, like the Grand Hyatt Taipei and the Le Méridien Taipei. There are also more budget hotels.

Day 1

After arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at around 5 a.m. from Seoul, I was excited to be in Taipei for the first time and was eager to begin exploring. At a convenience store at the airport, I purchased an EasyCard, Taiwan’s most popular and common reloadable, contactless smart card.

The EasyCard is the go-to payment method for most locals and tourists. It can be used to pay for public transportation, purchases at convenience stores and supermarkets, and even for certain tourist attractions across Taiwan.

You can purchase an EasyCard at any MRT station in Taiwan (including Airport MRT stations) or any convenience store (such as 7-Eleven or FamilyMart).

An adult EasyCard costs NT$100 (about $3). You also have the option to pick from multiple EasyCard designs (which generally cost more).

You also need to load some money onto the card before using it. Public transportation in Taipei is relatively inexpensive. However, as I expected to take full advantage of the incredible public transportation that I had heard about, I loaded NT$400 ($12).

From the Airport MRT station, I took the express service train directly to Taipei Main Station. I then took a local bus to get to my friend’s apartment to catch up with him and drop off my bags. After a few hours, I was ready to head out and explore Taipei.

Grand Hotel Taipei

Since my friend’s apartment is in the Shilin area of Taipei, I thought it would be best to explore the area. My first stop was the Grand Hotel Taipei, a 15-minute walk from my friend’s place.

The Grand Hotel Taipei is an icon of Chinese culture and is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in Taipei. It is Taiwan’s first 5-star hotel and has hosted many foreign dignitaries over the years.

The hotel was built in May 1952 but has undergone several expansions. At 285 feet, it is now one of the tallest Chinese classical buildings in the world.

The hotel features a palace-inspired exterior with golden roof tiling and red columns, which showcase Chinese architecture and culture. There are also dragon sculptures throughout the structures that make up the hotel.

The hotel’s interior was just as stunning when I went. The expansive lobby made a powerful first impression, blending luxury with cultural flair. The hotel featured impressive decor, including art pieces, sculptures, and other cultural artifacts.

Each of the 8 guest floors represented a different Chinese dynasty, as evidenced by the different decor and artwork on each floor. They also featured impressive details, such as elegant lighting fixtures.

Plane-Spotting at Yuan Shan

My friend told me that if I wanted a nice surprise, I should make my way to one of the several viewpoints in the Yuan Shan Scenic Area.

I followed one of several hiking trails from the Grand Hotel Taipei. The hike took about 45 minutes but could have been much shorter without a sudden rainstorm. I made it to one of the numerous viewpoints and was surprised to see a China Eastern plane about to land at Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) within a few seconds of my arrival.

Taipei Songshan Airport is a regional airport and serves mainly domestic destinations in Taiwan. It also serves international destinations, including Seoul, Tokyo, and select cities in China. The bigger (and much farther) Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport serves most of Taipei’s other international flights.

Some of the more notable airlines flying in and out of Songshan Airport include Air China, All Nippon Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines.

After about 20 minutes, I could also spot an ANA Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft coming from Tokyo.

This viewpoint was a rather nice surprise. As an aviation enthusiast, I could have spent hours here if it hadn’t been raining so much at the time. Still, I enjoyed the 30 or so minutes I spent there.

Taipei 101

After walking down from the Yuan Shan Scenic Area, I went to the closest MRT station and rode the MRT toward Taipei 101.

Taipei 101 is, without a doubt, the most important landmark of Taiwan. It serves as a symbol of Taiwan’s growth and recognition on the global stage. The building features a modern architectural style influenced by traditional Asian aesthetics, with a pagoda-inspired design.

Including its spire, Taipei 101 is 508 meters (1,667 feet) high. It held the title of the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2010, when the Burj Khalifa in Dubai surpassed it.

The building features 2 observation decks (on the 88th and 89th floors), a luxury shopping mall (Taipei 101 Mall), and the famous large tuned mass damper, which helps stabilize the building against strong winds and earthquakes.

I decided not to go to the building’s observation decks. Instead, I went somewhere free nearby that required another hike.

Elephant Mountain or Xiangshan Trail

After walking and photographing the streets around Taipei 101, I headed toward Elephant Mountain. Elephant Mountain, also known as Xiangshan, is a prominent mountain near the heart of Taipei City with several hiking trails.

The main trail to the viewpoint offered stunning panoramic views of Taipei City and Taipei 101. The trail was a mix of stairs and dirt paths, took me about 20 to 30 minutes to climb, and is considered moderately challenging.

Along the trail, there were several viewpoints where I could stop to admire the scenery. However, the most popular viewpoint is the Elephant Mountain Trail Viewpoint, which offers unobstructed, panoramic views of the Taipei City skyline.

Day 2

After a long first day that involved 2 separate hikes, I was ready to see more of Taipei’s main attractions. However, I was more interested in seeing the cultural parts of what Taipei had to offer.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

I started the day by visiting another symbol of Taipei: the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The monument was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China.

The memorial hall was blue and white, representing the blue sky and 12 rays of a white sun. The ground level featured a library and a museum documenting Chiang’s life and career. Several exhibits detailed Taiwan’s turbulent history and modern development.

Inside, there was also a bronze statue of Chiang. On weekdays, there is a changing of the guard ceremony.

228 Peace Memorial Park

I then walked to 228 Peace Memorial Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. This important historical site commemorates the February 28 Incident in 1947.

The event began a period of political unrest and violence in Taiwan under the Kuomintang government. A conflict between government officials and civilians led to protests and a crackdown that resulted in widespread violence, casualties, and subsequent martial law.

Throughout the park, I found various memorials, shrines, and educational exhibits dedicated to the victims of the 228 Incident. There were also several green spaces and walking paths.

The park provided great insight and a reminder of Taiwan’s journey toward democracy and human rights. It honored the victims of past injustices and promoted a message of peace, reconciliation, and unity among its people, all of which I found to be quite interesting.

Airplane Alley

As mentioned before, Taipei Songshan Airport is Taipei’s smaller and much closer airport. As it’s so close to the city, there are many vantage points where you can see planes taking off and landing (perfect for AvGeeks). One of those points is Airplane Alley.

As its name suggests, Airplane Alley is a small viewing platform on Binjiang Street Lane 180. It is just at the edge of TSA’s runway, behind an airport security fence. No tall buildings obstruct the view. 

Because of the runway’s close proximity, there were tailwinds from the aircraft engines, and the planes taking off and landing could be quite loud. However, it was absolutely worth it.

A few minutes after arriving, I saw this ANA 787 Dreamliner preparing to take off.

Raohe Street Night Market

After about 30 minutes of watching several planes take off and land, it was almost dark, so I headed toward one of what makes Taiwan so special: its night markets. The night markets are world-renowned for their lively atmosphere and diverse food offerings, which are ingrained in Taiwanese culture.

I headed to Raohe Street Night Market, one of Taipei’s oldest and most famous night markets. These markets are well-known for stalls serving diverse street food.

Along with the street food, I found shops selling clothing, accessories, gadgets, and souvenirs. The night market also had the Songshan Ciyou Temple, a Taoist temple that dates back to the Qing Dynasty.

I spent about an hour exploring the market and trying out many of Taiwan’s most famous street dishes (more on that below).

Day 3

Since I had only 1 more full day in Taipei, I wanted to see some of its famous temples. I began with 2.

Taipei Confucius Temple

The Taipei Confucius Temple is a Confucian temple in Datong District. It honors one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Confucius, and is modeled after the original Confucius Temple in the philosopher’s hometown of Qufu, Shandong.

The temple was built in 1879 during the Qing Dynasty. However, it was demolished during the Japanese occupation and was rebuilt in 1930. As it stands today, it displays all the characteristics of traditional Chinese temple architecture.

Every year on September 28, a grand ceremony with traditional music and stylized dancing is held at the temple in honor of Confucius.

Dalongdong Baoan Temple

Across the street from the Confucius temple is the Dalongdong Baoan Temple, also known simply as the Baoan Temple. The Baoan Temple was originally constructed in 1742 during the Qing Dynasty to honor the Taoist Emperor Baosheng, revered for healing and protective powers.

Like the Confucius Temple, this temple exemplified traditional Chinese temple architecture. It featured ornate roof decorations, intricate carvings, and vibrant painted motifs. The inside of the temple boasted carefully crafted sculptures, statues of gods and goddesses, and religious altars where worshippers offered prayers and incense.

In 2003, the temple was inducted into the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation, symbolizing its historical and spiritual importance.

Shilin Night Market

After having so much fun at the Raohe Street Night Market the night before, I decided to visit the Shilin Night Market, another famous night market in Taipei.

Like the Raohe Street Night Market, the Shilin Night Market offered a variety of food vendors and small restaurants on a larger scale. However, this market also had many non-food vendors. At Shilin Night Market, I also found video arcades, karaoke bars, furniture stores, photo shops, and pet shops.

The Shilin Night Market perfectly embodied Taiwan’s culinary diversity and showed the true scale of its dynamic urban life.

My Favorite Street Food in Taipei

Taipei has an incredible food scene, from jaw-dropping street food to world-class restaurants. In my travels, I almost always go the street route. There may not be a better city in the world for delicious street food.

Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and reflects the island’s rich history and cultural influences. Its cuisine has been shaped by centuries of immigration and cultural exchange among indigenous Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, and other cultures. This combination of flavors and cooking methods has created some of the best food on earth.

Here’s a look at some of the best street food that Taipei has to offer.

Bubble Tea

Of course, we start with bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea or boba tea. Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and has become famous worldwide.

Bubble tea starts with chewy tapioca pearls (boba) made from tapioca starch derived from cassava roots. Then, a tea base, usually black or green, is brewed and chilled. Lastly, the tea is mixed with milk or creamer (some variations use fruit flavors or juices). Bubble tea is typically served cold, often over ice, making it a refreshing beverage.

Stinky Tofu

Probably the most well-known and polarizing Taiwanese snack, stinky tofu, is not for everyone. It is renowned for its strong, pungent (in my opinion, disgusting) odor. It is often described as smelling like strong cheese or garbage.

Stinky tofu is made by fermenting fresh tofu in brine with vegetables, meat, and herbs. It is typically deep-fried until crispy on the outside and can also be served braised or steamed.

Despite the strong smell, stinky tofu can be surprisingly mild and savory. It is often accompanied by chili or spicy sauces to balance out the taste.

Beef Noodle Soup

One of Taiwan’s national dishes, beef noodle soup, is also worth trying. In fact, it is probably the most traditional street food available in Taiwan.

Taiwanese beef noodle soup is made with braised beef, green onions, pickled mustard vegetables, and a flavorful broth infused with herbs and spices. The result is a perfect bowl of spicy, savory, fresh, and salty flavors.

Fuzhou Pepper Bun

Another famous Taiwanese street food delicacy is the black pepper bun, which is known for its savory and aromatic flavors.

Black pepper buns typically consist of dough bread filled with ground pork or beef marinated in soy sauce, garlic, onions, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. They are traditionally baked in a tandoor-like clay oven, which makes the outer layer crispy (giving it a distinct golden-brown crust) while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful.

Final Thoughts

Taipei is a dream destination for many and is now undoubtedly one of my favorite Asian cities. I had wanted to visit here for so long and left the city excited about returning someday.

Taipei has so much to offer. The city has some of the best street food in the world and some of the friendliest people I’ve met in all my travels.

I am so excited to head back in the near future. Fortunately, getting to Taipei from the U.S. is quite easy, as several airlines offer nonstop routes between select U.S. cities and Taipei. Best of all, you can use points and miles to get there!