What Should I Do in Taiwan? A Taiwanese American’s Honest Guide to Taipei and Beyond

Last updated: March 2026

TL;DR: Taiwan is one of the best travel destinations in Asia — incredible food, stunning hiking, efficient transit, and genuinely kind people. As a Taiwanese American who’s been visiting family there my whole life, I get asked for Taiwan recs constantly. Here’s everything I actually recommend — from the must-eat spots to the hikes with the best views to the day trips worth taking outside of Taipei. This isn’t a generic guidebook list; these are the places I personally love and keep going back to.

I know what you’re thinking — “Ellen, isn’t this a San Francisco blog?” Fair point. But here’s the thing: I’m Taiwanese, I visit Taiwan regularly, and I get asked for Taiwan recommendations almost as often as I get asked about SF. So consider this my love letter to my family’s homeland, brought to you by the same opinionated, food-obsessed person who writes about San Francisco.

Most of this guide focuses on Taipei, since that’s where I spend the majority of my time, but I’ve included day trips and other cities worth exploring too.

Best Hikes in and Around Taipei

Taiwan is incredibly mountainous — over 200 peaks above 3,000 meters — and even within Taipei city limits, you can find some fantastic hikes. The hiking culture in Taiwan is strong, and trails are generally well-maintained.

Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) 象山

This is the quintessential Taipei hike and one I always recommend for first-time visitors. It’s pretty steep but short — you can be up and back in under an hour — and the views of the Taipei 101 skyline are absolutely stunning, especially around sunset. It gets crowded (every Instagrammer in Taipei knows about it), but for good reason. The trailhead is a short walk from Xiangshan MRT station.

Qixingshan (Seven Star Mountain) at Yangmingshan 七星山

If you want something more challenging, head up to Yangmingshan National Park and tackle Seven Star Mountain, the highest peak in Taipei. The views from the summit are incredible — on a clear day you can see across the city and out to the coast. The trail has some serious elevation gain, so bring water and wear proper shoes. The volcanic landscape up top feels like another planet.

Shuiguan Lu (Old Canal Trail) at Yangmingshan 水管路

A more moderate option in the same national park. This one follows an old water canal through lush forest — it’s shady, relatively flat, and peaceful. Perfect if you want the Yangmingshan experience without the leg burn of Seven Star Mountain.

Battleship Rock Hike

A fun, slightly off-the-beaten-path hike with rock formations that (supposedly) look like a battleship. Good views and fewer tourists than Elephant Mountain.

Teapot Mountain (near Jiufen) 茶壺山

If you’re already doing a day trip to Jiufen, add this hike. The mountain is shaped like a teapot (squint a little) and the panoramic views of the coast and old mining towns are gorgeous. Fair warning: it’s windy at the top.

Best Things to Do in Taipei

Taipei has this wonderful mix of ancient temples, modern neighborhoods, incredible food markets, and nature right at the city’s doorstep. Here’s what I recommend:

National Palace Museum (故宮博物院)

Think of this as the Louvre equivalent for Chinese art and cultural artifacts. The collection spans thousands of years and includes some truly jaw-dropping pieces — jade carvings, ancient scrolls, bronze vessels. It’s massive, so don’t try to see everything in one visit. Open 9am–5pm. Take the MRT to Shilin (士林) station, then bus 紅30 to the museum.

Beitou Hot Springs (北投溫泉)

I love hot springs, and Beitou is one of the most accessible hot spring areas I’ve ever been to — you can get there on the MRT. There are public baths (very affordable), private baths, and fancy hotel spas. The thermal valley where you can see the steaming, sulfur-green water is worth a visit even if you don’t soak. Perfect for a half-day trip.

Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車)

A scenic gondola ride up into the tea-growing hills above Taipei. It’s pretty and cheap, with good views of the city below. Once you’re up top, wander through the tea plantations and stop at a teahouse. I recommend trying the crystal-floor gondola cars if you’re not afraid of heights — the glass bottom is a rush.

Longshan Temple (龍山寺)

One of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Taipei, dating back to 1738. It’s an active place of worship, so be respectful, but visitors are welcome. The ornate carvings and incense-filled atmosphere are mesmerizing. The surrounding neighborhood (Wanhua/萬華) is one of the oldest parts of Taipei and has great street food.

Bitan (碧潭)

A lovely green lake area where you can do paddle boating, walk along the waterfront, or cross the suspension bridge. It’s a popular weekend spot for Taipei locals and feels refreshingly un-touristy. Easy to reach by MRT (Xindian station).

Dihua Street (迪化街)

This historic street is famous for its traditional shops selling dried goods, Chinese medicine, and fabric. It’s especially lively around Lunar New Year when the whole street turns into a massive market. Even outside of the holiday, it’s a great area to wander — the preserved architecture alone is worth the trip, and there are some excellent modern cafes tucked into the old buildings.

Xinyi District (信義區)

This is the modern, flashy side of Taipei — home to Taipei 101, upscale shopping malls, and the city’s business district. If you want to go up Taipei 101, do it — the views are impressive. The area around the base has plenty of shopping and dining options.

Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)

The most famous night market in Taipei. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded. And yes, you should still go at least once. The underground food court has stinky tofu, oyster omelets, and every Taiwanese snack you can imagine. Just go hungry and eat your way through it.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂)

An imposing white marble monument with beautiful grounds and a changing of the guard ceremony. Whatever your feelings about the historical figure, the architecture and surrounding Liberty Square are impressive.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館)

Similar to CKS Memorial but slightly less crowded. Nice park area surrounding it and another changing of the guard ceremony worth watching.

Danshui/Tamsui (淡水)

Take the MRT to the end of the red line and you’ll hit this waterfront town — perfect for a sunset stroll. The boardwalk along the river is lined with food vendors selling local specialties like iron eggs (鐵蛋) — eggs braised and dried until they’re dark, chewy, and intensely flavorful — and agei (阿給), a tofu pouch stuffed with glass noodles. There are also mangroves nearby that are fascinating from an ecological perspective (I know that’s a niche interest, but I think they’re cool).

Best Day Trips from Taipei

Jiufen (九份)

A charming hillside town about an hour from Taipei, famous for its narrow old street packed with food vendors and tea houses. Many people say it inspired the spirit world in Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (this is debated, but the resemblance is undeniable). Go during the week if you can — weekends are extremely crowded. The taro balls and fish ball soup are must-eats.

Taroko Gorge (太魯閣)

This is farther out (you’ll need to take the train to Hualien, about 2–3 hours), but Taroko Gorge is genuinely one of the most spectacular natural sites I’ve ever seen. Towering marble cliffs, turquoise rivers, suspension bridges, and trails carved into the rock face. You can do it as a long day trip or stay overnight in Hualien, which I’d recommend if you have the time.

Hualien (花蓮)

The gateway city to Taroko Gorge, but worth exploring on its own too. It’s more laid-back than Taipei, with beautiful coastline and good indigenous Taiwanese food. The night market here is excellent and less overwhelming than Taipei’s.

Tainan (台南)

Taiwan’s oldest city and, in my opinion, the food capital of the island. Tainan has its own distinctive cuisine — the beef soup, milkfish dishes, and shrimp rice are all different from what you’ll find in Taipei. It’s about 1.5–2 hours by high-speed rail. If you love food and history, Tainan is absolutely worth a day trip (or more).

Best Food in Taipei (and Beyond)

OK, here’s the section I’ve been waiting to write. Taiwan’s food scene is extraordinary — from street food that costs less than a dollar to sit-down restaurants that rival anything in the world. Night markets are a must, but some of my favorite spots are the unassuming little restaurants that locals line up for.

Must-Eat Taipei Restaurants

Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐)
Yes, there are Din Tai Fung locations all over the world now, but the original in Taipei is where xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were perfected. The quality and consistency are still unmatched. Go to the original Xinyi Road location for the full experience. Get there early or be prepared to wait.

Must order: Xiaolongbao, shrimp and pork wontons, fried rice

Addiction Aquatic Development (上引水產)
This is a massive seafood complex in Taipei’s Zhongshan district — part fish market, part standing sushi bar, part hot pot spot, part seafood grill. The sushi is incredibly fresh and surprisingly affordable. I always end up spending way more time here than I planned because I keep ordering “just one more thing.”

Must order: Standing bar sushi, sashimi platters, grilled seafood

Ice Monster
Famous for their shaved ice — specifically the mango snow (mango is seasonal, so this is a summer thing). The texture is impossibly fluffy, somewhere between ice cream and snow. Other flavors are good too, but the mango is iconic for a reason.

Must order: Mango shaved ice (seasonal)

Sweet Dynasty (糖朝)
A Hong Kong-style dessert and dim sum restaurant that’s been a Taipei staple for years. Their dessert soups and dim sum are both excellent — it’s a great spot for a lighter meal or an afternoon sweet treat.

Chun Shui Tang (春水堂)
This is literally where bubble tea was invented (or at least, they claim to be — there’s a competing claim, but I’m team Chun Shui Tang). The original is in Taichung, but there are Taipei locations too. The pearl milk tea here tastes different from what you get in the US — more tea-forward, less sweet. As it should be.

Must order: Pearl milk tea (the original)

SunnyHills (微熱山丘)
The best pineapple cakes in Taiwan, and that’s saying something since pineapple cake is basically the national souvenir. Their Taipei flagship store is gorgeous — designed by Kengo Kuma — and they give you a free cake and tea just for visiting. Stock up here for gifts to bring home.

Ci Deng Liang (此燈亮)
Green onion pancakes (蔥油餅) done to perfection — crispy, flaky, savory, and cheap. This is the kind of place with no ambiance whatsoever that has a line down the block because the food is that good. Open 11am–7:30pm.

Neighborhood Food Spots

Near NTU / Gongguan Station (公館站)
The area around National Taiwan University has a vibrant night market scene and tons of student-friendly eats. Look for gua bao (pork belly buns) — Taiwan’s answer to the sandwich — and fresh fruit drinks. Lan Jia Gua Bao (藍家割包) is a local legend.

Near Taipei Main Station
There’s an incredible oden (黑輪) spot called Tian Cai (添財) near the main station that I’ve been going to for years. Oden is a Japanese-style hot pot with various fish cakes, tofu, and vegetables simmered in broth. Just fill up a bowl and eat until you’re happy. It’s one of my most favorite restaurants ever — simple, comforting, and impossibly satisfying.

Cocktails

Taipei’s cocktail scene has exploded in recent years — multiple bars have made the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. If you’re into cocktails, Taipei will not disappoint. Some of my favorites are on this Google Maps list.

Practical Travel Tips for Taiwan

These are the things I wish every visitor knew before arriving:

Get an EasyCard (悠遊卡): This rechargeable transit card works on the MRT, buses, trains, and even convenience stores. Pick one up at any MRT station or 7-Eleven and reload as needed. It makes getting around effortless.
Taxis are cheap: Compared to SF (or anywhere in the US), taxis in Taiwan are very affordable. Don’t hesitate to grab one, especially at night or when you’re tired of navigating. Buses are even cheaper if you can figure out the routes — Google Maps has gotten surprisingly decent for Taipei transit.
High-speed rail (高鐵) is amazing: For getting between major cities (Taipei ↔ Taichung ↔ Tainan ↔ Kaohsiung), the HSR is fast, clean, and efficient. Just note that some HSR stations are outside the city center, so check local transit options from the station to your actual destination.
Cash is king: Credit cards are accepted at hotels, department stores, and some restaurants, but many smaller shops, night markets, and local restaurants are cash only. ATMs are easy to find — 7-Elevens are on literally every block and most have international ATMs.
No tipping necessary: Taiwan doesn’t have a tipping culture. Service charge is included at nicer restaurants. This is one of those beautiful things about traveling in Asia.
Navigation can be tricky: Taipei’s alleyways can be confusing, especially in older neighborhoods. Google Maps works well, but if you’re lost, ask a local — Taiwanese people are genuinely some of the friendliest, most helpful people you’ll encounter anywhere. Pro tip: ask by business name rather than address, since the lane and alley numbering system can be confusing.
7-Eleven is your best friend: I’m not joking. Taiwan’s convenience stores are on another level — you can pay bills, pick up packages, buy train tickets, get a decent meal, and reload your EasyCard. They’re everywhere and they’re open 24/7.
Bring an umbrella: Taiwan can be rainy, especially in the spring and during typhoon season (July–September). A compact umbrella will save you.

FAQ: Visiting Taiwan

What’s the best time of year to visit Taiwan?

October through December is ideal — comfortable temperatures, less rain, and beautiful fall weather. March through May (spring) is also lovely. Summers are hot and humid with typhoon risk. Lunar New Year (usually January/February) is festive but many businesses close and travel is hectic.

How many days do I need in Taiwan?

A minimum of 5 days to cover Taipei and a day trip or two. If you want to explore Tainan, Hualien/Taroko, and other areas, plan for 10–14 days. I could honestly spend weeks there and not get bored.

Is Taiwan safe for tourists?

Extremely safe. Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in Asia. Violent crime is very rare, public transit is reliable and safe at all hours, and people are genuinely helpful to visitors. I’ve never once felt unsafe there.

Do I need to speak Mandarin to get around?

It helps, but it’s not required. The MRT and HSR have English signage, younger Taiwanese people often speak some English, and Google Translate works in a pinch. In more rural areas and traditional restaurants, having a few basic phrases (or a translation app ready) will go a long way.

What’s the best souvenir to bring home from Taiwan?

Pineapple cakes from SunnyHills, high-quality tea (especially oolong from Alishan or Sun Moon Lake), and nougat crackers are the classic choices. I always come home with a suitcase half-full of food.