About Taipei
Taipei, officially Taipei City, is the capital and a special municipality of Taiwan. Located in Northern Taiwan, Taipei City is an enclave of the municipality of New Taipei City that sits about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of the northern port city of Keelung. Most of the city rests on the Taipei Basin, an ancient lakebed. The basin is bounded by the relatively narrow valleys of the Keelung and Xindian rivers, which join to form the Tamsui River along the city's western border.
Places to visit in Taipei
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Taipei 101
LandmarkA towering skyscraper shaped like stacked bamboo, once the world's tallest building. Ride the fast elevator to the observatory, and see the giant damper ball that steadies it.
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National Palace Museum
Museum · 5 mi from centreA world-class museum of Chinese art and artifacts, with treasures from the imperial collection. Go early in the morning to beat tour groups, and use the audio guide.
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Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Landmark · 3 mi from centreA grand white monument with a blue roof set in a large plaza with gardens. Watch the hourly changing of the guard inside the main hall.
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Longshan Temple
Religious · 4 mi from centreA historic and busy temple in the Wanhua district, dedicated to Buddhist and folk deities. Visit in the evening when it is lit up and full of worshippers.
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Shilin Night Market
Market · 4 mi from centreTaipei's largest night market, packed with food stalls, games, and shops. Arrive hungry and try local snacks like fried chicken, oyster omelets, and bubble tea.
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Elephant Mountain
ViewpointA short but steep hike near Taipei 101 with one of the best views of the skyline. Go before sunset to watch the city lights come on.
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Jiufen
Historic · 18 mi from centreA former gold-mining town on a hillside with narrow alleys, teahouses, and red lanterns. Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds, and stay into the evening when the lanterns glow.
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Yangmingshan National Park
Nature · 10 mi from centreA volcanic mountain park just north of the city with hiking trails, hot springs, and flower fields. Take the bus from Taipei for an easy day trip.
Things to do in Taipei by type
26 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 10 experiences Beitou and Yangmingshan - Full Day Tour -
Tour & activities 8 experiences Full-Day Private Tour - Jiufen & Pingxi -
Day Trips & Excursions 7 experiences Discover Jiufen, ShueiNanDong Golden Waterfall and Gold Museum -
Art & culture 3 experiences Full-Day Private Tour- Taipei City -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Full-Day Private Tour - Taroko Gorge National Park
- Over 6 hours 12
- 3-6 hours 5
- 1-3 hours 2
- Youth 8
- Families 8
- Couples 8
- Senior 8
Top experiences in Taipei
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 26 available.
Discover Taipei with a Local - Half-Day Private Walking Tour
From $82 per adult
Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket with Panoramic City Views
From $27 per adult
Taipei Double-Decker Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass
From $26 per adult
Yangmingshan National Park & Beitou Hot Spring Day Tour from Taipei
From $58 per adult
Taipei Half-Day Tour: National Palace Museum & CKS Memorial Hall
From $57 per adult
Taipei Heritage Day Tour: Historic Temples & Cultural Landmarks
From $70 per adult
Taipei: Northeast Coast & Keelung Scenic Highlights Day Tour
From $64 per adult
Sun Moon Lake Private Day Tour from Taipei
From $476 per adult
Discover Ximending: Private Taipei Walking Experience
From $55 per adult
Taipei: Jiufen Old Street at Night, Shifen Waterfall & Raohe Market Tour
From $49 per adult
Taipei Ningxia Night Market Walking Food Tour with 10 Local Tastings
From $56 per adult
Discover Taipei with National Palace Museum
From $46 per adult
Best time to visit Taipei
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Taipei is December, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Taipei weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 85° 73° 98%
- Thu 22 Oct 75° 71° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 80° 74° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 82° 76° 100%
- Sun 25 Oct 89° 75° 57%
- Mon 26 Oct 88° 75° 55%
Know before you go
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (TWD)1 US dollar ≈ $32.5
- Language
- Chinese
- Calling code
- +886
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/TaipeiUTC+8
Getting to Taipei
These are the airports closest to central Taipei. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- TSA Taipei Songshan Airport2 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- TPE Taoyuan International Airport21 mi (34 km) from the city centre
Getting around Taipei
Taipei City has a very clean, efficient and safe Mass Rapid Transit system known most commonly as the MRT, but also called Metro Taipei (臺北捷運). Fares are between NT$20 and NT$65 for one-way trips around town. It has been widely lauded as one of the most reliable and efficient systems in the world, and is often cited as a gold standard to which Metro systems around the world should aspire to. Stations are clearly identified in English as well as Chinese.
By bus
Taipei City has a very efficient bus service, and because all buses display information (destination and the names of stops) in English, the system is very accessible to non-Chinese speaking visitors. Payment can be made by cash (NT$15) or EasyCard (see Taiwan#Get around) for each section that the bus passes through. For local buses (all local buses have a number, so do long-distance buses) the maximum will be two sections with a total cost of NT$45.
By taxi
Taxis are the most flexible way to get around, and are extremely numerous. They are expensive in comparison to mass transit, but are cheap compared to taxis in the rest of the world. Taxis are metered, with the meter starting at NT$80 (an additional NT$20 is added at night). Most taxi drivers cannot speak English, and non-Chinese speakers will need to have their destination written down in Chinese. Tipping is neither necessary nor expected.
By rideshare
Uber operates in Taipei, but only taxi license holders are allowed to drive for Uber, making it no cheaper than taking regular taxis. It is, however, an excellent way to avoid the language barrier.
Taipei travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Taipei?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Taipei is December, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Taipei?
August is usually the warmest month in Taipei, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 53°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 385 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Taipei?
Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (4 km) from the centre of Taipei. Other nearby airports include Taoyuan International Airport (TPE, 21 mi).
What currency is used in Taipei?
Taipei uses the New Taiwan dollar (TWD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $32.5.
What time zone is Taipei in?
Taipei uses the Asia/Taipei time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Taipei?
Taipei City has a very clean, efficient and safe Mass Rapid Transit system known most commonly as the MRT, but also called Metro Taipei (臺北捷運). Fares are between NT$20 and NT$65 for one-way trips around town.
What are the best places to visit in Taipei?
Top sights in Taipei include Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple. A towering skyscraper shaped like stacked bamboo, once the world's tallest building. Ride the fast elevator to the observatory, and see the giant damper ball that steadies it.
What are the top things to do in Taipei?
Popular experiences you can book in Taipei include Discover Taipei with a Local - Half-Day Private Walking Tour, Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket with Panoramic City Views and Taipei Double-Decker Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass. Destina Holidays offers 26 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Taipei?
The most popular types of experiences in Taipei are city tours (10), tour & activities (8), day trips & excursions (7) and art & culture (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
