Best Things To Do in Taipei

Welcome to the capital of Taiwan where one of the richest cultures in the world awaits you! Its streets are a crossroads of modern life and traditions, where the Chinese and Japanese heritage is palpable. To discover it for yourself, you should lose yourself in its temples and traditional markets.

Hidden treasures such as tea plantations, volcanic mountains, waterfalls and national parks await you in the surrounding area. I would dare to say that the gastronomy is another of its strengths, from the stinky tofu (only for the brave) to the irresistible Xiao Long Bao. I leave you a guide with essential to enjoy Taipei to the fullest.

Asian cities are famous for their temples and in Taiwan there are more than 1,200. In fact, walking through the Wanhua district you can discover the beauty and rich history of Longshan Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples in Taipei. It is mainly used to worship Guanshiyin Buddha, although there are also worship services for about 165 Taoist and Buddhist deities.

It has several levels and is exquisitely decorated with sculptures of mythological figures, high-relief doors and worship halls with traditional chandeliers. Every day you can appreciate religious rituals and ceremonies, and it is common to see believers lighting incense or carrying offerings.

There are also purification rituals and the Lion Dance, which is reserved for special dates such as the Chinese New Year or the Festival of Ghosts. In addition, the name of the temple translates as "the Mountain Dragon" and many people come to pray, as it is associated with different miracles. The most famous is the statue of the spirit of Yuelao that grants love miracles.

If you would like to learn about the history of the temple you can book a guided tour of Taipei. It is a very complete experience that allows you to combine the visit with the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Grand Hotel and the Lin An Tai House Museum.

Taipei is a vibrant and colorful city, and proof of this is Dihua Street, a commercial thoroughfare that has remained active since the 19th century. Along the street you will find stores decorated with red lanterns, banners and colorful signs selling traditional Taiwanese products such as medicinal herbs, souvenirs and knick-knacks.

Here you will see the most beautiful and picturesque teahouses in Taipei, as well as a variety of street stalls that permeate the air with enticing aromas. The most popular dish in this area is Zongzi (glutinous rice bags), although there are various fried snacks on offer.

As night falls, you can meander through the dimly lit shops and enjoy the cozy, enigmatic atmosphere. In some corners, cultural rituals are performed in honor of the ancestors, which impregnates the atmosphere with incense and offerings. During the Lunar New Year everything becomes even more vibrant, turning the street into a place full of cultural activities and traditional decorations.

Its colonial buildings will transport you back to the 1850s and you can see wonders such as the Xiahai Chenghuang Temple. If you would like to discover the secrets of this street with a professional guide, I invite you to book a private tour of Taipei. This type of experience is often customizable and allows you to take advantage of other tourist attractions.

Oriental cuisine, especially that of Taipei, is very attractive due to the fusion of Japanese, Chinese and local elements. Seafood and high quality agricultural products predominate, so you can expect colorful and flavorful dishes. Most recipes are steamed, stir-fried, sautéed or marinated in sweet and sour dressings and this adds a special stamp to each preparation.

Booking a food tour in Taipei is an excellent way to visit the best places with a tour guide and participate in a fairly complete tasting. You will be able to stop by:

• Dongmen Market, considered a traditional gastronomic stop in the city.
• Tamsui Zhongzheng Market, the best place to try sushi and fish balls.

Undoubtedly, eating is one of the best things about traveling and in Taipei an incredible gastronomic experience awaits you, the only condition is to let yourself be surprised!

Cycling through the streets of Taipei is an activity you should not miss. You will find a tourist-friendly city, well signposted and with bike lanes to move around comfortably.

If you plan to visit Ximending I recommend booking a bike tour of Taipei, as it is the most chaotic district, hence it is known as the Harajuku of the capital. You will find that it is easier to pedal to avoid traffic and crowds, and it is most enjoyable when someone explains the context behind each stop. This neighborhood is a shopper's paradise, with international brands, pop culture spaces, graffiti streets and street performances awaiting you.

Bopiliao is close to Ximending, allowing you to combine a visit to both neighborhoods. Here traditional architecture predominates and it is common to find buildings from the Japanese colonial period.

If you continue pedaling you can get lost among the traditional markets of Taipei and visit monuments such as the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial or the Longshan Temple. Of course, there are recommended scenic adventure routes to delight in every extreme and go as far as Daan Park or along the Tamsui River.

If there is a place to learn how to cook, it is definitely Taipei, where gastronomy delights its visitors. You don't need experience, as Taiwanese hospitality will welcome you in a cozy room, where a chef will explain you step by step. There are different proposals, but most people take the opportunity to book a Xiao Long Bao class.

Xiao Long Bao is a variation of Chinese steamed dumplings, which originated in Shanghai during the 19th century. It differs in that the dough is thinner, has vegetarian and seafood variants, as well as a juicy jelly-based filling.

Get hands-on with the dough and perfect your dumpling shaping skills. You will also learn how to prepare their delicious filling and how to use a bamboo steamer.

Of course, you can't miss the secrets of Taiwan-style cucumber salad, whose distinct flavor comes from being mashed and prepared in a sweet and sour sauce. To sweeten the palate, you will prepare the famous bubble tea, which is drunk cold with milk, ice and small tapioca pearls. The best part of this experience is that at the end you will eat all the preparations made by your own hands.

If you want to experience Taipei from above, be sure to set aside time to visit Taipei 101 This iconic skyscraper offers two breathtaking panoramic observation decks. On the 89th floor, an indoor observation deck awaits you with large windows offering spectacular views of the city. But if you dare to brave the vertigo, head to the 91st floor, where you can walk on an open-air platform and enjoy 360° views at a height of 400 meters.

It was the tallest building in the world between 2004 and 2007 and is famous for its earthquake protection system. Specifically, it works with a mass damper between the 87th and 92nd floors, which in case of winds or earthquakes, swings back and forth to secure the structure. From the observatory you can appreciate it better and learn about its history in detail, although its peculiar accordion shape does not go unnoticed when walking through the streets of Taipei.

You don't have to worry about vertigo or climbing stairs! The building has an elevator that goes up to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. Also, if you're looking for fine dining or shopping, take advantage of the unmissable shopping mall with upscale options on the lower floors.

Another memorable visit is the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, dedicated to the memory of former Chinese President Chiang Kai-Shek. If you are looking for abundance and good fortune, this hall is where you can recharge your batteries, as its blue octagonal roof is believed to provide blessings to the building and those who visit it.

Be prepared to climb 89 steps representing the age of the president before he died, although it seems like a lot I assure you it is worth it. The main attraction is the changing of the guard that takes place every hour from 9:00 to 17:00. Previously, it took place inside the hall and included a bow to the sculpture of Chiang Kai-shek.

However, following a law banning the cult of authority and personality worship, it was moved to Democracy Boulevard in front of the building. Be sure to arrive early to get a good seat and take precautions during the summer, as the shows under the sun can be exhausting.

During the ceremony you will be able to appreciate the guards in their official uniforms and admire the solemn atmosphere as they rotate their positions. Pay attention to their choreographed movements and the presentation of arms. Inside you can also visit its cultural spaces including the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.

In Taipei you have to take the opportunity to try stinky tofu, the famous stinky tofu that is considered a snack only for the brave. It is fermented with brine for months, which gives it a particular smell that resembles dirty socks. It sounds scary, but I promise you that in comparison the taste is quite light and pleasant, with a crunchy and provocative texture. It is somewhat popular, especially in night markets like:

• Shilin Night Market, is the most popular for indulging in street food, the stars being dumplings and stinky tofu. Here every stall competes to offer the best prices and the stinkiest tofu.
• Raohe Night Market, the ideal place to try curious snacks such as snake meat and pancake soup!
• Ningxia Night Market is in the heart of Taipei and is noted for its bustling and colorful atmosphere, as well as stalls offering oyster pancakes, taro cake and rice with pork leg.

For an intense and thrilling ride, you can take the Maokong Cable Car or Taipei Gondola. This circuit connects the city with the mountains and as you ascend the panoramic views become more impressive. In total there are 4 kilometers and it usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes to complete the tour. It has two intermediate stops that link to the south of the zoo and Zhinan Temple.

You can get on or off at any of the available stations and even take advantage of a hiking trail. If you like lush vegetation and this type of plan, you could also visit Elephant Mountain. It is not connected by cable car, but it is easy to get there from Xiangshan MRT station. It's worth it to enjoy a low-intensity ride and see Taipei 101 from above.

While the more bustling areas of Taipei are unforgettable, the wilder side of the capital is also worth exploring. In the north hides an old mining town of Chiufen that invites you to lose yourself in alleys and teahouses.

Here you should take advantage of a visit to the Yehliu Geological Park that delights with ocean views and rock formations that are quite striking up close. Can you imagine getting to know a city built on a railroad? In the north it is possible to get lost in Shifen and discover its past, when it was the starting point for the country's minerals. You will also be welcome to the Shifen Waterfall, which is known as the Niagara Falls of Taiwan because of its impressive waterfall.

If I were you, I would take the opportunity to book a guided tour north of Taipei so you don't have to worry about organization or transfers. If you book the experience in advance, you may be offered a choice of adding a visit to Yehliu, Houtong or Yangmingshan National Park.

In addition to the north of the city, there are other wonderful getaways that put you in touch with the capital's diversity. From volcanoes to coastal areas, the fun seems endless - let me tell you more!

Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

When booking an excursion to Yangmingshan Volcano you will probably start at the Xiaoyoukeng viewpoint that faces the city at 805 meters above sea level, as well as the powerful fumaroles surrounding the mountains and Menghuan Lake.

Of course, you will hike between mountains of volcanic origin and delight in hot springs that emanate a pronounced smell of sulfur. In addition, you will pass through the Qingtiangang circular route which is ideal for low-intensity hiking. The bravest hikers climb Taiwan's highest peak, known as the Mount of Seven Stars, where there is a dormant volcano.

Keelung Shore Excursion

If you'd like to get a breath of fresh air, you might consider booking a Keelung Shore Excursion - welcome to the Rainy City! It has this nickname because it is very common to coincide with rainy days due to the high rainfall in the area. If you want to swim and snorkel, the famous Dawulun Beach and a stroll along the colorful Zhengbin Harbor await you.

These types of experiences often take a slight detour to visit some of Taipei's inland attractions such as Dihua Street and the National Palace Museum which houses 5,000 years of history. Other stops include Yongkang Food Street, where tourists stop for sweet potato or shallot pancakes.

And if you'd like to see the Taipei Martyrs' Shrine, this may be your chance. It's on top of a hill and is a testament to the architecture of the Ming Dynasty. Or why not, go to the Bao'An Temple which stands out for its spectacular red pagoda.

Tea culture is something that is in Taipei's DNA and if you would like to discover its secrets, you have to visit the Pinglin plantations, a tea-growing region par excellence. To get there you need to take the bus from MRT Muzha station, the trip will take about 30 minutes.

Here oolong tea is produced and interesting anecdotes await you during the tour, narrated by a local who is an expert in the field. Surrounded by the mountains you can participate in the cultivation process, as well as pick tea leaves and learn how to prepare it.

The experience is usually accompanied by delicious desserts made from this local ingredient, such as tea rice cakes and tea oil noodles.