Best Things to Do in Taipei to Experience Contemporary China

Are you planning to visit Taipei? Then you are surely going to have a mind-blowing trip with lots of fun and enjoying activities. Where you are planning a one-day visit or a two day or an entire week trip, Taipei is worth spending the days over there. With its Japanese colonial lanes, night markets and thriving metropolis, Taipei is the hidden treat you are looking for. To give you the all-round holistic tour, we have some of the best things to do in Taipei to have a look.

Top Things to Do in Taipei to Experience The High Life

Taipei has a rich heritage and culture along with its closeness to nature. Taipei has different lives for different people visiting in daytime or night time.

Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf

Tamsui Fisherman’s wharf is the most scenic place in the city of Taipei. Many people visit this place to witness the beauty of the sunset. It serves major two attractions: fishing and sightseeing. Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf is considered as one of the must-visit places in Taipei for tourists visiting Taipei. The Lover’s Bridge is another must-see spot of the wharf. Watching the changes in the light projections at night is one of the favourite things to do in Taipei. Lights against the city skyline are enchanting. Tourists are fond of relaxing and enjoying at Wharf. Moreover, many performances and concerts are arranged here very frequently and people and enjoy it for free. There are many seafood restaurants and coffee shops for visitors to have some food while enjoying the scenic beauty of the sunset.

Fort San Domingo

San Domingo is one of the rarest historical sites in Taiwan with a great mix of the foreign culture. The entrance on the left of the fort, also known as “South Gate”, is the only Chinese architectural element of the fort. It is now the main entrance of Fort San Domingo. Furthermore, there are old cannons on the northeast and southwest corners. It has the structure made up of majestic red bricks which is surrounded by the greenery of grass. Add trekking to this scenic beauty to your things to do in Taipei list.

• Opening hours: 9:30 am – 10 pm (After 6 pm; only outdoor garden and coffee garden are open to the public) Tuesday to Sunday.

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is one of the nine national parks in Taiwan, but it is most famous in Taiwan. Once upon a time, it was known as “Grass mountain“. There are quite a few scenic spots in the park and visiting them all in a day would take a lot of effort, so it is recommended to have a car for convenience. It can take around a whole day to see each and every part of this park. In addition to that, the main important thing to take a note about this park is, it has no entry fees. Spring can be considered as the best time to visit this park as lots of cherry trees blossom during this time.

• Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Sunset at Danshui

Whenever you visit Taipei always remember to take out some time to enjoy the beauty of the sunset at Danshui. We’d suggest adding it to your things to do in Taipei list. Any tourist visiting Taipei won’t like to miss out this mesmerizing beauty of the evening. It is near the old street so whenever you go to catch out this sunset don’t forget to walk down the old highway and get some food or coffee for you to enjoy along with the scenic beauty of the sunset. Evening times are always best suited to witness this beauty.

Taipei’s National Palace Museum

This museum has the world’s largest Chinese art collection having nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artefacts. This collection covers treasures in paintings, sculpture, calligraphy, bronze, ceramics and many more. The entry fees of the museum are NT$250

• Opening hours: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm and 8:30 am – 9 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Taipei Zoo

Taipei zoo is a zoological garden in Taipei. It is also referred to as Muzha zoo. It is the largest zoo in Asia and a home for Yuan Zai Panda. Yuan Zai is known as a giant panda. You will find many lazy pandas there rolling on the ground. The zoo has different sections for Pandas, Penguins, Reptiles and amphibians, insectarium, Education sector, library, animal art workshop, eco-house, African animal area, tropical forest area, children’s zoo.

However, all the sectors remain closed on successive Monday of every month respectively. This zoo has something for all people of all the ages. Around 3-4 hours is sufficient to spend at Taipei zoo. The entry fee for the zoo is NT60$.

Rock Climbing at Long Dong (Dragon Cave)

Visiting Taipei?? Then Rock climbing at dragon cave is must things to do in Taipei for adventure lovers. This place is about 40 km away from the city. One can take a car to go there. Furthermore, on this adventure trip, one can experience the absolute scenic beauty of Taiwan coasts. From these heights, one can have a gaze down at the bluest water of Taiwan.

You can visit this place at any time of the year. Price per person per day is around 250 USD. However, there can be a discount on the price for groups of people visiting for rock climbing.

Not just day-time scenic spots, Taipei also has adventurous nightlife for the locals as well as visitors to enjoy. Taipei has lots of night markets, pubs, concerts and more places to visit at night. Few of them are:

Shilin Night Market

Dear, food lovers, this place is exclusively heaven for food lovers. Shilin night market is one of the largest and popular markets in Taipei, Taiwan and also a popular point of Taipei’s nightlife among visitors with respect to food. Two major elements of the Shilin market are General merchandise and local cuisine. It has an underground food court where many traditional foods of Taiwan can be bought at a reasonable price. The most popular and most recommended food of Shilin night market is Oyster’s omelette.

Although the market usually begins every day in the late evening and doesn’t stop until past midnight, most food vendors will have left by midnight. So, if you want to get a taste of this unique dish, you have to go there early. Moreover, this market has Taiwan’s culture with a great atmosphere and friendly shop keepers that one can easily enjoy the food without any hesitation and issue. Eating here is one of the best things to do in Taipei.

Shi-da Night Market

Taiwan is very famous for its night markets and Shi-da market in another attraction point of Taipei’s nightlife with its unique food and shopping environment. It is well known for its unique styles. There are various rock bars, cafes and many more other restaurants. This market is prevalent for its trendy retail shops, especially for women. Apart from tasty traditional food, this market has various shops for apparel, accessories, bags, sandals especially designed by new emerging young designers. This market lasts open from noon to late midnight on weekends and holidays.

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is a Chinese folk religious temple in Taipei. It is a place where Chinese settlers gather together to worship. This temple is located in the old part of Taipei but is ultimately the best place to acquire peace. Longshan temple is the largest and oldest temple in Taiwan.

Moreover, there are no entry fees for this temple. The architectures and carvings of this temple are worth visiting it. Being the oldest temple of Taiwan, it still retains its incredibility. No matter how many you visit Taipei, Longshan is the must-visit and best of things to do in Taipei in the list of all visitors.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Chai Kai-Shek memorial hall is the most historic landmark in Taiwan. Chiang Kai – former president of republic China, opened Shek as a part of the national park. It is an octagon-shaped white building covered with blue tiles having a height of 76 meters. Furthermore, the eight sides of this building are the symbol of Chinese culture. There is a flag of China echoing at the top of Chiang Kai-shek. You can visit this place at any time between 9 am to 6 pm.