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Taipei will always have a special place in my heart. I was so charmed by the city’s relaxed vibes, cool November weather and friendly locals. What struck me the most was how kind and considerate people seemed to be from chatty Taxi and Uber drivers to kind shopkeepers.
This city has it all. Read on to plan the best 3-day Taipei itinerary for an action-packed adventure!
5 Tips before leaving the airport
- Buy an EasyCard at the airport 7-eleven
- Grab a sim card or prepare an eSim on your phone (eSims are not valid for phones issued for the China and Hong Kong markets so check your phone’s manufacturing location and laws before buying an eSim.)
- Download the Uber App – Taipei is surprisingly affordable to get around using an Uber and you can save on cash
- Prepare cash! Many small vendors, restaurants and even convenience stores don’t accept credit cards. Cash is your friend.
- Out of cash? Head to a 7-eleven and try their ATM (prepare a few cards so that you can use them if one doesn’t work)
1 Day 0 – Arrive to Taipei
If you arrive in Taipei in the evening you can technically get 3.5 days out of Taipei! And don’t worry, the city comes alive at night so you won’t miss out on much.
6:00 pm – Land
7:30 pm – Check in to your hotel
8:30 pm – Head out to the closest night market!
Landed too late? Head out to a convenience store and grab some cool snacks and dinner!
2 Day 1 – Head out to Nature (Shifen and Jiufen)
8:00 am – Head to Shifen
Shifen is a charming little village with the famous Shifen Waterfall and traditional lantern activities. Nestled in the mountain, it’s known for Shifen Old Street which has some amazing food and souvenirs and of course, paper lantern flying.
I was really excited to go to Shifen because I wanted to fly a paper lantern on the old train tracks which has been a bucket list item of mine for years.
Shifen can take anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes via Uber or Taxi depending on where you are in the city. From New Taipei City, it took us about an hour.
Fly a Paper Lantern!
Once you get to Shifen Old Street, I’d recommend you go to a vendor and pick one of the colourful lanterns to decorate with your messages and then release them to the sky. Its fun to write with traditional ink and brushes. You can write your wish, and the year and even make cute drawings.
Beware of the Tracks!
Funnily, the tracks are fully operating and people have to scutter away whenever the train is approaching. I was hysterical because once we released our lantern into the sky, the train started approaching after about 5 seconds!
That’s when I knew that the tracks were actually functional! I should have checked before hahaha. This experience reminded me of the train street in Hanoi Vietnam. I was actually glad that the train came because I missed the opportunity to experience this when I visited Vietnam.
Check out the shops and street food
A lot of the restaurants here served Vietnamese-inspired dishes which was quite interesting to me. I personally went ahead and enjoyed some Taiwanese-style fried chicken, mushrooms and other assorted fried snacks. I also had a peanut mochi ice cream which a lot of the vendors were selling.
Be sure to check out the shops for cute souvenirs! I bought myself this adorable bubble tea keychain.
Visit the Suspension Bridge
The Shifen Suspension Bridge is a 128-meter-long bridge that connects Shifen Village and Nanshan Village. It has some amazing views of the river and is wonderful for photographs.
A really interesting thing I witnessed was some locals lighting fireworks during the afternoon! This is the first time I’ve seen daytime fireworks so it was quite amusing to me 😂
1:00pm – Jiufen Village
Jiufen is a quaint little mountain village with narrow cobblestone streets, lots of steps, ghibli movie like teahouses and a nice historical charm. While walking down these streets, you’ll find everything from food, souvenirs, and handicrafts to beautiful red lanterns lined through every street.
I won’t lie to you, Jiufen was super crowded and at times not too pleasant. However, it is not a place to be missed. I enjoyed strolling the streets, trying street food and taking pictures.
Mountain Views
Moreover, this little village is absolutely the best vantage point for the surrounding mountain views. I think the next time I visit, I might even stay a night somewhere in that area so I can spend more time in the Jiufen village.
6:00 pm – Raohe Night Market
Raohe Night Market is one of Taipei’s biggest night markets. Opened in 1987, it has a wide variety of street food that any foodie would drool over!
Raohe Night Market, situated in Taipei, Taiwan, is a bustling culinary haven that entices its diverse array of street food, local delicacies, and vibrant atmosphere. Opened in 1987, this historic market offers a sensory feast, with aromatic flavours, lively stalls, and a rich tapestry of Taiwanese gastronomic delights
Songshan Ciyou Temple
You won’t miss the Songshan Ciyou Temple when you go to Raohe Night Market. The intricate designs and vibrant colours really leave the spectator stunned. Dating back to 1753, the temple has a deep connection to Taipei’s culture and spirit.
I didn’t go in since it was nighttime already but you should go if you have time! Just remember that it’s a religious site so be quiet and respectful.
3 Day 2 – Explore Taipei City, Hike Elephant Mountain
9:00 am – Visit a local cafe for Brunch
Taiwan is known for its food so make sure to take some time out to try a traditional Taiwanese breakfast or go to a regular cafe to enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
11:00 am – Visit Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is probably Taipei’s most iconic building. There’s a viewing deck on top that lets you see some great views of the city!
1:00 pm – Lunch
Usually before visiting a city, I make a list of food I’d like to have. During day 2, I was determined to find a good bowl of Taiwanese Beef Noodles.
I found this place that had won some contests. The beef was truly tender and tasted amazing. However, the broth and noodles were slightly too plain for my liking.
3:00 pm – Hike Elephant Mountain for Sunset
Elephant Mountain or Xiangshan is a great hike you can do to get some magnificent views of the city of Taipei. We headed up the mountain to do just that! There’s also a viewing platform if you don’t feel like doing the full hike.
5:00 pm – Ximending
Ximending should be a spot on your list if only to visit for an hour or two! This place was bustling with great energy and people just enjoying themselves. Ximending has a large array of restaurants, brand-name stores and souvenir options for everyone to enjoy.
Iconic Rainbow Crossing
When you go to Ximending, don’t forget to check out the famous rainbow crossing. I took a couple of pictures there too! People were also making TikTok videos and one guy was showing off his pet rabbits!
7:00 pm – Shilin Night Market
Out of all the markets, Shilin has got to be my favourite. Not only was it the biggest but had a lot of charm in its old streets. My favourite was this beef pepper bun that was baked in a charcoal drum!
4 Day 3 – Go Shopping at Dadaocheng
9:00 am – Check out of your hotel
9:30 am – Put your luggage in a paid coin locker
Coin lockers can be found in a lot of the train stations and bus terminals. Try to find the closest near you using Google Maps. I always find it easiest to put it in a train station that’s central to the city and also convenient for the airport.
10:00 am – Dadaocheng
Dadaocheng is where you’d find the coolest cafes, vintage shops and cute restaurants. It’s a true gem due to its beautifully preserved architecture and old-city charm.
I found a few shops where I could get “Made in Taiwan” souvenirs! I also enjoyed walking around and browsing all the stores. Again, the people were so friendly. Even though it was crowded, people were always kind and considerate.
5 Conclusion
Taipei is a city with its own unique charm and atmosphere which was shaped from its rich history. I was pleasantly surprised by how different it is from Hong Kong. What stood out to me the most was how friendly everyone was from the taxi drivers to locals passing by. I really want to go back and continue exploring this wonderful country.
Have you been to Taipei? What are your thoughts? Let me know below!