May 23rd, 2019 | Updated on November 6th, 2019
Taipei is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them.
Taipei is the national capital of Taiwan. It is in the northern part of the island in a basin between the Yangming Mountains and the Central Mountains. It is, with 2.6 million inhabitants, the fourth largest administrative area of Taiwan, after New Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung.
However, the Greater Taipei metropolitan area, which encompasses the central Taipei City along with the surrounding New Taipei City and Keelung, represents the largest urban cluster in Taiwan with nearly 7 million people. Taipei serves as the island’s financial, cultural and governmental centre.
Source: Wikitravel
1. Elephant Mountain
This mountain actually has its own MRT station (Xiangshan, which means Elephant Mountain). Just exit and follow the signs for about five minutes to the trailhead. Elephant Mountain is the vantage point of all the classic shots of Taipei 101, so expect a steep trail up. Weekends it gets crowded, especially around sunset. Don’t forget to take water.
2. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
This grandiose monument to authoritarian leader Chiang Kai-shek is a popular attraction and rightly so. It is a sobering feeling standing in the massive courtyard. Chiang’s blue-roofed hall is a prime example of the neoclassical style, favoured by CKS as a counterpoint to the Cultural Revolution’s destruction of real classical culture in China.
3. Yangmingshan National Park
How fortunate Taipei is to have this diverse park at its doorstep, complete with forested mountains, hot springs, rolling grass hills, and some handsome lodgings and restaurants. The park covers 114.55 sq km, with a top elevation of 1120m, and is easily accessible from the downtown area by frequent buses.
4. Longshan Temple
Founded in 1738 by Han immigrants from Fujian, this temple has served as a municipal, guild and self-defence centre, as well as a house of worship. These days it is one of the city’s top religious sites, and a prime venue for exploring both Taiwan’s vibrant folk faith and its unique temple arts and architecture.
5. National Palace Museum
Home to the world’s largest and arguably finest collection of Chinese art, this vast collection covers treasures in painting, calligraphy, statuary, bronzes, lacquerware, ceramics, jade and religious objects. Some of the most popular items, such as the famous jade cabbage, are always on display – although check first that it’s not on loan to the southern branch in Chiayi. Given the size of the museum’s collection, much is on rotation, however.
6. Taipei Confucius Temple
Discover the spiritual and mercantile roots of Taipei in this interactive tour of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The day begins with a guided stroll through two outstanding temples before heading by bus to Dadaocheng, a neighborhood where shopkeepers selling dried seafood, herbs and other traditional Chinese items have plied their respective trades for generations.
After eating, we’ll head deeper into the neighborhood for a lesson in DIY handicraft making, some sidewalk fortune telling and a visit to a tea refinery. Our Vintage Taipei tour will give you a backstage pass to Taipei’s history and a new perspective on the rich origins of our beautiful city. **Please note: This tour requires a reasonable degree of physical fitness.
7. National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine
This large shrine marks the memory of almost 400,000 soldiers who died for the ROC (mostly within China). The bulky complex, built in 1969, is typical of the northern ‘palace style’ architecture popularised during Chiang Kai-shek’s reign. The hourly changing of the guards is a popular attraction, especially with Japanese tourists. It takes almost 20 minutes for the white-clad soldiers to march from the gate to their posts in front of the memorial, giving plenty of time to get a good shot.
8. Maokong Gondola
This 4km-long, 30-minute gondola ride is as much an attraction as a mode of transport. On clear days and nights the views across Taipei and up the lush Zhinan River valley are enchanting; on foggy days they are dreamy. The gondola has four stations: near the zoo, Taipei Zoo South, Zhinan Temple and Maokong itself. Note you can pay by EasyCard. If you’re coming by MRT, get off at the zoo, turn left, and walk for about five minutes.
9. Taipei Zoo
Pre-purchase the entrance ticket to Taipei Zoo (also referred to as “Muzha Zoo”) and have it delivered to your hotel in central Taipei. Taipei Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in Taiwan featuring convenient access via MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Wenshan-Neihu Line at Taipei Zoo Station.
Visit: Taipei ZooVisit Taipei Zoo, one of the most popular zoos in Taiwan, with your family! Taipei Zoo is the home for a lot of local animals as well as animals from Australia, Africa, and other continents. They also feature indoor exhibitions including insectarium, amphibian and reptile house, and penguin house.
10. Guandu Temple
Dating back to 1661, this gawdy, grand, multistorey temple (one of Taipei’s oldest) is built right into the side of a mountain. In fact, a 100m-plus tunnel runs through the mountain itself. Take either flight of steps at the rear of the temple for a panoramic view of the Tamsui riverscape.
Top Hotels In Taipei
1. Hotel Eclat Taipei
Discreetly located in a quiet part of Taipei’s most fashionable district, Da-An, is Hotel Eclat Taipei, an eclectic, elegant new boutique art hotel. All 60 luxuriously appointed guest rooms equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a 42 inch LCD TV offering the largest selection of TV channels and movies available in Taipei today, Bang & Olufsen CD-player with MP3 connectivity, Nespresso coffee machine, Riedel glassware, Montblanc desktop stationery, Aesop bathroom amenities, and much more.
2. Grand Hotel Taipei
The Grand Hotel has served multiple purposes from the past 63 years: developing tourism, supporting international diplomacy and promoting Chinese culture to the West.
3. Park Taipei Hotel
Park Taipei Hotel, with its contemporary urban style décor, creates a sophisticated environment and personalized services that provides the warmness and comfort like home. Guests can relax thoroughly in the leisurely atmosphere, and experience the most attentive services and distinguished courtesy. The champagne colored exterior, together with elegant windows and outdoor landscaping, brings out the modern architectural characteristics to unveil the design conception of “High class Metropolitan Business Hotel,” which in turn shows the hotel’s unique friendly atmosphere. The lobby is furnished with marble pillars to draw out the warmness of the hotel. The spacious waiting area combined with the reception and restaurant spaces, and cozy guest rooms offer guests the feeling of “Home away from home.”
4. YoMi Hotel
Yomi Hotel is specifically designed with travelers in mind. We maintain an attitude of innovation in expectation of your stay.
5. CityInn Hotel Plus
In pursuit of a high quality design standard, Cityinn Hotel Plus invited internationally renowned design studio “Architecture Interior” to execute its interior and exterior design. The artistic installations in the hotel’s public areas and guest rooms were jointly developed by street wear brand “Pizza Cut Five” and “Love Tomorrow Today” to reflect a chic lifestyle and environmental consciousness.
Cityinn Hotel Plus offers you a better service standard in every possible way, whether for well-known tourist attractions or restaurants, we are perfectly familiar with your necessary information in hand, we can recommend you anything in your demand. We provide all area free wireless internet service, as well as fax, printing, booking restaurants, advance laundry service or travel information, the hotel staff will happy to serve you in every possible way and make you feel home again.
6. Cosmos Hotel Taipei
Established in 1979, Taipei Cosmos Hotel is located right next to the M3 Exit of Taipei Main Station and has a great geological advantage as it is a transport hub where MRT (Mass Rapid Transportation), THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail), Taiwan Railway, bus, and public transportation meet. Dedicated in offering friendly, thoughtful and professional services for many years, Cosmos Hotel Taipei is preferred by international tourists and businessmen and a designated gathering place for many organizations and agencies with its stable and committed food and beverage quality. Tourists or businessmen will feel right at home while staying at the Cosmos Hotel Taipei.
7. Beauty Hotels Taipei
Beauty Hotels Taipei – Hotel B7 is situated at the intersection of Chongqing South Road and Hengyang Road. It only takes 5 to 8 minutes from Hotel B7 to MRT NTU Hospital Station Exist 1. Not only bus stops, but also HSR and TRA are nearby. Conveniently located in the heart of city center makes you reach famous attractions easily. Hotel B7 is close to Taipei Main Station, and near NTU Hospital, Office of the President, Taipei Guest House, CKS Memorial Hall, NOVA 3C plaza, National Taiwan Museum, Q Square and Ximending. In addition, there are many restaurants nearby, such as Starbucks, Tasty, Momo Paradise sukiyaki. Bookstores, banks, pharmacies are around the area. What’s more, leather shoes street and 228 Peace Park are in the vicinity.
8. Dandy Hotel
Natural, Charming, an experience walking into the Dandy Hotel who will immediately find a bold contrast to the city’s often plush and over-powering hotel lobbies. Dandy Hotel’s Nordic ambience is calming with minimal décor, it is a place where you can relax and soak in natural elegance. After your long journey, settle down and rediscover your tempo. The Hotel faces Daan Park, which feels like you’re facing New York City’s, Central Park. Natural X BasicThe log furniture, cosy and snug with simple and modern design, extends a charming creation of power and beauty.
This fashionable decor, elegant and understated, provides you with a brand new accommodation experience. There are 73 guest rooms in the Hotel, with 9floors and 6 types of designs based on natural themes; our guests are provided with a variety of settings for a feeling of comfort and ease.
Close Your Eyes, Relax and Build Your Dream at a Leisurely TempoTake a break, log online, or just listen to delightful internet music. At that moment, a truly creative idea may enter your mind. Every staff member in the Hotel is your private secretary and housekeeper; they are ready to take care of you, every detail, at any time. Take your time, enjoy an independent natural lifestyle hotel in the busy city.
9. Just Sleep Ximending
Just Sleep Ximending is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Zhongzheng District, offering a trendy environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Given the close proximity of popular landmarks, such as Taipei Zhongshan Hall (0.2 km) and 228 Peace Memorial Park (0.8 km), guests of Just Sleep (xi Men Ding) Hotel can easily experience some of Zhongzheng District’s most well known attractions. As your “home away from home,” the hotel rooms offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator, and getting online is easy, with free wifi available.
Guests have access to a concierge while staying at Just Sleep (xi Men Ding) Hotel. In addition, Just Sleep Ximending offers free breakfast, which will help make your Zhongzheng District trip additionally gratifying. If you like Mediterranean restaurants, Just Sleep Ximending is conveniently located near Toasteria Cafe Yong Kang. Plus, during your trip, don’t forget to check out some of the popular , such as Taipei Guest House, Presidential Office Building, and Taipei Postoffice. Enjoy your stay in Zhongzheng District!
10. Ambience Hotel
As the most anticipated project combining the visionary talents of famous Taiwanese architect Wei Ming Lee and designer Ted Su, led by an ambitious and dynamic team of hospitality professionals, Ambience Hotel is the first offbeat and contemporary boutique hotel designed to breathe style and excitement into Taiwan’s capital city.
Ambience Hotel’s 61 avant-garde guestrooms and suites feature a unique decor blend of polished steel, glass, white granite and calf-skin leather upholstery. Completed with free high-speed wireless internet access, Video-on-Demand movie system, and luxurious Botanicus bath and body products, Ambience Hotel provides the service and amenities of a luxury hotel within a strikingly modern yet intimate environment. Combining comfort, functionality, and cutting edge design, Ambience Hotel is the ideal place to stay for business and pleasure in Taipei.
