Accommodation: Book a hotel in Ximending (Ximen) or Zhongshan District, both areas are lively and central to many attractions. Recommendations include the W Taipei, Grand Hyatt Taipei, or Airbnb for budget options.
Transportation: Buy an EasyCard at MRT stations for unlimited travel on buses and trains.
Activities:
Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum, and walk around the peaceful 228 Memorial Park.
Explore Ximending Pedestrian Area, known as Taiwan’s Times Square.
Enjoy a traditional puppet show at the Puppetry Arts Center.
Food: Try Shilin Night Market for street food, including stinky tofu, bubble tea, and oyster omelets. For dinner, head to Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle for famous Taiwanese cuisine.
Day 2: Taipei 101 & Xinyi District
Activities: Visit Taipei 101, the world’s second-tallest building, and take an elevator ride to the observation deck.
Food: Lunch at Din Tai Fung for xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Dinner options include Yongkang Beef Noodle (Yongkang Jiaozi) or Raohe Street Night Market.
Evening: Relax in the Taipei Financial Center (MAAT) rooftop park and enjoy the city lights.
Day 3: Yangmingshan National Park
Activities: Spend a day exploring Yangmingshan National Park. Highlights include hiking trails, hot springs, Jade and Qingtiangong temples, and the sulfur mines.
Food: Try local Taiwanese cuisine at one of the restaurants near the park entrance.
Day 4: Northern Coast & Yehliu Geopark
Activities: Take a day trip to the beautiful northern coast to see Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Waterfalls, and Jiufen village.
Food: Enjoy local snacks like seafood and shaved ice in Jiufen, made famous by the movie “Spirited Away.”
Day 5: Tamsui District & Fort Zeelandia
Activities: Visit the Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Zeelandia, and walk along the Tamsui River promenade.
Food: Have lunch at one of the seafood restaurants in Tamsui and try mango shaved ice for dessert.
Day 6: Beitou Hot Springs & Datun Mountain
Activities: Spend the morning relaxing in the natural hot springs of Beitou District, then hike up Datun Mountain for breathtaking views of Taipei City.
Food: Dine at local restaurants around Beitou, focusing on seafood dishes and hot pot options.
Day 7: Shopping & Departure
Activities: Spend your last day shopping in trendy neighborhoods like Da’an or Songshan, or visit the massive Breeze Center mall for a wide variety of shops.
Food: Grab lunch at Addiction Aquatic Development (AAD) to sample fresh seafood dishes one last time before departing.