Even if you’ve only got 10 days in Taiwan, nothing will give you a better first appreciation of the country than wandering around for at least 48 hours in Taipei.
If you’ve skipped forging a Taipei itinerary every time you’ve slapped together your Asian travel plans, you’re not alone. With high-profile East Asian cities a quick flight away in every direction, poor ol’ Taipei rarely gets the attention it deserves from travellers.
It’s a shame because, in many ways, the Taiwanese capital rolls the best of all of East Asia all into one. It’s got innovation without the high price tags, cultural intrigue without a strict visa regime, and for food, well, Taipei might just trump them all.
Ready to plan the ultimate Taipei trip? Get started with this complete 2-day Taipei itinerary!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other city itineraries and our Taipei Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Day 1: What to do in Taipei in two days
Grab a quick coffee—or iced coffee if visiting in the hot and humid summer months—and start your first day in Taipei walking (or travelling on the Taipei MRT) to Liberty Square in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District.
Beat the crowds to Liberty Square
The political and social spirit of Taipei has a nerve centre, it’s right here in Liberty Square. The plaza been around for ages, though far newer than its buildings’ ancient Chinese architectural styles would suggest.
At one end of Liberty Square sits Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a monument to modern Taiwan’s most infamous politician; on the other, Taipei’s fraternal twin cultural buildings: the National Concert Hall and the National Theatre.
Arriving early in the morning, the plaza will be pleasantly devoid of people save the occasional fitness nut. If you’re lucky enough, as I was, you might even catch Taiwanese soldiers raising the flag of Taiwan in the centre of the square!
If you arrive later in the morning, wander into Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (open at 9 am; free entrance) to learn more about the man and the history of modern Taiwan. Catch the hourly changing of the guard before trotting through the park to the lefthand side of the main building to watch Taipei’s residents warm up for their day with Tai Chi.
Energize with a Taiwanese breakfast at Dongmen Market
From Liberty Square it’s less than 10 minutes by foot to Dongmen Market. Unlike Taipei night markets, Dongmen Market starts motoring just after dawn. It’s the perfect place to gobble down a cheap and filling breakfast before motoring on with your Taipei itinerary.
Push through the crowded stalls of Dongmen Market to choose from a variety of fresh meats, seafood, noodles, soups, or dumplings. Like nearly every street food hotspot you’ll encounter in your first 48 hours in Taipei, it’s hard to go wrong with much at Dongmen Market. Follow your nose or the crowds to find your perfect breakfast combo.
Breathe a sigh of relief at Da’an Forest Park
With a stomach full of Taiwanese food and energy to spare, follow the roar of traffic on Xinyi Road to Da’an Forest Park to escape the busy streets and inhale some fresh air in the “lungs of Taipei.”
While Da’an Park couldn’t compare to a well-manicured Japanese garden in Kyoto, it’s a pleasant break from the densely-populated centre of Taipei. Meandering through the park, you’ll come across birds, turtles, and even a bamboo forest if you veer far enough south. Relax and recharge here before wandering back north to Xinyi Road for bigger adventures in Taipei City.
Get shadowed by Taipei 101
The symbol of Taipei since 2004, Taipei 101 defies description. You truly need to stare at it from below to fully appreciate its magnitude. (In case you’ve never heard, it’s kinda big.)
Taipei 101 dominates the skyline; finding your way there from Da’an Park won’t be a problem. What you choose to do once you get there is (literally) up in the air.
Most travellers visit Taipei 101 to jet up to the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor (NT$500; $17) and leave. But for perpetually hungry travellers like me, the true brilliance of the building lies in the food courts and restaurants on the lower floor.
See Also: When is the Best Time to Visit Taipei?
After gawking at Taipei’s skyline from (way) above, drop down to the lower level and queue up for the long—but worthwhile—wait at the world-famous Din Tai Fung for some xiaolongbao (Shanghainese-style dumplings). For less than $20, you can easily sample several mouth-watering xiaolongbao varieties, filling yourself up for the next leg of your first 48 hours in Taipei.
See Taipei from above at Elephant Mountain and the Four Beasts
Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, I recommend challenging yourself to scale up the seemingly never-ending staircase to the viewpoint atop Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). Climbing up Elephant Mountain is one of the most essential things to do in Taipei, and even if after the first couple hundred steps you’ve cursed me, you’ll thank me when you reach the top.
See Also: Best Day Trips from Taipei
The entrance to the Elephant Mountain Trail lies about 20 minutes by foot from Taipei 101 on a quiet side street south of Sanli Park (use this Four Beasts Mountain Hiking Map to help you). You could easily spend the better half of the day navigating through the dense forest trails high above Taipei, but even pushing through the 600 metres or so of stairs will reward you with one of the finest views of Taipei.
If hiking in the summer, especially during the day, the heat and humidity up here can be monstrous. Before you start your ascent, stock up on water at a 7-11 or Family Mart near the trailhead.
Chow down at Tonghua Night Market (Linjiang Night Market)
Once you’re through wandering the subtropical forests above Taipei, it’s about a 20-minute walk through Xinyi District to Tonghua Night Market (also called Linjiang Street Night Market), where you can recharge with some more Taiwanese street snacks. Visiting a night market is, of course, one of the absolute must-do activities while visiting Taiwan!
Of all the Taipei night markets, Tonghua was one of my favourites. Cheaper, smaller, and less crowded than both Shilin Night Market and Raohe Street Night Market, Tonghua Night Market feels more like a hangout for locals than a trap for tourists. The selection here is great, too; there’s so many delicious snacks to choose from!
With all the usual street food goodies here, you should have no problem finding something to suit your tastes. Keep your eyes peeled in the main section of the market for the “ninja-chef” who hunts his own boar. (See the bottom of the picture below!) Don’t miss out on his delicious sausages and garlic pork skewers, cooked with his blend of signature spices.
Feel the buzz of Taipei at Ximending
On your way back to your hotel from Tonghua Night Market (Xinyi Anhe or Taipei 101 MRT), navigate to Ximen MRT Station on the blue metro line for a taste of Taipei high-tech style.
Anyone who thought Taipei’s architecture was nothing more than a handful of temples and bleak concrete high-rises clearly missed out on wandering around Ximending at night. It’s hip, fashionable, energetic, and youthful—the perfect expression of an ever-expanding global city growing into itself.
Follow Taipei’s up-and-comers through the streets of Ximending as they dodge in and out of swanky boutiques and scourge the twisting alleyways for trendy late-night Japanese restaurants before heading back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Things to do in Taipei in 48 hours
Fuel up at Shuanglian Morning Market
Start the second day of your first 48 hours in Taipei with a coffee or tea and a fresh morning fruit snack at the Shuanglian Morning Market, just outside of the Shuanglian MRT Station.
Like Dongmen Market, Shuanglian is a haunt for locals rather than tourists. You’ll probably get a few stares (and smiles) as you saunter along the alley!
Get a taste of old Taipei on Dalong Street
After wandering around the marketplace, use your navigational skills to march northwest to Dalong Street. Walking along Dalong Street and immersing yourself in its produce markets, food stalls, and chaos is like stepping back into Taipei’s storied past.
Things here feel a little less organized and tame—and it’s all part of the fun. You’ll dodge speeding motorbikes and inhale interesting odours. (Expect intermittent whiffs of stinky tofu.)
And if you’re still hungry, enjoy some of Taipei’s best daytime street snacks here. Dalong Street also hosts a night market, although I only visited in the early afternoon and can’t comment on it.
Marvel at the Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple
Moving along the whirlwind of Dalong Street, you’ll discover just north of all the action two of Taipei’s finest religious buildings: Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple.
Both temples feature spectacular architecture, but the much older Bao’an Temple stands out as the more arresting of the two. Like many temples in Taiwan, Bao’an fuses elements from Taoism, Buddhism, and Taiwanese folk religions, creating a striking mélange of intricate designs whose details could captivate you for hours.
Catch your breath at Taipei Expo Park
From Confucius Temple, it’s a short walk down Kulun Street to Taipei Expo Park. Home to gardens, pavilions, and museums, including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei Expo Park offers a break from the chaos of Taipei City.
Even if you have no intentions of slipping into a museum, wandering around the park is a good way to kill some time and relax before the evening rolls around. Check out nearby Dajia Riverside Park for city views over the Keelung River.
Indulge your spirit at Longshan Temple
After a nice rest at your hotel, aim to roll into Longshan Temple (via the MRT Station of the same name) just before 6 pm. Among both tourists and worshippers, Longshan Temple is the king of religious institutions in Taipei. Moments of emptiness at Longshan are rare. Be prepared to share your experience with hefty crowds.
Most interesting at Longshan Temple is how patrons encourage guests to partake in the worship. It’s confusing as hell at first. You’ll no doubt look like a lost puppy to onlookers as you fumble through getting started.
But after burning the incense sticks at the wrong end, followed by a few chuckles from my Taiwanese helpers, I figured it out and wandered along the seven worship stations, gently dropping my incense sticks into the caldrons and offering well-wishes to my family and friends back home along the way. It’s undoubtedly an interesting, even if touristy, experience.
Seriously fill up Taiwanese cuisine at a Taipei night market
Night markets put Taipei on the map. And none is more notorious than Huaxi Street Night Market—also known as “Snake Alley”—located just steps away from Longshan Temple.
Unfortunately, I arrived too early to catch the evening action at Huaxi Street Night Market; I can’t comment on the quality of the street food—or whether the snakes are still out in full force.
After wandering through the area mere hours before opening, though, I can only imagine that Huaxi Street Night Market isn’t exactly the most savoury of Taipei night markets.
If I’ve scared you off, no worries: in Taipei, other night markets are never far away. The nearby Wuzhou Street Night Market and Guangzhou Street Night Market lack the seedy reputation of Huaxi Street. They might be a better choice if you’re searching for something more tasteful in the area.
But if you really want to eat at the granddaddy of all night markets in Taipei, it’s Shilin Night Market, located near Jiantan MRT Station on the red metro line (20 minutes from Ximen MRT).
Claustrophobic travellers beware: Shilin Night Market is about as crowded as public places get—anywhere. Once you tough out the crowds, though, your taste buds will be rewarded with Taipei’s best selection of street food. Follow the long queues and harvest all your patience to find all the tastiest Taiwanese street food favourites.
Where to stay: The best hotels for two days in Taipei
Finding the best hotels in Taipei isn’t always straightforward. Taipei is, after all, a massive city, spread out over several central districts!
For first-time travellers to Taipei, I’d recommend staying in or around one of the three most central districts: Zhongzheng District, Wanhua District, or Xinyi District. At any hotel in these areas, you’ll be close to many of the attractions listed in this 2-day Taipei itinerary.
My personal pick would be the Roaders Hotel in Wanhua District. Roaders Hotel is perfectly-positioned to experience the nighttime buzz of Ximending. You’ll love the hotel’s design, combining a retro old-west feel with modern touches that are all to its own.
Craving a midnight snack? Just pop out from Roaders Hotel and scour the alleyways of Ximending to find some hot oyster vermicelli to slurp on. The hotel is also super close to Taipei Main Station and the Ximen MRT, getting you anywhere you want to go in central Taipei in a flash.
Need some more suggestions? Here are a couple more top hotels in Taipei for travellers:
- Taipei Sunny Hostel: One of the best budget hotels in the city that, despite its name, offers mostly private rooms with private bathrooms. The awesome Zhongzheng location puts you front and centre in Taipei.
- City Inn Hotel Plus Ximending: An excellent mid-range option in the buzzing Ximending area. Colourful artwork and funky design throughout add flair to an otherwise often subdued Taipei accommodations scene.
- W Taipei: One of the best 5-star Taipei hotels. Featuring incredible city views from the rooms and the outdoor pool, including the iconic Taipei 101 building, there’s hardly a place in Taipei that outclasses the W.
Recommended Taipei day tours
Want to squeeze more out of your first 48 hours in Taipei? Here are a few of the best day tours in Taipei:
- Ultimate Taipei Sightseeing Tour: An action-packed full-day tour absorbing some of the highlights of Taipei, including Longshan Temple, Taipei 101, Yangmingshan National Park, Beitou Hot Springs, and Shilin Night Market.
- Taipei Night Market Tour: Explore one of Taipei’s lesser-known night markets, Yansan Night Market, on this small-group food tour. Sample up to eight different dishes, including Taiwan’s famous beef noodle soup and local favourites like tangyuan (sweet sesame-filled rice balls).
- Tea of Taipei: A unique full-day tour that focuses on Taiwan’s favourite piping hot beverage. This small-group tour kicks off with a trip up the Maokong Gondola for beautiful vistas of the city, followed by a tea plantation tour and a tea ceremony at an atmospheric traditional Taiwanese teahouse along Shihting Old Street.
