Last Updated on January 3, 2026 by Home in the World
I’d like to preface this by saying that 2 days in Taipei is most certainly not enough to experience everything Taiwan’s vibrant capital has to offer. I had actually planned to have a bit longer there, but unfortunately a flight cancellation out of Australia meant I got there much later than planned and had less time in the city than I would have liked.
But I’m using my experience to share some ideas for things you may want to do on a stay in Taipei, especially if you’re short on time, as well as some other options I would have considered if I’d been able to stay longer.
In any case, I hope it inspires you to plan a trip to Taipei – and Taiwan in general – because my impressions of it were nothing but positive. You might also like to download my free quick guide to Taipei, which concisely summarise everything you need to know before you go.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
If you Google pictures of Taipei, one of the first photos you will probably see is of an imposing white temple-like building with blue-tiled roof, overlooking a vast square. This is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Square, erected in honour of Chiang Kai-shek, the former president of the Republic of China.
Located centrally in the city’s Zhongzheng District, it is easily accessible by public transport, with an MRT station (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall station, serviced by the red and green lines) right at the square. You can also take a taxi there, which is what we did. Being one of the most popular attractions and focal points of the city, every driver is familiar with it.
Stepping through the Liberty Square Arch, I was struck by just how large the square was. I honestly felt dwarfed by the sheer expanse of it, and couldn’t stop admiring the majestic and vibrantly coloured National Concert Hall and National Theatre on either side.
There were actually some dance students practising their moves on one of the terraces when I visited. And, in fact, while standing on the terrace of the National Theatre Hall taking in the whole scene, I noticed it even provided views of the iconic Taipei 101 tower in the distance. So many Taipei landmarks in one shot!
At the far end is the Memorial itself. Climb up the 89 steps (representing Chiang’s age when he died) to get a great elevated panorama of the square and spend a few moments in the hall, which houses a statue of Chiang Kai-shek. Be sure to look up and admire the octagonal ceiling pattern with the star of the Taiwan flag in the dome.
The hall is open 9am-6pm daily, with free entry, and an elevator is available for those unable to climb the stairs. The ground level also has a library and museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career for those with a particularly strong interest in Taiwan’s history.
There is a changing-of-the-guard ceremony at regular intervals throughout the day, and it happened to be on while I was there. It’s quite brief (about 5-10 minutes) and nothing massively spectacular, but still interesting to watch if you manage to catch it.
One of the highlights of the square for me were the beautiful gardens alongside the hall. I definitely recommend spending some time there! They are so lush and tranquil, with a gorgeous fish pond and picturesque white bridge.
The square itself is very exposed and Taipei can get very hot and humid, so these gardens are a great place to cool off if you find yourself in the city on a warm day. There is even a little café serving ice-cream and other snacks.
All in all, I would advise allowing about 2 hours to wander around at the hall, square and gardens. Bring sun protection and a water bottle if you’re there on a hot, sunny day, and remember to always be respectful; this is a memorial, after all.
Closest MRT stop: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall station (red and green lines)
Ximending
If you’re visiting Taipei, you definitely need to have a wander around some of its hip and happening inner-city districts.
I visited the Ximending Pedestrian Area, a vibrant shopping & entertainment precinct particularly popular amongst the younger demographic. It actually reminded me a lot of Myeongdong in Seoul and also a bit of Dotonbori in Osaka.
It is also home to the famous Taipei ‘Rainbow Six’ crosswalk, which you will see as soon as you step out of Exit 6 at Ximen MRT station. This was created in September 2019 as a symbol of Taiwan’s respect for human rights and gender equality (it was the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage), and has since become one of Taipei’s modern icons (and Instagram hotspots).
Indeed the whole area had a very progressive vibe, and, during my visit, there was actually a freedom rally going on in support of oppressed people in the Middle East and beyond.
In a country that has its fair share of tensions with and threats from neighbouring China, this overt display of free speech and political activism was quite inspiring to see. Taiwan prides itself on being one of Asia’s most open-minded countries, and I certainly felt that in Ximending.
I recommend spending an hour or 2 wandering the leafy Ximending Pedestrian Area, taking in the dizzying array of colours, sounds, smells and street performers. Fluffy toy shops coexist alongside dumpling houses, stationery shops, brand-name clothing outlets and fresh-fruit vendors.
Speaking of which, Ximending is also a perfect place to try one of Taiwan’s speciality treats: pineapple cake. It’s not actually a cake per se but more like buttery shortbread with a tangy pineapple-jam filling. WOW!
Taiwan has some of the sweetest pineapples I’ve ever tasted, and this flavour definitely carries through to its famous pineapple cake. While we’re at it, I also recommend trying Taiwanese pineapple bread and Taiwanese honey cake.
And while Starbucks itself might not be the top of your travel itinerary (it’s certainly not for me), architecture enthusiasts may appreciate the iconic brick mansion housing it, which dates back to the Japanese colonial era. It features in many pictures of Ximending and really embodies the old-meets-new vibe.
Closest MRT stop: Ximen station (blue and green lines). Take Exit 6 for the Rainbow Six crosswalk.
Taipei 101
One of Taipei’s most iconic landmarks is undoubtedly the Taipei 101 skyscraper, which, measuring 508 m (1667 ft), was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 – and indeed still ranks 10th in those standings.
While you can of course go up it and get panoramic views of the city, I chose not to because I already had some pretty decent views from my 35th-floor hotel room, and those views actually included Taipei 101 itself! I don’t know about you, but I often prefer to be able to see ‘the thing’ rather than be on ‘the thing’.
So I decided to stay on solid ground and just walk around its base instead. And craning my neck up to look at it, I really did get an appreciation for just how TALL it was! (There is also a mall inside, but it appeared to be mostly just high-end fashion shops).
But another great discovery while walking around the Taipei 101 precinct was some of the cool public art nearby. These included large, colourful block-like pieces bearing the names of the people and companies who had invested in the tower’s construction. I recommend viewing these at dusk and admiring them backlit by the sun, as their colours really come to life and make for fabulous photos.
Other pieces I saw included the LOVE sculpture by American pop artist Robert Indiana, who uses the universal emotion of love to unite East and West. It has an identical counterpart in Philadelphia. Unlimited life was another unusual sculpture of note outside the tower.
It is by Taiwanese artist Kang Muxiang, and is made out of decommissioned steel cable from the high-speed elevator of Taipei 101’s Observation Deck. The embryonic shape is intended to add a human element to the otherwise cold, utilitarian nature of steel cable.
So, whether or not you choose to go up the tower, it’s still definitely worth a visit to enjoy the unique sculptures at its base. A must-see landmark during your 2 days in Taipei.
Closest MRT stop: Taipei 101/World Trade Centre station (red line)
Night markets
Taipei might just be Asia’s night-market capital. It certainly has some of the continent’s best and most vibrant night markets. And the beauty of them is that you don’t even need to go to one of the main, big ones to soak up the vibe. Many of the smaller local markets are just as good.
Given my limited time in the city, I was only able to visit one, which happened to be about a 15-minute walk from my hotel. It was the Tonghua (Linjiang Street) Night Market, which packed a lot into its smaller area, while still not being as crowded as the likes of its Shilin, Ningxia or Raohe counterparts.
It’s a truly wonderful travel experience to wander the laneways and take in all the sights, sounds and smells of the eclectic array of stalls. I have also made an Instagram reel about it. I got there just as it was starting up for the night, which was great as it was nowhere near as packed.
For some reason, I thought it would be only food & drink – and food stalls did indeed make up a lot of it, from fresh fruit and vegetables, to rice and stir fries, to fried squid, to grass jelly, to pineapple cake, to all kinds of pork dishes, to bubble tea.
But there were also quite a few non-food stalls, such as art dealers, clothing outlets, bag shops, souvenir shops and gaming arcades. So no sooner have you inhaled whiffs from a stinky tofu stall, than you are being dazzled by the flashing lights and beeping noises of a capsule-toy arcade. Eclectic really is the word!
Whichever market you choose, I definitely recommend checking out at least one during your stay, as they are a very iconic part of any Taipei travel experience.
Day trip to Shifen & Jiufen
One of the most popular day trips out of Taipei is undoubtedly the excursion to Shifen and Jiufen (they are usually both combined on the one trip). It’s about an hour’s drive each way, and the whole excursion can be done in an easy 6 hours. I did this tour (also shown below). It’s run by YOLO Taiwan but can be booked through Viator, and I highly recommend it.
Being short on time but having already prebooked the tour, I was worried I was ‘losing’ effectively another whole day in the city, but I am so glad I still went ahead with it. Yes, it meant I only had one full day in Taipei, but getting out of the city and being able to experience at least a brief snapshot of Taiwan’s lush natural landscapes and smaller towns was so worthwhile.
The first stop is the magical Shifen waterfall, a ledge waterfall that is the broadest and largest (by water volume) in Taiwan. I should point out that getting to the actual waterfall involves going up and down quite a few steep steps, so be mindful of this if you have accessibility issues.
You will pass through a small Taoist temple on the way; it’s certainly hard to miss with its elephant statues and bright red ribbons contrasting against the dense greenery of the natural setting. There is also a mini arcade of souvenir stalls and eateries (plus washroom facilities) before you finally emerge on the edge of the waterfall.
And you really can get very close up. I loved feeling like I was right alongside the rushing cascade. The sound was deafening! I honestly found the whole setting really beautiful and restful, and the falls truly exceeded my expectations!
Just a short drive from the waterfall is Shifen Old Street, famed for its sky lantern ceremony on its quaint train street. Probably not quite as narrow as its more famous counterpart in Hanoi, it is still a unique experience to witness the old engine chug along the Pingxi line.
When there’s no train coming, many people dart onto the tracks to take photos and release colourful sky lanterns bearing their dreams and wishes, meaning the air is often filled with a soft burning smell and hissing noises, not to mention the enthusiastic shouts of the street vendors. Whether or not you decide to release a lantern is up to you, but some people choose not to because of the environmental impact.
Next on the agenda is a brief stop at the Yin Yang Sea off the north coast of Taiwan, known for its intriguing mix of converging blue and gold waters. Our guide took us up to a viewing platform overlooking the sea and the waterside highway and the contrasting waters really were quite noticeable from above!
The difference in colours is attributed to chemical run-off from the local mines that used to operate here – indeed the Jinguashi 13 Level Ruins of a copper-smelting refinery are perched eerily opposite the sea. It stopped operation over 50 years ago, and its terraces have slowly been reclaimed by nature, giving it the feel of an overgrown Potala Palace.
And of course the mix of light and dark gave rise to the Yin Yang name, drawing on the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang; that of duality, of light and dark, of cold and hot; of a natural balance of contrary forces that complement each other to form a complete whole.
Just a few minutes’ drive away is the Golden Waterfall, where we made a brief stop. Here, too, the effects of the area’s mining history were on full display, with the falls cascading over boulders had a distinct and unusual golden-brown hue.
The final stop of the tour was the second of its two main destinations: Jiufen. You may well have seen plenty of photos of this picturesque hillside town on social media.
Overlooking the sea, its winding streets snake their way up and down the mountainside in a series of hairpin bends, all lined with bustling shops and eateries. The town prospered as a gold-mining town during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan between 1895 and 1945 and is today still a thriving tourist hub.
It is perhaps most famous for its Amei Tea House, which clings to the mountainside, cutting a striking figure with its lantern-strung windows, wooden balconies and lush green window boxes.
And its popularity is largely due to its resemblance to a building featuring in the Japanese animated fantasy film Spirited Away. I did not actually visit the tea house, but you may well want to include it in your Jiufen itinerary.
My time in Jiufen was spent wandering the heaving Old Street and the quiet laneways leading off it. The Old Street is a true feast for the senses. It’s cramped and crowded, and some sections are undercover, so the sounds and smells really come alive.
There’s everything from cafés to hat shops to souvenir shops and everything in between. I succumbed and bought some locally made pineapple cake! I also enjoyed stepping off the beaten track into the calmer nooks and alleys; there were certainly some cute and quirky sights to be had!
As Jiufen was our last stop, we were there at sunset, and I highly recommend this time to visit, as it adds an extra layer of magic to the town: the gleaming red lanterns start twinkling to life and the hillside location means you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the sea and lush hills. All before comfortably returning to Taipei in time for dinner.
Getting around
Taipei is a very easy city to get around. The two modes of transportation I used were local taxis and the MRT subway system, both of which were clean, safe and affordable. The two taxi rides I did in the main city-centre area (drives of about 10-15 minutes each) cost on average TWD 200 (~USD 6.00).
The MRT, meanwhile, was extremely impressive. I used it between the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial and Ximending, and again between Ximending and Taipei 101. The stations were very well laid out, excellently signposted and absolutely spotless. There were ample ticket machines with English-language options, and I found these super easy to use.
I just bought single-journey tickets each time – and interestingly enough, they did not end up being paper tickets, but rather little plastic tokens that were returned at the end of the journey. A good way to reduce paper usage! Each of these journeys cost about TWD 80 (~USD 2.50), which I thought was fantastic value. Uber is also available in Taipei but I did not use it.
Other itinerary options and final thoughts on my 2 days in Taipei
So what were my general impressions after spending 2 days in Taipei? Clearly, that 2 days is definitely not enough! There is so much more I would have liked to see, and which I would seriously consider for next time.
These include the Taipei National Palace Museum, Elephant Mountain, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, and a day trip to Sun Moon Lake. If you choose to do any of these, please leave a comment below, as I’d love to hear about your experiences!
During my 2 days in Taipei, I was struck by its many beautiful tree-lined streets, its progressiveness, its unexpected pops of art, its massive night-market and foodie scene and its exceptional hospitality. I found it to be very well geared up for tourists, with decent English signposting and easy public transportation.
In fact, all dealings I had with the Taiwanese, whether it be communicating with the hotel, organising tours, filling out the online arrival card for Taiwan, or talking to shopkeepers and taxi drivers, everyone was so incredibly professional, friendly and usually spoke excellent English.
It is no exaggeration to say that Taipei (and Taiwan in general) is a genuinely underrated Asian destination, and I would encourage anyone to travel there. You’ll find a fabulous mix of Chinese cultural heritage, lush landscapes and a vibrant urban feel, without following the overtrodden tourist paths of many other cities in Asia. Definitely consider it for your next holiday or stopover!
I hope you found this article to be of use in helping you plan your Taipei itinerary. If you have any other suggestions or recommendations on what to see and do over 2 days in Taipei, feel free to leave a comment below.
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
Before you go…
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Taipei on GPSmyCity.
You can also read more about the GPSmyCity concept in this blog post.
Plus, consider following me on Instagram for more travel content from around the world! You might also like to download my free, one-page Taipei city guide.
Ready to book your flights to Taipei? I recommend using Skyscanner or Trip.com to find and compare the best fares.
Looking for somewhere to stay on your trip to Taipei? Have a read of my comprehensive review of the Shangri-la Far Eastern Taipei. Or find another property suiting your needs by searching below:
For more Asia travel content, feel free to check out my posts from Cambodia, Japan, China and South Korea, as well as my older travel memories (more narrative style than blog style) from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore.
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I knew nothing about Taipei/Taiwan and now, thanks to your (usual) informative blog post, I am almost a full bottle, almost! What an interesting stay. Look forward to your Shangri-La hotel review
Thank you 🙂 It’s definitely an underrated destination. Hope to get time to explore more of it in future! Hotel review coming soon 🙂
Great itinerary. Tall skyscrapers is my thing in cities. i would love to see the view from Taipei 101.
Thanks Shweta. If you like skyscrapers, you would definitely love Taipei, and Taipei 101 in particular!
Thank you for this detailed Taipei Travel Guide. Can’t wait to visit one day!
Glad you liked it! I hope you can get to Taipei sooner rather than later. It’s a great destination!
Looking forward to being able to visit Taipei. Saving this for later!
Ooh I hope you can visit soon! And hopefully you have a bit more time to explore than I did! It’s a great destination.
Do you have an architecture or street art walking tour that you recommend? It looks like you fit in a lot in just two days.
I tried to fit in as much as I could! I unfortunately didn’t do any architecture or street art walking tours while I was there, but this one might be of interest: https://getyourguide.tp.st/BmVL6epW It seems more architecture-focused but, looking at the itinerary, I think it would be really good!
Lovely post! Taipei is such an underrated destination. And, that Starbucks is going to be a part of my travel itinerary as well.
Thank you! It is definitely very underrated. I’m glad you appreciated the Starbucks architecture! That whole area has a great vibe.
I don’t know much about Taipei, but it looks like a vibrant, exciting place to visit. After reading your post I will consider visiting in the future.
Thank you! Glad to hear Taipei is now on your radar – it’s definitely a fun and vibrant destination 🙂
Great post! I had 12 hours stopover each way on my trip to Japan and walked north of Taipei Main Station to the Dihua Street District – perfect if you have very limited time. And I was too anxious to make my flight to visit a night market, but I would love to next time. Thank you for the really informative post!
Thanks Anja! I have heard of Dihua Street; it was actually another area I would have liked to explore if I’d had more time. Hopefully we can both get back to Taipei at some point and see more!