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Taipei 101 rising above the city

No. 15 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Taipei

Taiwan

Night markets, temples and mountain views around the landmark Taipei 101.

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Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Taipei is No. 15 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The capital of Taiwan lies in a basin in the north of the island, surrounded by green hills. It combines a modern skyline with busy temples and some of Asia's best-loved street food.

Excellent public transport makes it easy to reach hot springs in Beitou, tea plantations at Maokong and day trips along the north-east coast, all from the city.

Carved roofs of Longshan Temple, Taipei
Carved roofs of Longshan Temple, Taipei. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Best time to go

October to December and March to May are usually the most comfortable months. The Lantern Festival, on the 15th day of the lunar new year, falls in February or early March.

Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and typhoons can affect the island between about July and October. Winter is mild but often damp.

Top sights

  • 1

    Taipei 101

    At 508 metres, it was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010. High-speed lifts reach the observatory, where you can see the giant tuned mass damper that steadies the tower.

  • 2

    National Palace Museum In our Top 100 Museums

    One of the world's great collections of Chinese imperial art, including jade, bronzes, ceramics and calligraphy. Its most famous piece is the Jadeite Cabbage.

  • 3

    Longshan Temple

    Founded in 1738 in the Wanhua district, the temple honours Buddhist and Taoist deities and is busy with worshippers throughout the day.

  • 4

    Night markets

    Shilin, Raohe and Ningxia night markets are the classic places to try beef noodle soup, oyster omelettes, bubble tea and stinky tofu.

  • 5

    Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

    A short, steep trail near Taipei 101 leads to one of the best views of the skyline, especially at sunset.

  • 6

    Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Liberty Square

    A monumental hall flanked by the National Theater and Concert Hall.

  • 7

    Dadaocheng and Dihua Street

    A historic trading district of restored shophouses selling dried goods, fabrics and tea, with cafés along the riverside.

Getting there

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is about 40 km west of the city. The Taoyuan Airport MRT's express trains run to Taipei Main Station. Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), inside the city, handles domestic and some regional flights.

Taiwan High Speed Rail links Taipei Main Station with Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.

Getting around

The Taipei Metro (MRT) is clean, fast and signed in English. Use a rechargeable EasyCard on the MRT, buses and YouBike shared bikes, and in many convenience stores.

Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced. Many sights are also walkable from MRT stations.

Practical tips

Currency
New Taiwan dollar (TWD). Cards are accepted in larger shops and hotels, but night markets and small eateries often take cash only.
Language
Mandarin Chinese, written in traditional characters. Taiwanese Hokkien is also widely spoken. Signs on public transport are in English.
Safety
Taipei is very safe. For the police, dial 110; for fire and ambulance, dial 119.
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, EU countries, Australia and Japan, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Fill in the online arrival card from the National Immigration Agency before you land, and check the Bureau of Consular Affairs (boca.gov.tw) for your passport.
Power
110 V, 60 Hz; plug types A and B.

Official information: Taipei Travel (official city tourism site). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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