Travel Guide

The Taipei 101 Observatory is located on the 89th floor of Taipei 101, offering an excellent vantage point to overlook Taipei city. Taipei 101 was once the world's tallest building, renowned for its unique postmodern architectural style and earthquake/wind-resistant design. The observatory provides both indoor and outdoor viewing experiences, while the building also houses office areas, high-end restaurants, and a multi-story shopping mall.

The Taipei Guest House is a historic building located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan. It was originally built between 1899 and 1901 as the official residence of the Governor-General of Taiwan during Japanese rule, and was rebuilt in 1911. Today, it is owned by the Government of the Republic of China and serves as a state guesthouse for receiving foreign dignitaries or hosting celebratory events. Its architectural style is French Second Empire palace-style, featuring a Mansard roof, tall Roman columns, and luxurious interior decorations, complemented by a modern Japanese garden.

Shilin Night Market is a night market located in Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan, often considered Taiwan's largest and most famous night market. The night market comprises two distinct sections: one part, formerly the old Shilin Market building, primarily houses food stalls and small restaurants; and the surrounding shops selling other non-food items. The food court has 539 stalls, and the second floor serves as a parking lot with 400 spaces. In addition to the food court, side streets and alleys are also lined with storefronts and street vendors. Cinemas, video game arcades, and karaoke halls are also common in the area. Like most night markets in Taiwan, local businesses and vendors begin operating around 4 PM. Crowds peak between 8 PM and 11 PM as students return home from school. Businesses remain open past midnight, closing around 1 AM or 2 AM. Since the opening of two nearby stations of the Taipei Metro system in 1997, tourist traffic has increased.

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national monument built to commemorate Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of the Republic of China, and is a famous landmark and tourist attraction in Taipei City. The Memorial Hall is located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, at the eastern end of the memorial park, with the National Theater and National Concert Hall on its north and south sides, respectively. The main body of the Memorial Hall is a white four-sided building with a blue octagonal roof, symbolizing the ethical spirit of 'loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, trustworthiness, righteousness, and peace'. The Memorial Hall has 89 steps, representing Chiang Kai-shek's age at the time of his death. The ground floor houses a library and museum, documenting Chiang Kai-shek's life and deeds, as well as Taiwan's history and development. The upper floor is the main hall, containing a giant bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek in a seated posture, and regularly holds a changing of the guard ceremony.

Daan Forest Park is a large public park located in the heart of Daan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, covering an area of twenty-six hectares. The park is bordered by Xinyi Road to the north, Heping East Road to the south, Jianguo South Road to the east, and Xinsheng South Road to the west. It is an important place for Taipei citizens to engage in outdoor activities and enjoy green spaces, known as the "Lungs of Taipei City". The park boasts rich ecology, home to various animals such as squirrels, ducks, egrets, and turtles, and features facilities like ponds, pavilions, walking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, a children's playground, jogging tracks, and a skating rink.

Raohe Street Tourist Night Market is one of Taipei City's most popular night markets, known for its diverse Taiwanese snacks, unique goods, and lively atmosphere. Visitors can taste classic delicacies such as Fuzhou Pepper Buns, Medicinal Herb Pork Rib Soup, and Luwei (braised dishes) here.

Treasure Hill International Artist Village is located in Taipei. It was originally an unauthorized settlement established by retired Kuomintang soldiers in the late 1940s. Later, through cooperation between the Taipei City Government and non-governmental organizations, it developed into an urban community and artist village that embodies environmental sustainability. Through preservation and revitalization, the site integrates the texture, ecology, production, and life of the local community, and introduces an international youth hostel and creative art concepts to promote cultural exchange. Treasure Hill was once rated by The New York Times as one of Taiwan's must-visit attractions. The artist village reopened in 2010.

Qingtiankang Grassland is located within Yangmingshan National Park in Taiwan. It is a vast alpine grassland, named for the cattle grazing that took place here during the Japanese colonial period. With its expansive views and beautiful scenery, it's an excellent spot for visitors to hike, picnic, and enjoy nature. Traces of cattle grazing are preserved on the grassland, creating a unique pastoral landscape. Besides the main grassland, there are also trails and observation decks nearby, offering panoramic views of Taipei city and the surrounding mountains.

Dihua Street is located in Dadaocheng, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan, and is one of Taipei's oldest streets. Since its establishment in the 1850s, Dihua Street has been an important commercial center for Taiwanese goods and agricultural products, including traditional Chinese medicine, fabrics, spices, and processed Taiwanese tea. It is renowned for its well-preserved Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial era architecture, and is also a primary destination for purchasing New Year's goods during the Lunar New Year. The Dihua Street commercial district is one of Taipei's most commercially vibrant areas, attracting numerous tourists with its historical and cultural heritage.

Hsing-tian Temple is a popular temple in Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan. This temple is devoted to Lord Guan, the Patron Deity of businessmen, military personnel and policeman. Sculptures of dragons feature prominently in this temple's design. It covers over 7,000 square meters. In 2014, in an effort to reduce particle air pollution, the temple became the first in Taiwan to ban the burning of incense.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a multi-functional park located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan. It was originally built in 1914 during the Japanese rule as the Taipei Winery, producing sake and ginseng wine. In 1922, the government acquired it and renamed it the Taiwan Governor-General's Office Monopoly Bureau Taipei Winery, beginning the production of rice wine and spirits. In 1945, the Republic of China government took over, and it was later renamed the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau Taipei First Winery. In 1987, due to urbanization and pollution issues, it relocated to Linkou District. In 1997, artist groups intervened, calling for the reopening of the winery, which had been idle for ten years. In December 2003, the Council for Cultural Affairs took over, and by the end of 2005, it reopened as Huashan 1914 Creative Park, providing a platform for artists and non-profit organizations to showcase their work and host events. Since 2007, it has been operated by Taiwan Cultural and Creative Development Co., Ltd., attracting theater groups, painters, woodcarvers, writers, filmmakers, and directors from Taiwan and around the world to display their creative talents here.

Taipei Zoo, sometimes also known as Muzha Zoo, is a public zoo located in Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It is Taiwan's most famous zoo, leading in conservation, research, education, and entertainment. It is one of the largest zoos in Asia, with a total area of 165 hectares, of which over 90 hectares have been developed and utilized.

Taipei Botanical Garden is located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, covering an area of approximately 8.2 hectares. It is a historical botanical garden. The garden cultivates a variety of tropical and subtropical plants and features special areas such as a lotus pond, Chinese zodiac zone, succulent plant zone, and fern zone. It is an oasis in the city, offering a great place to get close to nature and learn about plants, and is also an ideal spot for citizens to relax and take a stroll.

228 Peace Memorial Park is a historical site and municipal park located at No. 3 Ketagalan Boulevard, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan. The park features monuments commemorating the victims of the 1947 228 Incident, including the 228 Memorial Monument in the center of the park and the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum (housed in the former radio station building from the Japanese and KMT rule periods). The National Taiwan Museum is located at the park's northern entrance. The park also includes a bandstand and a fitness area. The park was originally built in 1900 during the Japanese colonial period, named 'Taipei New Park,' on the site of a former temple. It was Taiwan's first European-style urban park, built on land owned by the Governor-General's Office. In 1996, the Taipei City Government designated the former radio station building as a historical site. Two years later, the building became home to the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum, and the park was renamed 228 Peace Memorial Park.

The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is located within Beitou Park in Taipei City, Taiwan. It is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of hot springs. Its building was formerly the "Beitou Public Bathhouse," built during the Japanese colonial period and completed in 1913, once the largest public bathhouse in East Asia. In 1995, it was designated a Level 3 historic monument by the Ministry of the Interior, and after restoration in 1998, it reopened as a museum. The architectural style is Edwardian, constructed with red bricks and wooden wall panels. The museum is divided into two floors: the first floor exhibits public baths, hot spring history, facilities and tools, Beitou stone, etc.; the second floor features exhibitions on Beitou history, the observation tower, Taiwan Hollywood, a multimedia room, and a tatami lounge area.

Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area is a famous volcanic geological landscape area within Yangmingshan National Park, known for its fumaroles, sulfur crystals, and spectacular volcanic terrain. Here, you can observe volcanic activity up close and experience the power of nature.

The Maokong Gondola is a gondola lift transportation system located in Taipei, Taiwan, operated by Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation and integrated with its ticketing system. The gondola opened on July 4, 2007, operating between Taipei Zoo and Maokong, with a total length of 4.03 kilometers (2.50 miles), featuring four stations and two turn stations. The gondola was built by the French company Poma.

The Taipei Confucius Temple is a Confucius temple located in Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It is one of the most complete Confucius temples existing in Taiwan and an important historical and cultural attraction in Taipei City. It is known for its Southern Min-style architecture and the annual Confucius Memorial Ceremony.

Bopiliao Historic Block is located in Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan, and is one of the most well-preserved Qing Dynasty streets in Taipei. It retains many historically significant buildings, blending Southern Min, Japanese, and Western architectural styles, showcasing Taipei's development trajectory from the Qing Dynasty, through the Japanese colonial period, to the early post-war era. The block features many old shops, creative cultural stores, and exhibition spaces, making it an excellent place to experience Taipei's history and culture.

Tainan's Douhua is renowned for its adherence to traditional preparation methods and unique flavor. Made fresh daily from freshly ground non-GMO soybeans, it boasts an incredibly smooth and delicate texture with a rich soybean aroma. The accompanying syrup and toppings are also meticulously selected.

One of the most iconic snacks in Taiwanese night markets. Fresh oysters, vegetables (usually bok choy or garland chrysanthemum), and sweet potato starch batter are pan-fried together. Before serving, an egg wash is poured over, and finally, it's topped with a special sweet and spicy sauce.

A highly controversial Taiwanese specialty snack, famous for its unique "stinky" smell produced after fermentation. There are various preparation methods, the most common being deep-fried stinky tofu, which has a crispy skin and porous interior, served with pickled cabbage and sauce.

A classic Taiwanese thick soup snack, featuring handmade red vermicelli as the main ingredient, combined with braised and flavorful pork intestines and fresh oysters, thickened into a rich, gooey consistency. It has a smooth texture and a savory-umami taste, making it a comfort food for many Taiwanese people.

A unique Taiwanese snack featuring a chewy skin made from rice flour, sweet potato starch, or tapioca starch, wrapped around fillings like pork, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. It can be prepared by steaming or deep-frying, and is typically served with a drizzle of soy paste and sweet chili sauce.

A type of rice cake made by steaming seasoned glutinous rice, shiitake mushrooms, shallots, dried shrimp, minced pork sauce, and other ingredients in small bamboo tubes or metal cans. When serving, the rice cake is inverted onto a plate and topped with sweet and spicy sauce or minced pork sauce.

A representative dish hailed as Taiwan's "national dish," famous for its rich broth, tender beef, and chewy noodles. Whether in high-end restaurants or street alleys, you can find beef noodle shops with various flavors, making it a must-try item for Taipei cuisine.

A unique cooling dessert from Taiwan. It is made by rubbing the seeds of 'Aiyu', a species endemic to Taiwan, in water, which releases pectin and then naturally solidifies. Lemon juice and syrup are usually added to make a refreshing and thirst-quenching Aiyu lemon ice.

Taiwan's most famous and popular souvenir. Golden crispy crust encases a sweet yet not greasy pineapple filling, a classic pastry combining characteristics of Chinese pastries and Western desserts.

Taiwan's most popular fried snack and a representative delicacy of night markets. Small pieces of chicken are marinated in sauce, coated with sweet potato starch or flour, and deep-fried until golden and crispy. After frying, they are refried with basil, and finally sprinkled with salt and pepper and chili powder.

Also known as 'rice blood cake', it is a unique snack made by mixing pig's blood with glutinous rice and steaming it. After steaming, it is usually dipped in a thick soy sauce paste, then coated with a generous layer of peanut powder and cilantro.

A Taiwanese snack evolved from scallion pancakes. Unlike regular scallion pancakes, Cong Zhua Bing is patted and pressed from the outside in with a spatula and tongs during frying, creating distinct layers and a fluffy, crispy texture.

A globally popular Taiwanese original shaken beverage. Made with a black tea or green tea base, milk or creamer, and the most iconic chewy 'pearls' (boba) made from tapioca flour, creating a rich and interesting texture.

A type of shāobǐng originating from Fuzhou, it evolved into a popular night market snack in Taiwan. Marinated pork filling and a generous amount of chopped green onions are wrapped in dough, the exterior is coated with sesame seeds, and then it's baked until cooked by sticking it to the hot inner wall of a clay oven.

Taiwan's most iconic summer dessert. It features a generous amount of fresh mango chunks piled on finely shaved ice or clear ice, drizzled with condensed milk or mango sauce, sometimes topped with a scoop of mango ice cream.

The Taiwanese version of Oden, its name is derived from the Japanese transliteration of 'Tempura', but the preparation method is completely different. It involves deep-frying various fish paste products (such as strips, slices, or rounds), then simmering them in bonito broth. When served, they are scooped out and drizzled with a special sweet sauce.

A traditional snack known as the 'Taiwanese hamburger'. A soft, steamed oval-shaped bun, folded like a wallet, filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, peanut powder, and cilantro.

A famous specialty from Tamsui District, Taiwan. Chicken eggs or quail eggs are repeatedly braised and air-dried in soy sauce, sugar, and various Chinese medicinal herbs until the egg white shrinks and hardens, the color turns dark, and the yolk becomes very flavorful.

Taiwan's most iconic national dish. Minced pork belly or ground pork is slow-braised for a long time with soy sauce, shallots, and various spices. The rich, gelatinous braised pork sauce is then poured over hot white rice, creating a simple yet exquisitely delicious dish.