Must-Visit Travel Destinations in Taipei, Taiwan - Top 5

Hello, this is Rachel, who has traveled to Taiwan!

Today, I would like to recommend the must-visit travel destinations in Taipei, Taiwan, as the travel regulations for COVID-19 were eased in October last year, allowing unrestricted travel to Taiwan. It has become one of the popular travel destinations for Koreans, with a flight duration of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes from Seoul, South Korea.

Without further ado, let's begin with the top 5 must-visit travel destinations in Taipei, Taiwan.

1. Yehliu Geopark / Shifen / Jiufen
2. Shilin Night Market
3. Taipei 101
4. National Palace Museum
5. Ximending

These are the top 5 places that you should definitely visit when traveling to Taipei, Taiwan.

 

1. Yehliu, Shifen, Jiufen

Although Taiwan allows free travel, I highly recommend trying a taxi tour at least once during your trip. The driver I used for the taxi tour was a former guide who can also speak Korean. This program allows you to visit the essential destinations of Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen in Taipei within 8 to 9 hours. Since these three places are far from the city center, it is more convenient to explore them by taxi rather than using public transportation. It allows you to learn about the history and culture of the tourist sites while comfortably traveling in a taxi, receive restaurant recommendations, and leave plenty of memorable photos.

Yehliu Geopark is a tourist attraction located near the seaside, where you can witness the incredible power and beauty of nature. It is a park filled with peculiar rock formations that have been shaped by the strong winds and the force of waves over time, resembling artworks made of stones.

Shifen is a famous tourist spot known for its railway tracks. It is a place where you can release sky lanterns, and each side of the lantern represents a different wish. For example, the red side symbolizes love, while the blue side represents financial fortune.

When you visit Shifen, I highly recommend trying the must-eat dish, "Chicken Wing Stir-Fried Rice." After enjoying the railway scenery and releasing sky lanterns, it makes for a great snack.

Lastly, Jiufen is famous for being the inspiration for the setting of the film "Spirited Away." It attracts not only Koreans but also Japanese tourists. It used to be a small village with only nine households until gold was discovered around 1890. In a short period, the village transformed into a city with over 400 households and gained the nickname "The City of Gold." Although the gold is no longer present, many tourists continue to visit and carry on its reputation.

2. Shilin Night Market

 

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The highlight of traveling in Taiwan is undoubtedly the night markets, and among them, the best one is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. What sets Shilin Night Market apart and makes it so famous is its history of over 100 years.

 

Although it's not necessary to visit night markets exclusively at night, visiting during the early hours may result in some street food stalls not being open yet and fewer people, which might diminish the true charm of the night market.

 

Conversely, if you visit too late, many shops may be closed, so it's important to choose the right time. Especially on weekend evenings, a massive crowd gathers, making it an interesting place for people-watching.

 

Shilin Night Market offers a wide variety of street food that can easily satisfy your hunger, so I recommend visiting with a light appetite. Instead of having a full dinner, enjoy various snacks and explore the market.

 

I bought around 10 different snacks and ate them when I felt a bit full, while digesting, I enjoyed browsing the inexpensive souvenirs sold within the night market. In the next post, I will definitely recommend must-try dishes at the night market.

Note: Credit cards are not accepted at food stalls and souvenir shops in the night market. I recommend carrying enough cash. Although the prices of the street food at night markets are not high, you won't want to miss out on various delicacies, so make sure to have enough cash on hand.

 

3. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 Observatory is the tallest building in Taiwan and used to be ranked among the top tallest buildings in the world. However, due to the emergence of new buildings worldwide, it has fallen behind in the rankings.

 

Taipei 101 Observatory is a must-visit destination connected to a large-scale department store in downtown Taipei. It has a unique structure with eight sections on its exterior, as the number "8" holds significant meaning in Chinese culture symbolizing wealth, health, prosperity, growth, and development.

The building is composed of eight sections, each consisting of eight floors. To visit the observatory, you can purchase tickets at the ticket booth located on the 5th floor and take the ultra-fast elevator to the observatory. It only takes 37 seconds to reach the observatory from the 5th floor, up to the 89th floor.

 

The observatory offers a panoramic view through its glass windows, allowing visitors to admire the entire Taipei cityscape. There are various photo spots, souvenir shops, and coffee shops, making it a delightful destination for both the eyes and taste buds.

If you purchase tickets in advance through travel apps like MyRealTrip or KLOOK, you can enjoy discounted prices and skip the waiting line by using the elevator directly to the observatory. Pre-purchasing not only saves money but also time, so don't miss out on this opportunity!

4. National Palace Museum
Personally, whenever I travel, I always make sure to visit museums in the countries I visit. 

The National Palace Museum in Taiwan is one of the four major museums in the world and offers the largest collection of Chinese art and artifacts. 

 

Through these artworks, you can get a glimpse of China's 5,000 years of history. Although it is commonly referred to as a museum, it is called a "Palace Museum" because it houses artifacts of higher value and caliber than typical museums. 

The museum showcases a rotating collection of various artifacts, including sculptures and pottery, from ancient to modern times, changing every three months. I highly recommend visiting this museum to encounter valuable and high-quality artifacts.

Taiwan is a country where rain frequently occurs. The National Palace Museum is an indoor facility, making it a great choice to visit on rainy days when outdoor activities are difficult. Just like other tourist destinations, I recommend making advance reservations through travel apps to purchase tickets at discounted prices. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

 

5. Ximending
Ximending is the original hotspot where Korean youth used to hang out, just like Myeongdong in Korea. In Taipei, there is also an area similar to Myeongdong called Ximending.

 

Ximending is a place where you can directly experience the hottest trends among Taipei's youth. It is a bustling street filled with vibrant lights and people until late at night.

 

I hope you can personally experience the excitement of Ximending.

There are two main reasons why I love Taipei: first, it is safe, and second, it has a wide variety of great restaurants. And right here in Ximending, there are incredible restaurants as well.

If you visit Ximending, I recommend trying Ajong Mian Xian, famous for its intestines and noodles, Sammi Restaurant for salmon sushi, Hot-Star for its giant fried chicken cutlet, and black sugar milk tea.

Personally, I enjoyed a bowl of Ajong Mian Xian and then had black sugar milk tea right next to it, followed by shopping to digest.

Afterward, I indulged in snacks from Hot-Star and enjoyed some delicious salmon sushi from Sammi Restaurant, creating wonderful memories of being a happy pig.