Things to see in Taipei
Attractions
Night markets
As shopping and eating are the top entertainments in Taiwan, good places to experience these are at the many night markets dotted throughout the city. Many stay open until midnight. ShihLin night market (Wenlin Road, Datung Road and Pingan Road, ShihLin District) is the largest, while Huashi Street Night Market (Snake Alley, between Siyuan Road and Huanhe South Road) a few paces from Lungshan Temple, is the most famous. It sells everything from snake soup and painted umbrellas to shoulder massages.
Address: , Night markets, Taipei, ,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 1700-0100.
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Longshan Temple
The Longshan Temple is the city's most atmospheric Taoist temple. Curling dragons, wafting incense and burning paper ‘ghost money' are only some of the things you can experience here while understanding the importance of temples to the locals.
Address: , 211 Guangzhou Street, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2302 5162.
Opening times:
Daily 0600-2200.
Website: http://www.lungshan.org.twAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Taipei 101
Built at the tallest building in the world in 2004, Taipei 101 offers 101 floors of entertainment and consumption - the Taiwanese idea of heaven. Everything is here - bars and restaurants, a health club, cinema and designer boutiques. While you're there, take the fastest lift in the world up to The Observatory for the ultimate city view.
Address: Hsin Yi District, 45 ShihFu Road, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 8181 7777.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2200.
Website: http://www.taipei-101.com.twAdmission Fees:
No (except for access to The Observatory).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an imposing tomb and shrine to Taipei's most famous leader and it also houses Taipei's main venues for the performing arts, the National Theatre and National Opera House in its large grounds.
Address: Zhongshan South Road, 21, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2343 1100.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800.
Website: http://www.cksmh.gov.twAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
National Palace Museum
Located in the verdant hills on the outskirts of Taipei, The National Palace Museum is home to more than 650,000 priceless Chinese artefacts - the world's largest collection. The main exhibition, including the famous Jadeite Cabbage, follows an interesting and easily interpreted timeline through China's dynasties to the present day.
Address: Section 2, 221 Chih-shan Road, Shih-lin,Telephone: +886 2 2881 2021.
Opening times:
Sun-Thu 0830-1830, Fri & Sat 0830-2100.
Website: http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/home.htmAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Wisteria Tea House
The Wisteria Tea House is an authentic, if somewhat expensive, Chinese tea house. It is also where Ang Lee shot the film Eat, Drink, Man, Woman. The garden, one of Taipei's most historic sites, is filled with heaps of wisteria and also features a koi pond.
Address: Lane 16, No 1, Sinsheng South Road,Telephone: +886 2 2363 7375.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-2200.
Website:Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Set in an abandoned wine factory and discovered in 1997 by a theatre group who originally used the space for experimental performances, this cultural centre still stages live music and theatre performances, as well as housing an independent cinema. Other attractions include restaurants and shops selling quirky products. Check the website for details on exhibitions.
Address: Zhongzheng, No 1, Section 1, Bade Rd, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2358 1165.
Opening times:
0930-2100.
Website: http://www.huashan1914.comAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Maokong Gondola
The Maokong Gondola is a cable car that enables passengers to soar over mountain tops above brightly coloured temple roofs below. There are a range of routes beginning at different stations and bringing you past various sites including two temples and the Taipei Zoo.
Address: Wenshan District, No. 8-2, Lane 40, Section 3, Zhinan Rd., Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2218 12345.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2100.
Website: http://english.gondola.taipeiAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Beitou Museum
The Beitou Museum was originally a hotel under Japanese occupation, then an antique house and then finally a museum when it was reconstructed in 1984. It features over 5,000 artefacts of traditional folk art including aboriginal art and embroideries. It remains one of the largest, free-standing, wooden houses dating from the Japense occupation in Taiwan.
Address: Beitou District, No.32 Youya Road, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2891 2318.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.beitoumuseum.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Taipei Tourism Bureau
Address: , 9F, 290 Jungshiau E Road, Section 4, Taipei,Telephone: +886 2 2349 1500.
Opening times: Website: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw