City: Taipei
Top Things to do in Taipei
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Taipei, Taiwan
You can eat very well—and very cheaply—in Taipei. The restaurants may not look posh, but the quality of the food is superlative. And there’s a huge variety of restaurants—in addition to local Taiwanese specialties, you’ll find regional cuisines from all over China, as well as great Indian, Japanese and even Italian options. Just make sure to leave some room for snacks—street-vendor food here is addictive.
Restaurants in Taipei
1. Yangmingshan National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,410 reviews
Embrace nature and flower gardens with a picnic or leisurely hike up the rolling hillsides of Yangmingshan. The park is accessible by public bus.
Reviewed By sharonchongmeili - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Would recommend to hike Mt Qixing from Xiaoyukeng as the entrance to the trail is just next to the bus stop at the Xiaoyukeng Recreation Area. Do use the toilets there as there are none along the trail. I took bus 260 at Taipei Main Station (north exit 2) to the Yangminshan Bus Terminal. Transfer to small shuttle bus 108 that makes its round in the park. Easycard is acceptable or have exact change of NTD15/ride. Took about 1.5hrs to Mt Qixing Main Peak, another 15mins to the East peak & another hour downhill to Lengshukeng Recreation & Visitors Centre. Was a lovely hike on a sunny day with 360degrees of Taipei.
2. Guandu Temple (Kuantu Temple)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
honoring the Goddess Matzu
Reviewed By chloeo182 - London, United Kingdom
I saw this temple mentioned in an article about ‘off the beaten track ‘ Taipei. I am SO glad I went . It isn’t close the centre but it is totally worth it. Make sure you explore every nook and cranny as it is the temple complex that just keeps on giving . Go to the top floor and look down on over the rooftops , don’t miss the little fountain on the right of the temple and its terrapins and koi carp. And climb the hill behind the temple it is fabulous, take some food or a drink and enjoy the view from the little benches and tables that are dotted around . There are butterflies and pagodas and a wonderful view . There are so many different types of stone carved artworks on the walls . They are detailed and so fascinating . You can buy some incense inside the temple itself and light it or you can buy it at the little store at the bottom where the cars park. There is no shop/ tea house once you leave the car park so carry water on a hot day. I spent about three hours there just soaking it all up. Enjoy it , it is the sort of place I would always like to go back to
3. Dalongdong Bao An Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 407 reviews
dedicated to Paosheng Tati, the God of Medicine
Reviewed By PaulSiow - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
We visited this temple after visiting the Confucious temple nearby. The temple looks old with intricate carvings and ornaments on the roof. Many people prayed here and it was fairly smoky due to the many burning joss sticks.
4. National Taiwan University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 633 reviews
Reviewed By tomq939 - Auckland, New Zealand
Really enjoying a walk through the National University of Taiwan during my visits, since 2009. Strongly recommended a walk from the main gate to the library.
5. Elephant Mountain (aka Nangang District Hiking Trail)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,294 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Getting to Elephant Mountain is easy, just take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station, which is the last stop, and take Exit 2. You will soon find the Elephant Mountain Trail (in Chinese, Xiang Shan means Elephant Mountain). The trail, also known as the Nangang District Hiking Trail, goes for around 1.5 kms (about 5000 feet). The mountain is 183 metres (600 feet) tall. You can get a good view of Taipei 101 from the mountain. Remember to take a drink and a snack, it is quite a strenuous walk.
6. Songshan Ciyou Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By fali84 - India, null
This is a beautiful and underrated temple! Right next to one of the gates of the Raohe Night Market, it looks beautifully lit at night and it equally enjoyable during the day time. The temple has stairs to access the multiple stories. I heavily recommend going up those, the view gets better and better and you get to see the artistry at each floor. Intricately carved, in a mtitude of colours and heavy detailing - thia temple is a delight. No entry fee, you can buy some offerings, use the praying wooden blocks for free (Ofcourse!).
7. Daan Forest Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 875 reviews
Taipei's version of New York City's Central Park, this park is 26 hectares, the size of three major league baseball fields. Take a walk around the ecological pond, enjoy a meal
Reviewed By EdmundA_13 - Bacoor, Philippines
I usually find time to run despite my busy sched on tour. This place is really a running haven as it has huge area to run into and wide options to choose on what type of pavement, clay, asphalt or blocks. A 1.75 kms run covering your planned mileage. I also notice that a lot of elders enjoying this place as they have different groups of taichi enthusiasts who has its own distinction in terms of color coded uniforms. They also like hanging out with nature seat g on the trees, breathing fresh air and just hang out in their first activity on the morning. Pls take note that don't miss out this place when you are in Taipei.
8. National Taiwan Normal University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
This university is universally known as "Shih Da." Since the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945), Shih Da has educated thousands of teachers, like my sister-in-law. Her family was not well off, but she was bright and she worked hard, so she won a scholarship to Shih Da. She became a high school history teacher, a worthy achievement. The term "Normal" dates from the Japanese era. A "normal university" trains teachers. Teachers are greatly respected in Chinese society and a Shih Da graduate could look forward to a comfortable and esteemed career, and a generous pension.
9. Dahu Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By slabster - Taipei, Taiwan
Previously, I come here to bring friends to see the moon bridge at night and do a little bit of catching up. But I found out about the trails nearby and Dahu Park has become our starting and ending point. From Dahu Park, cross the street and find Burger King, that's where the trail starts. The trail is about 8km (11km from step tracker) and about 4hrs to finish: Dahu Park > Dagouxi Waterfront Park (大溝溪生態治水園區) > Yeh Ancestral Temple (全臺葉姓祖廟)> Yuanjue Falls (圓覺瀑布) > Baishihu Suspension Bridge (白石湖吊橋) > Liyushan (鯉魚山) > Yeh Ancestral Temple > Bihu Trail (碧湖步道) > Bishan Park (碧山公園) > Dahu Park We had dinner in a hotpot/barbecue combination restaurant which also just a few meters from the MRT.
10. Holy Family Church Taipei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By NeptuneAThome
English mass is on sunday 9.45am. It is a short walking distance from Dongmen Station exit 5, next to Xinsheng Elementary School. We used google map to navigate but unfortunately we started from Daan station. It took us a good 30 mins walk or maybe longer only to realise mass was over. We did not enter the church as there was an ongoing chinese mass. But from the booklet on the church there are 18 stained glass windows painted by french artist. Church was completed in 1878. Statue of Our Lady came from Belgium. There were also a Nativity manger prepared foe Xmas when we were there -15 Dec 2019. We will visit again now that we know how to get there and the english mass schedule.
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