Let’s get one thing clear: Three days is not enough to fully enjoy what Taipei has to offer. It is an incredible destination packed with attractions that would leave you wanting more.
But hey, we understand that not all travelers have the luxury of time. Perhaps you’re a full-time employee who only has a long weekend to spare for vacation or you’re traveling to Taipei to attend a conference and want to extend their stay for a bit longer.
Don’t worry, it is possible to experience the best of the Taiwanese capital in just three days. So yeah, 3 days will feel like getting a tiny sip of the best boba milk tea when there’s a whole tank of it in front of you. But with its highly developed facilities and reliable public transport system, it’s easy to see and explore the highlights of the city even in such a short period.
Note: Since you only have three days, this guide stays strictly within Taipei City and we’re not venturing out. But Taipei City alone is so packed with sights, sounds, and flavors that it can fill a long weekend effortlessly.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & XIMENDING
If you’re coming from the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you have two main public transportation options: the MRT and the bus.
BY MRT
Both Terminals 1 and 2 have their own MRT Station:
- Terminal 1: A12 Station
Terminal 2: A13 Station - Operating hours: around 6am to 10:55 pm
Travel time: 37 minutes (if Express)
Fare: NT$150
You can find more info here.
BY BUS
If you’re arriving outside the MRT operating period or you simply prefer the bus, head over to the bus counters close to the Arrival Hall of the airport. These buses are operated by various companies, and travel time and fare vary depending on your route and destination. But here are some rough estimates:
- Travel time: 60-90 minutes
- Fare: NT$ 125-160
More specific info here.
If you’re arriving past 2 or 3PM, then check in to your hotel room. Otherwise, just drop your bags for now and let’s start exploring right away!
Our first and only stop for today is Ximending. Worry not, there’s a lot to see and do here!
Sometimes called Taipei’s Shibuya, Ximending is a kaleidoscope of lights, street performers, and shops bursting with knick-knacks you never knew you needed. This neighborhood is where Taipei’s youth come to flex, snack, and shop till they drop. It has an almost electric energy to it. So get your game face on, and let’s head out to explore one of Taipei’s most vibrant districts.
Rainbow Road
If you’re coming out of Ximen Station, the first thing that will greet you is the Rainbow Road, thanks to its row of colors and the crowd that form next to it, trying to take their IG shots.
It isn’t just a street-—it’s a statement! These colors splashed across the pavement turned an ordinary crosswalk into a full-on celebration. Taiwan has been a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, and the Rainbow Road is Taipei’s bold high-five to the community, showing off its pride with every bright stripe.
Whether you’re here to celebrate, show support, or just jazz up your Instagram feed, this road practically waves at you for a pic. People flock here, cameras in hand, ready to immortalize their moment in all that colorful glory. Photobombs are inevitable, but that’s part of the challenge!
Most of the time, street performers also use the corner next to it as their stage. There are the usual singers, bands, and dancers, but every now and then you’ll also see mind-blowing stunts that will make you stop and stay a bit longer.
The Red House
Cross the adjacent road and you’ll be greeted by the Red House, a historical gem that’s managed to stay relevant through decades of reinvention. Built in 1908, this octagonal red-brick building has worn many hats: a theater, a market, and now a museum-slash-shop. Step inside, and you’ll find indie craft stalls, LGBTQ+ friendly spaces, and local artwork that put a modern twist on this old beauty. You might find yourself questioning why your hometown can’t preserve history with this much swag.
Our last visit coincided with Pride Month celebrations, so the atmosphere was much more fab and festive and there were a lot of freebies around.
Pop Mart Flagship Store
Welcome to Pop Mart, the Disneyland of designer toys, where shelves groan under the weight of collectibles that’ll drain your wallet but heal your inner child.
Known for its adorable figurines and trinkets, this place is ground zero for those looking to snag a quirky souvenir especially of Labubu, the now insanely popular and arguably addictive character from The Monsters. Those serrated teeth and mischievous look don’t stop people from falling in love with it or, at least, jumping on the bandwagon. It’s such a crowd favorite, there’s always a crowd building in front of this pop mart store. Every one is hoping to get their hands on an item because it’s much cheaper here than the price resellers are charging back home. And yes, Labubu items, especially the plush key chains, were sold out when we visited.
Some don’t understand why it’s so popular and some say it’s just a fad, but we wanted to understand so we joined the fun and purchased three mystery boxes at another Pop Mart shop. And yes, they’re so cute and we may or may not get more next time we had the chance.
Dinner
It’s dinner time, and Ximending is a feast for every budget and taste. We’ll be mentioning three food spots here, but we actually tried more.
- Budget Option: Head to Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle for a fix of gooey, umami-packed rice noodles. This is street food at its finest—no seats, just grab a bowl, stand on the sidewalk, and savor the flavor. It’s only NT$ 60 per small serving, but it’s really, really tasty. No wonder there’s always a loooong queue here. Every silky serving is topped with a bit of offal, which surprisingly did not have any trace of gutsy smell or aftertaste. Even Vins, who doesn’t normally like consuming innards, found it delicious and wanted to have another bowl. It’s even more flavorful when you add chili, crushed garlic, and a bit of vinegar, which is available for self-service on a station on the side.
- Mid-Range Option: Find the Wan Nian Building and go down to the basement where you’ll find a food court. But look specifically for Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee. This humble establishment has been serving bowls of piping hot beef noodles since 1949; it’s a Ximending institution. The place was packed when we visited. Vins ordered the beef brisket noodle soup while I had the so-called “three treasures” noodle soup, which had brisket, tendon, and tripe. We could easily tell that the noodles were handmade because they were not uniformly cut. It was firm, just the way I liked it, and swimming in a broth that was deep and perfectly balanced. Every bite of the brisket was succulent. They’re known for their dumplings, too!
- Splurge Option: If you’re with a group (family or friends) or you’re just feeling royally hungry and want to go big, find the Taipei Wenting Emperor Palace Hot Pot, a hot pot spot that would make any emperor proud. While waiting for your table, you can try on elaborate costumes to really embrace the royal theme of the place. You can try on traditional Chinese-style outfits that resemble robes or gowns from ancient dynasties and channel your inner emperor or empress. It’s not every day you get to feel like a ruler while waiting for your broth to boil, so we grabbed the chance. The staff was happy to snap photos, so it’s a great opportunity for some memorable, Insta-worthy moments. The whole experience adds a playful, immersive twist to your meal.
Ah yes, let’s talk about the food. They offer a wide selection of fresh ingredients — prime cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies — all waiting to be dunked in either a homey clear broth or the extra savory and spicy mala soup. After you’ve feasted on all the proteins, you can dive into a freezer full of Häagen-Dazs flavors to top it all off. They have 16 flavors, and it’s all yours to enjoy. I had caramel biscuit and mango raspberry! We’ll be breaking down this dining experience in another article.
After your meal, find this tiny stall selling freshly fried Crispy Milk Donut (NT$ 40). You might have to wait in line for a bit too, but that’s usually the case for anything delicious these days.
Boba Milk Tea
Wash your dinner down with a cup of milk tea. But as you already know, Taiwan is the land of boba, so it might be hard to choose which one to try even here in Ximending.
- Every single Taipei local we have met recommends 50 Lan’s boba milk tea (NT$ 60), recognizable by its yellow and blue branding. It’s a chain, and you’ll find a couple of branches in Ximending. 50 Lan’s version is classic – no frills, no gimmicks, just a perfectly balanced blend, with just the right sweetness, smoothness, tea fragrance, and chewy pearls. And we agree. This is also the best milk tea for us.
- But most tourists seem to be magnetized by the loud and flashy Xing Fu Tang flagship store. You won’t miss it because there is a long queue any time of the day. It’s hard not to be drawn to it because they cook the pearls in the open. We’ve tried their classic boba milk tea before, but on our most recent trip, we had its best-selling signature brown sugar boba milk (NT$ 120), something I was prepared to hate because of its excessive price, but was actually very satisfying. The roasted brown sugar on top add a bit of playfulness to the smooth milky drink.
- If you’d rather have it as an icy dessert, head over to Kenting Dan Dan Duai Nai, where they serve milk tea in the form of a shave ice treat.
Taipei Cinema Park & Graffiti Spots
End your night with a stroll through Taipei Cinema Park, where graffiti walls make for perfect Instagram backdrops. It’s street art galore, with painted masterpieces that range from artsy to hilarious. Pose, snap, and soak up this cool, colorful vibe in this often uncrowded section of Ximending.
You’ll also find Wow Land, a claw machine heaven! There are countless claw machines in Taipei; you’ll see them everywhere. But what makes these particular machines remarkable is that you could actually win something if you have the skill. It’s not rigged, or at least not as rigged as the others! When we enter this place, we never leave empty-handed!
And that’s it for Day 1. I told you, it’s a bit packed, but buckle up because we’ve only just started.
DAY 2: BEITOU & SHILIN
Today, we’ll be exploring two of Taipei’s most fascinating districts: Shilin and Beitou.
Beitou Thermal Valley
Start Day 2 with a visit to Beitou Thermal Valley for the mist that rises eerily from green sulfuric waters.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a small fountain, where you can feel the water and give your hands a bath. But as you walk deeper, you’ll eventually see the steamy hot springs that look like nature’s giant cauldron. While you can’t take a dip here, it’s mesmerizing to watch. Walk around it, catch that sulfur-scented air, and soak in the slightly mystical atmosphere.
Before going, try some tea eggs, sold by shops in front of the entrance, for very light but on-theme breakfast. Then walk to your right for 10 minutes to our next stop.
Beitou Hot Springs Museum
Step back in time at the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, a former Japanese-era bathhouse. Built in 1913, this well-preserved architectural charm showcases the golden age of hot springs in Beitou, including a massive bath where guests once enjoyed therapeutic dips. It’s a beautiful, nostalgic slice of old Taiwan and makes you appreciate the cultural layers in Beitou’s steamy past.
When we visited, there were bus-fuls of Japanese school children on an educational tour, so it was more crowded than usual. But otherwise, it’s usually very chill and relaxing. As in any onsen, you’ll have to remove your shoes and deposit them in lockers. Put on the provided slippers and follow the marked trail around the museum.
After this, it’s time for lunch. Decide whether you want a bowl of beef noodle soup at a proper sit down eatery or eat your way through a food market!
- If you go for beef noodles, proceed to Su Jia. enter this on your Google Maps app: 粟家牛肉麵. You’ll find two results. Choose the one along Yongxing Street. You should reach it in less than 15 minutes on foot.
- If you’d rather walk and munch at the same time, head over to the Beitou Market. It’s closer, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Lunch Option A: Su Jia Beef Noodles
It’s beef noodle time (again!) —Taiwan’s soul food in a bowl.
Su Jia uses noodles that are firm and chewy, drowned in a rich broth. Their signature bowl (NT$ 280) has the same three treasures toppings: brisket, tripe, and tendon. But if you’re not that adventurous like Vins, go for its beef brisket noodles (NT$ 200).
We loved how tender the meat was. And the tripe was thick, with plenty of meat still attached to it. If I compare it to Lao Shandong, this one wins the meat game easily, but Lao Shandong had more flavorful broth. But it was still a very satisfying bowl overall. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself slurping away, eyes closed, lost in noodle nirvana.
If you’re not in the mood for another helping of beef noodles or if you’ve got room for dessert (and let’s be real, there’s always room), then cross the street to Beitou Market!
Lunch Option B: Beitou Market
Beitou Market is one of those places where you feel like a local, shopping shoulder-to-shoulder with Beitou residents.
One of the biggest draws of Beitou Market is the variety of street food stalls offering everything from handmade dumplings to savory buns and local Taiwanese specialties. If you’ve worked up an appetite from exploring Beitou’s hot springs, it’s a fantastic place to grab a quick, budget-friendly lunch, snack, or, yes—-lest I forget-—dessert! Here, you can sample quirky local treats, like soft pastries filled with red bean or egg custard, or chewy mochi balls.
From the Beitou Market, take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station (Fare: NT$25; Travel time: 11 minutes) and catch Bus R30 to reach our next stop, the National Palace Museum (Fare: NT$15; Travel time: 11 minutes).
National Palace Museum
Time for some culture! The National Palace Museum itself feels grand. With over 700,000 pieces, it’s like stepping into a time capsule of the imperial dynasties, filled with intricately crafted jade carvings, stunning calligraphy, and beautifully preserved ceramics that tell the story of over 8,000 years of Chinese culture.
But here’s the thing. It’s a big museum – huge! And it’s easy to get lost in its galleries. And if you want to see every single piece on display, you’ll probably need more than a day. So plan your visit wisely. Research which pieces you want to see and find them.
In our case, we let this Google Arts and Culture article lead the way.
It listed out six of the must-see pieces inside and we made them our northern stars:
- Tsu-I tsun, a bronze ritual wine cup
- Zong-zhou Zhong, a ceremonial bell made of bronze, from 1046-771 BCE
- Bi and Cong, used in rituals by the ancient Liangzhu civilization, which lived from 3300-2300 BCE
- Ceramic polo players, figurines of female polo players in the Tang dynasty
- Jadeite cabbage, a jadeite stone meticulously carved to resemble a pak choi. It’s so jaw-droppingly realistic.
- Meat-shaped stone, made from jasper that looks exactly like a slice of braised pork belly
Of course, we also checked out the other rooms along the way. But to make our visit more interesting, we used the list above as our goals.
- If you want to spend the rest of the day inside the museum – a tempting option when it’s raining or you’re just tired – do so. As mentioned, the museum is vast and rich. Just wait for dinner time and head directly to Shilin Night Market after. Take Bus R30 or S19 to Shilin Market (Fare: NT$ 15, Travel time: 15-25 minutes).
- But if you feel like you still have the time and energy, squeeze in a visit to the next stop. Take Bus BR13 to the Air Force Headquarters (Fare: NT$ 15; Travel time: 12 minutes) and then walk for 14 minutes to the Martyr’s Shrine.
Martyr’s Shrine
The National Revolutionary Martyr’s Shrine is like a mini-palace dedicated to fallen heroes. Built in traditional Chinese architectural style, it’s a grand tribute to the soldiers who fought for Taiwan. The shrine itself is stunning and peaceful, a nice breather after all the sightseeing.
Catch the changing of the guards, which happens on top of every hour from 9AM-5PM. It’s an impressive ceremony where guards in crisp uniforms perform their routine with military precision. A similar routine happens at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, but this one is extended because you get to watch them walk the entire length of the site – from the entrance to the shrine and back.
To get to Shilin Night Market from here, take Bus 902 or R3 to Mingchuan University (Fare: NT$15; Travel time: 5-7 minutes) and walk for 7 minutes to our final stop of the day.
Shilin Night Market
No day in Taipei is complete without a night market, and Shilin Night Market is the granddaddy of them all. While the basement food court is under renovation, there’s still plenty to eat. Here, the most famous is Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, which we tried many years ago. But our local companion recommended something else, something that she claimed even locals line up for: Hometown BBQ Chicken (NT$100).
Like Hot-Star, there’s also a queue that forms toward it, and it’s also a giant piece of breaded chicken cutlet. But this one is really juicy and packed with complex flavors, brought about by its complicated cooking process. It’s brined, seasoned and breaded before getting deep fried. And then – get this – it’s grilled after, giving it a slight smokiness, but it all makes the difference. It’s really good! The best fried chicken we’ve had in Taipei. Granted, we haven’t tried that many, but still.
Once you’ve had your ji pai fix, walk a bit to Good Friend Cold Noodles to have your dose of carbs, in the form of cold noodles (Small: NT$ 55; Big: NT$70). Good Friend serves bowls that are oddly refreshing, something we desperately needed after hours of just walking around Taipei.
It’s deceptively simple: thin, bouncy noodles, doused with a rich, creamy sesame sauce for that nutty base, then garnished with shredded cucumbers for extra crunch, and a hint of citrus (lemon?) for freshness. It’s simple, yes, but cheap, filling, and delicious. Yes, it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, too.
With this, time to call it a day! Head back to your hotel, sleep tight, and prepare for your last day in Taipei!
DAY 3: TAIPEI ICONS
Start your day early, pack up, and check out of your hotel. You can stash your bags at the hotel reception or find a metro station locker and pick it up after your sightseeing. This morning, you’ll be paying a visit to some of Taipei’s most beloved landmarks.
You can do it in two ways: by MRT or by double-decker sightseeing bus.
- By MRT. Prepare NT$ 20-25 per way. Just download the Google Maps app and let it guide you with the transfers. It will tell you the directions including which MRT line to take and which station to alight at.
- By Sightseeing Bus. A 4-hour pass normally costs NT$330 if you buy on the bus itself. If you book with Klook or KKDay, it’s only NT$300. If you purchase tickets on the bus itself and you use Mastercard, you’ll get 25% OFF. So you’ll only be paying NT$ 247.5.
✅ BOOK SIGHTSEEING BUS WITH KKDAY or KLOOK!
You can catch the very first sightseeing bus at Taipei Main Station, just outside EXIT M4. There is a marked bus stop there. From here, hop on the bus and get off at your first stop of the day.
Lungshan Temple
Start with the city’s most famous, Lungshan Temple, a masterpiece of traditional design and spiritual energy. Built in 1738, it has survived fires, earthquakes, and even World War II bombings. Admire the dragon columns, ornate wooden carvings, and the intense devotion of locals who come to pray here daily.
One thing I noticed is that there are no incense sticks here. Apparently, it was banned by the management to improve the air quality in the area. Instead, worshippers may place other offerings on the table.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Hours open: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
This grand memorial honors Chiang Kai-shek, this is Taipei’s statement piece with massive white walls, striking blue-tiled roof, an enormous bronze statue of Taiwan’s former leader. Inside, learn about his life and legacy while marveling at the architecture. Be sure to catch the changing of the guard here, too.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Hours Open: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Taipei 101
The world-famous Taipei 101 awaits, towering over the city like a giant bamboo shoot or a stack of Chinese takeout boxes. Whether you go up or just admire it from the outside, Taipei 101 is a sight to behold.
At 508 meters tall, this was once the tallest building in the world. It no longer holds the record, but it’s still a monumental achievement in architecture and engineering. This skyscraper is capped with an observatory that enables sweeping panoramic views of the city. Here’s a game: while you’re atop Taipei 101, try to find the other landmarks and attractions that you have visited on this trip. Start with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, it’s the easiest to spot!
Another interesting to catch a glimpse of here is its tuned mass damper, which stabilizes and keeps the building standing and a reminder of Taipei 101’s resilience. It also houses offices and retail shops.
Speaking of shops, just close to Taipei 101 is a complex of shopping malls including ATT4FUN and Breeze Nan Shan. If you still have time, you can spend the rest of the day shopping. If you don’t, then pick up your luggage and head to the airport!
Departure
And just like that, you’ve conquered Taipei. Three days is more like a whirlwind romance, short and sweet. Taipei has a lot more in store. But that should give you a reason to book another flight and give Taipei another go!
Where to Stay in Taipei
Here’s a list of the hotels and hostels we tried in Taipei:
- Walker Hotel Ximen, very close to MRT Ximen Station and Ximending main area. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hotel Attic, also in Ximending area. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Just Sleep at NTU, close to MRT Gongguan Station and across the Gongguan Night Market. It’s a university area so lots of affordable options. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- K Hotels Linsen, near convenience stores and attractions in Zhongshan District; 12-minute walk from the nearest MRT Station. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hotel Cham Cham, mid-range hotel in Banquiao district with good food options, close to MRT Banquiao Station. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Taipei Hotels!
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