Unsurprisingly, the capital of Taiwan—Taipei—is a popular vacation destination amongst Singaporeans and many other regional travellers. The Asian city is famous for its glorious street food, bustling night markets and cultural attractions.
Unlike Singapore, Taipei is blessed with a cooler climate and temperates do dip to approximately 13°C at its lowest in January.
We understand that most of you are too swamped with work and whatnot, so we have curated a 4D3N Taipei Itinerary for you guys. Here are 20 Tips On What To See And What To Eat in Taipei In Just 4D3N.
DAY ONE
#1 BREAKFAST AT AH CHUNG MIAN XIAN
Ah Chung Mian Xian is an inconspicuous vendor in Xi Men Ding selling piping hot bowls (small – NT$50, big – NT$60) of mee sua dunked in thick and rich gravy. The noodles are served with braised pig intestines. Complete your vermicelli dish with chilli oil, parsley, vinegar and whatnot. It opens at 10.30am daily and is often packed with tourists.
No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Mon – Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Tel: +886-2-2388-8808
Nearest station: Ximending
#2 SHOP AROUND XI MEN DING
When you are done with eating your bowl of Ah Chung Mian Xian, continue your exploration adventure Xi Men Ding. Make sure you travel there light – because you are bound to pick up several items during your retail therapy session.
Nearest Station: Ximen
Everyone goes to TankQ Cafe & Bar for their signature Breakfast Set (NT$320) which was served in a rustic wooden suitcase. Open the luggage and unveil its edible contents – buns, chicken sausages, fries, mashed potato, salad, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and three different sauces. The portion is very filling and the Breakfast Set is recommended for sharing.
No. 3-2, Lane 90, Songjiang Road
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2521 9930
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Songjiang Nanjing
#4 VISIT CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL
The grandeur of historical landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will leave you in awe. A massive bronze statue of Chiang – protected by military personnel – is house in an octagon-shaped monument house. These armed guards change their shift every hour via a ceremony.
No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2343 1100
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
#5 PRAY AT LUNGSHAN TEMPLE OF MANKA
The Lungshan Temple of Manka – founded in 1738 – was set up by the immigrants from Fujian, China during the Qing dynasty. The complex is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, but it houses many other deities here too. The government proclaimed the temple a historical site of second grade in 1985 and it will be conserved for the future generations.
No. 211, Guangzhou St
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Tel: +886 2 2302 5162
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple
#6 VISIT TAIPEI 101
Standing at 508 metres, Taipei 101 is the tallest skyscraper in Taiwan and almost impossible to miss. A gigantic pendulum is mounted between the 88th and 92nd storeys of the iconic infrastructure, hence allowing it to withstanding earthquakes and typhoons.
Taipei 101, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101
#7 CHECK OUT TONG HUA NIGHT MARKET
You have not been to Taipei until you have visited at least one night market. Tong Hua Night Market – also known as Linjiang Night Market – is a must-visit. From Lu Wei, Scallion Pancake, Pig’s Blood to Yan Shu Ji, spend your night here sampling the diverse variety of Taiwanese street snacks (at very economical prices!) and you will definitely be stuffed.
Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang St
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Xinyi Anhe
DAY TWO
#8 VISIT XINGTIAN TEMPLE
Xingtian Temple aka Hsing Tian Kong is a temple devoted to Guangong – who is worshipped as the God of War and patron saint of businessmen. Xingtian Temple is relatively young and was built only in 1967 – its courtyard is usually filled with worshippers.
No. 109, Section 2, Minquan E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2502 7924
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple
#9 EAT AT AQUATIC ADDICTION DEVELOPMENT
Addiction Aquatic Development – developed by Mitsui Food and Beverage Enterprise Group – is a modern fish market with numerous concepts. Dine at one of their multiple on-site restaurants, shop for live seafood or purchase fresh sashimi and have an alfresco meal.
No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple
#10 EXPLORE YONG KANG STREET
The busy Yong Kang Street is a one-stop destination for all travellers. You can easily spend half a day exploring the bustling street and its adjoining alleyways. Fret not if you are travelling in a group with differing palates; Yongkang Street’s vast variety of dining options will definitely cater to the group’s varying preferences.
Yongkang Street, Da’an District
Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Nearest Station: Dongmen
#11 LUNCH AT THE FLAGSHIP DIN TAI FUNG
Singaporeans are no strangers to Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung. After all, we have many outlets on our sunny island. However, if you want to trace back to Din Tai Fung’s humble beginnings, then you do drop by their flagship store located in Yongkang Street’s vicinity.
No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +866 2 2321 8928
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dongmen
#12 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL
The construction of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi District was completed in 1972 and it pays tribute to the founder of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Do make it a point to catch the hourly ceremony – where the stoic guards formally change their shifts.
No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Tel: +886 2 2758 8008
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Spanning across 800 metres, the quaint tree-line Fujin Street is an up-and-coming Taiwanese neighbourhood; it boasts an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, hipster cafes and furniture stores. It is also one of Taiwan’s most underrated but trendiest lifestyle destinations, and celebrities are often spotted in this vicinity!
Fujin Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport
DAY THREE
#14 DINNER AT RAO HE NIGHT MARKET
For an authentic Taiwanese experience, head to Taipei’s oldest night market called Raohe Street Night Market. The bustling bazaar is a stone’s throw away from Songshan MRT Station, hence making it an easily accessible attraction. Vendors usually start setting up their stalls at 5pm, but it is best to drop by around 7pm – where you get to catch the action in full force.
Rao He Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan
#15 BREAKFAST AT CHOOSE ME CAFE & MEALS
Choose Me Cafe & Meals is an independent speciality dessert cafe in Taipei. The cakes here are baked in-house daily and no artificial ingredients are used to create these gourmet masterpieces. Just look at the adorable Totoro Sesame Cheesecake (NT$160) – who could resist that?!
No. 423-1, Jinzhou Street
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2503 3386
Daily: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan Junior High School
If time permits, we strongly encourage you to make a day trip to Jiu Fen. The mountainous attraction is only a 40-minute drive away from Taipei city centre and seriously, it is worth a special trip! Remember to try the Ah Zhu Peanut Ice-cream and Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake.
#17 RELEASE SKY LANTERNS AT SHIFEN
Embark on another 40-minute drive and head to Shifen Old Street. This attraction is renowned for an activity: Releasing sky lanterns. Head to one of the shops along the railway track and they will assist you; write your wishes on a lantern, light it up and watch the colourful lantern fly into the sky.
#18 DRINK AT HANKO 60
HANKO 60 is a speakeasy bar with a deceiving entrance: A retro movie theatre. But beyond the doors is actually an impressive cocktail bar serving innovative concoctions; expect to see your alcoholic drinks served in a mini bathtub, a popcorn bag and even a Chinese tea cup!
No. 60, Section 2, Hankou St,
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Tel: +886 2 2381 0808
Sun to Thu: 8pm – 2am
Fri and Sat: 8pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Ximen
DAY FOUR
Smith & Hsu is the best place for scones and tea in Taipei. Buttery, warm and lightly glazed on the crust, the scones are served with clotted cream and a spread of your choice. Choose from their homemade jams, marmalades, honey and lemon curd – our favourite spreads are the strawberry jam and lemon curd.
No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road
Tel: +886 2 8786 2877
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall
#20 SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS AT CHIA TE BAKERY
Now that it’s time to go home, we suggest you Drop by Chia Te Bakery for some last minute shopping. Stock your baskets with boxes of Pineapple Cakes aka Feng Li Su – because you will only regret not bringing home more of these baked goodies.
No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing East Road
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 8787 8186
Daily: 7.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin