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

#3 LUNCH AT TANKQ CAFE & BAR

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

Source: Christopher Penniman

#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

#13 SHOP AT FUJIN STREET

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

#16 DAY TRIP TO JIU FEN

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.

Source: Guide to Taipei

#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.

Source: Hanko 60

#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

#19 BRUNCH AT SMITH & HSU

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

Taiwan is a favourite holiday destination in Asia for many reasons. Besides indulging in endless amounts of sweet and savoury street snacks, there are also many places of interests to visit.

You can also experience a little more of the Taiwanese culture by taking a trip down to the more rural areas of the country, such as Hualien—known for their beautiful mountainous areas and landscapes.

Whether it’s your first time visiting the land of night markets, or even if you have already been there multiple times, Taiwan will always retain its charm and city life that will leave you wanting more. Here’s a condensed 6D5N itinerary of our trips, where we explored beyond Taipei and the 22 things to see, do and eat in Taiwan.

DAY ONE IN TAICHUNG

#1 GET THE FAMOUS TAIWAN MILK TEA

3.15pm: You’ve seen them sell out rapidly on Singapore’s 7-11 shelves but in Taiwan, these bottles of milk tea are constantly available in vast quantities. The drink comes in various flavours, such as Café Au Lait, Matcha Latte, Sumiyaki and more. The best part? They’re at least two times cheaper than what you’ll find here in Singapore.

Besides that, the convenience stores stock up on amazing amounts of microwaveable food, chips, pastries and more that make for great midnight snack stashes.

#2 VISIT FENGJIA NIGHT MARKET

7.30pm: The experience here was (and always will be) crazy, to say the least. The crowd—especially during dinner hour—was unbelievable. We had to squeeze through the people-packed streets, but the street food such as the huge takoyaki, sweet potato puffs and taro chips made it all worth it. You could easily spend hours walking up and down the street and trying everything!

Fengjia Road, Xitun District
Taichung City 407
Daily: 4pm – 2am

DAY TWO IN HUALIEN

#3 CHECK INTO PAPAYA RIVER B&B

This B&B is tucked away in a serene, quiet spot in Hualien. It doubles up as an alpaca farm and is also home to two dogs and a cat. These domesticated pets are friendly, so you can even pet them if you like!

The host themselves also offer guide services, and they brought us around Hualien while we were there. Plus point: the incredible landscape around the B&B makes for amazing pictures.

No. 176 Guanghua 8th Street
Hualien County 97357
Tel: +888-3-842-1122

DAY THREE IN HUALIEN

#4 FEED THE ALPACAS

9.30am: If you’re staying at the B&B, you can wake up bright and early and request to feed these alpacas—for free! Start your morning right by getting upclose and personal with these fluffy creatures!

#5 STROLL AROUND NATIONAL DONG HWA UNIVERSITY

10.45am: Just a 20-minute ride from The Papaya River B&B, the school is open to the public, and boasts beautiful scenic views that are perfect for pictures.

University Road Section1
Shoufeng Township, 974

#6 TAKE IN THE SCENIC VIEWS AT LIN TIAN SHAN FORESTRY PARK

1pm: You can’t find any mountains in Singapore, but Hualien is littered with them. The forestry park is relatively quiet, and provides you with an opportunity to trek through the trees. Entry is free!

No. 20, Linsen Road, Fenglin Township
Hualien County 975

#7 TREK AROUND LIYU LAKE

2.30pm: This lake is a must-visit when you’re in Hualien. It is quiet, peaceful, and looks over the beautiful mountainside. There’s a footpath that stretches across 2.4km leading you from one end of the lake to the other, and you can either walk that length or rent bikes.

It’s the perfect place to take in the fresh air and take in the nature surrounding you.

Huantan North Road, Shoufeng Township
Hualien County 974

#8 HAVE DINNER AT EAST GATE NIGHT MARKET

7.30pm: This night market is the most popular one in Hualien, simply because it is huge, and even has little game stores for you to try out. Some of the food we tried included cheese omelettes, grilled squid, and even a kebab wrap!

No. 50, Zhongshan Road
Hualien Country 970
Daily: 6pm – 12am

DAY FOUR IN XIMENDING, TAIPEI

#9 TAKE THE TAIWAN METRO

12pm: The Taiwan Metro is a quick and fuss-free way to get around Taipei and beyond! Similar to the trains we have here in Singapore, their cabins are also clean!

#10 VISIT SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

1.30pm: What is a trip to Taiwan without making a pit stop at the iconic Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall? Paying tribute to Dr Sun Yat-sen, who is affectionately named as China’s founding father, this is where you can learn more about his revolutionary career.

No. 505, Section 4
Ren’ai Road, Xinyi District
Taipei City, Taiwan
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

#11 SOAK IN A HOT SPRING AT BEI TOU

3pm: Relax your muscles and enjoy a thermal hot spring bath at Bei Tou, a popular tourist destination in Taipei. Just a stone’s throw away from Xinbeitou station, the area has a mix of both public and private baths featuring mineral-rich water. Do note that it is recommended for you to book the private baths before heading over.

Nearest Station: Xinbeitou

#12 SHOP AT XIMENDING

6.30pm: With your bellies filled, you can now shop around the vast shopping district that is Ximending. If you’re a shoe-lover, you’re in luck—the area is home to a myriad of shoe stores like Nike, Adidas, and ABC Mart (this is a multi-label store with tons of amazing shoes). Besides that, there are tons of more souvenir shops selling Taiwanese snacks that you can bring home.

108, Taipei City
Nearest Station: Ximending

DAY FIVE IN TAIPEI

#13 TAKE A WALK AT DA’AN PARK

11am: Just a 15-minute ride from Ximending Station on the metro line, Da’an Park is apparently one of the ‘richer’ parts of Taiwan, but the scenery is no less beautiful. It is located right outside Da’an Park metro station. You can even have a morning run along the park!

Section 3, Xinyi Road, Da’an District
Taipei City 106
Nearest Station: Da’an Station

#14 GO SHOPPING AT ZHONGXIAO DUNHUA SHOPPING AREA

3pm: This is the Southern region of Taipei—within walking distance from Da’an Park—and is arguably the ‘hipster-haven’ of Taipei which is popular among Taiwanese youths.

You’ll find a huge range of stores with different styles to shop from. Look out for a huge Forever 21 outlet located right outside the train station.

Section 4, Zhongxiao E. Road, Da’an District
Taipei City 106
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua Station

#15 VISIT TAIPEI 101

7pm: A must-do for all Taiwan first-timers. But if you don’t fancy paying extravagant prices to go up the tower, try hanging around the vicinity around the building instead. It is equally as beautiful.

Xinyi District, Taipei City 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101 Station

DAY SIX IN TAIPEI

#16 HAVE BREAKFAST AT AH CHUNG MIAN XIAN

10am: The store along Ximending is often populated with people standing around and eating their piping hot bowls of mian xian—which are thin flour noodles cooked in rich broth and topped off with pig intestines.

No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Tel: +886-2-2388-8808
Nearest Station: Ximending

#17 BUY PINEAPPLE TARTS AT CHIA TE

3pm: Honestly, no Taiwan trip is complete without buying back some tasty treats from Chia Te. The only outlet in Taiwan is located in Nanjing where snaking queues outside the storefront is a common sight.

Be prepared to queue for about 20-30 minutes but fret not, for the wait will be worth it as their biscuits and pastries taste amazing. If you’re not sure what to get, try their Sun Cakes, Milk Cakes, and Pineapple Tarts.

No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing E Road, Songshan District
Taipei City 105
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Tel: +886-2-8787-8186
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#18 FEAST AT RAO HE NIGHT MARKET

6pm: This night market might just be one of the better ones in Taiwan, offering a huge selection of different kinds of food such as fried squid, baked cheese potatoes, and the famous Fuzhou Pepper Buns.

Roahe Street, Songshan District
Taipei City 105
Daily: 4pm – 12am
Tel: +886-2-2763-5733
Nearest Station: Songshan

DAY SIX IN TAIPEI

#19 TAKE A DAY TRIP TO JIUFEN

9am: Bus services up to Jiufen are available from Taipei. You can either book a private bus, or go on a public one (which is cheaper). The ride takes about 3 hours.

Jiufen 224, Ruifang District, Taipei City

#20 TRY THE FAMOUS A-ZHU PEANUT ICE CREAM ROLLS

You’ve probably heard of these peanut ice cream rolls. After all, they’ve been flooding Instagram feeds for a long time now. These ice cream rolls are made of taro ice cream, topped with peanut shavings and wrapped in spring roll skin.

No. 45, Jishan Street, Ruifang District

#21 SNACK ON LAI AH PO YU YUAN

These are traditional handmade taro, sweet potato and green tea balls mixed with sweet soup, and can be eaten hot or cold. They cost just NT$40 (S$1.72) per bowl!

No. 143, Jishan Street, Ruifang District

#22 SPEND YOUR LOOSE CHANGE ON GRAB-CLAW MACHINES

Ximending has stores that house many different grab-claw machines, and they’re relatively easy to win too! If you have any extra loose change before you head home, you can try your luck at these machines and see whether you can bring home any adorable plushies or toys.

In fact, you’re likely to find shops dedicated to grab-claw machines at literally all the night markets scattered around the city.

As one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia, modern Taipei is known for boasting marvellous sights and if you are one who appreciates the dazzling city lights, then a panoramic view of the city’s skyline is a must.

While the general consensus for the best photo taking spot is at the viewing gallery of the majestic Taipei 101, those who are not keen on squeezing with the tourists may want to opt for a hike up Taipei’s Elephant Mountain instead. Its close proximity to the city makes this a popular hiking place among both locals and travellers who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without having to travel far.

A spectacular view awaits at the top—whether you choose to visit in the day or night—and there are many opportunities for you to take pictures again the sunset and the iconic Taipei 101 which lights up at night.

If you are looking for a free family-friendly activity to burn off all the calories from the delicious Taipei street food, include Taipei Elephant Mountain in your itinerary!

Photo Credit: Daily Improvisations

WHAT TO EXPECT AT TAIPEI ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN TRAIL

For someone of reasonable fitness, the average time taken to hike up Elephant Mountain will take about 20 minutes. The entire trail is made up of small steps with railings mounted at the side which makes it easy for both kids and adults to hike up the trail.

Standing at 600 feet, the entire trail is about 1.5km long and there are several lookouts for you to take outstanding photos. If you have the time to spare, avoid weekends as the place is populated with both professional and amateur photographers.

Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental

PHOTOGENIC SPOTS ON ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN

There are three viewing platforms on the mountain but the best views are found at the second lookout point where you get an unobstructed view of the city. If you are serious about getting that Instagram picture of the year, climb atop the gigantic boulders which bring you on a higher platform so the crowd wouldn’t be in your picture.

Photo Credit: Jirka Matousek

HOW TO GET TO ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Hop onboard the MRT and head to Xiangshan station on the Red Line. Walk out of Exit 2 from the MRT station and follow the signs outside that will lead you to Zhongqiang Park. Continue following the signs towards Elephant Mountain and it will take you about 10 minutes to reach the foot of the trail.

Need more recommendations on where to go in Taipei? Here are some suggestions!

With all the festivities going on, there is really no better time to travel than the last few months of the year.

Aside from all the exciting activities to do such as spending a white Christmas in Korea or Japan, you also get to enjoy the cool temperature climates in certain countries during winter. Yes, that means you get to escape the humid weather in Singapore!

If you are running out of ideas on where your next holiday site should be, we came up with 6 Best Year-End Travel Destinations and some tips on what you can expect there.

#1 TOKYO

As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is anything but lacklustre. From their incredible food culture and outstanding fashion statements to amazingly friendly and polite citizens, and even world-class toilets, we really think it is impossible to not fall in love with that place!

Go for an onsen experience, indulge in cheap yakitori and explore Harajuku’s Takeshita Street—these are some of the many highlights you can find in Tokyo.

#2 SEOUL

Seoul is a cosmopolitan city that has retained parts of its history; there are tall and modern skyscrapers located just beside ancient palaces at one location. Whether you are into the bustling city life or culture experiences, there is plenty to look out for in Seoul.

The cool kids will want to be seen at Common Ground, Onion and Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN. For food enthusiasts who wish to taste authentic Korean street food and fresh seafood, there is no better place than Gwangjang Market and Noryangjin Fish Market.

#3 TAIPEI

Taipei may just be one of our favourite cities in Southeast Asia. There are so many street snacks to try, museums to visit, night markets to roam around at and most importantly, plenty of karaoke studios to unleash your inner Beyoncé.

There are several spots we will always return to when we visit Taipei—Rao He Night Market, Shida Night Market, Fujin Street and Yongkang Street. If you need more reasons to convince you to visit Taipei (we wonder why?), have a look 25 Reasons Why We Love Taipei.

#4 HONG KONG

Everyone knows Hong Kong is dim sum heaven. And even if you are not into dim sum, there are also many cha chaan teng that serve comfort food at affordable prices. One hipster neighbourhood we strongly recommend visiting is Sheung Wan, where you can find a myriad of local traditional teahouses and swanky fusion restaurants.

One of the best night time activities in Hong Kong is to visit a rooftop bar where you can take in the scenic skyline while enjoying a tipple or two.

#5 HANOI

Hanoi is an underrated travel destination that should be included in your travel plans. The capital of Vietnam is famous for its chaotic two-century-old Old Quarter and is the ideal gateway to other must-see Vietnamese attractions such as UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay and the gorgeous Sapa Valley.

Tight on budget? Consider going for a backpacking trip to Hanoi!

#6 MELBOURNE

Those who enjoy cafe hopping in Singapore will absolutely fall in love with the cafes in Melbourne. The standards are set high and you can only expect the best quality when it comes to coffee and food. Take a look at our comprehensive guide on 41 Best Cafes In Melbourne To Visit.

Food and activities in Melbourne may not be cheap but do not be put off by the price tags first because you can always choose to visit these 10 Iconic Attractions In Melbourne For Free. In fact, you can also stay at these gorgeous Airbnb apartments for under S$150 per night.