Planning to spend two days in Taipei? A brilliant choice! Taipei is such an exciting and cool city – and it’s really underrated, in my opinion. We fell in love with this bustling metropolis, and it was actually on our first morning here when we climbed up Elephant Mountain that we both exclaimed that Taipei is one of our favorite Asian cities.
With two days in Taipei, you can climb up Elephant Mountain, visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and admire the huge cityscape from the top of Taipei 101. And let’s not forget that with two days in Taipei, you’ll also get to go on a day trip to either Jiufen or Maokong. Two really picturesque towns not far from the city.
Below, I’ve shared with you everything we’d recommend doing if you only have 48 hours in Taipei.
Day One – Elephant Mountain, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Ximending & Taipei 101
For your first day in Taipei, we recommend hiking up Elephant Mountain as soon as you wake up. The views are astounding and it’s much quieter in the morning. Then, in the afternoon head for Liberty Square, where Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is located. Closeby is bustling Ximending and we recommend heading here in the late afternoon. Finish your first day on a high at Taipei 101 and then grab some delicious street food at Shilin Night Market.
Morning – Hike up Elephant Mountain
Start your first day in Taipei on a high (quite literally) as you climb to the top of Elephant Mountain, aka one of the most famous things to do in the city. I mean, look at the view from the summit – you really can’t skip this.
Known as Xiangshan to locals, there are three main trailheads to the summit, we did the Lingyun Temple Trailhead as it’s the easiest. Although it’s also the most popular so can be crowded at times. The hike is approximately 1.5 kilometers long and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the top, where you’ll find various viewing platforms to enjoy panoramic vistas. I will say that it’s quite a steep climb up, so, a reasonable level of fitness is advised.
The trail is well-maintained with stone steps and handrails, making it easy to navigate. It’s very popular to hike up here at sunset. But, personally, we recommend doing it in the morning to beat the crowds. It’s also cooler first thing in the morning – if you’re an early riser (we’re not!) you could hike it for sunrise.
Fun fact, this trail gets it’s name gets its name from the way it looks from afar, which is like a giant lying elephant
Afternoon – Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall & Ximending
Next up, pay a visit to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a must-visit landmark in Taipei! Also shortened to ‘CKS’ it’s dedicated to honoring the legacy of Chiang Kai-Shek, the former President of the Republic of China. And it’s free to visit!
This stunning monument was completed in 1980 and is located within the spacious Liberty Square, next to the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.
The architecture of the memorial hall is truly impressive, featuring a gleaming white marble exterior and a striking blue-tiled roof, all in an octagonal shape that symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture. As you step inside, you’ll find fascinating exhibits that shed light on Chiang’s life and the history of Taiwan.
One of the highlights of a visit here (and the reason we came) is the hourly changing of the guard ceremony which happens from 9 am each day. During this 15-minute ceremony, you will watch the lead guard and two new guards coming out of the right-side elevator and marching towards the statue.
There are also beautifully landscaped gardens (62 acres of them) surrounding the hall. We took a short stroll here after the changing of the guards.
Ximending Shopping District
Often called the “Harajuku of Taipei,” Ximending is a Taipei icon. This bustling district offers a delightful mix of fashion stores, street entertainers, and mouthwatering street food. It’s around a 30-minute walk to here from Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hal. Or you can get the metro to Ximen (which will take just 3 minutes!)
As you stroll through this lively, pedestrianized street, you’ll discover trendy boutiques alongside international brands. As well as quirky little shops filled with unique accessories and souvenirs that are just begging to be taken home. And let’s not forget about the food! Because it’s such a popular spot with both tourists and locals as you can imagine, there are heaps of street food stalls selling Taiwan’s most famous dishes like Flour Rice Noodle Soup and Deep Fried Sweet Potato Balls.
What I liked most about Ximending (was of course the street food) but also how it blends the old with the new effortlessly. On our stroll around the streets here, we saw quite a few traditional temples and Red House Theaters mixed in with modern storefronts.
Evening – Taipei 101 Observatory
End your first day in the city with a visit to the iconic Taipei 101 Observatory. This is definitely the token landmark for Taipei.
This viewpoint is perched on the 89th floor of the former tallest building in the world. And from this prime vantage point, you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Taipei’s skyline and the lush mountains that surround it.
Getting to the viewpoint is part of the fun, as you’ll ride one of the fastest elevators in the world. Once you arrive on the 89th floor, you’ll find a variety of interactive displays that delve into the fascinating engineering behind Taipei 101, which as I said, held the title of the world’s tallest building until 2010.
If you want an even better viewpoint you can pay extra to visit the outdoor deck on the 91st floor.
BOOK your tickets for the Taipei 101 here for as little as $30 USD per person!
Dinner – Shilin Night Market
Come to tonight’s dinner spot hungry! Yep, tonight we suggest hitting up Shilin Night Market between Wenlin Road and Jihe Road. This vibrant, bustling market is one of the most famous in the city and it’s the perfect place to try authentic Taiwanese cuisine!
We LOVE visiting night markets in Asia and actually prefer them over a sit-down restaurant but if you’re not like us. Then, some great restaurants we’ve eaten at and loved in Taipei include Din Tai Fung, a globally renowned Taiwanese restaurant chain. It’s best known for its yummy Xiao Long Bao or soup dumplings. And it’s where we recommend having dinner on your first night in Taipei! The original location is located on Xinyi Road but there are several locations dotted throughout the city, including one at Taipei 101.
Another recommendation is MUME – which was recently include on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Day Two – Day Trip to Jiufen or Maokong & Raohe Street Night Market
Today, we recommend getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and going on a day trip to either Maokong or Jiufen. Which one you choose will depend on your personal preferences. But in short, Maokong is less-touristy and a little more authentic. And while Jiufen is wow-worthy it can get very crowded.
If you have three days in Taipei (like we had) – you could visit both places!
Option 1: Maokong (Our recommendation)
Maokong is located just over 20 minutes from downtown Taipei, yet it feels like it’s a million miles away. The area used to be the biggest tea-growing area of Taipei. But, it’s perhaps most famous for being home to the only gondola in Taipei.
We hopped on the brown MRT line from our hotel to Taipei Zoo then walked to the Maokong Gondola Station. The glass bottom gondola ride up to the top is so pretty and when we got to the top we headed for Yao Yue Teahouse. Here you can watch them brew gongfu tea while looking out at the unbelievable view. They also serve food here if you’re feeling hungry.
Later, we walked up to Zhinan Temple – which boasts an awesome view of Taipei. Unfortunately, we ran out of time but if you have enough time, you should head to Taipei Zoo which is located in Maokong. It’s a must-visit if you’re traveling with children.
If you love the ease of a guided tour, then why not book this private full-day tour to Maokong from Taipei. It includes return transfers so you don’t have to get the metro or walk and includes a visit to the Maokong tea plantations, the gondola ride and some free time to explore Shenkeng Old Street. It costs from $184 USD per person.
You can BOOK this well-rated private tour to Maokong here!
Option 2: Jiufen (very popular)
Jiufen is a super-popular day trip from Taipei and it’s located around 40 minutes from downtown.
This decommissioned gold mining mountain town, originally built by the Japanese is known for its narrow alleyways, packed with teahouses and souvenir shops. It really is so photogenic, but it can get crowded and the narrow streets here can feel particularly claustrophobic on a busy day. Which is why we recommend visiting on a weekday and getting here as early as 8/9 am.
Skip the hassle of arranging transfers and entrance fees on this highly-rated private tour that transports you to Jiufen Village and your choice of national park with ease. Your options include Yehliu, Houtong, and Yangmingshan National Park.
If you opt for the most popular ‘classic route’, your itinerary will be as follows: start your day tour at Yehliu Geopark, the home to the numerous unique geological formations. From there you’ll head to Jiufen. And in the afternoon you’ll visit Shifen Waterfall (a huge 40-meter-tall waterfall that creates a rainbow as it splashes into the lake. Lastly, you’ll stop by Shifen Old Street a famous sky lantern-releasing spot.
BOOK this tour to Jiufen and Shifen here, it has almost 60 5-star reviews and costs from $115 USD per person!
Evening – Raohe Street Night Market
Located in the Songshan District, Raohe Street market is one of the oldest in Taipei and stretches for about 600 meters. This is a super lively and energetic spot to grab some delicious street food this evening. Walking through here is like an assault on all your senses – in the best way possible. The street food there is out of this world—think stinky tofu, black pepper buns, bubble tea, and amazing shaved ice desserts!
As you can probably guess we love Asian night markets and always try to visit as many as we can when we’re traveling the continent!
You’ll find a mix of locals and tourists all enjoying the delicious food. But it’s not just about eating, there’s plenty of shopping too! You can grab some cool clothes, accessories, and unique souvenirs without breaking the bank. The whole vibe here is so vibrant, with delicious smells wafting through the air and people buzzing around.
Where to Stay in Taipei
We spent 4 nights at The Grand Hotel, which as you can see from the photo is a show-stopper. It’s huge – with 500 rooms, 4 restaurants, an outdoor pool, fitness center and sauna. It’s located outside the city center, 10 minutes from Shilin Night Market but the hotel provides a free shuttle to MRT Yuanshan Station.
Some other highly recommended hotels in Taipei include:
- MGH Mitsui Garden Hotel Taipei Zhongxiao – a 4-star property in the lovely Daan District. It’s modern, with large rooms and an on-site restaurant. Daan Park is a 1.7 km walk away.
- Citizen M – In the Zhongzheng District is a very cool hotel that’s a 10-minute walk from the main station.
Thanks for Reading!
I hope you enjoyed reading my guide to 3 days in Taipei! 3 days is just enough time to scratch the surface of this vibrant city – there really is SO much to do here!
If you enjoyed this blog post, I also have lots of other blogs about our travels through Asia, including –
What to Do With 48 Hours in Hong Kong
Best Things to Do With 24 Hours in Hong Kong
How to Spend 3 Days in Hanoi Vietnam
Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by snaphappytravel