Taipei offers many exciting attractions for all travelers. Spend some time exploring its large zoo or discover ancient Chinese art at the National Palace Museum.
Shopaholics should make a beeline for Shilin and Ximending night markets for shopping fun, or visit one of Taiwan’s folk religion temples like Xia Hai City God Temple featuring various folk deities for an enriching cultural experience. For getting in, check out Cathay Pacific’s Chicago to Taipei flights.
1. Taipei Astronomical Museum
Taipei Astronomical Museum is one of the top attractions for both children and adults to experience when in Taipei, offering both IMAX 3D theater experiences as well as its Cosmic Adventure experience where visitors are transported on an amazing cosmic voyage!
The three floors of the main exhibit area are dedicated to space science in all its guises, featuring exhibits that cover ancient astronomy, planetary sciences, space technology and more. On the first floor is an exhibition on celestial sphere and constellation as well as telescope and observatory areas while on floors two and three there are exhibits focused on Earth and space technology as well as cosmology/space exploration.
Though not one of Taipei’s more lavish museums, this is still an engaging and enjoyable place for families with young children to visit and will offer an insight into astronomy as well as science in general. Admission for the main exhibit area costs NT$40 with discounts available if tickets are bought early enough; additionally there is the option of adding on an IMAX or 3D experience which may add further to its cost.
Near the National Palace Museum is Taipei Botanical Garden – an idyllic sanctuary perfect for unwinding from everyday city life. Take your children here or just enjoy quiet moments alone with your book while listening to birds chirp away in the background.
Park attractions that can be enjoyed during a visit include Flower Dome, Chinese Garden, Bamboo Grove and several waterfalls. Open throughout the year and offering an ideal way to escape city center bustle for a while – this park makes a wonderful day trip destination!
While not the most traditional or extravagant temple in Taipei, this beautiful and tranquil spot should not be overlooked as one of Taipei’s must-sees for anyone interested in Buddhism or just wanting an escape from city life. Home of one of Taiwan’s most important sacred spots.
2. Taipei Zoo
Taipei Zoo, Asia’s second-largest zoo, should not be missed by animal enthusiasts. Spread across 165 hectares and featuring an abundance of animals and habitats designed to mimic life in their truest forms, as well as well-cared-for grounds – something particularly impressive given that admission only costs NT$60!
Highlights in Taiwan include the Giant Panda House and Children’s Zoo, while those looking for local wildlife should visit Formosan Animal Area to view Black Bears and Formosan Rock Macaques – with an internal shuttle train providing quick transport between zones. Tip: Try to visit on non-holiday weekdays as it tends to be much quieter with less tickets required for popular attractions such as Giant Panda House.
Shuttle train rides at the zoo provide visitors with another exciting experience, taking them through an enclosure where you can view birds flying, eating and engaging in other birdy behaviors. Bird World at the zoo features food scattered about to encourage closer views from its two sections as well as several private viewing areas connected by walkways for comfort viewing.
For an enjoyable and relaxing day trip, visit the Zoo Aquarium located within a small lake and featuring an expansive tank filled with tropical fish, eels and other marine life. A great way to escape the heat while learning something about Taiwan’s underwater ecosystem!
There’s plenty to do near Taipei Zoo, from cultural experiences to outdoor adventures. Chifeng Street offers fashionistas vintage clothing stores and coffee shops while Maokong hosts tea houses offering bamboo crafts and silk scarves to buy. Additionally, Jiufen Mountain Town boasts narrow streets, stunning views and traditional architecture while Yangmingshan National Park features grassy mountains filled with hot springs and volcanic peaks for exploring.
3. National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is renowned international museum that holds an extraordinary collection of Chinese treasures that were once owned by generations of Emperors who ruled from Forbidden City. Unfortunately, Nationalist troops seized these pieces during WWII and brought them back home, eventually becoming one of Taipei’s top attractions with visitors coming from all around the globe.
Exhibits at this museum span millennia of Chinese cultural history. With more than 700,000 ancient artifacts on display and protected using cutting-edge preservation methods, its collections span millennia. Treasures were kept in their original conditions before Nationalist forces confiscated them and are protected with innovative preservation technology; only a portion of its collections are currently on view to avoid frequent handling causing any potential damage.
The museum boasts several art galleries and stages where cultural activities take place. Discover more about former ROC President Chiang Kai-shek or Taiwan’s modern history at its History Gallery; don’t forget to also see its blooming Sakura cherry trees!
Fuchunju Cafe can provide a relaxing spot after visiting this expansive museum, while McDonald’s Taipei Soochow University is just nearby for quick meal service and nostalgic tastes of home.
Daan Forest Park is an expansive public green space and ideal place to escape the bustling city center. Amenities here include a Guanyin statue, firefly pond, flower beds and much more. Plus it’s close to Maokong Gondola cable car that provides unparalleled city views!
Jiufen is a beautiful area characterized by narrow streets lined with historic buildings that were once at the core of city business and social life. Additionally, this charming region is famed for its many teahouses offering different varieties of Taiwanese and Japanese-style tea to try – early morning is often best when visiting this charming locale to avoid crowds!
4. Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark boasts captivating rock formations created through natural erosion. As this park is a popular tourist attraction and can become quite busy during summer months, visitors should aim to visit in either early morning or late evening for optimal viewing experiences.
Yehliu is home to some renowned rock formations, such as Queen’s Head and Fairy Shoe. The former is an eroded rock that resembles a woman’s head; visitors frequently stop to take photographs in front of it. Fairy Shoe, on the other hand, is a small rock that has been sculpted into the shape of a shoe according to local legend. Accordingly, local legend states that this particular shoe was left there by a fairy who visited Yehliu to stop an evil elf from harming innocent local residents.
Yehliu offers another interesting attraction with its mushroom rocks shaped by weathering and erosion from the sea. Visitors can stroll among them and observe their unusual shapes closely, without fear that touching these giant boulders might harm them.
Visitors can take a short hike for an enhanced view of the rock formations and ocean. The path is easy to follow without needing special equipment or training; however, comfortable footwear should be worn as it may become muddy and slippery during rainy weather.
Yehliu Geopark can be enjoyed by people of all ages, particularly families with children and seniors. Please keep in mind that during fall and winter months the park can become quite cold, so bring warm clothes along as well.
Yehliu Geopark can be reached in numerous ways, with one of the simplest being taking a train to West Bus Station Terminal A and walking from there to its entrance. KKday’s EasyCard provides access to public transportation schedules and information, enabling travelers to easily share photos or videos from their journey with family and friends back home.
