How many days in Taipei? 4 days of night markets, temples and mountain towns
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Taipei, Taiwan's capital, is one of Asia's easiest and friendliest cities: safe, clean, with an excellent metro and some of the best street food in the world in its night markets. Four days covers Taipei 101 and the view from Elephant Mountain, the treasures of the National Palace Museum, temples such as Longshan, the hot springs of Beitou, tea houses in Maokong, and a day trip to the hillside town of Jiufen and the sky lanterns of Shifen.
Short answer
Three days covers Taipei 101, the Palace Museum, the temples, night markets and Jiufen. The fourth adds Beitou and Maokong.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Taipei 101 and the old city
Morning. Visit Longshan Temple (1738), one of the city's most important temples, in the old district of Wanhua, and walk Bopiliao Historic Block. Then see the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the changing of the guard (every hour).
Afternoon. Go up Taipei 101 (about NT$600-650), the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010, with a fast elevator to the 89th floor and the giant tuned mass damper that stabilises the tower.
Evening. Climb Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan, about 20 minutes of steps) for sunset over Taipei 101, then eat at the Raohe Night Market.
Use an EasyCard for the metro, buses, convenience stores and even YouBike rentals.
Day 2: The Palace Museum and Shilin
Morning. Visit the National Palace Museum (about NT$350), with one of the world's greatest collections of Chinese art, brought from Beijing in 1949: the Jadeite Cabbage, the Meat-shaped Stone, ancient bronzes and calligraphy.
Afternoon. Visit the Shilin Official Residence gardens, then go to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, the old trading street with dried goods, tea shops and Baroque-style facades.
Evening. Eat at the Shilin Night Market, the biggest, with stinky tofu, oyster omelettes, giant fried chicken and bubble tea, which was invented in Taiwan.
The Palace Museum rotates its exhibits; check if the famous pieces are on display.
Day 3: Jiufen and Shifen
Morning. Take the train or bus to Shifen (about 1-1.5 hours), on the old Pingxi railway line, and release a sky lantern (about NT$200-250) with your wishes painted on it, on the tracks between the trains. Walk to Shifen Waterfall.
Afternoon. Continue to Jiufen, a former gold-mining town on a hillside above the sea, with narrow lanes, tea houses and red lanterns. Have taro balls and tea at the A-Mei Tea House.
Evening. See Jiufen's lanterns lit at dusk, then return to Taipei by bus (about 1-1.5 hours).
Jiufen is very crowded on weekends; go on a weekday. A tour with a driver saves time.
Day 4: Beitou and Maokong
Morning. Take the metro to Beitou for hot springs: visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum (free), in a 1913 Japanese bathhouse, the steaming Thermal Valley (Hell Valley), and bathe in a public or hotel spring (from about NT$60 to NT$1,000+ for a private room).
Afternoon. Ride the Maokong Gondola (about NT$120 each way; some cabins have glass floors) up to the tea-growing hills of Maokong and drink oolong or Tieguanyin in a tea house with views.
Evening. Return to the city for dinner at a Din Tai Fung branch (famous for soup dumplings) or at Ningxia Night Market.
The gondola closes on most Mondays for maintenance and in high winds.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Days 1, 2 and 3.
Got extra days?
With more time, visit Taroko Gorge (check access after the 2024 earthquake), Sun Moon Lake, Tainan (old temples) or Yehliu Geopark on the north coast.
Where to stay in Taipei
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Taipei Main Station / Ximending hostels | Central, transport hub, cheap. | NT$1,200-2,500 |
| Mid-range | Zhongshan | Metro, cafés, close to everything. | NT$3,000-5,500 |
| Mid-range | Ximending | Young, lively, shops and food. | NT$2,500-5,000 |
| Comfort | Xinyi / Beitou spa hotels | Luxury hotels near Taipei 101 or private hot springs. | NT$8,000-20,000 |
Getting around
The Taipei MRT (metro) is clean, efficient and cheap; use an EasyCard. YouBike bikes are everywhere. Taxis are affordable. From Taoyuan Airport, the Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in about 35-50 minutes. Trains and buses go to Jiufen and Shifen.
What to eat in Taipei
Taipei's food is a highlight: beef noodle soup, xiaolongbao, lu rou fan (braised pork rice), gua bao (pork belly buns), pepper buns from a tandoor-style oven at Raohe, scallion pancakes, mango shaved ice and bubble tea. A night market snack costs NT$50-100; a meal NT$150-500.
Best time to visit
October to December and March to May are best, with mild weather. Summer is hot, humid and the typhoon season (July to September). Winter is cool and rainy (about 15°C). The Lantern Festival (February or March) and the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival are spectacular.
Month-by-month weather for Taipei →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | NT$700 | NT$2,000 | NT$6,000 |
| Food & drink | NT$500 | NT$1,000 | NT$2,500 |
| Sights & activities | NT$200 | NT$700 | NT$2,000 |
| Local transport | NT$100 | NT$250 | NT$800 |
| Total per person, per day | about NT$1,500 | about NT$3,950 | about NT$11,300 |
Approximate 2026 prices in New Taiwan dollars. Cash is still common at night markets; cards work in hotels and malls.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Taipei safe?
Very safe, even at night. Taiwan is one of the safest destinations in Asia.
Which night market is best?
Raohe for a compact, classic market; Shilin for size and variety; Ningxia for food lovers.
Do I need a visa for Taiwan?
Many nationalities, including EU, UK and US citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Check the latest rules.
Is it easy to travel without Chinese?
Yes: the metro and main signs are in English, and many young people speak some English.
Is Taipei good for families?
Yes: Taipei 101, the Taipei Zoo with pandas (reached by Maokong gondola), night markets and easy metro.
How do I get to Jiufen?
By bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing station, or by train to Ruifang and then a bus or taxi. Many tours combine Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu.
Can I see Taroko Gorge?
Parts reopened after the April 2024 earthquake, but some trails remain closed. Check the national park's current status.
What is the best way to get around Taipei?
The MRT metro covers almost all sights and is clean, safe and cheap; use an EasyCard, which also pays for buses, YouBike bikes and convenience stores. Taxis are reasonably priced for short trips, and Uber works in the city.
Can I see the Lantern Festival in Taipei?
Yes: the Taipei Lantern Festival takes place around the 15th day of the lunar new year (February or March), and the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival happens at the same time on the old railway line. Expect huge crowds and plan transport early.
Are the hot springs in Beitou mixed?
Public baths separate men and women in some places, while open-air pools like the Millennium Hot Spring are mixed, with swimwear required. Hotel private rooms are for couples or families. Take a shower before you enter and avoid the hottest water if you have health problems.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Asia trips. Prices and access are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Taiwan Tourism, Taipei 101, National Palace Museum and Taroko National Park websites before booking.
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