Taipei 101
Skyscraper of 508 metres that was the world's tallest building when finished in 2004. A fast lift takes visitors up to an observation deck with views over the city and surrounding hills.
Taipei
The lively Ximending district, the National Palace Museum, night markets and Taipei 101 are what the capital is known for.
Attractive locations
National Palace Museum
Museum holding a huge collection of Chinese imperial art, including jade, bronzes, paintings and ceramics, much of it brought from the former palace in Beijing.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Large white hall with a blue-tiled roof, set on a wide plaza with gardens and ornamental gates. The ceremony of the guards changing is a popular sight.
Bangka Lungshan Temple
Busy Guanyin temple in the old Wanhua district, dating from the 18th century. Carved dragons, incense smoke and worshippers give it a lively atmosphere.
Shilin Night Market
The largest night market in Taipei, with street food, snack stalls, games and clothes shops. It is busiest in the evening and good for trying local favourites.
Ximending
A busy pedestrian shopping district in Wanhua, popular with young people for fashion stores, street food, cinemas and street performers. The historic Red House theatre stands at its edge.
Yangmingshan National Park
Volcanic national park north of the city, with hot springs, grassy hills, steaming vents and hiking trails. Spring flowers draw many locals.
228 Peace Memorial Park
Central park remembering the events of February 1947, with a memorial and museum. Shady paths, a pond and a pavilion make it a peaceful spot.
Taipei Zoo
Large hillside zoo in Muzha district with themed areas for animals from Asia, Africa and elsewhere. It is reached by metro and is a popular family day out.
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
A short but steep hike on stone steps to rock platforms with a classic view of Taipei 101 rising above the city. Many visitors go near sunset.
Maokong Gondola
A cable car from near Taipei Zoo up to the tea-growing hills of Maokong, passing over forest and ridges. At the top are tea houses and walking trails with views over the city.
Beitou Hot Springs
A hillside district north of the city known for sulphur hot springs and a steaming thermal valley. Public baths, spa hotels and a small hot spring museum are scattered along the stream.
Airports
Taipei Songshan International Airport TSA
It is about 3 km in a straight line from Taipei.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport TPE
It is about 33 km in a straight line from Taipei.
Hualien Chiashan Airport HUN
It is about 113 km in a straight line from Taipei.
Getting around
Airport MRT from Taoyuan
Express and Commuter trains of the Taoyuan Airport MRT connect the airport with Taipei Main Station. Stations A12 and A13 are the airport terminals, and an in-town check-in service is offered. At the city end, M-Taxi operates the taxi stand on the B1 floor of A1 station, and the Taoyuan Metro page lists interchanges there with city buses, high-speed rail, Taiwan Railways and Taipei Metro.
- Source: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport: Airport MRT (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Taoyuan Metro: Transfer information (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Taipei Metro and connections
Route maps, timetables, first and last trains and safety information are all on the English site of the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which operates the Taipei Metro. The corporation also has the Go! Taipei Metro app for Android and iOS, and joint tickets that link up with the Taoyuan Airport MRT. Taoyuan Metro's transfer page shows links to Taipei buses, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railways and the Taipei Metro.
- Source: Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation: Metro service (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Taoyuan Metro: Transfer information (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Gate cards and EasyCard
At the gates, cards from Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, Diners Club and Discover can be used directly, and Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay work too, says the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation. Public transport also accepts stored-value cards such as EasyCard, iPASS and iCASH. The Taipei Fun Pass, a travel pass that cannot be topped up, comes in several versions.
- Source: Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation: Metro tickets and travel pass recommendations (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Yellow metered taxis
Taxis in Taipei are a standard yellow and belong to company fleets, according to the city's Department of Transportation. Fares are metered, reflecting distance and waiting time; rates differ between day and night and an extra service charge may apply. Taxi stands can be found at locations including MRT stations, department stores and hospitals. Anyone who wants English service can call the city's safe taxi hotline or the English-Speaking Drivers' Association.
- Source: Taipei City Department of Transportation: Taxi profile (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Taipei City Government: Is there a taxi service specifically for foreigners? (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan17.0 °C99 mm
- Feb17.8 °C92 mm
- Mar19.1 °C131 mm
- Apr21.9 °C126 mm
- May24.8 °C228 mm
- Jun27.0 °C262 mm
- Jul28.3 °C162 mm
- Aug28.1 °C263 mm
- Sep26.7 °C252 mm
- Oct24.1 °C116 mm
- Nov21.8 °C115 mm
- Dec18.5 °C100 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Aug, Sep.
Festivals and events
festival
Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks
The tower called Taipei 101 is the launch point of the fireworks.
festival
Lantern Festival
The country has few yearly events bigger than this. Prices go higher and hotels get full, so early planning pays.
trade
Computex Taipei
A trade show for computers and AI that ranks among the biggest in the world.
festival
Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks
The tower called Taipei 101 is the launch point of the fireworks.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 110. Fire and ambulance 119. Tourist information hotline 0800-011-765 (English).
local government
National Police Agency (110 emergency line)
Helps with: Taiwan's national police. Call 110 if you need emergency help, see something suspicious or have a matter that needs police handling. The page does not say whether English is offered.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Taiwan, including visitors, who needs police help.
Phone: 110
Address: No.7, Sec. 1, Jhongsiao E. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100009
local government
Tourism Administration travel information hotline
Helps with: Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) toll-free travel information hotline, listed by the Taipei City Government as running 24 hours. It is for visitors needing travel information.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Taiwan who needs travel information or help.
Phone: 0800-011-765
local government
Tourism Administration traveler complaints hotline
Helps with: Toll-free hotline of Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) for travellers to make complaints, as listed by the Taipei City Government.
Who qualifies: Travellers in Taiwan who have a complaint about a tourism service.
Phone: 0800-211-734
local government
National Immigration Agency - Foreigners in Taiwan Hotline
Helps with: Taiwan's immigration agency hotline for foreigners, dialled as 1990 inside Taiwan or +886-800-001990 from overseas. It covers help and information for people from other countries living in or visiting Taiwan.
Who qualifies: Foreign nationals in Taiwan. The page does not list its hours or languages.
Phone: 1990
local government
Taipei City Police Department Command and Control Center
Helps with: The Taipei City police command centre number listed by the National Police Agency as the local contact for the 110 report service in Taipei.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Taipei with a police matter. In an emergency dial 110; this is the city police command centre's landline.
Phone: (02)23812054
local government
Taipei 1999 Citizen Hotline
Helps with: Taipei City Government's information line. People in Taipei dial 1999; international callers dial 886-2-2720-8889. The page does not say whether English is offered.
Who qualifies: Residents and visitors in Taipei City.
Phone: 1999