Welcome to Taiwan

Top Taipei Attractions

For many visitors these top two sights are anti-climaxes, mostly because the huge crowds. if you must visit them, here's how. But I recommend considering these quieter, more peaceful alternatives, which offer a similar experience without the crowds, chaos or steep entrance fees.

Taipei's Most Famous Attractions
National Palace Museum		Taipei 101

Good Alternatives
National Taiwan Museum	National Museum of History	Elephant Mountain

Other Taipei Favourites

Politics 

Taiwan has moved from one of Asia's most brutal dictatorships to one of its most free and vibrant democracies in one generation, and the world could learn a lot from its progress.

Presidential Palace	Liberty Square (Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall)	2-28 Memorial Park

History 

For most of Taiwan's long history it's been inhabited by aboriginal people (原住民, yuánzhùmín). The last five hundred years have seen Spanish, Dutch, Ming Chinese and Japanese rulers. Most of Taiwan's best colonial history spots are north of the city in Beitou and Tamsui.

Beitou	Tamsui	Songshan Cultural Park

Get out of Taipei

If you're in Taipei for around a week I recommend a typical route from Taipei to Jiufen to Jiaoxi (if time) to Taroko Gorge (usually via Hualien). If you'll only have a few days then I recommend just an overnight trip to Jiufen.

Jiufen	Jiaoxi	Taroko Gorge
Tainan