If you are planning a solo trip to Taipei, you’ve landed on the right page. Taipei is a great city for solo travelers. Not only is it super safe and easy to get around, but there are also plenty of awesome things to do in Taipei alone. Whether you’re looking to explore the temples, museums, or major tourist spots, Taipei is a great solo getaway in Asia.
In this guide, I’ve mapped out the very best things to do in Taipei alone, including all the must-see spots while traveling solo in Taipei. Dive into the culture, feast on delicious local snacks, and experience the vibrancy of this urban hub! I’ve also included tons of handy tips and tricks to help you spend less time planning and more time enjoying your solo trip in Taipei.
For those traveling further afield, see my comprehensive two weeks in Taiwan itinerary and these easy day trips from Taipei. Night owls and travelers looking to taste the city’s vibrant nightlife can also read what to do in Taipei at night.
If it’s your first visit to Taiwan’s capital city, these Taipei travel tips will come in handy.
In a rush? Pin these things to do in Taipei alone for later.
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The Best Things to do in Taipei Alone
Taiwan’s capital city has plenty to do and see – with busy streets, neon lights, rustic hidden alleyways, temples, museums, and gastronomic feasts; you’ll never be bored in Taipei. Little wonder it’s the perfect city to explore solo.
Besides all the cool things to do in Taipei, the city also has an extensive transportation system making it easy to get around on your Taipei solo trip. With its extensive transit network, you can easily spend as little as 24 hours in Taipei and still pack in a bunch of awesome activities. However, to really experience all the city offers, spending at least 3 days in Taipei is highly encouraged. If you have more time in the city, check out my fully flexible Taipei itinerary for 5 days and this guide on the best hotels and hostels in Taipei.
Since there’s so much to do in Taipei, I’ve combined all the must-see spots in this guide. Here’s my list of the best things to do in Taipei alone, whether you have one day or many!
Traveling solo for the first time can be quite overwhelming. Follow these solo travel safety tips for a stress-free trip.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 might be the former tallest building globally, but it remains the most iconic building in Taiwan. And to be honest, no visit to Taipei would be complete without visiting this famous landmark.
Towering over the city at 509m, Taipei 101 offers a panoramic view of the cityscape. But that’s not all! Within the tower, there are dozens of high-end fashion boutiques and amazing must-try eateries. One such eatery is Ding Tai Fong, the most famous dumpling restaurant in Taipei.
Looking for fun things to do alone at night? Try this night tour with Ding Tai Fong dinner on your Taipei solo trip.
And, of course, the observatory itself is nothing short of what you would expect from a world-class tower. Apart from the magnificent views, a few elements make it even more impressive—for instance, the 730-ton damper that stabilizes Taipei 101 during typhoons or earthquakes. There’s also the Infinity Sky, which creates an amazing kaleidoscope. And let’s not forget, one of the fastest elevators in the world – reach the 89th floor in only 37s!
However, it is important to time your visit to Taipei 101 as it is usually super crowded. Therefore, either try to come during the week or grab a fast pass to skip the queues in advance.
Opening hours: 9:00 am-10:00 pm daily and the last admission time is at 9:15 pm. Keep in mind that opening hours on national holidays, such as Chinese New Year, may change.
How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi line (Red line) to Taipei 101/ World Trade Centre Station, then take exit 4.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
When looking for things to do in Taipei alone, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is an excellent starting point. The grounds, also known as Liberty Square, cover 25 hectares and is home to impressive gardens, ponds, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Concert Hall, and the National Theatre.
The main attraction here, however, is the Memorial Hall, which was originally established to pay tribute to this former leader of Taiwan.
Besides the impressive 6.3m high bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek on display here, the Memorial Hall is also home to an extensive permanent exhibition. Here you can view relics and photos related to President Chiang’s life and learn more about Taiwan’s complex history.
Also, don’t forget to catch the changing of the guards when visiting here! The guards’ change on the hour from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The only exception is on Wednesdays when you can see the ceremony from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Entry is free.
Opening hours: The Memorial Hall is open daily from 09:00 am – 6:00 pm. Note that timings during Chinese New Year may differ. Liberty Square is open daily from 05:00 am – 12:00 am.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach CKS is by MRT. Take the Tamsui–Xinyi line (Red line) or Songshan–Xindian (Green line) to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂). Note that the name might sometimes be displayed as CKS. Memorial Hall on the metro. Alternatively, you could also take the Hop On Hop Off bus, which stops directly in front of Liberty Square.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
The National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in 1972 and offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s founding father’s life – Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The main hall displays interesting artifacts and historical relics of Sun’s life during the Qing Dynasty revolution. If history is not your thing, it’s a great place to have a stroll around, too.
Besides the impressive golden-roofed hall, the grounds are just as immaculate. A beautiful garden surrounds the hall, and there’s a huge pond right in front of the main entrance. You’ll also spot a lot of youth hanging around practicing dance moves.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The memorial hall is usually closed on Chinese New Year’s Eve/Day. There is no entrance fee to enter the main exhibition halls.
How to get there: Take the Bannan Line (Blue Line) to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station (國父紀念館). Note that it is sometimes also referred to as SYS. Memorial Hall on the metro.
Longshan Temple
Step into one of Taiwan’s largest and oldest temples, Longshan Temple. Longshan Temple is probably the most famous temple in the city and should not be missed on your list of things to do in Taipei alone.
It is also one of the few remaining temples where you can still see huge groups of locals chanting Buddhist songs and worshiping the various deities. Today, you’ll still see locals who’ve to pray for anything from getting good grades and being successful to finding their soul mates and even protecting them from evil spirits. For a closer look at the temple, here’s a quick guide on Longshan Temple.
There is a huge market surrounding the temple where you can discover your path in life by sitting down with a fortune teller. Well, that’s of course, if you can speak Chinese.
If you want to take it one step further, continue to Snake Alley. And, just as the name suggests, there are real snakes here! Before visiting here, you should know that many shops sell snake soup. The patrons are mainly elders and tourists from mainland China. Although I do not condone this at all, it is still a part of the culture here. If that’s not your scene, opt to browse the various stores instead. Snake Alley is a great place to pick up traditional Chinese art, such as calligraphy and personalized name stamps.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 am -10:00 pm. There is no entrance fee to Longshan Temple, but donations are welcome.
How to get there: Take the Bannan line (Blue line) to Longshan Temple (龍山寺). The temple lies north of the station plaza. Take Exit 1 for the fastest route.
National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is Taipei’s most famous museum. It’s also one of my favorite things to do in Taipei alone. If you want to learn more about Chinese history and culture, this is the perfect place to start!
Home to relics dating back nearly 5000 years, the museum houses more than 600,000 of the most precious artifacts, paintings, scriptures, and treasures, most of which were moved to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War.
Although the museum has four floors and two main exhibition halls, only some areas are open to the public to preserve these centuries-old pieces. One item that should be high on your must-see list is the famous “Jadeite Cabbage,” better known as the “Chinese Cabbage.” It is wholly crafted out of Jade and the detail is simply mind-blowing.
Headphones are also available for rental if you’d like to have a personal audio tour of the museum. Currently, the audio tour is available in English, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese.
Pro Tip: The best time to visit the museum is Friday or Saturday evenings as it is not as busy as other days. If you can’t take time to your visit during one of these time slots, I highly recommend grabbing a fast-track ticket in advance to save time. For those who want to fit in another museum, try this tour.
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, and Friday – Saturday: 8:30 am – 9:30 pm.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to the National Palace Museum is by using the Hop On Hop Off bus. The bus stops right in front of the entrance. Alternatively, take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi line (Red line) to Shilin station (士林). From here, catch Bus 30, which leaves every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.
Addiction Aquatic Development
Visiting Addiction Aquatic Development (引水產) is by far one of my favorite things to do in Taipei alone. I simply love this place! And if you are a foodie searching for a posh seafood market that offers fresh treats from the ocean, imported goods, and amazing sangria, you will too!
The complex consists of four main parts, an aquamarine where you can buy fresh seafood products, amazing sushi & seafood bar, a hot pot restaurant, and an outdoor charcoal-grilled seafood barbecue restaurant. Not to mention an incredible grocer that offers a wide selection of fresh produce and goods from around the globe.
Opening hours: 6 am – 12 am daily but note that the different sections’ opening times vary.
- The Sushi Bar: 9:30 am – 12:00 am
- The Seafood Bar: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- The Charcoal Grill: 10:30 am – 12:00 am
- Hot Pot Restaurant: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Pro Tip: Remember to bring cash. All the areas work on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you come on a weekend, be prepared to wait for a seat. Reservations are only open for the Hot Pot restaurant, so if you want to book a table, simply ask your hotel to help you make a booking.
How to get there: Take the MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) and get off at Zhongshan Junior High School Station. Then take Exit 2. From here, it is still a 15-minute walk. So if you want to get a glimpse of Taipei’s daily life, enjoy a stroll through the local neighborhood. If you plan to visit in the morning, there’s a bustling day market surrounding AAD, which offers tons of street photography ops.
Alternatively, grab a taxi outside any MRT station or even from your hotel. A cab from Da’an, for instance, will set you back NT$250-300 for a single journey. And, remember to show the taxi driver the Chinese address, 台北市民族東路410巷2弄18號.
Maokong Mountain
If you’re looking to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon sipping on high-quality tea and enjoying breathtaking views of tea plantations, Maokong Mountain, and the lower-lying city, Maokong should be high on your list of things to do.
Maokong Mountain is widely known as one of Taipei’s most scenic spots, and the perfect spot to enjoy a piece of nature near the city. The tiny village is home to amazing teahouses and gorgeous views.
My favorite part about visiting Maokong is the gondola ride up the mountain. The cable system is 4.3km long, so the ride itself isn’t very long. There are also four stops, so in essence, if you have time, I’d suggest making a stop at each to explore the surrounding areas. Crystal cabins, glass-bottoms in other words, are available, which will enable you to enjoy the panoramic views and natural scenery.
The full fare to reach the peak is NT$120 for a single journey. Partial fares are NT$70 for one station and NT$100 for two stations.
However, if you do want to skip the queues (which will be there, especially on weekends), consider grabbing your ticket here first: Maokong Gondola Combo Ticket in Taipei.
Pro Tip: If you are on a tight budget, you might want to skip the teahouses. Generally, the teahouses are quite expensive, and tea is charged per pot, not cup. You could easily be looking at spending a couple of hundred Taiwanese dollars to experience a traditional tea ceremony here.
Gondola Opening hours:
- Monday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm (only open on the first Monday of every month)
- Tuesday -Thursday & Sunday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 8:30 am – 10:00 pm
Pro Tip: These timings may change due to special events, festivals, or the weather. If it’s too windy, you can still get up the mountain by bus. The bus stop is right in front of the Gondola Station, and there are a few buses that go up the hill. Generally, you can take Bus S10 and Brown Bus 18, or ask the staff what the best bus is to reach your destination along the mountain.
How to get there: Take the MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) to the last stop, Taipei Zoo Station. From there, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the Maokong Gondola Station. Don’t worry; clear signs are pointing the way in both English and Chinese.
Klook.comXimending
Ximending is a lively pedestrian shopping area in Taipei and a popular go-to place for all kinds of folk. It’s also one of the many great things to do in Taipei alone, especially if you’re into shopping.
Ximending is home to cool clothing stores, cheap eats, quirky-themed restaurants, and massive neon billboards and signage. It’s also a popular spot for cultural activities, exhibitions and if you’re lucky, you might even see some street performances.
Don’t forget to pop into the Red House Theatre if you’re looking to see some art or perhaps even check out one of the performances in the small concert hall. For those looking for a unique dining experience, be sure to check out some of Taipei’s quirky themed cafes. Modern Toilet, in particular, is bound to bring loads of laughs.
How to get there: Take the MRT Bannan Line (Blue line) or the Songshan–Xindian (Green line) to Ximen Station (西門), and then take Exit 6.
Visit the night markets
The best way to explore Taipei is through your stomach! And one of the easiest ways to do just that while traveling solo in Taipei is by visiting Taiwan’s epic night markets.
Taipei’s night markets are legendary and you’ll have no problem finding all your favorite Taiwanese drinks and street food in Asia’s culinary kitchen! If you’re vegan, there are plenty of options too! Read this post to find the best vegan eats in Taipei.
My top night markets in Taipei to visit solo, however, remain Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) and Roahe Night Market (饒河夜市). Apart from the amazing Taiwanese street food on offer here, these night markets are also a great place to shop for souvenirs, clothes, and Chinese trinkets.
Haggling is not necessarily frowned upon in Taiwan, but you will need to put in a bit more effort than other destinations in Asia, like Thailand or Indonesia. Always half the price given and then negotiate from there! Oh, and travel tip – only consider haggling if there is no price indicated on an item.
Like most night markets in Taiwan, shops start to open up around 5:30-ish and usually close before midnight. To experience night market life at its best, come between 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. But, be warned, it gets crowded!
How to get to Shilin Night Market
Take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi line (Red line) to Jiantan Station (劍潭) and then take Exit 1. The night market’s entrance is to the left as you cross the street.
How to get to Roahe Night Market
Take the Songshan–Xindian (Green line) to the terminus station, Songshan (松山). After leaving, exit at Gate 5 and turn right. The entrance to the night market is across the street, next to the temple.
Pro tip: It’s no secret that Asia is one of the best places to shop for fashion at super low prices! And Taipei is no different. So, if you are bargain hunting for cheap clothes, you’re in for a real treat! Before snacking your way through Raohe, take a stroll through Wufenpu – a maze of alleyways home to dozens of clothing and accessories stores.
You also might want to consider joining one of these must-do foodie tours:
Hike up Elephant Mountain
Hiking up Elephant Mountain is a great add-on to your list of things to do in Taipei alone. Although the climb up the mountain is quite steep and might feel never-ending, it is definitely worth the effort. Because once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views of the city!
There are two viewing platforms, one halfway to the top and the most Instagram-worthy spot at the very top of the mountain. For the best views, I highly recommend going to the second viewing platform with the boulders. Depending on your fitness level, climbing the steep stairs to the top shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting Elephant Mountain is that it is extremely popular among locals, tourists, and photographers. So, be prepared for the crowds.
Opening hours: You can visit Elephant Mountain all day, any day. But for a truly memorable experience, I highly recommend coming at sunset and staying a bit longer to see the city’s skyline light up. It’s extremely beautiful and well worth the wait. If you happen to be in Taipei on New Year’s Eve, this is one of the best spots in the city to watch the dazzling Taipei 101 fireworks show.
How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi line (Red line) to Elephant Mountain Xiangshan station (象山). This is the last stop on the line. Then take Exit 2. Follow the signs to the entrance of the hiking trail. It will take you about 20 minutes to get to the entrance, so if you don’t feel like walking, grab a U-bike in front of the station and cycle here.
Have you been to Taipei yet? What are your favorite things to do in Taipei alone? And, what tips or tricks do you have for fellow travelers planning to visit Taipei solo? Drop your comments below!
If you’re looking to extend your list of awesome things to do in Taipei alone, why not see what the outskirts have to offer! Read about how to get to Jiufen or Shifen Waterfall, visit the Taiwan’s cat village or check out this secret waterfall near Taipei.
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I really like how you lay out the information here with pro tips, etc. Very useful – thanks!
Thanks Michelle! Great to know it comes in handy!
YES! I am so happy to have found this list! I recently started making my bucket list for Taiwan and I am adding all of these! THANK YOU for sharing!