10 Brilliant Things to do in Taipei Alone

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 do to in Taipei alone. Whether you’re looking to explore the temples, museums, or major tourist spots, you’ll soon find that Taipei is one of the best solo getaways in Asia.

Dive into the culture, feast on delicious local snacks and experience the vibrancy of this urban hub. For those traveling further afield, see my comprehensive 2 weeks in Taiwan itinerary and the most affordable day trips from Taipei.

Also, if it’s your first visit to Taiwan’s capital city, this first timer’s guide to Taipei sets out everything you need to know and includes loads of handy tips. 

Are you planning a solo trip to Taipei? Discover the very best things to do in Taipei alone in this guide. I set out all my favorite solo must-see spots in the city here. Plus, handy tips on how to get there. 

In a rush? Pin these things to do in Taipei alone for later. 

The Best Things to do in Taipei Alone

With busy streets, neon lights, rustic hidden alleyways, temples, museums, and gastronomic feasts, it’s hard to not fall in love with Taipei. 

As the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei has plenty to do and see. Thanks to an amazing transportation system, you can literally spend as little as 24 hours in Taipei and still pack in a bunch of awesome activities. However, if you really want to experience all the city has to offer, I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in Taipei to explore this magnetic hub.

Because there’s so much to do, I’ve compiled a list of all my favorite must-see spots in the city. Here is my list of 10 brilliant things to do in Taipei alone. Whether you have one day or many! 

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 might be the former tallest building in the world, but it is still 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 is not only the best spot to get a panoramic view of Taipei’s cityscape, but it’s also home to 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.

By the way…

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Taipei alone at night, you might also want to consider this Taipei at night tour with Ding Tai Fong dinner on your 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, there are a few elements which make it even more impressive. Such as, the tuned mass damper which makes Taipei 101 more resistant to strong typhoon winds, and 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.

To save time, grab your tickets here…

Taipei 101 Observatory Priority Pass Ticket

Taipei 101 Observatory E-Ticket

Opening hours

9:00 am-10:00 pm daily and the last admission time is at 9:15 pm.

Keep in mind though 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 and 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 where you can view relics and photos related to President Chiang’s life and learn more about Taiwan’s intricate history.

Also, don’t forget to catch the changing of the guards when visiting here!

Opening hours

Memorial Hall

Open daily from 09:00 am – 18:00 pm. Note that timings during Chinese New Year may differ.

Liberty Square

Open daily from 05:00 am – 12:00 am.

Pro Tip

The guards change on the hour from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The only exception is on Wednesdays, when you can actually see the ceremony from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, entrance to the complex is free.

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 C.K.S. 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 visitors a unique glimpse into the life of Taiwan’s founding father, 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 just 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 and 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). Take note that it is sometimes referred to as S.Y.S. 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 do to in Taipei alone.  

In addition, it is one of the few remaining temples where you can still see huge groups of locals chanting Buddhist songs and worshipping the various deities. In fact, locals still come here today 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.

For those who are more daring, 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.  But, just as the name suggests, the one thing that you should be aware of when visiting here, is that you can still see shops selling snake soup to mainly elders and tourists from China. Not that I condone this at all, but the fact remains it is a part of the culture here. Snake Alley is also 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 was 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 which should be high on your must-see list is the famous “Jadeite Cabbage” or better known as the “Chinese Cabbage” intricately crafted out of Jade.

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.

Opening hours

Sunday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm.

Friday – Saturday: 8:30 am – 9:30 pm.

Pro Tip

The best time to visit the museum is on Friday or Saturday evenings as it is not as busy as other days. If you can’t time to your visit during one of these time slots, I highly recommend grabbing your ticket in advance to save time. You can do so, here…

National Palace Museum E-Ticket

National Palace & Shung Ye Museum

How to get there

The easiest way to get to the National Palace Museum is to take the Hop On Hop Off bus which 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 

Oh my goodness. 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, an 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

06:00 am – 00:00 daily, but take note that the opening times for the different sections 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. Also, 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 leisurely 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 taxi 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

Maokong Mountain is widely known as one of the most scenic spots in Taipei, especially if you want to get out of the city and enjoy a piece of nature. The tiny village, which is home to amazing teahouses and gorgeous views, is located at the top of Maokong Mountain.

So, 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, visiting Maokong should be high on your list of things to do.

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 more 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 really 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 1 station and NT$100 for 2 stations.

If you do however want to skip the queues (which will be there…trust me… especially on weekends), consider grabbing your ticket here first…

Maokong Gondola Combo Ticket in Taipei

Pro Tip

To be honest though, if you are on a tight budget, you might want to skip the teahouses and just have a walk about. Generally, the teahouses are quite expensive and tea is charged per pot, not cup. So, you could easily be looking at spending a couple of hundred Taiwanese dollars just 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 do however depend on special events, festivals and of course the weather. So, if it’s too windy, don’t worry, you can still get up the mountain by bus. The bus stop is located right in front of the Gondola Station and there are actually a few buses which go up the mountain. Generally, you can take Bus S10 and Brown Bus 18, or just 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, there are clear signs pointing the way in both English and Chinese.

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Ximending

Visiting Ximending is just one of the many great things to do in Taipei alone, but should definitely top your list if you’re a shopaholic or just looking to explore Taipei’s it place!

If you love shopping as much as I do, you’ll be delighted to know that there is a whole pedestrian shopping area here. And besides being the shopping area of Taipei, Ximending is home to cool clothing stores, cheap eats, quirky-themed restaurants, and massive billboards and neon 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 who want a completely unique dining experience, head to the Modern Toilet…a visit here 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

If you enjoy street food as much I do, visiting one of the night markets in Taipei is a huge must. Here you can get an authentic glimpse into Taipei’s daily life while snacking your way through some of the most amazing street food scenes in Asia.

There are tons of amazing night markets to explore in Taipei! And if you want to have a closer look at them, check out this post on the 15 Best Night Markets in Taipei. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

My top picks 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 one last thing…only consider haggling if there is no price indicated on an item.

Opening Hours

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 there

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.

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…

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Hike up Elephant Mountain

Hiking up Elephant Mountain is most probably one of the best 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 view of the cityscape, 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 though 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. In fact, it’s the most popular at night. So if you want to see Taipei’s skyline lit up, don’t miss coming here!

By the way, 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.

So…

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 visiting Taipei solo? Leave us a comment below! 

And, finally…

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! Check out these affordable day trips from Taipei, too.

Did you like this list of things to do in Taipei alone? Maybe your friends will, too.

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