Things To Do in Taipei & Taipei Taoyuan Airport Layover Ideas

Our most popular for Taipei layovers with airport transfers included! See the best of the Taipei on a private layover tour, with round-trip transport from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport! The Airport is approximately 24.5 miles (40 km) from Taipei city downtown, making for an easy-to-do layover tour! This customizable half-day tour is ideal for business travelers and short-term visitors – specifically designed for those with limited time to spend sightseeing in Taipei City. A private guide will introduce you to the city’s major historical sites and most captivating landmarks, such as Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, the Taipei 101 skyscraper, Confucius Temple and Baoan Temple.

At the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taiwan's flag is raised every morning. The memorial is watched over by a pair of motionless honour guards, replaced hourly in a rifle twirling ceremony. There is a museum here and gardens with Chinese style ponds. Locals practice martial arts on the grounds in the early mornings (before 08:00). There is a MRT station on the Xindian line named for the memorial.

Taipei 101 (or Taipei International Financial Centre), a 508-metre high skyscraper with, yes, 101 floors, was once the tallest skyscraper in the world. It still has the world's second fastest elevators: your ride up to the observation deck on the 89th-floor will take just 37 seconds. There's also an outdoor observatory on the 91st floor. Obviously spectacular views. Wheelchair accessible, but the 91st floor railing is too high to see over. From the Taipei City Hall MRT station (Blue Line), expect  a 15-20 minute walk. Open daily 10:00-22:00.

The National Palace Museum is considered by many to be a must-see attraction. Housed here is one of the world's best collections of historic Chinese artifacts and antiquities. The nearest MRT station is Shilin, then take one of the frequent buses to the museum.

Taipei's night markets consist of permanent restaurants and stores, with lots of little booths set up around them. Street food is generally safe here, but if you have a sensitive tummy use common sense. The most famous is the Shilin Night Market, though the locals consider it too touristy (access via MRT at Shilin or Jiantan). Another excellent night market is Ning Xia Yeshi.

The beautiful Taipei Botanical Gardens have been enjoyed by Taipei's citizens of Taipei for 100+ years. The lotus ponds - symbols of peace - are wonderful, especially when in full bloom. The nearest MRT station is 'Xiaonanmen' (green line).  The gardens are close to the National Museum of History.

Hot springs are a great way to experience local culture, and there are many different types. Hotels usually have separate men's and women's bathing areas, with saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and large baths (various temperatures), some outdoors. The city also runs basic but free public baths. Public hot spring etiquette requires that you wash and rinse off before entering the bath, do not wear anything (no even a bathing suit, unless in a mixed-sex area), and don't let your hair touch the water (tie it up). Don't go if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or open wounds. The 3 are main places to are: Wulai, Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park.