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Home > Destinations >Country flagTaiwan > Northern Taiwan > Taipei


Things To Do in Taipei & Taipei Songshan Airport Layover Ideas


Taipei things to do

Things to do in Taipei if you have a Taipei Songshan Airport Layover or Extended Taipei Songshan Airport Stopover


If you have an extended layover at the Taipei Songshan Airport or staying in town, why not consider getting out with some fun activities? We list a few here and there are many more on Taipei.LayoverIdeas.com.


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National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall


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


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. 

National Palace Museu


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.

Visit a Night Market


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.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum and Taipei Story House


The Taipei Fine Arts Museum features both international and local artists. Near the Yuanshan MRT Station on the Danshui line. 09:30-17:00. Closed Monday.

 

Taipei Story House, on the same property, is a 19th century tea merchant's European style house. The property now tells the story of Taipei and tea. There is also a garden patio with views of the Danshui River. 09:00-18:00.

Taipei Botanical Gardens


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.

Soak in the Hot Springs


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.

As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to the Taipei Songshan Airport in time for your connection and enjoy your layover city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.



 More Taipei Songshan Airport Transfer & Airport Connection Options



Last Updated: 28 Jul 2023