Ultimate Travel Guide: 48 Hours in Taipei
Delicious food, stunning temples, great shopping opportunities – the culturally spectacular Taipei has plenty to offer.
48 hours may be a short visit, but with our cool little travel guide, you’ll know exactly where to go in Taipei to make it a worthwhile visit. We’ll help you cover some of the most interesting spots and experiences, from having xiao long bao at the original Din Tai Fung restaurant, to strolling down the packed alleyways of Shilin Night Market.
Day One
Morning
Skip breakfast at the hotel and head to Fu Hang Dou Jiang for some traditional Taiwanese grub. One of the most famous breakfast spots in Taipei, Fu Hang dishes up local favourites like dòu jiāng with you tiáo, a salty soybean based soup topped with strips of golden fried dough, and scallion pancakes.
After breakfast, head to the nearby Liberty Square, home to the most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Here, you’ll get a great introduction to not only the history of Taiwan, but also the life of Taipei’s locals as they dance, play mahjong, and take wedding pictures in the square grounds. Try to show up on the hour to catch the changing of guards at the Memorial Hall.
Afternoon
A trip to Taipei is almost pointless without slurping up a big bowl of beef noodle soup, so head to the famous Yong Kang Beef Noodle Soup shop just off Yong Kang Street, a short taxi ride from the Memorial Hall. Located in the same area is the original Din Tai Fung restaurant, though if you’re interested in their xiao long bao, you might be in for a long wait.
Next, head to Taipei’s most recognised building – Taipei 101, which, yes, spans 101 stories above ground. For TWD500 (approx. SGD20), you can head up to the observation deck for some incredible views of the city and surrounding mountains. The first 5 floors of the building are home to dozens of high fashion boutiques and international flagship stores, so be sure to get some shopping done.
For a different side of Taipei, and one slightly less travelled, visit the 44 South Village near the base of Taipei 101. Originally a housing complex for Kuomintang soldiers and their families, this historical village is one of the only remaining complexes of its kind in Taipei. It now serves as a centre for Taiwanese designers with a number of design boutiques and cafes.
Night
One of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan, the Shilin Night Market is definitely worth a visit for all foodies. Spread throughout the maze of alleyways both above and below ground are stalls selling all of Taiwan’s quintessential street foods. Must-eats include the notorious stinky tofu , pieces of fried chicken as big as your head, grilled squid, and oyster omelette.
Day Two
Morning
Visit the Wanhua district and pay your respects at the Mengjia Longshan Temple. Built by settlers from Fujian in 1738, Longshan is one of Taipei’s oldest religious sites and a perfect place to observe worshippers gathering to pray, play chess and even sing karaoke. Take some time to explore the nearby Bopoliao historic district to see the well-preserved streets and shophouses from Taipei’s history.
Afternoon
After getting your fill of temples, jump on a bus from Zhongxiao Fuxing station and begin your 1-hour journey to Jiufen. A small town just outside of Taipei, Jiufen is a popular tourist destination built into the side of hills slightly inland from the Pacific Ocean coastline. You’ll easily spend an entire day exploring the quaint streets and tiny cobblestone alleys and lanes that run through the historic buildings.
You’ll also be spoilt for choice with food here, so spend some time wandering the dimly lit Jiufen Old Street and try out the famous taro rice balls from Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan, juicy pork sausages from the Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ stall, and the unique peanut, ice cream, and coriander popiah from A-Zhu.
Night
Head back to Taipei to explore Ximending – the Harajuku of Taipei. A pedestrian shopping haven favoured by the younger crowd, Ximending is full of fashion stores for all types, eclectic restaurants, and a huge variety of bars and clubs.
For a more relaxed evening, grab dinner at RAW. Opened in 2014 by Chef André Chiang of Restaurant André in Singapore, RAW has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Taipei. A modern French reinterpretation of traditional Taiwanese cuisine, RAW’s dishes focus on simplicity, with the ingredients carefully selected according to Taiwan’s 24 ‘micro-seasons’.
Angela Goh
Photos: Getty Images
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