By Taipei, the vibrant capital of Taiwan, is a truly special place, boasting a rich history, fascinating cultural heritage and modern development. Although Taipei 101 or Shilin Night Markets are famous, the city has many secret spots waiting to be discovered. In this blog, I will take you to the best hidden gems in Taipei.
Before Chinese settlers arrived, Taiwan was inhabited by various aboriginal tribes representing different languages and cultures. In the 17th century, Chinese immigrants, mainly from Fujian province, began to settle in Taiwan. In 1683, the Qing Dynasty officially made Taiwan part of the empire. In 1895, after the Shimo-Japanese War, China ceded Taiwan to Japan. Many of the city’s characteristic buildings date from the Japanese period. After the capitulation of Japan in 1945, Taiwan returned to China.
Taipei literally means „northern part of Taiwan”. Taipei was originally a walled city, accessible through five traditional gates, 4 of which are still standing today, but only one in its original form – North Gate or Bei men. This is considered the old town of Taipei. The popular Ximending District and Longshan Temple are located here.
The eastern quarter, on the other hand, is an elegant and charming neighborhood of high-class shopping centers, luxury boutiques and classy restaurants.
It is home to Taipei 101, one of the city’s most iconic buildings and one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. The design of the building began in 1997 and the official opening was on December 31, 2004, and at that time it was officially considered the tallest building in the world, until the completion of Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.
The total height of Taipei 101 is 508 meters, it consists of 101 levels as the name suggests, and there are 5 more levels underground. The shape and structure of the building have a strong symbolic significance. Shaped like a towering bamboo stalk (a symbol of learning and growth), Taipei 101 has 8 outward-sloping levels reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda (a symbol of wealth and prosperity), 8 is also a lucky number in Taiwanese culture. During planning, special attention was paid to earthquake and wind resistance, given Taiwan’s history of earthquakes and typhoons that hit the island.
The Taipei 101 Observatory is located on the 88th, 89th, and 91st floors, which you have to walk on the outer deck of the 101st floor in the Skyline 460 experience.
You can book tickets to the Observatory on the 89th floor here
Buy your Priority Pass ticket to avoid queuing
Book the Skyline 460 Experience:
The Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) borders the eastern district. Mount Elephant is relatively low, only 183 meters high, but the view from the top is worth all the effort. Its name comes from the shape of the mountain, which resembles a reclining elephant. There are several well-maintained trails on Elephant Mountain, interspersed with stairs and rest stops. There are several vantage points along the route that offer a stunning panorama of the city of Taipei, especially the Taipei 101 building.
Visit the National Palace Museum, one of Taipei’s most important cultural institutions, which houses the world’s largest and most valuable collection of Chinese art.
Tip: you can exchange a discounted ticket here
Did you know that night markets are an integral part of Taiwanese culture? Night markets date back several centuries. The night market is an attractive destination not only for local residents, but also for tourists. These markets open in the evening and are open until late at night or even at dawn. The biggest attraction of the markets is the huge selection of food. Diners can try countless local specialties, such as stinky tofu, fried chicken cutlet or xiao long bao and bubble tea.
The most famous night market is the Shilin Night Market, which is the largest and most famous night market in Taipei.
Tip: most vendors only accept cash, so it’s a good idea to bring enough Taiwan dollars with you. Although street food is generally safe, you should always check the cleanliness of the vendors. Prices are often negotiable.
Extra Tip for Victoria Residential ship passengers visiting the night market
If you spend several days in Taipei, you should also visit Shifen. Shifen is famous for its impressive waterfall, which is often called the Niagara Falls of Taiwan.
The 40-meter-wide and 20-meter-high curtain is a waterfall. While the river is quite shallow, the pool below the falls is very deep. Swimming is strictly FORBIDDEN. The waterfall is most impressive after rain. There is no charge to visit the Shifen waterfall, but it can only be visited between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The waterfall got its name from the nearby village of Shifen, where Shifen Old Street is located.
Shifen Old Street is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taiwan. Every day of the year, tourists flock to this tiny village to write their wishes on lanterns and release them into the sky. The custom of releasing sky lanterns can be traced back to China’s Fujian province, where most Taiwanese have their ancestors. According to tradition, people write wishes on the lanterns and then release them into the sky to make their wishes come true.
Tip: we buy our paper lanterns in local shops, which offer them in different colors and sizes. Each color has a different meaning, red represents good luck, yellow represents wealth, and green represents health.
Extra Tip: Passengers on the Victoria Residential Ship spend 7 days in the port of Taipei, so they have plenty of time to explore the city and its surroundings.
1-day visit to Shifen with sky lantern launch
1 day tour of Shifen, Jiufen and Yehliu
Social and cultural communities
LGBTQ+ life in Taipei: one of the most open cities for the LGBTQ+ community. The area around the Red House Teatre is the gay part of the city with many bars and clubs. This friendly and welcoming atmosphere is the perfect setting for a fun evening.
Taivai’s indigenous culture: in the Ketagalen Cultural Park and the annual indigenous festivals, you can gain an insight into ancient customs and traditions.
Taipei, the pulsating capital of Taiwan, welcomes visitors with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. The city’s modern architectural marvels, such as Taipei 101, and historic attractions, such as the National Palace Museum, create an exciting contrast. Night markets like Shilin offer unparalleled culinary experiences, while Shifen’s magical paper lanterns offer unforgettable moments not only to passengers on the Victoria Residential Ship, but to anyone visiting Taipei. Taipei is a destination where tradition and modernity meet harmoniously, providing visitors with diverse and memorable experiences.