Two days lets Taipei show you both of its faces. Day one is the old west side: Longshan Temple, Ximending, the 19th-century trading street of Dadaocheng, and a night market. Day two is the east: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Yongkang Street, Da'an Park, Taipei 101 and the sunset from Elephant Mountain. Each day is a string of short MRT rides, most under 10 minutes.
Before you start
- EasyCard in your pocket. → EasyCard
- A hotel near a Red or Blue Line station makes both days easy. → Where to stay
- Breakfast like a local: soy milk and an egg crepe from a breakfast shop. → Taipei breakfast
Day 1: The old west side
Morning: Longshan Temple (龍山寺)
MRT: Longshan Temple Station (Blue Line, BL10). From Taipei Main Station, 5 minutes, NT$20.
The temple at its best, full of morning worshippers. Then wander the old Wanhua lanes around it. → Longshan Temple guide · Wanhua
Late morning: Ximending (西門町)
MRT: Ximen Station (Blue Line BL11, Green Line G12). One stop, 2 minutes, NT$20, or walk.
Street snacks, shops and people-watching in Taipei's busiest pedestrian district. → Ximending guide
Afternoon: Dadaocheng and Dihua Street (大稻埕, 迪化街)
MRT: Beimen Station (Green Line, G13). From Ximen, one stop, 2 minutes, NT$20, then walk north into the old district. Daqiaotou Station (Orange Line, O12) is at the north end.
Old shophouses selling dried goods, herbs and fabric, now mixed with tea rooms and small design shops. It is the most atmospheric street in the city, and a good afternoon for slowing down. → Dadaocheng guide · Tea and coffee
Early evening: Zhongshan (中山)
MRT: Zhongshan Station (Red Line R11, Green Line G14). From Daqiaotou, 6 minutes, NT$20.
Leafy lanes of cafes, boutiques and department stores. → Zhongshan guide
Evening: Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)
MRT: Shuanglian Station (Red Line, R12). One stop from Zhongshan, 1 minute, NT$20, or walk.
A compact night market known for its food rather than its shopping, an easy finish to the day. → Taipei night markets · Ningxia on NightMarket.tw
Day 2: The east side
Morning: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂)
MRT: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station (Green Line G10, Red Line R08). From Taipei Main Station, 3 minutes, NT$20.
The great white hall and its plaza, at their best before the day heats up. → Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall guide
Lunch: Yongkang Street (永康街)
MRT: Dongmen Station (Red Line R07, Orange Line O06). One stop, 3 minutes, NT$20.
Beef noodle soup, dumplings, shaved ice, and a coffee to follow. → Da'an and Yongkang Street · What to eat
Early afternoon: Da'an Forest Park (大安森林公園)
MRT: Daan Park Station (Red Line, R06). One stop from Dongmen, 2 minutes, NT$20.
Taipei's big green lung, for a walk in the shade after lunch. → Da'an guide
Afternoon: Taipei 101
MRT: Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station (Red Line, R03). From Daan Park, 6 minutes, NT$20.
The observatory on a clear day, or the malls of Xinyi on a hazy one. → Taipei 101 guide · Xinyi
Sunset: Elephant Mountain (象山)
MRT: Xiangshan Station (Red Line, R02). One stop, 2 minutes, NT$20.
Climb the stairs before sunset for the classic view of the tower and the city. → Elephant Mountain guide
Evening: Raohe Street Night Market or a show
MRT: Songshan Station (Green Line, G19). From Xiangshan, 23 minutes, NT$30.
Graze your way through Raohe, or head back toward the center for a concert, a play or a late bar. All the shows and restaurants were one of our favorite things about Taipei life. → Night markets · Raohe on NightMarket.tw · Shows and nightlife
Tweaks and swaps
- Rain on one of the days? → The rainy-day plan
- Prefer museums? Give one afternoon to the National Palace Museum (closed most Mondays). → National Palace Museum
- Only one day? → The 1-day plan
- Got a third? → The 3-day plan
Sources
Ride times and single-journey adult fares come from Taipei Metro's fare and travel time search (time on the train only, so add a few minutes for walking and changing lines). Hours, tickets and directions for each sight are on the linked guide pages, each with its own sources. Checked October 2026.