Rain is part of Taipei life, in every season, so it pays to have a plan. The good news is that this is one of the best cities in Asia for a wet day: the MRT runs underground through the center, the big museum is enormous and entirely indoors, and a hot spring soak in the rain is a local pleasure, not a consolation prize. Bring a folding umbrella and keep the walks short.
Good to know: the National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays apart from a list of special opening days. On a wet Monday, start with the other museums or Taipei 101 instead.
Morning: Longshan Temple in the rain
MRT: Longshan Temple Station (Blue Line, BL10). From Taipei Main Station, 5 minutes, NT$20.
A quiet, early visit while the incense smoke drifts under the roofs. The temple is beautiful wet, and you won't be outside for long. → Longshan Temple guide
Late morning to lunch: the National Palace Museum
MRT: Shilin Station (Red Line, R16), then a short bus ride. From Longshan Temple, change to the Red Line at Taipei Main Station; Taipei Main to Shilin is 12 minutes, NT$25.
This is the rainy-day answer. Give it the whole middle of the day, eat at the museum or nearby, and see as much or as little as you like. → National Palace Museum guide
Afternoon: a hot spring soak in Beitou
MRT: Xinbeitou Station (Red Line branch, R22A). From Shilin, 16 minutes, NT$25, changing at Beitou (R22).
Steam, rain and hot water. Pick an indoor bath or a private room, then warm up with something to eat nearby. → Beitou hot springs
Or: an afternoon at Taipei 101
MRT: Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station (Red Line, R03). From Taipei Main Station, 14 minutes, NT$25.
Shopping and food courts under one roof. Skip the observatory if the tower is in the clouds and you can't see the top from the street. → Taipei 101 guide
Evening: a show
Nights like this are what Taipei's stages are for. The National Theater and Concert Hall sit right by Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station (Green Line G10, Red Line R08), 3 minutes from Taipei Main Station, and the big concert venues are near the MRT too. → Performing arts · Concerts · Buying tickets
More rainy-day ideas
- Museums of every size, from history to contemporary art. → Museums
- A long lunch or a tasting menu. → The MICHELIN Guide in Taipei
- A tea house or a coffee crawl. → Tea and coffee
- A late bar or a live house. → Nightlife
Weather turned? Back to the sunny plans: → 1 day · 2 days · 3 days
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). Monday closures from the National Palace Museum's visiting hours. Hours, tickets and directions for each sight are on the linked guide pages, each with its own sources. Checked October 2026.