Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is easy to explore thanks to an efficient metro (MRT) linking museums, temples, night markets and hill trails. The main things to do in Taipei are the National Palace Museum, Longshan Temple, the Taipei 101 tower and the street food, before heading to Jiufen, Beitou or the rest of the island. Three to four days are enough for the essentials.
This guide covers what to do in Taipei, how to get around and when to go, with a calculation most guides do not give: the number of rainy days to expect over a 4-day stay, month by month, based on the official normals of Taiwan’s weather service.
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Taipei at a glance
- Location northern Taiwan; Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), west of the city
- Language Mandarin; metro signs in English
- Currency New Taiwan dollar (TWD) (currency converter)
- Time zone UTC+8, no daylight saving; 8 h ahead of London and 13 h ahead of New York in winter (time difference in Taiwan)
- Flights check current routes with the airlines
- Entry US: visa-free under 90 days; UK: visa-free up to 90 days; online arrival card (TWAC) · travel.state.gov · GOV.UK
- Electricity 110 V, 60 Hz (Taiwan Tourism Administration); UK travelers need an adapter and should check that devices accept 110 V
- Typhoons season normally from May to November, most active from July to September (GOV.UK)
Things to do in Taipei: the top sights
The National Palace Museum
In the north of the city, it holds one of the largest collections of Chinese imperial art: porcelain, bronzes, calligraphy, jade. The most famous piece is a cabbage carved from jadeite. Allow half a day.
Longshan Temple and Wanhua
In the old Wanhua district, Longshan Temple is one of the busiest in the city, both Buddhist and Taoist. In the evening the surrounding streets come alive; the nearby pedestrian district of Ximending draws a young crowd.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Its vast square, gateways and memorial hall are one of the city’s symbols. The changing of the guard draws visitors; the National Theater and National Concert Hall frame Liberty Square.
Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain
The Taipei 101 tower dominates the Xinyi business district; its observatory looks over the whole basin. To see the tower itself, climb Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) at sunset by a stepped trail of about twenty minutes.
Dihua Street and Dadaocheng
The old Dadaocheng district is lined with tea, herbal medicine and fabric shops behind early 20th-century façades. Xiahai Temple, dedicated to the city god, is very popular.
The night markets
Shilin is the largest, Raohe the most convenient (along a single street, near Ciyou Temple), Ningxia the most food-focused. Try xiaolongbao, oven-baked pepper buns (hujiao bing), stinky tofu and bubble tea.
Maokong, Beitou and Tamsui
The Maokong gondola climbs into hills planted with tea bushes and teahouses. To the north, Beitou is the hot-spring district, with public baths and a thermal valley; Tamsui, at the end of the red line, is a former port on the estuary, popular at sunset.
Day trips: Jiufen, Shifen and the north coast
To the east, Jiufen, a former mining village clinging to the mountain, and Shifen, where people release lanterns near the railway and a waterfall, combine in a day. Yehliu Geopark, on the north coast, shows rocks sculpted by erosion.
Itinerary: Taipei in 3 or 4 days
- Day 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Ximending; Ningxia night market
- Day 2: National Palace Museum, Confucius Temple and Bao’an Temple; Shilin night market
- Day 3: Dihua Street, Taipei 101, sunset on Elephant Mountain; Raohe night market
- Day 4: day trip to Jiufen and Shifen, or Maokong in the morning and Beitou in the afternoon
For the rest of your trip (Taroko, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan), see our Taiwan travel guide.
When to go to Taipei
The best times are March-April and October-December: 20 to 28 °C (68 to 82 °F) in the afternoon and moderate rain. From May to September the heat is intense (an average high of 34.8 °C, 95 °F, in July) and rainfall exceeds 200 mm (7.9 in) a month; it is also typhoon season, which normally runs from May to November and is most active from July to September, according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 August 2026). Winter is mild but often grey: less than 80 hours of sunshine a month in December and January.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rainy days | Sunset | Sun (h/month) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.4 (67) | 14.2 (58) | 94 (3.7) | 13.6 | 17:25 | 76 | ⚠️ Cool and grey |
| February | 20.3 (69) | 14.4 (58) | 102 (4.0) | 12.0 | 17:47 | 79 | ⚠️ Cool, Lunar New Year possible |
| March | 22.7 (73) | 16.0 (61) | 108 (4.3) | 14.1 | 18:02 | 95 | ✅ Mild |
| April | 26.4 (80) | 19.3 (67) | 101 (4.0) | 14.5 | 18:16 | 97 | ✅ Mild, before the heavy rains |
| May | 29.7 (85) | 22.6 (73) | 225 (8.9) | 14.5 | 18:31 | 114 | ⚠️ Plum rains (meiyu) |
| June | 32.7 (91) | 25.1 (77) | 235 (9.3) | 15.7 | 18:45 | 115 | ❌ Wet and hot |
| July | 34.8 (95) | 26.6 (80) | 214 (8.4) | 11.8 | 18:46 | 177 | ⚠️ Very hot, typhoons possible |
| August | 34.2 (94) | 26.4 (80) | 236 (9.3) | 14.6 | 18:28 | 183 | ⚠️ Very hot, typhoons possible |
| September | 31.5 (89) | 25.0 (77) | 237 (9.3) | 13.8 | 17:58 | 152 | ⚠️ Hot, typhoons possible |
| October | 27.6 (82) | 22.4 (72) | 163 (6.4) | 12.8 | 17:27 | 115 | ✅ Pleasant, late typhoons possible |
| November | 24.8 (77) | 19.7 (67) | 89 (3.5) | 12.5 | 17:06 | 93 | ✅ Mild and drier |
| December | 21.0 (70) | 16.0 (61) | 97 (3.8) | 13.1 | 17:06 | 79 | ✅ Mild, few crowds |
How many rainy days in a 4-day stay?
Taipei is humid all year round: even in the « dry » season, it rains on more than one day in three. This table turns the normals into a practical figure for a short stay.
| Month | Rainy days per month | Expected rainy days in 4 days |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13.6 | 1.8 |
| February | 12.0 | 1.7 |
| March | 14.1 | 1.8 |
| April | 14.5 | 1.9 |
| May | 14.5 | 1.9 |
| June | 15.7 | 2.1 |
| July | 11.8 | 1.5 |
| August | 14.6 | 1.9 |
| September | 13.8 | 1.8 |
| October | 12.8 | 1.7 |
| November | 12.5 | 1.7 |
| December | 13.1 | 1.7 |
The month with the fewest rainy days is July (1.5 days in 4), the wettest June (2.1). But in summer the rain falls mostly as heavier afternoon showers and storms; in winter it is more often drizzle. Always carry an umbrella and plan some indoor activities (Palace Museum, Taipei 101, teahouses). For the whole island, see when to go to Taiwan.
Getting around Taipei
- From the airport: the Taoyuan Airport MRT line runs to Taipei Main Station (timetables and journey time on the official metro website).
- MRT: the metro serves almost every sight; eating and drinking are not allowed on board.
- EasyCard: a rechargeable contactless card sold in stations and convenience stores; it also works on buses and in some shops.
- YouBike: plenty of shared bikes, usable with the EasyCard.
- Train: TRA and the high-speed rail (THSR) from Taipei Main Station for the rest of the island.
Where to stay in Taipei
| Neighborhood | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Main Station (Zhongzheng) | Short stays, day trips | Airport MRT, trains, metro |
| Ximending / Wanhua | Small budgets, atmosphere | Lively in the evening, near Longshan |
| Da’an | Quiet, restaurants | Da’an Park, shopping streets |
| Xinyi | Comfort, shopping | Taipei 101, big malls |
| Zhongshan | Cafés, boutiques | Well connected, close to Dadaocheng |
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), tourists staying less than 90 days do not need a visa; no extensions are allowed. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. All arriving passengers have their temperature screened.
- UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 August 2026), you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive. You must complete a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online within three days before arrival.
- Customs: do not bring animal products into Taiwan without authorization: you may face a heavy fine, and inspections have increased because of African swine fever in pork products (GOV.UK). Bring prescriptions for any medication.
- Health: medical facilities are modern (U.S. Department of State), but hospitals charge on a pay-as-you-use basis (GOV.UK): take out insurance. Dengue cases have increased, especially in the south: protect yourself from mosquitoes. See our travel insurance guide.
- Safety: crime rates are extremely low (GOV.UK). Earthquakes are a risk, and typhoons can cause road blockages and landslides: follow the Central Weather Administration’s announcements. Drug penalties are severe. Emergencies: police 110, ambulance and fire 119 (GOV.UK).
Practical tips for Taipei
- Money: cash is useful in night markets; most ATMs in 7-Eleven stores accept international cards (GOV.UK).
- Metro: stand on the right on escalators and respect priority seats.
- Temples: dress modestly and stay discreet during prayers.
- Internet: eSIM or local SIM card at the airport (our eSIM guide).
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Taipei?
Three days for the main sights, four with a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen.
How do you fly to Taipei?
The main gateway is Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), west of the city; check current routes with the airlines, as connections vary by carrier and season.
What is the best time to visit Taipei?
March-April and October-December, milder and less rainy than summer, and outside the most active part of the typhoon season (July to September, according to GOV.UK).
Do I need a visa for Taiwan?
Not for short tourist stays: US citizens can stay less than 90 days visa-free (travel.state.gov), UK citizens up to 90 days with a passport valid 6 months after arrival and the online arrival card (GOV.UK).
How do you get from the airport to central Taipei?
By the Taoyuan Airport MRT line to Taipei Main Station, or by taxi.
Our sources
- Central Weather Bureau (now the Central Weather Administration): 1991-2020 normals for the Taipei station, via the Wikipedia climate table
- Destination de Voyage calculation: expected rainy days over 4 days, sunset on the 15th of each month (NOAA solar algorithm)
- Entry, health and safety information read on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Taiwan information (travel.state.gov, last updated September 17, 2026), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Taiwan (GOV.UK, updated 28 August 2026)
- Taiwan Tourism Administration, useful tips (last updated 7 August 2026): electricity
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Taiwan travel guide and our other destinations in Asia.
