Discover Taipei
Taipei (台北) is a city of contrasts: Skyscrapers next to temples, Michelin-star restaurants next to street stalls, high-tech culture alongside Taoist rituals — everything coexists without contradiction. 2.6 million people live in the city center, over 7 million in the greater area, and the energy of this metropolis is electrifying.
What makes Taipei special: The city is incredibly convenient to travel. The metro (MRT) is clean, punctual, and covers all attractions. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart are on every corner (over 12,000 branches in Taiwan!). Wi-Fi is free everywhere. And the friendliness of the people makes every orientation question an experience.
Taipei 101
The Taipei 101 (508 m) was the tallest building in the world until 2010 and remains Taipei's unmistakable landmark. The bamboo shape symbolizes growth and prosperity — eight stacked segments, the number eight stands for luck in Chinese. The observation deck on the 89th floor (600 TWD / 17€) offers a 360° view over the city to the mountains. Inside: a 660-ton wind damper — a yellow-painted steel ball that stabilizes the building during earthquakes and typhoons. Fascinating engineering, freely accessible on floors 87–88.
Longshan Temple
The Longshan Temple (龍山寺, 1738) in the Wanhua district is Taipei's oldest and most atmospheric temple. Here, Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion blend in colorful ceremonies: Incense rises, believers throw crescent-shaped oracle blocks, grandmothers murmur prayers. The elaborate dragon carvings on the columns are masterpieces of stonemasonry. Especially atmospheric in the evening when the temple is illuminated. Free.
National Palace Museum
One of the world's largest museums of Chinese art — with over 700,000 objects that Chiang Kai-shek brought with him during his 1949 escape from the mainland. The collection spans 8,000 years of Chinese history: finest jade carvings, calligraphy, imperial porcelain, and the famous "Jadeite Cabbage" sculpture. Admission: 350 TWD (10€). Plan at least 3 hours. Audio guide available in German.
Xiangshan — Elephant Mountain
The best free viewpoint over Taipei: 20 minutes of stair climbing (around 400 steps) to the summit of Xiangshan, then the iconic view of Taipei 101 with the skyline in the background. Perfect at sunset when the city is bathed in golden light. Metro: Xiangshan Station (Red Line, last stop). No admission, no opening hours.
Orientation
Taipei is large, but thanks to the excellent metro, it's easy to navigate. The main districts:
- Xinyi District: The modern center with Taipei 101, luxury malls, and the best skyline view.
- Wanhua / Longshan: Taipei's oldest district with the Longshan Temple and authentic street life.
- Da'an District: Hipster district with Yongkang Street (best beef noodle soup), Din Tai Fung, and cafes.
- Zhongshan: Cultural center with the National Palace Museum Annex, boutiques, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
- Ximending (西門町): Taipei's Shibuya — neon lights, street fashion, LGBTQ+ scene, cinemas, and cosplay shops.
- Shilin: Located north, with the famous Shilin Night Market and the Palace Museum.
