Taipei 3-day itinerary

Begin at Longshan Temple (free), Taipei's spiritual heart since 1738. The ornate carvings, incense spirals, and devout worshippers create an atmosphere no museum can replicate. Explore the surrounding Wanhua district, Taipei's oldest neighbourhood, with crumbling shophouses, traditional herbal medicine shops, and Huaxi Street (once "Snake Alley"). Breakfast at a local shop: dan bing (egg crepe, NT$30) and soy milk (NT$20).

Metro to Taipei 101. The observation deck (NT$600) has views to the mountains on clear days, plus the world's largest tuned mass damper, a 730-ton golden ball that stabilizes the building against earthquakes. The surrounding Xinyi district is Taipei's modern commercial heart: department stores, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (free), and excellent Din Tai Fung for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings, NT$220 for 10).

Shilin Night Market is a sensory overload of street food and energy. Navigate the maze of stalls for oyster omelette (NT$70), pepper bun (NT$50, pork-filled baked bun with a crispy shell), large fried chicken cutlet (NT$75), stinky tofu (NT$50, it smells terrible but tastes incredible), and bubble tea (NT$40–60). The underground food court has tables. Budget NT$300–500 for a full night of grazing.

The National Palace Museum (NT$350) houses the world's largest collection of Chinese art and artifacts: 700,000+ pieces spanning 8,000 years that came with the Kuomintang from mainland China. The Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-Shaped Stone are the star attractions. Allow 2–3 hours minimum. The building is massive and you'll only scratch the surface. Free English audio guide available.

Metro to Taipei Zoo station, then take the Maokong Gondola (NT$120 one-way), a scenic cable car ride over tea plantations to the mountain village of Maokong. The crystal-floor cabins (longer queue) offer vertigo-inducing views. At the top, choose a tea house with a valley view and order a pot of locally grown tieguanyin oolong (NT$200–400). The slow ritual of Taiwanese tea service is meditative.

Raohe Street Night Market is smaller and more atmospheric than Shilin, a single covered street with less tourist chaos. The famous pepper bun at the entrance always has a queue (NT$50, worth the wait). Try hu jiao bing, medicinal stewed ribs (NT$80), and mochi filled with peanut and ice cream (NT$40). After eating, walk to Rainbow Bridge over the Keelung River for illuminated reflections.

Bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT (NT$101, 90 minutes) to Jiufen, a hillside mining town that inspired the setting of Miyazaki's Spirited Away. The narrow lanes wind past lantern-hung tea houses, temples, and ocean views. Visit the A-Mei Tea House (the one from the film) for tea and mountain panoramas. Sample taro balls in sweet soup (NT$45) and fish ball soup (NT$35). The atmosphere is enchanting, especially in light rain or mist.

From Jiufen, take a bus or taxi to Shifen (NT$200 by taxi, 30 minutes). Release a sky lantern (NT$150–200) from the railway tracks: write your wishes, light it, and watch it float into the valley. An unforgettable moment. Walk 20 minutes to Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan's widest waterfall, often called a "little Niagara." The cascade is genuinely impressive and surrounded by lush forest.

Return to Taipei by train from Shifen via Ruifang junction (NT$76 to Taipei Main Station). For your farewell evening, try Ningxia Night Market, smaller and more food-focused than Shilin, beloved by locals. Liu Yu Zi taro balls, Fang Jia shredded chicken over rice (NT$40), and the NT$50 oyster vermicelli are legendary. End with a bubble tea from 50 Lan or Tiger Sugar (brown sugar boba, NT$65).