Taipei in 3 Days: Night Markets, Temples & Hot Springs

Why Taipei Belongs on Your Asia Shortlist

Taipei is the city that quietly does everything well. The food scene rivals Bangkok and Tokyo but costs less than either. The temple culture runs deep — there are over 300 temples on this small island. Public transport is spotless and cheap. And unlike many Asian capitals, you can escape to mountains, hot springs, and old mining towns within 40 minutes of the city center. This 3-day itinerary covers the essential Taipei experience without rushing.

Day 1: Old Taipei — Temples, Tea & Night Markets

Begin at Longshan Temple, Taipei's oldest and most atmospheric temple. Built in 1738, it's a living place of worship where locals pray, burn incense, and toss moon blocks to consult the gods. The ornate roof dragons and stone carvings are worth studying for their craftsmanship alone.

Walk through the surrounding Bopiliao Historic Block, a preserved Qing Dynasty street, then head to Dadaocheng for traditional tea shops and old merchant houses. ASW Tea House on Dihua Street serves excellent Taiwanese oolong with views over the historic district.

Evening at Shilin Night Market, Taiwan's largest and most famous. Must-eats: pepper buns (crispy dough filled with seasoned pork, baked in a clay oven), oyster omelette (chewy starch batter with plump oysters), and stinky tofu — it smells terrifying but tastes like crispy, tangy heaven. Each dish costs NT$50-80 (~$1.50-2.50 USD).

Day 2: Jiufen, Gold Rush Ghosts & Mountain Tea

Day trip to Jiufen, the hillside mining town that inspired the scenery in Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Take bus 1062 from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station (about 90 minutes, NT$98). The narrow lanes are lined with tea houses, taro ball dessert shops, and souvenir stalls built into the mountainside.

The best stop is A-Mei Tea House, a multi-level traditional teahouse perched on the hillside with views over the Pacific Ocean. Order a pot of Oriental Beauty oolong and watch the fog roll through the valley. On the way back, stop at Shifen Old Street to release a sky lantern over the old railway tracks — a Taiwanese tradition for making wishes.

Evening at Raohe Night Market, a more local alternative to Shilin. The black pepper bun stall at the entrance always has a 30-minute queue — it's worth every minute.

Day 3: Beitou Hot Springs & Taipei 101

Morning at Beitou, a volcanic hot spring district just 30 minutes from downtown by MRT. Start at the Beitou Hot Spring Museum (free entry), a beautifully restored Japanese-era bathhouse. Then soak at Millennium Hot Spring, a public outdoor thermal pool that costs just NT$40 (~$1.20 USD). Bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Afternoon at Taipei 101 — once the world's tallest building and still an engineering marvel. The observation deck on the 89th floor offers views to the surrounding mountains. The basement food court is one of the city's best-kept secrets, with excellent din tai fung-style xiao long bao and beef noodle soup.

For your last evening, explore Yongkang Street, a tree-lined lane famous for its food. Get the original mango shaved ice at Smoothie House and browse the independent boutiques and cafes.

Budget Breakdown

Taipei is remarkably affordable. Budget $35-55 USD per person per day covering a clean hostel or budget hotel, three meals (mostly night market and street food), MRT fares, and attraction entries. The Jiufen day trip adds about $10 in bus fare.

Getting Around

Taipei's MRT is one of Asia's best — clean, air-conditioned, and runs every 2-5 minutes until midnight. Load an EasyCard and tap in/out. For areas not covered by MRT, buses are frequent and cheap. YouBike stations are everywhere for short cycling trips. The city is also very walkable, especially in the Daan and Zhongzheng districts.