Taiwan is a small country in East Asia that may often be overlooked when you are searching for a place to visit. Because of its size, you might think that there are only a few places to go to and things to do on the island.
However, you should know that Taiwan is known for its very vibrant cultural and spiritual legacy. The country also boasts delicious food, marvelous hot springs, and beautiful scenery, which you surely should not miss. In fact, Taiwan is such a go-to place that its capital, Taipei, has even been listed as Lonely Planet’s top two cities to visit in 2022.
Make the Most Out of Your Taiwan Visit
If you want to maximize your time in Taiwan, you should visit the places we have listed in this article. Whether you are planning your own trip or taking advantage of the Taiwan private tour offered by a travel agency in Taipei, make sure to include these spots in your itinerary.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
If you are interested in Taiwan’s vibrant history, you will not regret visiting the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. This bronze statue hall was built in the 1970s and opened to the public in 1980 to commemorate Chang Kai-Shek, Taiwan’s former military and political leader.
When visiting this tourist spot, make sure to enter its exhibition halls, where you can see a display of items related to Chang Kai-Shek. Each exhibition focuses on the different stages of the late president’s life:
- Family life
- Ascending to power
- Wartime leader of China
- From mainland Taiwan
- Presidency in Taiwan
- The gallery of President Chiang Kai-Shek’s office
You should also watch the guard changing ceremony to make the most out of your visit. It happens hourly from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Elephant Mountain
If you want a breath of relaxing fresh air while marveling at the stunning view of Taipei city, go up to Elephant Mountain. With just a short, not-too-taxing hike, you will see the magnificent Taipei 101 skyscraper from afar and admire the city’s landscape.
Once you reach the top, spare some time to take in the view and breathe clean, fresh air. But do not forget to take some pictures to remember your fun trip to Taiwan.
Martyrs’ Shrine
Another historical tourist spot in Taiwan that you should visit is the Martyrs’ Shrine. This memorial was built to honor the lives of the 390,000 soldiers who died in service of their country during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949).
When you visit this tourist spot, you should admire its architecture. It was inspired by the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing’s Forbidden City.
You can also watch the ceremony for the changing of the honor guard in front of the shrine’s main gate. This ceremony happens every hour.
Shilin Night Market
When in Taiwan, never miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the country’s vibrant nightlife. Make sure to visit the country’s most famous night market, Shilin, after your Yangmingshan day trip.
This night market features several, brightly lit stalls that offer different kinds of food that you will enjoy, such as local street food and sweets. Some stalls also sell cheap clothing, kitchenware, and other items that you can take home for your loved ones.
National Palace Museum
If you want to see the world’s largest Chinese imperial artifacts collection, you should pay a visit to Taiwan’s National Palace Museum. This museum displays rare Chinese ceramics, jade carvings, and paintings that were made hundreds of years ago.
You may also get the chance to see visiting exhibits in the museum that focus on different art forms. Some exhibits feature calligraphies, rare books and documents, and new media artworks.
Jiufen Village
To know more about Taiwan’s quaint neighborhoods, you should try scheduling a Jiufen day trip and exploring the charming streets of Jiufen Village. This small town was once known for its gold mines, whose tunnels can still be seen today.
If you want to learn more about Jiufen’s history as a gold mining town, you should visit the Jiufen Gold Ore Museum. You can also make the most out of your Jiufen day trip by sitting in one of the village’s tea shops and trying their famous local sweet snack, taro balls.
Taipei 101
Perhaps one of Taiwan’s most famous tourist attractions, Taipei 101 will not fail your expectations. This infrastructure once held the title of being the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2009.
Although it has been dethroned as the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101 still stays as the tallest skyscraper in Taiwan. Additionally, it still has the same beauty that it had when it was first opened to the public.
Aside from admiring the infrastructure’s architecture from afar, you can make your visit to the building worthwhile by taking a trip to its top. You can then go to the observation deck, where you can have a view of the city landscape.
Explore the Beauty of Taiwan
Once you decide to visit Taiwan, make sure to include the tourist spots listed above in your plans. These places will help you appreciate the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and wonderful history. They will also keep you coming back to Taiwan for more!
