11 free stuffs to do around Taipei

Taipei becoming a quite popular place to visit because its efficient transportation and inexpensive tourist destination. Here are the free things you can do in Taipei and other city just outside Taipei:

#1 Visit Taipei 101 (台北101)

MRT: Taipei City Hall (市政府站)
Taipei 101 is an icon landmark of Taipei, this tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. You could just take picture from outside and walking around inside the mall in the building. But if you are thinking to go up to observatory it would costs around 400 NTD (~ 13.5 USD).  The LOVE sign just outside the Taipei 101, many people came there just to take a shot, even many pre-wedding photo shot made there. Also, each year you can see a wonderful firework launched from Taipei 101.

     

Taipei 101 on sunny day

Taipei 101 LOVE sign

Taipei 101 on new year fireworks

#2 Hiking Elephant Mountain (象山)

MRT: Xiangshan (象山站)
Elephant Mountain (象山) is the one of the most popular mountains for hiking in Taipei. Not only because it close to the city, but also because of the stunning views of Taipei 101. Most of beautiful Taipei 101 pictures were taken from there. On the weekend, you could see many people climbed up, took the great photos of it and enjoyed the scenery of Taipei city.

Elephant mountain steps

Taipei 101 view from Elephant mountain

Taipei 101 view from Elephant mountain at night

#3 Visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂)

MRT: CKS Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂站)
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of the famous landmark and tourist attraction, this memorial hall was built in memory of  Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. You might want to stay to see the Guards Shift Change Ceremony take place every hour in front of of giant statue of Chiang Kai-Shek. Nearby you can also see National Theater and National Concert Hall, places where both national and international art performances are held.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Giant Statue of Chiang Kai-Shek

#4 Enjoy the flowers in Yang Ming Mountain (陽明山) 

Route 1:  MRT Jiantan (劍潭站), take bus no R5(紅5) to final stop
Route 2:  MRT Taipei Main Station (台北車站), take bus no 260 to final stop
If you like flowers and beautiful nature scenery, you might want to visit Yang Ming Mountain. The views are amazing especially on spring when the flowers are blooming.  

Flower Clock of Yang Ming Park

#5 Enjoy the waterfall view in Wulai (烏來)
    
MRT: Xindian(新店站), take bus no 849 to final stop
Wulai is small town located around 30-40 minutes from Taipei, famous for hot springs recreation and aboriginal culture. There are many things you can do around this town, such as hot springs, try aboriginal delicate snacks, visit atayal museum, experience the waterfall, etc. Wulai is also a one of the famous spot to view cherry blossoms. Many visitor can use Wulai’s cable car or to go further into the mountain and the waterfalls, but of course it's free if you prefer to walk. The train will costs 50 NTD (~ 1.7 USD) and the cable car will cost around 200 NTD (~ 6.8 USD).

Wulai Atayal Museum

Wulai's train

Wulai's cable car

Aboriginal snacks

#6 Visit Maokong (貓空) & Zhinan Temple(指南宮)

MRT: Taipei Zoo (動物園站), take  Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車)
Maokong is a small hill located in Taipei's Wenshan District, famous for great tea and beautiful views above the city. After you arrived at MRT Taipei Zoo station, go to Exit 2 and walk straight for about 5 minutes you will see the gondola station. Maokong Gondola is a gondola lift transportation system in Taipei, Taiwan. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes. I also recommend you to make a stop at Zhinan Temple, a beautiful temple which offers great views of Taipei.

Maokong Gondola

Zhinan Temple

Restaurant In Maokong

#7 Visit Beitou Museum (北投文物館)

MRT: XinBeitou (新北投站)
This museum is located in one of the most famous buildings which was built during the Japanese colonial era. The entrance is free of charge.

Beitou Hot springs Museum

Main Room Covered with Tatami

#8 Visit Longshan Temple (龍山寺) 

MRT: Longshan Temple (龍山寺站)
Longshan Temple is one of the largest and oldest worshiped temples in Taiwan. You can go to inside the temple, see statues of Buddhist and the structure of the temple. Many people came down to the temple for pray especially during Chinese New Year.  

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple Decoration (on Chinese New Year)

#9 Visit Tamsui City (淡水)  

MRT: Tamsui (淡水站)
Here are some attractions you should see in Tamsui:

• Tamsui Old Street (淡水老街), walk around 10 minutes from MRT station.
  Try some of Tamsui's local specialties, such as A-Gei (crystal noodles stuffed in fried bean curd, served with a mild hot sauce), fish ball soup, grilled squid, fried tiny crabs, etc. See more here.

Tamsui Old Street

Grilled Squid (Tamsui Old Street)

A-Gei, Fish Ball Soup & Noodles (Tamsui Old Street) 

• Hongmao Castle (Fort San Domingo) (紅毛城), take bus no R26 (紅26), 836, 857 and stop at Fort San Domingo (Aletheia University)紅毛城(真理大學) from MRT station
  Hongmao Castle or Fort San Domingo, its well-preserved architectures with rich historical background. The fort was first built in 1628 by the Spanish during the period when they occupied north of Taiwan, rebuilt by the Dutch in 1644 and later served as the British consolation office. 

Hongmao Castle (Fort San Domingo)

• Tamsui Fisherman wharf (淡水漁人碼頭), take bus no R26 (紅26), 836, 857 from MRT station to final stop  or by boat from Tamsui Ferry Pier. 
  Fisherman's Wharf is well known for beautiful sunset combined with seafood restaurant & cafes, which make this place romantic for couples.  The "Love Bridge" will changes color at night.

Love Bridge Tamsui

Sunset at Fisherman Wharf

• Tian Yuan Temple(天元宫), take bus no 875, 876, 866, 877  from MRT station and stop at Tian Yuan Temple(天元宫). 
  One of the most popular spots to see Cherry Blossoms is Tian Yuan Temple (天元宮) so it will be crowed during spring time. The cherry blossoms season in Taiwan starts around the end of January till mid April, depending on weather conditions. 

Tian Yuan Temple (spring time)

#10 Visit Jiufen (九份)

MRT: Zhongxiao Fuxing (忠孝復興站) exit 1, take bus no 1062  


Here are some attractions you should see in Jiufen:

• Jiufen Old Street (九份老街), stop at Jiufen Old Street (九份老街) station.
  This is one of the most interesting place, like Taiwan in the olden days with many interesting shops and restaurants, along with the stunning ocean view of Keelung outer sea! Many tourist comes all the way to Jiufen to taste all those famous & delicious snacks of Jiufen, such as Taro Balls, Rice Cake, Meatball, etc.

Jiufen Old Street (main gate)

Braised Pork Rice (魯肉飯) & Fish Ball (魚丸)

Prawn Ball (蝦球)

Taro Ball (芋圓) 

Butter Stick

• Gold Museum (金瓜石), stop at Gold Museum (金瓜石) station.
  Jiufen also used to be a gold mine in the olden days, if you are interesting you can pay a visit to Gold Ecological Park. The admission to the gold museum is free, except for other activities such as Tunnel experience will cost 50 NTD (~ 1.7 USD) and Gold panning experience will cost 100 NTD (~ 3.33 USD).

Gold Museum Tourist Center

Tunnel Experience

Gold Museum