Taipei in 48 hours: your ultimate weekend guide

Taipei is like nowhere else on earth. It’s a vibrant cosmopolitan hub that somehow never feels rushed – perhaps because tradition continues to coexist so symbiotically alongside the modern urban thrum. Discover this vibrant city of contrasts on your next visit with our ultimate Taipei guide – from Zhongzheng’s historic shops and creative parks, and the patina of age in Datong and Wanhua, to the city’s hippest new mall and the celebrated bars of the Eastern district. 

Day 1

Morning

Fuhang Soy Milk

Wake up your senses with traditional treats at Fuhang Soy Milk in Zhongzheng’s Huashan Market. This institution had been serving breakfast dishes for six decades before a 2018 Michelin Bib Gourmand award put it on the mainstream map. Load up on silky, savoury soy milk – sprinkled with spicy pickle, scallion and coriander – and crispy green onion rolls coated in white sesame.  

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

​​​Built in 1914, the heritage-listed complex of the former Taipei Distillery now houses a 20,000sqm cultural park, dotted with shops, restaurants, exhibitions and performances. After dosing up on creativity and crafts, refuel at fine Taiwanese diner ​​Daylight .   

Noon

​​Hsing Tian Kong

Paying tribute to legendary Chinese general Guan Yu, Zhongzheng’s Hsing Tian Kong  has an austere yet dignified exterior, amid quiet surroundings that create a serene environment to worship and draw fortune sticks. It is noteworthy as one of the few smoke-free Chinese temples, with incense sticks prohibited for environmental reasons.

Lunch

​​​Addiction Aquatic Development

A 10-minute walk from Hsing Tian Kong will take you to this eatery , which is divided into three areas: cooked food, standing sushi and seafood. The quality is impeccable, though cooking styles vary, with fresh catch served raw or cooked. 

Afternoon

Dadaocheng

Just a two-minute walk away from Daqiaotou metro station, the photogenic red-brick Dadaocheng neighbourhood seamlessly blends old and new, with indie stores and coffee shops standing side by side with historic temples. Capture the old-world charm along Dihua Street, with the option to go all out by renting ​​retro outfits at the visitor centre.  

Late afternoon

​​​Dadaocheng Wharf Container Market

Officially the best place to soak in Taipei’s sunset , this scenic locale pairs golden-hour views with tasty bites from gourmet food stalls, selling everything from takoyaki to pizza. For a sip under the burnt orange sky, No Worries Café offers an array of cocktails and speciality drinks.

Evening

Ningxia Night Market

Historic culinary names punctuate this vibrant night market, including the ​80-year-old​​Huan Ji Sesame Oil Chicken, famous for its thick chicken and pork bone soup, and ​Niu Mama , serving braised pork rice and tasty beef dishes for six decades and counting. 

Day 2

Morning

​​A-Jiao Roast Pork

Fuel the day ahead with a hearty breakfast at this greasy spoon. Choices are limited, but that doesn’t tarnish A-Jiao’s reputation for serving delicious Taiwanese noodles and comforting pig-tripe soups. Dig into the signature braised pork, marinated in garlic, salt and sugar, then deep-fried. Dining here won’t hurt your wallet, ​​with dishes asking for as low as TWD30 (US$1).

Noon

Noon

Ximending 

Also known as “American Street”, Ximending is Taipei’s answer to Tokyo shopping hub Harajuku, replete with US-style boutiques and colourful graffiti. In addition to the historic Red House Theater – a Class III Historical Site housing the striking Octagon Building and Cruciform Building -- the neighbourhood flaunts its inclusive identity with a rainbow crossing.

Lunch

​​Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles

Tucked away inside the famous Wan Nian Building, this noodle restaurant has been in business since 1949. Among the standouts are beef and tendon rice, with every bite an aromatic and tender indulgence. The beef noodles, served in a rich bone broth simmered with a dozen of Chinese herbs, are also not to be missed.

Afternoon

Taipei 101 Observatory

Naturally among Taipei’s top sights is the highest observation deck in Taiwan. It once held the world record for the fastest ultra-high-speed lift, climbing from the fifth to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. There are two locations to enjoy the 360-degree panorama of Taipei’s skyline on a fair day: the covered observation deck on the 89th floor and the outdoor viewing platform on the 91st floor. 

Next, shoppers shouldn’t miss the new ​​Dream Plaza in Xinyi, home to over 300 brands, including a 24-hour book shop perfect for late-night browsing or for anyone battling a bout of jet lag. 

Late-night supper

To Infinity & Beyond Bar

Back on this year’s ​Asia’s top 50s list , To Infinity & Beyond Bar in Da’an offers the trippy experience of sipping cosmic-inspired cocktails in a spaceship-inspired setting. The refreshing ​​Interstellar , mixing pisco and ponkan mandarin juice, is a must-try.