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Is 4 days enough to explore a city like Taipei? I didn’t think so… until that’s exactly what I did!
With this quick-and-easy itinerary, I got to experience Taipei’s famous food, see its most interesting attractions and immerse myself in its unique culture. If you are thinking of squeezing Taiwan into a multi-country tour or just want a very short but rewarding holiday, here’s all the legwork done for you!
Taipei is your ultimate short-haul getaway for a reason — it seriously has it all:
- Safe & Seamless: A modern city with excellent public transport, making travel easy and comfortable for Singaporeans. With Taipei’s convenient MRT system, visitors can easily travel from the heart of the city to the embrace of nature — all within a short ride.
- Culinary Paradise: A food haven that perfectly matches their passion for gastronomy — from night markets to Michelin stars!
- Culture & Chill: Heritage temples, creative parks, and nearby mountains/hot springs all in one place.
We’ve done the hard work for you with our 4-day, 3-night itinerary! This guide is packed with the most sought-after night markets, interesting experiences, and camera ops aplenty. Why? So you can get straight to the fun: drinking bubble tea by the bucketload and eating till you burst!
Day 1
Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple
Having always seen Taiwan as a very modern country on the cutting edge of technology, it’s hard for me to associate it with very traditional practices. Fortunately, my visit to Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple proved me wrong and introduced me to a gentle, humble side of the country I am glad I discovered.
The temple itself is an ancient structure that dates back to the 19th century. We were entranced by its beautifully ornate architecture and the serene atmosphere helped along by the long line of devotees. Just outside the temple is a single row of small stalls that look like something out of 1980s Singapore. They operate from 8am to the afternoon.
We started off simple at Zhen Yuan Man (珍圓滿) Douhua shop with Soybean with Shaved Iced (55TWD/S$2.30). In this simple but very popular (especially since it’s so affordable) traditional dish go green beans, taro valley, yam and sweet potato balls. Can you imagine the dance of textures? The sticky, chewy sweet potato balls were my favourite ingredient.
Up next was a dish most of us know very well: Mee Sua with Pig Leg (150TWD/S$6.40; 130TWD/S$5.50 for soup). This is a delightful dish where the fine, slippery rice noodles (mee sua) are transformed by the main component: the braised pig leg. The meat, cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender, is the very soul of the dish. The mee sua’s light, neutral flavour perfectly absorbs the pig leg’s concentrated braising liquid, which is light, gingery and super addictive! This fusion of delicate noodles and luxurious, aromatic broth creates a hearty, restorative meal.
Lu Rou Fan (150TWD/S$6.40; 80TWD/S$3.40 for soup) or braised pork rice is perhaps one of Taiwan’s most well-known comfort foods. Like the Mee Sua, it’s whipped up in a jiffy but the reason for that speed is not haste, just expertise. The juices from the pork are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, accompanying the fluffy short grain rice for a flavour-laden mouthful in every spoon. Oodles of pork chunks rested at the bottom of the aromatic clear broth, tender and silky. I can imagine how heavenly this would be on a rainy day. Mmmmmm!
Qipao at Salon 1920s
Want to play dress up for the ‘gram? Salon 1920s lets you step into the world you’ve only seen in faded posters and oldie serials. This is much more than just a costume rental; it’s an all-round immersion experience.
The package is comprehensive, including a beautiful dress true to the era, professional hairstyling, and period accessories like an elegant fan and a purse. Every detail is carefully curated to ensure your look is authentic from head to toe.
There is a quaint little studio with rustic settings and backgrounds for your photos, but many choose to go out and take more in the streets, capturing stunning portraits amidst the city streets and historical architecture. Naturally, this is more for women but they do also have a selection of men’s outfits that you can/should cajole your significant other into. We had tons of fun with this one!
Dihua Street
We then made our way to Dihua Street, the go-to place in Taipei for Chinese medicinal herbs and cures, dried goods and teas since the 1950s. It’s a charmingly haphazard stretch, not noisy but intriguingly disorganised. There is a mixture of shops lining the street, stalls in the street and even vendors who lay out their wares on the ground.
If you’re one of those people who can get lost for hours just browsing knicknacks, this will be a great adventure. In the herbal medicine lane, I got Herbal Tea (20TWD/S$0.85) and Light Beauty Tea (50TWD/S$2.10). I’ll update you once the magic starts to work.
Huaxi Street Night Market
At night, we wandered down to Huaxi Street Night Market near the Longshan Temple in Wanhua District, one of the city’s oldest districts. You’ll know you are there from the majestic arch entrance. It used to be famous for exotic food and drinks such as snake meat and snake blood wine but that’s mostly gone now.
Visually, this market is pretty narrow and the tiles on the ground seem to be from another age. I very much got the ‘old Singapore’ feeling here that I usually get in certain parts of Johor. Amidst this unassuming world is Wang’s Broth, Michelin recommended since 2019.
As a foodie, I love this place! The chef stands almost surrounded by his tools and the dishes he has laid out. The sound of the sizzle, the aroma of the food and the sight of the fare will make your mouth instantly water!
We couldn’t go without trying Wang’s version of ‘Black Gold’ Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯/Black-gold pork sauce over rice) (35TWD/S$1.50 for small, 65TWD/S$2.80 for large). I’d enjoyed the Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple version of braised pork with rice but this was on another level altogether.
The caramelised gravy of the meat gives it the nickname ‘black gold’ and taste-wise, that’s very accurate. I loved the way the tender, fatty pork melted in my mouth, releasing a wonderful array of mini flavours. This, I could eat all day!
We were also recommended the Steamed minced pork with pickles in broth (清湯瓜仔肉) (75TWD/S$3.20), and very deservedly so. If you like peppery bak kut teh, you’ll enjoy the broth. The pickled cucumber adds a nice edge to round off the overall flavour.
Our third dish was the Stewed Pork Rice with Mushroom (105TWD/S$4.50). Yes, it’s one of the more expensive choices but when you see the size of the pork slices and then try the ‘black gold’-laden meat, you’ll understand why. The tender fatty pork belly pairs well with the texture and earthiness of the mushroom. Because the sauce used is the same, you may want to skip this if you also order the Stewed Pork Rice.
Day 2
Nanmen Market (南門市場)
Nanmen Market is a bright, modern indoor market in central Taipei. It not only offers traditional snacks and local delicacies, but also features many popular eateries.
The ground floor feels more like a festival street — lined with stalls selling warm steamed buns, sticky pastries, fragrant bak kwa, cookies, dried fruit, nuts and traditional candies.
I picked up some peanut candy, freshly broken into chunky, sugary blocks, its aroma of roasted nuts filling the air.
On the second floor, we discovered a mix of small fashion stores and, most importantly, a bustling food court.
The air here is heavy with the sound and aromas of steam, spices and sizzling oil. Around lunchtime, it becomes a hive of clattering trays, with locals queuing and tourists following their noses to the best stalls.
First up for us was Hehuan Sliced Noodles (合歡刀削麵), Nanmen’s most famous stall, and rightly so. Even mid-morning, the line was snaking and by noon, it was impossibly long. We asked for the much-vaunted Traditional Beef Noodles (140TWD/S$6).
These knife-cut noodles are thick, springy and rustic, soaking up a broth rich with soy, herbs and beef marrow. The chunks of beef are tender yet substantial, perfect against the chew of the noodles. This was our favourite dish of the entire trip and made the queue entirely worth it.
Next, we squeezed into SLWJ Delicious Noodles (史料未及) for a plate of Spicy Pork Wontons (80 TWD/S$3.40). These were all glossy and plump, drenched in chilli oil and way spicier than Din Tai Fung’s version. Every bite was juicy and fiery, the kind of addictive heat that makes you grin even as your lips burn. Really shiok and well worth a try.
Last, from Nanmen Market Fried Rice (國賓炒飯麵), we had their fried rice with meatballs (180TWD/S$7.60). The rice was peppery, aromatic and smoky from the wok, every grain separate, but the star was those meatballs — juicy, bouncy pork, just the right size to pop whole. Such a satisfying dish.
Maokong Gondola
We decided to take the Maokong Gondola and went for the Crystal Cabin, the one with the glass floor. Stepping in felt a little nerve-wracking at first — you look down and it’s just a straight drop to the forest and treetops below. Get used to it, though, and it’s incredible.
The view stretched in every direction: Taipei city fading behind us and the mountains drawing closer with the gondola gliding silently above the luxuriantly green canopy. The glass floor made the whole experience feel more immersive, like floating through the air instead of just riding a cable car.
By the time we reached Maokong, the city noise felt far away, replaced by cool air and quiet hillsides dotted with teahouses. The ride itself was worth it just for that sense of drifting between city and mountain.
Price list:
One-way ticket: TWD180/S$7.60
Two-way ticket:TWD180/S$12.75
Top up TWD50/S$2.10 for Crystal Cabin per way
Cai-Geng Tea Farm Experience
At Cai-Geng Tea Farm, we were shown how to prepare both hot and iced teas using Tieguanyin tea. First, a little about Tieguanyin tea. Often translated as Iron Goddess of Mercy, Tieguanyin is one of the most famous, prized, and complex types of Oolong tea produced in China. It is renowned worldwide for its unique, floral flavour profile and the distinctive craftsmanship used to process it.
At Cai-Geng, we were served different variations — iced tea, hot tea and even tea-infused snacks. The tasting lineup, from left to right, featured Longan tea, Plum tea (my favourite) and Floral tea.
You can book a tea ceremony session for 400TWD/S$17 per person, which includes a 1-hour guided experience plus one dessert. If you take the plunge, I’ve got 2 tips for you based on my experience.
First, with the Iced Milk Tea (Plum Tea base), use extra tea leaves so the fragrance holds up against the milk. Second, the Passionfruit + Pineapple Iced Tea (no milk) is really refreshing and best prepared with a 1:1 ratio to maintain a strong tea flavour.
Han Ser Teahouse
At Han Ser Teahouse, the experience begins with a walk through the plantation itself. Visitors hike down into the fields to watch how tea picking is done, which is a quiet and calming introduction to this world before the tea ceremony. The focus here is on Tieguanyin tea and its floral variation, Osmanthus Tieguanyin.
After the walk, the host prepared hot tea for us, and I found this session particularly enjoyable — the brew was smoother and easier to digest than the others I had tried.
Entry to the plantation is free if you simply want to take the walk, but the full tea ceremony needs to be booked in advance. The programme lasts about 60 to 90 mins and costs TWD250/S$10.60 per person. It includes a guided tasting of 3 teas, beginning with the lightest and moving to the strongest, accompanied by small snacks to complement the flavours.
I’m not particularly crazy about tea but still found this little detour soothing and educational.
Yaoyue Teahouse
Dinner at Yaoyue Teahouse was easily the highlight of our Maokong visit. The setting alone makes it memorable.
It’s all cosily nestled among the tea plantations and the open-air seating treats you to sweeping views, creating an ambience that feels magical, almost like stepping into a scene from Spirited Away. It’s the kind of place I’d recommend without hesitation if you’re looking for a meal with atmosphere.
The teahouse has a long history. Originally a tea farm, it was transformed into a café and restaurant in 1989. At first, it only operated during the day, but business proved so good that it eventually expanded into a 24-hour establishment. Today, it’s one of the most beloved spots in Maokong, known both for its food and its setting.
Our combo meal for 4 cost TWD1,160/S$49.20 and came as a generous set menu. It began with crystal chicken served in a delicate tea sauce, followed by a fragrant stir-fry of mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
Teriyaki honey-glazed pork ribs were lusciously rich and tender, while the fish fillets with cordia dichotoma (a standout dish) added a unique, slightly tangy note. Seasonal vegetables balanced the richness of the meat dishes, and a chicken soup infused with frozen tea gave the meal a distinctive finish. This was an incredibly rich and deeply satisfying soup that quickly became addictive, making us reach out for second helpings.
The spread was rounded off with 4 bowls of white rice, fresh fruit, and dessert. This meal was such a hit that everyone devoured their portions, leaving nothing behind.
First dibs: Shihlin Taiwan Street Food — Rice bowls, snacks, & collectable cats
Day 3
Sihai Soy Milk
Breakfast at Sihai Soy Milk (四海豆漿店) was a dive straight into Taipei’s traditional morning flavours. Open since 1955, this spot has become a must-try for both locals and tourists. The star of the show is the soya bean milk, which pairs perfectly with their clay oven rolls. It’s a combination that apparently has kept regulars coming back for decades.
Sihai opens at 6am but we arrived around 10am to find the place absolutely packed; the crowd only thinned a little by 11am.
Our order was a mix of classics. The Clay Oven Roll with Egg (TWD55/S$2.30) was light and crisp on the outside, almost like a sesame-coated flatbread, with a warm, fluffy egg tucked inside. The egg softened the texture, making each bite a balance of crunch and savoury warmth.
No such compromise with the Clay Oven Roll with You Tiao (TWD40/S$1.70) – it doubles down on crunch! The you tiao stuffed inside the crisp oven roll gives it a layered texture, with a subtle oiliness that makes it indulgent.
The Xiao Long Bao (Pork) (TWD100/S$4.20) were juicy and comforting, bringing a burst of flavour with each bite. I love how each bite gives you a prelude of the rich, slightly sweet pork stock before you get to the tender meat.
The Soya Bean Milk (hot and cold) is the heart of the breakfast. The hot version is warming, creamy and comforting, especially with its hints of a mild bean flavour, while the cold one feels lighter, cleaner and more refreshing.
The Peanut Milk (cold) is richer and nuttier than the soy version. The roasted peanut aroma enhanced its slightly sweet taste. Highly recommended if you need a refreshing gulp.
The meal for four of us came to TWD280/S$11.90, which felt like incredible value given the variety and quality. Open till 8.30pm, Sihai is a must-visit if you’re looking for a proper Taiwanese breakfast experience.
Souvenir Shopping at Taipei Main Station
At Taipei Main Station, inside the Breeze Mall, we came across a dessert shop that has become a quiet but influential player in promoting tea culture.
The owner started the business 18 years ago, with the idea of creating tea-based desserts to help tea farms sell their harvests. This way, he has turned them from potential competitors into partners.
Over the years, he has developed more than 50 different desserts, all infused with tea. These range from Tea Chocolates, Tea Macarons and Tea Cakes, each designed to showcase the delicate flavours of different leaves.
Some of his creations are even sold in the restaurants he partners with, including Yaoyue Teahouse, where we had dinner the night before. The shop’s location at Taipei Main Station is strategic, making it easy for tourists to discover tea culture in a playful and accessible way.
We picked up a box of his signature Tieguanyin Tea “Tongue” Biscuits (16 pieces) (TWD999/S$42.40). The packaging comes in a long, elegant green box, and the biscuits themselves are crisp, lightly sweet, and carry the roasted floral notes of Tieguanyin tea in every bite.
Lunch at Star Hutong restaurant
Star Hutong (星胡同) is a high-end yakiniku restaurant inside Taipei Dome’s Gourmet Park, created by STARLUX Airlines and Hutong BBQ. An unusual combination, maybe, but it works!
A meal at Star Hutong is like taking a first-class trip, complete with personalised boarding passes, runway lighting, cabin decor and tables labelled like seat numbers. The restaurant even has a trolley designed like an airline service cart.
We tried the Bronze Signature Set (TWD2,980/S$126 for 2).
It comes with Wagyu Tongue, Spicy Pickled Kimchi, Eel Spring Rolls Salad, Prime Sliced Short Rib, Boneless Chicken Thigh, Eel Trio Appetizer, Rolled Omelet with Eel and Broth, Pork Jowl, Mixed Vegetable Plate and Grilled Eel Three-Way Marinated Rice.
Our favourite dish was the Prime Sliced Short Rib. Each slice was a ribbon of deep, ruby-red beef, intricately patterned with buttery white marbling that was an exquisite, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
The most interesting dish was the Grilled Eel Three-Way Marinated Rice. More than just eel on rice, this dish is a harmonious blend of textures and deeply layered flavors. The tender, smoky eel, coated in its signature sweet-savory glaze, rests on perfectly seasoned rice, each grain marinated in a unique trio of essences. We absolutely loved this one!
For dessert, we were given a Brown Sugar Panna Cotta and Caramel Pudding which were the perfect sweet ending to our feast.
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a vibrant intersection of Taipei’s history, art and modern creativity.
Formerly an industrial tobacco factory, it’s been transformed into a cultural hub where old and new coexist side-by-side. Warehouses have been repurposed into exhibition spaces oozing character with exposed brick walls and high ceilings that let light pour in. Installations tell stories of local craftsmanship and experimental design, or are simply collaborative community projects.
Outside, the gardens are home to artists painting in the open air as visitors watch and even interact with the creative process. Scattered around are pop-up stalls selling handmade goods like bags, jewellery, clothing and artisanal teas. It’s easy to lose hours exploring here!
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a place to linger, explore and feel the pulse of Taipei’s creative heart.
As we walked from exhibition halls to gardens, and from pop-up stalls to historic buildings, our senses were engaged — the aroma from a tea stall, the rustle of wind in leaves, the textures of handmade goods, and the colour of innovative art.
If you’re seeking inspiration and discovery, make time to go there.
Raohe Night Market
Of all the night markets we visited, the famous Raohe Night Market stood out for its energy and atmosphere. It’s always-buzzing, narrow streets are packed with food stalls and the scent of sizzling snacks fill the evening air.
Open every evening, it’s the perfect place to sample a lot of Taiwanese street food in one place.
Our first stop was the small, nondescript Mama Lin Sesame Oil Chicken (TWD 100/S$4.20) stall with its few indoor tables. Their signature dish is served piping hot and extremely fragrant courtesy of the rich sesame oil. They thankfully give you gloves because it’s messy but in the most fun way possible! I still pine for the wonderfully comforting soup.
We also tried Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan (御品元冰火湯圓) (TWD 100/S$4.20), which comes with sesame and peanut-filled tāngyuán, served either in hot osmanthus syrup or with ice. I found the black sesame filling dense and nutty, whereas the peanut variety was sweet and slightly crunchy. Their syrup added a fragrant, floral sweetness that complemented the chewy dumplings very well. I enjoyed the cold version of the peanut-filled tāngyuán most!
For a quick savoury snack, we grabbed the Small box of Beef Cubes (TWD50/ S$_) and chose a seasoning of ground pepper. Each cube is tender, juicy and perfectly spiced, with the pepper giving a subtle kick without overwhelming the natural flavour. Served with wooden skewers, it was the perfect shareable mobile snack as we walked about.
Fuzhou Pepper Buns is a famous stall at the very start of the market that sells pork Black Pepper Buns (TWD65/S$2.75), which several locals insisted that we try. I never expected to find a mini tandoor oven in Taiwan at a small, rickey stall but there it was!
A circular piece of dough is generously graced with a dollop of very aromatic pork, pepper and spring onions mixture. It is then rolled into a bun-ish shape before being slapped to the circular wall of the oven. These heavenly pork buns are crisp and golden on the outside, and bursting with peppery pork filling inside. The spring onion works its magic to add a depth of flavour and pleasing bite to every mouthful.
Raohe Night Market is an assault on the senses in the best way — the sizzling food, lively crowds, neon lights and the endless aromas of street snacks.
Day 4
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a dynamic blend of Taipei’s artistic and cultural energy that once lived a life as a sake brewery. Its journey echoes that of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, which we visited the day before.
Here, too, industrial architecture meets modern design. Galleries and exhibition spots display contemporary art and interactive installations, as well as documentary screenings. Small, charming shops dot the park showcasing handmade crafts, art prints and quirky lifestyle items, which makes it perfect for souvenir shopping.
I found a set of beautifully designed notebooks there (and all who were gifted them are eternally grateful – you’re welcome!).
Rustic cafes are tucked into corners and open-air patios, so the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods mixes with the faint scent of paper and paint from the galleries. It’s a sensory backdrop to match the visual stimulation.
Huashan hosts live artistic shows and occasional film screenings, adding movement and sound to the experience. If you are at all artistically inclined or simply enjoy looking at beautiful things, this is a place to linger, get inspired and to soak in the pulse of Taipei’s contemporary art scene.
Brunch at Daylight
Taking a break from our exploration, we stopped for brunch at Daylight, one of the most well-known and popular cafes here. Its bright and airy space, filled with greenery and natural light is perfect for a break.
We ordered 4 dishes alongside 3 drinks for TWD1,859 (S$78.90). That’s approximately S$20 per person for a pretty big dish and a drink.
The Smoked Salmon with Scrambled Eggs came with an assortment of beautiful fruits and salad that complemented the fish well. On the side, I also enjoyed the creamy yogurt, which featured a generous topping of mixed nuts and seeds.
Daylight is the ideal combination of great location and great food that complement each other. If I had more time, I would have returned here for at least another meal.
Beitou Thermal Valley
Beitou Thermal Valley is also known as Hell Valley, which can be quite misleading. My mind had conjured up images of something akin to California’s Death Valley for such an ominously named place. Instead, I was greeted by a lush and serene setting of tropical forest and steaming jade water.
That said, we were quickly cautioned against even touching the water, which can reach temperatures as high as 100°C and is acidic to boot. With the shimmering water’s surface and rising mist curling through the trees, the landscape here is almost magical.
Entry to everything is free, including to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, a former bathhouse that now showcases the history of the area’s thermal springs and how they shaped local culture. Its interactive exhibits are pretty fun, especially if you have little ones with you.
The Beitou Hot Spring Park is a pleasant side quest with its meandering paths and bubbling creek. You cannot bathe in the waters but there is a meditation area by the stream, and you can lie on the stone benches for a sauna-like experience.
Final thoughts
4 days is just enough to fall for Taipei’s unique, harmonious energy. You’ve savoured the city as a food haven, flowing from fine dining to amazing teahouse spread to the vibrant night market fare.
Through a blend of exploring temples, experiencing local culture, and an immediate sense of relaxation with the quick journey on the Maokong Gondola and Beitou hot springs, you feel perfectly balanced leaving Taipei — fulfilled, energised, and thinking ahead to plan your next trip back to this Asian city haven of food with less fuss and more flavour.
*This post is brought to you in partnership with the Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government.
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