10 Most Instagrammable Places in Taipei
Where to Take Stunning Photos of Taipei to Impress Your Friends?
A city of delicious contradictions, Taipei boasts a wealth of Instagrammable places, from space-age skyscrapers to rugged mountain summits. With its booming street art scene, elaborate Taoist temples, and plant-filled parks and gardens, photographers simply love Taipei for its diverse array of scenery.
Take selfies atop an epic observation deck, visit a surrealist flower clock and giant Buddha statue, and mingle with an eclectic set of street performers along the bustling Tamsui riverfront. Taipei’s unique mix of architecture, along with its atmospheric neighborhoods and over-the-top signage, makes it a city that simply begs to be photographed and splashed across your socials.
1. Taipei 101
One of the tallest buildings in the world
Good for: Photo, Families, Couples
Taipei 101 is the city’s most iconic skyscraper, ascending 508 meters into the sky. Its design was inspired by a bamboo stalk, but it’s also been likened to a space-age pagoda and a stack of Chinese takeout boxes. Famed for its expansive observation deck that delivers unobstructed skyline views, it’s also home to a host of other highlights.
Snap selfies on the Skyline 460 Deck, take portraits of loved ones in the Secret Garden in the Clouds, then hit the lower mall for luxury shopping at stores like Dior, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton. 101’s food court is also popular thanks to its international bistros and 10 Taiwanese restaurants, including the fabulous A Joy banquet on the 86th floor.
Location: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +886 (0)2 8101 8898
Taipei 101
2. Elephant Mountain
For picture-postcard panoramas and envy-inducing Insta posts
Good for: Photo, Adventure, Budget
Taipei’s leafy Elephant Mountain simply enchants. This hiking hotspot delivers jaw-dropping vistas of the skyline and mountains from its boulder-strewn summit and wooden Photographer’s Platform. Along the way, take little breaks on the trail’s super-cute elephant benches. They’ll earn you plenty of likes and comments when you post them on Instagram.
Elephant Mountain delivers some of the best views of the Taipei 101 building, which looks particularly beautiful during sunup and sundown when its glamorous glass windows glint in the light. This 2-hour hike is easy in some places thanks to its well-maintained walkways and clear English signage, but challenging in others due to its steep uphill climbs.
Location: No. 31, Alley 401, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
Elephant Mountain
3. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Lofty buildings in lush landscaped grounds
Good for: Photo, History
One of Taipei’s most recognizable landmarks, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, was built in 1980 to honor the former President of the Republic of China. This architectural feat impresses with its blue octagonal roof, stately Liberty Square, and surrounding leafy park. Admire a duo of glassy ponds, a prized collection of cherry blossom trees, and a stunning tropical rainforest near the Gate of Great Piety.
Photograph the bronze statue of Chiang Kai-Shek in the CKS Memorial Hall, watch the changing of the guard and the raising of the flag, or join locals for a morning session of Tai Chi. Don’t forget to visit the National Theatre and National Concert Hall, which showcase traditional Chinese architectural designs, or the many annual festivals.
Location: Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +886 (0)2 2343 1100
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
4. Daan Forest Park
Taipei’s answer to New York’s Central Park
Good for: Photo, Budget
Set in the heart of Taipei’s Da’an District, Daan Forest Park is a 26-hectare oasis that offers endless respite from the city. What’s more, it’s totally free. Established in the mid-1990s, this ambitious ecological vision has since flourished into a majestic urban forest that teems with camphor, ficus, and maple trees.
Stroll the shady paths, sit and chat beside the flower beds, and discover whimsical attractions including a bamboo grove and Buddha statue, a roller-skating rink, and a pond that’s home to ducks and black-crowned night herons. Don’t miss the Azalea Festival each spring with its vivid blooms, music performances, and kaleidoscope of butterflies, or the chance to enjoy an idyllic picnic on one of the manicured lawns.
Location: No. 1號, Section 2, Xinsheng S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan
Open: 24/7
Phone: +886 (0)2 2700 3830
Daan Forest Park
5. Raohe Street Night Market
Tasty street food seven nights a week
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Photo
You’ll find the Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei’s historic Songshan District, a 15-minute drive from downtown. This culinary institution draws in the throngs with its vast selection of Taiwanese street food, which spans stir fry and barbecue through to noodles and desserts. If you’re a bit of a gourmand, you’ll delight in the six Michelin-recommended vendors.
Stroll the lively streets under rows of red paper lanterns, sampling Fuzhou black pepper buns, Dorayaki red bean pancakes, sweet potato balls, and deep-fried Ji Pai chicken. Wash it all down with a tapioca milk tea before heading back round for a matcha millet donut or a sweet lumpia roll piped with powdered peanut brittle and tangy pineapple ice cream.
Location: Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City 105, Taiwan
Open: Daily from 5 pm to midnight
Phone: +886 (0)2 2766 8876
Raohe Street Night Market
6. Dadaocheng Wharf
A night to remember near the No. 5 Water Gate
Good for: Photo, Couples, Nightlife
Come twilight, nothing beats the vistas at Dadaocheng Wharf, located in Yanping Park in the historic Datong District. Overlooking the snake-like Tamsui River, this charismatic meeting place is a hit with professional photographers who flock to the river’s edge to take pictures of the sunset. Instagrammers love it for its strings of twinkling fairy lights and trendy, youthful atmosphere.
Sit under the banyan trees and soak up the vibes, or mingle around the food trucks that serve boba tea, beers, and American-style hot dogs. If you’re on a rented Youbike, you can venture around the paths that are designated for cyclists. Alternatively, buy a ticket to a local boat cruise to photograph Taipei from the water.
Location: Datong District, Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Dadaocheng Wharf
7. Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Taipei’s eminent creative center
Good for: Photo, Food
Once the site of a Japanese-era winery and sake distillery, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is now an effervescent culture and arts hub. This renovated warehouse space is famed for its exclusive pop-ups that draw hip young creatives from across the city. In the past, it has hosted exhibitions that celebrate anime culture, independent cinema, and the 50th anniversary of the fictional character Hello Kitty.
Huashan 1914 is home to several eateries and art galleries, plus super-cool music and bookstores that will have you expanding your taste. We love the SipSip Bar & Restaurant for its modern Asian fusion cuisine and Vinyl Decision for the city’s best records. Check out Gala Asia too for its indie artisan wares.
Location: No. 1號, Section 1, Bade Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan
Phone: +886 (0)2 2358 1914
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
8. Ximending
A non-stop shopping district
Good for: Photo, Shoppers, Food
Often called the “Harajuku of Taipei,” Ximending is a trendy neighborhood and shopping quarter that’s adored for its vibrant street art and grungy backdrops. The district’s pedestrian zone is the biggest in the country, drawing both locals and tourists alike with its hipster clothes boutiques, kitschy souvenir stands, and niche food and drink stores.
Unforgettable attractions include Graffiti Alley, which features a host of eye-catching street art murals that look amazing on Instagram, and Rainbow Six Crossing, a multi-colored road that celebrates same sex marriage and the LGBTQI+ community. Other selfie spots include the Red House cultural center, Ximending’s amusement arcades, and the Modern Toilet Restaurant, which serves meals on cushioned lavatory seats.
Ximending
9. Yangmingshan National Park
For hiking, hot springs, and heavenly flowers
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Yangmingshan National Park enchants Instagrammers with its undulating hillsides covered in ethereal silver grass, steaming volcanic fumaroles, and pretty pastel cherry blossoms that burst to life each spring. It’s also covered in hiking trails which wend their way across cinematic landscapes like mighty Qixing Mountain and the Qingtiangang Grassland.
Take photos at the famous Flower Clock, a huge installation near the western entrance of the park, or head to Zhuzihu to snap its calla lilies and hydrangea blooms. Bird photographers will relish the opportunity to shoot the park’s magnificent winged creatures. Most notable is the Formosan Blue Magpie, which is endemic to Taiwan.
Location: No. 1-20, Zhuzihu Road, Beitou District, Taipei City 112, Taiwan
Phone: +886 (0)2 2861 3601
Yangmingshan National Park
10. Tamsui Old Street
A bustling boardwalk near the banks of the Tamsui River
Good for: Photo, History, Shoppers
Tamsui Old Street, in New Taipei City, is a lively pedestrian boulevard that’s lined with traditional pastry shops, quirky Asian groceries, carnival arcades, and boutiques selling fashionable clothes. Situated near the water, the area looks particularly fabulous at sunset when its neon signs come to life and chatter amongst the local vendors starts to heat up.
Away from Old Street’s souvenir stands and curious Taiwanese delicacies, you’ll find 19th-century Longshan Temple, which is hidden in the Tamsui market and features a dragon roof and elaborate altars. There are also plenty of street performers and artists who are willing to take photos; just remember to offer a tip before you leave the area.
Location: No. 42號, Gongming St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan
Tamsui Old Street
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