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Taipei City Museums & exhibitions

Our most recommended Taipei City Museums & exhibitions

Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei

1. Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation from Taipei

Meet your tour guide and driver, relax and enjoy a scenic drive along the twisty mountain road, we will take you to Shiding, a rural district of New Taipei City. Located in the south of Shiding District, Thousand Island Lake, also known as Qiandao Lake in Chinese literally means a lake with thousands of islands. Shared the same name with the famous attraction in Zhejiang Province of Mainland China, the catchment area of Feitsui Reservoir surrounded by hills creates a similar scenery. The natural terrain and climate make the surrounding area of Feitsui Reservoir ideal farmland for tea-growing, including the well-known Wenshan Pouchong and Dong Fang Mei Ren (literally means “Oriental Beauty Oolong Tea”). The noted tea plantation Bagua Tea Garden is located in this area too, from the top of the hill, the neatly planted rows of tea look just like the symbols of Eight Trigrams. Continue your half-day tour through a 15-min drive to Pinglin District, where the famous Wenshan Pouchong is cultivated. The first stop is Pinglin Tea Museum, a Hokkien-style Siheyuan (quadrangle courtyard house), where you will see the tools and equipment for tea harvesting in the past, and learn about the history and development of the Taiwanese tea industry. Coming up is a local tea shop. Your guide and the tea instructor will give an introduction to Taiwanese tea, and how to properly brew Taiwanese tea during your visit. Here you also have a chance to taste the tea samples. Your tour ends with a return transfer to your chosen drop-off location. Either at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101) or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.

From Taipei: Taroko Gorge Day Tour by Train

2. From Taipei: Taroko Gorge Day Tour by Train

Meet your host and board the express train bound for Hualien on your own. Sit back and enjoy a 3-hour journey to paradise. Upon arrival in Hualien, your tour guide will greet you at the train station and take to you to the world-famous Taroko National Park. Your one-day tour to Taroko Gorge National Park will start from the Archway of Taroko Gorge. From the archway entry to Tianxiang, this 12.5-mile (20 km) section of Central Cross-Island Highway through the steep marble cliffs and tunnels of the gorge will take your breath away. Walk along the Shakadang Trail, where the river gently flowing through the marble boulders as you meanders along the trail in parallel. The turquoise blue water of the river is crystal clear that you can see the riverbed from above. The next stop is Swallow Grotto. The potholes on the cliff surface were created by the ground water and the rapid stream of the river. In the past, they were the natural nesting location of swallows, hence the name. Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky. After lunch, stop by Cihmu Bridge (Motherly Devotion Bridge), a suspension bridge made of marble and named by Late President Chiang Jing-guo after a heart-warming story about a loving mother. Next, head to the Tunnel of Nine Turns, considered to be the most scenic section of Taroko Gorge. As you walk along the trail, you can see the meandering river running through the deep and spectacular canyon from above, and you can also have a closer look at the faults and folds of the sheer marble cliffs, as well as the vegetation on the walls. Visit the Eternal Spring Shrine, which commemorates the 225 military veterans who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. Before you return to the train station for your train back to Taipei, your will visit a local marble factory, where you can get some handcrafts made of marble or souvenirs featuring the local characters, to enrich your travel collection. Then you will visit the most romantic beach in Taiwan. Qixingtan Beach, a crescent-shaped beach covered with sprawling pebbles. Your 14-hour adventure then ends with drop-off at Taipei Main Station.

From Taipei: Beitou Hotsprings and Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

3. From Taipei: Beitou Hotsprings and Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

Meet your tour guide and driver in the morning at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and take a 40-minute journey to the Yangmingshan National Park. Along the way, stop by the Taipei Public Library at Beitou. Located in Beitou Park and near Beitou Hot Spring Museum, it is Taiwan's first "green library", and is one of the most beautiful public libraries in the world. It minimizes pollution and harm to the environment by using recycled materials and by being water and energy-efficient. Visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum which was built during the Japanese colonial era. The Tudor-style building has a brick and wood facade and black tile roofing. The 1st level consists of a small bath and a large bath with a piece of Hokutolite Stone weighing 800 kilograms displayed at a corner. This is the perfect location to learn more about Beitou's rich hot spring culture and history. The next stop is Yangmingshan Flower Clock, the centerpiece of the Yangmingshan National Park. See the flowering plants which change by the seasons, where visitors can enjoy the bloom all year round. Visit Yangming Shu-Wu Mansion, also known as Zhongxing Guesthouse, which was the summer residence of the late president, Chiang Kai-shek. Today the mansion is an important site for Taiwanese culture and history. Afterward, you will visit the most popular spot in the national park, Xiaoyoukeng, which literally means "little oil pit". This is a post-volcanic geological area, where you can see and smell the steam rising from the ground, and feel the heat of a dormant volcano. See Qingtiangang, a lava terrace formed when the lava flowed north after the eruption.  The last stop is Lengshuikeng, which means “cold water pit”. This is a barrier lake formed by the volcanic lava flowing down from the mountain. The hot spring water here is colder than the other areas hence its name. Before the tour comes to the end, enjoy a hot spring foot bath that gives relief to aching feet and helps release tension in the muscles. After the tour, you may choose to disembark at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station or Shihlin Night Market and enjoy the local street foods.

Taipei: Full-Day Pinglin and Elephant Mountain Tour

4. Taipei: Full-Day Pinglin and Elephant Mountain Tour

After meeting with your tour guide and driver in the morning, you can relax and enjoy a scenic drive along the mountain road. You'll soon be taken to Pinglin, a rural district that is famous for growing Wanshan Pouchong Tea. Once there, you tour will begin with a visit to the local tea factory where you will learn about the cultivation and making of Taiwanese tea. The tea farmer will also teach you how to properly brew Taiwanese tea and the tips of tea appreciation. Following that you'll take a short ride to the Shiding District to visit the famous Thousand Island Lake. The catchment area of the Feitsui Reservoir surrounded by hills creates this unique scenery, which consists of a lake with thousands of islands. The natural terrain and climate make the surrounding area of the Feitsui Reservoir an ideal farmland for tea-growing; the noted tea plantation Bagua Tea Garden is located in this area, and from the top of the hill, the neatly planted rows of tea look just like the symbols of Eight Trigrams. You will then move to the Shenkeng District where you will visit the famous Tofu Street: Shenkeng Old Street. It’s one of the locals’ favorites for a weekend break, and is also well-known for the smelly and delicious “stinky tofu”. If you are afraid to give it a bite, you can also opt to try some tofu ice-cream. Finally, you will head back to Taipei City to enjoy a relaxing hike along the Elephant Mountain hiking trail. This mountain looks like an elephant’s head from a distance, and is a popular photo stop for panoramic views of Taipei city. Following your tour, you may choose to disembark at either Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101) or MRT Zhongxiao XInsheng Station.

Taipei: National Palace Museum and Taiwan Aborigines Museum

5. Taipei: National Palace Museum and Taiwan Aborigines Museum

Begin your educational adventure with a visit to Taipei’s Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, where you can redeem your entrance tickets for the day. Inside the museum, learn fascinating facts about Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, as well as their cultures, way of life, colorful clothing, festivals, and religions. You can also watch films shown in the auditorium which provide a deeper understand of the present conditions for aborigines in the country. Take a short walk from the museum to adjacent National Palace Museum, home to over 700,000 pieces of Chinese art including calligraphy, ceramics, and paintings. Go on a journey through an impression 5000 years of Chinese history, culture, and life, as you learn how this has influenced Taiwan’s own culture. With your entry tickets, enjoy the freedom to explore both museums at your own leisure, and focus on the areas that interest you most. Wander through the variety of exhibitions on offer to broaden your knowledge of these two impressive countries, as well as their unique cultures and traditions.

Taipei: Classic Landmarks Day Tour

6. Taipei: Classic Landmarks Day Tour

Discover Taipei on this guided tour of the city and learn about the city's rich history, both past and present. After the pickup, visit the Grand Hotel, the first five-star hotel in Taiwan and learn why it has a secret channel. Then, head to the National Palace Museum, one of the world’s largest museums with a rich collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks through 8,000 years of Chinese civilization. Continue on to visit the fascinating neighborhood of Dadaocheng, where streets and alleys present you with a mix of history and present, tradition and modernity. Then, marvel at the atmospheric Dihua for its chic cafés, traditional shops, and mini art galleries. Move on to the monument Cheng-en Gate, which was built hundreds of years ago and is one of the five historic gates in Taipei. Have a lunch break at Taipei's most robust Ximending Commercial District, where you can find Michelin-starred food, street performance, and unique Taiwan goods. After the lunch break, experience Taiwan’s religious practice and culture in Lungshan Temple, where the locals pray and ask for God's blessing by tossing the divining blocks. Later, go to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an impressive monument honoring the former President Chiang that can’t be missed. Watch the guard-changing ceremony in the hall, and see their impressive movements in front of Chiang Kai-shek’s giant statue. End the tour with a visit to Taipei 101 Mall. The skyscraper beside it is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Go to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of Taipei city from the observatory deck.

Frequently asked questions about Taipei City

What are the best day trips and excursions from Taipei City?

The best day trips and excursions from Taipei City are:

Yeh Liu Geo Park

Other Sightseeing Options in Taipei City

Want to discover all there is to do in Taipei City? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Taipei City

Went on this trip on 17 Nov 2022. Extremely great experience. 10/10. Itinerary: While it states 5 hrs, we actually spent about 8 to 10 hrs on the tour due to the variety of scenic locations that we were brought to. Each place felt perfectly paced, was not rushing nor did it felt like we overstayed. Guide: Joseph was simply fantastic. Not only is he multilingual, he is also thoughtful and sincere in his interactions. He had offered me various tips on exploring Taipei as a solo traveller too and his recommendations made my time here a lot more fruitful. He is also very well versed in his knowledge of the local scene and history. General advice: this tour may be a bit challenging for those whom are not used to extensive walking and stair climbing. But it is not very tough, just requires a bit of stamina. It is worth the money esp for anyone who wants to explore the natural beauty of Taiwan without worrying bout where, when and how to get to the best spots. Cheers! -Kee Wei Chin

What a wonderful experience! It helped that the weather was flawless, but my guide was excellent and took me to places that I would never have found on my own. She was also a fount of information both about things on the tour and general questions I had. Overall, a great time.

The guide was super helpful and nice, the trip was smooth and we were able to stop by the landmarks and take pictures. Kudos for the guide for taking our pictures, she was amazing!

A very convenient way to cover place you normally wouldn't be able to reach without your own vehicle, also the tea tasting makes for a very authentic experience

The trip was very well organised leaving the passengers free to enjoy the experience free of the stress of searching for details of how to visit the sites.