The Ultimate Guide to Northern Taiwan: Must-Visit Attractions in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan

Northern Taiwan encompasses Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Keelung City, Hsinchu County/City, and Yilan County, offering a rich blend of natural landscapes, historical heritage, and modern city life. From the bustling Taipei 101 to the tranquil Jiufen Old Street (九份老街), and from the spectacular Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) to the magnificent Taroko National Park, the northern region provides a diverse range of experiences for travelers. This guide will detail the must-visit attractions, transportation methods, best travel times, and practical tips for your journey.

Taipei City: A Perfect Fusion of Modern Metropolis and Traditional Culture

As the capital of Taiwan, Taipei City (台北市) is not only a political and economic hub but also a major center for culture and tourism. The city masterfully blends modern skyscrapers with traditional temples and vibrant night markets, creating a unique urban landscape.

Taipei 101: Taiwan's Iconic Landmark

Once the world's tallest building, Taipei 101 (台北101) stands at 508 meters and features one of the world's fastest elevators, whisking you to the 89th-floor observatory in just 37 seconds. The observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Taipei Basin, and on a clear day, you can even see Taoyuan Airport. The building's design, inspired by a bamboo stalk, symbolizes prosperity and growth. The annual New Year's Eve fireworks display is an internationally acclaimed event, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators.

How to get there: Take the MRT Bannan Line to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station and walk for about 3 minutes. Best time to visit: Late afternoon to enjoy both the sunset and the city's night view. Ticket information: Full price NT$600, concession NT$540.

National Palace Museum: Treasures of Chinese Culture

The National Palace Museum (故宮博物院) houses nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese imperial artifacts, including national treasures like the Jadeite Cabbage, the Meat-shaped Stone, and the Mao Gong Ding. The museum's architecture is in the style of a Chinese palace, and its collection spans calligraphy, ceramics, bronzes, and jades, showcasing 5,000 years of Chinese cultural essence. With regularly rotating exhibits, every visit offers new discoveries, making it an unmissable destination for a deep dive into Chinese culture.

How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station, then transfer to bus 255, 304, or 815 to the National Palace Museum stop. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00, with extended hours until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket information: Full price NT$350, concession NT$320.

Shilin Night Market: The Epitome of Taiwanese Night Market Culture

Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) is Taipei's largest and most famous night market, with over 500 stalls offering a wide array of Taiwanese street food, clothing, and carnival-style games. Must-try delicacies include the large sausage wrapped in small sausage, Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, Shaved Ice at Xin Fa Ting, and Shilin's giant sausages. The market is divided into an underground food court and an outdoor vendor area, with the former offering a more comfortable dining environment and the latter retaining the traditional night market atmosphere.

How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Jiantan Station and walk for about 5 minutes. Opening hours: Daily 16:00-01:00, extending to 02:00 on weekends.

New Taipei City: Diverse Landscapes and Cultural Charm

Surrounding Taipei City, New Taipei City (新北市) boasts a wealth of natural scenery and historical resources. From the unique rock formations of the Northeast Coast to the quaint architecture of Sanxia Old Street, New Taipei showcases the diverse geography and culture of Taiwan.

Jiufen Old Street: Nostalgic Mountain Town Charm

Jiufen (九份), once a prosperous gold mining town, has transformed into a popular tourist destination. Its narrow stone-paved streets, red lanterns, traditional teahouses, and stunning sea views create a unique mountain town ambiance, rumored to be an inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Spirited Away. Must-visit spots include the A-Mei Tea House, Lai Ah-Po Taro Balls, and other taro ball shops. As evening falls, the lanterns light up, casting a warm, magical glow over the entire town.

How to get there: Take the train to Ruifang Station, then transfer to bus 788, 825, or 827 to Jiufen Old Street. Best time to visit: From dusk into the evening to enjoy the beautifully lit lanterns.

Yehliu Geopark: Nature's Sculptural Artistry

Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) is famous for its otherworldly coastal erosion landscape, with the 'Queen's Head' rock as its most iconic landmark. The park is also home to other fascinating formations like the Fairy Shoe, Candlestick Rocks, Ginger Rocks, and Mushroom Rocks, all sculpted by millions of years of sea erosion and weathering. The park is well-planned with guided tours available to help visitors understand the geological processes.

How to get there: Take the train to Keelung Station, then transfer to bus 1815 to Yehliu Geopark. Opening hours: Daily 08:00-17:00, extended to 18:00 in the summer. Ticket information: Full price NT$120, concession NT$60.

Tamsui Old Street: Riverside Scenery and Exotic Flair

Tamsui Old Street (淡水老街) stretches along the Tamsui River, featuring a rich collection of historical buildings and delicious food. Historic sites like Fort San Domingo, Aletheia University, and the Tamsui Presbyterian Church reflect Tamsui's colonial past. Local specialties such as A-gei (stuffed tofu), fish balls, and 'iron eggs' are must-tries. Watching the sunset from Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf is one of Northern Taiwan's most romantic experiences.

How to get there: Take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Tamsui Station and walk. Recommended route: Tamsui Old Street → Fort San Domingo → Aletheia University → Fisherman's Wharf.

Taoyuan City: International Gateway and Natural Ecology

Home to Taiwan's largest international airport, Taoyuan City (桃園市) is the first stop for many visitors. Beyond its modern urban areas, Taoyuan also preserves a rich Hakka culture and natural ecological resources.

Daxi Old Street: Baroque Architecture and Tofu Delicacies

Daxi Old Street (大溪老街) preserves the beautiful Baroque-style facades from the Japanese colonial era, with intricately carved archways that showcase the area's former commercial prosperity. The street is famous for its dried tofu (dougan), with old shops like Huang-Jih-Hsiang and Huang Da-mu being must-visits. The nearby Daxi Bridge and Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum are also worth exploring.

How to get there: Take the train to Zhongli Station, then transfer to bus 5096 to Daxi Old Street. Recommended food: Huang-Jih-Hsiang dried tofu, Daxi tofu pudding, Moonlight Cake.

Lala Mountain: Alpine Ecology and Giant Tree Groves

Lala Mountain (拉拉山), located in Taoyuan's Fuxing District at an altitude of about 1,600 meters, is home to a rich alpine ecosystem and groves of giant trees. The Lala Mountain Giant Trees Trail is about 3.7 km long and features 22 ancient red cypress trees, some thousands of years old. The area is also a major producer of peaches in Taiwan, with July and August being the best time to savor them.

How to get there: Driving or joining a day tour is more convenient. Best time to visit: Spring for flowers, summer to escape the heat, and autumn for maple viewing.

Keelung City: Port City Charm and Seafood Feasts

Keelung City (基隆市) is a major port city in northern Taiwan, rich in maritime culture and cuisine. Attractions like the Keelung Miaokou Night Market, Heping Island Park, and Chaojing Park showcase Keelung's diverse appeal.

Keelung Miaokou Night Market: A Seafood Lover's Paradise

Keelung Miaokou Night Market (基隆廟口夜市) is renowned for its seafood dishes. Nutrient sandwiches, tempura, Ding Bian Cuo (pot side scrapings soup), and Pao Pao Bing (ice slush) are all must-try foods. Located around the Dianji Temple, the market is densely packed with stalls and bustles with crowds every evening. Compared to other night markets, Miaokou places a greater emphasis on the freshness of its ingredients, with many vendors using seafood caught the same day.

How to get there: Take the train to Keelung Station and walk for about 10 minutes. Opening hours: Daily 12:00-02:00.

Heping Island Park: Coastal Landforms and Ecological Exploration

Heping Island Park (和平島公園) features a rich variety of sea-eroded landscapes, including 'tofu rocks,' mushroom rocks, and sea caves. The well-developed park includes a natural seawater swimming pool, a mountain trail, and a visitor center. At low tide, you can observe the intertidal zone ecology, making it a great destination for family outings.

How to get there: Take the train to Keelung Station, then transfer to bus 101 to Heping Island Park. Opening hours: Daily 08:00-19:00, extended to 20:00 in the summer. Ticket information: Full price NT$120, concession NT$60.

Yilan County: Pastoral Scenery and Hot Spring Paradise

Located east of Taipei, Yilan County (宜蘭縣) is blessed with abundant natural resources and agricultural landscapes. Since the opening of the Xueshan Tunnel, the journey from Taipei to Yilan takes only 40 minutes, making it a popular weekend getaway.

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area: A High-Mountain Forest Bath

At an altitude of about 2,000 meters, Taipingshan (太平山) is rich in cypress forests and alpine ecology. The Jianqing Huaigu Trail has been hailed as one of the most beautiful trails in the world, offering views of cloud seas, mountain mist, and old railway tracks. Cueifeng Lake is Taiwan's largest alpine lake, with scenery that changes with the seasons, making it a paradise for photographers.

How to get there: Driving or joining a day tour is recommended. Best time to visit: Spring for flowers, autumn for maples, and winter for snow. Ticket information: Full price NT$200, concession NT$150.

Jiaoxi Hot Springs: A Hot Spring Town on the Plains

Jiaoxi (礁溪) is one of the few flatland hot springs in Taiwan. Its sodium bicarbonate spring water is known as 'beauty soup.' Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park offers free foot baths, and the area is lined with hot spring hotels, ranging from budget-friendly bathhouses to luxury resorts. Jiaoxi is also famous for its hot spring vegetables, such as water spinach, making it a great place to taste local cuisine.

How to get there: Take the train to Jiaoxi Station; the hot spring area is within walking distance. Recommended experiences: Soaking your feet at Tangweigou Hot Spring Park, staying at a Jiaoxi hot spring hotel.

Practical Travel Tips

Transportation Planning

Northern Taiwan has a well-developed public transportation system, including the Taipei MRT, Taiwan Railways (TRA), and an extensive bus network. It is recommended to purchase an EasyCard or iPASS for convenient travel on the MRT, buses, and local trains. If you plan to visit suburban attractions, consider renting a car for a more flexible itinerary.

Best Travel Season

Northern Taiwan has four distinct seasons. Spring (March-May) has pleasant weather, perfect for flower viewing. Summer (June-August) is hot and rainy, ideal for heading to the mountains to cool off. Autumn (September-November) is cool and comfortable, making it the peak tourist season. Winter (December-February) is often cool, damp, and rainy, but it's a great time for hot springs and occasional snow viewing in the high mountains.

Accommodation Choices

Taipei City offers a wide range of hotels, from backpacker hostels to five-star luxury hotels. To experience local culture, consider staying in guesthouses (minsu) or hot spring hotels in places like Jiufen, Tamsui, or Jiaoxi. It is advisable to book in advance, especially on weekends and public holidays.

Food Recommendations

Northern Taiwan offers a diverse culinary scene. Besides night market snacks, there's Hakka cuisine, indigenous dishes, and seafood specialties. Must-try foods include Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao and the delicacies of Yongkang Street and Ningxia Night Market in Taipei; Jiufen's taro balls and Tamsui's A-gei in New Taipei; Daxi's dried tofu in Taoyuan; Miaokou's seafood in Keelung; and Sanxing spring onion pancakes and Jiaoxi hot spring vegetables in Yilan.

Recommended Internal Links

To learn more about other attractions in Taiwan, feel free to read our other articles:

• Complete Guide to Central Taiwan: Taichung, Nantou, and Changhua Travel Guide [blocked]
• Complete Guide to Southern Taiwan: Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung Travel Recommendations [blocked]
• Spring Flower Viewing Guide: Cherry Blossoms, Tung Blossoms, and Hydrangea Seasons [blocked]
• Taiwan Night Market Food Guide: A Complete Guide to Must-Eat Snacks [blocked]

External Reference Resources

This article references the following authoritative sources:

• Taiwan Tourism Administration - Taiwan Tourism Information Network
• Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism
• New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department
• Taoyuan City Department of Tourism
• Keelung City Government Tourism and City Marketing Department
• Yilan County Government Economic and Tourism Department

Author: Manus AI
Publication Date: January 15, 2026
Category: Travel Guide, Taiwan Travel, Attraction Recommendations
Tags: Taipei Attractions, New Taipei Attractions, Taoyuan Attractions, Northern Taiwan Travel, Taiwan Independent Travel