Northern Taiwan Attractions Guide / 北台湾景点推荐
Northern Taiwan packs Taiwan's densest concentration of must-see sights into one compact region: Taipei's skyscrapers and museums, New Taipei's old streets and coastal geology, plus the port city of Keelung, the Hakka heritage towns of Taoyuan, and Hsinchu's blend of high-tech and old-town charm. Most attractions are reachable by MRT, train, or bus from central Taipei, making this the easiest region to explore in 3–5 days.
Taipei City
- Taipei 101 – Taiwan's most iconic skyscraper; the 89th-floor observatory gives a full 360° panorama of the Taipei Basin.
- National Palace Museum – Houses one of the world's greatest collections of Chinese imperial art and artifacts, including the Jadeite Cabbage.
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – Grand white-marble memorial with the hourly changing-of-the-guard ceremony and sprawling Liberty Square.
- Shilin Night Market – Taiwan's most famous night market; come hungry for fried chicken steak, oyster omelets, and pepper buns.
- Longshan Temple – Historic 18th-century temple in Wanhua, a living center of Buddhist and Taoist worship.
- Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) – A short but steep 20-minute hike from Xiangshan MRT station with the classic Taipei 101 skyline photo spot.
New Taipei City
- Jiufen Old Street – Mountain hillside town of lantern-lit teahouses and narrow lanes that inspired the look of Spirited Away.
- Tamsui (Danshui) – Riverside old street, Fort San Domingo, and the famous sunset over the Tamsui River estuary at Fisherman's Wharf.
- Yehliu Geopark – Coastal park of wave-carved rock formations, most famously the "Queen's Head" hoodoo.
- Pingxi & Shifen – Mountain railway towns where visitors release sky lanterns; Shifen Waterfall is a short walk from the old street.
- Bitan (Xindian) – Lakeside suspension bridge and paddle-boat area, a favorite weekend escape for locals.
- Yingge Ceramics Street – Historic pottery town with workshops, the Ceramics Museum, and hands-on DIY studios.
Keelung
- Miaokou Night Market – Compact night market radiating from Dianji Temple; famous for crab-thick soup and bubble-top milk tea.
- Heping Island Park – Sea-eroded rock formations, tide pools, and ocean swimming areas on the island's northern tip.
- Zhengbin Port Color Houses – Rows of pastel-painted fishermen's houses, one of northern Taiwan's most photographed spots.
- Keelung Harbor & Maritime Plaza – Waterfront promenade with views of the working port and cruise ships.
Taoyuan
- Daxi Old Street – Baroque-style facades, traditional tofu pudding (douzhi/douhua), and the nearby Daxi Tea Factory.
- Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park – Lakeside park holding hundreds of Chiang Kai-shek statues relocated from across Taiwan.
- Xiaowulai Skywalk – Glass-bottomed walkway jutting over a waterfall gorge in the Fuxing mountain district.
- Hutoushan Park – Hilltop park with city views, an owl-themed forest trail, and the Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine.
Hsinchu
- Hsinchu City God Temple (Chenghuang Temple) – 270-year-old temple surrounded by the city's best-known street-food alleys.
- Hsinchu Zoo & Glass Museum – Taiwan's oldest zoo, rebuilt in 2019, next to the glass art museum in the former air-raid shelter park.
- Eighteen Peaks Mountain Park – Easy forested walking loop popular with locals for morning exercise.
- The One South Garden (Nan Yuan) – A refined Jiangnan-style garden estate in the hills, known for architecture and tea culture.
Practical Tips
Best season: October to December offers the clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures. June–September is hot and humid with occasional typhoons; February–March brings plum and cherry blossoms to Yangmingshan. Transport: Taipei MRT covers most city sights; buy an EasyCard. For Jiufen, take the 965 bus from Banqiao or Ximen. TRA trains reach Keelung (45 min), Hsinchu (1 hr), and Taoyuan quickly. Yehliu is best reached by the 1815 bus from Taipei Main Station. The 24-hour tourist info hotline is 0800-011765.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many days do I need for northern Taiwan?
A: Three full days covers Taipei's highlights plus one day trip (Jiufen or Tamsui). Add a fourth day for Yehliu and Keelung, or a fifth for Hsinchu and Daxi.
Q: Can I visit Jiufen and Tamsui in one day?
A: It's possible but rushed — they're on opposite sides of the metro area. Jiufen pairs better with Keelung/Yehliu on the northeast coast; Tamsui pairs with Beitou hot springs or Tamsui's Fisherman's Wharf for sunset.
Sources
- Tourism Administration, R.O.C. (Taiwan): https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/
- Tourism Administration 觀光景點: https://www.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0000082
- Travel Taipei official site: https://www.travel.taipei/en