Flights to Taipei

From Taoyuan

Taoyuan airport is about 40 km from the centre. The express Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in around 35 to 40 minutes, where you can change to the city metro or the high-speed rail. Buses and taxis are also available, and Songshan airport, right in the city, handles some flights from Japan, China and South Korea. Pick up an EasyCard at the airport to tap through the metro gates and pay for buses and YouBike hire bicycles.

Temples and museums

Longshan Temple, founded in 1738, is busy with worshippers burning incense and leaving offerings. The National Palace Museum holds one of the world's largest collections of Chinese imperial art, including jade, bronzes and calligraphy. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall stands in a large square with a changing of the guard each hour. Dadaocheng, by the river, keeps old merchant houses selling tea, dried goods and herbal medicines, with cafés in restored shopfronts.

Views, markets and hot springs

A short, steep hike up Elephant Mountain gives the classic view of Taipei 101, especially at sunset. Shilin and Raohe are the largest night markets, and Ximending is the young, lively shopping district. Beitou, at the end of a metro line, has public hot spring baths and a geothermal valley. The Maokong Gondola climbs to tea plantations in the hills, where teahouses serve oolong with views back over the city.

When to plan your trip

Autumn and spring are mild. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms, and winters are cool and damp, so pack layers. The Lantern Festival, at the end of the lunar new year holiday, fills the city with light displays.

Planning to travel on around Taiwan by train? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll fit your flights around the trip.