Flights from Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE)

About Taipei

Discover Taipei

Why visit Taipei?
Taipei blends a modern skyline with leafy streets, night markets, and mountain views, creating a city that feels both energetic and welcoming. You will find expressive street life, design-forward cafés, and a compact centre that is easy to explore in a few days.

What to expect
The city stretches along a valley ringed by green hills, with Taipei 101 as its defining landmark. Neighbourhoods like Ximending, Da’an, and Zhongshan each have a distinct character, from youth culture and creativity to elegant boulevards and cultural venues.

Plan your trip
Taipei is an ideal starting point for exploring the rest of Taiwan, thanks to efficient high-speed and regional rail links. Many travellers combine city sightseeing with day trips to hot spring towns, coastal villages, and tea-growing hillsides nearby.

Top sights in Taipei

Taipei 101 Observatory

Ride the high-speed lifts to the observatory for sweeping views over the city and surrounding mountains.

National Palace Museum

Explore one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese imperial art, set in a lush hillside complex.

Elephant Mountain Trail

Hike a short but steep stair trail to a viewpoint that frames Taipei 101 and the skyline at sunset.

Ximending District

Wander pedestrian streets filled with boutiques, pop culture shops, and vibrant street performances.

Beitou Hot Spring Area

Visit historic bathhouses, soak in mineral-rich waters, and walk through landscaped parks and valleys.

Maokong Gondola

Take a scenic cable car ride up to tea-growing hillsides, with views back towards the city and plains.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Square

Stroll across a grand plaza framed by imposing white arches, cultural halls, and landscaped gardens.

Raohe Street Night Market

Experience a lively night market atmosphere with neon-lit stalls, snacks, and local shopping.

Experience Taipei’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Taipei’s MRT network is the most efficient way to travel between major districts, attractions, and transport hubs. Buses and taxis help you reach hillside neighbourhoods and smaller streets, while walking is pleasant in many central areas with wide pavements and clear signage.

Local life & culture
In Taipei, people gather in parks, riverside paths, and cafés, giving the city an open and sociable feel. You will notice a strong café culture, creative studios, and community events that make many districts feel like self-contained villages within the wider metropolis.

Where to unwind
Head to riverside parks for cycling and long walks with views of bridges and mountains, especially in the late afternoon. Nearby hills offer shaded walking trails and city lookouts, while urban parks provide quiet corners to sit, read, or simply watch daily life unfold.

A taste of Taipei

Street food & local specialties
Taipei is known for its bustling night markets, where stalls serve steamed buns, noodles, and grilled skewers. Areas like Shilin, Raohe Street, and Ningxia Night Market are popular spots to sample a variety of small plates in one compact area.

Casual & modern dining hubs
In districts such as Da’an, Xinyi, and Zhongshan, you will find bistros, cafés, and food courts offering both local and international dishes. Many menus feature sharing plates and modest portions, making it easy to try several flavours in a single meal.

Signature & scenic dining
Around Taipei 101 and the Xinyi district, restaurants in upper floors of towers showcase skyline and mountain views. In hillside neighbourhoods like Maokong, teahouses and restaurants pair local tea with set menus, offering a relaxed setting above the city lights.

Retail therapy in Taipei

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Xinyi District is Taipei’s modern shopping heart, with interconnected malls housing international labels, local designers, cinemas, and dining terraces. These complexes are popular meeting places, especially on weekends and evenings.

Markets & local crafts
For smaller boutiques and crafts, explore Yongkang Street, the alleys of Da’an, and areas around Zhongshan MRT. Here you can discover handmade accessories, design shops, and homeware stores that highlight local creativity.

Evening retail scene
After dark, night markets light up streets with a blend of food, fashion, and everyday goods. Illuminated shopping promenades in Ximending and Xinyi stay lively into the evening, and the MRT makes it straightforward to reach these areas and return to your hotel.

Best time to visit Taipei

Spring season (chun tian, March to May, shoulder season)
Spring in Taipei is mild and increasingly warm, with average temperatures around 18–24°C (64–75°F). You can expect comfortable days, fresh greenery in parks and hills, and a pleasant atmosphere for outdoor walks and city sightseeing.

Summer season (xia tian, June to September, peak season)
Summer brings hot, humid weather, with typical temperatures of 26–33°C (79–91°F). It is a lively time to experience night markets, riverside cycling in the evenings, and air-conditioned museums and malls during the warmest part of the day.

Autumn and winter season (qiu dong, October to February, low season)
Autumn and winter are generally cooler and less humid, with average temperatures between 15–22°C (59–72°F). Skies can be clearer in autumn, making it a good time for viewpoints and hikes, while winter offers a calmer city mood and cosy cafés.

Frequently Asked Questions