14 Unique Things to Do in Taipei: Food, Culture, and Nature
Most people I know who visit Taipei have a great time, but in my opinion, they don’t explore enough of what Taipei truly has to offer.
There are so many creative, cultural, nature-filled, and delicious unique things to do in Taipei that are easy to overlook without some research.
So let me make your research for unique local experiences to book in Taipei easier, with a list of some of my favorite activities plus ones I’ve saved for future trips.
Disclosure: Some links to products and recommendations are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).
My Experience with Unique Things to Do in Taipei
I’ve spent about 5 months in Taipei over the past few years, and it’s a city I’ve fallen completely in love with. And because I want others to love Taipei just as much, I put this list together to inspire you to explore more.
I’ve hiked the mountains surrounding the horizons, YouBike’d across the city in the late hours of the night, and eaten my own weight’s worth at the night markets over time.
And I’ve done a lot of the best fun things to do in Taipei on this list that you perhaps haven’t heard of yet. So let’s get into it, shall we?
Find the Best Day Trips from Taipei (Open in new tab to read next)
Best Food Activities in Taipei
Taiwan is a country for foodies! And I’ve got to start off this list of unique local experiences to book in Taipei with my favorite subject: food.
Cooking Class (Cook in Taiwan)
Cost: $30+ depending on the class
It’s hard to admit, but after years of eating Taiwanese food, I’ve never actually learned how to cook it myself.
Sure, I make some simple dishes at home, such as frying scallion pancakes or a mini-hot pot. But when it comes to the actual art of blending many ingredients and creating different textures, that is where I was clueless.
Then I finally took this Taiwanese street food cooking class, which included bubble tea, pork rice, and gua bao. I was shocked it all tasted so good, and yes, I mainly prepared it all myself!
There’s so much incredible food in Taiwan and cooking classes to complement that, including these to check out in Taipei.
More Cooking Classes in Taipei:
Taipei Food Tour
Cost: $40 +
Right, I know I said this would be a list of unique things to do in Taipei, and a food tour might not be that unique, but I had to include it so you don’t forget!
With that said, I did find an interesting Taiwanese breakfast food tour that I have no doubt is amazing. I’m a crazy lady for Taiwanese breakfast, so this is a fantastic idea for unique things to do in Taipei for foodies.
Cycling Tour with Breakfast
Cost: $85
Now, if you aren’t sold on a full-on food tour, another of the best local experiences in Taipei to book is a cycling tour that includes Taiwanese breakfast.
One of my favorite things to do in Taipei is cycling, because there are many bike paths and a full circular route along the river. If you love a good city ride, then you can’t go wrong with this tour.
Plus, with all you’ll be eating in Taipei, a lil’ exercise offsets it…I think.
Taiwan Brewery Tour
Cost: $45
Taiwan Beer is a cultural icon: buy a can at 7/11 or grab a glass bottle to split over shared dishes at dinner.
Taiwan Beer is a simple, light beer ideal for a crisp refresh on a hot day. Not that it’s a rule to enjoy on a hot day, it works anytime, really!
If you love a refreshing beer and want to learn about Taiwan’s first-ever national alcohol brand, don’t skip a tour of the Taiwan Beer Brewery. You’ll even get unlimited samples poured right from the tank.
Bar Hopping Tour (With Alcohol or Sober)
Cost: $20+ depending on the tour
Bar-hopping tours don’t have to be just for young people who want to party. In fact, Taipei has a distinctive bar culture, where some master bartenders can craft impressively creative cocktails. Hint: there’s a cocktail bar crawl.
But seriously, going on a bar crawl is a great way to hang out with new people, visit bars you might want to return to, and try some incredible drinks (or head on the sober crawl!).
And if you love some grubby bites when you drink, then the bar crawl with Taiwanese snacks might be the right pick for you.
Best Cultural Unique Things to Do in Taipei
One of the reasons I’m in love with Taiwan is its history and culture, which I’m always excited to learn more about.
Especially if you’ll only be in Taipei, visiting a museum or doing a cultural activity or two is essential to understanding Taiwan with more depth and appreciation.
Traditional Dress (Hanfu & QiPao)
Cost: $20+ depending on outfits, experiences, photography
Wearing traditional dress is not just about learning about the historical significance of the clothing, but about feeling what it’s like to wear it. I find it so interesting to imagine how differently we experienced clothing back then.
And yes, getting photos for the memory is a must.
I first rented a Qipao (Chinese dress) in Sanchong. The studio host was so kind and patient, and she even helped us style our hair. Plus, if you go to this specific studio, you can explore Sanchong, which has a totally different feel from most of Taipei.
Another unique local experience in Taipei gets musical, where you can learn simple tunes on a Guzheng (a traditional instrument) and wear a Hanfu (traditional Han clothing). I got to see a traditional music performance at the National Center for Traditional Arts in Luodong, which inspires me to want to do an activity like this even more.
Experience the Opera (With a Taipei Tour)
Cost: ~$150/person
This is one unique cultural experience in Taipei that I’m jealous if you get to experience. I’m lucky enough to say I’ve seen a lot of live theater and performances across Taiwan, but I’m still so curious about it, and being able to go on a tour that includes a performance would be just the insight I want.
This opera experience in Taipei has you spending a whole day exploring the city, experiencing Beijing opera, and trying on traditional opera dress.
AMA MUSEUM
Cost: ~$1
The AMA MUSEUM is one of the museums in Taipei that has been at the top of my list to visit. It’s a museum dedicated to the comfort women in Taiwan during the Japanese Colonial Era during WW2.
For its subject, which is often swept under the rug, it’s so important to have museums like this and visit them to honor victims and learn this side of a country’s history. As it’s a small museum, even if you’re packing your itinerary, you might be able to add the AMA MUSEUM in easily.
You can buy your tickets on entrance.
Best Creative Unique Things to do in Taipei
Taipei has a lot of fun, creative things to do, so you can bring back a memorable souvenir. Plus, most creative activities are indoors, making them perfect for a super hot, rainy, or cold day in Taipei.
Perfume Making Workshop
Cost: ~$30
One fact about me: I love buying a new bottle of locally made perfume every time I’m in Taiwan. There’s always a plethora of quality choices, and I catch myself at the shop sniffing out the perfect one for a while.
With my love for perfumes from Taiwan, this is one of my favorite unique things to do in Taipei. If you love collecting scents from around the world and being creative, give this workshop a go.
Candle Making Class
Cost: $40
This is one of the most memorable creative activities I’ve done in Taipei. The studio is located in DiHua district, so be sure to come early to explore the area and the shops if you haven’t already.
The host of the candle-making act was so kind; I felt like we were just hanging out. Plus, since this was my first time making candles, I got to learn a lot, from wax pouring to candle molding.
This Taipei workshop is especially great for families, but the candles are so cute they would make a great souvenir for anyone to make and take home.
Get Your Cards Read
I was invited to get a Tarot card reading by Irene, the owner of a tarot shop in Ximending.
As she’s from Turkey, she also does Turkish coffee ground readings. I loved my tarot session with her and was able to look inwards with inspiration from the cards.
Plus, with the Turkish coffee reading, you get to enjoy a lil’ pick-me-up!
Best Outdoors Experience in Taipei
While Taipei city has many amazing parks, like Da An 大安, to get into nature, you have to go to the edges of the city and beyond. For these, I’m sharing my favorite nature spots that aren’t high on everyone’s list but are easy to get to.
Hike Battleship Rock
Cost: Free to access
I came upon Battleship Rock unexpectedly. OK, technically, I planned a hike in the area, but I didn’t realize what awaited me at the end: one of the best views across Taipei.
There are a couple of routes that connect to Battleship Rock, where you can enjoy a longer, more rugged hike, such as on Phoenix Mountain or the Junjianyan trail.
There’s also a hike map on AllTrails for some ideas.
Pro Tip: Plan to arrive about 45 minutes before sunset. The sunsets are amazing, and you can easily leave via the steps as it gets dark.
Taipei Botanical Gardens
Cost: Free to access
The Taipei Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to feel immersed in greenery without having to go far. It’s not far from Ximen and right off Xiaonanmen MRT station.
The variety of plants and gardens can take some time to wander, so don’t forget to sit and pause. The garden is a real slice of peace in the big city.
Visit a Hot Spring
So this last one might not be out in nature, but it’s the perfect place to still enjoy the fruits of the Earth, a natural hot spring in this case.
There are plenty of public and private hot springs to visit in Taipei and Beitou. The one I went to was Spring City, but you can also book private hot spring rooms (that’s a date idea for ya).
Save This List of Unique Things to Do in Taipei
If you made it through my list of the most unique things to do in Taipei and have started saving some to plan into your trip, don’t forget to bookmark this page! I hope I’ve inspired you to try something unexpected in Taiwan.
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