Travel: Taiwan

26 May 2026

Night Markets

Taiwan’s night markets are among the best street food scenes in the world. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) in Taipei is the largest and most famous — a sprawling maze of stalls selling oyster vermicelli, scallion pancakes, stinky tofu, and the giant fried chicken cutlets (大雞排) that dwarf your hand. Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街夜市) is smaller and less touristy, with a more local feel; the pepper pork buns from the stall at the entrance are legendary. Markets run from early evening until midnight or later.

Taipei Zoo

The Taipei Zoo (木柵動物園) is one of the largest zoos in Asia and a must-visit. The giant panda exhibit is the star attraction — Taipei is one of the few places in the world where you can see giant pandas, including the locally-born Yuan Bao. Arrive early on weekdays to beat the crowds at the panda house.

National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) houses one of the world’s greatest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts — over 700,000 pieces spanning 8,000 years of history. The star exhibits are the Jadeite Cabbage (翠玉白菜), a carved jade sculpture that looks uncannily like a real napa cabbage, and the Meat-Shaped Stone (肉形石), a piece of jasper carved to resemble a braised pork belly so convincingly you’ll do a double-take. Crowds gather thickest around these two pieces; see them first thing or late in the day.

Jiufen

The hillside village of Jiufen (九份) is a short bus or taxi ride from Taipei. Its narrow stone staircases, red lanterns, and teahouses perched over the ocean make it one of Taiwan’s most atmospheric spots — and widely said to have inspired the bathhouse town in Spirited Away — though Hayao Miyazaki has denied the connection. The old street (基山街) is lined with food vendors and souvenir shops — try the taro balls and fish balls. Afternoons and evenings are the best time to visit when the lanterns are lit.