Sehenswürdigkeiten in Taipei
The key addresses in Taipei — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
Chiang-Kai-shek-Gedächtnishalle
The monumental Memorial Hall commemorates former President Chiang Kai-shek and is one of Taipei's most distinctive landmarks. A wide staircase takes you to the bronze statue, where the ceremonial changing of the guard takes place on the hour. The spacious square with its concert hall and national theatre invites you to linger.
Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)
The short but crisp climb up Elephant Mountain rewards you with the most beautiful view of Taipei 101 and the entire skyline. Especially at sunset, when the city lights come on, the viewpoint is a magnet for photographers. From the city center, you can easily reach the starting point by MRT.
Lungshan-Tempel
Built in 1738, Lungshan Temple is one of Taipei's oldest and most important temples. Located in the Wanhua district, it is dedicated to the goddess Guanyin, and over a hundred other deities are worshipped here. Between elaborate carvings, incense sticks and praying people, you will feel the spiritual heart of the city.
Taipei 101
At 508 meters, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 and still dominates the skyline today. From the observatory on the 89th floor, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains. The ultra-fast elevator catapults you to the top in just 37 seconds.
Taipei has a few gay sights in the narrower sense, mainly because the city has a long queer history. The most famous example is the 228 Peace Park in the center, formerly called New Park. For decades, it was one of the most important meeting places for gay men at a time when queer life had to remain hidden. The park became famous through Pai Hsien-yung's novel Crystal Boys, which is set there and is still considered a key work of Taiwanese queer literature. Today, the park is a quiet place on the edge of the city center and easily accessible by metro.
Today's heart of the scene is the Red House in Ximending, a red brick building from the colonial era, behind which the gay bars gather. The highlight of the queer calendar is Taipei Pride, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people through the city every October and is considered the largest Pride in East Asia. As early as 2019, Taiwan became the first country on the continent to introduce same-sex marriage, a move that has further shaped the already open mood. Around it, queer stations can be easily combined with the classic highlights, such as the Longshan Temple, the Taipei 101 Observation Tower or the night markets. The following places will take you to the stations that are worth visiting.