
One of the things I love about Taipei, Taiwan, is not just how easy it is to get to places, but the expanse of choices you have to get there. Whether you take a U-bike, walk or just catch the MRT, the city is built to be explored without a car. And along the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) MRT line, you can just about fulfill any touristy craving you may find, as it literally connects you from the mountains to the sea. Here are some of the places you can visit by just using this one MRT line.
We begin our journey at Tamsui Station, at one end of this MRT line, where you can hit the seaside and a pretty huge beach; it’s an easy 20 minute bike ride from the station. Avoid coming here on the weekends, however, there will always be large crowds of tourists and families so getting from A to B will be a challenge, especially by bicycle.

As you depart from Tamsui and head towards the city centre, you will come across Beitou. This is where the hot springs are. So if you find yourself needing a bit of sulphur-therapy after a long week of exploring, this is the place to go. Beitou is also known for its Jade Spring, where by some mysterious force of nature, the sulphur pond is a beautiful jade-green colour.
The Taiwanese are massive fans of baseball and have their own leagues. If youâre also a fan of baseball and are in Taiwan during the summer, you can get to the Tianmu Baseball Stadium from the ZhiâShan station.

Further down the red line, at ShiâLin station, is the Taipei Astronomical Museum. If youâre a space lover like me, this is definitely worth a visit. Across from here is MORE SCIENCE (!!!) at the National Taiwan Science Education Centre. One can never have enough science. Got kids? Taipeiâs Children Amusement Park is just across from the NTSEC! More of a history buff? There are a few buses that will take you from the station to the National Palace Museum, where youâll find three large floors full of ancient Chinese artifacts, from paintings to ceramics and jade. They have free tours in English, if exploring on your own time isnât your thing.

One station away, thereâs JianâTan station, home to the most well-known tourist night market in Taipei, though probably the most chaotic that Iâve ever been to: ShiâLin Night Market. Youâd think that youâd be able to visit the night market closer to the ShiâLin station, but youâre wrong! Shave 10 minutes off your walking time by going from here. This is also the namesake of âShihlin Taiwanese Street Snacksâ franchise who have brought favourites such as sweet plum potato fries and oyster mee sua into Hong Kong, Australian, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian hearts (and stomachs).
If youâre familiar with Taiwanese movies, when you get from JianâTan to the next station, youâll be able to see the Grand Hotel Taipei which was a prominent feature in the 1994 film Eat Drink Man Woman (éŁČéŁç·ć„ł) as the workplace of Master Chef Chu.
Another station down and youâll be at YuanâShan station, across from which you will find the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and Taipei Story House. If you like greenery, youâre in the right place, as this area has park after park after park, one of which houses the Taipei Expo Centre where exhibitions are held on a regular basis.
A station away from the Taipei Main Station is ZhongâShan station. Here lies a huge underground shopping centre and above ground, the Taipei Film House, where youâll find screenings of indie movies from all over the world. Here is also where you can find a Din Tai Fung, probably the most famous Taiwanese restaurants in the world and rightly so! Reader beware: donât go to any of the chains on an empty stomach, there will always be a crowd waiting before you. Youâll be able to find a branch inside the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Nanxi Store right outside the station.
Just outside the Main Station, youâll find one of two memorials in honour of Taiwanâs founding father: Dr Sun Yat-Sen, the other is along a different MRT line (the blue one) which you can get to from this station. Here is Dr Sun-Yat Sen Memorial House, a small Japanese-styled hotel turned small museum housed next to a pond and small park. Parks like these are another way to âget-outâ of the hustle and bustle of the city, though just a station away youâll find a bigger park.

Get off at the next station, the NTU Hospital station, and youâll find the 2/28 Peace Park, which houses the National Taiwan Museum and the Taipei 2/28 Memorial Hall. This large park was built in memory of the February 28 Incident with multiple monuments and an outdoor stage. I’m not sure if any shows are held there, however, as Iâve never seen one myself.

Next up, CKS Memorial Hall station. Here youâll find a huge memorial dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek, presidential successor to Dr Sun Yat-Sen. If watching a changing of guards is your thing, walk up a huge amount of stairs and youâll find a large statue of Chiang Kai-shek with really, really, really stiff guards that change shift every hour, on the hour. When I went, one of the guards didnât blink at all, which was both cool and creepy at the same time. If you have some time to spare before (or after) the changing of guards, you can read up on the planning and building process of the memorial in a small room just off the hall. Across the road, youâll find the National Concert Hall and National Theatre in all its traditional styled glory. I think thereâs a different show to watch every month in both venues, so if thatâs your thing, keep an eye out!

Exploring on a hot day? Donât worry coz next up: Dongmen, home to the famed Smoothie House, home to everyone’s cool-down favourite: mango shaved ice. This area is home to a multitude of trendy cafĂ©s and food places, including a popular place to get yourself a slurpy bowl of beef noodle soup, Yong Kang Beef Noodles, which you’ll find in this area too. Here is also where you can find another Din Tai Fung branch, just in case you feel like having some Xiao Long Bao instead.
If you thought the 2/28 Peace Park was big, hold onto your socks! Next station: DaâAn Forest Park. It is exactly what it sounds like: a forest within the city. This park is about 2 to 3 times bigger than the 2/28 Peace Park and it also is home to an outdoor stage which I know holds regular free concerts. Perfect for a picnic date, morning (or evening) runs or just when you feel like having a lazy Sunday.

Almost to the end of the line now. Welcome to Taipei 101/World Trade Centre station! Here youâll find the bamboo-shaped icon of Taiwan itself, Taipei 101. Up the viewing platform on a clear day, youâll be able to enjoy a 360° view of Taipei city and some of its surrounding counties. Enjoying the sunset from up here on a clear day is also highly recommended. As you come out from the tower and head back to the station, youâll probably come to find a large crowd by the exit. This is because here youâll find yet another Din Tai Fung branch!

And finally we arrive at the last and final station: Xiangshan. Here you meet the stationâs namesake, or Elephant Mountain in English, with a hiking trail for the nature-lover in all of us. Itâs honestly not too difficult of a hike, though at the beginning the climb is a bit steep. Reward yourself with an amazing view of Taipeiâs skyline once youâve climbed to the top.
For more information on transport options in Taipei, head to Taipei Pass site or the Taipei Metro site. The Taipei Pass is available at all MRT station information counters and can be used for unlimited trips on MRT and public buses for a day or more.
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