Small-Group: Classic Taipei Landmarks Day Tour

Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, then hit the road and take a short ride to the first stop of your full day tour in Taipei: National Palace Museum, which is also one of the world’s largest museums. With a collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, the museum showcases 8,000 years of Chinese art history spanning multiple dynasties. Two of the most famous artworks on display are “the Jadeite Cabbage” and “the Meat-Shaped Stone”, which are the must-sees in National Palace Museum.

Next, you will head off to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an impressive monument in memory of the late President Chiang Kai-shek. Here the changing of the guard ceremony takes place every hour on the hour from 09:00 in the main hall.

In addition to the majestic main hall of the memorial, the exquisite Chinese garden around the building and the vast plaza are also worth taking a look. If you come here in the early morning, you can see some people doing Qigong there.

Our tour continues with a visit to Longshan Temple, where the local people pray for good luck or find inner peace. Here you will learn about Taiwan’s religious belief and practices. The temple was built in 1738 and dedicated to Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). The temple was severely damaged during Taipei Air Raid, but the statue of Guanyin survived the raid. Besides the Goddess of Mercy, the temple devotes Yue Lao (the Matchmaker God), Wenchang Dijun (the God of Literature), Songzi Niangniang (the maiden who brings children) and many more. You can pray for yourself and your family, and even try asking the gods for advice by tossing divination blocks.

By walking through the significant historic sites in Taipei, believe you have a good understanding of the city’s history and development. Your next stop will present to you the modernity and diversity of Taipei City. Head off to Ximending Commercial District, one of the busiest shopping areas in Taipei, where packed with retail shops, restaurants, bars and street performers. This place is very popular among young people, so it is also known as the Taipei version of Tokyo's Harajuku’s Takeshita Street. (lunch on your own arrangement)

After Ximending Shopping District, the part of the historical theme of the tour continues with a visit to Taipei City Wall-North Gate (Cheng’en Gate). This grand and impressive fortress gate is one of the five historic city gates in Taipei built in Qing Dynasty, along with the East Gate (Jingfu Gate), West Gate (Baocheng Gate), South Gate (Lizheng Gate) and Lesser South Gate (Chongxi Gate).

After Cheng-en Gate, you will visit Dadaocheng, a nostalgic area where tradition and modernity meets. The retro cafes and stores in the streets and alleys enhance the nostalgic atmosphere, making this place become a popular destination for hipsters. The heart of Dadaocheng is Dihua Street, once the most prosperous place in Taipei more than a hundred years ago. Even now, it is still a popular spot to shop for dried goods and herbal medicines. Every year, the Chinese New Year Street Bazaar takes place in Dihua Street, and is always crowed with people getting ready for the coming new year. Today, the streets and alleys are lined with traditional shops, alongside with chic cafés and mini art galleries housed in the in well-preserved historical buildings, giving off a vintage vibe.

Located in the historic Dadaocheng, Taipei Xiahai City God Temple is a centuries-old temple dedicated to the City God. It is a must-visit spot for those seeking blessings and cultural experiences. The most famous deity is Yue Lao, the Chinese matchmaker god, who is believed to help singles find love. The temple also hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, offering a glimpse into traditional Taiwanese culture.

We will walk by Yongle Market, Taipei's largest textile market. At your free time, you can explore endless array of materials, from traditional Taiwanese prints to imported Japanese designs.

The last stop of your tour is Taipei 101 Mall, the fashion lovers’ paradise, which is located in the eastern side of Taipei. The mall houses hundreds of fashionable stores and restaurants, along with a food court and a supermarket. From luxury brands to fast fashion retailers, from Michelin star restaurants to cheap eats, you can always find something for your there. The famous skyscraper, Taipei 101, stands right next to the mall. It was once the tallest building in the world that reaches a height of 508 meters, towering over the skyline of Taipei. The building has 101 stories, with an observatory deck on the 89th floor, where the visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei City. Not only that, it has one of the top 3 fastest elevators in the world; from the 5th to the 89th floor, it only takes 37 seconds. At the end of the tour, you may choose to disembark at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (arrive around 17:10) or Raohe Street Tourist Night Market (arrive around 17:00).

On the way back to our meeting point, you can choose to be dropped off at Raohe Street Night Market.