Asia - 12 Hours in Taipei. What to do?

Anyone have any suggestions? I've never been there and trying to figure out what makes sense during my layover (daytime). Thanks!

Anyone have any suggestions? I've never been there and trying to figure out what makes sense during my layover (daytime). Thanks!

Heh, funny you chose the China category - maybe Asia would be a better place for this thread? Anyway, what time of day do you have a layover? If you can, hitting some of the night markets is one of the highlights of Taipei...

Depends on what you are looking for. If it is soothing relaxation, I'd head up to the hot springs in Wulai for a good soak followed by a great meal. :)

Keep in mind that if you are flying into TPE (which I assume you are), you will be in Taoyuan, about an hour from downtown Taipei. If you want to just see the sights of the city, you could probably arrange for a day tour from the airport. Not positive on that. I did this once when I had a 12-hour layover in Seoul. Worked out well.

If you are the adventurous, do-it-yourself type, you could just catch a bus into town. Go see the Chang Kai-shek memorial. Taipei 101. And be sure to eat everything in sight. :D

[QUOTE=andrewwm;8638737]Heh, funny you chose the China category - maybe Asia would be a better place for this thread?QUOTE]

Yeah, funny....I looked in both categories trying to figure it out myself. Saw one on Tibet in the China one, so figured this was safe. :-)

Thanks for anyone and everyone's input.

The hotel limos into town are about TWD 2000 one-way. Taxis rides cost about TWD 600 (sothey tell me - always took the limo). Taipei 101 is right next to the Hyatt (or vice versa ;) )

The hotel limos into town are about TWD 2000 one-way. Taxis rides cost about TWD 600 (sothey tell me - always took the limo). Taipei 101 is right next to the Hyatt (or vice versa ;) )

No, taxis into town charge 1.5x meter: at least Y1500 depending on where you go exactly. There are airport buses to the train station and other places for under Y200. It is Y140 to the Hyatt, for example.

From the train station you can get buses to Wulai, museums, etc. The subway is particularly easy to use.

For hot springs, you should consider Beitou (an easy subway ride from the train station). Beitou is very sulphurous: be sure to shower vigorously afterwards for the sake of your fellow passengers on your next flight.

In addition to museums (esp. National Palace), temples are also fun. Longshan si is right by a subway stop.

Taxis are also convenient & cheap to nearly anywhere from the train station (but expensive to Wulai!).