This is a guide of 30 awesome spots to do photography in Taipei. This will be very useful for photographers who wish to travel here and find spots cheaply and easily (most are near the MRT).
1. Abandoned Amusment Park in Yuanshan
This used to be a children's amusement park, but they moved to a new spot near Tianmu. Now this one sits empty (and ready for you to explore). You should have an idea of the type of shots you want to get before heading out. It would also probably look pretty cool from above with a drone. I visited this spot with YuJun, a freelance illustrator here in Taipei.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Yuanshan Station and then walk about 10 minutes.
⌚ Approximate time from Main Station: 25 min
📍 Find this spot on Google Maps.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
2. Abandoned House in Xindian
This 5-story house is a fun spot to explore and let your creativity loose. It's uncertain how long this place will be accessible though because last time I went there with CJayride it seemed they were starting to do some renovations. Check out CJ's Twitch channel to watch his adventures in Taiwan.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Green Line MRT to Xindian Station and walk about 20 minutes to the spot posted below.
⌚ Approximate time from Main Station: 44 min
📍 Find this spot on Google Maps.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
3. Banqiao District
Banqiao is a bit like downtown Taipei, but with less fun stuff to do. I like shooting here though because you get a more honest look into everyday people's lives. There are more interesting characters here and plenty of buildings to explore.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Jiantan Station. Take Exit 3, turn left, and cross the street. Turn right and then walk for about 5 minutes.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
4. Bali District
This small town sits at the base of Guanyin Mountain. It's a great spot to get Taiwanese snacks and walk along the coastline. For some reason there's a ton of stray dogs here though.
⛴️🚌 Getting here: I've always taken the ferry from Danshui, but you can also take a bus 紅 (that means red) #22 from Red Line Guandu Station Exit 1.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 1hr 44min (bus)
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
5. Brown Line Curve
This is a big spot among the Instagram community in Taipei. They all like to go here and copy each other. There are a few other spots like that on this list, but this is one of the most popular.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Technology Building Station. Exit and turn right. Walk until you hit the intersection and then look up, the rest is up to you to figure out.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 32 min.
📍 Find this spot on Google Maps.
6. Battleship Rock
This is another Instagram favorite in Taipei. The erosion of the rocks has made for some pretty cool shapes, plus the views in nearly every direction are great. Be careful on weekends as this place is packed with selfie-takers.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to ShiPai Station. Take Exit 1 and follow Donghua Street to Section 2 Linong Street, turn right and enter the university campus. Follow the main road all the way to the back of the campus where the hiking trail begins.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 1 hour.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
7. Bitan Scenic Area
Expect big crowds here on weekends, but it's nearly empty during the week. The most photogenic part of this place is the suspension bridge. There's also a decent market to wander through just before crossing. If you're feeling extra adventurous, go ahead and hop on a paddle boat. You need at least 2 people to ride though.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Green Line MRT all the way to Xindian Station and head left immediately upon exiting. you'll be at the bridge in minutes.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 37 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
8. City Hall Station Area
The lights from the buildings surrounding this area make it awesome for urban exploring at night. I can't tell you exactly which rooftop I always go to, but I can give you a clue by placing a google maps link here.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Blue Line MRT to Taipei City Hall Station.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 37 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
9. Danshui
Danshui is one of the most well-known places in Taipei. You can expect fairly large crowds any day of the week, but the place is big enough to handle them. There are quite a few historical sites, an old street with market food, and of course the ocean.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Danshui Station and follow the herd.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 52 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
10. Elephant Mountain
I wasn't sure whether to include this spot because it's pretty much the most famous hiking trail in Taiwan, but I did in case any Taiwan newbs are reading. This is the Victoria Peak of Taiwan.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line to Xiangshan Station and just follow the signs.
⌚ Approximate time from Main Station: 14 min.
📍 Find this spot on Google Maps.
11. H&M Rooftop Near Taipei Main
This place would be perfect to shoot an 'into to Taipei' video. It's a fun rooftop with a lot to shoot. I recently decided to take CJayride up here and play a little prank on his viewers. 😂
Shortly after that we got kicked out. Watch the clip here!
🚇 Getting here: Exit Main Station and walk to Guanquian Rd.
⌚ Approximate time from Main Station: 2 min.
📍 Find this spot on Google Maps.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
12. HeMei Mountain
This hiking trail in Bitan is a great spot for catching nice views of both the city and the mountains.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Green Line MRT all the way to Xindian Station and head left upon exiting. Walk across the Bitan Bridge and then turn left onto the trail.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 45 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
13. Immortal Rock Trail
Everybody I've brought up here has said this was the best view they've seen in Taipei, yet this place remains fairly unknown. I predict in 2 years this place will be packed like Elephant Mountain. So get here now to beat the crowds. I came here recently with my friend Alice. Check out her out on Instagram.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Green Line MRT all the way to JingMei Station and turn left out of exit 2. Walk down Jingzhong Street, turn right on Jingxing Then look for the trail entrance on your left side.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 40 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
14. Jiantan Underpass
Pretty much every photographer in Taipei already knows this spot, but I've posted it here so that newbies can easily find it.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Jiantan Station. Take Exit 3, turn left, and cross the street. Turn right and then walk for about 5 minutes.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
15. Jiantan Mountain
I love this spot for a number of reasons. First, the views are great. Second, there's a cool outdoor weight area. Third, the old people who hang out here really know how to party.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Jiantan Station. Take Exit 3, turn left, and cross the street. Turn right and then walk for about 5 minutes and take any of staircases up to the top. They all lead to pretty much the same area.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 30 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
16. Jian Mian Mountain
The locals love this place. They usually come here and take 100 pictures on the same rock and then leave.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Xihu Station. Take Exit 1 and head north to Huanshan Rd. Then turn left onto lane 136 and follow that road to the trail head.
⌚ Approximate time from Main Station: 53 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
17. Longshan Temple
Wanhua District is like the ghetto of Taipei. There's all kinds of interesting characters and crazy stuff to see everywhere. Most people come here for the Temple, but I think the surrounding area is where all the true action is. On nearly every street there seemed to be either a KTV bar or a massage parlor. People hid, ran, and ducked as I walked by with my camera. Be careful here at night.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Blue Line MRT to Longshan Temple Station. Take any exit and just enjoy the show.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 15 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
18. Maokong
Maokong translates to 'cat empty.' This is because there used to be a ton of cats that hung around the tea shops here during the Qing Dynasty. The cats are gone, but many tea shops remain and this is still a great place to visit.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Taipei Zoo Station. Take Exit 2, and walk left either to the sky-lift or bus station. The sky-lift has some awesome views, but lines can be quite long. The bus that gets you up there quickly is #S10.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 50 min (to the skylift or bus station).
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
19. Scooter Waterfall
This place is both amazing and terrifying. It's amazing how all these scooters come into Taipei every day, and terrifying to think of all the cancer the fumes at this place are causing. Nonetheless, it's a spot you should definitly check out while visiting Taipei.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Orange Line MRT to Daqiaotou Station. Take Exit 2, and cross Minquan E. Road and turn right. Then walk straight until you see this bridge.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 25 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
20. Si Shou Shan Scenic Area
This spot is cool because there are two huge temples with a hiking trail behind them that leads to a fairly big cliff. It's a great trip to make if your goal is to get many types of shots in one day.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Blue Line MRT to Yong Chun Station and then take exit 4. Turn right onto Songshan Road, then left on Fude Street. Follow that street until you see lane 251 and then just follow the street to the Temple. The hiking trail is somewhere behind it.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 40 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
21. Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Rooftop
There is a lounge in the hotel where you can simply walk up and take these photos. They also have pool parties during the summertime. If you have the cash I'd imagine it's a nice place to stay as well.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Liuzhangli Station. Exit and cross the traffic circle on Heping E. Rd. Then turn right onto Section 2 AnHe Rd and walk for about a minute.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
22. The XiQu Center of Taiwan
The walls at this spot are the main attraction. If you get creative you can get some pretty cool portraits here.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to ZhiShan Station. Take Exit 1 and turn right. Follow Fuguo road until you see this place.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
23. Tutor ABC Rooftop
This is an excellent place to do some urban exploring and capture the insane traffic around Guting Station from above. I highly recommend coming around rush hour to try getting some light trail shots with the city in the background. I have been personally unable to do so because my wide-angle lens is broken. So my loss is your gain! Be the first to grab this shot.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Green Line MRT to Guting Station. Take exit 8 and then turn right. From there you have to figure it out on your own.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
24. Tong Hua Market
I'm putting only one night market on this list because once you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all. I highly recommend this place over Shilin Night Market. Shilin is a tourist trap –plus this one is a lot closer to the city center. It's also great to come here in the morning for the traditional market.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
25. Ximen Area
This is an excellent spot for photography because of all the street art and small shops. You can find most of the good places here just by wandering around, but the spots I recommend most are located here and here.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Blue Line MRT to Ximen Station. Take Exit 6 to go straight to the action.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 5 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
26. XinDe Road Traditional Market
Pretty much every photographer in Taipei already knows this spot, but, like Elephant Mountain, I've posted this here so that newbies to Taipei can easily find it.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Wanfang Hospital Station. Exit and head straight down Section 3, Xinlong Road. Walk for less than two minutes and then turn right onto Xinde Road.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
27. Yangmingshan
The nature found here is a stark contrast to the chaos below it. Heading up to Yangmingshan is a must if you're craving a breath of fresh air and lush landscapes within the convenience of Taipei.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to Shilin Station. Then hop on Bus S15 to get up to the park. If you're only going to visit this place one time, I recommend getting off at Qingtiangang Grassland (擎天崗大草原) and hiking one of the trails there.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 20 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
28. Yuan Jue Falls
This multi-level waterfall is enjoyable for all types of hikers. Casual strollers can hang out at the bottom, while hardcore climbers can hop onto the ropes and scale their way to the tip. This is an excellent destination that is so close to the city.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Brown Line MRT to Dahu Park Station. Follow Dahushanzhuang Road all the way to Dagouxi Riverside Park. Then just follow the trail on the right side, this will lead all the way to the falls.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 50 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
29. ZhiShan Apartment Complex
Pretty much every photographer in Taipei already knows this spot, but, like Elephant Mountain, I've posted this here so that newbies to Taipei can easily find it.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to ZhiShan Station. Take Exit 1 and turn right.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 26 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
*Disclaimer: Do not enter private property without permission or do anything that puts your safety at risk. Please obey all local laws.
30. ZhiShan Temple
Pretty much every photographer in Taipei already knows this spot, but, like Elephant Mountain, I've posted this here so that newbies to Taipei can easily find it.
🚇 Getting here: Take the Red Line MRT to ZhiShan Station. Take Exit 1 and turn left. Walk down Fuguo Road, turn right onto Zhongshan North Road, left onto Zhicheng Rd and then walk straight until you see the temple entrance.
⌚Approximate time from Main Station: 40 min.
📍Find this spot on Google Maps.
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Nice comprehensive list of spots in Taiwan. It's been a long time since I last visited so I'll keep this lit in mind if I go back one day. Thanks for taking the time to share your info. It must've taken you awhile to put together. Great list!