Exploring Taipei: Museums, Memorial Halls, and Nightlife Highlights

✧ Series Note – Taiwandering 2019 ✧
A third visit, a shared adventure—full of inspiration and discovery.
Thank you for reading and supporting my stories. ✨🇹🇼
📅 Travel Dates: November 1–4, 2019

🏛 The National Palace Museum

From Tamsui, we took the MRT to Shilin Station and then searched for the correct bus exit (it took us a few minutes, oops!). Soon enough, we were on our way to the National Palace Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks.

Reached Shilin Station on our way to the Taiwan’s National Palace Museum.

The moment we arrived, the museum’s grand gate and landscaped surroundings set the tone. Inside, we wandered through dynasties, marveling at jade carvings, scrolls, and ancient treasures once kept in Beijing’s Forbidden City. It was a visual feast for any history or culture lover.

A helpful guide for us to catch a bus to Taiwan’s National Palace Museum.

With its vast collection of Chinese imperial artifacts and ancient art, the museum feels like a quiet time capsule. Even the building itself seemed to whisper stories from centuries past.

A very tourist-friendly transfer information.
The gate.
Can’t believe this National Palace Museum was so huge!
A last photo before we left.

🏛 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

For my friend, it was a first-time visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, so I made sure to include it in our route.

Revisited Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall and not tired of it.

The towering white structure, flanked by the National Concert Hall and National Theater, never fails to impress. We watched the changing of the guards—always a must-see moment—and appreciated the serene vibe of Liberty Square.

First shoot from the Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall.
And another one… So beautiful.
My favorite station view. So surreal. Where’s to next?

🏛 Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Next was the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, another key landmark honoring the founding father of modern China. The hall doubles as a tribute and a cultural venue, and we took our time walking through the exhibits and admiring the giant statue inside.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall.
Peeping Taipei 101 at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall.
Not a manhole but I love this.
Hello there!

🥤 Milk Tea, Night Lights, and Last Stops

After a long day of walking, we headed back to Taipei Main Station to grab dinner—and for my friend to change out of her boots (sorry for the endless walking!). A quick shoe change, and suddenly the city felt different—like it was waiting for us to discover it all over again.

Taipei Main Station, you are so awesome!

Of course, we couldn’t resist a final stop at a bubble tea shop. Because milk tea is life. 🧋

Bubble Milk Tea break!

We capped the night with a visit to Taipei 101’s Observation Deck, using our pre-booked vouchers. The city lights below felt surreal—Taipei was glowing, and so were we.

Revisted Taipei 101.

🛍️ Final Stop: Shilin Market

Before calling it a day—and wrapping up today’s Taiwan trip—we dropped by Shilin Night Market one last time for snacks, souvenirs, and a final taste of Taipei’s vibrant night scene. Tomorrow we’d be heading home, but this day, full of museums, surprises, and laughter, lingered sweetly.

Editor’s note: Originally part of a longer 2019 blog entry, now split into two stories to let each moment shine.

Leave a comment

I’m CJ. 👋

Thanks for stopping by!

Not sure how you landed here, but welcome to my world! 🌍🚶‍♀️✨

I’m a solo travel adventurer, coffee lover, railway enthusiast, and storyteller (ISFP at heart). ✨ Hope you stay a while.”

Let’s connect