Every time I see a stock photo of Taipei shot from Elephant mountain, a little part of me dies inside because Taipei has so many other beautiful viewpoints and vistas. If you are looking for stock photos of Taipei, consider going to one of the following locations to take a less cliché photo.
The following blog is a list of places I have been with the best views of Taipei. When I say Taipei, it means the Taipei 101 is somewhere in the photo, so you could say these are the best views of the Taipei 101 or something like that. There are literally infinite views of Taipei for you to discover, this is only a list of some. I am also sure that I will add to this list in the future. Map: Please see a map of most of the places in this blog below:
In this list we will cover the following places:
Let's get started with the list. Elephant Mountain Trail 象山步道 
Elephant mountain is the most visited and most cliché viewpoint of Taipei, so let's get it out of the way. About halfway up the trail you will come to the photographer platform, which doesn't have the best view because of all the high rises in the foreground.
Six Giant Rocks 六巨石 
Another popular photo taking spot is on the Six Giant Rocks. Instagrammers especially love this place.
Chaoran Pavilion 超然亭 
Another popular photo stop is at Chaoran Pavilion. Here you can see excellent views of the sunset.
Thumb Mountain 拇指山 
Thumb mountain has some of best views on the whole trail system, if not the best view. It includes a bald rock face and a wide open area to enjoy the views. The trail up there can be hard to find. It is on behind a sheer rock face a and shrine on the way between Elephant Mountain and 95 Peak.
95 Peak Rest Area 九五峰休息區 
Right before you hit 95 peak, there is a rest area with probably the best views of the whole mountain.
95 Peak 九五峰 
The tallest point on the mountain Chain is 95 peak. Most of the trail is covered in trees around it so there isn't much of a view.
四獸山步道的終點 End of the four beasts trail 
Last view of the Sunset before I headed down the backside of the mountain toward China University of Science and Technology in Nangang. I like hiking up this route because it is much closer to where I live than the Elephant Mountain entrance.
Tiger Mountain (Hushan) 虎山 
The three felines on the mountain are close together, connected by roads and trails. The lookout on Tiger Mountain is right near a paved road.
Leopard Mountain 豹山 
Platform from Leopard Mountain, not far from Tiger Mountain. It is less than a 100 meter walk from the road.
Lion Mountain 獅山 
View of Lion Mountain. A fall from the ledge on Lion Mountain could kill you, which is probably why they make it so hard to get to.
Yongchungang Park 永春崗公園 
Yongchungang Park also lies along the four beasts trail, and has some amazing views.
Bishan Temple 碧山巖 
Bishan Temple in Neihu has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore...(read more)
View of an EVA air flight over the Taipei 101 from Bishanyan.
Bishan Campground 碧山露營場 
Bishan Campground (aka Bishan Camping Area) in Neihu District of Taipei City is the only free campground run by Taipei City (although it has an extension campground in Beitou). Near the campground is Bishan Temple, which has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore...(read more)
Jinmianshan 金面山 
Jinmianshan is a popular hike in Neihu, Taipei that leads to a rocky hilltop with great views of Taipei and the surrounding area. Because of the ease of transportation, short hike, and great views, it has become an Instagram hot spot...(read more)
Yuanshan Grand Hotel 圓山大飯店 
The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there...(read more)
Longfeng Valley Hot Spring 龍鳳谷溫泉 
Longfeng Valley in Yangmingshan National Park is a large volcanic sulfur hot spring area with hiking trails, steam vents, sulfur deposits, and large natural hot springs. Longfeng Valley remains as a mostly untouched natural pool that retains its natural beauty without man made structures surrounding it. It is a unique and interesting stop on the mountain and worth a visit on your trip to Yangmingshan...(read more)
Niugangleng Mountain 牛港稜山 
Niugangleng Mountain (aka Niuganglengshan Trail or mispronounced Niugangling) is a short and easy trail in New Taipei with perhaps some of the best views of the Taipei Basin. This popular and easy hike covers is located in the Guanyinshan Recreation Area, in Wugu District of New Taipei, and offers excellent views of the Wugu, Luzhou, Sanchong, Bali, Tamsui and rest of downtown Taipei. It should be on your list of places to visit in Taipei...(read more)
Yuanshan (Sanxia) 鳶山 
Yuanshan in Sanxia District is a popular hike in greater Taipei. It features a short easy hike has some amazing views of southern Taipei. It can also get very crowded on weekends despite the lack of public transportation. If you are looking for amazing views that are easy to get to, this is the place...(read more)
Wuliao Jian 五寮尖 
Wuliaojian in Sanxia District is one of the most popular hikes in greater Taipei. It features rope climbs, rock scrambling, and rock climbing, and has some amazing views of southern Taipei. Wuliaojian is everything but wuliao...(read more)
Fuzhoushan Park 福州山公園 
Fuzhoushan Park in Da'an District of Taipei is a lesser known hiking area around a small forested hill. The park also has some of the best views of Taipei anywhere in the city. If you want the views of Elephant Mountain with an even easier walk and no crowds, this is the place for you...(read more)
Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Square 蔣渭水紀念廣場 
Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Square in Xinyi District of Taipei commemorates a pioneering Taiwanese physician and notable activist against the Japanese rule in Taiwan. The park also has some of the best views of Taipei anywhere in the city...(read more)
Fudekeng Graveyard 福德坑墓園 
Fudekeng/Liuzhangli Graveyard is the largest graveyard area in Taipei, and also happens to provide amazing views of Wenshan and Xinyi Districts. Nearby you can also find many hiking trails. It is a great place for a bike ride or hike if you are not afraid of ghosts...(read more)
Academia Sinica Trails 中央研究院的步道 
Academia Sinica is the top research institution in Taiwan. It also borders a forest and has beautiful hiking trails where you can enjoy nature and see historical military sites. The area is worth a stroll if you have time...(read more)
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall 國立國父紀念館 
Taiwan's National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (literally National Founding Father Memorial Hall) sits in northern Xinyi District of Taipei, and includes a large open square and gardens. The inside of the memorial hall commemorates the life of the founding father of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, who is revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In addition the memorial hall has a performance hall, free rotating art exhibitions, and changing of the guard every hour. It is definitely a sight worth seeing on your trip to Taipei...(read more)
Xiufeng Waterfall 秀峰瀑布 
Xiufeng Waterfall is a tall waterfall in Xizhi District in New Taipei, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a flat hiking path that takes about 10 minutes to complete, and includes amazing views of Taipei along the way. It's spectacular cascading falls are definitely worth a stop for anyone in Taiwan...(read more)
Nangang Tea Mountain 南港茶園區 
As one of the most secret and unknown tourist attractions in Taipei City, Nangang Tea Mountain is a large mountain area that offers pleasant hikes, great views, historical buildings, no crowds, and most of all tea. It is one of only two mountain tea growing areas in Taipei City, the other being Maokong. Hopefully this blog will help you understand how much natural beauty and intact history this is in Nangang District...(read more)
Luku Incident Memorial 鹿窟事件紀念碑 
Just a little up the road, you will reach the edge of Nangang and enter into Shiding District. Here you will find the Luku Incident Memorial. The Luku Incident Memorial is a reflective arch statue in Shiding District of New Taipei that commemorates what is known as "the largest political event of the nation’s White Terror era." The incident involved two brothers that had started a communist party holdout in the mountains of Shiding. The resulting response, from the then martial law-era ROC government under then Dictator Chiang Kai-Shek, was thousands of police officers arresting hundreds of innocent people, with many of the people being falsely imprisoned and executed.
For more information, check out our full blog on the place here. Lesser Mt. Nangang 小南港山 
Another notable hike in the area that is not official part of tea mountain is Lesser Mt. Nangang. Getting here is easy, it's literally a 5 minute walk from Nangang Exhibition Center. The views here are perhaps some of the best of Nangang (even though technically the mountain is in Xizhi District of New Taipei)...(read more)
Dawulun Fort 大武侖砲台 
Dawulun Fort is a Qing Dynasty era fort that once guarded the coast along Wanli, Jinshan, and Keelung, among a network of other forts. Now it stands as a wonderfully preserved monument to the past, with great views of Keelung Harbor and Wanli District. And...you can see the top of the 101 from here...(read more)
Xinshan Dream Lake 新山夢湖 
Xinshan Dream Lake (aka Xinshan Menghu) is a beautiful lake in Xizhi District of New Taipei. It is a popular place to stop for couples and Instagrammers due to its dream like aura. Also you can take the steep climb up Xinshan and enjoy some amazing views of east Taipei and Keelung. Besides taking photos, this Xinshan Dream Lake is a great place to relax and enjoy nature...(read more)
Wuzhishan 五指山 
Wuzhishan is a beautiful mountain in Xizhi District of New Taipei. It is a popular place to stop for hikers, bikers, and Instagrammers due to its amazing views of east Taipei. Also there are many coffee shops here with amazing views. Besides taking photos, Wuzhishan is a great place to relax and enjoy nature...(read more)
Qixing Mountain 七星山 
Qixingshan in Yangmingshan National Park (aka Qixing Mountain, Cising Mountain, Chising Mountain, or Seven Star Mountain) is the considered the highest dormant volcanic peak in Taiwan, and the highest point in Taipei City. The area is also an important ecological area with protected species. There are a few paths to the top with varying difficulty, and it offers great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset...(read more)
Datunshan 大屯山 
Datunshan in Yangmingshan National Park (aka Datun Mountain) is the considered the only active volcanic peak in Taiwan, and the island's only stratovolcano. This along with Turtle Island are the two known active volcanos in Taiwan. The area is also an important ecological area with protected species. Currently access to Datunshan is closed to motor vehicles, but you can cycle or hike to the top. There is a large viewing platform that has great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset...(read more)
Maokong Gondola 貓空纜車 
The full view of Taipei is pretty magnificent. However pictures are going to be tainted by dirty Gondola Glass and haze, especially in the late afternoon. Don't expect to see much on cloudy days and rainy days...(read more)
As you walk along the road away from Maokong Station, you will find a bunch of tea shops and coffee shops along the side of the road, taking advantage of the great views of Taipei...(read more)
Ergeshan 二格山 
Ergeshan (aka Erge Mountain or Shijianshan) is a magnificent mountain hike in Shiding District of New Taipei. The trail features a short climb to a watch tower with 360 degrees of Xindian, Wenshan, and Shiding Districts. There are also great views of Taipei City and the surrounding area...(read more)
Huangdidian Trail 皇帝殿登山步道 
The Huangdidian Trail (aka Huangdi Temple Trail) is a magnificent mountain hike in Shiding District of New Taipei. The trail features ladder climbs, rope climbs, and rock climbs with the aid of ropes, and the top has a vertical drop on either side. There are also great views of Taipei and the surrounding area...(read more)
Huafan University 華梵大學 
Deep in the mountains of Pinglin near Huafan University with the 101 sticking out on the left. This is as close to the middle of nowhere as about anywhere in northern Taiwan.
The Streets of Xinyi District 信義區街景 
You can see the 101 from almost any street in Xinyi District, and it is big. Here is a wiew of the Taipei 101 from an abandoned lot in Xinyi District, which 50 years ago was mostly just farmland.
Another view of the 101 from the streets of Xinyi. All roads point to the 101.
Tamsui River 淡水河 
View of the 101 from the riverside park along the Tamsui in Luzhou District of New Taipei.
Hui An Park 惠安公園 
View of the Taipei 101 pretty much straight on from Hui An Park in Xinyi District of Taipei.
Dajianshan 大尖山 
View from the road near Xizhi's Dajianshan. There are basically unlimited views of Taipei from the mountains of Xizhi and also the Keelung River. There are too many places, and we hope to add to this blog soon.
Did we miss anywhere? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
3 Comments
Erika Verardo
8/3/2022 03:41:26 pm
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Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
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