Taipei has to be one of the best cities in Asia for street photography. This gallery of Taipei photography – including my favourite city, night market, and day trip shots – will inspire you to start planning your own trip to Taiwan!
What can I say? There’s something about Taipei.
I don’t know if it was the late-winter light or the fact that when we visited, Taipei was dressed to the nines in preparation for Lunar New Year. Or maybe it was just the change of scenery from Hanoi, where we had been living for the past six months, and all the energy and curiosity that comes with visiting a new city for the first time. Whatever it was, Taiwan quickly became one of my favourite places in the world to photograph.
I’m just now getting around to writing my guide to Taipei, where I’ll introduce you to some of my favourite shops, restaurants and walking streets in the city (be warned—I have almost as many recommendations as photos!). Until then, here is collection of my favourite Taipei photography to inspire you to visit Taiwan’s largest city. At the end of the post, you’ll find a list of my top 10 Taipei photography spots.
Taipei photography: Taipei City
From Taipei 101—once the tallest building on Earth—right down to the tiny houses covered with penny tiles, Taipei’s inner city is a visual feast. Street photographers will fall in love with Taipei’s bustling streets, strange architecture, temples and street art.
Taipei photography: Food & night markets
Did someone say food capital of Asia? My favourite photos from the Ningxia, Keelung, Shilin, Raohe and Xiamen night markets.
Taipei photography: Day trips from the city
Adventures around Taiwan’s northern coastline and lush interior. My top photos from Jiufen, Beitou, Wanli, Tamsui, Yehliu and Keelung City.
• Exploring more of Taiwan? Check out this Instagram guide to Taichung for inspiration.
My top 10 Taipei photography spots:
1. Elephant Mountain
📍 Taipei’s most popular lookout is the perfect place for views of Taipei 101. It gets busy (especially around sunset), so arrive early to find a good spot.
2. Dihua Street
📍 An historic neighbourhood in Taipei with beautiful brick archways and preserved shop fronts. Arrive early (before 8am) for the best light.
3. Night food markets
Of course! There are some great food and action photo opportunities at Ningxia, Keelung, Shilin, Raohe and Xiamen night markets. Vendors are usually so busy they won’t even notice you’re photographing them.
4. Jiufen
📍 The most popular day trip from Taipei, Jiufen has a very photogenic, lantern-lined Old Street, atmospheric tunnels, and incredible views of the coastline.
5. National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine
📍 My favourite landmark in Taipei has an incredibly ornate roof, perfectly symmetrical facade, and a tranquil courtyard inside. Most people come to see the changing of the guard, but if you stay after the bus loads of tourists have gone, you’ll have the place all to yourself.
6. Ximending
📍 Taipei’s shopping district and biggest pedestrian zone is plastered with neon lights and advertisements. It’s particularly fun to photograph at night. The Xiamen Nigh Market is also located here.
7. Yongkang Street
📍 Located in Taipei’s hip Da’an District, this is one of the best streets in Taipei for shopping and eating. There are some great people-watching and photography opportunities, too.
8. Wanli Beach
📍 Wanli Beach is home to Taipei’s famous ‘UFO Village’, where you’ll find a set of abandoned Futuro houses. If you love urban exploration, a half-day trip to Wanli is a must.
9. Zhongzheng District
📍 Taipei’s central downtown area has a lot of office blocks and government buildings. This is a great place to find interesting architecture and street scenes to photograph.
10. Keelung
An alternative day trip destination, Keelung is home to a wonderful seafood market, an abandoned mansion house, and the coolest, most colourful temple we saw in Taiwan!
Have you been to Taipei? Where is your favourite photo spot in the city? Which of my top 10 Taipei photography spots would you most like to explore?
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Wowwwwww, your photography is amazing! I want to take lessons from you! Also, I appreciate that you put the locations! Thanks!
Aw, thanks Kay! Any time! I love doing photo walks with friends. Taipei is an excellent spot for it, too!
Ahhh these photos are stunning! I had no idea Taipei was so mountainous and green. I love the street shots too! Truth be told, I just want to go to Taipei to eat.
It’s incredibly mountainous as soon as you get out of the city! And the food is spectacular… That was our main motivation for going! Thanks, Tina!
Great photos. Taipei is a fantastic place. I often stop there on my way to Singapore. The food shots reminded me of the great food there.
Thanks, Sue! It’s so easy to get around, I bet it’s an ideal place for a stopover.
Wow I love how you captured the culture of the city in your photos! I’m about to try to find your IG handle and follow you!!
Thank you, Sarah! Nice to connect with you!
Your photos are so beautiful, they’re totally inspiring me to go!
Your photography is ahhmazinggggg! I want to go see every single thing you captured (especially the UFO village! how random). Thanks so much for sharing and I can’t wait for you to post more in-depth about your trip.
Thanks Erin! Really appreciate that. I know ha ha… Those UFOs are so strange. I think I’ll do a post just about that area—such an interesting history. More to come! Thanks so much for reading 🙂
Absolutely stunning photos! I love a good Asian night market too! Any tips for the best time of year to go to Taipei?
Night markets are the best! And Taiwan does them like nowhere else in Asia. We went in February—it was cool to see the Lunar New Year decorations out, but at the same time it was very busy. I think September to November also has nice weather and not too much rain.
Stunning photos – the night food market looks amazing for street photogaphy and Jiufen for the view of the coast. Your post has inspired me to put Taiwan on my radar!
Spot on! I’m really glad to hear that my photos have inspired you to visit! It’s such a unique place!
Lovely shots! I’ve been to Taipei several times and I think you’ve done a great job capturing the city in your photos 🙂
Cheers, Jac!
Wow! Beautiful pictures! Can’t wait for my upcoming Taipei trip. May I ask where did you shoot the mural art photo?
Keep it up!
Thanks Janna! The mural wall is in Tamsui, right on the main street.
Enjoy your trip!
Great photos, Emily! I visited Taipei last in 2017. I love the city’s night food markets. Keep inspiring us through your photos.