Book Flights to Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei 101 held the title of world's tallest building for six years and still displays its massive earthquake-stabilizing pendulum to visitors. The city's night markets serve some of Asia's best street food, while the National Palace Museum holds nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese imperial art with a genuinely dramatic mid-20th-century backstory.
China Airlines and EVA Air fly direct from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago. FareOptic compares every routing into TPE.
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Why Visit Taipei?
A skyscraper engineered against earthquakes and typhoons, night markets that define an entire food culture, and imperial treasures with one of the 20th century's most dramatic backstories.
Taipei 101 — Once the World's Tallest Building and Still an Engineering Landmark for Earthquake and Typhoon Resistance
Held the Title of World's Tallest Building From 2004 to 2010, and Remains Famous for the Massive Tuned Mass Damper That Stabilizes It Against Earthquakes and TyphoonsTaipei 101, standing at 508 meters and holding the title of world's tallest building from its completion in 2004 until surpassed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2010, remains one of the most architecturally and engineering-significant skyscrapers ever built specifically because of the seismic and wind-resistance challenges involved in constructing a supertall tower in a region prone to both major earthquakes and powerful typhoons. The building's design, incorporating traditional Chinese pagoda-inspired tiered segments and auspicious numerology (its distinctive segmented structure references bamboo and the number eight, considered lucky in Chinese culture), successfully bridges cutting-edge structural engineering with deliberate cultural symbolism.
The Tuned Mass Damper — Taipei 101's Signature Engineering Feature
Visible to visitors on one of the building's observation floors, Taipei 101's tuned mass damper, an enormous 660-metric-ton steel sphere suspended by cables near the building's top, functions as a massive pendulum that counteracts the building's sway during earthquakes and high winds, a design solution that has become one of the most famous and visually striking examples of this engineering technique anywhere in the world and is displayed as a genuine visitor attraction in its own right rather than hidden within the building's structure.
Shilin Night Market and Taiwan's Night Market Culture
Taipei's Largest and Most Famous Night Market, a Sprawling Complex of Food Stalls and Shops That Exemplifies Taiwan's Distinctive Night Market TraditionShilin Night Market, Taipei's largest and most internationally famous night market, offers an immersive introduction to Taiwan's deeply rooted night market culture, a tradition of evening open-air food and shopping markets that functions as a genuinely central part of everyday social and culinary life across the island rather than a tourist-oriented novelty. The market's dense maze of food stalls serves iconic Taiwanese street food including stinky tofu, a pungently fermented tofu dish that despite its intense smell has passionate devotees, oyster omelets, bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan and has since become a global phenomenon, and countless other regional specialties.
Navigating Taipei's Wider Night Market Scene
Beyond Shilin, Taipei holds numerous other notable night markets, including Raohe Street Night Market, known for its more traditional atmosphere and pepper buns, and Ningxia Night Market, often cited by locals as offering some of the city's most authentic traditional Taiwanese food away from the larger crowds of Shilin, giving visitors with multiple evenings in Taipei the opportunity to sample genuinely different night market atmospheres and specialties.
The National Palace Museum — One of the World's Largest Collections of Chinese Imperial Art and Artifacts
Houses Nearly 700,000 Pieces of Chinese Imperial Art, Much of It Evacuated From Beijing's Forbidden City During China's Civil WarThe National Palace Museum in Taipei holds one of the largest and most significant collections of Chinese imperial art and historical artifacts anywhere in the world, comprising nearly 700,000 pieces spanning roughly 8,000 years of Chinese history, a collection whose presence in Taiwan traces back to a dramatic mid-20th-century history: as the Chinese Civil War turned against the Nationalist government in the late 1940s, a substantial portion of the imperial collection housed in Beijing's Forbidden City was evacuated and eventually transported to Taiwan, where it has remained since, a fact that continues to carry considerable political and historical significance in relations between Taiwan and mainland China. Given the sheer size of the collection, only a small fraction is on display at any given time, with rotating exhibitions ensuring repeat visitors can see different pieces on subsequent trips.
The Museum's Most Famous Individual Pieces
Among the collection's most celebrated individual pieces are the Jadeite Cabbage, an intricately carved piece of jadeite shaped and colored to resemble a bok choy cabbage with insects on its leaves, and the Meat-Shaped Stone, a naturally banded piece of jasper carved and dyed to uncannily resemble a piece of braised pork belly, both of which have become genuine pop-culture icons within the museum's collection and draw crowds specifically seeking them out among the museum's vast broader holdings.
Taroko Gorge — A Dramatic Marble Canyon Carved by the Liwu River
A Spectacular Marble Gorge Within Taroko National Park on Taiwan's East Coast, Reachable as a Day Trip or Overnight Excursion From TaipeiTaroko Gorge, the centerpiece of Taroko National Park on Taiwan's rugged east coast, is a dramatic canyon cut through solid marble bedrock by the Liwu River over millions of years, creating sheer, narrow cliff walls in striking shades of white, gray and green marble that make it one of Taiwan's most visually spectacular natural landmarks and a considerable geological rarity given how uncommon marble canyons of this scale are worldwide. The gorge is reachable from Taipei via a combination of train and local transport, typically as a long day trip or, better, an overnight stay given the range of hiking trails and viewpoints within the park.
Hiking Trails and Access Considerations Within Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park holds a range of trails suited to different fitness levels and time commitments, from short paved walkways offering dramatic canyon views with minimal walking to considerably longer and more strenuous hikes into the park's mountainous interior, though visitors should check current trail conditions before visiting, since the park's marble terrain is prone to rockfalls, particularly after typhoons or earthquakes, which periodically close sections of trail for safety.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Taipei
Compare China Airlines and EVA Air Direct Routes First
Both carriers offer the most direct US-Taipei options and are generally well regarded for service quality. Compare fares and schedules between the two, along with checking whether a Hong Kong connection on Cathay Pacific offers better value for your dates.
Visit Multiple Night Markets Rather Than Just Shilin
Shilin is the largest and most famous, but Raohe Street and Ningxia offer genuinely different, often more locally authentic atmospheres. If staying more than a couple of nights, sampling more than one night market is worth the effort.
Check Trail Conditions Before Visiting Taroko Gorge
Taroko National Park's marble terrain is prone to rockfalls, particularly after typhoons or earthquakes, which periodically close trail sections. Check current park conditions before finalizing your hiking plans.
Consider an Overnight Stay for Taroko Rather Than a Rushed Day Trip
Taroko Gorge is doable as a long day trip from Taipei, but an overnight stay near the park allows considerably more time to explore its range of trails and viewpoints without the time pressure of same-day travel back to the city.
Airlines Flying to Taipei (TPE)
China Airlines and EVA Air — Taiwan's Two Flag Carriers Dominate US Service
Direct Flights From Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago Provide the Core Long-Haul Network Into TaipeiChina Airlines and EVA Air, Taiwan's two major international carriers, together operate the majority of direct scheduled service between the United States and Taipei, with routes from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago giving American travelers a range of nonstop options into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and EVA Air in particular is well known internationally for consistently high service quality rankings and its distinctive Hello Kitty-themed aircraft on select routes.
Key Routes
China Airlines and EVA Air direct from Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, New York JFK and, for EVA Air, Chicago ORD
Cathay Pacific and Connecting via Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Short Hop to Taipei Makes Cathay Pacific a Practical Connecting Option for Travelers Combining Both DestinationsCathay Pacific and other carriers offer frequent, short connecting flights from Hong Kong into Taipei, a genuinely convenient option for travelers whose itineraries already route through Hong Kong or who are combining a Taiwan visit with other stops in Greater China or Southeast Asia, given the relatively short flight time and high frequency between the two cities.
Key Routes
Cathay Pacific and other regional carriers connecting Hong Kong HKG to Taipei TPE with frequent short-haul service
Broader Asian Connections Reflecting Taipei's Regional Hub Role
Taiwan Taoyuan's Position as a Major Asian Aviation Hub Supports Extensive Onward Connections Throughout the RegionBeyond direct US and Hong Kong service, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport functions as a significant regional aviation hub in its own right, with extensive connections throughout East and Southeast Asia via China Airlines, EVA Air and numerous other regional carriers, making Taipei a practical stopover or connection point for travelers with broader Asia itineraries.
Key Routes
Extensive regional connections throughout East and Southeast Asia via China Airlines, EVA Air and partner carriers
Things to Do in Taipei
Important Information Before You Fly to Taipei
Currency
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) — cards widely accepted, cash useful for night markets
Language
Mandarin Chinese — English signage common in tourist areas and transit
Time Zone
Taiwan Standard Time (UTC+8, no daylight saving)
Country Code
+886 (Taiwan)
Airport Code
TPE — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, ~40 km west via MRT
US Visa Required
No — 90 days visa-free for US passport holders for tourism
Power Plugs
Type A/B — 110V / 60Hz, same as the US
Emergency Number
110 (police) / 119 (fire/medical)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Taipei
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Taipei, Taiwan
What airport serves Taipei?
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (IATA: TPE) sits about 40 kilometers west of the city, connected by MRT train. China Airlines and EVA Air operate the majority of direct US flights, from cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.
How long is the flight from the US to Taipei?
Direct flights from the US West Coast typically run around 13-14 hours, while East Coast direct flights, such as from New York, can run 16 hours or more given the distance involved.
What is Taipei 101?
A 508-meter skyscraper that was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010. It's famous for its massive 660-metric-ton tuned mass damper, a pendulum-like sphere visible to visitors that helps stabilize the building against earthquakes and typhoons.
Why is the National Palace Museum significant?
It holds nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese imperial art and artifacts, much of it evacuated from Beijing's Forbidden City during China's civil war in the late 1940s. Its most famous individual pieces include the Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-Shaped Stone.
What is Taroko Gorge?
A dramatic marble canyon on Taiwan's east coast, carved by the Liwu River, within Taroko National Park. It's reachable from Taipei by train and local transport as a day trip or overnight excursion, and offers hiking trails through striking white, gray and green marble cliffs.
Do US citizens need a visa for Taiwan?
No visa is required for US passport holders for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes, though your passport should be valid for the duration of your intended stay.
What currency is used in Taipei?
The New Taiwan dollar (TWD). Cards are widely accepted in cities, though night markets and smaller vendors often prefer cash.
What is Taiwan's night market culture?
A deeply rooted tradition of evening open-air food and shopping markets found throughout Taiwan, functioning as a central part of everyday social and culinary life rather than a tourist novelty. Shilin is Taipei's largest, though Raohe Street and Ningxia offer more local atmospheres.
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