Itinerary · Taiwan
One Day in Taipei: Palace Museum and Beitou
Northern Taipei in one day: National Palace Museum, Beitou Hot Springs and Thermal Valley, then Shilin Night Market, plus Monday closures and budget.
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Who this one-day route is for
Day 2 of the four-day route in our Taipei guide is the National Palace Museum in the morning, Beitou Hot Springs in the afternoon and Shilin Night Market in the evening. It ties a museum visit, a hot spring district and night market street food into one day. This article takes that single day and goes deeper: which day of the week to pick, how to split your time, and what to bring and budget.
Taipei suits a stay of 3 to 4 days. The rest of the city and the day trip are covered day by day in our four-day route, so read the two together. If you only have a weekend, decide first whether this day fits, then plan the rest around it.
Pick the day first: avoid Mondays
The first thing to check for this route is the day of the week. The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays (with some exceptions), and Beitou's Thermal Valley is also closed on Mondays. Since both fall on the same day, use Monday for something else and do this route on any other day.
Beitou's public outdoor bath has closed for renovation before. If it is the main reason for your visit, check official information on whether it is open before you go. Check opening hours and admission fees in each site's official information too.
- National Palace Museum: closed on Mondays (with some exceptions)
- Beitou Thermal Valley: closed on Mondays
- Beitou public outdoor bath: has closed for renovation before, so check whether it is open
- Shilin Night Market: liveliest after 6 pm
Morning: National Palace Museum, at least 2-3 hours
Start the day at the National Palace Museum, a world-class collection of Chinese imperial treasures that includes the famous Jadeite Cabbage. Allow at least 2-3 hours, so the core of this route is going in early and giving the museum your whole morning.
Taipei City's tourism site lists opening hours of 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays (hours can vary by exhibition area). From MRT Shilin Station Exit 1, walk 1-2 minutes to the Zhongzheng Road bus stop and take bus R30, S18, 255, 300, 304, 815, S19 or M1 for about 15 minutes (checked 13 October 2026). Check admission and any Monday exceptions on the museum's official information.
Afternoon: Beitou Hot Springs and Thermal Valley
In the afternoon, take the MRT to Beitou Hot Springs. Beitou is a hot spring district on the MRT, with everything from public baths to upscale resorts, so you can choose by budget and taste.
While you are in Beitou, see Thermal Valley too. It is closed on Mondays. The public outdoor bath has closed for renovation before, so check official information on whether it is open, and pick another public bath if it is closed.
Check the exact route and travel time from the museum to Beitou in Taipei Metro's official information. Eating and drinking, even water or gum, is banned in MRT stations and on trains, and fines apply. If you are thirsty after your soak, drink before you enter the station.
Evening: street food at Shilin Night Market
Finish at Shilin Night Market, Taipei's biggest. It is liveliest after 6 pm, so take your time in Beitou in the afternoon and arrive for the evening. Check Taipei Metro's official information for how to get there.
Shilin is full of street food such as fried chicken cutlets and oyster omelets. Night market snacks are about NT$50-100 each, so the fun is trying a little of many things, including stinky tofu and pepper buns. Bubble tea is about NT$50-80.
Night markets and small eateries are often cash only, so carry enough Taiwan dollars. Convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards.
What to bring, daily budget and when to go
An EasyCard makes the day easy. Buy one at a convenience store or MRT station and use it on the MRT, buses, YouBike and in shops. Bring a light layer for strong indoor air conditioning and a small umbrella for sudden rain.
For food, plan on beef noodle soup at about NT$150-300 a bowl or lu rou fan at about NT$40-70 a bowl for lunch, then a few night market snacks for dinner. A daily budget per person is about NT$1,500-2,000 on hostels, night markets and the MRT, or about NT$3,500-4,500 with a 3-4 star hotel and restaurant meals. Check museum admission and hot spring fees in the official information.
The best months are October-December and March-April, which are mild and relatively dry. In the 1991–2020 normals from Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taipei station, all five of these months get less rain than the average month of the year. Avoid the May-June plum rains and the hot July-September typhoon season.
- October: high 28°C · low 22°C · rain 150 mm
- November: high 25°C · low 20°C · rain 83 mm
- December: high 21°C · low 16°C · rain 89 mm
- March: high 23°C · low 16°C · rain 157 mm
- April: high 26°C · low 19°C · rain 153 mm
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FAQ
Can I do this route on a Monday?
It is not recommended. The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays (with some exceptions), and Beitou's Thermal Valley is also closed on Mondays. Pick another day and check official information.
How long should I allow for the National Palace Museum?
Allow at least 2-3 hours. Taipei City's tourism site lists 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays. Check admission on the museum's official information.
How do I get to Beitou Hot Springs?
Beitou is on the MRT. An EasyCard makes it easy, and remember that not even water is allowed in stations or on trains. Check Taipei Metro's official information for the route.
What time should I go to Shilin Night Market?
It is liveliest after 6 pm. Many stalls are cash only, so carry Taiwan dollars.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Jiufen · Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Taipei 101 and the city skyline · Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0