Surrounded by volcanic hills in the Taipei province, Shilin District sits in northern Taiwan close to Taipei City. Whether you’re here to dine on delicious street food at Shillin Night Market or relax in thermal hot springs at Beitou springs, you’ll find plenty of things to do in and around the area.

Things to do

Shilin Night Market is a must-see on any visit to the Shilin District and is located next to the MRT Jiantan Station. Enjoy Taiwanese delicacies late into the night including skewered squid, tofu plates, fresh oysters and chicken hearts.

To learn about the area’s art history, visit the National Palace Museum where Chinese art, paintings and calligraphy are on show. Special exhibitions also run regularly and include artwork from local artists.

Once the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101 provides the best views of the district. This remarkable skyscraper sits in Taipei’s city centre. Head up to the observation deck on the 89th floor for excellent views out over the surrounding area.

Take the MRT line 30 minutes north of Taipei City to find Beitou Hot Springs, a perfect place to unwind. Relax with a morning dip in the hot springs, where you can pamper yourself at the spa and enjoy hot chai in the tea gardens.

Adventurous travellers can head to Long Dong on the northern coast. This rocky alcove provides some of the best cliff walking and rock climbing in Taiwan. After a hard day’s climb, plunge into the ocean for a refreshing swim.

Getting there

You can make use of the public buses and metro lines to get around. Two main airports service the Shilin District, providing easy access to nearby destinations. Taipei Songshan Airport sits in the centre of Taipei, while Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is located 40 minutes west of the area.