Fantastic city views from Jiantanshan, finishing at Shilin Night Market

 


For a different view of the city, head to Jiantanshan, located north of central Taipei. While Taipei 101 can be seen in the distance beyond the airport, the more prominent views are of the central districts, Shilin, and—further away—Beitou. It’s an easy walk that you can start at Jiantan Metro Station, opposite the iconic Taipei Performing Arts Center. After the hike, you can visit Shilin Night Market before returning to Jiantan Metro Station to catch a ride back to wherever you're staying. 

The Jiantanshan hiking trail begins near Jiantan Fuzheng Temple, which sits along the main road, and then passes a few more temples nestled on the hillside. To the south, the imposing Grand Hotel stands out at the start of the hike, with the city center visible behind it across the river. The trail follows the ridge of the range, offering views of Zhongshan, Songshan, and Xinyi districts to the southeast, and Shilin and Beitou districts to the west-northwest. Several observation platforms along the route provide panoramic views in both directions. 

You could extend the hike by descending toward the National Palace Museum or even continuing as far as the Nangang range, which is covered in the post about The Best Viewpoints of Taipei 101. However, if you prefer a shorter walk, descending to the west is a more convenient option. If timed well, you can catch the sunset from Jiantanshan before heading to Shilin Night Market just as it comes to life in the evening.

Overall, it’s a short, easy, yet highly rewarding walk—even on a cloudy day when these photos were taken. 





















































































































































































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