free walking tours taipei

Free walking tour near Taipei

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The Best Free Walking Tours in Taipei, Taiwan

Doing a walking tour is one of the best ways to experience a large city like Taipei , especially when you first arrive. It can help you get oriented, make new friends, and understand the culture and history from a local’s perspective.

Below I’m going to recommend four free Taipei walking tours run by two different organizations, Like it Formosa and TourMeAway . All of them highly informative and well organized, so I suggest you decide based on which one has the time, day, and places you prefer.

Keep in mind that even though these tours are “free”, tipping is recommended . Even though tipping is not expected for almost everything in Taiwan, the guides on free walking tours may be university students, elderly, and/or local volunteers who could really use the money. (Read more here about tipping in Taiwan .)

A recommended tip is TWD 200 to 500 , for each person in your group, depending on how satisfied you are. This is still cheaper than a paid tour. Kids are allowed, but they’ll need to walk far and it can be very hot in the daytime.

I’ll also recommend some paid/private walking tours of Taipei at the end.

Table of Contents

Four Taipei Free Walking Tours

The following four walking tours in Taipei are run by two different organizations, Like It Formosa and TourMeAway. They are in no particular order.

If you need to store some luggage before doing the walking tour, find out how to find and use Taipei’s luggage lockers here .

Like It Formosa: Taipei Free Walking Tour Historic Route

Like it Formosa’s free Taipei Walking Tour covers some of the most important modern and historical attractions in Taipei’s Old City (Wanhua district, also called Mengjia or Bangka), including popular Ximending neighborhood, and the adjacent Zhongshan district.

These include Longshan Temple (the city’s most famous and important temple), Bopiliao Historical Block (a walking street of old restored buildings), Red House Theater (Japanese era building now the center of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ scene), the Presidential Office Building , and 2/28 Peace Park , which commemorates the 2/28 tragedy .

You’ll finish the tour at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall , which you’ll probably want to further explore on your own.

This tour is run by passionate and highly knowledgeable local guides . It serves as a great intro the city. (First timers should also see my guides to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei or Taoyuan Airport to Ximending ).

It runs every day from 10 AM to 1 PM. Consider to avoid Mondays, when Red House Theater and Bopiliao are closed.

You’ll need to wait till the end for lunch, but don’t worry, there’s a mid-tour stop for traditional Taiwanese ice cream . The ice cream shop where they stop has been going since 1945, and this kind of ice cream is vegan (see my Taiwan vegan guide ).

If you’re starving at the end of the tour, I recommend going for soup dumplings ( xiaolongbao ) here or here beside CKS Memorial Hall. These are good alternatives to the always packed Din Tai Fung, Taiwan’s most famous restaurant.

You’re allowed to just show up , but they like it you reserve a spot on Klook or on the tour site , so they can know how many are joining.

If you book the tour on Klook, use my Klook referral link to register for your account first. This will give you a free credit on the checkout page when you book any other activities, tickets, etc. in Taiwan.

Like It Formosa: Free Walking Tour Golden Age Route

Like it Formosa has another free Taipei walking tour. The Golden Age Route starts at Beimen , which was the northern gate of Taipei’s Old City. It is the only one of Taipei’s Old City gates that retains its original look.

From there, the tour goes further north to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng area . This is often called “Taipei’s Oldest Street”. This street thrived when Dadaocheng Port opened up beside it on the river. Today it is known for its Chinese herbs and medicine shops, tea shops, and traditional fabric market.

On the tour, you’ll also visit the small but very important Xia Hai City God Temple . This temple has one of the city’s noisiest parades on the god’s birthday (usually around June). There’s an elaborate sequence of rituals for doing prayers at this temple – the guides will show you how.

Join this tour if you’ve already done the main sights in the Old City and you want to get a little more off the beaten track in Taipei – with experienced locals showing you the way.

The free walking tour runs every Tues/Thur/Sat/Sun from 3:00 to 5:30 PM. Book your spot here or on the official site to let them know you’re coming.

Like it Formosa also has a number of paid tours in Taipei and other cities in Taiwan.

TourMeAway: Old Town Taipei Tour

TourMeAway has been running another of the most popular Taipei walking tours for almost a decade. Over 20,000 visitors have joined this the Old Town Taipei Tour . It’s similar but not exactly the same as Like It Formosa’s Taipei Free Walking Tour and takes place in the morning instead of afternoon .

On this tour, the (usually young) guides introduce the 228 tragedy, Japanese history in Taiwan, and other aspects of Taiwan’s modern history and culture. The guides aren’t always Taiwanese, but they’re always very knowledgeable. The tour is a great introduction to Taiwan if you’ve just arrived .

Included on the tour are: 228 Peace Memorial Park , Presidential Office , Chengzhong Market , Zhongshan Hall , and Red House Theater in trendy Ximending. Red House is closed on Mondays, but you can still admire the building, and there’s still lots to see around it.

The free guided tour runs on Mon/Wed/Sat (May to September) and Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat (Oct to Apr). It starts at NTU Hospital MRT (one station south of Taipei Main Station) at 3:30 in summer and 2:00 the rest of the year. The tour takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

Make sure to sign up if you want to secure a spot.

TourMeAway: Longshan Temple Tour

Besides the free Old Town Taipei Tour, TourMeAway also runs second very popular free Taipei tour, the Longshan Temple Tour (see my own recommended walking route and how to pray at Longshan Temple if you want to visit on your own!)

Longshan Temple is Taipei’s most famous and important temple. On this tour, you can find out how to do local temple rituals like throwing moon stones , get your fortune read , and learn the history of this sacred place.

The tour provides a window into local temple customs, so you can have a better idea of what you are observing when you visit Taiwanese temples.

The tour also includes a foray into the neighborhood around the temple, where you’ll visit Mengxia Park (where local elders place Chinese chess), Herb Alley (an alley beside the temple where all kinds of Chinese herbs are sold), and Bopiliao Historical Block nearby.

This tour is currently held on Tues/Thu/Sun at 5 PM, with a meeting point at Longshan Temple MRT station. Make sure to sign up before you join.

TourMeAway also has a popular (paid) night market tour called Hunger Game every Thursday evening and a (paid) Pub Crawl every weekend – perfect for making some friends.

They also have other paid tours by request and some free virtual tours of popular Taipei sights here on their site .

Taipei Private (Paid) Walking Tours

Doing a paid private tour in Taipei comes with a few advantages. The group will be smaller, or it might just be you and guidethe tour . This will give you more opportunity to ask questions and get to know the guide(s).

Depending on the tour, the timing may also be more flexible and the itinerary could be customized. Also keep in mind that most people tip the guides on the “free” tours I covered above, so paying for one of these tours isn’t much different. It will cost a little more, though.

• This private LGBT Walking Tour covers important LGBT sights in Ximending, the heart of Taipei’s Pride culture. It also visits 2/28 Peace Park, where Taiwan’s first Pride parade was held. Keep in mind that Taiwan was the first (and still, only) country in Asia to legalize equal marriage rights.
• On the Street Food Walking Tour , you will experience some of Taipei’s street foods, one of the city’s biggest claims of fame. You can choose the area to focus on.
• This Shilin Night Market Food Walking Tour will allow you to NOT get lost in Taipei’s largest and most famous night market (though you can probably do fine if you click the last link and use my guide, map included!). Also see my guide to the best night markets in Taiwan .
• Klook also has paid walking tours of Longshan Temple , Shilin area (in the daytime, before the famous night market starts), and Dadaocheng .
• The Taipei Double Decker Sightseeing Bus will drop you off at popular sights around the city so you can walk and visit them yourself. It has two different lines.
• TourMeAway and Like It Formosa also have paid walking tours on their sites.

Should you tip the guides on a paid tour? Traditionally, tips are not given in Taiwan, even for guides. However, because many foreign guests do tip guides, they’ve become more accustomed to receiving them.

The choice is still up to you. It won’t be a big deal if you don’t, but if you’re really satisfied with the tour guide’s service and you want to, a small tip of 5-10% is appreciated.

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Free Walking Tour Taipei

Join an adventure exploring taipei’s history, culture, lifestyle, culinary arts, and also nightlife - all with tourmeaway’s walking tours and pub crawl, free  taipei walking tour.

Here at TourMeAway, we have dedicated ourselves to providing high-quality English-language walking tours for international travelers visiting Taipei. We have 6 major city tours covering a wide range of topics, from history, to culture, to lifestyle, to culinary arts, and also nightlife - all in one of the most exciting cities in Asia! So step out and come hang!

We offer three free walking tours in Taipei. Old Town Taipei Tour will take you through the old town of Taipei, including 228 Peace Memorial Park, The Presidential Office, Our Inner City Market, Zhongshan Hall, Ximending, and The Red House. By visiting the popular sites and hidden corners of this city with our guides, you are guaranteed to have an interesting, informative and unforgettable tour!

If you’re tired of touristic spots, we heard you. It’s time to see the other side of Taipei. Join our Taipei Chill Out Tour while you’re in the chillest city in Asia. With the most unique route into real hangouts and neighborhood in the city, we guarantee an adventure into the heart of modern Taipei like no other. So take it easy, keep it cool, and head out on a stroll to hang out with the locals! 

Last but not least, if you’re wondering what’s going on in the mysterious local temple, join us on a journey back into the past! In our Longshan Temple Tour , together we'll travel back in time to 18 century Wanhua district, where Taipei city was founded! Our local guides will walk you through all the amazing stories of this ancient neighborhood. On top of that, we'll show you how to be a real Taiwanese by worshiping at Longshan temple! So join us for an extraordinary day or night out in this city!

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Taipei Greeters ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ Free Personal Walking Tour with a Local

Discover taipei through a free personal walk with a local.

Greetings! Welcome to Taiwan, or as we say, 歡迎來到台灣 We are the International Greeter Association Taiwan Branch, based in the vibrant city of Taipei.

Whether you’re eager to experience Taipei’s natural beauty at 陽明山 Yangmingshan National Park like a local, immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of 信義 Xinyi district, or savor the incredible cuisine at our bustling 士林 Shilin night markets, we’re here to make your visit unforgettable.

From exploring scenic spots to enjoying the city’s lively atmosphere, our friendly greeters are excited to show you the best of Taipei. Get ready for an amazing journey filled with warm hospitality and memorable experiences. Let’s make your time in Taipei truly special!

Request your Taipei Greeter here!

Tell us about your project to visit our city

Click here to submit your Greet request!

Remember: A Greet means meeting a local resident to walk around town with you as new friends. The first step will be to talk to the Greeter about the details of your personalized tour. It's not about taking part in a standardized tour, but about exploring the city with an expert volunteer .

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Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Free Walking Tour

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Uncover the essence of Taiwanese culture at Taipei's ancient Longshan Temple, a 300-year-old treasure nestled in the heart of the city's oldest district. Dive deep into the beginning of Taipei, the true Taiwanese way of life, the captivating tales of our folk gods, and their role in shaping the lives of Taiwanese believers. Dive into the rich fabric of Taiwanese culture and history. Discover how our ancestors thrived in Taiwan and how they treated illnesses without doctors. Looking for a bit of extra luck? Longshan Temple, filled with colorful dragons, is home to over 100 folk gods who oversee everything from the sea to battles. Share your wishes with gods like Wenchang Dijun, known for helping with learning, and the Old Man Under the Moon, who brings couples together. Our guide will show you how to throw 'moonstones' and interpret messages from the heavens. Get your fortune read and learn about the temple's long history and the traditions of Buddhism and Taoism that have made it a beloved place for centuries. Join us for an unforgettable journey as we discover the authentic spirit of Taiwan. Major Stops: Mengxia Park Bopiliao Historical Block Herbal Alley Longshan Temple

Length: 2 - 2.5 hours

Meeting point: longshan temple mrt station exit no.1 see google map, book now >, more tour ..., "i've attended quite a few walking tours and always love how much i learn about a city from them. having recently attending the longshan temple and nearby area tour with jenny hsieh, i really enjoyed experiencing the history of bangka, the skin peeling street, herbal alley, and the longshan temple itself. i came out of the tour with a much better understanding of how taipei was founded and the religion behind not just longshan but all the temples in taipei. thanks for a great tour", rob f - 2023 april, "the tour was great easily one of the best walking tours that i’ve been (if not the best). i feel i’ve learnt a lot from it. our guide james was very knowledgeable, has good humor and it was enjoyable to listen to him. he was friendly, and willing to answer whatever questions we had. the tour was well-organised, fun and informative. i look forward to joining another tour that is hosted by them again", oi y - 2023 mar, "april and josh were informative, humorous, and helpful. april gave me a far better grasp of taoist and confuciuian belief, which was one of my desires for the tour. they both could answer any question i had, even why trash cans are so rare in taiwan. i was happy with the tour and would recommend it to others.", jack spat - 2023 feb, "the tour with ale and leo was just fantastic. both of them are very knowledgeable about the city and the taiwan in general - we highly recommend it we especially loved how enthusiastic they are for the city they live in, making us even more excited to spend some time here and explore the city. ale and leo, we could very easily tell that you love doing what you're doing you made this tour very special for us - thank you so much again", "a very informative tour of the localized/non-urbanized part of taipei. charles and juno were very accommodating and great at making the history of the temple area into funny and engaging stories. would recommend 10/10.", jean mika - 2023 march.

How much does this tour cost?

We believe that personal satisfaction is the key. that's why, at the end of the tour, you have the joyful opportunity to express your appreciation through a donation that feels just right for you. typically ranging from $300 twd - $600 twd($10 - $20 usd) per person, your contribution reflects the incredible journey we'll embark on together, book your tour now, to reserve a spot, fill out the form below, *the name cannot be empty., *please enter a valid email address., *the nationality cannot be empty., 4">{{($index)+1}}th tour:, second tour:, third tour:, fourth tour:, fifth tour:, *the tour cannot be empty., *the date cannot be empty., *the time cannot be empty., *the group size cannot be empty., *these field cannot be empty., *these fields cannot be empty., confirmation, cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable. cancellations made more than 24 hours before departure will receive a full refund..

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Taipei Golden Age Free Walking Tour

Overview of the tour in Taipei

It’s the time of the new, and the time of the old. It’s the Golden Age for commerce and culture to grow. The roaring twenties was a colorful period in which the cultural heroes of each country shined. As Pablo Picasso is to Spain, Ernest Hemingway is to the U.S., Coco Chanel is to France, and so is everything that prospered around Taipei North Gate and Dadaocheng to Taiwan. This Golden Age Tour walks you through where Taiwan’s literati and artists once gathered and gives you a peek at how Dadaocheng has transformed over the years into a creative hub where traditions clash with innovations. Join the tour and relive the Golden Age of Taipei with us.

This activity includes:

• Taipei Xiahai City God Temple
• Dihua Street
• FaChuKung Temple
• Taipei North Gate (Cheng’en Gate)
• Beimen Post Office
• Yongle Market

Meeting point

Exit 2, MRT Beimen Station

Meeting point: Exit 2 of MRT Beimen Station Our guides are recognized with a green and white paper fan saying "Like It Formosa".

Things to note

1. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water or an umbrella if needed. 2. This tour is wheelchair, pram and kid-friendly. 3. This tour will take place rain or shine. However, if Taipei City Government announces a day off because of natural disasters, the tour will be cancelled, and you will be notified via email one day in advance. 4. If you are joining this tour with a group of more than five people (5+), or a group arranged by travel agencies, please fill in our private tour request form to customize your needs. The idea of our free walking tours is to show the city to individual travellers and small groups, and is not suitable for last minute big groups. If no advance notice or booking is made, Like It Formosa and our guides reserve the right to refuse your participation in our tours.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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The no.1 walking tour in taiwan, b e s t   c h o i c e   f o r   c u l t u r e - l o v i n g   t r a v e l e r s.

The capital, the biggest city, and face of modern Taiwan

Home of stunning  old streets and  traditional Taiwanese architecture

2 Routes

The oldest city of Taiwan with rich history and the best cuisine

Legend of gold in the most beautiful mountain town

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The harbor city of happiness and the heart of southern Taiwan

This is how our story began in 2015.

Taipei free walking tour, 2 routes in taipei, 7 days a week, #1 on tripadvisor.

Wanna know more about Taipei? All the histories and legends, the local customs and modern activities, the fun facts about this amazing city -    You can learn all these in a single walk!

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Besides free walking tour , guides trained, cities in taiwan, wanna know how, we tell good stories.

Our tour guides come from different backgrounds - students, translators, journalists, film makers, and even foreigners - but what we have in common is English proficiency and our endless love for Taiwan! Come join our tour so we can share our rich knowledge of local history and culture with you!

Our tour is more than a tour - it is also an abundant lesson of Taiwanese lifestyle and stories. Here we combine history and culture classes with a breezy walk through the city. Do you wish to know the heart of Asia in your own way? Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the unique and authentic charm of Taiwan at your own pace!

Our tours are designed and acted out by our very own performers - the guides! Each guide has their own charisma, sense of humor and social perspective that stands out from others, which makes every single tour an extremely unique and special experience. Feel free to chat them up and join discussions throughout the tour, too. It’s an interactive show after all!

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