Day three was for Taipei’s temples and landmarks. We started at Longshan Temple, which dates from 1738 and stands right next to the MRT station that shares its name. Incense drifted through its halls. Then we went on to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for the Changing of the Guard, which since July 2024 has been held outdoors at the foot of the main hall’s front steps. Between the two, we learned a lot about Taiwan’s history in one morning.
In the afternoon we went up Taipei 101 for coffee at Simple Kaffa, on the 88th floor. The café is part of the office tower, with its own way in through the Xinyi Door, so it sits apart from the observatory higher up.
Good to know
- Longshan Temple: it dates from 1738 and is open every day from 6am to 10pm, right next to Longshan Temple MRT station. The custom is to go in by the right-hand door and out by the left, keep your voice down and take off hats and sunglasses. Taipei Travel
- Changing of the Guard: it happens on the hour from 9am to 5pm and lasts about 15 minutes. Since July 2024 it has been held outdoors, at the foot of the main hall’s front steps, and it’s called off when it rains. Watching is free. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Simple Kaffa at Taipei 101: you don’t need an observatory ticket. Go in through the Xinyi Door of the office tower and ask at the reception desk beside the escalator. There’s a minimum spend of NT$300 each for ordinary seats, and more for window tables. You can book online up to seven days ahead, but ordinary seats are walk-in only in the busy afternoon. It’s open 9am to 7pm. Simple Kaffa Sola
We checked these times and prices in October 2026. They do change, so it's worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.