Where the scent of incense fills the air, and chanting echoes in the alleyways from ramshackle Taoist temples, where historic Japanese mansions creak under the feet of wanderlusting tourists and where American style Merchant villas almost transport you to another continent altogether, Taipei is a unique blend of cultures. Taipei is home to an infusion of traditional Chinese culture meets American and Southeast Asian influences.

Dating back 300 years, Taipei’s rich history and blend of cultural backgrounds means that no two streets are the same. Every labyrinth styled passageway, every quaint street and every neighbourhood has its own personality. For budding photographers and travellers that love “doing it for the ‘gram” this is perfect, as Taipei presents countless photo opportunities at virtually every turn.

If you are looking to stop by the most instagrammable spots in Taipei in order to snap the perfect selfie or create a flawless feed, then this article has them covered.

The iconic Taipei 101 Building

Designed to look like oodles of noodle boxes stacked atop each other, the iconic Taipei 101 building is one of Taipei’s most famous landmarks, so it makes sense that this would appear on our list. Towering high above the city’s skyline, Taipei 101 is visible from all angles of the city. Even though it has been photographed dozens of times, the building’s unique structure offers lots of opportunity to snap a shot from a unique perspective.

Ximending

With packed alleyways, street vendors selling virtually every edible treat imaginable and signs displaying bursts of neon, Ximending is one of the busiest regions of Taipei and is often referred to as being the “Harajuku of Taipei”. This is the perfect spot to engage in some retail therapy or experiment with Taiwan’s popular street food delicacies. It is also one of the best places to capture images of local life and depictions of Taipei by night. If you are interested in vibrant, cyberpunk photography, this neighbourhood is one of the best regions to obtain such snaps.

Maokong Hill

As a sprawling Asian capital city, you may associate the idea of Taipei with being a crowded, bustling megalopolis filled with traffic and densely packed streets. While that is true to an extent, a beautiful slice of nature awaits the traveller not far from the city centre. Taking the metro to Taipei zoo followed by a short gondola ride, you will arrive in the picturesque Maokong district of Taipei. Since few tourists know about this region, you will likely have it all to yourself, meaning no tourists to photobomb your wonderful Instagram captures! With magnificent views over the city, and stunning natural waterfalls like the Silver Stream Waterfall Cave, Maokong is the place to get those Insta shots that will make all your friends back at home jealous.

Taipei University Boulevard

We mentioned that Taipei is a diverse blend of cultures and that couldn’t be more apparent than at the American style Taipei University Boulevard. The palm tree lined streets here are reminiscent of the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. This is the perfect spot to take a walk to escape busy city life, or to strut your stuff along the quiet streets and pose for the ‘gram.

The CKS Memorial Hall

The CKS (Chiang Kai-shek) memorial hall comprises of large piazzas and memorial buildings that were erected in honour of former Taipei President Chiang Kai-shek. A visit here provides an interesting insight into the history of Taiwan, but also presents ample opportunities and angles for photographs in front of the gates and various structures. Come early in the morning to obtain that perfect capture of the site eerily abandoned and quiet before the tourist hordes arrive.

228 Peace Park

Nothing screams having the time of your life on a bucket-list trip to Asia than a “come follow me” photo in front of a pagoda and Taipei’s 228 Peace Park is the perfect place to cross that capture off your Instagram bucket list. The park has been constructed in a traditional Chinese style but with a modern, contemporary twist. With picture-perfect ponds, Japanese gardens and quaint walking paths, almost every turn here is perfect for a photo shoot.

Lungshan Temple

Photo source: Unsplash

With huge golden dragons, vibrantly coloured interiors, magnificent Buddha statues and the fragrant haze of incense in the air, it is understandable why Lungshan temple is one of Taiwan’s most visited temples. With a name meaning “dragon temple”, Lungshan temple has been standing since 1738 when it was built for the purpose of worshipping Buddha and other Confucian spirits. The ancient temple has a unique setting in that the modern city of Taipei has grown around it, and its vibrant red and brown frame stands out among the towering skyscrapers and colossal department stores. For a unique capture, come at night when the entire temple complex is illuminated.

With a blend of cultures and districts, Taipei offers a little something for everyone and for the aspiring (or established) Instagram photographer, it is possible to obtain a real diverse range of snaps that will have your friends and followers questioning whether you really are in the same city. Where you can be enjoying the fresh air and nature one minute, and the buzz of city life and flashing lights the next, Taipei is a Photographer’s paradise.