Taipei surprised us.

For a busy capital known for night markets, neon lights and the Taipei 101 skyline, we found something we did not expect at all: green spaces filled with birdsong, wildlife, and places that made us slow our pace without trying.

One of the biggest surprises was how easy it is to escape into the mountains at Maokong, just a short MRT ride and gondola trip from the city.

Between sightseeing, eating our way through street food stalls and wandering busy streets, we discovered quiet corners where squirrels darted through the grass, koi carp glided beneath lily pads and hillside tea houses looked out over the city skyline.

If you’re looking for peaceful things to do in Taipei beyond shopping and skyscrapers, these were the places we actually visited to step back from the noise and reset.

When we travel, we seek out the unusual things to do. Taipei was no different.

We are not always looking for the postcard-perfect views everyone else has; we are hunting for the offbeat, the unexpected, and the delightfully weird. Whether it is an unusual attraction or simply an experience that makes us laugh, finding places that sit outside the typical tourist trail is always part of the adventure.

Taipei is the perfect city for travellers looking for something different. You can visit the world's first cat café, drink bubble tea in its birthplace, hunt for street art, discover hidden speakeasies and, if you really want to, eat dessert from a miniature toilet bowl.

If you are looking for unusual things to do in Taipei, hidden gems in Taipei, or simply a different side of the city beyond the famous attractions, Feet Do Travel share some of our favourite discoveries.