The Top (Yangmingshan)
Build a trip to Taipei
About
Perched on the slopes of Yangmingshan, The Top is a resort-style restaurant famous for its Bali-inspired terraces and breathtaking night views of the Taipei skyline. The restaurant features private white-tented cabanas, neon-lit pools, and tiered seating that maximizes the panorama of the city below. The atmosphere is romantic, glamorous, and social. The sensory experience is dominated by the cool mountain air and the twinkling lights of the Taipei 101 in the distance. Expert recommendation: The 'Recreational' section is great for drinks and snacks, while the 'Dining' section offers high-quality stir-fries and hot pots. Pro tip: They do not take reservations for the best outdoor seats; it is strictly first-come, first-served. Arrive just before sunset to secure a spot and watch the city transition into night. It is best reached by taxi or private car.
Highlights
- Bali-inspired resort vibe
- Best Taipei night view
- Terraced outdoor lounge seating
- Romantic dining destination
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Wonder.land (Yangmingshan)
Wonder.land is a stylish, modern bar and restaurant on Yangmingshan that offers a more 'clubby' and youthful alternative to The Top. It features a large outdoor deck with bean bags, neon installations, and a DJ booth playing chill-out house music. The atmosphere is trendy and energetic, making it a favorite for the city's 'cool' crowd. The sensory experience is defined by the vibrant sunset views and the creative, colorful cocktails. Expert recommendation: Try their tea-infused cocktails, which pay homage to the local mountain culture. Pro tip: Like its neighbors, it gets extremely busy on weekend nights. The drive up the mountain is winding, so it’s safer to take a taxi if you plan on drinking. The view of the sunset from here is arguably one of the best in northern Taiwan.
National Palace Museum
Housing one of the world's greatest collections of Chinese imperial art and artifacts, the National Palace Museum holds over 700,000 objects spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history that were transported to Taiwan from Beijing's Forbidden City during the Chinese Civil War, including jade, porcelain, calligraphy, painting, bronze, and lacquerware of extraordinary refinement. The museum's most famous treasures—the cabbage-shaped jade carving (Jadeite Cabbage) and the Meat-shaped Stone—draw gasps of astonishment for their technical virtuosity, while the calligraphy collection and Ming Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain represent the finest examples of these art forms surviving anywhere in the world. The hillside museum's gardens and teahouses offer a peaceful complement to the overwhelming richness of the collections inside.
Zhishan Garden
Located right next to the National Palace Museum, Zhishan Garden is a classical Chinese garden designed in the style of the Song and Ming dynasties. The garden is a masterpiece of landscape architecture, featuring pavilions, winding bridges over koi-filled ponds, and calligraphic inscriptions on stone tablets. The atmosphere is one of profound tranquility and scholarly elegance, designed to evoke the spirit of ancient literati. The sensory experience is defined by the gentle sound of waterfalls and the visual harmony of the carefully manicured pines. Expert recommendation: This is the perfect place to decompress after exploring the crowded museum galleries. Pro tip: If you have a ticket for the National Palace Museum, entrance to Zhishan Garden is typically free; otherwise, there is a very small fee (approx. 20 TWD). It is particularly atmospheric during the autumn months when the air is crisp.
Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan is Taipei's vast backyard, a volcanic national park characterized by sulfurous fumaroles, hot springs, lush grasslands, and seasonal flower blooms. The park offers a dramatic sensory experience—from the smell of sulfur at Xiaoyoukeng to the misty, rolling hills of Qingtiangang where wild water buffalo roam. It is a vital escape for locals seeking fresh air and geological wonders. Expert recommendation: Visit in spring (February-March) for the cherry blossoms or in autumn for the silver grass. Pro tip: The weather here is significantly cooler and more unpredictable than in the city; always carry a light jacket and an umbrella. Use the 'S15' or 'S18' bus from Jiantan Station for easy access. The park is vast, so pick one or two main areas (like the Flower Clock or the hot spring areas) to explore in a single day.
Reviews
Visited this place? Share your experience and help other travelers.