Serene views of Taipei from Bishanyan Temple

For some of the best and most peaceful views of Taipei get yourself a taxi (~30 mins) or if you are daring you can walk the Jian Tan Shan Trail (1.5 hours, please bring water and be prepared) up to the magnificent Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple. The temple itself is beautiful, set across multiple levels in the mountainside, carvings and details to be found everywhere, but the view over Taipei is breathtaking. There is a cafe below the temple, serving simple tea and coffee (if available) for a donation of your choosing, or vending machines as well, and this shares the same expansive view of Taipei, you can enjoy the view and watch the planes taking off from the airports as life floats on by