Where to go plane spotting in Taipei
Where to watch planes take off and land
Something many visitors do not realize is just how close Taipei Songshan Airport is to the heart of the city.
Aircraft descend over busy roads, riverside parks, and mountain trails, and several places in the city offer particularly good views of them taking off and landing.
For perhaps the most dramatic experience, Airplane Alley puts you almost directly beneath incoming aircraft. Minquan Bridge offers a broader riverside perspective, while Laodifang Lookout provides a distant, elevated view across the city skyline, with planes visible both departing and arriving.
Together, the three locations offer very different perspectives on the action at Songshan Airport, from directly beneath the flight path to high above Taipei. Download a flight-tracking app, check the arrivals, and pick your viewpoint.
#1: Airplane Alley
Watch planes pass just meters overhead beside Songshan Airport
Located at the western edge of Songshan Airport, Binjiang Street Lane 180 is one of Taipei’s best-known plane-spotting locations, and it's particularly good for seeing planes land rather than take off.
Nicknamed “Airplane Alley,” the narrow road sits directly beneath the airport’s landing path, giving visitors an exceptionally close view of aircraft descending toward the runway. As they land, prepare to hear the engines roar and feel a rush of air.
The aircraft arriving from Taitung County during our visit was not particularly large, but watching it sweep over the road and touch down moments later was impressive.
Plane spotters, aviation enthusiasts, and photographers are known to gather here on weekends. When This is Taipei visited on a weekday, however, the only other visitors were two friendly scooter riders taking a break.
The platform also has decent city skyline views, with Taipei 101 visible in the distance.
Airplane Alley is open 24 hours and free to visit. Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to noise, be prepared for strong winds, and be aware that the roads around the viewing platform can be busy.
#2: Lao Difang
Take in sweeping city views and distant aircraft from Jiantan Mountain
For a more distant view of the action at Songshan Airport, head up Jiantan Mountain to Lao Difang Lookout.
The elevated wooden platform offers sweeping views across the Taipei Basin, with Songshan Airport, Taipei 101, the Miramar Ferris wheel, and several of the city’s bridges visible below.
It is also a popular place to watch planes take off and land, although the experience is very different from standing directly beneath them at Airplane Alley.
From this height, aircraft can be seen moving along the runway before rising above the city’s densely packed buildings, or descending toward the airport from across the skyline.
You will not get the same engine roar or rush of air, but the wider perspective makes it easier to appreciate just how centrally located the airport is.
The platform is particularly scenic around sunset, when the city begins to light up, and planes can be seen crossing the skyline.
#3: Minquan Bridge
Watch planes take off from an elevated riverside walkway
A new elevated pedestrian walkway connected to Minquan Bridge opened in mid-July 2026, linking riverside parks in Songshan and Neihu districts.
Just a stone’s throw from Songshan Airport, it is an easy detour if you are cycling along the river.
Speaking at the bridge’s opening ceremony, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an described it as an ideal place to watch planes take off.
The airport itself is not visible from the walkway, however, so be prepared for aircraft to appear suddenly or keep an eye on a flight-tracking app.
