Taipei: YouBike, the free museums, and the hot springs in Beitou

YouBike public bicycles cost almost nothing for the first 30 minutes with an EasyCard and the riverside bike paths run for miles. The National Palace Museum charges a moderate fee and is worth a full morning; many smaller museums are free. In Beitou, 30 minutes from the center by metro, the public hot spring pool costs a few dollars and the Thermal Valley steams for free. Elephant Mountain's trail gives the Taipei 101 view at sunset for nothing.