taiwan tour how many days

The Perfect Taiwan Itinerary And Complete Taiwan Travel Guide

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: March 5, 2024

Categories Taiwan

Did you know Taiwan has the largest number and density of high mountains in the world? While this island may be small in size, it has much to offer!

From beautiful beaches to modern skyscrapers and from colorful street art to delicious cuisine, Taiwan has it all.

This Taiwan itinerary will guide you around the highlights of this green island that used to be called ‘Ilha Formosa' (meaning ‘ beautiful island ‘ in Portuguese). A fitting name as Taiwan is absolutely gorgeous!

Taiwan itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Itinerary for Taiwan and Taiwan travel map

In the map below you can find our Taiwan itinerary, at the end of the post you can download this map.

Click here for the interactive map

The ultimate Taiwan itinerary

• Day 1-3: Kaohsiung
• Day 4-6: Kenting National Park
• Day 7-9:  Tainan
• Day 10-11:  Taichung
• Day 12-13: Sun Moon Lake
• Day 14-19:  Taipei (part I)
• Day 20-23: Hualien and the Taroko Gorge
• Day 24-29:  Taipei (part II)

Important things to know when planning a trip to Taiwan

Taiwan is a great destination year-round, however, Spring (March-April) and Autumn (October-November) are the most popular times to visit. From mid-May until September, monsoon season causes a lot of rain, especially on the East Coast. We visited in May and while we did experience some rain, the weather was good on most days. However, we did adjust our travel plans because of the (terrible) weather forecast, and instead of traveling the entire length of Taiwan's East Coast (in the pouring rain), we opted to spend more time in Taipei (where it was still sunny). During Summer (June until August) Taiwan is hot and humid with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius. Winter is low season in Taiwan, though it usually doesn't get that cold (around 10 degrees).

The official currency in Taiwan is the  New Taiwan dollar  ( NT $) .   Here  you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 34NT$ and $1 approximately 30NT$.

Plan your Taiwan trip like a pro with these tools: ? Pick up an EasyCard for cashless payments and to use public transport. ? Book discounted tickets for Taiwan's high-speed rail. ? Stay connected with a  Taiwan Wifi router . ? Plan your journey with the  T aiwan Lonely Planet . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Klook or Get Your Guide . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Taiwan travel tips

In general traveling around Taiwan is very easy. This beautiful small country is safe and well-organized and, as I already mentioned, the people are super friendly.

Nevertheless, here are some travel tips to make your Taiwan trip even easier (and cheaper!).

Buy an EasyCard

I recommend that as soon as you arrive in Taiwan, you pick up an EasyCard .

You can use this pass all over Taiwan to pay for transport (MRT, bicycles, buses, trains, ferries, etc.). The Easy Card gives you a discount on transport fares and saves you the hassle of having to pay with coins.

You can top up your credit in 7-11 and Family Mart (you can also pay with your EasyCard in these shops and several others).

Pick up a Wifi router at the airport

During our trip to Taiwan, we used a portable Wifi router with unlimited data to stay online.

We could connect all our devices (and we have a lot ) and had excellent reception everywhere in Taiwan (except in the tunnels on the East coast). Click here to book your Wifi router .

You can pick up the router upon arrival at Taoyuan international airport or Kaohsiung airport and use it throughout your Taiwan trip.

You can simply return the device to the service counter where you picked it up, or use a 24-hour drop-off box available at the airports mentioned above if you happen to have to catch a flight outside of business hours.

Be prepared to use Google Translate a lot

While the people in Taiwan are very friendly and always willing to help, I was surprised to learn that many Taiwanese don't speak English. At all.

They will still try to help you through and Google Translate makes it a lot easier. You can download the app for free in the App Store or the Play Store .

Our Taiwan trip: facts and figures

• I traveled with my husband; our trip started in Kaohsiung and ended in Taipei. Our Taiwan trip itinerary was  29 days in   total.
• We traveled around Taiwan by public transport (train, bus, and MRT). In Kenting National Park and Hualien, we rented a scooter. In Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, and Taipei we used the public bicycle rental systems, bus, and MRT to get around.
• During our trip around Taiwan, we spent approximately   2065 NT / €63 / $69 per day as a couple. If you want to know more about the costs of our Taiwan trip , check my budget breakdown .
• I have written detailed guides for most places we visited in Taiwan, in these guides you can find detailed information about our day-to-day activities, transportation, and detailed information about our accommodation . You can find the links to those posts in the itinerary below.

Where to find great budget accommodation in Taiwan

In the table below you can find our Taiwan accommodation. I’ve also written a separate post about the places we stayed in Taiwan with more details about these places.

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

* Unfortunately, the Airbnbs we stayed at in Kaohsiung and Taipei are no longer available due to Covid-19. I've done my utmost to find a suitable alternative (see table) .

How to spend a month in Taiwan

Ideally, if you have a month in Taiwan as we did, you'd make a full circle around the island. You can either start and end your trip in Taipei or in Kaohsiung, as these are the largest hubs for international flights.

As I mentioned above, unfortunately, we didn't get to finish our Taiwan loop because monsoon season started and the East Coast was soaking wet.

Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun during the additional time we spend in Taipei and I don't regret making this decision. Below you can find our day by day one month Taiwan trip.

If you have less time available to explore Taiwan, don't worry, I've got you covered. Further on in the post, I also suggest shorter options (5, 7, and 10 days, plus 2 and 3 weeks) for your Taiwan travel itinerary.

Day 1 – 3: Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung isn't a well-known city, at least I had never heard of it before traveling to Taiwan. Of course, that could also just be me being ignorant…

Anyway, Kaohsiung is the third-largest city in Taiwan and this is where we started our trip. Kaohsiung is an important harbor city but also has many interesting sights.

My recommended activities for Kaohsiung are:

• Cycle the bicycle trail along the Love River . Worthwhile stops are the Kaohsiung 228 Peace Memorial Park, Zhongdou Wetlands Park, Botanical Garden, and the Lotus Pond.
• Cycle around the Lotus Pond. Another great bicycle trail goes around the Lotus Pond, on the south side of the lake you can find the colorful Tiger and Dragon Pagodas.
• Visit Qijin Island . This small island is only a 5-minute ferry ride from the mainland. Here you can explore the Cijin Coast Park, admire the view from the Cihou Lighthouse and visit the Maritime Museum.

Book your Kaohsiung accommodation: 85 Good Time Hotel

Click here to read about more things to do in Kaohsiung .

Day 4 – 6: Kenting National Park

From busy Kaohsiung, we traveled to the green Kenting National Park, in the South of Taiwan.

Fun fact: did you know there are 9 National Parks in Taiwan ?

Kenting National Park is beautiful, the beaches are pristine and the empty roads through lush green jungle make it the perfect place for a scooter road trip.

Some of the best places to visit in Kenting are:

• Maobitou Park : a great spot to admire the beautiful ocean views and impressive rock formations.
• Hengchun night market: try out lots of typical Taiwanese dishes and snacks and wash them down with a boba (bubble tea).
• Kenting town: take an hour or so to explore the town, but leave plenty of time to relax on a pretty Kenting beach, with white sand and stunning blue water.

Book your Kenting accommodation: Light Blue Bed & Breakfast

Click here to read about more things to do in Kenting .

Day 7 – 9: Tainan

Our next destination was Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan and one with a Dutch history which made it extra interesting for us (being from the Netherlands and all).

Back in 1624, the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or United East India Company in English) built Fort Zeelandia in Tainan and used the city as their ruling and trading base.

Besides the Dutch Fort, there are many beautiful temples in Tainan. In fact, there are more Buddhist and Taoist temples in Tainan than in any other Taiwanese city! The top spots in Tainan you should visit are:

• Koxinga’s Shrine : an impressive shrine dating from 1663. Also, take a stroll around the stylish garden in front of the complex.
• Fort Zeelandia: this fort was built by the Dutch in the early 17th century and used as a trading outpost. It's a great place to learn about (part of) the tumultuous history of Taiwan.
• National Museum of Taiwan History : another excellent place to learn about Taiwanese history and its many invaders throughout the decades (the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Chinese, and the Japanese).

Book your Tainan accommodation: Tie Dao Hotel

Click here to read about more things to do in Tainan .

Day 10 – 11: Taichung

Unfortunately, it was raining during the majority of our time in Taichung. We made the most of it though and went to the movies, ate wood-fired oven pizza, and hung out in cute cafes.

However, if the weather is a bit nicer, you can easily spend three days here as there are many things to do in this interesting city! Highlights in (and around) Taichung are:

• Rainbow Village : a short distance from Taichung city center you can find what is perhaps the most colorful village in the world. Painted by Huang Yong-Fu in a desperate attempt to preserve his home that was about to be torn down by the government, this artsy village has now become one of Taiwan’s most famous attractions!
• Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House : the birthplace of Taiwan's famous boba, aka bubble tea. Here you can take a bubble tea-making class and learn how to create these delicious and highly addictive concoctions yourself.
• Taichung Second Market : an authentic wet market with 100 years of history. Here you can eat local dishes created from secret family recipes handed down for generations!

Book your Taichung accommodation: Modern Inn

Click here to read about more things to do in Taichung .

Day 12 – 13: Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan and a very popular place to visit. It sure is a gorgeous place, unfortunately, the rain that found us in Taichung followed us to Sun Moon Lake.

We had planned to do lots of outdoor activities, like cycling around the lake and hiking up Mt. Shuishe.

Instead, we spent most of our time in the Starbucks in Shuishe Village, running outside whenever the rain stopped for a brief moment to take pictures of the still beautiful-looking lake.

Nevertheless, there are tons of things to do at Sun Moon Lake when the weather is nice:

• Follow (part of) the Yuetan Bike Path : a 29 kilometers bike route that goes around Sun Moon Lake. You can also opt for a shorter section of approximately 12 kilometers.
• Ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway‭: from the Ropeway, you can enjoy the best views over the lake and forested mountains.
• Visit the Wenwu Temple and Ci En Pagoda : these beautiful constructions‭ are highly worth a visit, and both can be reached with the  Round-The-Lake-Bus .

Book your Sun Moon Lake accommodation: Itathao Motel

? Discount : if you're planning a trip to Sun Moon Lake,  check out the Sun Moon Lake ropeway combo pass , which includes the ropeway, bike rental, and a boat trip over the lake.

Day 14 – 19: Taipei (part I)

I loved Taipei! I'm not usually one for big cities for a long period of time, but I really enjoyed our time in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. We spent 12 days there in total and still didn't run out of things to do.

What I loved most about Taipei is how easy it was to get away from the busy part of town and find some peace and quiet.

There is so much nature just a subway ride away from the center! For example, we hiked a mountain trail in the Maokong area and didn't come across anyone else.

I've written an extensive post about Taipei and a blog about day trips from Taipei , but to sum up, here are some of the main Taipei highlights to add to your Taipei itinerary.

Admire the view from the iconic Taipei 101

Go up to the observation deck on the 91st floor for marvelous birds-eye views of Taipei city ( purchase a fast-track ticket here ).

Explore the National Palace Museum

This huge museum houses one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts and is highly worth a visit. Click here to buy your ticket online .

Hike the Elephant Mountain trail

A steep but short walk to the top of Elephant Mountain (a 183-meter high hill) offering beautiful views over Taipei and the aforementioned Taipei 101.

Visit Chang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a huge and impressive building. Try to time your visit to coincide with the changing of the guards (every hour on the hour from 10 am to 4 pm).

Also visit the nearby Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness, National Concert Hall, and the National Theater.

Eat your way around Shilin Night Market 

Shilin Night Market is one of the best night markets in Taiwan, and also one of the largest in the country. Sample some famous street food dishes such as stinky tofu, fried buns, bubble tea, and oyster omelet.

There are so many food stalls you'll inevitably find yourself coming back a second night to try out more typical Taiwanese foods and snacks.

Take a day trip to Maokong

This is a pretty little village on the outskirts of Taipei that can be reached via the Maokong gondola ( buy your online ticket here ) or bus.

There are several great hiking trails around the village, which is known for the cultivation of high-quality tea.

Book your Taipei accommodation: Comma Boutique Hotel

Click here to read about more things to do in Taipei .

Day 20 – 23: Hualien and the Taroko Gorge

The East coast was my favorite part of Taiwan and I have only seen a small section! There are steep cliffs, a stunning blue ocean, marble mountains, and a green jungle.

It's much less populated than the rest of Taiwan, only 4% of the Taiwanese live on the East Coast. We spent 3 days in Hualien and used this relaxed city as a base to explore the famous Taroko Gorge and the area south of Hualien.

Some of the best things to do around Hualien are:

• Qinshui Cliffs : the combination of the steep cliffs and the vivid blue color of the ocean is a spectacular sight.
• Taroko Gorge: one of the most popular places to visit in Taiwan and rightly so, it's a beautiful place. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, rope bridges, and amazing views wherever you look. Click here to book a day trip from Taipei or take a Taroko tour from Hualien city .
• East Coast National Scenic Area : we rented a scooter and went for an adventurous drive along the coast and mountainous area south of Hualien.

Book your Hualien accommodation: Honey B Trip B&B

Click here to read about more things to do in Hualien .

Day 24-29: Taipei (part II)

Because of the approaching typhoon season, it was already very rainy on the East Coast. Therefore we did not continue south to Taitung ( cycling Taiwan’s east coast is a very popular option) but went back to Taipei instead.

In Taipei, we had mostly sunny days for the remainder of our trip and there was a lot more to do in and around Taipei so this was the best option for us.

But I sure would love to see more of the East coast of Taiwan!

Alternative Taiwan itineraries (5, 7, and 10 days + 2 and 3 weeks)

Taiwan itinerary 5 days.

If you just have 5 days to travel around Taiwan, don't worry! While you cannot see everything the island has to offer, you can get a taste and feel of the country.

This is how I would spend a Taiwan 5 day itinerary:

• Day 1-2: Taipei
• Day 3: make a day trip from Taipei (such as Beitou, Tamsui, Wulai, Maokong , or Yehliu Geopark )
• Day 4: travel to Sun Moon Lake
• Day 5: explore Sun Moon Lake and return to Taipei

Taiwan itinerary 7 days

For a 7-day Taiwan itinerary, I'd suggest the following:

• Day 3: make a day trip from Taipei (such as Beitou, Tamsui, Wulai, Maokong or Thousand Island Lake and the Shiding tea township )
• Day 5: explore Sun Moon Lake and travel to Taichung ( book HSR tickets with a discount here )
• Day 6: Taichung
• Day 7: Taichung and return to Taipei

With this Taiwan 1 week itinerary, you will get to explore the buzzing capital as well as Taiwan's second-largest city, Taichung, and one of Taiwan's absolute highlights: the beautiful Sun Moon Lake.

Taiwan itinerary 10 days

This 10 day Taiwan itinerary not only includes the two major cities of Taiwan (Taipei and Taichung), but also the two most beautiful natural sights: Taroko Gorge on the East Coast and Sun Moon Lake in the middle of the Island.

• Day 3: make a day trip from Taipei (such as Beitou, Tamsui, Wulai, or Maokong )
• Day 4: travel to Hualien
• Day 5: visit Taroko Gorge
• Day 6: travel to Sun Moon Lake
• Day 7: Sun Moon Lake
• Day 8-9: Taichung
• Day 10: Return to Taipei

For days 4-10 of this Taiwan 10 day itinerary, it's easiest to rent a car as this will allow you to explore Taroko Gorge independently.

It's also the easiest way to travel from the East Coast to the West coast. If you opt to travel via public transportation, the best way to travel from Hualien to Sun Moon Lake is via Taipei.

Taiwan 2 week itinerary

If you have 2 weeks in Taiwan, I'd recommend traveling either from North to South or vice versa. Your 2 week Taiwan itinerary could look like this:

• Day 1-3: Taipei
• Day 4-5: Sun Moon Lake
• Day 6-7: Taichung
• Day 8-9: Tainan
• Day 10-11: Kenting National Park
• Day 12-14: Kaohsiung

This 2 week Taiwan itinerary is especially suitable for people looking to travel in one direction instead of a loop.

Taiwan 3 week itinerary

If you don't mind a fast-paced itinerary, you could make a complete loop around Taiwain in three weeks. For this 3 week Taiwan itinerary, I'd suggest the following route:

• Day 6-8: Taichung
• Day 9-10: Tainan
• Day 11-13: Kaohsiung
• Day 14-15: Kenting National Park
• Day 16-17: Taitung
• Day 18-20: Hualien and Taroko Gorge
• Day 21: Return to Taipei

You will be traveling a lot with this 3-week itinerary for Taiwan and I'd recommend avoiding monsoon season (which is especially bad on the East Coast).

This itinerary for 3 weeks in Taiwan will show you very different sides of Taiwan. You'll explore several interesting cities, spend enough time at the most beautiful lake in Taiwan and also visit two National Parks (Taroko and Kenting).

Planning a trip to Taiwan: in conclusion

I had a great time in Taiwan and hope this post will help you plan your trip to this wonderful little island.

You can download the map and table with the transport information below. If you have any questions, leave a comment or send me a message !

This post was updated in November 2022.

ViaTravelers

Tuesday 7th of September 2021

Hello, Lotte! Thank you for thsi great blog! Taiwan is such a fascinating place to visit, and I love the Itinerary you gave. It makes an almost two-week trip to Taiwan packed and great!

Monday 4th of October 2021

Thanks for your kind words about my Taiwan itinerary:-) It's such a great country, too bad it's been closed since Covid... Anyway, enjoy your time in Amsterdam (I saw you went on a canal boat trip on your IG).

Monday 18th of January 2021

Thanks so much for sharing such an amazing post of your experience in Taiwan! I've always wanted to visit this country, and your post helped me add even more to my Taiwan must-visit list.

Sunday 24th of January 2021

Thank you for reading my Taiwan post and great to hear it's inspired you (even more) to visit this amazing island. I really loved our time there and would love to go back to explore more (and eat more delicious food...) One day!

Sunday 3rd of January 2021

Thank you so much for all this information. I truly appreciate it! I have been Virtual traveling since C19 and once this pandemic is contained and global green light turns on, Ilike to take my boys (husband and son) to Taiwan. Stay safe and god bless. Thank you

Sunday 10th of January 2021

Hi May Twu,

Thank you for reading my post and most welcome! For now, virtual travel is what will have to do... Hopefully, things will improve in 2021 with vaccine campaigns starting up. I hope you can visit Taiwan in the near future!

Stay safe and thanks again! Lotte

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

Hi. Thanks for the very informative itinerary!

May I know which month did you went to Taiwan? Thanks.

You are welcome! We went to Taiwan in May and left at the start of June. Have a nice trip:-)

Thursday 22nd of February 2018

Thank your for post, it's very useful! Taiwan looks really amazing.

Saturday 24th of February 2018

Thank you, Taiwan is amazing indeed:-)

The Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary for 2024

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in our disclosure policy

Having completed our own amazing two week Taiwan itinerary exploring the cities, mountains and scenic areas of Taiwan we’ve put together our recommended Taiwan itinerary. From chaotic Taipei to the beauty of Taroko Gorge to the natural wonder of Alishan, Taiwan is breathtaking and one of our favorite places to visit in Asia.  For those of you planning your own Taiwan itinerary, we wanted to share our Taiwan travel guide including the best things to do and what to see in Taiwan. 

Table of Contents

Taiwan Itinerary and Route

Most visitors touring around Taiwan either pick up a rental car and self-drive or use a mix of high-speed trains, tourist shuttles and taxis/private drivers to explore the country.

By rental car: With its excellent roads and good driving standards, Taiwan is the perfect country for a road trip. We followed a circular route starting and ending in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city and the point of arrival and departure for most Taiwan travellers – check prices now!

By public transport:  this Taiwan itinerary can also be completed by a mix of trains and buses. On the west coast of Taiwan, the major cities are serviced by High-Speed Rail – check prices here!

  Click here to reserve Taiwan Rail tickets!

Taiwan Route and Map

Here is a map of the route we recommend taking around Taiwan.

The Route:  Taipei – Taichung – Alishan – Kaohsiung – Kenting – Taitung – Taroko Gorge – Taipei

Click here for the Google map

How to Use This Google Map:  Click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. We use these maps all the time as you can set out your itinerary ahead of time and quickly reference the saved maps.

Renting a car in Taiwan

Navigating Taiwan by rental car is relatively easy and we highly recommend renting a car in Taiwan if you are comfortable driving. The roads are high-quality, driving standards are generally good and fuel is extremely cheap (compared to the UK and Ireland). We also used our rental car as part of our Taipei itinerary for the day trips from Taipei.

We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in almost 50 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Klook.com is a great option as it includes international rental car companies as well as some local options. Book your car now with Klook.com  where you will find the best rental car prices.

Taiwan itinerary tip: An International Driving Permit is mandatory when renting a car in Taiwan so make sure to get an IDP in your home country before departure if you are planning on driving a rental car.

Book your rental car with Klook!

Taiwan itinerary tip: Taipei is extremely well serviced by public transport and its subway is easy to navigate. As such, a rental car isn’t necessary in the city. If you are starting your Taiwan itinerary in Taipei, we recommend only picking up a car after you’ve explored Taipei rather than reserving at the airport on arrival. We picked up our rental car on our last morning in Taipei and left the city immediately for Taichung.  

Sim Card & Internet

As with most countries, having mobile data during a trip is invaluable for navigation and research. There are lots of options on arrival at Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) – we reserved a Chunghwa Telecom 4g sim through Klook who offer a slightly discounted rate on the airport price – click here for prices!

Taiwan itinerary tip: the Chunghwa desk only opens at 8am so make sure your flight times will work if you reserve in advance.

  Click here to reserve a SIM card!

How long to spend in Taiwan

From the chaotic Taipei to the magnificent sunrises in Alishan, the peaceful Taroko Gorge and the colourful Taichung there’s a lot to squeeze into a Taiwan itinerary. We recommend budgeting around 14 nights to explore Taiwan at a leisurely pace. This will allow you enough time to visit all the major sights and explore each destination fully.  You might wish to cut some things out if you have less time.

Best Time To Visit Taiwan

Depending on your tolerance to high temperatures, you may want to plan your visit to coincide with the cooler months! During the summer, temperatures are consistently over 30° and typhoon season is in full force. Spring and Autumn are a great time to visit Taiwan and its mild winters also mean the winter months are a good option.

Taiwan itinerary tip:  We visited Taiwan at the end of September and we managed to experience a heatwave as well as some typhoons which luckily changed direction at the last minute! The temperatures in Taipei were stifling and we had to retreat to air-conditioned buildings until late in the afternoon.

Daily Taiwan Itinerary

We’ve outlined our day to day Taiwan itinerary as a starting point for planning your own Taiwan experience.

Days 1 to 4: Taipei

Taiwan’s capital city really surprised us with the wide variety of things to see and do. After arriving at Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport we recommend spending the next three or four nights in Taipei. This will allow you to explore the main sights and to enjoy everything that this fun and chaotic city has to offer. We took the train from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main Station – click here for tickets

Buy your MRT tickets to Taipei now

An EasyCard makes travel around Taipei and Kaohsiung incredibly easy. The EasyCard is a travel card that you can pre-order in advance and pick up in Taoyuan International Airport. You can preload the card with credit and use it on the metro and buses in Taipei. You can also bundle it with a sim card option that you can pick up at the same time – check prices now!

Buy your EasyCard now

From toilet-themed restaurants to colourful temples, stunning nature and awesome day trips, there’s plenty to squeeze into 4 days in Taipei. Check out our round-up of the best things to do in Taipei for more detailed information and photos of each of the attractions. Also check out our detailed Taipei itinerary to help you plan your time in the city. If you are travelling with kids make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Taipei with kids .

Where to Stay in Taipei

There are many great accommodation options in Taipei.

• CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending Branch–  we stayed in the CityInn Ximending branch and highly recommend both the location and the hotel. Rooms are compact but fantastic value, service is excellent and the hotel is just a few moments walk from the MRT, a Taipei essential  –  check prices now!
• Taipei Garden Hotel – another great option located close to Longshan Temple and Ximending –  check prices now!
• Dandy Hotel, Daan Park – clean, comfortable and located across the street from Taipei’s biggest park, Daan Forest Park –  check prices now!            

Book your Taipei hotel now

Day 1: Taipei 101, Maokong Gondola and Shilin Night Market

Start the day with a trip to the observation deck of Taipei 101, Taipei’s most iconic building. The 101 story building resembles a giant bamboo stick and the 91st-floor outdoor observation deck offers amazing 360-degree views of the city.

We booked our tickets for Taipei 101 via Klook and highly recommend it. You can reserve your timeslot in advance and for the best price using the Klook app. It’s super simple and avoids waiting in extra lines when Taipei 101 gets busy.  Taiwan activities were mostly discounted when we booked in advance –  check prices now!

Book your Taipei 101 ticket now

From Taipei 101 make your way to the Taipei Zoo MRT Station where the scenic Maokong Gondola cable car departs. The 30minute glass-bottomed cable car stops at the colourful Zhinan Temple before continuing to the quaint mountaintop village of Maokong known for its tea plantations and tea shops.

Taiwan Itinerary tip:  We purchased combo tickets for the Maokong Gondola and an evening double decker sightseeing tour from Klook in advance and it was awesome value. The gondola is closed most Monday’s so make sure to plan your trip around the gondola’s opening hours – click here to purchase the gondola and night tour combo tickets!

Click here to purchase Gondola tickets

Finish the day with a visit to Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest night market with over 500 stalls. There are some incredible Bid Gourmand stalls serving dishes such as Hai You Pork Ribs and Bin Small Sausage in Large Sausage, where the sausage wrapped in sticky rice is a huge hit. There’s a lot more to Shilin than just food and you can do everything from playing arcade games to praying in the temple located in the centre of the market.

Day 2: Elephant Mountain, CKS Memorial Hall, Ximending and Raohe night market

Start the day with a short but steep sunrise hike up Elephant Mountain which rewards with some of the best views of Taipei. The trail is well maintained with plenty of rest stops and some awesome viewing platforms.

After admiring Taipei from Elephant Mountain it’s time to explore the history of Taiwan with a visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The CKS Memorial is an important Taiwanese landmark erected in honour of the first president of Taiwan.

A themed cafe is a Taipei staple and a trip to the Modern Toilet Restaurant in Ximending is as novelty as they come. The entire restaurant is toilet themed. Meals are served in toilets, drinks in bedpans and the seats are full-sized toilets! Having filled up on poo themed dishes take a stroll around Ximending, one of Taipei’s quirkiest neighbourhoods.

If you prefer a serious foodie treat, eat at the Fuhung Noodle Restaurant. The shop is located just north of Ximending and is home to some of the best noodles we’ve ever had.

Longshan Temple is next on the agenda. Longshan is Taiwan’s most famous and well-loved temple and is located in the historic neighbourhood of Wanhua.

If you still have some energy, the Raohe Night Market is a short MRT ride away and is perfect for an early evening walk through.

Taiwan itinerary tip: our favourite dish in Raohe was the Fuzhou Shizu Black Pepper Buns. They are not to be missed!

Day 3: Taipei park, the world’s highest Starbucks and Beitou Hot Springs

Start the morning with a visit to one of Taipei’s parks. Our favourites are Daan Forest Park, Taipei’s largest park, the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a repurposed art, design and cultural venue and 228 Peace Memorial Park, a poignant tribute to the thousands of Taiwanese who died in the February 28, 1947, massacre.

In the past it was possible to visit the world’s highest Starbucks which was located on the 35th floor at Taipei 101 and offered spectacular views of Taipei. Unfortunately in 2019 the store was closed and was not replaced. The Starbucks is now located in the mall at the base of Taipei 101.

Spend the afternoon at the Beitou Hot Springs which are just 30 minutes outside Taipei and accessible via the MRT. There is a wide range of options for bathing in the hot springs: there are less expensive public hot springs as well as private baths and upscale hotels and resorts. As well as bathing, the scenic Beitou Hot Spring Park is beautiful to explore together with the Hot Spring Museum and Library which are located within the park.

Day 4: Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu Geopark

Taipei is surrounded by amazing natural beauty and a day trip outside the city is an essential addition to any Taipei itinerary. Shifen, Jiufen and the Yehliu Geopark are a great combination to discover a taste of Northern Taiwan.

The Yehliu Geopark contains a fascinating collection of unique geological formations in an otherworldly landscape created by sea erosion. It’s a beautiful coastal walk and a very popular stop outside Taipei.

The old street in the charming town of Jiufen is a tourist magnet with visitors indulging in local specialities such as glutinous rice cakes, peanut ice cream and fish balls in between souvenir shopping. The A-Mei Tea House is one of the most prominent landmarks in Jiufen and offers both great tea and great views!

Shifen is famous for both its old street and its scenic waterfall. The old streets of Shifen, located around the railway track, are where visitors congregate to release colourful lanterns bearing their wishes in life.

Taiwan itinerary tip : we visited Jiufen, Shiefen and Yeuhliu Geo Park using our rental car. If you prefer to use a tour, Klook offers a great shuttle bus options which ferries passengers between the key sights of Jiufen, Shifen and the Yehliu Geo Park on the North East coast of Taiwan –  click here to reserve shuttle bus tickets!

Click here to reserve shuttle bus tickets

Days 5 and 6: Taichung

After a few days of exploring Taipei, it’s time to head south to Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. Taichung is busy and colourful and was a surprise hit in our Taiwan itinerary! There are lots of things to do Taichung and it is also the gateway for the immensely popular Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist attractions.

Where to Stay in Taichung

Taichung is a surprisingly large city and choosing where to stay can be tricky. We recommend:

• CityInn Hotel Plus – Taichung Station Branch – we loved the CityInn brand in Taiwan. Located in east Taichung beside Taichung’s main train station, the CityInn Hotel Plus is a great option. Rooms are clean and modern and the extra facilities like free common areas with coffee/refreshments and on-site laundry are invaluable –  click here to book now!
• La Vida Hotel – Regularly rated as one of the best hotels in Taichung, La Vida Hotel is a great option for those who want easy access to the Feng Chia Night Market. With European designed rooms the hotel is super comfortable and great for a stay in Taichung –    click here to book now!
• The Hung’s Mansion – where we chose to stay in Taichung and it’s a great option if you are driving like we were. With free parking, large comfortable rooms and great food, Hungs Mansion is also a short walk to the incredible Feng Chia Night Market – click here to book now!

Book your Taichung hotel now

How to get to Taichung

I t took us around 2 hours to drive between Taipei and Taichung .  I t takes one hour to travel by High-Speed Rail between Taipei and Taichung –  click here to buy rail tickets!

Buy your rail tickets here

Things to do in Taichung

Taichung deserves at least one full day to explore and, if we were to return, we’d allow two days! Start the morning at Rainbow Village , Taiwan’s most colourful neighbourhood before heading north of the city to the beautiful Zhongshe Flower Market. As well as a sea of flowers, props such as pianos, swings, and tractors make for great fun and great photo opportunities.

Taiwan itinerary tip:  tour buses arrive at Rainbow Village shortly after its 8am opening so we recommend arriving as close to 8am as possible. Zhongshe Flower Market tends to get busy in the afternoon when families congregate for barbeques.

Animation Alley is a great pit stop with its cartoon and Magna themed street art.

The 921 Earthquake Museum is a poignant place to visit: it is located on the site of a former junior high school and crosses the fault on which the earthquake occurred. The exterior remains as it did after the earthquake on Tuesday, 21 September 1999.

There are endless food and drink options in Taichung: our three favourites are Chung Shiu Tang, the touted home of Taiwan’s famous bubble tea, Miyahara for its Pineapple Cakes and I’m Talato, an ice cream shop with an ice cream floatie filled pool.

Round up the day with a trip to Feng Chia Night Market where the food is good and the clothing unique.

Day 7: Sun Moon Lake

How to get to Sun Moon Lake: Sun Moon Lake is a 1hour 15-minute drive from Taichung and is easily accessible by bus from both Taichung (approximately 2 hours) or Alishan (up to 3.5hours).

The cycle path surrounding the turquoise blue waters of Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular ways to explore the Sun Moon Lake area. There’s also a scenic gondola cable car that offers beautiful views of the lake and connects it with the Formosa Aboriginal Cultural Village.

Our other favourite stops were the Ci-En Pagoda and the Wen-Wu Temple . The 8 story Ci-En Pagoda requires a short uphill hike and is renowned for its views over the lake while the Chinese style Wen-Wu is vibrant and loud and there are lovely views of the lake over the burnt orange rooftops.

Finish the day with some street food at Ita Thao before returning to Taichung for the night.

Taiwan itinerary tip: the drive between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake takes about 75 minutes so we preferred to base ourselves in Taichung. Sun Moon Lake accommodation tends to be more expensive given its tourist draw and we were happy to drive.

Where to stay in Sun Moon Lake

If you wish to stay in the Sun Moon Lake area, some good options are:

• Fleur de Chine Hotel Sun Moon Lake: expensive but excellent with beautiful views over the lake – check prices now!
• Mei Jen House: homestay with great rooms, a vegan breakfast and an awesome sunrise tour. A great small but budget-friendly option in Sun Moon Lake – check prices now!

Book your Sun Moon hotel now

Day 8: Alishan

A mix of wilderness and tea plantations characterize the mountainous Alishan National Scenic Area. The Alishan sunrises are legendary in Taiwan and our time in Alishan was a highlight of our trip. From chasing the ‘Yun Hai’, the coveted sea cloud sunrise, to the historic railway and the stunning hiking trails Alishan is an excellent addition to any Taiwan itinerary.

Where to Stay in Alishan

• Alishan House/Alishan Hotel – the best hotel in the Alishan National Scenic Area and where we spent our night in Alishan. Rooms are expensive but the location is outstanding. It is worth the extra for the upgrade from the dated standard room in the old building to a superior room in the new building. Guests are not allowed to drive into the Scenic Area but the hotel runs a regular shuttle bus between the car park and the hotel – check prices now!
• Wankou Hotel: 5 minutes walk from the train station, Wankou Hotel is a good less expensive option to Alishan House. Nice views, clean rooms and good value accommodation – check prices now!
• Cing Shan Hotel : basic option located close to the train station, rooms are compact – check prices now!

Book your Alishan Hotel now

How to get to Alishan

The High-Speed Railway takes less than 40 minutes between Taichung and Chiayi Station and, from Chiayi, the bus takes 2 hours. Direct buses from Sun Moon Lake take up to 3.5hours. The drive from Taichung took around 3 hours in total.

Things to do in Alishan

There are 5 Wonders of Alishan and, although luck and weather dependent, most visitors strive to see them all. The 5 Wonders of Alishan are:

• Alishan Forest Railway
• The forest trails
• The sea of clouds

Taiwan itinerary tip: With some planning it’s possible to see Alishan’s Wonders during a one-night stay. If you wish to explore more extensively or at a more leisurely pace then extend the stay to two nights.

Aim to arrive in Alishan in the afternoon and take advantage of some of the stunning hiking trails in the area. Our favourite hike was to the Sacred Tree, estimated to be 3,000 years old before it collapsed in 1997. It’s located at the Sacred Tree (Shenmu) Railway and the trails pass giant red cypress trees which are over 1,000 years old.

After exploring the Alishan trails make sure to catch a famous Alishan sunset – we watched it from the amazingly located observation deck at the Alishan House Hotel , one of the best sunset spots in the Alishan Scenic Area.

Click here to reserve the Alishan House Hotel

It’s an early start in order to catch the legendary Alishan sunrise. We arranged our shuttle bus to the train station through the Alishan House Hotel on arrival the previous afternoon. After a 4:30 am wake-up call, we boarded the train to Chusan and watched the sunrise from the viewing platform.

After checking out we stopped by the Alishan Post Office and posted a traditional Alishan wooded postcard before leaving for Kaohsiung.

Day 9: Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a large port city in Southern Taiwan. Although we used it as a stopover between Alishan and Kaohsiung, we soon discovered it is vibrant and charming in its own right.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung 

• Grand Hi La –  one of the best hotels in Kaohsiung. With a perfect location in the centre of the Sanduo shopping district, Hotel Cozzi has luxurious rooms and high-end furnishings which make for a truly amazing stay – check prices now!
• Hotel Cozzi  – this large luxury hotel is conveniently located above a shopping mall right in the centre of Kaohsiung and is a great option for exploring the city. There are lots of restaurants close to the hotel –  check prices now!
• Hotel Dua –  g reat transport connections via the adjacent MRT station the Hotel Dua is a great location for exploring the city  –  check prices now!

Book your Kaohsiung Hotel now

How to get to Kaohsiung

Take the bus from Alishan to Chiayi Station (journey time is around 2 hours 10 minutes) and, from there, take the train to Kaohsiung, a further 2 hours 10 minutes. Our drive time was around 3 hours in total.

Things to do in Kaohsiung

We only had a half day to explore Kaohsiung as we used the city as a stopover on our journey between Alishan and Kenting. The city deserves at least to days to see properly and if you are staying in the city, some of the best things to do in Kaohsiung are:

• Kaohsiung Night Markets: the Ruifeng Night Market is considered one of the best night food markets in Taiwan and its stalls serve up a mouth-watering array of local delicacies.
• Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: visitors to Kaohsiung are encouraged run into the mouth of the dragon and out of the tiger’s jaws at the 7-story twin Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. The reward is a reversal in fortune and a turn from bad luck to good.
• Cycle Cijn Island: Cijn Island is a black sand beach on a narrow strip of island in the city. The island, accessible by ferry or bridge, is a popular day excursion in Kaohsiung.
• Dream Mall: Kaohsiung’s Dream Mall is the largest in Taiwan and East Asia and even boasts an amusement park with a Ferris Wheel on its rooftop!
• Pier 2: once an abandoned warehouse site, Pier 2 now houses a large scale open air public art display. The quirky sculptures and artworks are a real treat and the area is vibrant and lively and one of the best places to visit in Kaohsiung.

Day 10 and 11: Kenting

The seaside town of Kenting is located at the southern tip of Taiwan and is famous for its picturesque beaches and lush green national park.

Where to stay in Kenting

Accommodation in Kenting is a mix of resort-style beachside hotels and smaller, boutique-style options.

• Caesar Park Hotel – resort hotel with direct beach access and an abundance of kids activities including a kids recreation centre in the basement –  check prices now!
• Chateau Beach Resort – located by the beach, just 5 to 10 minutes from Kenting Main Street. The hotel has stunning ocean views and a nice pool area – check prices now!
• Amanda Kenting – we opted for the smaller Amanda Kenting Hotel. The Moroccan themed hotel has great rooms, a lovely indoor pool and free exotic costume rental for photos! – check prices now!

Book your Kenting Hotel now

How to get to Kenting:

take the Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung’s Zuoying HSR station to Kenting. The journey time varies between 2 and 3 hours. The drive time is less than 2 hours.

Things to do in Kenting

Kenting is the perfect spot for some rest and relaxation. While we didn’t follow a strict itinerary, our favourite activities included:

• a ride on the Kenting Hai World Semi Submarine with its glass-bottomed panoramic views of the Kenting coral reefs
• paddling in the tidepools and shallow swimming spots
• visiting Baisha White Sand Bay, a beautiful beach which featured in the movie The Life of Pi
• exploring Kenting National Park and its lighthouse
• standing at the southernmost point in Taiwan which is marked by an observation station
• indulging in the street food, clothes and carnival games at the Kenting Night Market
• Snorkeling in Wanlitong Beach

Day 12: Taitung

Taitung is a sprawling, coastal town and a popular stopover between Kenting and Taroko Gorge. It is home to the Beinan Cultural Park, one of the largest and most important cultural sites in Taiwan. Taitung also acts as a gateway to the volcanic islands of Green Island and Orchid Island.

Where to stay in Taitung

• Kindness Hotel – clean and comfortable option with good breakfast and evening night snacks in Taitung city –  check prices now!
• Papago International Resort – although one hour outside Taitung it is a great location for a stopover between Kenting and Taroko Gorge. Lovely outdoor pool, hot tub and hot springs with a children’s playground – check prices now!
• Inn by the Village – located close to the railway, rooms are modern and spacious and the breakfast decent – check prices now!

Book your Taitung hotel now

How to get to Taitung:

take the bus from Kenting to Fanglaio (journey time 1 hour). From there, take the train between Fanglaio and Taitung (90 minutes). The drive time is 2 hours 30 minutes.

Things to do in Taitung

If you have time to explore Taitung some of the best things to do are:

• Beinan Cultural Park: the largest and most important cultural site in Taiwan. It was excavated in the 1980s when thousands of slate coffins were unearthed together with jewellery, pottery and tools.
• Brown Road: home to the famous Mr Brown Taiwanese Coffee and surrounded by rice fields and mountains.
• Orchid Island and Green Island: volcanic islands off the coast of Taitung famous for snorkelling, hot springs, coastal scenery and strong Aboriginal culture.

Day 13 and 14: Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is another stunning stop in Taiwan. Taroko means magnificent and splendid and the mesmerizing scenery makes it more than deserving of the name. The steep mountains are covered in thick forest and a deep gorge carved out by the Liwu River, winds through the forest floor.

Where to stay in Taroko Gorge

Visitors to Taroko Gorge can stay in the Taroko National Park, close to the entrance to the park or in nearby Hualien where the trains from Taipei arrive and depart. We recommend staying in the park for both the close to nature experience and the convenience for sightseeing.

• Silks Place Taroko: we treated ourselves to a gorge view room in the luxury Silks Place Taroko which is located in the heart of the Taroko National Park. The facilities are amazing: there’s a rooftop outdoor pool (where we enjoyed a movie screening in the evening) and hot tubs, an indoor pool and tennis courts – check prices now!
• Taroko Village Hotel: located less than 1km from Swallow Grotto, the Taroko Village Hotel is a less expensive option to Silks Place for guests wanting to stay inside the Taroko National Park – check prices now!
• Chateau de Chine Hotel Hualien: if you opt for Hualien the Chateau de Chine Hotel is a good choice with its colourful exterior and spacious themed rooms– check prices now!

Book your Taroko Gorge Hotel now

How to get to Taroko Gorge:

we drove from Taitung to the Taroko National Park (around 4 hours). Public transport services the nearby city of Hualien, a 4-hour bus journey from Taitung. If you are arriving from Alishan you can take the bus to Taroko Gorge. If you are arriving from Taipei, an express train serves Hualien.

How to get around Taroko Gorge: there are a few options for navigating Taroko National Park. We used our rental car to explore. Many guests use a taxi/private car or rent a motorbike. If you are based in Hualien, it’s easy to join a tour – reserve a Taroko Gorge tour here!

Things to do in Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is all about nature and most visitors spend the day hopping between its best short trails, bridges and viewpoints!

Begin the day with a hike through the relatively easy 4km Baiyang Trail which rewards with a stunning water curtain as well as magnificent views of the gorge along the way. Start early to avoid the crowds, bring a flashlight to navigate the tunnels and beware of the monkeys! Due to loose rock visitors are only allowed to the entrance of the first Water Curtain.

The next stop is the ever-popular Swallow Grotto, one of the best places from which to view the gorge. It is a short and flat footpath in the middle of the park and the surrounding river walls are lined with swallow nests

The Taroko Eternal Spring Changchun Shrine is one of the most popular sites in the park. The stunning temple sits atop a natural spring and was built in honour of the many who lost their lives building the highway through Taroko National Park.

We also loved the Chingxi Suspension Bridge and the Cimu Bridge. On the way out of the park make sure to stop at the stunning Qinghui Cliffs where visitors have the opportunity to admire the three distinct color tones that make up the Pacific Ocean

Taiwan itinerary tip: some of the trails in Taroko Gorge are closed due to weather damage so make sure to check the official website for the latest trail availability. There is a Visitor’s Centre at the entrance to the park which also provides trail information.

Day 15: Depart Taipei

Day 15 is a day of leisure until it’s time for your flight from Taipei.

How to get to Taipei: take the bus from Taroko Gorge to Hualien or Xincheng Station and then hop on the train to Taipei. The drive took around 3 hours.

For more on Taiwan

• Check out our round up of the best things to do in Taipei!

16 thoughts on “The Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary for 2024”

My husband and I are planning a trip to Hong Kong & Taiwan in December. The plan was 7 days each; however, after reading your itinerary it is beginning to look like I’m going to have to wrangle more days in Taiwan. The experience looks amazing!! Also, I really like the layout of your page. It gives me what I’m looking for without having to hunt through the fluff. Thanks!!

Thanks Amy, so happy you liked the post. Taiwan is amazing, Hong Kong too!

Have an awesome trip!

My husband and I are also going to HK & Taiwan at the end of November into mid-December. We are spending 8 days each that’s because we have friends and relatives in HK so we planned 3-4 days meeting people. However, I think 8 days in Taiwan is still too short to explore and enjoy, every where we go is going to be a rush. We are skipping the east side of the island. If you have not finalize your trip, I would suggest to spend less time in HK since it’s a much smaller city, and allocate more days in Taiwan. Enjoy your trip!

How did you find travel with the little one, was it mostly pram friendly or did you use a carrier?

We used a mix of carrier and stroller. Sometimes on the subway it was easier to carry him than search for an elevator!

Overall, it was a really baby friendly trip! We cover our family travels on Show Them the Globe , there’s some Taiwan articles over there too!

Hi Elaine – great blog post! We are thinking of traveling to Taiwan, possibly next Dec and would like to hire a car for convenience, rather than use public transport. Are hotels with cheap/free parking easy to find outside Taipei? How about parking in general at tourist sites (esp. at Taroko Gorge)? Are tourist sites/viewpoints signposted at Taroko Gorge? Many thanks for any info you could supply!

Hi Elizabeth

Parking was included in places like Alishan (the public car park where the hotel shuttles pick up from), Taroko Gorge, Kenting. It was only included in a few hotels in Taichung but i guess that’s to be expected in a city. In Taroko Gorge, parking was easy to find at some viewpoints but there are only a few spaces at the smaller view points so you might have to wait. We did some of our sightseeing before breakfast and had the viewpoints almost to ourselves!

Have a great trip Elaine

Hi Elaine, Great blog. Thanks for sharing all this information on Taiwan. Can you please share something else? Did you book all your accomodation in advance or were you able to just drive into a place and find accom when you got there? I look forward to your reply as we are headed to Taiwan at the end of December this year. Thanks Janie

It was really busy when we were there in September. I’m sure you get accommodation as you go but, for the more popular places, I’d probably reserve in advance.

Great post. A question: what is the best season to tour Taiwan based on your research or experience? Many thanks. I probably will have more question as we go deeper into our planning. Many thanks.

Spring or Autumn. Winter is fine if you don’t mind low temperatures. Summer is hot and humid and avoid typhoon season. We got caught in the tail end of the season in late September but it was ok.

Did you every drive in the taipei city area? Is it easy to drive and to find parking?

Planning to rent car over there since we have elderly with us. Thank you

Hi Nabihah, yes we drove in and around Taipei City during our time in Taiwan. Driving was surprisingly easy and while parking was tricky if you plan it in advance there are parking spaces in most places. Have fun

We are thinking of going with our little one when she turns one in Sept/Oct (hopefully that is okay time,probably Oct though is better?). Since you have 3 little ones, do you have recommendations with traveling with a little one? She is currently 4 months old and we just booked our flight from Canada to Hong Kong. We plan to add Taiwan in there as well. It’s great to hear that your trip was baby friendly!

Oh one more question, is it better to fly with little ones during the day or night!?

I much prefer night flights so the kids can sleep through most of it. We just flew 10 hours from Dublin to LA and back over Christmas and the daytime flight was so hard trying to entertain our one year old! She just wants to be free to run around and explore! The night flight was so much easier as she slept for 90% of it. I’ve always been really lucky with night flights but you do run the risk that they won’t sleep at all – if you think there’s a good chance they won’t sleep I’d probably stick to a daytime flight.

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TRAVEL, WELLNESS & LIFESTYLE

Travel, WELLNESS & Lifestyle

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Feb 13, 2024

By Jade and Deeshen  •

Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

Visiting Taiwan for the best taiwan itinerary for 7 days to 10 days? We’ve got you covered! As Taiwan travel writers and having lived in Taipei as a local, we have traveled extensively in Taiwan to experience the area’s best hikes, nature spots, food, hot springs, tourist attractions, and spiritual spots. We’re sharing them all with you! Still largely undiscovered by travelers, Taiwan has some of the best hikes in Northeast Asia, rich culture, welcoming locals, best night markets in the world,, and home to the world’s most diverse butterflies discovered (over 400+ butterfly specifies). It’s also the origin of Boba Milk Tea and is one of the safest places to travel in all of Asia . The list goes on! Home to one of Asia’s highest mountains, Jade Mountain, Sun Moon Lake, lush hikes and lakes, white sand beaches in Kenting, vibrant city and night market life… it’s no wonder Taiwan was named “Formosa”, meaning beautiful, by Portuguese explorers. Once you visit Taiwan, you’ll keep dreaming of coming back! If you’re looking the perfect destination to nourish your soul, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we share our ultimate Taiwan itinerary for one week with the most soulful spots this enchanting island country has to offer. Consider this our love letter to Taiwan, and our way of giving back so you can fall in love in Taiwan too!

My Top Taiwan Recommendations Before we dive into this guide, here are a few things you can’t miss on your trip to  Taiwan!

🏙️ Enjoy skyline views from Taipei 101: Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings, is one of the best places to see Taipei city views. Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful architectures in the world that merges modern and traditional culture! Book your Taipei 101 ticket .

🚝 Take the High Speed Rail to Explore Taiwan: Taiwan is so much more than just Taipei. Travel to Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Taichung in a matter of hours . Pre-book your high speed rail ticket in advance or get a multi-day unlimited HSR pass at a steal of a price! The ticket is valid for up to 90 days after booking so if you need to change your reservation, you can easily do it online.

✈️Hire a Private Car Charter: The best way to explore Taipei is by private car charters . Experienced car charters will take you to wherever you want to go, save you time. You can choose a preferred language of English, Korea, Japanese of Chinese, and even ask your driver for attraction recommendations. Best private car charter in Taipei and to Yilan and Qingshui Geothermal Park .

🏨 Our favorite places to stay in Taipei: A panoramic city view with 5 star resort amenities at the Taipei Regent Hotel (Michael Jackson’s favorite hotel when he visited Taiwan!), or a luxury mountain view suite at Tango Taipei Hotel Shilin conveniently located near Taipei’s Shilin Night Market , or a downtown friendly hotel suite with gorgeous avant-garde design ambiance near Ximending shopping area at Wonderwall Ximending . 🏞️ Also, check out our favorite Sun Moon lake hotels for the best accommodation when visiting.

Table of Contents

Taipei Hotels | Where to stay in Taipei

First, where should you stay? We recommend to base yourself in Taipei for your first time in Taiwan. Taipei, the vibrant capital, serves as the quintessential introduction to Taiwan’s captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Taipei pulses with energy day and night, inviting exploration of its bustling night markets, savory street food, and captivating art, cultural scenes, and day trips within awe inspiring views. From its the iconic Taipei 101 to its historic temples, Taipei offers a seamless fusion of the old and the new, embodying the essence of Taiwan’s rich cultural history. Taipei travel is extremely safe, as is all of Taiwan. Learn about safety precautions in Taiwan from out insider tips. Our favorite places to stay: A panoramic city view with 5 star resort amenities at the Taipei Regent Hotel (Michael Jackson’s favorite hotel when he visited Taiwan!), or a luxury mountain view suite at Tango Taipei Hotel Shilin conveniently located near Taipei’s Shilin Night Market (our favorite night market in Taiwan!) , or a downtown friendly hotel suite with gorgeous avant-garde design ambiance near Ximending shopping area at Wonderwall Ximending . Many other bloggers will recommend that you stay in hotels near Taipei Main Station, however we do not. Taipei Main Station is the busiest and largest MRT subway station in Taiwan, and so every time you head out/return, you’ll be faced with a sea of people. Our go-to hotels when we visit Taipei is Taipei Regent Hotel and Tango Taipei Hotel Shilin, near Shilin Night Market and with good breakfast. It is tucked away in a quiet corner, walking distace to the MRT station on the main red line, a short walk away from the best night market in Taipei, Shilin Night Market, and one of the best morning hikes in Taipei, JianTanShan (with famous views of laodifang).

Now on to the best things to do on your Taiwan vacation and Taipei Travel!

Day 1 in Taiwan: Pingxi Crags, fly a sky lantern in Pingxi Old Town, and eat Taiwan food

1. pingxi crags (xiaozi shan).

Start your first day in Taiwan by taking Uber to Pingxi with a thrilling adventure to Pingxi Crags Hike, also known as Xiaozi shan (平溪小三尖). With its jaw dropping vertical cliff faces and three peaks to climb, it’s one of the best hikes in Taiwan. It was great fun hauling ourselves up there!

At first sight it does not look easy to climb but there are plenty of footholds, railing, and ropes to grab at. It was very safe, and we even saw plenty of fit elders climbing later in the day as well. Witness breathtaking views at the top of the 3 peaks, serene buddha statues, and kickstart your journey surrounded by the beautiful Taiwan views!

2. Pingxi Old Street

After an invigorating Pingxi Crags hike, immerse yourself in the charm of Pingxi Old Street , a mere 10 minute walk away from the trailhead. Explore the narrow lanes filled with traditional shops, local crafts, and the distinctive atmosphere of this historic area. It’s also much quieter than the tourist packed Shifen Old Street.

For a taste of local Taiwanese cuisine, dine at the little blue restaurant called 平溪祖傳切仔麵 nestled at the beginning of Pingxi Old Street. Do not miss this restaurant – it was one of the best Taiwanese food meals we had in Taiwan! Pro-Tip: Use our Daily Google Maps guides. Some must-eats restaurants and best Taiwan tourist attractions in Taiwan are only available in Mandarin Chinese names on Google maps. Don’t worry if you can’t read Chinese because we’ve created a free daily google maps guide at the end of every section with all the Taiwan attractions for that day for you! You’ll thank us later as you indulge in authentic Taiwanese food, savoring the rich and diverse flavors that will leave your taste buds delighted and body nourished. Check out our in-depth guides on all the things you should to do at Pingxi old street and what to eat in Pingxi, Taiwan !

As you continue your culinary exploration, don’t miss the chance to try Yu Yuan, featuring taro and sweet potato balls, and indulge in a delightful peanut ice cream at 平溪橋頭花生捲冰淇淋. These sweet treats are a perfect blend of traditional Taiwanese flavors.

3. Pingxi – Fly a Sky Lantern

Make your day magical by participating in the tradition of releasing sky lanterns in Taiwan.Write your wishes and intentions on all sides of the lantern, and release them spiritually to the universe! Add a touch of romance with a red date drink as you marvel at the lanterns illuminating the sky. Read our sky lantern experience gu ide to learn where to fly a sky lantern in Taiwan, and the prices in Pingxi.

Pro Tip: You can go to Pingxi during February for the sky lantern festival, but we recommend going any other time of the year (in early mornings) to have the place to yourselves.

4. Best Massage at Like.Villa in Taipei

After a long flight and a day filled with adventure, unwind and pamper yourself at Like.Villa Massage. Relax your senses and rejuvenate for the exciting days ahead. Relax with a Pressure Point Massage: Unwind after a long day of walking and exploration with a Villa.Like Massage and spa experience. This is our favorite massage spot in Taipei with multiple locations all over the city, we went to the Renai location. Villa.like’s massage therapist are exceptional, and trained well in both massage techniques and customer service! We felt so relaxed and refreshed afterwards. Start with a free foot massage followed by your full body Oriental Pressure Point massage. Book the best massage in Taipei .

End your day with a delightful meal at a local restaurant, savoring the diverse and mouthwatering dishes that Taiwan has to offer. Reflect on the day’s experiences and look forward to more unforgettable moments on your Taiwan journey. Day 1 sets the tone for an incredible adventure – full of exploration, flavors, and cultural wonders.

Day 2: Hike Taipei’s Elephant Mountain, Taiwan Tea, and and Shilin Night Market

1. elephant mountain in taipei (xiang shan) and the four beasts peaks.

Begin your second day in Taipei with a hike to the majestic Elephant Mountain (Xiang Shan). The trailhead starts at Daitiandian Lingyun Temple, leading you to the iconic Xiangshan Six Boulders Observation Deck. Marvel at the breathtaking views of Elephant Peak and explore the interconnected peaks of the Four Beasts Scenic Area, including Lion Mountain, Leopard Mountain, and Tiger Mountain.

Escape the crowds as you follow the trails that connect these peaks, offering a serene experience amidst nature’s beauty. Opt for the Elephant Mountain trail to Guanyin Pavilion, continuing north to Lion Mountain and connecting to Leopard Mountain Trail. This scenic route takes you past stone carvings, small colorful temples, and offers panoramic views of Taipei 101 , culminating in a descent to Yongchun MRT. Access the MRT using your pre-booked EasyCard , the easiest way to pay for transportation in Taiwan.

Recharge with a delectable meal at Bafang Dumpling with its multiple locations across Taipei, savoring the flavors of authentic Taiwanese dumplings.

2. Pinglin Tea Plantation for Traditional Tea

In the afternoon, head to Pinglin for a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony experience with this Shiding and Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour . Explore Pinglin Old Street, immerse yourself in the rich tea culture of the region. Visit the Pinglin Tea Museum to deepen your understanding of Taiwan’s tea heritage.

3. Taipei 101 Sunset and Evening Views

The tour ends and drops you off right in front of Taipei 101, where you can catch the spectacular night views of Taipei. Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings, is one of the best places to see Taipei city views. Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful architectures in the world that merges modern and traditional culture! Highly recommend to pre-book your Taipei 101 ticket , skip the line, and save time for night market exploration afterwards!

4. Eat the best Taiwan food and snacks at Shilin Night Market, including Stinky Tofu

After the dreamy views at Taipei 101, take the MRT metro to Shilin Night Market, a paradise for food enthusiasts. Indulge in the iconic Taiwanese stinky tofu, refreshing papaya milk, flavorful Taiwanese cold noodles, and the delightful Oyster Vermicelli or Oyster Misua! And yes, we love stinky tofu! 🙂 The vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of street food will make this night market experience truly unforgettable. How to get to Shilin Night Market from Taipei 101 ? From Taipei 101, take the MRT directly from Taipei 101 station to Jiantan MRT Station. The Shilin Night Market is just one minute walk from Jiantan station.

Other famous night markets in Taiwan are Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung, and Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei. Day 2 combines the best of nature with a culinary journey through Taipei’s iconic peaks and flavors. Enjoy every moment as you uncover the beauty and taste of Taiwan.

? My Top Taiwan Recommendations Before we dive into this guide, here are a few things you can’t miss on your trip to  Taiwan!

?️ Enjoy skyline views from Taipei 101: Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings, is one of the best places to see Taipei city views. Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful architectures in the world that merges modern and traditional culture! Book your Taipei 101 ticket .

?‍♀️ Soak in Beitou’s Thermal Hot Springs: Soak in Beitou’s natural white sulphur hot springs to soothe your body and mind. Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! This is one of the best hot springs that allow mixed sex which is perfect for couples, families, and friends. Best Beitou hot spring .

? Dine at Din Tai Fung: Eat quintessential Taiwanese dumplings at Michelin Star restaurant Din Tai Fung. Try all 8 types of Xiao Long Bao dumplings. Best Din Tai Fung deal .

? Relax with a Pressure Point Massage: Unwind after a long day of walking and exploration with a Villa.Like Massage and Spa experience. Start with a free foot massage along with your Oriental Pressure Point body massage. Best Massage in Taipei .

? Take the High Speed Rail to Explore Taiwan: Taiwan is so much more than just Taipei. Travel to Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Taichung in a matter of hours . Pre-book your high speed rail ticket in advance or get a multi-day unlimited HSR pass at a steal of a price! The ticket is valid for up to 90 days after booking so if you need to change your reservation, you can easily do it online.

?‍✈️ Hire a Private Car Charter: The best way to explore Taipei is by private car charters . Experienced car charters will take you to wherever you want to go, save you time, and are much more comfortable than a taxi or a large tour bus. This option is perfect if you have 2 or more people in your group as a family, friends or couple. You can choose a preferred language of English, Korea, Japanese of Chinese, and even ask your driver for attraction and food recommendations. Best private car charter in Taipei and to Yilan and Qingshui Geothermal Park .

? Our favorite places to stay: A panoramic city view with 5 star resort amenities at the Taipei Regent Hotel (Michael Jackson’s favorite hotel when he visited Taiwan!), or a luxury mountain view suite at Tango Taipei Hotel Shilin conveniently located near Taipei’s Shilin Night Market , or a downtown friendly hotel suite with gorgeous avant-garde design ambiance near Ximending shopping area at Wonderwall Ximending .

Day 3: Visit Keelung Mountain, Jiufen Old Town, Houtong Cat Village, Long Shan Temple, and Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

1. keelung mountain trail for the best taiwan hike.

Kick off your third day in Taiwan with a magical sunrise hike at Keelung Mountain Trail , a personal favorite Taiwan hike of ours. Let the morning hues paint the sky as you immerse yourself in the breathtaking sunrise views from this picturesque trail.

2. Jiufen Old Street for the best food

Next, venture to the enchanting town of Jiufen Old Street for a food heaven adventure! This is our favorite town to eat, shop and hike in Taiwan. Don’t miss our Jiufen Food Guide on all the best eats and our favorite tea house 芋仔蕃薯! (They’re the earliest open tea house which is perfect after a sunrise hike! If you’re interested in staying overnight in Jiufen , we highly recommend staying at least 1-2 nights in Jiufen and and here is our guide to where to stay in Jiufen for the best stay.

Dive into the culinary delights, savoring the Misty Cake puff pastries, yuyuan, taro pastries, and peanut ice cream that Jiufen Old Street is famous for. Jiufen used to be a gold mining town so you’ll see lots of rich history around every unique corner. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets, absorbing the charming atmosphere.

Be sure to save our best souvenirs to buy in Taiwan . (there’s so many!) You can get all your food souvenirs, gifts, and mandatory personal food stash ? at Jiufen and at amazing prices!

3. Houtong Cat Village

Houtong Cat Village , in Taiwan is the a perfect day trip from Taipei for couples, travelers, and cat lovers! Continue your day with a visit to this meow-gical town where over a hundred adorable feline friends roam freely and explore the cat themed shops. Explore the Ruisan Coal Transportation Bridge and enjoy scenic views along the Keelung River. This charming cat village in Taiwan is one of the best things to do in Taiwan. Be warmed, it will steal your heart!

4. Longshan Temple Taipei

Whether you seek spiritual solace, cultural enrichment, or simply a moment of quiet reflection, Long Shan Temple welcomes you with open arms. Longshan temple is an incredible temple with a sacred ambiance, making it a must-visit destination in Taipei. If you go early in the morning, you’ll catch the locals and monks chanting their morning prayers.

5. Visit Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Head to Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, a must-visit tourist attraction to see the national monument built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of Taiwan. The monument, surrounded by the most beautiful park in Taipei, stands at the east end of Memorial Hall Square. The memorial park also houses a beautiful grand arch entrance, The National Theater, National Concert Hall, beautiful flower grounds. Be sure to walk around the upper exterior of the National Theater and National Concert Hall, where you can observe the cultural scene and local gatherings. These groups include young and old people gather to practice Taichi, Taichi Sword, Stretching, hip hop dance and more. The locals are very friendly, and some will even welcome you to join in! It’s a perfect way to observe local traditions and culminate your day of cultural exploration.

6. Dinner at Yuan Vegetarian Buffet Restaurant 原素食府

End your day with a culinary extravaganza at the Yuan Vegetarian Buffet Restaurant 原素食府 in Banqiao! Here, you can try over 70+ vegetarian dishes, ranging from traditional Taiwanese food, dim sum, herbal soups, bao buns, cakes, to international cuisines. The buffet is located just outside of the MRT station. Reservations are required so be sure to call or book a reservation on Open Table app .

Not into buffets? Eat world famous Taiwanese dumplings at Michelin Star restaurant Din Tai Fung . Try all 8 types of Xiao Long Bao dumplings with this Din Tai Fung meal deal that also helps you to skip the 1.5 hour wait time. Day 3 promises a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality. Enjoy the diverse experiences as you create lasting memories in Taiwan.

Day 4: Beitou Hot Springs, Teapot Mountain Hike, and Best Taipei Vegan Food

1. brunch at nationwide healthy vegetarian buffet.

Start your day with a delightful Nationwide Healthy Vegetarian Buffet where for around 100 NTD ($3 USD). The best part is you get to enjoy over 25+ vegetarian and tofu dishes. Moreover, can enjoy unlimited bowls of soup, rice and porridge. We went to the location at the Zhongshan Jinxing Branch, but they are a renowned chain all across Taiwan. We were super impressed with all the offerings vegan, vegetarian and protein options! Indulge in a variety of healthy and delicious vegetarian dishes to fuel your energy for the day ahead.

2. Explore Beitou Hot Springs Resort, Beitou Library, Thermal Valley, and Beitou Hot Spring Museum

Embark on a journey to Beitou District, known for its natural hot springs and historical charm. Begin with a visit to Thermal Valley, Beitou Library and the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. Both experiences are free and a serene haven for cultural enthusiasts. Visit one of the our favorite Beitou hot spring resort , and soak in soothe your body and mind. Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a natural white sulphur hot spring! Spring City Resort is one of the best hot springs in Taipei that allow mixed genders, which is perfect for couples, families, and friends.

Meditate on the naturally heated stones in the Thermal Valley and witness mother nature show off the hot springs! Note, the Thermal Valley is boiling hot, and not safe for swimming.

End your night at the local Beitou night market, a 5 minute walk from Xin Beitou MRT Station.

3. Adventure to Teapot Mountain Trail and Qitang Old Street

Next, embark on the Teapot Mountain Trail in Ruifang. Challenge yourself with this invigorating hike, rewarded by panoramic views at the summit. After conquering Teapot Mountain, dive into the historical charm of Qitang Old Street. Visit the Chuen Ji Hall Temple, adorned with a captivating dragon and phoenix statue. Capture colorful moments at the Rainbow Steps (彩虹階梯). Explore charming cafes like Cafe & Me or 金瓜石 祈堂小巷 景觀CAFE館. Rainbow steps is different than Rainbow Village in Taichung city.

Immerse yourself in the remnants of Taiwan’s mining history, and cap off your journey with a well-earned meal at one of the local eateries.

4. Visit a Tea house in Jiufen Old Street in the evening

As the day transitions to evening, take an Uber to the nearby Jiufen Old Street for a delightful exploration of evening snacks, tea, and dinner. Conclude your day with dinner at our favorite Jiufen Tea house 芋仔蕃薯 , where you can savor the unique flavors of Jiufen’s culinary delights in a tranquil tea house setting. Trust us when we say, you’ll want to dine here both in the morning and in the evenings! The views in the morning are absolutely stunning with sea to mountain views, and the vibe at night with the lanterns is gorgeous!

Day 4 promises a perfect blend of adventure, history, and culinary exploration. Enjoy the diverse experiences as you continue to uncover the wonders of Taiwan. Be sure to save our best souvenirs to buy in Taiwan for all the must-buy gifts and personal food stash ?!

Day 5: Lao di fang Taipei hike, best breakfast in Taipei, and HSR bullet train to Taichung for transfer to Sun Moon Lake

1. morning bliss at jiantanshan trailhead, one of the best hikes in taipei.

Embark on an invigorating start to your fifth day in Taiwan with a visit to the Jiantanshan trailhead in Shilin, Taipei. On the way up, you’ll pass many spots where elders gather and sing karaoke, and working out to their morning exercise routines. The locals are extremely friendly so feel free to join in on their morning exercise. We were even invited to share a cup of tea with elders! Watch for signs to visit the two most two best viewpoints below.

From Jiantanshan, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Taipei, Songshan Airport, and the iconic Yuanshan Grand Hotel Taipei where you can also do a traditional qipao experience or take a tour of Grand Hotel’s secret passages . Don’t miss the detour to 北眼平台 (White North Eye Platform), a pretty white sphere lookout offering one of the best views of Taipei, planes flying off, and a unique perspective of this wonderful city. The climax of the trail awaits at the Plane Spotting Platform, also known as Laodifang Lookout. From the North Eye Platform, keep hiking another 30 minutes to Laodifang (老地方 aka Old Plane Airplane Observation Deck). While there are not many official trail signs on this trail, there are many handmade signs by hikers that point you in the right direction to Laodifang (老地方觀機平台). Along the way, you’ll see all types of beautiful butterflies and friendly little lizards.

From Laodifang, instead of hiking back the same way you came from, hike down easefully to Tongbei St. There you’ll find a peaceful residential area and a Family Mart as a pit stop before heading to breakfast. Pick up some freshly steamed sweet potatoes at Family Mart, our favorite delicious and healthy snack after a good Taipei hike!

2. Best Taiwanese Breakfast in Taipei at Sihai Soy Milk

Head to Sihai Soy Milk for the best Taiwanese breakfast, a perfect way to fuel up for the rest of the day. Do not miss this must-eat Taiwanese breakfast spot! At Sihai Soy Milk, we highly recommend the shaobing yuotiao 燒餅油條 the most iconic breakfast item in Taiwan and vegetarian friendly, along with the freshest soy milk squeezed daily. Shaobing  also called huoshao, is a type of baked, unleavened, layered flatbread in Taiwanese cuisine. Jade also loved the Xiao Long Bao and Shaobing with green onion pancake.

Head to the nearest high speed rail HSR station in Taipei

After breakfast, head back to your hotel to pickup your luugage and head to the nearest high speed rail station, which is most likely Taipei Main Station.

How do you get to the highspeed rail HSR in Taipei? Navigate to HSR Taipei Main Station on Uber app and ask your driver for a convenient drop-off inside the parking garage, the closet stop to the HSR. This is the closet drop off spot next to the HSR, and will save you so much time and energy if you have luggage. If the driver won’t go inside the parking garage, ask for a drop off near the HSR Taipei Station M1 & M2 exit entrances , which are the closest entrances to the high speed rail HSR. How far in advance do you have to arrive at Taipei Main Station before your high speed rail (HSR) departure time? Be sure to arrive at least 1.5-2 hours before your departure time as Taipei Main Station is the largest and busiest train stations in Taipei. The trains are very punctual and there is assigned seating. There is also plenty of shopping and good eats in Taipei Main Station. They do sell food on the train, however we prefer the bentos and baked breads sold at Taipei Main Station as you have a lot more options. How do you book an HSR trail ticket in Taiwan? Travel to Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi in a matter of 1-3 hours by pre-book your high speed rail ticket in advance or get a multi-day unlimited HSR pass at a steal of a price! By pre-booking, you’ll get 20% off your ticket. The ticket is valid for up to 90 days after booking so if you need to change your reservation, you can easily do it online. We tell you exactly what to book to get to Sun Moon Lake below.

How to take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) bullet train from Taipei to Taichung and then take the express bus to Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan is so much more than just Taipei. A trip to Taiwan is not complete without visiting multiple cities! After breakfast, take the High-Speed Rail (HSR) to Taichun g, then transfer to Sun Moon Lake.

⭐ Pro Tip #1: If you’re traveling from Taipei, here’s exactly how to get to Sun Moon Lake the fastest way possible and stress free in 15 seconds. Book this best deal for Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket from Taipei to Taichung (or get a 3-5 day unlimited HSR pass ). By pre-booking, you’ll get 20% off your ticket. The ticket is valid for up to 3 months (89 days) after booking so if you need to change your reservation, you can easily do it online. You must book in advance to get the discount, you cannot book the day of to receive the discount. It’s better to book your ticket earlier because the redeem code is valid for 3 months (89 days from payment date). . You can reserve for up to 28 days in advance, for example: If the redemption date is August 5 (Monday), 2024, reservations up to September 2 (Monday) are allowed. From Taichung HSR station, book a private car charter (for groups up to 2-8 people), or take this shared express shuttle bus right from the HSR station (if you’re traveling solo). Both will pick you up right outside the station’s exit 5 on the first floor, unless you specify otherwise with the private car charter. This just saved you 10 hours of research!

⭐ Pro Tip #2: Book your Sun Moon Lake hotel ASAP and stay at least 2-3 nights here. Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s most famous nature attraction to local and international travelers, which means hotels get sold out months in advance! If that happens, you’ll have to book a hotel 2.5 hours away in Taichung (very congested and polluted), and take a tour bus in. Don’t make this mistake like I did on my first trip to Sun Moon Lake! Read our guide on where to stay in Sun Moon Lake with the best hotels in Sun Moon Lake (includes breakfeast and the best views)!

Day 6: Biking the Sun Moon Lake loop trail

Did you know that CNN named Sun Moon Lake bike trail as one of the most beautiful bike trails in the world? Well, we recently biked this very path around Sun Moon Lake national scenic area in Taiwan, and let us tell you, it’s an absolute must-do for any cycling enthusiast. Sun Moon Lake has something for everyone. Read our full guide on biking at Sun Moon Lake here. We cover everything you need to know on cycling the Sun Moon Lake bike route , bike map and trail info, including where to rent bikes.

You’ll want to dedicate one full day to biking here starting as early as 8AM right after breakfast, exploring the 18+ miles, and biking til 4PM. We both agreed that biking Sun Moon Lake is truly one of the best things we’ve ever done in the world! As you can see from me (Deeshen) leaping up for joy at one of the bike route stops after Shuishe Pier!

⭐ Best deal for Sun Moon Lake All Day Bike Rental with no time limit. You can upgrade on the spot to an electric bike for just 100-300 NTD (3-9 USD) more, depending on the model.

Day 7. Sun Moon Lake Day 2

Day 8. Head from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung and take the HSR to Kaohsiung

Head back to Taichung HSR and take the High Speed Rail to Kaoshiung. Returning to Taichung is easy. Just catch the same bus from Shuishe Pier back to Taichung High Speed Rail station . Try to sleep as much as possible along the way. From Taichung HSR, take the HSR to Zuoying station. Again pre-book your Taiwan High Speed Rail Ticket with 20% discount in advance. You can change your time (for free) up to 1 hour before your train and book use it anytime within 89 days of redemption date. It’s an amazing deal and super flexible.

After you reach Kaohsiung Zuoying Station, you must be hungry! Put your luggage in a locker, eat at the station, visit the Dragon & Tiger Pagodas, and shop at the duty free Global Mall Xinzuoying Station Store (in the same building as the station). Prioritize the pagodas, you can always shop at Uniqlo Taiwan in Kaohsiung Gangshan after you check into your hotel. Where to put luggage on the HSR train? There are compartments at the back and front of every train block, however the space usually only holds 4 large luggage so if you have large luggage, we highly recommend to arrive at least 20 minutes to get in line. Upon arrival at Kaohsiung Zuoying Train Station, secure your luggage in lockers. If the lockers inside the station are full (which we found often to be the case), head outside the station towards the shopping mall next door where you’ll find a large 7/11 storefront. Right before entering the 7/11, you’ll find large lockers on the left hand side. The lockers are indoors right before the escalators leading upstairs to the mall and Uniqlo. Follow the provided map link for ease of navigation. It was around 60 NTD for 3 hours (that’s only $2 USD which is a bargain!)) , which was very reasonable and a better rate and more spacious than the lockers inside Zuoying train station.

Visit Dragon & Tiger Pagodas, Lotus Pond, and Drink Milk Tea Boba

Continue your exploration in Kaohsiung with a visit to the nearby Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Lotus Pond Scenic Area. Don’t miss the Dragon Tiger Tower, a must-see attraction in Kaohsiung. The appearance is truly unique, and it is spectacular to see from a distance! There is a belief that entering through the dragon’s throat and exiting through the tiger’s mouth, turns bad luck into good fortune. After soaking in the cultural and scenic beauty, treat yourself to some boba at 嚮茶 Shiny Tea, where you’ll find some of the freshest and chewiest boba in Taiwan.

Conclude your day with some leisurely by heading back to Zuoying Station for some shopping at Uniqlo and Air Space Lady where you can find trendy and comfortable clothing options for both men and women. After shopping and dinner, pickup your luggage and head to your hotel in Kaohsiung.

Day 5 promises a dynamic mix of trail adventures, delectable breakfast, and a smooth transition to the vibrant city of Kaohsiung. Enjoy the journey!

Day 9: Kaohsiung attractions – Butterfly Garden, Vegan Food, Shou Shan Hiking, and Shopping in Kaohsiung

1. nature retreat at golden lion lake butterfly gardens.

Start your day in Taiwan with a delightful Taiwanese breakfast, savoring the traditional rice ball, Fan Tuan, shaobing, and soy milk to kickstart your day with local flavors. You’ll find Taiwanese breakfast available in every local neighborhood, by simply looking on google maps or asking around. With plenty of vegetarians in Taiwan, you’ll also find at least 1-2 vegetarian Taiwanese restaurants in every neighborhood.

Embark on a nature retreat at Jinshih Lake Butterfly Garden and Golden Lion Lake Butterfly Garden . Here you’ll see over 100+ types of butterfly species in its outdoor flower garden and 3 indoor gardens. You’ll also get to see the life cycle of caterpillars as they crystalize to turn into a majestic butterfly. This is a completely free activity, perfect for couples and families. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of these beautiful spots using the provided map link for easy navigation.

2. Eat like a local at this 綠饌食 Vegan Taiwanese restaurant in Kaohsiung

For lunch, indulge in a delightful vegan experience at a local restaurant called 綠饌食, where you can eat traditional Taiwanese food such as fragrant mushroom rice (vegan luruofan), dan dan noodles, sweet and sour soup, small plates, and more. Follow the provided map link to discover this hidden gem that offers a diverse range of tasty plant-based delights.

3. Hike at Shou Shan Hiking Trail and meet Monkeys

In the afternoon, challenge yourself with a hike along the Shou Shan Hiking Trail. The Shou Shan Hiking Trail is famous for monkey spotting, and it doesn’t disappoint! As soon as you enter the parking lot and start the hike, you can see a families of local resident monkeys, along with mama and baby monkeys.

We spotted over 100+ monkeys on our hike and some very playful ones hopping from one car to the others in the parking lot! The monkeys here were bold but super friendly and non-aggressive. It was surreal to see monkeys so up close and personal. Brace yourself for adorable encounters with playful monkeys as you explore the scenic beauty of this trail. One of our favorite memories in Kaohsiung, Taiwan was observing baby monkeys eating pink flowers at Shou Shan hiking trail! Be sure to keep loose belonging, snacks, sunglasses, and food in the car.

4. Shopping at Uniqlo Taiwan in Kaohsiung Gangshan

After a day of outdoor adventures, take a break for some more shopping at UNIQLO Kaohsiung Gangshan Store and Air Space Lady. The Gangshan stores are much bigger and have a larger section, which is also where we did most of our shopping in Taiwan. You might be wondering – is the Uniqlo in Taiwan any different than Japan or US stores? We found we loved the men’s section in Taiwan as it had cloths more suitable for warm weather, versus the one in Japan had more cloths suitable for winter. This big shopping area offers a plethora of options, and ample parking space is available for your convenience. Deeshen loved shopping at Uniqlo in Taiwan! Jade absolutely loved shopping at Air Space Lady, with beautiful women’s dresses and tons of unique pink outfits. We basically did all her shopping for the next year there!

Day 6 promises a perfect blend of nature exploration, culinary delights, and leisurely shopping in Kaohsiung. Enjoy every moment as you continue to uncover the diverse experiences Taiwan has to offer. Use the map link for a hassle-free journey.

Day 10: Fo Guang Shan, Nature, Relaxation, and Culinary Delights in Kaohsiung and Taiwan Hot Springs

1. visit the majestic fo guang shan buddha museum in taiwan.

Commence your seventh day in Taiwan with a journey to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山寺), also known as Buddha’s Light Mountain Monastery. Fo Guang Shan, located in Kaohsiung, is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, and a must-visit destination that adds cultural richness to any Taiwan itinerary. The museum stands as a testament to Buddhist art and philosophy, featuring a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase the history and teachings of Buddhism. Its stunning architecture, garden grounds, and the towering Fo Guang Big Buddha that measures 5 meters tall, creates a serene and spiritual atmosphere that captivates any visitor. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of this temple using the provided map link for easy navigation.

What time should I reach Fo Guang Shan by? We recommend reaching Fo Guang Shan at least 20 minutes before opening at 9am, so that you can enjoy the temple peacefully and also head to Tainan afterwards to enjoy amazing hot springs in Taiwan! Visiting Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum was one of the BEST things we did in Taiwan, and it’s one of the unmissable top attractions in Kaohsiung.

2. Rejuvenation at Joy Day Villa with Hot Springs and Healing Therapies

After a morning of temple exploration, drive to Tainan for the ultimate relaxation at Joy Day Villa . There are no hot springs in Kaohsiung, however one of the best things things locals love to do in Kaohsiung, is to go up to Tainan to enjoy the best hot springs in Taiwan! Enjoy a rejuvenating experience with over a variety of hot springs, free natural face masks, and the unique Doctor Fish therapy. Joy Day Villa offers one of the most unique hot spring experiences in Taiwan, where you get to bathe in 20+ different hot springs in all temperatures, electromagnetic waves, herbal bath, cold plunge, water massage, and more.

3. Must-eat in Taiwan: Stinky Tofu

As you drive back to your Kaohsiung hotel, stop by the locals favorite stinky tofu 台南六故乡鄉味關東 open til 10pm for a taste of authentic stinky tofu with a side of Taiwanese pickled cabbage. Delight your taste buds with the unique flavors that Taiwan has to offer. Plan to fly out of Kaohsiung International Airport in the late evening or the next day.

Day 7 promises a perfect blend of nature, relaxation, and culinary delights in Tainan. Enjoy the diverse experiences as you savor the final moments of your Taiwan journey. Navigate using the provided map link for a hassle-free journey. The soothing waters and natural treatments revive your senses!

We absolutely loved spending the afternoon at Joy Day Villa, and our skin felt so soft after their green tea and apple clay face masks! Many locals even bring their own ramen to eat in between hot spring sessions. You can pick a variety of ramen up at 7 Eleven and Joy Day Villa has hot water machines along with large eating areas.

7 or 10 Days Itinerary in Taiwan

Here’s a brief outline of the itinerary we just covered in this article and a 10 day version. Since so many visitors only visit Taiwan for a few days or a week, and try to squeeze in as much as you can. We’re providing options for both a slower 10 day version (recommended!) and a more rushed itinerary (7 day). Taiwan is so much more than just Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge! Did you know that you can’t even swim in Sun Moon Lake? We’ve shown you the most scenic places, must-do attractions in Taiwan, cultural scenes, must-do attractions in Taiwan, and hikes that any person in average shape can do. We’ve only include one tour on this entire itinerary. Why? We believe Taiwan is best experienced without masses of tourists. Taiwan is easily accessible by public transportation, Uber or hiring a private car charter in Taipei .

Taiwan in 1 Week: Nature/City/Culture-Focused

• Days 1-4: Taipei and day trips from Taipei. Include from these: Jiufen Old Town, Houtong Cat Village, Pinglin tea plantation, Beitou hot springs, Scenic hikes, and more
• Days 5: Lao di fang hike in Taipei, sample Taiwanese breakfast, and take HSR to Taichung and take the bus to Sun Moon Lake
• Day 5-7: Sun Moon Lake
• Day 8: Kaohsiung and Tainan, stay overnight for next day morning flight directly from Kaohsiung International Airport

Taiwan in 10 days: Relaxed Pace

If you are able to spend more than a week in Taiwan, you can visit all the main stops I mentioned above. But add an extra night at each for a more relaxed pace.

• Day 8-9: Kaohsiung, Tainan, Kenting or Orchid Island (Lanyu)
• Day 10: Back to Taipei or directly to Taoyuan Airport or Kaohsiung Airport

Taiwan Itinerary Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is 1 week enough for taiwan.

In one week, you can travel a lot of ground in Taiwan, even though you can’t see “everywhere” in that time. If you’re itching for a journey that’s more urban, divide your time between Taipei and Kaohsiung, using the Taiwan High Speed Railway (THSR) to get to places along the way. If not, spend a few days in Taipei and then take a road trip through the picturesque counties of Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung along Taiwan’s east coast. Alternatively, fly to one of Taiwan’s beautiful islands Lanyu. Check out this ultimate guide to visiting Orchid Island (Lanyu) in Taiwan from my friend Gillian. We’re certain you’ll fall in love with Taiwan, and will want to come back over and over!

How many days is enough for Taiwan?

In general, you ought to visit Taiwan for as many days as possible. On the other hand, I think it’s a good idea to allow yourself at least two weeks if you want to go on extensive vacations. Even with a week to spare in Taiwan, you will still need to make some selections.

What to do in Taipei for a week?

You can get a taste of what it’s like to live in Taiwan’s capital in just one week in Taipei. Get a hotel in a central district such as Shilin (our favorite hotel is Tango Taipei Hotel Shilin ), Da’an, Wanhua, or Zhongzheng, and use the remaining time to explore day trips from Taipei to Jiufen, Houtong Cat Village, Pinglin, and the nature hikes outlined in our guide.

What other places not mentioned on this list that I should consider visiting?

Taiwan is so beautiful and every city has its own natural charm. The most famous places in Taiwan are Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, and Kenting, however we found these places quite touristy and recommend visiting other cities that we shared. We’ll be creating a Kenting guide in the future so stay tuned!

Is it worth it to visit Rainbow Village in Taichung City?

I visited Rainbow Village over 10 years ago, and it was so colorful and vibrant. We no longer recommend to visit Rainbow Village. The reason is because much of the village has been sadly destroyed by new development and vandalism since 2023, and Rainbow Grandpa passed away in 2024. (Rest in Peace) However, we know that there’s so many new beautiful things will surely sprout up here in the future and am grateful for the beautiful memories that Rainbow Village has served others for over 2 decades.

Do you need a visa to visit Taiwan?

Depending on the country you are traveling from, you may or may not need a visa to visit Taiwan. Check Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the latest visitor visa info. United States citizens can visit Taiwan without a visitor visa for up to 90 days, and Did you know that citizens from India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao can get a free and instant travel authorization certification (acts as a visa)? Apply here online ? It’s free, official, and allows stays for up to 14 days in Taiwan. It was a very easy process! Don’t miss our Taiwan safety guide to learn about how safe Taiwan is, and safety tips.

Final Thoughts: Taiwan 7 Day Itinerary Travel Guide & Tips

We hope this article has helped you narrow down your options for the best attractions and travel spots in Taiwan, Taipei and Kaohsiung.

If you’re looking for stunning nature, delicious Taiwanese food, and rich cultural heritage, you won’t be disappointed by any of the attractions on this list. As your incredible journey through Taiwan comes to an end, you’ve experienced the diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and mouthwatering cuisine that make this island country truly special. From flying sky lanterns in enchanting Pingxi, to eating delectable Taiwanese food, to walking down the mesmerizing lantern-lit streets of Jiufen old street, to climbing the trails of Keelung Mountain, each day brings new serendipitous adventures and discoveries. We hope you love Taiwan as much we do!

If you’ve spent time in Taiwan, we’re curious about which Taiwan activity is your favorite. Let us know in the comments.

If you’re planning an upcoming Taiwan trip, be sure to take a look at my other Taiwan and Taipei travel guides so you don’t miss our favorite hidden gems! We’ve no doubt that Taiwan will leave a life changing mark on your journey! ★ Is Taiwan safe to travel right now? Taiwan is one of the safest countries in the world for solo travelers, women, Americans, foreigners and more. Nonetheless, there are a few possible risks, both natural and man-made. Learn about these in advance to increase the safety of your travel to Taiwan!

★ Houtong Cat Village : Immerse yourself in the adorable world of cats in this charming village. ★ Jiufen Food Heaven : Delve into the gastronomic delights of Jiufen, exploring its culinary treasures. ★ Pingxi Food Guide : Dive deeper into the culinary wonders of Pingxi with this dedicated blog on local food delights. ★ Pingxi Sky Lantern : Relive the magic of releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi and discover the beauty of this traditional festival.

★ Exploring Pinglin, Taiwan : Uncover the charm of Pinglin with its tea plantations and rich cultural heritage.

★ Choosing Between Keelung Mountain and Teapot Mountain : If you found yourself torn between two scenic trails, this blog helps you decide between Keelung Mountain and Teapot Mountain.

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A tremendous taiwan itinerary.

I’ve recently revamped the Taiwan itinerary you’re about to read—and for very good reason. I recently spent nearly two years living in Taiwan, which gave me extremely deep insight into the country, its destinations, its culture, its cuisine and beyond.

To be sure, whether you’ve navigated here because you’re overwhelmed about exploring the wild East Coast of Taiwan or if you’re hoping for an itinerary that’s basically plug-and-play, I’ve got something for everyone. (I’m also in the process of building an entire website devoted to Taiwan, if that’s more your speed.)

I hope you’ll continue reading, irrespective of what initially brought you here, be that a simple question like “how many days in Taiwan is enough?” or something more complicated. Come for the Taiwan east coast itinerary, stay for the rest of the underrated country!

Practical Matters

When to visit taiwan.

Just as it’s always breakfast somewhere in the world, it’s always raining somewhere in Taiwan. As a result, you should make sure to pack an umbrella and/or raincoat for at least part of your Taiwan 10 days itinerary, or even if you spend a shorter amount of time in the country. Theoretically, October and November should be the driest months of the year, but my own October visit to Taiwan saw the Taipei area drenched in almost nonstop rain. On the other hand, the “wet” months of June-August have been rather dry in my experience. And overall, during the years I spent living in Taiwan, I found the country surprisingly dry. Go figure!

Where to Stay in Taiwan

Though I didn’t have any “bad” stays in Taiwan, the best hotels in Taiwan simply aren’t that great. I mean, I found the location of  Taipei H Imperial Hotel unbeatable, for example, and the hospitality at  Fupin Hotel really exceeded my expectations, given its low price point. But from the chain of  Kindness Hotel Kaohsiung properties, to the forgettable place I stayed in Kenting National Park, hotels in Taiwan just aren’t all that. Taiwan is one of the few destinations in the world where I’d say I prefer Airbnbs!

Getting Around in Taiwan

If you stay primarily in Taiwan’s cities, you can get around using a combination of the high-speed rail line that runs down the country’s west coast, and the metro and bus systems within its large urban areas. (TIP: A reloadable EasyCard will greatly assist you in using the latter!). If you closely follow my Taiwan itinerary, however, things get a little more complicated. Irrespective of the recent, tragic train derailment , Taiwan’s east-coast rail network leaves a lot desired; I would highly recommend renting a car. As far as domestic flights are concerned, some do exist, though you likely won’t need to take one, unless you visit outlying islands such as Kinmen , Penghu, Orchid Island or Green Island. Note that if you plan to rent a car in Taiwan, you will need to get an International Driving Permit, or IDP.

Money, Costs and Communication

Is Taiwan expensive? That depends on who you ask, and about what items. For example, while it’s easy to find street eats for less than 100 New Taiwan dollars (TWD or NT$, which are valued at around 30 per USD), hotels can be expensive for what you get, and high-speed rail tickets are not cheap. I’d say prices in Taiwan sit somewhere between Japan and mainland China, which is convenient since the country’s culture (and yes, I do view Taiwan as an independent country ) also exists on that continuum.

To be sure, while people in Taiwan speak more English than citizens of either China or Japan, basic Mandarin skills will make your life a lot easier. As far as digital communication, it’s easy to get an unlimited data SIM card upon arrival at Taoyuan Airport (thought not as much in the city—be warned); Wi-Fi is prevalent throughout the country, in hotels (and other private establishments) and even in public areas of Taipei and Kaohsiung. In Taiwan, how many days you should spend has nothing to do with staying connected.

Places to Visit in Taiwan

Taipei and vicinity.

Like many a Taiwan itinerary blog, mine will begin in earnest with suggestions about Taiwan’s capital. I have some authority herein: As I mentioned a couple paragraphs up, I moved to Taipei in May 2019 and never looked back until I left in the waning days of 2020. Within Taipei’s city center, you can take a mainstream approach—hiking Xiangshan mountain to get a view of Taipei 101 and the Taipei skyline, for example—or a more local one, shirking tourist-filled Shilin Night Market for Shida Night Market , which is inhabited primarily by Taiwanese students from an nearby university.

Likewise, you can take a similar approach when it comes to day trips from Taipei . While many travelers will enjoy a day (or night) away from the city with a stroll along Jiufen Old Street or through Miaokou Night Market in Keelung , I would also recommend hiking to Seven Stars Peak atop Yangmingshan volcano, or even renting a car and making your way to Quanhua Temple in Shitoushan National Park in rural Miaoli County .

READ MORE: A Tantalizing Taipei Itinerary

Taichung and Sun Moon Lake

Although a lot of travelers skip this central Taiwanese metropolis, many of the things to do in Taichung are rather singular. These include attractions such as Taichung Confucius Temple and the Instagram-famous Rainbow Village , as well as more culinary pursuits. I’m thinking of lu rou fan at Fu Ding Wan , dinner trips through night markets such as the one at Zhongxiao Road and bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang , largely regarded as the birthplace of Taiwan’s national drink.

Taichung, to be sure, is more than just the city center. Most specifically, it tends to be an intermediary stop on the way from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake , which is perhaps the biggest tourist draw of central Taiwan, for foreigners and Taiwanese people alike. Obviously, although you can visit this beautiful spot (which is as famous for its scenery as it is for aboriginal culture) without staying a night in Taichung, I don’t recommend it.

READ MORE: The Truth About Taichung

Taiwan’s East Coast

I started my exploration of the stunning Taiwan East Coast with a night (and an egg-filled cong bing scallion pancake) in Hualien and a day hike through Taroko Gorge . Following my time here, I continued driving down the East Coast Scenic Route toward the city of Taitung , en route walking across the dramatic Platform of the Three Immortals bridge and looking out over Taimali , which is rightly known to be among the best beaches in Taiwan .

Most every East Coast Taiwan itinerary you find online will recommend you spend some time in Kenting National Park , but I’ll share an unpopular opinion with you: I actually found the road to Kenting to be a lot prettier than anything I saw inside the park; I found the town itself and its night market to be downright disappointing, and one of the lowlights of my East Taiwan itinerary. With this being said, if you’re talking the trouble to rent a car and undertake a Taiwan road trip anyway, you have very little to lose in Taiwan, how many days you spend notwithstanding.

Tainan, Chiayi and Alishan

If you don’t plan to rent a car and explore Taiwan’s east coast, you can tackle some of the things to do in Tainan I’ve listed in this post immediately after you finish up in Taichung. Otherwise, you’ll want to continue to the section on Kaohsiung below —you’ll visit Taiwan’s original capital (Tainan, this is) on your way back north to Taipei. (In either case, Tainan is definitely worth visiting, in case you were wondering.)

That’s assuming, of course, that you don’t decide to take a day trip to Alishan , the tea fields and misty forests of which are best accessed from underrated Chiayi , which is before Tainan (if you’re coming from the north) and after it if you’re inbound from Kaohsiung in the south. Many travelers skip south-center Taiwan (and to be fair, you might too if you don’t have at least 10 days in Taiwan), but I would advise against doing so if you can’t avoid it.

READ MORE: The Long Short Way to Alishan

Though there are other places to explore in Taiwan, this particular Taiwan tour itinerary ends in Kaohsiung . Within and near the city center, I’d recommend visiting the Tiger and Dragon Pagoda near the Zuoying HSR Station , Cijin island historical district, Monkey Mountain viewpoint, the 85 Sky Tower and Liuhe Night Market . Some people also spend time at the Love River , but to me there was nothing special about this place.

A place near Kaohsiung you might consider including in your Taiwan itinerary is the Fo Guang Shan Monastery , though my visit there proved frustrating. The viewing deck (from which all promotional images of the place are taken) was closed for no reason, which left me less than satisfied with the shots I was able to get. Of course, outside the Kaohsiung city limits or without in, Buddhist temples in Taiwan are far from the highlight of this southern metropolis. I encourage you to read my detailed article about Kaohsiung for additional assistance in planning your trip there. READ MORE:   The Kaohsiung Itinerary You Thought You’d Never Find

How Many Days Should You Spend in Taiwan?

The question of how many days to spend in Taiwan, ironically, is one I’ve thought about even more deeply once my own answer began to number in the tens and then the hundreds. Which is not to say I recommend you move to Taiwan—at least not yet, anyway. To be sure, when it comes to constructing the optimal Taiwan itinerary, 10 days is probably a good amount of time to start with (although arguments for spending just a week in Taiwan, or 2 weeks in Taiwan and even longer do exist—and are convincing).

Think of it this way. Even if you don’t rent a car and undertake a Taiwan road trip itinerary, you will need 2-3 days in Taipei and its vicinity and the same amount of Kaohsiung. If you add in Taichung, Chiayi or Tainan you’ll need 2-3 more days, considering you will also likely take day trips to Sun Moon Lake or Alishan, respectively. As you can see, even without exploring Taiwan’s east coast, 10 days in Taiwan is the minimum amount of time you need to see “all of Taiwan”—well, at least as much as you can do that without living here! The other issue about how long to spend in Taiwan, of course, is that you will probably end up returning at some point in the future.

Is Taiwan Worth Visiting?

Taiwan is absolutely worth visiting—especially if you follow the advice I’ve given within this Taiwan itinerary, or otherwise utilize my expertise in planning your trip. A small-but-mighty country that blends the chaos of Southeast Asia with the order of the Far East, and which incorporates all the culture and heritage of mainland China with none of the communism, Taiwan is the sweet spot of Asia (or the “Heart of Asia,” as it were, according to the official slogan of the national tourism board).

To be sure, it’s not so much whether you should visit Taiwan that is in question as to what form your trip will take. The question I’ve raised above (about how many days in Taiwan to spend) notwithstanding, you need to decide whether you’re going to take a Taiwan road trip that focuses on the nature of the East Coast, a high-speed rail trip up and down the highly-urbanized West Coast, or whether you will go all-in for a couple weeks, and see as much of Taiwan as humanly possible. (WARNING: This might lead you to follow in my footsteps and move to Taiwan!)

Other FAQ About Visiting Taiwan

Is taiwan worth seeing.

Taiwan is absolutely worth seeing, whether you spend a few days in Taipei, drive the East Coast Scenic Route or ride the high-speed rail down the west coast. Taiwan is a country that punches far above its weight as a travel destination, from cuisine, to landscapes, to culture and beyond.

How much do I need for 7 days in Taiwan?

Taiwan is a relatively affordable destination as East Asia is concerned—most travelers can get by with between 3,000-6,000 TWD per day, which is about 100-200 USD per day. As a result, you should expect to spend between 700-1,400 USD per person per week of travel in Taiwan, not including the cost of inbound and outbound international flights.

Do they speak English in Taiwan?

Taiwanese speak much better English than Chinese, South Koreans or Japanese, but not quite as good as people do in much of Southeast Asia. As a general rule, people in Taipei and Kaohsiung are the most fluent in English; you can get by without speaking Chinese here. On the other hand, some Mandarin will help you in smaller cities like Hualien and Taidong, and in all rural areas of Taiwan. Depending on how many days Taiwan, you may even be able to learn some Mandarin!

The Bottom Line

Whether you navigated here in search of a comprehensive Taiwan itinerary, or were simply seeking advice on how long to stay in Taiwan, I trust my Taiwan trip ideas have served you well. Most travelers will start with about 10 days in Taiwan, whether that’s divided between Taipei, Kaohsiung and the trio of major cities that line Taiwan’s west coast between them, or the wild and lush Taiwan East Coast, bounded to the north and south by the city of Hualien and Kenting National Park, respectively. Want to plan the ultimate trip to Taiwan, and leave no stone unturned? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary —and let me sweat the details!

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A Detailed 7 Days in Taiwan Itinerary

Written By: Nick Kembel

City Guides , Taiwan

Updated On: December 27, 2022

There are more than a few compelling reasons to visit the East Asian island nation of Taiwan : super welcoming locals, the best night markets in Asia , excellent public transportation, alluring landscapes, and, recently, a commendable handling of the pandemic.

When noting Taiwan’s compact size on the map, you may think one week is enough.

However, once you start planning your trip, you’ll soon be overwhelmed with options and find yourself struggling to decide what to include or leave out.

Taiwan Itinerary – 7 Days

Below I’m going to cut to the chase and give you a 1 week Taiwan itinerary that takes in the best of the country’s cultural, historical, artistic, culinary, and scenic wonders in the most efficient way possible.

This is a tried-and-tested route that I’ve developed after over 10 years of living in and traveling around Taiwan.

From the steaming thermal waters of Beitou Hot Spring to an epic sunrise above a sea of clouds at Alishan National Scenic Area , you’ll have all the makings of the trip of a lifetime!  

Taiwan Itinerary Highlights

This Taiwan one-week itinerary assumes you’ll have seven complete days to work with.

• Days 1 and 2 are spent exploring the mesmerizing capital, Taipei City, while day 3 involves a multi-stop day trip from the city.
• Day 4 takes you down to artsy Taichung.
• From there, you’ll venture to stunning Sun Moon Lake on day 5.
• And on to the misty mountain resort of Alishan on days 6 and 7.

From there, you can circle back to Taipei, or head directly to Taoyuan Internation Airport. 

Day 1 – Taipei Itinerary and City Explorations

Welcome to Taiwan! Your first day in Taipei shall be devoted to covering some of the city’s must-visit attractions.

You’ll be relying entirely on the excellent MRT to get around Taipei.

Make sure to pick up an EasyCard at any MRT station for swiping in and out of all public transportation. You can get the TWD100 deposit back at the end of your trip.

Elephant Mountain & Taipei 101

To kick start your day and get oriented, you’re going to hike to the summit of Elephant Mountain in eastern Taipei City.

If that sounds daunting, put your worries aside! The trail entrance is a short walk from Xiangshan MRT Station, and it only takes about 20 minutes to reach the top.

Reaching the lookout point, your mouth will literally drop. This is hands-down the best view of Taipei, the place where postcards are shot.

Towering Taipei 101 dominates the view, but from here you can see all the way to neighboring New Taipei City. 

Once you’ve snapped enough photos, head back down the mountain and walk to the base of Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Ride the fastest elevator in the world to the 89 th \ to 91 st – floor Taipei 101 Observatory for another incredible, yet completely different perspective of Taipei.  

Need lunch in an air-conditioned setting? The food court on B1 of Taipei 101 has several decent options.

• Read: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery of Hong Kong -Another epic View in Hong Kong

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

A quick hop on the MRT will bring you to CKS Memorial Hall, the city’s most impressive historical landmark.

The enormous blue and white monument honors the first president of the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official name; it’s complicated…)

The monument stands in expansive Liberty Square, flanked by two classical Chinese buildings: National Concert Hall and National Theater.

Don’t miss the view from the Liberty Square Arch at the western end of the square.

Beitou Hot Spring

Now that you’ve done a fair share of walking, its time to kick back and soak in some thermal hot spring water.

Even if you’re visiting in the hotter months (May to September), press on, as there’s going to more to it than that.

Beitou is Taipei’s only hot spring, and the only one that is metro-accessible in all of Taiwan.

The hot spring was first developed by the Japanese during their colonial occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), and today Beitou retains a thoroughly Japanese feel , with historical wooden bathhouses, a Japanese temple, and other landmarks harking back to the era.

Besides soaking in one of the many hot spring facilities, ranging from budget-friendly Beitou Public Hot Spring to high-end luxurious spas, you can also walk through Beitou Hot Spring Park, get enveloped in the mist at Beitou Thermal Valley, or learn about the area at Beitou Hot Spring Museum, housed in the original Japanese bathhouse.

Don’t leave without trying hot spring ramen and hot spring eggs!

Day 2 – Taipei Cool Neighborhoods and Attractions

There’s still a lot more to see in Taipei before you get out of the city. On day two you’ll round out your Taipei experience with some cultural attractions and cool neighborhoods.

Longshan Temple

Get up bright and early to witness the mesmerizing chanting ceremony at Longshan Temple, Taipei’s most famous temple, in Wanhua (the oldest section of Taipei). The ceremony begins at 6 a.m. and again at 8 a.m., with both lasting nearly an hour.

Serious temple aficionados can also track down other historic temples in Wanhua including Qingshan Temple, Qingshui Temple, and Taipei Tianhou Temple. 

North Gate & Dihua Street

Ride the MRT two stops from Longshan Temple to Beimen (North Gate) station. Take a moment to admire, and walk right under Beimen, the only of the original five historic gates to Taipei City that still looks like it did in the Qing Dynasty.

From there, walk a few blocks to Dihua Street in historical Dadaocheng neighborhood. The street is said to be the oldest in Taipei, and it remains a center of trade in traditional goods, just like it has been since the founding of Taipei.

Walk the entire length of the street, exploring ancient teashops, traditional Chinese medicine dispensers, fabric markets, temples, local food stalls, and more.

Ximending Youth Shopping District

Return to Beimen and walk (or backtrack one stop on the MRT) to Ximending.

We’ve purposely saved Taipei’s hippest neighborhood for later in the day, when things have started to get going.

Often called the “Shinjuku of Taipei”, the pedestrian-only neighborhood features cosplay cafés, claw machine arcades, bubble tea galore, an open air tattoo street, a toilet-themed restaurant, and some of the best street art in all of Taipei.

Pause for an afternoon cocktail at one of many patio bars beside Red House, a Japanese-era theater-cum-craft & design market. This patio bars are the center of the LGBTQ+ scene in Taipei. A fun craft market is also held here on weekends.

Raohe Night Market

While tourists usually make their way to Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest and most famous, you’ll be better off trying Raohe Night Market, with its more manageable size and local feel.

Besides all the incredible food on offer, including a few stalls featured in the Michelin Taipei Guide, you can also marvel at Songshan Ciyou Temple, one of the most beautiful and intricate temples in Taipei, near the eastern entrance to the night market.

5:00 is a great time to arrive at the market, before it gets too busy in the evening. 

Day 3 – Epic Day Trip from Taipei

Just like Taipei offers a staggering number of worthwhile sights and activities, there is also an endless number of day trip possibilities. Here you’ll learn how to combine four of the best ones in a single day trip from the city.

Shifen Waterfall

Shifen waterfall is the widest waterfall in Taiwan and is a sight to behold. Getting there is half the fun, too.

Ride the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, where you’ll transfer onto the small-gauge Pingxi Line to Shifen station.

Many visitors like to set off sky lanterns with wishes written on them from the narrow station. From there, it’s a short walk to the waterfall. 

Jiufen and Jinguashi

Jiufen is a mountaintop former gold mining boomtown transformed into popular market street.

Here you’ll enjoy incredible views down to the sea, traditional teahouses, and local specialties such as taro and sweet potato balls. To get there from Shifen, ride the Pingxi train back to Ruifang then transfer onto a bus.

Just a few bus stops past Jiufen, Jinguashi Gold Ecological Center is the site of one of the original gold mines.

It’s a great and less crowded add-on to Jiufen, where you can learn all about gold mining and enjoy more breathtaking views. 

Keelung Night Market

Keelung is Northern Taiwan’s largest port, but the main reason you’re coming here is to have dinner at one of the best night markets in all of Taiwan.

The photogenic market is lined with yellow lanterns, and every stall has its specialty written in English.

To get there from Jinguashi, ride the bus back to Ruifang Station, then hop on a train bound for Badu, from where you’ll transfer to a Keelung train. After your night market feast and a stroll by the harbor, it’s an easy 40-minute train ride back to Taipei.

Day 4 – Taichung City

Taichung is the largest city in Central Taiwan, and a nice addition to your Taiwan itinerary for its artistic attractions, not to mention it is the stepping-off point for the attractions in the days to follow.

Rainbow Village

The top reason for coming to Taichung is Rainbow Village, a former military dependents village courtyard home that has been transformed into a psychedelically colorful outdoor museum.

“Rainbow Grandpa” an elderly ex-KMT soldier, painted the walls to save his home from being bulldozed, and he can still be seen there maintaining the walls today.

After visiting Rainbow Village, head to the Taichung Train Station area and explore the area on foot. Check out Animation Lane, Totoro Bus Stop, Miyahara Ice Cream, and Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center.

Insider Tip: Rainbow Village is quite a ways from the Taichung City Center and Taichung Station. To save time, take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei to Taichung, which gets you there twice as fast, plus the HSR station is closer to Rainbow Village than the regular train station.

Gaomei Wetland

On the coast of Taichung, this wetland area has a series of boardwalks that provide access to tidal flats. Huge wind turbines add to the atmosphere. Try to time your visit with sunset, as they tend to be gorgeous here.

Feng Chia Night Market

Finish off your day at Taichung’s largest and most popular night market. 

Day 5 – Sun Moon Lake

The jewel of the Central Mountain Range is Sun Moon Lake. A bit of a tourist magnet, the lake is nevertheless stunningly and is home to one of Taiwan’s smallest aboriginal tribes.

Regular buses from various points in Taichung take 90 minutes to reach Sun Moon Lake. You’ll arrive at Shuishe, the main village on the lake, where most hotels are found. From there, you can catch a lakeside bus to the below sights. 

Wenwu Temple

The most beautiful views of Sun Moon Lake can be enjoyed from enormous Wenwu Temple. Climb up into the depths of the temple until you reach the best lookout point at the top; you won’t be disappointed.

Sun Moon Lake Ropeway

The Sun Moon Lake Cable Car ascends rapidly and givers riders unparalleled lake views.

At the top, it connects to a second cable car that descends the other side of the mountain to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, an amusement park meets aboriginal culture center.

If you’re looking for an authentic aboriginal experience, give it a miss. In March, however, blooming cherry blossoms on site make it worth the visit.

Ita Thao Village

Another village on the lake is Ita Thao, home to the Thao aboriginal tribe, which only numbers around 600.

While this is a more interesting place to stay than Shuishe, you’ll probably want to stick to the latter so you can catch your early bus to Alishan tomorrow.   Ita Thao is less touristy than Shuishe, and there’s a great day and night market along the main road to the lake, featuring aboriginal delicacies and Taiwanese snacks.

Catch a performance at Thao Tribe Performance Center for a more authentic experience.

Insider Tip : Besides the bus, you can also ride a ferry between Shuishe and Ita Thao villages. There’s also a third ferry stop on the lake, Xuanguang Temple, from where you can see Lalu Island, a sacred aboriginal burial ground on the lake. 

Day 6 – Sun Moon Lake to Alishan National Scenic Area

You’ll need to get up a little early to catch the bus from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan. Don’t miss it, as there are only two per day!

Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Bus Ride

Minibuses depart from Shuishe village to Alishan only twice per day, at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. You can usually buy tickets upon boarding, but it’s best to inquire the day before.

The ride to Alishan takes four hours. The drive is quite winding but also very scenic.

Alishan National Scenic Area

The final stop on this Taiwan seven-day itinerary is Alishan National Scenic Area, the country’s top mountain resort.

Alishan is famous for several things: sunrises, cherry blossom viewing in April, giant ancient cypress trees, and some of the best oolong tea in the world.

Check into your hotel, pick up a hiking map from the tourist center, then head out for an afternoon of hiking amongst the giant trees.

Yet another highlight is you get to ride the Alishan Forest Railway, a small train line originally built by the Japanese for logging the area.

When dining in the tourist village after your hike, make sure to try the locally grown fresh wasabi served with tofu.

It’s extremely flavorful and lacks the overpowering bite of the sushi wasabi you are probably used to. 

Insider tip: There are no hostels at Alishan, and a rather poor selection of regular hotels. Book far in advance to guarantee a room, especially if visiting on a weekend or holiday. During cherry blossom season (late March to early April), it can be almost impossible to get a room.  

Day 7 – Sunrise Above a Sea of Clouds

Set your alarm extra early to ride the Alishan Forest Railway up to the sunrise lookout point.

• You’ll need to reserve your tickets at the Alishan Railway Station the day before. Departure times change according to the time of the sunrise.

The reason everyone is willing to get up so early is for a chance to witness the spectacular phenomenon the sun rising above a sea of clouds in the valley below. You’ll need a bit of luck, though; out of a half dozen visits to Alishan, I’ve only seen it once.

Since you’ll be up so early, you’ll still have time to do some morning hiking before checking out of your hotel.

To get back to Taipei, the fastest option is to take a bus from Alishan to the Chiayi High Speed Rail station (four departures per day) and transfer to the HSR.

If you’re going directly to the airport, you can ride the HSR to Taoyuan station and transfer to the airport shuttle bus. 

The slower but cheaper option is to take a bus from Alishan to Chiayi Train Station (roughly every hour) and then take the regular train or bus to Taipei.

I hope you’ve found all the information for planning a fantastic one week in Taiwan. Let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Read About More Great Destinations in Asia

• 7 alternative Things to do in Taipei
• Things to do in Hong Kong – The Complete Travel Guide
• The best things to do in Beijing China
• 24 Top Things to Do in Shanghai, China in 2020
• The 35 Best Things to do in Tokyo, Japan
• 13 Things to do in Nanjing China – A Complete Guide to the Ancient Capital
• 25 Things to do in Suzhou China – All You Need to Know Before you Go

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Travel Planning Resources

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Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

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Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

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About Nick Kembel

Nick Kembel is the author of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner and has penned Taiwan guides for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, Discover Taipei Magazine, and more. He went to Taiwan in 2008 with the intention of staying for a year, but that turned into 11 after he met his later-to-be wife on the Taipei MRT. He covers Taiwan extensively on his website Spiritual Travels. Follow Nick at NickKembel.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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3 thoughts on “A Detailed 7 Days in Taiwan Itinerary”

Many thanks

I would love to travel to Taiwan!!!

What a great article you have here. This is very helpful! I haven’t visited Taiwan so I will add it on my bucket list! It looks like a beautiful place. When it’s safe to travel again, I really want to go there. I’ve heard a lot of great things to do there. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I lived in Taiwan too, back in the mid 70’s, very time I go back to Taiwan it’s like going home, Taiwan is a great place to travel I like Taiwan better than mainland China.

A Taiwan Itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (Slow & Fast Options!)

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

One of the most common questions about Taiwan that I get from my readers is how to plan the perfect Taiwan travel itinerary.

It’s a common story: people look at the map of Taiwan and see that it’s a pretty small country. So they think 7 days in Taiwan will be enough. Once they start planning their trip, they realize one week is not enough because there are SO MANY things to do in Taiwan . So they book 2 weeks in Taiwan. Then, the more they plan the finer details of their Taiwan itinerary, the more they wish they had actually booked 3 weeks or even one month in Taiwan!

In this article, I’m going to exactly how to plan your Taiwan travel schedule, no matter how many day’s you’ve got. After checking hundreds of people’s itineraries in my Taiwan Travel Planning Group , I’ve come to realize that the way people plan their itinerary varies A LOT. So many visitors cram two weeks of activities into one week or less. So I’m going to give itineraries for both slower travelers and for fast ones. I’ll also give a nature-focused itinerary and a city/culture one.

I’ve been living in Taiwan for over 10 years. I’ve written a book about Taiwan and articles for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, and others. I’ve planned numerous trips around Taiwan so the recommendations in this article are based on multiple first-hand experiences.

Table of Contents

Taiwan Itinerary Essentials

– Read my general Taiwan travel guide and these FAQs about Taiwan . Figure out the best time to visit Taiwan , the top festivals , and which budget airlines fly there . – Find all your day tours, drivers, discounted attraction tickets, and more on Klook! Use my referral link to get TWD 100 off your first booking . Learn about others apps for traveling in Taiwan and find more private drivers here . – Buy your SIM card / eSIM / WiFi device , EasyCard , and HSR tickets online before you arrive. Also consider getting a Taipei Fun Pass (read my review of the pass here ). – If you are looking for a customized luxury tour of Taiwan, I recommend Life of Taiwan . Tell them Nick sent you over! – If you’re visiting Taiwan as a family, I’ve written a similar Taiwan itinerary with kids . – Learn all about about Taiwanese food and my recommended restaurants and night markets in Taipei . – See my recommended hotels , hostels , and luxury resorts .

Sample Taiwan Itineraries

Here’s a brief outline of the itineraries I’ll be covering in this article. Since so many visitors only visit Taiwan for one week (I know because I’ve checked so many of your itineraries!), and because I know you try to squeeze in as much as you can, I’m provided both a slower (recommended!) and more rushed itinerary.

Typically, visitors want to squeeze in Taipei, Hualien/Taroko Gorge on the east coast, plus Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan (on the west coast) in a short period of time. It might look like a quick drive across the island from Taroko Gorge to Sun Moon lake, but it is NOT!

There is a chain of high mountains in the center of Taiwan, with no public transportation. Even if you drive, the cross-island highway is often destroyed by landslides and impossible to cross. This means you’ll need to go from east coast to west coast via Taipei, so keep that in mind!

For the two-week itinerary, I’ve provided a nature-focused one and a city/culture-focused one, with some overlap. The three-week itinerary basically just covers all the stops of these two itineraries.

For each of the below outlines, I’ll explain how to do them in great detail below.

Note: Taroko Gorge is expected to remain closed for one year after the April 2024 Hualien Earthquake. You can see visit the region, though – here’s my list of things to do in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge .

Taiwan in 1 Week: Slow

• Days 1-3: Taipei
• Days 4-5: Day trips from Taipei
• Days 6-7: Short trip outside the city, choose ONE of these: Hualien/Taroko Gorge, Taichung/Sun Moon Lake/Cingjing Farm, Alishan, Tainan, or Kaohsiung

Taiwan in 1 Week: Fast

Days 1-2: taipei.

• Day 3: Day trip from Taipei ( this one covers the top spots in one day!)
• Day 4: Long day trip to Taroko Gorge (details below)

Day 5: Sun Moon Lake and/or Cingjing Farm

Day 6: alishan.

• Day 7 Back to Taipei or directly to Taoyuan International Airport

Taiwan in 2 Weeks: Nature-Focused

If you want to do a full circle around Taiwan, two weeks is a reasonable amount of time. You can’t easily hit every stop without rushing, though. This itinerary focused on natural places and skips some of the big cities.

• Days 1-3 :Taipei (including day trip)

Days 4-5: Hualien and Taroko Gorge

• Day 6-7: Taitung (Chishang)
• Days 8-9: Xiaoliuqiu or Kenting National Park
• Days 10-11: Alishan
• Days 12-13: Sun Moon Lake and/or Cingjing Farm
• Days 14: To Taipei or Taoyuan International Airport

Two Weeks in Taiwan: City/Culture-Focused

• Day 6-7: Taitung city
• Days 8-9: Kaohsiung
• Days 10-11: Tainan
• Days 12-13: Taichung

Taiwan in 3 weeks

If you are able to spend more than two weeks in Taiwan, you can visit all the main stops I mentioned above, but add an extra night at each for a more relaxed pace.

Or, you can add more smaller stops and side trips to your schedule. Here’ just one example of what that could look like:

Days 1-4: Taipei

• Days 5-6: Hualien / Taroko Gorge
• Days 6-7: Taitung
• Days 8-9: Kenting National Park or Xiaoliuqiu Island

Days 10-11: Kaohsiung

Days 12-13: tainan, day 14: fenqihu or shizhuo, day 15: alishan.

• Days 16-17: Sun Moon Lake

Day 18: Cingjing Farm

• Day 19: Lukang
• Day 20: Taichung
• Day 21: Back to Taipei or directly to Taoyuan Airport

Transportation Info

In this section, I’ll cover everything you need to know about transportation for completing these itineraries in Taiwan.

Airport to Taipei

My itineraries assume you’ll be arriving at Taoyuan International Airport , Taipei’s main airport. There’s also a smaller city center airport called Songshan Airport, as well as international airports in Taichung and Kaohsiung.

On Day 1, to get from the airport to Taipei city center, hop in the Airport MRT. It runs frequently from around 6 AM to midnight, taking 35 or 50 minutes (every second one is express) and costing only TWD 160 one-way (or cheaper if you buy it here ).

You can pay in cash at the machine or ticket window, or swipe an EasyCard , the transportation card which almost all locals use in Taiwan. You can buy your EasyCard (TWD 100 non-refundable deposit + however much money you want to load onto it) from the ticket window, but the window isn’t always open. Or you can pre-order and pre-load your EasyCard for pickup when you arriver at the airport. Kids under 6 are free, while kids 6-12 and seniors can ask for a Concessionaire card (at the station only). Read more about it in my EasyCard guide .

There are also regular buses to the city (one hour). If you arrive between midnight at 6 AM, you’ll need to take a taxi (45 min, TWD 1000 to 1200), or arrange a private transfer (usually a little cheaper than taxi).

I cover all this in more detail in my guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei .

If you have a very early or late flight, you can also consider to stay in one of these airport hotels at Taoyuan .

How to Rent a Car in Taiwan If you do decide to rent a car in Taiwan , you can pick it up from the various locations, including the Taoyuan Airport or in the city center. However, a lot of people find it easier to explore Taipei by MRT, ride the express train to Hualien (which is faster and easier than driving), then start their car rental in Hualien. Learn more in my guide to renting a car in Taiwan .

Getting around Taipei

Getting around Taipei is a breeze thanks to the amazing Taipei MRT system. Simply buy and load an EasyCard online , from any station, or from any convenience store, and use it swipe in and out of stations. You can also use it to pay at convenience stores, some taxis, other city buses and MRTs across Taiwan, some ferries, and even some food stalls. When in Taiwan, you can only use cash to load your EasyCard.

Also consider getting an Unlimited Fun Pass , which is a 1-3 day pass for tourists only. It includes unlimited MRT and bus rides in Taipei and New Taipei City , five tourist shuttle buses to attractions all over Northern Taiwan, and entrance fees to 16 major Taipei attractions. It is can save you a lot of time and trouble! There’s also a cheaper transport-only pass that doesn’t included the attractions. Read my guide to using Taipei Fun Passes to decide whether they are worth the money, and whether you need to get one for your kids.

TRA Trains Around Taiwan

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) runs trains in a full circle around Taiwan. There are a variety of train types/speeds, and all of their schedules can be searched and booked (from 28 days in advance) on the official TRA website .

Train types include LOCAL (no seat booking possible, just swipe your EasyCard), Tze-Chiang and Chu-Kuang (seat reservations recommended but you can always swipe EasyCard for standing ticket), and EXPRESS (seat reservation essential, as these trains often sell out). If you’re traveling during a long weekend or national holiday, booking train seats is essential.

In all my recommended Taiwan itineraries, you’ll be riding TRA trains from Taipei to Hualien (the express one here is especially popular and likely to sell out). It is also your only option from Hualien to Taitung and from Taitung to Kaohsiung.

From Kaohsiung to Taipei, and all the big cities between, you’ll have the choice of TRA trains or the High Speed Rail. TRA stations are usually more convenient because all of them are in the city center.

For Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, you’ll need to take some buses to reach them.

High Speed Rail (HSR)

Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) runs from Taipei City down the west coast to Kaohsiung (Zuoying Station). It has some very clear advantages and disadvantages (I do a more detailed comparison of TRA and HSR trains in my HSR booking guide ).

On the plus side, the HSR is twice as fast (but also twice as expensive). However, besides Taipei, every HSR station is inconveniently located outside of the city center. It means once you reach Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, you have to take local transport to reach the city center. Two cases where this isn’t a problem are Chiayi HSR station (where you can catch a direct bus to Alishan) or Taichung HSR station (where you can catch a direct bus to Sun Moon Lake).

If you book your tickets in advance (on the official site ) or here on Klook , you can get a discount. However, you can also just show up at the station and buy a non-reserved ticket, even last minute, even on sold out trains, and sit in the non-reserved section (cars 10-12).

You don’t actually need to use the HSR on my recommended Taiwan itineraries. In most cases, the TRA will suffice and will be more convenient. I would only recommend it if (for example), you want to quickly travel one of the big cities (Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Taichung) to Taoyuan (where you can catch the Airport MRT to Taoyuan International Airport) or to Taipei.

Insider’s Tips: HSR tickets Book your HSR tickets in advance online to save money. But if you prefer flexibility, you can always buy a full-price HSR ticket at the last minute and sit in cars 10-12 (non-reserved section). We’ve even done this at the busiest time of the year ( Lunar New Year , when all HSR tickets sell out instantly) and only had to wait under an hour to get on a train and even get a seat. The same is true for any long weekends in Taiwan. If you order your HSR tickets online, you’ll still need to pick up physical copies in Taiwan from a convenience store or HSR station window. If you want to get digital tickets, use the T Express app .

1 Week Itinerary Details

If you’ve only got 7 days in Taiwan, obviously you aren’t going to tour the whole country, but it’s still enough time to get a very good taste of it. What most likely will happen is that you’ll finish your trip and start thinking about when you can come back again to see more of the country. I’m only repeating what many, many travelers say!

Here are my detailed itineraries for slow or fast travelers!

Slow Itinerary

For my slow one week itinerary, I recommend spending most of your time in Taipei, including some day trips from the city (keep in mind that you can see many parts of Taiwan as a day trip from Taipei!) There’s just so much to see in and around Taipei that it’s not really necessary to do a lot of traveling and changing hotels when you’ve only got a week.

Then I recommend one trip out of the city, perhaps for 2-3 nights. I’ll give several options!

Days 1-3 in Taipei

You need at least two fulls days just to cover the main sights on Taipei. Trust me, you won’t run out of things to do in Taipei !

I’ve suggested three days here assuming you won’t see and do much on Day 1. The exact number of numbers you stay in Taipei might depend on what time you arrive on Day 1. Will you have much time to explore the city on Day 1 or not? Will you be super tired after your long flight? Just a few things to consider.

I’ve got several separate articles to help you plan your time in Taipei. Start with my two day , three day , four day or five day itineraries for Taipei, which cover the main sights and how to see them most efficiently.

Also have a look at my guide to where to stay in Taipei , Taipei’s night markets , the best restaurants , and the best temples in Taipei . For Taipei-specific weather advice, see the best time to visit Taipei .

Also read about Taipei’s famous food streets and markets, like Yongkang Street , Shenkeng Old Street , Danshui Old Street , and Addiction Aquatic Development seafood supermarket .

Days 4-5: Day Trips from Taipei

There are so many incredible day trips from Taipei that I suggest reserving 1-2 days in your itinerary for it. Here are my 40 recommended day trips from Taipei .

Several of the most popular places to visit around Taipei can be combined into one epic day trip. Many people include several (but not all!) of the following into one day: Shifen Waterfall, Jiufen Old Street, Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Golden Waterfall, Houtong Cat Village , Keelung Night Market , and Yehliu Geopark. This guided day tour visits several of them in one day, of you can follow my guides for doing it all on your own (see my day trips article linked above).

I’ve also got dedicated articles to the most famous day trips from Taipei: Jiufen Old Street , how to get to Jiufen , Wulai aboriginal village , and Jiaoxi Hot Spring . You may also want to visit some of Taipei’s best beaches or one of these fun amusement parks .

For families, consider visiting Yilan , which is loaded with kid-friendly museum, leisure farms, and other activities.

Days 6-7: Somewhere Outside Taipei

Depending on how many nights you decide to spend in Taipei, you can schedule 2-3 nights for staying somewhere outside Taipei.

Taroko Gorge in Hualien is a popular option. Here’s my Taroko Gorge guide . You can get there in only two hours on the fastest train (booking essential), or 3-4 hours on slower ones. It is possible to do Taroko Gorge as a rushed day trip from Taipei, but for our slower itinerary, I recommend spending a minimum of one night there, and two is better. Most people visit the gorge as a full-day tour such as this one , or with a private driver such as this one .

2024 Update: Taroko Gorge is expected to remain closed for 1 year following the 2024 Hualien Earthquake. See my guide to other things to do in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge .

Another popular option is Sun Moon Lake or Cingjing Farm , the most famous places to visit in Nantou . Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful lake with temples, gondola, night markets, and other things to do. Cingjing Farm is a high mountain farm with beautiful mountain views, European-style buildings, and farm animals.

Both places can be reached via Taichung city. The regular train or bus to Taichung takes 2 hours, or the High Speed Rail takes one hour. From either station, it’s 1.5 hour bus ride to Sun Moon Lake or 2.5 hours to Cingjing Farm.

There are several options here. You might choose to spend 1 night in Taichung (see the main things to do in Taichung ), one night in Sun Moon Lake (see my Sun Moon Lake guide ), and one night in Cingjing Farm. Or you might skip Taichung and choose only SML or Cingjing. It’s up to you!

There are various transportation options and tours available on Klook for these visiting these places efficiently. Here’s a Taichung tour , Sun Moon Lake tour, shared transfer , private transfer, Cingjing and Hehuan Mountain tour , and SML and Cinjing combined tour .

Yet another option for you trip outside Taipei would be Alishan . This is Taiwan’s most popular mountain resort. It is famous for its beautiful sunrises, small gauge forest railway line, huge ancient trees, and high mountain tea. Here’s my guide to Alishan and how to get there . For this relaxed itinerary, I recommend riding the High Speed Rail to Chiayi station (1.5 hrs) then taking the bus (2 hrs) to get there.

One night is the bare minimum at Alishan, but two nights is more relaxed. You can consider one night in Fenqihu or Shizhuo villages on the way there, and one night in Alishan National Forest Recreation area. All the details are in my Alishan guide. Book your Alishan hotel early as they often sell out.

Other options for your stay outside of Taipei would be the cities of Tainan (the country’s ancient capital) or Kaohsiung (the country’s largest port city).

On your final day, you can ride the HSR from Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan or Kaohsiung to Taoyuan HSR station, then connect to the Airport MRT for getting to the Taoyuan International Airport. If coming from Hualien, you’ll need to ride the TRA train to Taipei Main Station then connect to the Airport MRT from there.

1 Week Fast Itinerary Details

So many visitors to Taiwan want to see Taipei + the Big Three Sights (Taroko, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan), but they only book one week or less to do it. This is too rushed, in my opinion, but it can be done. Here’s how:

Of course you can’t miss Taipei. Two full days here is enough to see the main sights.

Day 3: Day trip from Taipei

You can ‘t miss this either! I recommend this tour for visiting some of the best sights in one day.

Day 4: Day trip to Taroko Gorge

Since your schedule is very tight, I recommend visiting Taroko Gorge as a day trip from Taipei. If you take the earliest train of the day, you can make it just in time for this Taroko Gorge day tour . Or, come at a later time, and just hire a driver to take you around. There’s also this Taroko Gorge tour from Taipei , but I don’t recommend it because it involves too much driving time in one day.

If you prefer to spend a night in Hualien when you visit the gorge, it’s also possible in this itinerary. Follow the above instructions for getting to Taroko Gorge, then spend a night in one of the hotels in the gorge, in Xincheng village nearby, or in Hualien city (see my Taroko guide for my hotel recommendations). Then, the next morning, ride an early train back to Taipei, and onward to Taichung for getting to Sun Moon Lake. It means your time at Sun Moon Lake will be shorter, though, so go as early as possible.

From Taipei, ride the High Speed Rail to Tauchung station (1 hr). If you spend a night in Hualien, ride the regular train all the way to Taichung (slowest), or regular train to Taipei Main then transfer to the High Speed Rail.

If you choose Sun Moon Lake, there’s a direct bus from the HSR station (90 min). Try to go as early as possible so you can have a full day for exploring Sun Moon Lake. Spend the night in Shuishe village at Sun Moon Lake, which is where you’ll need to catch the bus to Alishan the next morning.

If you choose Cingjing Farm, you probably shouldn’t spend the night there, because it will take a long time to get to Alishan the next day. You can visit Cingjing and Hehuanshan as a day tour from Taichung , or choose this Cinging and Sun Moon Lake day tour to visit both places in one day.

See more info in my Cingjing guide , how to get to Cingjing , my guide to visiting Hehuanshan , and how to stay at Songsyue Lodge , the only hotel at Hehuanshan.

If you spend the night at Sun Moon Lake, there’s only one bus per day to Alishan, departing Shuishe village at 8 AM and arriving at Alishan around 11 AM. This will give you all afternoon for hiking and exploring Alishan, which is lots of time.

If you chose to spend the night at Cingjing, you can wake up early for sunrise, then go back to Taichung as early as possible for getting to Alishan.

If you did one of the SML or Cingjing tours, you probably finished in Taichung and spent the night there. To get from Taichung to Alishan, ride the regular train or High Speed Rail to Chiayi, then take the direct bus from Chiayi HSR station or Chiayi TRA station to Alishan (2 hrs). You can see all the bus times here . Try to reach Alishan by the early afternoon so you have some time for exploring there.

Day 7: Alishan Sunrise and Back to Taipei/Airport

On your last day, wake up super early to see the famous Alishan sunrise. Then, if you aren’t too rushed to get back to Taipei or to the airport for your flight, you can spend a few more hours hiking around Alishan.

Ride the bus from Alishan to the Chiayi HSR station for the fastest way back to Taoyuan (for the airport) or Taipei Main Station. For the airport, ride it to Taoyuan HSR station then take the Airport MRT to the airport.

Or take the bus to the Chiayi TRA station for the slower but cheaper way to go back. If you want to go directly to the airport, ride the TRA train to Taoyuan station, then take a taxi from there.

Taiwan 2 Week Itinerary

Two weeks is a good amount of time if you want to do a full circle around Taiwan. You won’t be able to hit every stop along the way (unless you are willing to rush and change hotels/locations almost every night). But you can at least cover most of the main ones.

If you plan to travel around Taiwan in two weeks, I’m going to give you two diffrent itinerary options. One is more focused on nature and the other on history and culture. You maybe want to modify or combine the two itineraries as you see fit.

Nature-Focused Itinerary

For my nature-focused itinerary, traveling clockwise around Taiwan, you will stop at Taroko Gorge, rural Taitung County, Alishan National Scenic Area, and Sun Moon Lake. Why clockwise? Well, that way just feels natural to me, plus I being able to ride the High Speed Rail directly to Taoyuan for getting to the airport on the final day, avoiding the need to go to

To avoid repeating a lot in this article, I’m going to describe each of these stops in detail (including hotel recommendations) below in my recommended 3-week itinerary. The route is the same, but you’ll just have to skip over a few stops. Essentially, my 3-week itinerary hits every one of the stops on these two 2-week itineraries.

Just a few things to mention about this specific itinerary. For Hualien, make sure to book your train early. Choose to stay at one of the hotels in the gorge or in Xinsheng village nearby for a quieter and more natural experience. If you do so, the next day, you might have to catch a local train from Xinsheng to Hualien first. From there, there are more trains onward to Chishang.

I recommend staying in one of the villages in Taitung for experiencing this beautiful, this rural part of Taiwan. Chishang is my top choice and is famous for cycling in the rice paddies. But other choices are Yuli, Guanshuan, and Luye. Read about them all in my guide to the East Coast of Taiwan .

For the next stop, Xiaoliuqiu is a small island where you can snorkel with sea turtles. To get there, ride the train from Chishang to Taitung city first. Then ride a train from Taitung city to Fangliao and take a taxi to the ferry port in Donggang for riding the ferry to Xiaoliuqiu.

Alternatively, follow the same steps to Fangliao then catch a bus to Kenting National Park, which has the best beaches on the mainland of Taiwan and many resorts or B&Bs to choose from.

From either one, return to Fangliao, then take the train to Chiayi. If you ride Fangliao to Kaohsiung, and then Kaohsiung to Chiayi, there will be more trains to choose from. Try to get to Chiayi before the last bus to Alishan. If you can’t, spend the night in Chiayi and go to Alishan then next day. Here’s my guide to getting to Alishan and visiting Alishan .

From Alishan, there’s one minibus per day to Sun Moon Lake, departing at 1 PM and arriving at SML at 4 PM. Spend the next day at Sun Moon Lake plus another night. Catch the shuttle bus from Sun Moon Lake to Taichung High Speed Rail station for connecting to the airport or Taipei.

Alternatively, after one night and one day visiting Sun Moon Lake, move to Cingjing Farm for your last night. You can get there by bus via Puli (budget about 2 hours) or take a shared transfer . On the final day, bus from Cinging to Taichung via Puli (2.5 hrs), or take a shared another shared transfer (1.5 hrs).

City & Culture-Focused Itinerary

If you’re more into the arts, culture, and urban explorations, then this itinerary is for you. You’ll still visit Taroko Gorge in Hualien, because I can’t justify skipping that. You can also experience Taiwanese aboriginal culture in Hualien, for example by taking this aboriginal cooking course .

Then you’ll do a circle around Taiwan via its main cities, stopping in each one to experience local attractions and culture. This won’t be all urban-sprawl – there are plenty of chances within the cities to get outside in nature.

There are a few more things to be said here that I haven’t already mentioned above. First, Taitung city is not the most exciting city. It’s hardly a city. It feels more like a small country town. But it has a few interesting cultural attractions (read these things to do in Taitung ), and you can use it as a home base for doing this tea culture day tour .

The Kaohsiung and Tainan portions are self explanatory. Just ride the regular (TRA) train to those cities and enjoy! Don’t bother with the HSR, because the stations for Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taichung are all outside of the city centers.

Read my guides to Kaohsiung , Tainan , and Taichung for all the juicy details. I’ll also cover them in more detail below.

Taiwan 3 week itinerary

OK, now I’m going to get down to some serious day-by-day details. The following is precisely how I would plan a 3 week itinerary for Taiwan. If you want to see all the places that I’ve mentioned in both 2-week itineraries without rushing, then you’ll need 2 to 3 weeks in Taiwan.

I’ll also sprinkle the itinerary with ideas for additional stops or side trips along way, including some more off-the-beaten-track attractions.how you what is possible, and how to cover all the main stops in Taiwan in three weeks, for those who want to. This is exactly how I travel, but I know others are different!

Spend your first 3-4 day in Taipei, including one or two days for a day trip out of the city. They exact number of nights you spend in Taipei might depend on what time you arrive on Day 1. Will you have much time (or energy?) to do much on Day 1? Generally, I recommend at least two full days for exploring Taipei, plus 1-2 days for day trips.

Consult my itineraries for 2 days or 3 days in Taipei , my top things to do in Taipei , guide to the best temples , restaurants , night markets , and amusement parks in Taipei .

Also see my neighborhood guides to funky Ximending , historic Dihua Street , food-focused Yongkang Street , Shenkeng stinky tofu street , and the hot springs of Beitou . Enjoy the best views of Taipei 101 from these spots .

See my Taipei accommodation guide for the best hotels in Taipei covering all budgets and types of travelers. Last but not least, check out my recommended day trips from Taipei , best beaches , and guides to Jiaoxi , Yilan , Wulai , Jiufen , Shifen , Keelung , and Tamsui (all possible day trips).

On day 4, catch a morning TRA train to Hualien (make sure to book in advance, up to 28 days, especially for the express train). Check in to your hotel and begin exploring some of the things to do in Hualien . See my recommended Hualien itinerary for planning your schedule.

If you’ve got time, consider taking this highly recommended aboriginal cooking course .

Where to Stay in Hualien There are three main places you can stay in Hualien County for visiting Taroko Gorge, and they are all quite different. 1. Hualien City : This offers the best choice of restaurants, accommodations of all price ranges, and other things to do, but it is the furthest from Taroko Gorge (30-40 minutes by car). Most Taroko tours start from here. Just Walk ( see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is an excellent hostel choice. Happiness is my Home (see on Booking ) is an excellent mid-range B&B. Farglory Resort (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is the best luxury seaside resort and has a sea-themed park attached (you can even sleep in it! ) 2. Xincheng : This is a very small town closest to the entrance to Taroko Gorge. There isn’t much there, but it’s quiet and there are some great hotels. It’s only a 10-minute drive to Taroko Gorge. You can also have the Taroko tours pick you up here. You can get off the train at Xincheng (Taroko Gorge station), one stop before Hualien on the express train from Taipei. When traveling on from here, you might have to train to Hualien city first, then catch your next train south. Liwu Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is the closest to Taroko Gorge. Liiko Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is the best hotel in town. 3. In Taroko Gorge : There are only a few hotels right inside Taroko Gorge. Aboriginal-themed Taroko Village Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is halfway up the gorge on a beautiful terrace with suspension bridge nearby and an aboriginal buffet restaurant. Ultra-luxurious Silks Place Taroko (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) at the top of the gorge is the best hotel in all of Hualien county. Both should offer pick-up and tour services.

See my Taroko Gorge article for everything you need to know for planning a trip to Taroko Gorge on the 5th day. If you’re looking for a tour, I recommend this one . Even better, hire a driver for a day to take you to the best spots.

You can also rent a scooter in Hualien City or in Xincheng (IDP or Taiwanese license needed) and visit the gorge yourself, but beware of the narrow road and possible landslides. Do not visit the gorge during or right after heavy rain, especially by scooter or bicycle.

You will want to wake up early for this one, and you’ll probably spend a long, full day visiting the various attractions, views, shrines, and hikes in the gorge, not to mention beautiful Qixingtan Beach and the dramatic Qingshui Cliffs nearby, which can also be included in your Taroko Gorge tour if you plan it right.

Other things to do in Hualien – If visiting Taiwan in winter , check out Wenshan Hot Spring , a natural hot spring in Taroko Gorge that was damaged by a typhoon, and is now semi-open (you might have to climb around a fence or two). – Other amazing experiences in Hualien include whale watching , paragliding , river tracing , rafting , seeing cute animals , sleeping inside an aquarium , and ATVing on a beach .

Day 6-7: Taitung

Your next stop is one of the most remote and beautiful corners of Taiwan, Taitung County. Also called the “rice basket of Taiwan”, Taitung is known for its clean air, fresh water, quaint rural scenery, and the stunning East Rift Valley.

For more details, learn how to plan your full Taitung itinerary here .

For Taitung county, you’ll have to decide which town to stay in. Some great choices are Yuli (actually in southern Hualien county, but near Taitung), Chishang, Guanshang, Luye, and Taitung city. I desribe each town in more detail in my East Coast guide .

It only takes 1-3 hours to get there on the train from Hualien, depending on which town you decide to stay in, and what speed of train you catch.

Yuli is very rural and you can cycle or ride a scooter to a waterfall, amazing hike, or hot springs. Chishang is the most popular town for its famous cycling paths among rice paddies. Guanshan is also known for cycling but less popular than Chishang. Luye is super rural and famous for the International Balloon Festival in summer and for its tea farms.

Taitung city is my least favorite option, but it does have some things to see and do , too. In all of these places, riding a bicycle or scooter to explore is best, but there are also tours like this one and this one .

There are direct flights from Taipei’s Songshan airport to Taitung City if you want to access the region faster.

How to Rent a Bike or Scooter in Taitung Exploring rural Taitung is best by bicycle or scooter. You can order your bicycle for Chishang here , or just get one from the many shops when you get there. Other towns in Taitung also have bicycle rental shops, usually around the train station, or you can inquire if your hotel has them. Guanshan definitely has lots, while Luye may not. It’s also possible to rent a scooter from a small shop outside each train station (Taiwanese license or IDP needed). You can reserve one in advance here for Yuli , Chishang , Guanshan , or Taitung station ( electric scooter also available ). I recommend doing this to avoid not finding one upon arrival.

Where to stay in Taitung County In Yuli , I highly recommend Wisdom Garden (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ). In Chishang : we liked Good Harvest B&B (see  on Booking  /  Agoda  /  TripAdvisor ), which is just out of town (ride a bike there!) but very close to the famous cycling paths. A fancier option is Papago International (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ). In Guanshan , Remindful Homestay (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is a nice B&B in with free bikes available. In Luye , Jamie’s Guesthouse (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is a popular choice in town, while Luminous Hot Spring Resort (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is a larger (but older) hotel with indoor hot spring, outdoor pool, and balconies facing nature. In Taitung city , Begonia B&B (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is an excellent B&B, while The Gaya (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) has a great location by the Railway Village and a rooftop pool.

Green Island and Orchid Island If you’ve got more time or want to focus your trip mainly on this part of Taiwan, hop on a ferry and spend a few days at Green Island (Lu Dao). This small island has more of a tropical feel, with great snorkeling/scuba diving, and has one of only three salt water hot springs in the world. Book your Green Island ferry tickets here . Orchid Island (Lanyu)is home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe. A trip there involves more planning, so you’ll definitely want to consult my detailed guide to Orchid Island .

Days 8-9: Kenting National Park or Xiaoliuqiu

Kenting National Park occupies the southern tip of Taiwan and is home to Mainland Taiwan’s best beaches (the real best ones are on the offshore islands, like Penghu ). For more info than I’ll provide here, please see my Kenting travel guide and list of things to do in Kenting .

Still, the park offers gorgeous scenery and many activities, so if you’re looking for a beach vacation, do consider it! Kenting has three main beaches to choose from, in the order you would pass them: Nanwan (South Bay), Kenting Main Beach (or Kenting Night Market), and Sail Rock.

Nanwan and Sail Rock are small beaches with just a few simple hotels and great swimming. Kenting Main Beach is the largest town and has the most resorts and other hotels, but swimming is not technically allowed there.

There is also a very famous aquarium in Hengchun, a small city near Kenting, called the National Museum of Marine Biology . Here’s the local shuttle bus for getting to the aquarium and other places in Kenting.

To get there, ride a train from wherever you stayed in Hualien to Fangliao station (you will get more train options if you ride to Taitung city first, then catch a new train from Taitung onward). At Fangliao, you can board the shuttle bus to Kenting. Budget about four hours for getting to from Taitung to Kenting.

Best Hotels in Kenting Please read my Where to Stay in Kenting guide , but here are a few highlights: In Nanwan, try The First (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ), a fun capsule hotel just off the beach or Nanwan Station (see on Booking / Agoda ) for a B&B. Kenting Main Street area has the biggest selection of accommodations, including some of the best resorts in Kenting, like Howard Beach Resort (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) and Caesar Park (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ). Sail Rock Beach, the furthest from Kaohsiung, has more excellent accommodations, like the snazzy Kenting 4 Sisters Villa (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ).

Xiaoliqiu (also called Little Liuqiu or Lambai Island) is a small coral island off the coast of Pingtung , just below Kaohsiung city. Here’s my detailed guide to Little Liuqiu Island .

The top reason to come here is to go snorkeling with the islands resident giant turtles. There are hundreds of them and you are guaranteed to see them. The island also makes for the perfect tropical getaway and I can’t speak highly enough of it.

The time to reach Xiaoliuqiu is almost the same as getting to Kenting, so you’ll have to make a tough choice here. Coming from Taitung, you’ll also want to take the train to Fangliao station. From there, you can just hop in a taxi to get to the Xiaoliuqiu ferry port in Donggang (see my Donggang guide ). Don’t miss the excellent seafood market in the port!

Where to Stay on Xiaoliuqiu We loved our stay at Ocean Dream (see on Booking / Agoda ). It was right in the main town, so you can don’t need a scooter to get there. Our balcony overlooking a quiet corner of the harbor and we could even see across the ocean to Kaohsiung city in the distance. Our hotel arranged our scooter and snorkeling experience. You can also rent a scooter or electric bicycle and book your Xiaoliuqiu snorkeling experience here .

Kaohsiung is the largest port in Taiwan and the country’s second largest city. Street art enthusiasts will find some of Taiwan’s best street art in Kaohsiung , and the newly renovated waterfront around Pier 2 Art Center is a must. In the evening, check out one or more of the city’s bustling night markets .

Other things to do include hiking on Shoushan and connecting Chaishan mountains, where you can spot loads of wild macaques. Nearby, you can visit the restored British Consulate at Takow, which offers beautiful seaside views. Or head to Cijin Island for a few hours, which has a nice beach, fort, and art installations you can cycle to along the coast.

Don’t miss the awesome Lotus Pond , which features multiple temples, near Kaohsiung’s High Speed Rail Station (Zuoying). The KMRT also goes there.

Last but not least, some people’s main reason for coming to Kaohsiung is to visit the impressive Buddha Museum at Fo Guang Shan Monastery , the largest Buddha and monaster in Taiwan. You can even spend the night in the monastery!

If you’re coming from Kenting, you can ride the shuttle bus to Kaohsiung . From the Xiaoliuqiu ferry harbor, you can take local buses to Kaohsiung.

Where to Stay in Kaohsiung Whenever we visit Kaoshiung, we like to stay around the point where the Love River flows into the harbor, which is a romantic area at night. Harbour 10 Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) has nice river views, but it’s about 10 min walk to the nearest MRT. Hotel Yam Lagom (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is another choice with harbor/sea view from the higher rooms and close to Pier 2 and the MRT. I also had a good experience staying in KLA B&B (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ), which has private rooms and capsule dorm rooms, in the same convenient neighborhood as the last one.

A quick hop on the train (30 min to 1 hour) going north will bring you to Tainan, Taiwan’s former capital. You can read about all the city has to offer in my guide to things to do in Tainan .

History buffs will find several of Taiwan’s oldest temples in Tainan . Also make sure to head over to Anping district (about 45 min by bus from central Tainan city) to see Anping Fort , Anping Old Street , and Anping Tree House . Also consider a side trip to Sicao Green Tunnel .

Most Taiwanese people regard Tainan as the cultural and food capital of Taiwan, so don’t miss the city’s famous street food. Read my guide to the best night markets in Tainan and learn about the individual dishes in my Taiwanese street food guide .

For something totally off-the-beaten-track, you can discover the remains of Tainan’s now defunct salt industry. Check out Cigu Salt Mountain and Salt Museum north of Tainan’s city center, or the visually stunning Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields further north near the border with Chiayi County. Read my guide to Tainan’s Salt Mountain and Salt Fields for all the details.

Last but not least, Guanziling mud hot spring in northeastern Tainan is one-of-a-kind, but it’ll take a little more effort to get there. Although Guanziling is technically in Tainan, it is closer to Chiayi city, so if you want to visit it, I suggest you travel to Chiayi city first (which you’ll have to in order to get to the next stops on this itinerary), then visit it as a half-day trip from there.

Where to Stay in Tainan Budget travelers can try Quiet Hostel (see on Agoda / Booking / Tripadvisor ), while A Fat at Home (see on Agoda / Booking ) is a local guesthouse in a great location by the Confucius Temple and is run by friendly hosts (don’t ask me about the name!) For families, nothing beats Hotel Cozzi (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ), which has some amazing facilities and play areas for kids. In Anping district, I loved An-Ping Inn Here (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ).

On day 14, travel from Tainan to Chiayi , the departure place for buses and trains to Fenqihu, Shizhuo, and Alishan.

Most tourists rush up to Alishan, Taiwan’s most famous mountain resort. But I personally recommend spending one night in either Fenqihu or Shizhuo villages on the way there. Fenqihu is famous for its bento lunchboxes and hikes though bamboo forests. Shizhuo is known for its Alishan High Mountain tea plantations where you can even spend the night. See my Fenqihu guide and Shizhuo guide for planning your visit.

Getting from Chiayi to Shizhuo, Fenqihu, and Alishan is a little complicated, with lots of options. I suggest you read my guide to Fenqihu, Shizhuo, and Alishan , as well as my guide to getting to Alishan .

If you choose Fenqihu , you can either go there by riding the famous Alishan Forest Railway (slower but more scenic, only 1-2 departures per morning, need to book ) or a regular bus (faster, with frequent departures, no booking needed). This train no longer goes all the way to Alishan because the upper portion of the railway line was destroyed in a landslide several years ago.

Fenqihu is a cute little mountain village with an Old Street. Its busy in the daytime when everyone stops there for lunchboxes on the way to Alishan. But at night it is super quiet and you can sometimes see fireflies there. The excellent Fenrui Historic Trail though bamboo forests starts here.

The next day, you can catch a bus from Fenqihu to get to Alishan.

Shizhuo is another small village very close to Fenqihu. The train doesn’t go there, but every bus from Chiayi to Alishan drives through it (Fenqihu is off the main highway, so only some of the buses make the small detour to it).

Shizhuo is where most Alishan High Mountain Tea (Taiwan’s most famous tea) is grown. Some of the guesthouses along the highway are run by tea farmers, but for the best ones (like where we stayed), you’ll have to walk up the hill beside town or ask them to pick you up from either Fenqihu train station or Shizhuo bus station.

Shizhuo is quite off-the-beaten-track, especially compared to popular Alishan. But the scenery there is fantastic, including hiking trails through the tea farms and beautiful sunsets.

Where to Stay in Fenqihu and Shizhuo We enjoyed our stay at Fenchihu Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ), built above the only 7-Eleven in town. We had an amazing experience staying on a tea farm at Cuiti Guesthouse (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ). It was close to some hiking trails, had a beautiful sunset, and the farmer picked us up from the stations. You’ll need to bring dinner or hike into town for it. Breakfast is provided. If you want one that’s easier to get to, Alishan Hinoki B&B (see on Booking / Agoda ) is right on the highway, with Chiayi to Alishan buses going right past it, and is run by a tea farming family.

On day 15, make your way from Fenqihu or Shizhuo up to Alishan National Scenic Area, Taiwan’s most famous mountain resort, by bus.

Alishan is famous for Alishan High Mountain tea (you won’t see the tea farms unless you stop in Shizhuo), hiking trails though old growth forests with enormous and oddly shaped cypress trees, the three Alishan Forest Railway lines still operating in the park, and the breathtaking phenomenon of sunrises over seas of clouds.

For all these reasons, Alishan does attract tour group masses, but it’s still one of my favorite places in Taiwan. My guide to Alishan offers more information than you’ll find anywhere else, including how to get away from the crowds at Alishan.

If you happen to be coming when the cherry blossoms are blooming at Alishan ( March to April ), getting a room can be difficult or impossible. Many places to open their rooms up until around 3 months in advance, and then they all sell out right away.

On the day you arrive at Alishan, spend the afternoon doing the main tourist hiking loop around the scenic area, which only takes a few hours. Here you’ll have a chance to ride a few short legs of the Alishan Forest Railway, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get one of the train cars made entirely of wood like we did. They smell amazing inside!

On the morning of the 16th, wake up disturbingly early to take the small train line to the famous sunrise viewing point. The train is usually packed with notoriously loud tourists, so you can also consult my Alishan guide to find out how to hike up to the viewpoint, or to find other sunrise viewpoints with no tourists.

After that, you’ll have a few more hours to hike around before checking out and catch the only bus of the day (1 PM) to Sun Moon Lake.

Don’t forget to bring warm clothes, even in summer. Although rare, you may even see snow at Alishan in winter!

Where to Stay in Alishan The selection of hotels at Alishan is pretty weak. Most of the hotels are old and overpriced and located in a little tourist village around the main parking lot, train station, and collection of restaurant’s and shops. I recommend Shermuh Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) mainly because they offer free pickup from the bus station (double check to make sure they’re still offering it). Alishan Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is the nicest hotel at Alishan, but even it is a little old, too. It is often filled up by tour groups and it is located deeper in the park, away from all the amenities. They do offer pickup from the bus station, though. Unfortunately, there is no longer a hostel at Alishan. Budget travelers can consider just visiting as a day trip and staying in one of the hostels in Chiayi city, like this one .

Day 16-17: Sun Moon Lake

The next stop on this Taiwan itinerary is Sun Moon Lake. Because there’s only 1 bus per day from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake (departing 1 PM, arriving 4 PM), I recommend two nights here. You won’t have time to see or do anything after you arrive on Day 1.

Like Alishan, you’ll have to battle with some tourist crowds here, but I don’t personally find it that bad and I really love Sun Moon Lake. Some of the top attractions here include the Sun Moon Lake ropeway , riding boats across the lake , temples with amazing lake views, and a local night market.

See my extremely detailed guide to Sun Moon Lake here, including how to get off the beaten track.

You may want to consider getting a Sun Moon Lake Pass . I’ve also got articles on the best Sun Moon Lake tours and Sun Moon Lake’s amazing black tea .

Where to Stay at Sun Moon Lake There are two main villages on Sun Moon Lake. The main tourist village is called Shuishe. It’s more convenient, because it’s where your bus will arrive from Alishan, and where you will catch a bus to Taichung when you leave. In Shuishe, I recommend ‬ Shaoguang 188 ‭ (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ), a lovely guesthouse with stone bath tubs. I personally prefer Ita Thao, the aboriginal village on the other side of the lake. It’s a tourist town as well, but has a more local and less resorty feel. We loved staying at these rustic cabins on Sun Moon Lake (see on Booking ), which were in a lush area just a few minutes walk out of Ita Thao. There are also some rooms with beautiful lake views right in town, such as Hu Yue Lakeview Hotel (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ).

Right up there with Alishan, Cingjing Farm is one of Taiwan’s most popular mountain resorts. This one is a little different: it’s actually a high mountain farm! (Find all the info in my Cingjing Farm guide and read about why I’m not the biggest fan of Cingjing ).

Besides beautiful mountain views from most guesthouses, you’ll find a working European-style farm with farm animals. Other attractions include cherry blossoms (Feb to Mar), beautiful sunrises/sunsets, Cingjing Skywalk, and morning sunrise tours to Hehuanshan (one of the most famous places for seeing snow in Taiwan ).

It will taker you about two hours to travel from Sun Moon Lake to Cingjing Farm by bus (via Puli ), or you can take this shared transfer service . From Cinging to Taichung (the next stop), budget 2.5 hours, again via Puli, or this shared transfer service .

Where to Stay at Cingjing Farm Besides the official accommodation on the farm, there are loads of guesthouses at Cingjing, may of which offer spectacular views. The Old England (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is a very famous landmark hotel with afternoon tea. Iris Farmhouse (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is a simple but very friendly guesthouse with great views and hot pot dinner available. This is where I stayed when I visited. One downside is its a 30-minute uphill walk to the farm. More convenient options are Bokelai (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) or Cotsworld Villa (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ). Both are close to the northern entrance of the farm.

Days 19-20: Taichung

The final stop on our Taiwan tour itinerary is Taichung! Taiwan’s “middle city” is known as the place where pearl milk tea was invented (you can still visit the original shop!)

Other top attractions in the city include Rainbow Village (read about how Rainbow Village has been partially destroyed ), 921 Earthquake Museum, and Feng Chia Night Market . Outside of the city, popular day trips include Gaomei Wetland , and Zhongshe Flower Market , and Lihpao Discovery Land (one of the newest and best amusement parks in Taiwan).

For all the info you need, see my guide to Taichung , recommended Taichung itinerary , and the best day trips from Taichung .

Where to Stay in Taichung Norden Ruder (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is a new, highly rated hostel in town. Red Dot (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) features a slide into the lobby, while Inhouse Hotel Grand (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor ) is a good mid-range choice.

Day 21: Back to Taipei or Taoyuan Airport

That wraps up our Taiwan itinerary! From Taichung, you can hop on the High Speed Rail to Taoyuan station, where you can transfer to the Taoyuan International Airport. There are also direct buses to the airport from Taichung bus station, just north of the TRA train station in the city center.

More Places to Consider

Whether you are living in Taiwan , have more time in your schedule, or prefer off-the-beaten-track destinations, here are even more ideas for your Taiwan itinerary!

Miaoli County

Miaoli is a less-visited county in between Taichung and Taipei, but it has so much to offer. Some of the top spots include picking strawberries in Dahu (winter only), remote Tai’an Hot Springs , hiking or sleeping in a temple on Lion’s Head Mountain , the fun Flying Cow Leisure Farm , or visiting Hobbit Houses here and here .

I’ve got even more ideas for exploring the area in my Miaoli guide. Please note, it takes more time to travel around Miaoli, so renting a car is a good idea for getting around.

Yilan county

Yilan is considered the family-friendly county of Taiwan. Only 60-90 minutes from Taipei, the county has dozens of kid-friendly museums, leisure farms ( meet capybaras here !), kid-friendly hot springs, glamping , beaches, and more. It is also known for its many excellent minsu (local guesthouses).

Jiaoxi, Yilan City, and Luodong are the three main towns in Yilan. Jiaoxi is famous for hot springs while Luodong is known for Luodong Night Market . Renting a car or hiring a driver is best if you want to explore the county. Yilan also has a famous mountain park called Taipingshan , with its Bong Bong Train and chance to see snow in winter.

For all the info you need, see my favorite things to do in Yilan and my guide to Jiaoxi , the most kid-friendly hot spring area in Taiwan.

Penghu Islands

The Penghu archipelago is a collection of Taiwanese islands in the Taiwan strait between Taiwan and China. They are super easy to visit thanks to direct flights from Taipei’s city-center Songshan Airport, Taichung, or Kaohsiung.

Some fun things to do in Penghu include island-hopping by scooter or boat, some of the country’s best beaches, traditional houses made of coral, tasting cactus ice cream, and the Penghu International Fireworks Festival. It’s best to avoid winter, when it’s super windy.

All the details are in my Penghu travel guide .

Well, that brings us to the end of my Taiwan itinerary. I hope you’ve found more than enough info for planning your visit. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!

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48 thoughts on “A Taiwan Itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (Slow & Fast Options!)”

Hi! My wife and I speak mandarin but we are both from UK and US. We have four days to travel outside of Taipei and are unsure how to use that time. The places we are considering is:

Taroko Gorge – Alishan – SunMoon Lake, do you think it would be wise to do all 3? Or just pick 1 or 2? Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m planning a slightly longer than week long trip to Taiwan and your tips and detailed writing really helped clear my mind. Just wanted to say a big thank you!

You’re very welcome!

Hej Nick, just planing a trip to Taiwan after a wedding in Hong Kong and so glad to have stumbled over your blog. Really helpful information. I will make sure to study it all. We are currently looking for a good ‘base camp’ somewhere in a pretty little town where we would like to spend most our time and plan trips from… Could I trouble you to ask for your advice? Is there any place you would recommend? We will be flying to and from Taichung City and probably want to do Taipeh, Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake. Many thanks, Mira

Hi Mira, Based on where you are planning to go, I can’t really think of an ideal “base camp”, since the places you are planning are really far from each other. It would only really make sense to stay in Hualien for visiting Taroko Gorge, stay in Taipei for visiting Taipei, and stay at Sun Moon Lake for visiting Sun Moon Lake. It would not be feasible to choose somewhere in between all of those, because your day trips to each place would be really far and you’d spend all your time on the road. I hope this helps, but do get in touch if you have any further questions!

Thank you for your reply. I figured it would not be possible without travelling around somewhat. Do you still have a recommendation for a particularly nice, maybe a bit more remote spot with a relaxed holiday feeling somewhere to spend a few days longer? Would you say Hualien or Sun Moon Lake would lend themselves more to do so? Many thanks.

Hi Mira, If you are looking for something more relaxed, I would say Hualien and Sun Moon Lake are not exactly that. Hualien City is just a pretty normal medium sized city, nothing special at all. If you staying somewhere closer to Taroko Gorge, like in Xincheng or even right in Taroko Gorge, definitely it will have more of a countryside/nature vibe, but still not really the “holiday” vibe I think you are looking for. Meanwhile, Sun Moon Lake I would say has more of a tourist vibe than anything. For both locations, though, the hotel you stay in will make a big difference. If you are staying in a nice resort, then certainly you can enjoy a relaxing holiday feeling at either place. But in a budget hotel, not so much… One area you might consider is Miaoli County. It’s quite off the beaten track as most foreign visitors don’t go there, but locals certainly do. Miaoli is most rural scenery and has been chosen as one of the world’s “slow living, slow travel” places. There are loads of B&Bs in small, quaint villages. See my Miaoli article for lots of pics and details. Another option you might consider is spending a few days in a hotel near one of Norther Taiwan’s beaches. They aren’t the best beaches in the world, but definitely you will find a more laid back, beachy vibe. You can look up my article on “Taipei Beaches” for ideas. I hope this all helps!

Brilliant. Thanks for this idea! I wish we had a couple of months rather than weeks really 😉

Hey Nick, great article, thanks! You wrote about so many temple in Taipei, maybe you know what temple is the best to meditate. Sometimes i dont want to do it in classes or at home. Looking forward to your reply!

Hi Madeline! If you are just looking for a quiet temple to meditate in by yourself, then I would consider the following: -Lion’s Head Mountain (in Hsinchu & Miaoli counties): there are many temples there and you can even spend the night. See my article about Lion’s Head Mountain for all the info. -Linji Huguo Temple: If you go up the stairs behind the main building, there is a quiet section in the woods above that may be suitable. – Songshan Tianbao Temple: It’s an old temple with some parts in ruins, but it is located in the forest on the edge of town, so you can surely find some peace and quiet spots there with no people at all. – Silver Stream Cave at Maokong: also in the forest and very few people – Guandu Temple: there’s a quiet section at the back looking down on the temple where you could sit – Dharma Drum Mountain Nung Chan Monastery: some people like to sit by the large pool there and meditate You can find more info about all of these here: http://www.nickkembel.com/best-taipei-temples-taiwan/ I hope that helps!

Hi Nick Thank you for your truly fantastic coverage of Taiwan! I’m in New Zealand, looking well ahead for a trip for my birthday next October, but obviously pending sorting out all this Covid mess. Hopefully both Taiwan’s and NZ’s borders will be open by then (and hopefully Taiwan will still be safe to visit, not disrupted by military activities…). Is there perhaps any reliable reference as to the progress with regards the Covid and border opening situations? Where can we look to monitor progress and the rules about travel (pre-dep tests, tests on arrival, quarantine on arrival, border opening dates, which countries’ visitors will be allowed, etc.)? I thought two weeks would be enough time, but no way! Will need three weeks! Hopefully all of it actually traveling, not stuck in an isolation facility. Take care

Hey Brian, the closest to what you describe is the Taiwan Center for Disease Control website. But it’s not the best resource…there are lots of updates that won’t affect you, the English is sometimes bad/confusing, and the current restrictions are not clearly explained. When Taiwan starts opening up, it is going to be big news. I would suggest checking into the main Taiwan news sites once in a while and check the travel sections. Also please join my Facebook group “Taiwan Travel Planning”. We have over 1000 members highly anticipating these changes, so there will be posts and discussions the moment these changes are announced. Best of luck, and for next October, I would be optimistic!

Hey, great article and site. Just wanted to see if I was missing something but it looks like you can book the Eastern main line trains over a month in advance now: http://www.railway.gov.tw .

This is something I’ll have to look deeper into, as the TRA guidelines still stay 28 days. Thank you!

Hey there! Thanks for the details, it’s really informative and it indeed helped me so much with the planning. Just a quick question – Do you recommend going to Jiufen and Shifen on a weekday like Mon/Tues instead of the weekend – will the shops be closed? Since it’s more crowded on the weekends.

Some other visitors have reported that the shops around Shifen station (where you can usually buy sky lanterns, snacks, etc) are mostly closed on Monday. If you only want to see the waterfall, though, this is not a big deal. As for Jiufen, it will be quite a bit quieter on Monday or Tuesday, and some shops take a break, but most should still be open.

So glad I stumbled upon your blog. Is wonderfully helpful for planning. As a fellow blogger I am definitely inspired to write better itineraries! Anyway, I only have a week sadly. I want to spend day 1-3 in Taipei as you suggest and day 4/5 Haulien Torako Gorge. Would spending days 6/7 in Taichung be feasible? Would this work as a not too hectic 7 day trip? Wondering about transport from Haulien to Taichung. Thank you so much.

Thanks so much Cherene! And yes, this sounds totally doable. Although looking at the map, it may seem like it should be easy to cross the island directly from Hualien to Taichung, this high mountain highway has no public transportation and is very difficult to drive because the road is frequently damaged by landslides and closed due to reconstruction work. So the best/fastest way is to get the train back to Taipei (express ones are only 2 hours but essential to book well in advance, while others take 3-4 hours) then the High Speed Rail to Taichung (1 hr). Hope you enjoy your trip!

Thank you Nick for your generous sharing. Am planning to visit the southern part of Taiwan this winter. Your itinerary kept going back to Taipei, any chance of moving forth from say, Alishan onwards without returning to Taipei first and are they private drivers to book instead of the public bus?

My itineraries are not set in stone. Feel free to modify them as you wish. Once you create a draft itinerary, please feel free to share it in my Facebook group “Taiwan travel planning” and we can give you feedback on it there! For drivers, I have a whole article on this site covering how to find a private driver and my personal recommended drivers, so please search “drivers” on my website to find it.

Hello Nick,

Really love your detailed explanation.

This is my first time at Kaoshing. I am in dilemma about whether to stay in KLA B&B or Hotel Yam Lagom for two nights. I will be traveling during mid Oct to Kaohsiung. Or should I stay near Kaoshiung Main Station?

Also, deciding to stay in Beauty Hotels Taipei – Hotel B6 or Diary of Ximen Hotel II-Liu Fu Branch. These two are hotels in Taipei near to Ximending.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Chose KLA for more of a hostel vibe. It’s quite small, no sign outside that I remember, and there’s a small shared room/kitchen space where you could meet people (but definitely not a party hostel or anything). Yam Lagom is more like a typical hotel. The highlight here would be that some upper floors have views. Both are in a convenient enough location for exploring this part of Kaohsiung, like Pier 2 and the ferry to Cijin Island. But if you stay near Kaohsiung Station, that will be more convenient for arriving in and departing from the city. Sorry I’m not familiar with the Ximending ones!

Thanx for all the detail, Nick. Looking at your “cultural” tour — is there a reason for the city order as you have it? Wondering if it has to do with train schedules, or some other logic?

I chose it like this to make a clockwise tour around Taiwan. Somehow that feels more natural to me, although some people have commented that they feel the other way (counterclockwise) feels more natural to them. However, I do like how this one allows you to go directly back to Taoyuan Airport at the end instead, so you don’t need to go to Taipei twice, making it more efficient. You could do the same thing in reverse, of course, but most people tend to go to Taipei first, then around the island, so if you did this in a counter-clockwise way, you’d have to pass through Taipei twice on your trip.

Hello Nick. First i just want to say your blog is really helpful for me arranging itinerary and what to see in Taiwan and how effectively arranging our schedule. I have also sent my request to join your facebook group but request still pending. anyway would like to share my draft here and hopefully i can get some comments from you or others. A little about myself, we’re traveling group of 4, with my wife and 2 kids (12 yrs old and 6 yrs old). we’ll be traveling in December 2023.

20 dec : Arrival evening, stay in Taipei 21 dec : city tour (101, cks, etc) 22 dec : jiufen, shifen, yehliu 23 dec : transfer to Yilan, do hotspring and stay in Yilan 24 dec : Yilan – Toroko Gorge, stay in Toroko 25 dec : Toroko – Hehuanshan – Cingjing Farm – Sun Moon Lake, stay in Sun Moon Lake 26 dec : Sun Moon Lake activity, afternoon transfer to Alishan, stay in Alishan Hotel 27 dec : Alishan activity, afternoon transfer to Kaohshiung, stay in Kaohshiung 28 dec : Kaohshiung – Taichung, stay in Taichung 29 dec : Taichung city tour 30 dec : Taichung – Taipei 31 dec : free 1 jan : fly back home

Sorry about the slow reply on this. Were you able to join my group and did you ask the question there? If not, please send me a message directly via my FB account Spiritual Travels

WeI like your post very much we plan to travel for 3 + weeks in tiwan in October’ november we would like to see the nature and fill the calthecher as well as taking some traditional art workshop in clay and ceramics work, paper work, gold work, waby saby idea’s and other oriental art skills (not cligraphy and tee ceremony ) and as well we wont some day’s in a health and hot spring resort in nature. We can not rush since we are 74 years old and i have some problems to walk and climb a lot. we wont to take the time To absorve the atmosphere the nature and different culture’s this is the main reasone for our trip We are looking to get recommendations from you Thanks

We are seniors that consider traveling to Taiwan during oct-nov period this year. My wife is a ceramic artist. We wish to add visits to artists places or villages during your 3 weeks tour idea. Are there places you can point out?

Besides the several art galleries in Taipei, you could also visit Treasure Hill Artists Village (see my “things to do in Taipei” article for description). Yingge Pottery Street and Yingge Ceramics Museum are great (see my “Yingge” article). Just a 30-minute trai ride from Taipei. And if you don’t mind to get off the beaten track, we once stayed at a guesthouse run by a potter, called “Yanzitao Pottery & Coffee B&B” in Nanzhuang area, Miaoli. Read my “Lion’s Head Mountain” article for the details.

Hello, I’m beginning to plan my itinerary for my 3 week trip end of October and your site is definitely super useful, thank you for all the work (especially on tea!). I would have a maybe unusual general question for you about hostels: I’m used not to book anything in advance except the first stop (that would be Taipei) AND not having a smartphone when traveling (so not booking at all even during the trip). Do you think I can do in Taiwan as I do in other countries i.e. just showing at the hostel not too late in the day and check if I like it and if there are beds available? I only used to have the Lonely planet guide book to do that but now, I generally add before departure some additional booking.com / agoda adresses on the LP map to get more up to date possibilities. What do you think? By the way, do you see any situations where not having a smartphone would be an issue? Thank you. Cheers.

That’s how I used to travel too (I miss those days!) But taiwan today is not very friendly to this approach. In some famous (like Alishan or Sun Moon Lake), every single hotel sells out for weeks in advance, especially on weekends, long weekends, holidays, or cherry blossom season. In big cities, it is more possible to show up and find something, but you may end up with crappier choices, or more expensive choices than you hoped, or you might spend hours wandering around trying to find something. In most cities, the area around the main train station is the best place to look for last-minute budget rooms. Basically, you can probably do this for big cities, you won’t be able to for famous tourist places, and be especially carefully with any weekends or holidays during your trip. Also note that some hostels and even hotels nowadays have self check-in, so for those, it would be impossible to just show up, because they may not even have staff on site. Taiwan is a country that loves advance bookings, doing things online, cashless payments, etc, and COVID and amplified this. Situations when smartphone is useful: checking upcoming bus times, not getting lost, booking train tickets, communicating with hotels (most hotels will want to communicate with guests via LINE app), finding out about coming typhoons and associated highway closures or stay-at-home orders), registering for YouBike, making restaurant reservations, emergency calls, online check in for flights, buying discounted tickets for things on Klook, just to name a few. I mean you could still survive, but the conveniences it adds nowadays are endless.

Hello, thanks for the answers. You’re about to convince me to break my oath of smartphone free journeying (and also because it was not so easy last year in Korea) at least for the hostels booking, which is really very annoying when it goes wrong as you rightly say. For the rest, I guess I can cope (which forces me to interact with people most of the time). I’d have to buy a basic smartphone then, because mine is almost dead and does not allow proper web browsing! Still, in this case, as my exact itinerary is not final (the usual “if a I like/dislike a place, I want to be free to adapt the agenda” thing), I would book one or two days in advance. But are you really saying that for Alishan, Taroko and SML, this is not possible and you really have to book weeks in advance? In this case, there’s no flexibility possible whatsoever and I should book right away from my PC! I’ll be there between end of October and mid-November. Btw, I’ll try to join your FB group to discuss my theoritical itinerary soon (I’m struggling to write it down by lack of time and difficulties to know what to include, except at least 7 days in Taipei). Thank you.

Sorry about my slow reply, you may already be in Taiwan! What did you decide in the end? And yes, it’s common for all hotels at Alishan to sell out. Hualien and SML have more it’s less likely to happen, but I did hear of people not being able to find a room at SML on a really busy long weekend.

Thanks for this post! Our group used some suggestions for our trip to Taiwan that we just got back from a few days ago.

Just wanted to quickly drop a note about one of the places you suggested.

We went to Huang’s Oyster Omelet shop inside the hat shop and it tasted amazing. The man who owns the shop is SO sweet and lovely.

However, we got TERRIBLE food poisoning from eating (presumably) the grilled oysters. We highly suspect it’s from this shop as one member who didn’t join us for this one meal did not get food poisoning and oysters are known to be risky. We had also eaten the omelets but it’s more likely the grilled oysters that caused it. Just a warning to other travelers!!

Hi, I don’t recommend any oyster omelet shops in this article. Could you please clarify which city it was in or which article I recommended it is in? I have more than 100 articles about Taiwan so it’s hard to know which one you are talking about.

Hello (and thank you for all the quality work done here, especially on tea), I already posted a similar message but as I can’t see it, I’ll try to rewrite it. Sorry if I missed something. I’m preparing a 3 weeks trip in Taiwan for the end of October and I am a little worried about my usual way of traveling i.e. not having a smartphone and not booking accomodation in advance except the first town (whe arriving into a new city, I just visit the hostels spotted on the Lonley planet or on the net while preparing the trip). Do you think it’s an issue ? Also, do you see any other reason (apart from the hostels booking) why it could be an issue not having a smartphone in Taiwan? Thank you. Cheers. Julien

Sorry that I missed this message earlier! I assume you are already in Taiwan, so let us know how it goes if you see this!

Hello again, Another topic : the guidebook. With one piece of information for fellow travellers and one question. – the information: I always use the LP when possible, and I just got it from an English-speaking library. I was very happy of this (it has just been published and was not available elsewhere) until I began to read: there’s almost nothing left of what was useful in the LP guidebooks i.e. the practical, detailed information: less restaurants and hotels listed, with no directions, no phone numbers and no prices (and some of them don’t even appear on the maps), only a few maps with too big a scale, no “getting there and away” section (no time tables distances, prices), no opening times and prices for the sights (museums, etc.), no classification between regular and major sights. Less readable maps with no mention of tourist offices, banks, stations, , etc. This is a complete disaster! But there are a lot of colored pictures, so… I’m under the impression of reading a magazine you can find in the planes. I used 4 different guidebooks brands during my travelling history and this is by far the worst thing I have seen. – and the question: I saw on another page that you recommended LP (previous edition obviously) and Bradt. I don’t know Bradt guidebooks. Which one would you recommend between the two (older LP or latest Bradt) for getting useful, practical information? Thank you.

Hey Julien, that new LP does sound terrible! Honestly, for many years ago, I only use LP for my very initial trip planning, like for the general country understanding, maps, and to make a very general outline of where I want to go in that country and around how long I’ll need. After that, for more detailed planning, it’s all Google, blogs, and GoogleMaps. Things chance so quickly. By the time an LP author researches, writes, then LP publishes, usually already a year or more has passed. The info is unavoidably outdated from the date it is published. Maybe that’s why they don’t even bother with so many details anymore, as all those things change so quickly. I recommend Bradt because it’s written by local travel expert Steven Crook who has been in Taiwan for 20+ years. But the same issue (about things changing) will apply. You can also join my Facebook group Taiwan Travel Planning for even more current information than blogs. For example, in the last few months the highway is damaged in Taroko Gorge and only open 5 times per day. You won’t find this information in any blogs and certainly not in any guidebooks.

thank you so much for this wonderful blog! It’s such a great source of knowledge. I have no idea what I would do without it. I am currently planning my first trip to Taiwan in January. I am a female solo traveler and would like to avoid driving therefore I would really on public transport (trains and buses) or organised mini tours (although I am trying to avoid those as I’m quite fit and independent explorer and those usually bring tones of frustration on my end). I am trying to have a sense check – do you think this trip is realistic and also will I get the most out of it? I am of course planning to see some of the main sights but also always happy to explore less common destinations.

day 0 (late night) – landing in Taipei 1- 3 (full days) – Taipei 4 (taking of from Taipei) – 5 – Hualien & Taroko Gorge 6 – Lion’s Head Mountain & Miaoli (hotsprings) 7 – 9 Taichung (with a day trip to SunMoon Lake if possible) 9 – 8 pm / flight back

Would it be realistic only relying on buses and trains?

Thank you so much in advance!

The itinerary overall sounds great and not too rushed! For Taipei to Hualien train, try to book it early (up to 28 days in advance) because they often sell out. Hualien to Zhunan direct train, then bus to Lion’s Head Mountain. Unfortunately there’s no bus to Tai’an hot spring in Miaoli. You could book a private transfer on Tripool if you can accept the cost.

Hello, Thank you very much for the information, we are thinking of doing the three-week itinerary, but we have our arrival flight in Kaohsiung, how do you recommend I reorganize the itinerary? Thank you very much

It’s really just a matter of shifting around my recommended route. It doesn’t really matter whether you go in a clockwise or counter-clockwise route around Taiwan – some seem prefer one or the other. For me, going from Kaohsiung, somehow it feels more natural to go up the west coast first – nice, shorter rides, more cities, to Taipei, then return to Kaohsiung via the more natural east coast.

Hi, I’m planning an adventure using your 21-day itinerary as a guide (thanks for sharing your wisdom!). I was thinking of throwing in a surprise horse riding experience for my travelling buddy, who will have to endure all the cycling I will likely throw her way. I asked a Taiwanese friend about horse riding there and she wasn’t…enthused XD Do you have any opinion regarding horse riding experience providers in Taiwan? (The service I found was at Kenting south beach) kind regards Nina

Hi Nina, I don’t have any personal experience with riding horses in Taiwan, or even talked to anyone who has. So I’m afraid I can’t comment on that. Best of luck, and hope your friend enjoys it!

Really relied on your info to plan 8 day trip with a kid. Super helpful. As you have said, sun moon was way too crowded due to holidays as was Yehliu Geopark. Our highlights were – dolphins by Turtle island, Yangmingshan, buffaloes at Qingtiangang Grassland, Zhang Mei Ama’s farm, Neidong National Forest (mini train and a gondola) and lastly HSU’s Noodle (combined with Thousand island lake). There’s so much more to see though. Shame about Taroko National Park – we were on our way there when the earthquake hit. Hopefully they recover ! Thanks again.

Hi, I will be in Taiwan this October. I spent 3 days in Taipei. And I would like to visit Hualien, Taroko and Sun Moon Lake. But I understand from your itinaries that it is not possible to go by public transport from Hualien to Sun Moon Lake. Google Maps indicate that I first have to go back to Taipei. Is that correct?

Please note, Taroko Gorge is still closed from the severe damage in the Arp 2024 earthquake and not expect to even start reopening until the end of this year.

Yes, the fastest way would be express train from Hualien to Taipei (2 hrs), HSR to Taichung (1 hr), and bus to SML (1.5 hours). When Taroko Gorge is open, then it’s possible to drive a car through the gorge and across Taiwan to SML. This is a long, slow, and very winding high mountain drive, even before the earthquake, so even though it looks closer on the map, it could still take even longer than going via Taipei. Now, because Taroko is closed to tourists, it’s not even possible.

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12 Days In Taiwan Travel Guide – Itinerary To Explore The Entire Island

Last Updated August 21, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 12 Days In Taiwan Travel Guide – Itinerary To Explore The Entire Island

Taiwan is known by many names but perhaps the most memorable one is Formosa .  Now that sounds a bit odd but it was in fact coined by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century.  Ilha Formosa   directly translates to “Beautiful Island” and they sure got it right.

This 12 day Taiwan itinerary (just short of two weeks) follows our journey around the entire island and is geared towards those that have the curiosity of a tiger and the adventurous courage of a dragon. 

Now I will say this is a trip that requires a bit of stamina to keep up but for the limited time we were there, we’re so glad we were able to see and do all the things we did. That said, feel free to mix and match as you craft own trip as I know many of you might be looking for a Taiwan 7 day itinerary. 

In This Article

Best time to visit, how to fly to taiwan, where to stay, how to get around, do i need a visa, wifi, data, and must download apps, luggage storage solution, what to prepare, day 1 – hit the ground running in taipei, day 2 – spirited away, day 3 – winding up in alishan, day 4 – the almost sunrise, day 5 – artsy urban kaohsiung, day 7 – fly with the wind, day 9 – taroko tribe in the mountains, day 10 – why shakadang is my new favourite word, day 11 – zen, heat and fishing, day 12 – mad dash for pineapple pastry, where to stay in taiwan, taiwan itinerary final thoughts, read more about asia, travel resources for your next trip, 12 day taiwan itinerary pre-trip guide.

Taiwan currency is the New Taiwan Dollar ($NT).  TWD is also another symbol that is used.

• Mental math for North Americans:  To convert things quickly in your head, cut one zero and we divided by 3.  This brings it closer to USD.  For CAD, you just “add a little”.
• Quick reference print outs:  Our currency exchange cheat sheet  is pretty handy.
• App: For iOS users, Iwe recommend the free app xCurrency .

Taiwan uses the exact same electrical standard as North America:  110V/60Hz AC.

Taiwan goes through a full four seasons however they are less pronounced and they lean towards the humid subtropical climate.  It’s all personal preference but the best time to go would be either in late spring (April to May) or autumn (November) for a great blend of comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds.  Also keep in mind that temperatures will vary depending on where you are in the country which means it’ll be much warmer in the south vs. Taipei vs. in the mountains.

• Spring (March – May): Very mild and pleasant where only long sleeve is required [Average 15ºC to 27ºC]
• Summer (June – September):  Very hot and humid with chances of rain as well.  Keep in mind that this is typhoon season as well [Average 24ºC to 31ºC]
• Autumn (October – November): Begins to cool down but is still very comfortable [Average 18ºC to 30ºC]
• Winter (December – February):  Jacket season where it can get foggy due to northeasterly winds from Siberia [Average 13ºC to 19ºC]

Flights to Taiwan will vary drastically depending on where you’re flying from.  If you’re coming from Asia, there are a number of low cost carriers to choose from including AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Scoot.  For the rest of the world, the two big national airlines to look out for are China Airlines (SkyTeam) and EVA Air (Star Alliance).

The primary international airport is Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and for most international travellers, that is where you will want to land.  What you may not realize though is that there are alternative airports that you can use to jump to different parts of the country or directly fly into.  The two other international airports can be found at Kaohsiung (KHH) and Taichung (RMQ).  Another popular airport that you might want to try to search if you’re coming from other parts of Asia is Taipei Songshan Airport in Taipei (TSA).

I had the opportunity to fly EVA Air both direct from Vancouver and Toronto and had a fabulous experience with them.  Including a quirky interpretive dance safety video, pre-boarding complimentary tea, some of the best food I’ve had on the plane, and great service.

There are so many choices for hotels in Taiwan that range from budget to mid-range and luxury.  In Taipei, you’ll find the big international brands but across the country, don’t be afraid to book local branded properties.  In this 12 day itinerary, you’ll see that we’ve chosen reasonably priced 4 star properties that all managed to impress.

Since you’ll be on the move quite a bit on this itinerary, homestays traditionally may not be a good option but if you can find one that only requires a minimum of 2 nights, you could swing it.

For where to stay in Taipei , make sure to read the neighbourhood guide to find out the best properties you can stay at.

For the whole island, look on Booking.com for the best prices.

Unless you’re travelling to one of the smaller islands of Taiwan (i.e. Penghu or Xiao Liu Qiu), your best bet is to take advantage of the excellent land transportation options that are available.

The best way to cover large distances along the west coast of the island is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR/HSR) which is equivalent to Japan’s bullet train.  At a top speed of 300 km/h, you can get from Taipei to Kaohsiung in just over 1.5 hours.  In cities and towns that aren’t covered by THSR/HSR, there are traditional trains covered by the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA).

In the big cities such as Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, you have an extensive and efficient subway network which is also called the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

There are always buses  to fall back on. In the cities, I’d recommend using them only if you know the route and schedule.  That being said, if you’re going to be doing places like Alishan, Kenting, and Taitung, you’re going to need to familiarize yourself with what’s called the  Taiwan Tourist Shuttle .  These are buses created in coordination with the tourism bureau to make it easier for travellers to get to popular sightseeing destinations.  They’re typically more conveniently marked with English which makes things easier.

Taxis are easy to hail in the big cities and if not you can always get your hotel to call one for you.  Expect this to be your most expensive mode of transportation.

Scooters are often the preferred way of getting around in places like Kenting not to mention the most fun.  Roads aren’t crazy hectic like in Thailand so it’s quite safe.  What you need to know though is that they require local motorcycle licenses to drive motorized scooters.  Electric scooters are much easier to rent as long as you’ve done it before.  If you haven’t, they might reject you or you’ll be required to do a small lesson like we did.  If you continue reading the itinerary portion of this guide, you’ll learn why you really need one to get around.

Car rentals are another way to get around that often doesn’t get much attention.  Make sure you book in advance and do your research in advanced as English will be at a minimum when engaging with car rental companies and driving directions.  Make sure you have your international drivers license.

Lastly, I’d like to mention private drivers as this is another popular way to see the country.  These are typically taxi drivers that have their own side business.  I never had a chance to book one but did run across a cabbie that told us about his services and read about quite a number of them on TripAdvisor forums .  The beauty of this is that you can create your own itinerary and do it in the comfort of a private vehicle, skipping complicated commutes, and saving time as well.  It may be hard to find English-speaking drivers but I’m sure they’re out there.  This is best used for day trips such as up to Yehliu Geopark, Danshui, Jiufen, etc.

 Tips: 

• What’s confusing in Taiwan is that there are multiple types of contactless cards (EasyCard, icash 2.0, and iPass).  I’m not going to pretend to be able to explain differences between them but the one that you want to get is EasyCard as it’s the most widely accepted around the country for most local transit (MRT and buses) and stores.  You can buy them at MRT stations but convenient stores like 7-11 and Family Mart sell them too.  Warning:  7-11 will try to sell you on their icash cards but make sure you get EasyCard (don’t make the same mistake that I made).  The beauty of the EasyCard is that all credit can be refunded at MRT stations whereas it is not easy/impossible with the other cards.
• In Taipei, there is also something called the Taipei Pass that you can consider where you can get unlimited rides for the number of days that you purchase.  Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it as the EasyCard is just more hassle free and keeps things flexible.
• Uber is available but isn’t worth it if your ride is less than $NT 35 or if surge pricing is on but on longer rides they can be marginally cheaper.  They’re operating in a restricted mode in Taipei only where cars can only drive for Uber if the car is rented from a specific company.  You’ll also find that most regular cabs don’t take rechargeable cards nor credit cards so expect to pay cash.
• While Google is pretty good at providing schedules and directions for public transportation especially in Taipei, I’d recommend getting a local to help you when possible especially when it comes to buses.

There are a number of visa regulations that depend on your nationality.  For most of you, the good news here is that you will most likely be visa exempt or you’ll be able to purchase a visa on arrival, eVisa, or an Online Travel Authorization Certificate.  Your best is to get most up-to-date information on visas for Taiwan .

If you’re coming from one of the 60 countries that don’t require a visa, you’re in luck.  As a Canadian, all I needed was a passport that was not expiring in the next 6 months, and I was granted a 90 day stay by the customs official after landing at the airport.  I didn’t have to visit the visa on arrival desk or anything – just walk right to the customs counters.

The most important question is whether you should get a SIM card or a personal hotspot.  This comes down to whether you’ll be making calls or not and the answer will most likely be that all you care about is data.  If that is the case, you’re going to want to pick up a personal hotspot (pocket wifi) .   Taiwan’s rates are so cheap for unlimited use and the great thing about it is that you can share wifi with everyone in your group.

I reserved my device from a Chinese site called APTG that rents out WiFun and as unlimited data usage for $NT 100 per day (~$3.36 USD).  What I like about them is that you can actually get them to deliver it to your hotel ($NT 180 fee).  You just might need someone local to help you out.

If that’s a little complicated, there are also device rental shops right outside of arrivals at TPE.  The one I remember seeing is Unite Traveler (find them here ).

Before you leave home, here are a few apps that you should download to make your life on the road easier.

• TP Metro – Lightweight app by rGuide that has a map of the Taipei MTR for quick reference.
• Skype – This will be even more critical if you’re going with the personal hotspot option.  The few times we had to make calls, having credit with Skype definitely came in handy.
• Google Maps – The offline feature of Google Maps is helpful as a backup if the wifi dies (dead zone or out of battery).

One of the things I love about Asia and Taiwan in particular is how good they are with their luggage storage options.  This is super handy when you’ve got that awkward in between time from the point you check out into your hotel in the morning and you have to catch a train or bus to somewhere else but still want to explore without lugging it around.  That’s when those lockers really come in handy.

The traditional solution – The standard way to do this is to go to find a locker in a train station where there are usually large clusters of multi-sized lockers.  They’re not expensive and for instance Zuoying in Kaohsiung only cost $NT 50 for 3 hours.  You just have to remember to have cash on hand.  The challenge though is that if you’re not near the obvious places for lockers, it’s a bit of challenge to figure out where you can go.  The other thing to consider is size.  There’s no way of knowing whether the large lockers are available and what if you need somewhere to store something in a fridge?

The Airbnb of lockers – That’s where Lalalocker comes in.  Instead of hunting an elusive locker, all you have to do is check their platform to see what lockers are available in your area.  All you have to do is book your locker, show up, drop off your stuff, and pick it up when you need it.  It’s all part of the share economy where you’ll find locker locations anywhere from restaurants, stores, and hotels.  It’s completely safe, and the price is a flat rate of $NT 150 for large luggage and $NT 70 for small luggage for the whole day.

Store your stuff with Lalalocker

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Book your storage locker

This really depends on what time of year you’re planning your Taiwan itinerary and I won’t list out everything we brought but I would recommend you read my previous packing lists for trips to Ireland , South Africa , Ethiopia , and Peru .

For Taiwan specifically, here are a few must-haves that you’ll want to pack and things to consider to make your life easier on the road:

• Power bank – A high capacity power bank such as Anker’s 20,100 mAh , is a must-have in my mind considering the fact that your phone will be your lifeline for on-the-fly translations, maps, transit, and last-minute searches.  The personal hotspot devices drain battery like crazy so you’ll need to charge them halfway through the day.
• Waterproof jacket – You never know when it’s going to rain and I sure was glad to have something like the Arc’teryx Beta Jacket and Pants with you.
• Booking your train tickets ahead of time – It was truly a blessing for us to have MyTaiwanTour help with reserving of all the main trains that could be booked based on our itinerary.

The 12 day Taiwan itinerary

This is how our 12 days looked like during our trip to Taiwan.  With this day by day breakdown, you’ll get a clear picture of everything that we did and all the spots that we hit up.  Where I can, I also provide personal travel tips (signified by ) so look out for those.

Between the energy of the dynamic urban cities, bustling of the famed night markets, colourful culture, fascinating history, incredibly friendly people, and dramatic landscapes, you’ll be amazed at just how much awesome can be packed in this island.

Interactive Map

The perfect way to start your trip and get over your jetlag is to arrive in the heart of Taiwan and start wandering.  Go and take in Taipei’s iconic landmarks, feed your hunger at the bustling night markets, and jump right into the colourful culture.

With limited number of days in Taipei, you’ll want to make it count and pick the places that interest you to help decide what you’d like to focus on.  You won’t be able to do everything but remember that you’ll have the rest of your trip to make up for it.

For me, since I had been to Taipei before, my focus was on places I hadn’t been to which meant cutting out a lot of the highlights that other guides will take you to (i.e. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and Longshan Temple).  What you’ll see below are all the places we managed to hit up in the first day before there was nothing left in the tank.  The focus for the day was primarily food and also getting set up with things like the pocket wifi and EasyCard.

★  Elephant Mountain

The views from Elephant Mountain or Xiangshan are arguable the best in the city and very easy to get to as long as you have it mapped out ahead of time.  The path to it will seem a little obscure but once you come out of the subway, you’ll no doubt see other tourists making their way there.

The hike itself isn’t particularly long but I would recommend preparing yourself for some serious stair-master.  The ascent is a sheer 20 minute climb but thankfully there are lots of places to stop, benches to rest, and great views from the forest.

Elephant Mountain is but one of the peaks in a collection of trails that make up the Four Beasts Mountains.  That said, if you’re like me and primarily interested in that epic shot of downtown Taipei, just focus on hiking straight up until you reach the Six Giant Rocks to get those iconic photos of you on the rock.  There’s also big platform below the final steps up that is great for views.

TIPS: Sunset is the best time to go as you get the insane explosion of colours if the weather cooperates and past sunset you get the night skyline as well.

WHERE TO EAT

★ LUNCH: Yongkang Beef Noodle It would be a mistake not to try Taiwan’s famous beef noodle soup.  When I arrived, there was a modest line outside the restaurant but turnover is relatively quick here and I was seated within 10 minutes.  I ordered the non-spicy version of the beef noodles and spare ribs, both of which were PHENOMENAL.  The beef was perfectly cooked in juiciness and fat.  The noodles had also just the right amount of bounce.  #believethehype

★ SNACK: Smoothie House You can’t miss this when you walk along the famed Yongkang street.  This big yellow building at the corner is home to the mango shaved ice that CNN made famous (or at least that’s what the signs tell me).  I ordered the mango shaved ice and it was oh-so heavenly.  The shavings from the block of mango ice fluff onto a mountain which translates to a wonderfully light and melt-in-your-mouth taste that you can only equate to eating fresh snow off the ground.  If that wasn’t enough mango, you get real mangoes drizzled with mango sauce and then panna cotta to top it off.

TIPS: There’s not a whole lot of seating on the ground floor but what isn’t obvious is that there’s inside seating upstairs.

★ DINNER: Jing Mei Market In search of something a little bit more local and off-the-beaten-path, I was recommended to this night market in the southern part of Taipei.  I wanted a night market that wasn’t packed with tourists and I wanted to see where real locals ate.  I found it in this night market.  The streets weren’t overcrowded here, the food especially the octopus, fried sweet potato balls, sponge cake, and oyster omelette were all very good and noticeably cheaper than what you’d find in Shilin night market.  It’s not a large market but I quite enjoyed that it wasn’t overwhelming.

WHERE TO STAY

★  The Sonnien Hotel  (2 nights)

We couldn’t have asked for a better hotel to start the trip.  Modern, clean, and the most fluffy of beds, it was just the right size and conveniently located.

Walking distance to Yongkang Street and equidistant from Daan Park station on the Red line and Zhongxiao Xinsheng on the Blue/Yellow line, we had no trouble getting to everywhere we wanted to go our first two nights in Taipei.

The buffet breakfast included with our stay was also fabulous with everything from hot dishes like noodles, stir-friend vegetables, dim sum, salad, congee, and miso soup.  It was so good that I often regretted eating so much because there was so much other food to eat throughout the day!

TIPS: If you arrive super early in the morning like we did, I actually booked an extra night’s hotel so we wouldn’t be forced to hit the road right away.  Instead, the room was ready for us and I was able to take a nap.

CHECK RATES

Save money on your trip to Taiwan

I travelled through Taiwan primarily through the help of a local company on the ground called MyTaiwanTour .  They were the ones that booked my train tickets and hotels which made my life so much easier . They are an operator based out of Taipei and specialize in custom-tailored solutions and English-based packaged tours around Taiwan.  I highly recommend them!

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After a day getting your fill of a few of Taipei’s highlights, it’s time to shake things up and head north.  What’s there you ask?  If you’ve ever wanted to launch your own sky lantern, explore the remains of a Japanese gold mine, and walk through streets that inspired Miyazaki’s classic “Spirited Away”, you’re in for a treat.  And yes, you get to do ALL of that in a day.

  A post shared by Will ✈🌐 GoingAwesomePlaces (@goingawesomeplaces) on Dec 5, 2017 at 2:58pm PST

★ Jiufen and Pingxi Day Tour with MyTaiwanTour

One of the things I love about Taiwan is that it isn’t very hard to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and get a big dose of charm, history, and culture in the northern towns.  Choosing MyTaiwanTour was a no-brainer as they made it really easy to book online and is the English speaking tour that we were looking for.

In our spacious van, our group of 7 spent the day exploring these spots:

• Jinguashi Mines :  Coming into Taiwan, I had little knowledge of its Japanese occupation past and this was my introduction to what is fascinating history.  Front and centre in the Shuinandong area are the remains of a very serious mining operation as you get to see from afar and close up the abandoned buildings, funicular, tunnels, and land-based smoke stacks.
• Golden Waterfalls :  Located just a bit further up from the mines, watch the water tumble down what really does look like a gold-laden waterfall.
• Jiufen :  Once a prosperous gold mining town, Jiufen is now a popular tourist destination known for being the inspiration of Myazaki’s “Spirited Away”.  Spend just a few minutes here and you can see why it has that enchanted quality to it.  Adorned with strings of red lanterns, old tea houses, and streets lined with delicious local treats, we were let loose here for lunch.  My only regret is that it we easily could’ve spent more time getting lost in its maze of alleyways.
• Shifen Old Street in Pingxi : If you’ve ever wanted to get the FULL experience of building a giant sky lantern from scratch, write your own wishes, and launch them to the heavens, consider your dreams fulfilled.  What makes this even more picture perfect is that you get to do this in a small town while standing in between live running train track.

We came out of the tour with a better appreciation for Taiwan’s history, our tummies filled, and our wishes delivered.  I would highly recommend this day trip as it’s one that would be very difficult to do on your own and I very much enjoyed the service of our guide and driver, Summer and Tom.

★ LUNCH: Jiufen Sure, Jiufen does get insanely packed with tourists, but we we didn’t let it bother us too much because we were hungry hippos on a mission.  Our guide, Summer, gave us a few tips on what to look out for and then we were unleashed!

Here is what we picked up along the way ( for our favs):

• Stinky tofu
•  Sweet glutinous balls
• Mochi on a stick
• A-Zhu peanut ice cream roll (九份阿珠雪在燒)
• Taiwanese meatball

Total damage?  $325 TWD which is equivalent to a $11 USD lunch for two.  DEAL!

★ DINNER: Shilin Night Market

This is perhaps Taiwan’s most famous and largest night market and with its grid of streets lined with a variety of traditional, western, and local cuisines and merchandise.  It’s very much a choose-your-adventure kind of experience where you’ll start off in one corner of the market and slowly make your way to the other side.  Just make sure to come with an empty stomach.

MyTaiwanTour was kind enough to give us the option for drop-off after our day trip and mentioned Shilin Night Market as an option.  We jumped on the opportunity because it is a bit of a distance from the Taiwan core and you really can’t say no.

TIPS:  Make sure to try fried pork buns, bubble tea, wild boar sausage, and octopus.  Beyond food, I highly recommend dropping a few coins on any one of the claw game booths, try your hand at one of the carnival games and the underground floor that is part of the covered section of Shilin.

Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most visited national park and for good reason.  Located way up above the clouds, it’s here that you’ll find the most magnificent terrain of giant red cypress trees that are more than 2,000 years old, Rivendell-like hiking trails, and trains from a different era.  This region is also well-known for its tea because it is grown at such high altitude.

The tricky thing about Alishan though is that it’s quite the journey to get there and one that isn’t necessarily the most clear when it comes to English instructions.  When constructing your itinerary, you’ll also quickly realize that you easily need to account for 2 days to make it work.  As a result, this day is dedicated to getting to Alishan which is quite the adventure on its own.

HOW TO GET THERE

There’s so much information about this that it really deserves its own dedicated article so make sure you read the full guide on everything you need to know about Alishan .

Since we elected to take the bus up to Alishan, we could have easily bypassed the small town of Fenqihu but I’m sure glad we didn’t.

Fenqihu is an old town that used to be a legitimate refuelling stop for the trains heading their way up to Alishan for what used to be a lumbering operation.   Today, it is mainly a rest stop for travellers that want to see the fascinating railway museum, the old street which features food specialities, similar to that of Jiufen, and most importantly their famous ‘Fenqihu bento box’.

TIPS:  There are lockers at the train station for $NT 30 for 3 hours which is perfect for your refuelling stop.

★ Sunset from Alishan House

Psst…I’ll let you in on a secret.  The sunsets from Alishan House are just incredible.  Now I probably shouldn’t be telling you this but whether you stay there or not, I would recommend sneaking inside and going up to the 8th floor observation deck .  If you’re lucky, you’ll see the sea of cloud that Alishan is known for.

I ended up showing up here towards the end of the sunrise because I wasn’t sure if the rain would dissipate but when I got there it did.  I had a mind-blowing 20 minutes filming a timelapse of the waves of clouds climbing the mountainside.

★ LUNCH: Fenqihu Bento Box Place

There’s probably a more proper name for this place but when you get to Fengqihu, everyone will know what you’re talking about and if not, just follow the posters of the bento box to a 7/11 along the main street.  You can either take a bento box to go for $NT 100 or eat in for $NT 120 for the authentic metal container experience.

The epitome of Taiwanese comfort food, it comes with a bed of rice with a pork chop, drumstick, tea egg, and a mix of fresh and preserved vegetables.  It was the perfect lunch, so much so that we started with one and ended up with two for the both of us.  If you decide to eat in, you can also have their mushroom and bamboo shoot soup.

TIPS:  If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, you can buy a metal bento containers for $NT 300 (includes the meal).  We were thinking about picking one up but they couldn’t confirm whether it was oven safe or not.

★ DINNER: Room Service at Alishan House

The truth is we were exhausted by the time we got to our hotel and it just seemed like too much work to take a shuttle back down to the train station where there were a number of local restaurants.  The restaurant at the hotel was also a little expensive for our tastes since it was a buffet ($NT 900 if I remember correctly).

If you’re curious, we ended up ordering fried rice and noodles from Alishan House’s room service but if we had a little bit more energy, I’m sure we could’ve had a better meal at the entrance to the park and near the visitor centre.

★ Alishan House

I’m not sure if I’d recommend staying anywhere else if you come to Alishan.  It’s one of the few properties that is inside the Alishan Forest Recreation Area and is most definitely the nicest.  For quite a reasonable nightly rate, you get a number of bonuses and conveniences that more than make up for the cost.

• Massive room that you can tell was recently renovated, has a huge bathroom, and complete with fireplace and balcony
• Hiking trails in the park start right from the hotel which means you don’t need to purchase additional train tickets from the Alishan station to Zhaoping station
• Complimentary shuttle service to and from the train station
• Convenience of purchasing sunrise train ticket from the front desk
• Willing to hold bags for you as you explore the next day
• The most decadent of breakfast buffets
• The observation deck is just awesome

A nice bonus is that each room comes with a single-serving of the region’s famous Alishan tea.

They say there are 5 wonder of Alishan but the most well-known of them all and the one that everyone goes crazy for is the sunrise.  There’s good reason for it as it’s apparently ranked #16 in sunrises around the world.  Now where that list comes from, I have no idea, but I heard it from the crazy local guy shouting to the crowd of sunrisers so it’s gotta be real right?

Now I can’t promise that you’ll see a sunrise there but what I can promise you is that the forest trails in the rest of recreational area are quite the magical experience especially when you get that moment by yourself and you feel that you can hear every pin drop.  Whether you’re watching the train run through what seems like an ancient track, you’re feeling puny standing beside giant trees that are actually ancient, or you feel like you’re in a scene lifted from the ancient forest of Mirkwood of the Woodland Realm 🤓.

Now what are the rest of the wonders of Alishan?  There’s the sunset, forest train, forest trains and cloud sea.  What I love about Alishan is that it’s not overwhelmingly large and with one day, you can easily see all the wonders and not feel like you missed out on anything else.

HOW TO GET TO THERE

For a detailed account of how the sunrise works, how to get back down to Chiayi, make sure you read the full Alishan Guide .

★ Alishan Sunrise

I have no doubt that when you can actually see a sunrise, the view is quite glorious.  We weren’t quite lucky enough due to the time of the year but that’s kind of how it goes!  That said, I do consider ourselves lucky that it wasn’t a total wash when it came to the views as the sky opened a few times and we also saw the forming and flowing of clouds in the valley beneath us.

The sunrise itself isn’t on any peak called Alishan but in fact an adjacent mountain called Chusan.  That is why you have to take a separate train from Alishan to Chusan station so you can rise up to an elevation of 2407 meters to look at the surrounding mountain range.

If you get hungry up there, there are a line of stalls that open specifically for the sunrise.  The food may not be very good but it’ll help tide things over until breakfast.

TIPS:   The sunrise position changes throughout the year.  In the winter time, the sun comes up towards to the right side and in the summer, it’s more towards the left side so pick a spot accordingly.

TIPS:   Tripods are allowed but just note that you’ll be jockeying with other people for space so be careful.  Also, you’ll notice that there’s a single tree near the middle and beyond the fence that will make it challenging how you want to frame your shot (to have the tree in your shot or not).  I started with a wide angle lens but eventually went for a longer lens to capture the detail in the clouds.  Just be prepared to adapt to the changing weather conditions.

★ Alishan Forest Trails

Beyond the sunrise, there’s a magical network of trails in the National Forest Recreation Area to be discovered where ancient trees stand tall and a narrow-gauge train runs through.  You’ll catch yourself wanting to take photos from every angle here as it’s photogenic everywhere you walk through.

For the full details of how we broke down our day between sunrise and hiking the Alishan forest trails, make sure to read Everything You Need To Know About Alishan .

In retrospect, coming to Taiwan in December and during low season worked out quite well for us in that it never felt like there were an immense number of people which was one of my biggest worries in reading about everyone else’s experiences.  The train ride up to Chusan wasn’t ridiculously packed, the trails were never lined with tourists, and the buses to and from the park were never full.  Now if you came during high season, I’m sure the experience would be a little different.

What we missed:  Giant Tree of Mt. Shuishan and extended hiking trails like the one up to Tashan

Besides the breakfast at Alishan House, we didn’t actually end up having a proper meal the rest of the day.  We just had a bunch of snacks that we had accumulated from the trip so far and things we picked up at 7-11 or Sushi Express takeout we grabbed at the Chiayi THSR station.

By the time we got to our hotel in Kaohsiung, we were both too lazy and tired to head back out.

★ Hoya Resort Hotel

This is a practically brand new hotel in Kaohsiung which was a nice surprise because the room was modernly decorated, very spacious, clean, and comfortable.  It’s also neighbour to the Kaisyuan and Jin-Zuan Night Market which is key because the truth is that it’s a little bit far from the centre of the city.  Just note that Kaisyuan is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Jin-Zuan is only open on the weekend.

I usually don’t complain too much about location but once you’re off the subway, there’s quite a long walk without a true sidewalk to get to the hotel or you have to hail a cab which isn’t very convenient.  As a result, we didn’t end up going back out the night we arrived.  My recommendation would be to find a hotel closer to the Zuoying THSR station or Formosa Boulevard Station (where you’ll find Dome of Light) to avoid the long commute especially if you’er only staying the one night.

The southern city of Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city is nothing like its bigger brother and that’s what makes it such a worthy destination.  Where Taipei feels packed in, aging, and sprawling, you immediate feel that there’s so much more breathing room here with its wider streets and modern urban landscapes of skyscrapers, airy cafes, gentrified spaces, bicycle lanes, and ferris wheels on the tops of malls.  There are less people rushing around, less cars on the road, and fewer people to be seen.

The biggest surprise of all was perhaps the vision the city had in converting a once-thriving industrial port into a hub of art, design, and entertainment.  With its graffiti, art installations, galleries, trendy cafes, and boutiques, it’s the perfect place to wander.  We kept making more and more discoveries here that what was supposed to be an hour-long stop turned out to be our whole afternoon.

This is your only day to explore the city before catching a shuttle bus down to Kenting so make the most of it!

★ Tiger and Dragon Pagodas

Feel down on your luck and looking for a way to turn things around?  Look no further than this beautiful twin pagoda.

Run into the dragon’s mouth and out of the tiger’s mouth, said no one…ever!  This little superstition has had locals and tourists alike running through to reverse one’s fortune for centuries.  Now whether you believe in luck or not, you’ll still be impressed with the extraordinary detail of the largest paper mache dragon and tiger you’ll ever see.

Climb up one of the pagodas to get a great view of Lotus Lake and the number of other pavilions that line the shore.

TIPS:   This is surprisingly difficult to get to mainly because it’s not on the subway line.  To save time, I would suggest taking the cab there.  We ended up commuting it and learned through a bit of trial and error that from Zuoying THSR station that you have to take the TRA train one stop south to Zuoying Station (I know, not confusing at all).  This is where the kindness of locals came in .

★ Pier 2 Art District

No one would’ve guessed that abandoned warehouses in Kaohsiung’s harbour would be the perfect spot for a quirky arts hub.  What they’ve done is truly remarkable by bringing in local artists to completely revitalize an area to become a fresh urban space to spark commerce, tourism, and creativity.

Get your camera ready and strike a pose because you’re going to have a ball roaming through the vibrant spirit of my favourite spot in the city.

TIPS:   If you keep going further down on Pier 2, eventually you’ll find SunnyHills which is a famous pineapple pastry shop in Taiwan.  Go inside and you’ll be offered tea and a sample of their cake.  It’s all free!

★ Dome of Light

Located in the Formosa Boulevard Station, the main interchange stop on the MRT, this glorious display of coloured glass is something that will make anyone stop and stare for those passing through.  What’s impressive about it is the scale of the public installation and how it feels like it belongs more in a Las Vegas casino than a subway station.  When you come here, make sure to see if you can spot the four themes of Water, Earth, Light, and Fire.

What we missed:  Cijin Island, Love River, and Ruifong Night Market 

WHERE TO EAT ★ LUNCH: Gang Yuan Beef Noodles

You can’t have enough beef noodles.  That is a fact.  Being in a new city, we wanted to try another favourite and were not disappointed. As far as beef noodles go, the noodles are perfectly cooked with the right amount of bounce, and the beef, a remarkable balance of fat, juicy, and tenderness.  Now if I were a judge, I’d say Yongkang Beef Noodle has the slight edge for the soup base and impossibly tender pieces of beef.

The menu is pretty easy to understand here as there aren’t many choices and as a bonus, since they do get many international visitors, they also have an English menu right up at the counter.

★ SNACK:  buonopops

If you’re looking for Instagrammable ice cream, this is the place but when it comes to how it actually tasted, I don’t know if I’d be able to recommend it.

★ DINNER:  A-Fei Restaurant

By the time we reached Kenting, it was quite late and so it was perfect that our hotel for the night also had its own restaurant downstairs.  This was in fact the first time on our trip we had a sit-down dinner.

We ordered fresh seafood paired with stir-fried vegetables, rice, and beer with live music in the background which made for the perfect end to our day.  A-Fei even came by to say hello and chat which was a nice welcoming touch.

Luckily, getting to Kenting is pretty straightforward.  When you’re at the Zuoying THSR station, look for a special booth that sells shuttle bus tickets to Kenting on your way down to metro station.  The good thing about this shuttle is that it is quite frequent (practically every 30 minutes from 8:30AM to 7:10PM).

There are two ways you can pay.

• Discounted roundtrip tickets – $NT 600 which has an open ended return date
• Pay with EasyCard – This is already discounted but you’d have to pay the amount of fare required for each leg you make.

If you’re desperate or missed the last bus, there is always the sketchy local people standing at the bus stop offering people direct rides to Kenting.

TIPS:   The roundtrip ticket is a pretty solid deal and definitely cheaper than paying through EasyCard.  The only downside is that you can’t use your EasyCard credit to pay.

TIPS:   If you have a luggage situation for your day trip exploring Kaohsiung, you can either leave your luggage at your hotel if it’s central enough or you can use the super convenient luggage lockers at the Zuoying THSR station.  It only costs $NT 50 for 3 hours (little more than $1.50 USD).

★ A-Fei Surf Inn (2 nights)

This was probably our big surprise hotel stay of the entire trip and I say that in a good way.  Locals and travellers make their way to Kenting because they want to do one of three things:  surf, beach, and party.  A-Fei ticks off all of those boxes.

We were kind of dropped into this world of A-Fei that pretty much offers everything you would want or need.  Want to go surfing?  He’s got the gear, the transportation, and instructors.  Want to go to the beach?  Nanwan Beach is right across the street.  Want to eat?  Breakfast is covered, and they’ve got fresh seafood cooked to order for lunch and dinner.  Want to party?  They have live music every night and a super friendly owner in A-Fei himself that loves hanging out with his customers.

I haven’t even mentioned our room yet which is uniquely decorated with an eclectic yet appropriate mix of memorabilia from west coast surfing USA, wood carvings from Bali, and decor reminiscent of Hawaii.  It’s a distinct hotel room that gives homage to the great surfing capitals of the world and has a chill vibe that made us feel at home.

Table of Contents

>> Day 6 – The Surf Challenge <<

Kenting occupies the most southern part of Taiwan and is the country’s very own beach vacation destination with long stretches of sand, big waves, turquoise waters, rugged high cliffs, and low hilly terraces.  Locals and travellers alike come to Kenting to escape and experience the outdoors in a carefree way.  With the humidity and temperatures up a notch, there’s plenty of activities to do.

For us, it was the first time we were able to shed our rain jackets and long sleeves and were able to trade them in for shorts and flip flops – a much welcome change to our fast-paced schedule.  In Kenting, we made the best of it with our mix of water and land-based fun.

★ Surfing with A-Fei Surfing

Staying at A-Fei’s was intentional in that we knew we wanted to go surfing in Taiwan at some point in time.  Kenting is the perfect place to do it we learned in the winter as the wind was coming in from a northeasterly direction which meant that Taitung would be too strong, leaving Kenting more favourable for beginners.

We let A-Fei and his team know that we wanted to surf the night before and we were pretty much all set to go after breakfast the next morning.  Practically everyone staying at A-Fei’s was surfing so we all got together at 9AM, grabbed our gear (rashgaurd, boots, wetsuit and board), and proceeded to load up a classic Volkswagen T40 hippie van.

Since the waves weren’t looking great across the street at Nanwan Beach, A-Fei decided that we would attempt the beach at Jialeshui which is also where he has his other surf shop and guesthouse (Nanu).  We got dressed at the Nanu shop and went down to the beach.

We had grand visions of riding surf like pros in Kenting but as we got down to the beach and received instructions for where we needed to paddle to, it quickly became apparent that we were in way over our heads.  With a no-fear mentality, we still jumped into the water with our boards and made it out to where we needed to be but the waves were simply too large for us and we floundered like poor helpless fish.  The paddle back to shore was even more difficult as the waves were pushing us into the rocky shore as we tried to maneuver around.  I ended up being smacked on the head with my board and my wife in the shin.

Overall, I thought the surfing operation was run quite smoothly end to end where as a group we got transport to the beach, had a place to store our clothes at the Nanu shop, could rinse off, and be driven back to Nanwan.  From the beach, I could see that the others were able to rock some serious surf.  You just kind of needed to know what you were doing.

Cost:  $NT 700 for gear rental (board, booties, and wetsuit)

TIPS:   If you’re a beginner like us but have done a few lessons already, let them know that you want to do the beginner surf or tag along one of the introductory lessons.  This way you only have to pay for rental but still be within sights of an introduction instructor.

★ Scooter Adventures

The best part about Kenting isn’t necessarily any specific beaches or sights but it’s the chance to live like a local and drive the most popular form of transportation.  You see scooters all over Taiwan but in the big city it’s a little overwhelming so when you get the chance to do it in the tropical south, you have to jump on the opportunity.

What we soon learned though is:

• Beyond the fun factor, you kind of need a scooter in Kenting because there isn’t much of public transit there
• It’s not very easy to rent a scooter as a foreigner – gas powered scooters require a special Taiwan license and battery powered scooters require experience

A-Fei suggested a nearby scooter shop which we visited but when they asked if we had ridden a scooter.  I replied honestly “no”.  Initially, they said it would be too dangerous for us but then called his boss and said that he would give us a lesson in their other store.

We got picked up and driven to their main store.  The lesson itself was pretty simple but I’m glad that they spent the time to teach me how to drive it, do things like make turns on streets, and what not to do.  They even watched me drive up and down the street.  Once we got the go-ahead, we signed some basic papers and we were on our way.

At this point it was already past 3PM so she charged us half a day’s rental for $NT 500 including the discount since we were guests of A-Fei’s.  The nice part is that they said we could return it anytime in the night since they live upstairs and that they’d be able to give us a ride back to our hotel.

We didn’t have too much time to explore all of Kenting on a scooter but did manage to hit up Sail Rock and Eluanbi Lighthouse before turning back around to do the night market.

TIPS:   Kenting is honestly hard to enjoy without a scooter or your own transportation simply because there isn’t much in the way of frequent-enough public transit.  Without a scooter, you’re more or less stuck in whatever part of town you’re in.

What we missed:  If we had more time, we would have loved to have done a full loop around Kenting and make more stops along the way.  ATV-ing was another popular Kenting activity that would’ve been fun to do.  

★ LUNCH: A-Fei Restaurant

A-Fei convinced us to have lunch at his restaurant downstairs which actually worked out quite well since our room is right above the restaurant.  Throughout the morning, he was telling us about his awesome pork and lamb dishes so we couldn’t refuse.

A-Fei hustles hard but he wasn’t kidding about how fresh and tasty his food is.  If you’re staying at A-Fei’s, it’s definitely a good idea to have at least one main meal there.

★ DINNER:  Kenting Night Market

There’s no livelier place in Kenting than the night market along the main downtown drag.  What’s incredible about it is that it’s the main artery through the town with regular car traffic passing back and forth but amidst it all are portable carts that get rolled in and massive crowds fill in once the sun goes down.

As far as the food goes, it’s a lot of the standard fare that you’re going to expect to see at any night market.  We had an assortment of pastry, fresh coconut, green onion cake, “sausage in a sausage”, bubble tea, and ice cream to round out our meal for the night.  There wasn’t anything unique per-say but it was a fun way to cap off our day and having our finger on the pulse of the town.

Continuing along the coastline, arrive in the city of Taitung.  On the onset, it may not feel remarkable as a destination on its own but stay a few days and you’ll slowly be able to unravel adventure, ecological, cultural and culinary gems that have led to it being dubbed as “garden of Taiwan”.

After a half day commute from Kenting to Taitung, we settle into our hotel for the night but the biggest surprise was to come.  I had read that paragliding was a popular activity in the region.  Having been yearning to do it for years now, I knew that I had to pounce on this opportunity.  With a contact I found online, we called to find out what the situation was.  Through my broken Mandarin, I learned that the winds were starting to change and that if we wanted to do it, it had to be that day.  We immediately packed our things and hauled ass out of there.

The paragliding experience was a dream come true for us.  Soaring through the sky with our feet dangling over the expansive farmland below and surrounded by the vastness of mountains and valleys, my fear of heights was immediately dashed.  The crazy thing is that I got to do it twice too.

Getting to Taitung

From Kenting, you have to take the shuttle bus back towards Kaohsiung but get off a little earlier in a place called Fangliao.  It’s here where you catch the local train that will take you straight into Taitung.

Getting to Luye Gaotai

Waiting for the tourist shuttle bus would have taken too long and so we got our hotel to hail a cab for us.  It cost us $NT 700 (~$24 USD) but we managed to get to paragliding spot by 3PM.

Getting Back to Taitung From Luye Gaotai

This was a bit of an unexpected adventure for us.  We knew from our printed bus schedules that there was one last tourist shuttle bus at 5:10PM.  We started our way down when we learned that there was a cheaper way back to Taitung via a train from Luye.  We got to the train station at 5:27PM but we soon learned that we had to wait until 6:40PM which gave us time to grab a spontaneous dinner with our new Taiwanese friend.  In retrospect we should’ve just stayed on the bus because we would’ve gotten back in the city by 6:30PM.

★ Soaring Paragliding (翱翔飛行傘)

The two places I knew we could do paragliding in Taiwan was near Taitung and Hualien.  With two days in Taitung, I knew that this was the best spot to do it and it worked out fabulously for us.  Perched up on a giant hillside, Luye Gaotai is the perfect place for paragliding with its cliff that overlooks a chessboard of farmland.

For the full experience, read more about it .

Cost: 

• $NT 2500 for a minimum 10 minutes or $1800 for 5 minutes ($60 – $84 USD)
• $NT 400 to rent an action cam (GoPro extendable stick free to rent if you bring your own device)
• Phone:  Mr. Chen +886-956 377 533
• Website:   Facebook Page

TIPS:   If you look online, you will no doubt find activity aggregators selling packages for paragliding but the truth is, there’s only one operator in the Luye Gaotai area and it’s Soaring Paragliding.  Also advisable to call a day before you get to Taitung to find out what the weather conditions are like.  It helps to speak Mandarin but with how friendly they are there, I’m sure you’ll be fine with English.

TIPS:   Make sure to bring your passport for registration purposes.

★ DINNER: Fried Chicken and Tofu

Another on-the-fly meal we had as a result of our transit improvising.  With the help of our local friend that we met along the way, he pointed out a popular fried chicken spot along the main street of Luye which turned out to be quite amazing.  The chicken was fried to perfection in that Taiwanese popcorn chicken flavour tossed with salt and pepper.  Equally as incredible was the fried tofu which was probably an even more of a surprise of the night.

★ MATA Indigenous Cultural Resort

I honestly have mixed feelings about this “resort”.  In seeing the name of the property, you’d expect that they’d have a full-fledged indigenous cultural experience available for guests but upon arrival, all we got from the receptionist was a feeling of “there might be a performance tonight…maybe?”

The property itself is beautifully built with a giant replica of a wooden boat used by one of the tribes and other various artifacts on display.  Outside, there’s also a large field that I can only presume is used as a stage for performances but perhaps it’s only used during high season or if there are large tour groups.

On one hand, I loved the hotel for its clean and spacious room, and amazing breakfast but couldn’t help feel shafted that we got absolutely no culture other than the visuals and CD that was played in the lobby.

TIPS:   Bike rentals are free for 3 hours but if you want to take it out for longer just let them know.  If they’re not busy, it shouldn’t be an issue.

>> Day 8 – Ridin’ in Taitung <<

Taitung is truly a remarkable stop along the journey around Taiwan as it faces the sea, is set against mountains and is rich in aboriginal heritage.  In fact, the city and its surroundings boasts the most prehistoric sites in Taiwan, which means there are many natural offerings and cultural centres that explore the long history of indigenous people.

While we would have liked to have visited one of these cultural centres, our schedule and timing meant that it wasn’t possible.  As a result, we decided to take our free bike rentals from the hotel and explore the city on two wheels.  This turned out to be a lot of fun, being able to leisurely weave through public spaces, parks, and the downtown area.  The best part of the day turned out to be the food.

TIPS:   Cultural centres are closed on Mondays so if you hope to visit them, schedule around this.

★ Taitung  Forest Park & Seashore Park

These two parks are perfectly designed for the bicycle.  With its expansive network, you’re free to wind through the park and experience Taitung’s laid back lifestyle and clean ocean air.  The most surprising parts here are certainly the undeveloped rocky seashore which has quite the unique view, an enormous man-made lake that is popular for swimmers and rowers, and birds nest-like lookout platform.

Entrance fee:  $NT 30 for the Forest Park

TIPS:   If your hotel doesn’t have bike rentals, the forest park has bikes for rent for $NT 100 for 3 hours.

★ Old Taitung Railway Station

In the centre of the city is the old train station that used to run through.  It’s an open-air museum/art village with the remains of an old train that you can climb into, and a repair terminal complete with the remains of signal lights.  In the surrounding space, you’ll also see the development of new art spaces that are just in the final stages of building.

What we missed:  Sights along the East Coast Line: Xiauyeliu Scenic Area(小野柳), Jialulan(加路蘭) Donghe Steamed Buns(東河包子), Amis Folk Center(阿美民俗中心), and Sanxiantai(三仙台遊憩區).  

★ LUNCH:  Rong Shu Xia Rice Noodles (榕樹下米苔目)

This restaurant is highly recommended in Taitung and with good reason.  Along one of the main drags of the city, this place is hard to miss with its long lines that wind out from the restaurant.  What makes this place special is its rice noodles which have the thickness of udon and freshness of hand-pulled noodles.  They’re also special in that they’re very short and in an elongated teardrop shape.

The ordering process is a bit different than what you might be used to but essentially while in line, you have to fill out a piece of paper.  You also need to have a table number by the time you order so if you can, get your partner to grab a seat somewhere first.  Drinks are also pre-made so after you order you grab them from the person working by the refrigerator.  Sounds complicated I know but you’ll figure it out eventually.  They also have English menus so ask for that if you don’t get one right away.

Other must-try items are the local pork with vegetables (side dishes behind the glass display) and the pineapple iced tea.

★ SNACK:  Chen’s Mochi

If there’s a king of mochi, I think I’ve found it.  Look through the glass window and watch the mochi masters knead fresh sticky rice flour and roll them into balls to the eventual final product.  They serve up the most delicious of sticky rice desserts with my favourite fillings including black sesame, peanut, and red bean.

TIPS:   If you miss Chen’s in Taitung, don’t worry because there’s always Hualien which is also well-known for mochi.

★ DINNER:  Dongdamen Night Market

This was perhaps the most disappointing of night markets.  Ironically it was probably the most organized, with the night market on a dedicated plot of land, wide streets, and permanent stalls.  To me, it lacked the grunginess of night markets, character, and a little bit of the chaos.   We also showed up late in the night which meant the streets weren’t very busy.  Personally, I think I prefer large crowds at night markets because it also means there’s quick turnover of food and nothing sits for too long.

Where we actually wanted to go was  Dai’s Dumpling but when we got there, it was closed for the holidays.

★ Azure Hotel

The check-in process was very smooth, and the room was 4 to 5-star calibre.  What made this hotel a great to place to stay was the fact that it is on the main street that runs through Hualien which means everything is walking distance.  And then there’s the breakfast buffet which is as good as any other that you’ll see in Taiwan except it also has its own DIY noodle bar – the cherry on top!

Since we knew we were going to do a two day hike through Taroko, we spent the evening re-organizing our packs to only carry the essentials.  For everything else, we stuffed another backpack to leave behind.  The hotel was great in allowing us store this bag for an extra night.

TIPS:   To get to the hotel from the train station, there’s no easy way with the bus so hop on a cab once you arrive in Hualien.

Taroko, in the local Truku aboriginal language, means “magnificent and beautiful”.  When you set your eyes on mountainous landscape, bio-diverse vegetation, turquoise rivers, and marble-walled canyons, you’ll see why this is one of Asia’s top scenic wonder.

There are magic places in the world.  This is one of them.

While many travellers take one of the stream of tour buses that come through the main gate and jam all the sights in a day, we wanted to do something a little more unconventional. Everyone’s seen photos of the 18km stretch of Taroko Gorge that make it to postcards but few have seen it from the point of view of the indigenous tribes that still live in the tranquility of the mountains.  With our 2 day trek up to the villages of Datong and Dali, there was the promise of us being able to dig deep into local culture and take in a slice off nature that travellers rarely ever see.

★ 2-Day Guided Hiking Tour 

If your goal in Taroko National Park is to hike through challenging terrain, interact with indigenous tribe members, and take in incredible mountain scenery way above the clouds, this is the activity for you. It is by no means easy, so my word of caution is that if you want to do this trek, you need to be physically fit and have some experience with long hikes with long portions of uphill and downhill.

The hike doesn’t have a specific name that you can look for but what it is a chaining of several trails that ultimately take you up to the villages of Dali and Datong before you descend back down to the end of the Shakadang Trail.

Your first day in Taroko consists stair climbing along Dekalung Trail, a visit to Dali Village, before meandering through the side of the mountain along an old logging road.  All of this leads to the arrival of a B&B built by a local Truku tribe member, named Dadao.  With diminishing sunlight, you’ll be able to look out into the nearby mountain peaks, mystical clouds, and Datong village below.

After settling in and showering (yes there is running water!), your host cooks a fabulous dinner.

My favourite part was sitting around of the campfire and having simple conversation with the guide translating for us while sipping on a cup of hot tea and listening to the crackle of the firewood.

Hiking Trails:  Dekalung Trail -> Dali Trail ->  Shakadang Logging Road

• This tour was booked through MyTaiwanTour and the details are as follows:
• Hiking permits
• Transportation (pick up and drop off)
• 1 night accommodation at the tribe B&B
• Dinner and breakfast
• Travel insurance

Cost:  

• 1 person: $NT 22,600
• 2 people total: $NT 24,800
• 3 people total: $NT 27,000
• 4 people total: $NT 28,700

TIPS:  Your guide picks you up and will park at the national park overnight.  This means that you don’t actually need to store your bags at your hotel.

★ LUNCH:  7-11 Food

Before heading into Taroko National Park, we made a stop at a 7-Eleven and picked up additional supplies for our trek.  We stocked up on water and also a few onigiri (Japanese rice triangles) which is perfect hiking food.  Plus we had extra mochis from Chen’s.

★ DINNER:  Cooked by Ah-Ma 

I don’t know if we were just ridiculously hungry but our 7-course meal hit all the right spots.  With fresh supplies brought from the city, Ah-ma cooked an assortment of salmon, chicken, fresh vegetables, tofu, and soup that was clearly too much for the 4 of us.  What amazed me was how she was able to cook such delicious dishes even with the limited amount of supplies, equipment, and appliances.

★ Truku Tribe B&B

Considering you’re high up in the mountains and away from civilization, it’s a marvel that a house of concrete, wood, and corrugated metal sheets could even exist.  I had pretty low expectations of the B&B before coming but was surprised to learn that they had running water, hot water tank, a proper toilet, electricity for lights, and propane for cooking.  To top that, the dorm rooms are fashioned similar to Japanese ryokans with clean laminate flooring, sliding doors and furnished with mats, blankets, and pillows.  Sure it’s not a 4-star hotel but more important to me was the hospitality of the host and that surprised us with the luxury of shower and toilets.challenging

To temper your expectations, you have to understand that the B&B is a structure built by Dadao himself for the express purpose of being able to host hikers.  This means that this isn’t a representation of what a real village home is like.  The other thing is that this home is perched high up in the mountains away from any other villagers so you’re also not going to be amongst a community of Truku families.

This day is about contrasts.  The views you get at the top of the mountain dramatically change as you make your way back down to the blue-green Shakadang river which is filled with large perfectly-round boulders, and jagged walls of marble.

You’ll feel pretty gross by the end of it all but when you finally get back to Taipei, that shower you take will be the best thing ever.

★ 2-Day Guided Hiking Tour

The second day of hiking is possibly even more challenging than the first because a section of the hike takes you through a trail that has typhoon damage.  On top of the on and off rain, and muddy conditions we had, there are a number of natural and man-made obstacles you’ll need to ninja through.  None of it is particularly dangerous but you’ll want to make sure you watch your step.  I came out of it with my legs completely shot and feeling wobbly every time I stopped for a break.

The best part of the day was when we finally made it to the Shakadang Trail after 3.5 hours of downhill punishment.  I remember holding up my arms in the air and shouting “WE DID IT!!!” in relief.

Along this famous trail is where we got our first glimpse of the beauty that Taroko National Park is known for – naturally carved out canyons where turquoise water pass through rock overhangs and multi-coloured marble boulders.  Along the way, there’s also a small Truku tribe market place where we devoured the best sausage of the entire trip.

Highlights of what you’ll see:

• Liwu mountain peak with views of the ocean on the other side
• Datong Village
• Dramatically changing scenery as you make your way down
• Shakadang Trail

Hiking Trails:  Datong Village Trail -> Tongli Trail -> Trail down to Sanjianwu -> Shakadang Trail

TIPS:   The mountain is always 2-3 degrees cooler than at ground level so make sure you prepare your layers when packing for a trek like this one.  You also never know when you might get hit with rain so you’ll also want to pack the appropriate waterproof gear which at a minimum should include a jacket, waterproof shoes, and rain cover for your bag.

★ Ximending Youth Shopping District

With its abundance of bright lights, shops lining the maze of streets, trendy shopping, and a nightlife, it’s no wonder that it’s been called the “Harajuku” of Taipei.  Unlike a traditional night market, there’s more than food here which makes it a great place to wander.

★ BREAKFAST:  Tribe Breakfast

Ah-Ma cooked another great meal for us that was way more food than we could finish.  It was all the energy we needed to last until dinner as we had quite the catchup we needed to do on our way down.

★ SNACK:  Shakadang Trail Sausage

Whether you do the Shakadang Trail on your own or as part of a trek, you MUST stop at this stall for these home-made sausages.  With a magical mix of ginger, honey and who knows what else, you won’t find this anywhere else in Taiwan.

★ DINNER:  Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodle

This shop is impossible to miss with its large crowds of tourists either slurping away or queueing in anticipation.  The good news is that the lines move very quickly as they efficiently fill up bowl after bowl.  What makes them special is that they make a unique style of rice noodle that is completely different from the ones we had in Taitung.  Extremely thin and flat, these noodles are similar to some of the noodles you find in Vietnamese Pho but in a thick and somewhat gelatinous soup base.  Mixed in the broth are diced bits of pork intestines which may turn some off but is honestly as indistinguishable as tendon or tripe in pho.

Taking the train back to Taipei turned out to be a bit more of an adventure than we expected mainly because we took way too long to get back down and we missed our originally booked train.

The way the drama played out is our original train was supposed to be at 4:30PM but by the time we left Taroko National Park, it was already 3:45PM.  Rushing to the Hualien train station, our guide tried to get our tickets switched to a later train but were told that we could either swap them for a slower train that would arrive late in the evening.  Otherwise, if we wanted anything earlier, we would have to forfeit these tickets and get them ourselves.  Not wanting to get into Taipei so late especially considering how long of a day we’ve had already, we made the no-brainer decision to buy new train tickets for $NT 340 per person ($11 USD).

★ WESTGATE Hotel (2 nights)

We couldn’t have asked for a better hotel in Taipei.  Located right at the doorstep of Ximending and seconds away from the subway, it was overly convenient to get around the city and at the end of the day, we could always come back to the hotel and get our fill of more food and snacks before heading home.

Upon entering the hotel, you immediately notice that the boutique and modern lobby is both welcoming and luxurious.  From the check-in to check-out the staff were extremely courteous and friendly, willing to help at every turn.  What I loved about the property is how one-of-a-kind artwork can be found all over including my favourite sculpture of two boys free falling off Taipei 101 with their suitcase in hand.

The rooms themselves are spacious and a modern open concept where we felt immediately at home after a weary day of travel.  The bathroom is elegant and clean while the bedroom is cozy, and beds overly comfortable.

For breakfast, expect to be tempted with plenty of tasty Asian and Western foods, and great service from the wait staff.

With one final full day in Taiwan, there are a lot of options open to you but if your preference is to take it easy and end on a relaxing note with a dash of excitement, pull off an unconventional day trip that combines the best of what Taipei has to offer.

Wulai is a mountainous district south of Taipei.  It’s known for its old street, hot springs, natural sights, and the area’s indigenous Atayal people.  It’s an easy day trip from Taipei that gets you out of the city and into a place that is very walkable, easy to explore, and not too crowded.

If there are other things that you want to check out, treat this as a free day.  There are a lot of choices here so if you’re looking for a few ideas, here’s what we were also contemplating:

• Hiking Teapot Mountain
• Beitou Hot Springs (i.e. SweetMe Hotspring Resort)
• Hiking Yangmingshan
• Yehliu Geopark
• Danshui/Tamsui Old Street
• Maokong Gondola
• Everything else in Taipei you might not have seen such as the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-Shek  Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, other night markets

★ Tai Chi at Muzha Zhongshun Temple (木柵忠順廟保儀大夫)

Every morning, there are temples all over Taipei where the local community gets together to practice Tai Chi.   Instead of paying for lessons, why not join one of these sessions and try your best not to embarrass yourself while at the same time, learn how hard it is.  What looks like a moving form of yoga and meditation is actually a fluid art of motion with its ying-yang balance of dance and martial arts while all in slow motion.

Now it will be pretty daunting to jump into one of these sessions if you don’t know anyone but thankfully we had someone like Joshua from MyTaiwanTour to introduce us and give us permission to film the experience.  Comfortably at the back of the group, we did our best to imitate the experienced Tai Chi-ers, occasionally tripping on my own feet and stopping to stare at the combination of pushing and parrying.

A little bit about Joshua Samuel Brown

Joshua is someone I was extremely grateful for during my travels in Taiwan.  He was instrumental in providing tips on local spots to explore in the country and we were also lucky enough to have him show us around a few spots you might’ve seen from the Taiwan in 12 Days YouTube series .  Joshua is the former Editor-in-Chief at MyTaiwanTour , acclaimed author of the upcoming Formosa Moon, co-author of numerous Lonely Planets, all-around expert in Taiwan, and just a great guy.  Make sure to read the Joshua Samuel Brown blog which has a true local’s perspective of the country and much more!

With how friendly the Taiwanese are, you can easily find a local temple to visit and find out whether they’d welcome a drop-in student.

Schedule:  Everyday at 8:30AM – 10AM

★ Wulai Old Street

The old street of Wulai is a short distance but packs in quite a number of things.  If you enjoy street food, left and right you’ll find a ton of different shops that sell snacks, drinks and cooked food.  You’ll also find several independent shops specializing in clothing, art, foods, and crafts.

Another interesting fact about Wulai is that it’s the closest accessible aboriginal village from Taipei which makes it a great place to learn about the fascinating culture and people of the Atayal tribe with the Wulai Atayal Museum.

Don’t forget to walk around and outside of the street to find attractions such as Wulai Falls and Yunxian Playground.

★ Yen Town Hot Springs

Along the old street of Wulai, you’ll find this hidden gem and the perfect hot springs for my wife and I.  Many hot springs in Taiwan are of the onsen (Japanese hot springs) variety where male and females are split, and are nude.  Understanding that this may not be comfortable for everyone, it is actually a challenge to find hot springs that are couple friendly, aren’t crowded, and have clean facilities.

All you need to bring with you to Yen Town is your swimwear, a shower cap and you’re all set.  In this intimate and beautifully set hot spring, you’ll find a rejuvenating set of pools that vary from ice cold to 40C+.  To mix things up, you’ll also find an open air room temperature swimming pool, intense pulsating showers, and lane of rounded pebbles for feet therapy.

Price:  $NT 400 per person

TIPS:   Yes you read that right, in Taiwan it is mandatory to wear head caps to cover your hair.  Yen Town expect for you to have your own.  This means you can either purchase one or come prepared with basic shower caps from the hotel.

TIPS:   A custom that is strictly enforced here for sanitary reasons is to rinse your feet with the water from the pool before entering.

The convenience of WESTGATE Hotel meant that we had to take advantage of it with our daily walk around to see what fun boutique shops we could find and other treats we could buy.

★ LUNCH:  Local Aboriginal Restaurant on Wulai Old Street (烏來小吃店)

There isn’t exactly an English name for this restaurant so I’ve included the Chinese name which you’ll see in the sign.  It’s actually right across from the Wulai Atayal Museum.  This is a restaurant cooked by aboriginal locals and is a chance to try a variety of dishes that are hard to find elsewhere.

Not knowing what was good there, we tried an assortment of fish, vegetables, soup, pork, and rice that turned out to be quite good.  The highlight was definitely the rice cooked in bamboo and the fried fish.

★ DINNER:  Aquatic Addiction Development

Aquatic Addiction Development (AAD) is quickly becoming a must-see place for seafood-loving foodies.  Carved out of the Taiwan Fish Market, this is a brand new and modern type of market that has a little bit for everyone.  Near the entrance you have what looks like a wholesale area with tanks filled with fresh catches.  From there, you step into the main section of AAD which is a cross between a really up-scale supermarket and sit down sushi and seafood bar.  Upstairs, there’s a hotpot restaurant and then you have the entire outdoor wing of the market which has more food, another restaurant, and additional seating.

We ended up ordering a tray of salmon sashimi, scallops and Calpis for $NT 590 ($20 USD).

TIPS:   You’d think a market like this accepted credit card but it doesn’t.  Make sure to bring enough cash.

★ DINNER:  Prawn Fishing (全佳樂釣蝦場) You can’t leave without doing the favourite past-time of Taiwanese.  Indoor shrimp fishing has become a popular form of entertainment, transforming something that is still an important industry into sport.  Huddling around a smoke-filled room centred around a shallow pool, serious pros and wannabe anglers wait patiently for bobbing buoys.  Beneath the depths of the bubbling water are large prawns waiting to steal your bait.

Okay, I admit it’s probably not for everyone but for something that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, you just have to experience it for yourself.

This is how it works.  You essentially purchase fishing game time and starts at 1 hour and goes up to 3 hours.  Dried shrimp bait and custom fishing rods are provided and the rest is up to you to catch as many as you can in the time you paid for.  When you’re done, the shop owner cooks the prawns on a skewer dusted with salt.

It’s a bit of a test of patience that Anthony Bourdain clearly didn’t have much of in Season 2 of The Layover .  Don’t expect your tummies to get filled here but the satisfaction of catching anything at all is something to rejoice here.  In the hour we were there, we caught 6 but the owner felt pity for us so he topped it up to 10.

Address:   台北市中山區錦州街190號

Cost:  Starts at $NT 300 for an hour

TIPS:   HAH got none for ya.  Good luck!

Getting to Wulai

Take the MRT all the way to the Xindian Station (last stop on Green Line 3) and find Bus Stop B located along Beiyi Road (北宜路一段).  Wait for bus 849 bound for Wulai and all you have to do is get off at the last stop.

Depending on when your flight leaves, you may or may not have time to squeeze in one last bit of Taiwanese goodness before you go.  The best souvenir to bring home for friends and family in my opinion is pineapple pastry since it’s something that just isn’t as good outside of Taiwan.

You’re probably wondering, well can’t you get pineapple pastry at any Asian supermarket?  Yes, that’s true but all of these are packed with preservatives and as a result contain smaller traces of pineapple.  The real stuff from Taiwan is made with fresh ingredients and will only last 2-4 weeks before expiring.  That’s why I recommend buying these squares of sweet goodness on your last day so you have a chance to pass it along to friends and family.

TIPS:   Remember to get your tax refund before you go through security/customs.  At the primary international terminal (T2), go down one level from departures and you’ll find it.  SunnyHills is also on this floor.

★ Chia Te Bakery

Perhaps the most famous pineapple pastry bakery in town and while they make a variety of Chinese bakery goods, people from all over the world come here for one and one thing only – pineapple pastry.  These are made in the traditional style where these square-sized desserts are filled with mildly sweet and moist strings of pineapple and surrounded by a soft, buttery crust.  There is only one store and they’ve been open since 1975.

★ SunnyHills

You’d think one bakery was enough but you really have to try the modern, and some say, better take on pineapple pastry.  SunnyHills is everything that Chia Te isn’t.  Where Chia Te is reminiscent of your typical no-nonsense Chinese bakery with bright lights, shelving with product, and queue for the cashier, SunnyHills is a much more refined, contemporary experience where it is more of a tea house than it is a bakery.

When you enter one of their stores, you’re greeted with friendly service staff and even before promoting any product, they get you seated.  This is when they serve you a complimentary cup of tea and one of their products.  This gives you a chance to use all of your senses to appreciate their food.  When you’re ready, you go up to the counter and place your order.  You’ll most likely be buying pineapple pastry and when you do, it comes in a beautiful packaged box and a recyclable linen bag.  Like I said, it’s very much an experience.

Focusing in on the pineapple cake itself, what makes it different from Chia Te is in its shape which is rectangular, the density of the crust, and the filling a bit more tangy.  Some say it’s more fresh than the competition but I think it’s all in your taste preferences.

TIPS:   If you qualify for tax refund, the staff will let you know and they have a separate desk to help you with the filling out of the form.  Officially, I believe purchases over $NT 3000 are eligible for tax refund but we were able to get it with a purchase of $NT 2680.  This is good for a 5% VAT tax rebate at the airport.

TIPS:   If you don’t care for the in-store experience of SunnyHills, note that there is a storefront at the airport.  The difference is that at the airport, they only stock the box of 10 and not the box of 16.

★ LUNCH:  Din Tai Fung (Original Xinyi Location)

It would be almost embarrassing to leave Taiwan without going to their internationally-famous Ding Tai Fung.  Known for their great-tasting xiao long bao (soup dumplings), it’s the kind of perfection that I haven’t been able to find replicated anywhere else and that includes Shanghai where it is known to have originated from.

If you come early enough  (10:20AM in our case), you’ll be able to get a table pretty quickly.  Otherwise, expect to take a number and wait awhile.

★ SNACK:  Ice Galaxy

There were a whole bunch of other dessert spots that we wanted to hit up in Taiwan but with literally 15 minutes left before our airport pick up, I ran over to the closest shaved ice restaurant in Ximending which turned out to be Ice Galaxy.  They’re not famous per say but it still lived up to my expectations for shaved snow packed with mango.

If we had more time we would have liked to have visited Roji Shaved Ice or Bingzan.

Here is the compilation of everywhere that I stayed on my trip and would highly recommend

SONNIEN HOTEL

Conveniently located hotel where I stayed at the beginning of my trip to Taiwan.  This was a super clean and spacious property that included a fabulous breakfast as well.  Couldn’t have asked for more.

TripAdvisor

Booking.com

WESTGATE HOTEL

Right next to Ximending in Taipei, this is equally a great hotel to stay at in Taipei.  Sonnien Hotel was already pretty modern but WESTGATE takes it up a notch.  They have an amazing breakfast as well.

ALISHAN HOUSE

The nicest property in Alishan for sure, we were given this extravagant double king-sized bed complete with balcony and fireplace.  It’s also located in the best spot to do your hike around Alishan.

HOYA RESORT HOTEL

One of the newer properties in Kaohsiung.  While it was extremely comfortable and spacious here including a smashing breakfast, I did find that it was a bit further from the action that I would’ve liked.  That said, it is right next to a night market!

A-FEI HOTEL

Some call it a hostel but it’s really a hotel right by Nanwan Beach in Kenting.  You’ll typically find the owner, A-Fei, who is a blast to be around.  This is the perfect place for surfing as well since they have their own lessons and gear rental.

MATA INDIGENOUS CULTURAL RESORT

Quite the unique property that focuses on Taitung’s heritage of indigenous cultures.  The rooms are nice but the star feature are the displays and shows that they offer.  They have a great breakfast and they offer free bike rentals.

AZURE HOTEL

Centrally located hotel in the city of Hualien.  Loved their breakfast as they had their own noodle bar.  The room was quite modern, comfortable, spacious, and clean as well.

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK

TAROKO MOUNTAIN HIKING HOMESTAY

Not exactly something you can book off the cuff but if you work with a company like MyTaiwanTour, they can put together a custom trip to trek up to the mountains of Taroko and stay with someone like Ah-Ma!

MyTaiwanTour

Taiwan may be a small country, but it’s big on heart, is guaranteed to fill your tummies with delight, and will surprise you over and over again with its amazing activities and attractions.

As I mentioned in the beginning, this guide is really only meant to be a starting point for your planning.  As a trip planner myself, I’ve always found that it’s way easier to see what someone else has done and go from there.  Feel free to make changes to it and tweak it to your liking based on what you’re interests are and your travel style.

Enjoy and do let us know how your trip goes!

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If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

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Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

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Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key ).

Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

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• InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

This trip was sponsored by the Taiwan Tourism Association but all opinions are my own because I had one amazing time there and I seriously need to share this with the world!

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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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Taiwan Itinerary & DIY Travel Guide: Taipei w/ Day Tours (3 Days or More)

by Aileen Adalid Itineraries , Taiwan 109 comments

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Taiwan is a stunning island nation that is smacked right between the countries of  Japan and the Philippines . In fact, as someone who has grown up in the islands of  Batanes   (the northernmost place in the Philippines), Taiwan has since been a destination that I’ve wanted to visit. After all, we are actually closer to its borders so our radios would often pick up their stations; not to mention that our dialect (Ivatan) is even linguistically similar to the Taiwanese aborigine languages — that being said, these were enough reasons to pique my curiosity of Taiwan. (Taiwan Itinerary)

What are the top tours to do in Taiwan?

Check out these activities and tours to do to include in your Taiwan itinerary, and more: [ click ]

Anyhow, I was finally able to visit Taiwan some time ago! I only had 3 days to spare… but, I definitely had a great time as I explored the bustling capital of Taipei as well as the lush terrains that filled up the rest of the island.

With that said and done, let me share with you my 3-day Taiwan itinerary! I’ll pack it together with important info, tips, resources, and other activity suggestions ; so go ahead and copy, customize, shorten or lengthen the below guide as dependent on the length of your stay or the style of traveling that you will do.

I hope this Taiwan itinerary helps! Do let me know.

Top photo by: Shutterstock

Table of Contents

Taiwan Travel Guide

» quick travel planning.

• Top tours & experiences
• Find flights to Taiwan
• Visa requirements
• Best places to stay
• Travel insurance (5% discount)
• Stay connected

– – –

» Best Time to Visit

Taiwan enjoys 4 seasons, but they’re not as pronounced given that it generally has a humid subtropical climate. The seasons are divided into the following months and it’s best to either visit in late spring (April to May) or autumn (best in November) if you want comfortable temperatures.

• Spring : Pleasant temperature / Average lows at 15ºC to 22ºC and average highs at 19ºC to 27ºC.
• Summer : Hot and humid and sometimes very wet / Average lows at 24ºC to 28ºC and average highs at 27ºC to 31ºC
• Autumn : Cooler temperatures / Average lows at 18ºC to 27ºC and average highs at 27ºC to 30ºC
• Winter : Foggy and somewhat dry / Average lows at 13ºC to 15ºC and average highs at 17ºC to 19ºC
• WINTER: Dec to Feb
• SPRING: March to May
• SUMMER: June to Aug
• AUTUMN: Sept to Nov

» Getting in to Taiwan

Taiwan’s main international getaway is Taoyuan International Airport which is 40km southwest of Taipei. It is connected to the center via the Taoyuan Airport MRT and HSR Taoyuan Station (single trip price at no more than NT$160 / USD$5 / Php 260~). As such, I highly suggest buying a  Taiwan High-Speed Rail Unlimited Pass  which gives you unlimited rides on Taiwan’s THSR train network — including the train to and fro the airport.

There are also buses linking to the airport (you can buy a discounted roundtrip shuttle bus from the Airport to Taipei and vice versa  here ) , but if you rather want a taxi, a one-way fare can cost a minimum of NT$900.

If you want the utmost convenience and ease, especially without having to lug around your luggage, I suggest booking a  private transfer  to your hotel for only Php 1,000+ (or $23~) . This works best if you’re coming together with other people so that you can share the cost and save more!

For flights, I recommend browsing through  Skyscanner  to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. If you’re from the Philippines like me, Skyscanner also scans through the budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in order to find which of the 2 has the cheapest rate on the dates you choose.

» Visa for Taiwan

Taiwan has various visa regulations. Depending on your nationality, you can be qualified for visa exemption, visa on arrival, eVisa, or an Online Travel Authorization Certificate (for more info, see  here ).

If you’re from the Philippines, you will be eligible for  visa-free access to Taiwan for 14 days, valid until July 31, 2023 . This visa-free initiative is still a part of a trial period that they have since implemented in 2017, and the only requirements you needed to show at the immigration are:

• An ordinary/regular passport with your signature and with remaining validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry (diplomatic & official passport holders are not eligible for visa-free treatment).
• A return ticket or a ticket to your next destination (and a visa for that destination if it is required).
• No criminal record in Taiwan (the immigration in Taiwan will check this themselves upon your arrival).
• As applicable, proof of accommodation/ hotel booking , host/sponsor’s contact information, or arrangements of tour, travel, visit, events and meeting etc.
• Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

» Where to Stay (Taiwan Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Taiwan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between  Agoda  and  Booking.com . But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB .

For a more comprehensive list, see this post on the top ‘ Best Hotels in Taipei ‘.

» Taiwan Currency

New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$) wherein NT$29 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 52~ (this is as of June 2022). In the event that you want to exchange your money for TWD, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

• How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in Taipei’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards.

» Cost of Travel in Taiwan

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to Taiwan with an average daily cost of about USD $35~ per person on a budget, or at least $95~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

• Hotels: $20 to $60 USD / day
• Food: $5 to $15 USD / day
• Fun: $5 to $15 USD / day
• Transport: $3 on average per day

» How to Get Around Taiwan

There are domestic flights carried out by EVA, Mandarin Airlines, and UNI Air. However, unless you’re traveling to the smaller islands of Taiwan, the trains are still the best option for going around the country as well as in Taipei.

For high-speed trains all over the island, there are 2 systems: Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR/HSR) and Taiwan Railway Administration.

Within Taipei, the city has an efficient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system that’s also called Metro Taipei. Other than single journey tickets, there are rechargeable  IC cards   (like  Easy Card ) and there is also the   Taipei Fun Pass . I recommend getting this pass because it gives  unlimited  rides not only on the MRT train but also on public buses (for Taipei City and New Taipei City), as well as gives you discounts on Taiwan’s top attractions like the Taipei 101 and National Palace Museum.

To date, it has 3 options:

Alternatively, you can also get a  Taiwan High-Speed Rail Unlimited Pass .

To better navigate yourself during your Taiwan itinerary, use  Google Maps ‘  directions  feature (signified by a blue icon with an arrow inside it) — I really find it a very helpful tool if I want to reach a certain place from a particular location. However, Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you want routes or transportation schedules, so I recommend that you get a  pocket WiFi  or a  SIM card  to stay connected; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off) .

» Staying Connected in Taiwan

Taiwan has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connections wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Taiwan itinerary, I recommend getting your own  pocket WiFi  or a  SIM card  to stay connected; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off) .

» Safety in Taiwan

Crime rate is relatively low in Taiwan and though petty crimes may happen, it is quite rare. As such, it helps to stay street smart at all times. Rest assured, it’s one of the safest countries to travel in even as a solo traveler ; just stay vigilant and you’ll be fine.

• HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you

» Helpful Mandarin Phrases

About 80% of the Taiwanese population speaks Mandarin Chinese. Rest assured, English is commonly used by the locals and you won’t have a hard time conversing with it, especially in places like Taipei.

As you venture outside of the capital though, it will become harder; but, it’s nothing that finger-pointing or Google Translate can’t solve. For a start, here are some sample phrases in Mandarin.

• RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel

Hello:  Nǐ hǎo. Thank you:  Xiè xiè. You’re welcome:  Bú kèqi Goodbye:  Zàijiàn Goodbye (informal):  Bāi-bāi

Excuse me (getting attention):  Qǐng wèn Excuse me (begging pardon):  Dǎrǎo yixià Excuse me (coming through) / I’m sorry:  Duìbùqǐ Is there someone here who speaks English?:  Zhèlĭ yǒu rén hùi shuō Yīngyǔ ma? Help!:  Jiùmìng! Cheers!:  Gānbēi!

Other F.A.Q.

It is not common to tip in Taiwan, especially since if there is ever a “tip” to be taken, it will be in the form of a service charge on your bill amounting to about 10-15% of your total.

Taiwan typically uses type A (two flat parallel pins) and type B (two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin at the bottom). The country operates on a 110V voltage and a frequency of 60Hz.

 Please check their  latest travel advisories  page for more details.

All visitors to Taiwan must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the period of their intended stay (as well as have 2 blank pages).

There is and you can easily claim a tax refund for being a tourist; simply read this page for more info.

It is legal to fly a drone in the country as long as you follow the rules stated here .

Taiwan Itinerary Guide

Before I begin with the itinerary guide, if in case you’re more of a visual person, you can already watch my travel video/vlog below!

Take note that the 3-day Taiwan itinerary below does not take into account your arrival day in Taipei.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• The following Taiwan itinerary section is in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings below.
• if you’re staying longer in the city, you can make use of the last tab called ‘ Extra Days ‘ to see the other activities or trips you can do for filling up the rest of your vacation days.

Taipei Exploration

Once you arrive in the heart of Taipei, go and quickly enjoy its iconic landmarks as well as its busy night markets and colorful culture! With that, I’ll be listing the top attractions in the city; however, it would be  impossible to thoroughly visit EVERYTHING  (unless you swiftly go through every location) .

That’s why, depending on your interests, pick the best places that you’d like to see within the day for your Taiwan itinerary based on the descriptions that I’ll be providing below (my top favorites are marked with a star ★); and then, you can visit the rest during your other free time or during your other trip days if you’re staying longer than 3 days in Taiwan.

◘◘ ★ Taipei 101

Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, Taipei 101 was once called the world’s tallest building in 2004 — until Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed in 2010.

Either way, nowadays, it holds the highest award as the tallest and largest green building in the world according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) . By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of this building before; after all, it serves as an icon of modern Taiwan (though it was initially built as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition) ; as such, it is a must to include this on your Taiwan itinerary.

Towering at 101 stories, the base of the building houses several shops and restaurants (such as the famous Din Tai Fung chain) but what most visitors aim to do is to access the observatory. To list out the highlights of the building:

• 5F Taipei 101 Mall : The floor where you can purchase tickets and take the Guinness World Record high-speed elevator to the observatory on the 89th floor (it travels at 1,010 meters/min or 60.6kph, taking only 37 seconds total). However, it’s best to purchase online to get a discounted price — I will discuss this in the detail in the ‘ admission ‘ section below.
• 89F Indoor Observatory : Offers unobstructed views of Taipei. It also has a museum where you can learn about the construction of Taipei 101.
• 88F Beauty of Taiwan Multimedia Corridor, Super Big Wind Damper, Treasure Sky : The highlight of this floor is at 5.5m (in diameter) and there’s a 660-ton wind damper that’s built in the core of the tower. Apparently, this amazing technology helps keep the building from swaying and helps keep it stand upright. Meanwhile, Treasure Sky is a place where you can find jewel crafts.
• 91F Outdoor Observatory : This is accessible via the stairs from the 89th floor, but since the winds can get quite strong, this floor is only open on days when the weather is favorable. Anyhow, inside, you will find a small theatre that features films about the annual New Years’ fireworks display set off from Taipei 101.

ADMISSION: General ticket is NT$600 (students are charged NT$540 and children under 115cm are charged free). However, if you book online , you will only pay around NT$400! With this, you not only get a discount but you also don’t have to wait in a long line. HOURS:  9:00AM to 10:00PM NEAREST MRT: Red Line (Xiangshan train) to Taipei 101 station or Blue Line to Taipei City Hall Station

◘◘ Elephant Mountain

This is yet another great place for acquiring great views over Taipei especially if you’re into doing some mild hiking! Also known as the Nangang District Hiking Trail or Xiangshan, the hiking trail up to Elephant Mountain is found close to the Xinyi Shopping District and Taipei 101. The whole steep hike takes about 15 to 20 minutes only one way.

ADMISSION: Free TOUR: For a hassle-free experience, you can join an Elephant Mountain day tour which will already include a trip to Pinglin’s Thousand Island Lake, Bagua Tea Plantation and Shenkeng Old Street. HOURS:  It’s best to avoid coming here during weekends because it can get crowded. For the best times to hike, it will be during the late afternoon so that you can catch the daylight, sunset and nighttime views of Taipei. NEAREST MRT:  Red Line to Xiangshan Station (or if you’re in Taipei 101, walk east on Xinyi Road until you reach Xiangshan Station for 15 minutes)

◘◘ ★ National Palace Museum

This is home to the largest permanent collection of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks (spanning over 700,000 pieces)! They cover about 8,000 years of Chinese art history from the Neolithic to the modern age; plus, most of them are high-quality pieces that were collected by China’s emperors — which means that a lot of them were rooted in the Palace Museum of Beijing’s Forbidden City .

With such a number, it helps to note though that the exhibits continuously rotate because only a small number can be displayed at a time in order to properly preserve them. Still, it’s quite an impressive collection that’s worth visiting if you’re into Chinese culture and history!

Upon admission, you could also access the beautiful garden nearby called Zhishan Garden . Not too far away would also be the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines which could be accessed for free once you pay the entrance for the National Palace Museum. (TIP: The National Palace Museum holds free English tours at 10AM and 3PM;  book online beforehand to reserve your spot. Whereas the Shung Ye features free tours at 2PM every weekend; no booking is required).

ADMISSION:  NT $350 (for students with ID, only NT $150) HOURS:  8:30AM to 6:30PM from Sunday to Thursday (to 9:00PM from Friday to Saturday) PROMO: Book online to purchase your admission ticket since it is cheaper NEAREST MRT:  Red Line Shilin Sation (士林)

◘◘ Presidential Building

This recognizable building in Taipei was originally built to act as the Office of the Governor-General during the Japanese colonial period, but it has since been renovated after it was partially destroyed during World War II. By the end of the Chinese Civil War, it served as the Presidential Office Building of the Kuomintang leadership in the city. As such, this is a great place to stop by for your Taiwan itinerary if you want to learn more about the country’s past in terms of political development.

ADMISSION:  Free TOUR: For a hassle-free experience, you can join a Taipei city tour which will include a stop to this attraction HOURS:  9:00AM to 11:30AM from Monday to Friday NEAREST MRT:  Red Line to NTU Hospital Station (pass through Exit 1)

◘◘ ★ Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Memorial Hall

Built in memory of the former President of the Republic of China, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek , this monument is a prominent historical landmark in Taiwan that was opened in 1980 as part of the national park. The square is actually officially called Liberty Square but the name was changed due to political motivations, and due to people still commonly referring to it as the CKS Memorial Hall.

TRIVIA : The 8 sides of the octagon-shaped building represent the number 8 which is often traditionally associated with fortune and wealth as per Chinese symbolism. Meanwhile, the 2 sets of 89 steps represent Chiang Kai-shek’s age of death (and you will find a bronze statue of him in the main hall). One of the great spectacles of this hall too is the hourly changing of the guards on either side of the statue.

ADMISSION: Free TOUR: For a hassle-free experience, you can join a Taipei city tour which will include a stop at this attraction HOURS: 9:00 AM to 5:00PM daily NEAREST MRT:  Red Line or Green Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station

◘◘ National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

This is another memorial hall, but this time around, it’s dedicated to the founder of the Republic of China: Dr. Sun Yat-sen . Once you enter the premises, you will find displays showing his accomplishments that spanned from the revolution during and after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. But other than this, the hall is also often used for various performances and exhibitions. You could even enjoy the surrounding park called Zhongshan Park which features gardens, decorative historical walls, and Lake Cui or Emerald Pond which has a nearby exhibition area.

ADMISSION: Free HOURS: 9:00 AM to 6:00PM daily NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station

◘◘ Martyrs’ Shrine

Officially called the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, this basically marks the memory of almost 400,000 soldiers who died during the war against the communist in mainland China. The complex, which was built in 1969, is a typical example of the northern ‘palace style’ architecture that was popularised during Chiang Kai-shek’s reign.

For most visitors, much like the CKS Memorial Hall, the Martyrs’ Shrine is known for its changing of the guards or soldiers at the front gate. This event happens every hour until 5PM and lasts for about 20 minutes so it’s worthy to consider for your Taiwan itinerary. Once you’re done watching the guards, just don’t forget to make the most of your stay and explore the surrounding architecture.

ADMISSION: Free TOUR: For a hassle-free experience, you can join a Taipei city tour which will include a stop at this attraction HOURS: 9:00 AM to 5:00PM daily NEAREST MRT: Jiantan Station

◘◘ Dalongdong Bao’an Temple

This is a beautiful Taiwanese Taoist temple that received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for both its restoration and revival qualities of temple rites and festivities. Dedicated to the Taoist saint, Baosheng Dadi , this 900sqm temple is an exquisite structure that is a great example of the traditional decorative arts. If you time your visit from March to June, you could even witness the popular Baoshen Cultural Festival where you can watch parade tours, fire-walking rituals, lion dances, Taiwanese opera performances, puppet shows, and other cultural presentations. For an accurate schedule of the events, see the temple’s website .

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  7:00 AM to 10:00PM daily NEAREST MRT: Red Line to Yuanshan Station

◘◘ ★ Maokong Gondola

The mountain village of Maokong is the best spot in Taipei that offers a stunning panoramic view of the city — not to mention, they also have a wide variety of high-quality local tea.

To reach this village, you must take the Maokong Gondola which is a 4-km scenic cable car ride. With their Crystal Cabins or glass-bottom cars, you will be rewarded with amazing views and angles not only over the metropolis but also over the lush Zhinan River as you make your way up to Maokong (the ride spans about 30 minutes).

ADMISSION: One-way NT$120 for adults and NT$50 for children (FREE if you purchase a  Taipei Pass ) PROMO: Book online to purchase your admission ticket since it is a cheaper package inclusive of roundtrip tickets with FREE Taipei Double-decker Sightseeing Night Bus ticket for only NT$220. HOURS:  Typically open from 9AM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 9AM to 10PM on Fridays, 8:30AM to 10PM on Saturdays and 8:30AM to 9PM on Sundays (note that the gondola’s opening hours depend upon the weather situation) NEAREST MRT: Brown Line to the terminus station, Taipei Zoo

◘◘ ★ Mengjia Longshan Temple

This is one of the largest and oldest well-known temples in Taiwan that’s located in the historic Wanhua district. Said to have been built in 1738 by Fujian settlers as a gathering place for Chinese settlers, Longshan Temple has since been rebuilt multiple times after destruction by earthquakes, typhoons, and WWII bombings. Today, it stands as a Taiwanese worship house for a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist, and deities such as Matsu (or the goddess of the sea).

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  6:00AM to 10:00PM (best times to visit would be at 6AM, 8AM or 5PM when crowds would gather and engage in hypnotic chanting) NEAREST MRT: Blue Line to Longshan Temple

Night Markets

Taiwan is a haven for foodies so when the night starts to creep in, choose from any of the night markets below to stuff yourself full!

TIP : For a hassle-free experience, you can join a Taipei Night Market tour for your Taiwan itinerary in order to get the most out of the city’s top authentic Taiwanese dishes and local flavors with the help of a local guide! Otherwise, check out this list of restaurants that you can book online for scoring special deals and rates.

◘◘ ★ Raohe Street Night Market

This is said to be Taipei’s oldest night market! It’s a single pedestrian lane spanning about 600 meters and it goes along Raohe street between 2 ornate gates. Here, you’ll find an array of quaint shops and stalls that serve food, snacks, and other items. For the must-try food items? Come read my post below:

» READ: Taiwan Street Food in Raohe Street Night Market

Other than eating, you can also shop for clothes if you stroll through the nearby Clothing Shopping Outlet in Wufenpu, or you could also visit the Ciyou Temple which is at the eastern end of the night market.

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  5:00PM to midnight NEAREST MRT:  Green Line to Songshan Station

◘◘ Huahsi (or Huaxi) Night Market

Also called “Snake Alley”, Huahsi is conveniently found next to Longshan Temple, as well as 2 other markets namely Guangzhou and Wuzhou. There is a wide range of food items that you can find here but the most famous ones would be the dishes made from snakes and turtles. If you’re up for something this exotic for your Taiwan itinerary, do try the snake soup! For something more ‘normal’, try the famous  Tainan dan-dan noodles.

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  4:00PM to midnight NEAREST MRT:  Blue Line to Longshan Temple Station

◘◘ Shilin Night Market

This is one of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan to tourists. With its maze of alleyways, you can find a variety of local, traditional, and international merchandise — local cuisines included, of course! So make sure that you stop by the underground foodie paradise on the western side of the market. Some of the things to try are  oyster vermicelli, fried pork buns, bubble tea, stinky tofu, and oyster omelet .

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  4:00PM to midnight NEAREST MRT:  Red Line to Jiantan Station

◘◘ Tonghua Night Market

This is a short walking distance from Taipei 101 and it’s the best night market to visit if you want something more local and less touristy. Other than clothing and other merchandise, there are food stalls here that sell sushi, steaks, and dumplings among many other things.

ADMISSION: Free HOURS:  6:00PM to 1:00AM NEAREST MRT:  Red Line to Xinyi Anhe Station

Taipei Meals

◘◘ LUNCH: Eatogether Xinyi Restaurant

You must NEVER leave Taiwan without tasting the top local fares of xiaolongbao , beef noodles soup, and bubble tea! To get the best of everything, head over to this highly-rated buffet chain. BOOK: Online

◘◘ DINNER: Any of the night markets

Taipei’s night markets can easily fill you up for dinner; so go and take your pick from any of the previous night markets that I’ve mentioned, and you’re sure to enjoy the night away!

Otherwise, check out this list of Taipei restaurants that you can book online for scoring special deals and rates.

Discover North of Taiwan

After you had your fill of some of Taipei’s key attractions, it’s time to venture out of the city to discover northern Taiwan’s wonders!

◘◘ Day tour to Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen

This is one of the best day tours that I’ve ever experienced for my Taiwan itinerary! For a whole day, you will be exploring the following key locations…

• Geopark : This beautiful limestone cape has a range of interesting rock/geological formations that have been aptly named according to their shape (example: Fairy’s Shoe and Queen’s Head).
• Shifen Old Streets and Shifen Waterfall : Found in the Pingxi area, Shifen is basically a small town that surrounds the Shifen railway station. This place is famous not only for its picturesque train tracks and marketplace but also for its shops that let you release a Chinese sky lantern — in case you can’t make it to their official Sky Lantern Festival (held usually on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar). Another nearby attraction that you can find is the 20-meter tall Shifen Waterfall which is said to be the most scenic in Taiwan.
• Jiufen : Once a prosperous gold mining town, Jiufen is now a popular tourist destination for its quaint scenes that relive scenes from the past. Here, you will find picturesque streets and tea houses adorned with red lanterns and some great spots for viewing the Pacific Ocean! If you’re a fan of Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”, you must visit Jiufen since most of the scenes from the movie were inspired by this place.

DETAILED EXPERIENCE: Read this Jiufen Tour review DURATION:  About 8 hours (return time approximately 5:30PM) BOOKING:   Online

» Want some other day tour options for your Taiwan itinerary?  See here to view a complete list.

◘◘ Ximending Youth Shopping District

Dubbed as the ‘Harajuku’ of Taipei, this is the trendy shopping and nightlife haven in the city that has a wide selection of shops, restaurants, clubs, and bars found all throughout its streets. In fact, the moment that I stepped here, it really made me feel like I visited Shibuya in Japan! That being said, before the day ends, go and shop here ’til you drop — or if you’re more into clubs and bars, there is an array of choices for you.

HOURS:  It’s open all day up to the night, but the best time to go would be starting from 5PM up into the wee hours NEAREST MRT:  Blue or Green Line to Ximen

◘◘ Din Tai Fung Restaurant

This is the internationally-famous Taiwanese restaurant that makes great-tasting  xiaolongbao  (a kind of tasty soup dumpling); therefore, no trip to Taiwan is complete without visiting one of its branches — especially its original Taipei branch found on Xinyi Road. Regrettably… the drawback is that there can be an insanely long wait because a lot of travelers also want to get a taste of this place. My advice? Visit in the morning to try and skip the lines!

TIP:  If you are pressed on time during your Taiwan itinerary and can’t dedicate hours-long of waiting at Din Tai Fung, you can reserve your spot online at either the Xinyi or Taipei 101 branch — or join a Taipei night tour that includes a dinner at Din Tai Fung. For other substitutes, you can get some great tasting xiaolongbao at Kao Chi . NEAREST MRT:  Dongmen Station (for the Xinyi branch)

◘◘ Other options for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

If you want great discounted/packaged meals in Taipei for your Taiwan itinerary, check out these online deals . They have choices from hot pots, lobster sets, beef noodles, and more! Otherwise, you can also revisit the night markets for a meal.

BOOKING: Taipei restaurants

Nature Exploration

This day is for witnessing yet another example of Taiwan’s grandeur when it comes to natural landscapes.

◘◘ Day tour to Alishan National Scenic Area

Alishan or “Mount Ali” is Taiwan’s most visited national park. Due to its elevation, you will find interesting flora in its ‘Giant Forest’ that is full of towering 2,000-year-old giant Taiwanese red cypresses. The area also enjoys a cooler climate and an erratic weather pattern so you can experience a cloudless morning with denser clouds of mist or fog in the latter part of the day, and then followed by a lightning storm and some rain (so make sure to pack an umbrella and a jacket).

If you ride the famous Alishan Mountain Railway, you can also visit several key locations in the national park via the Sacred Tree Line, Zhushan Line (for sunrise views over the Jade Mountain), and Mianyuei Line. For hiking-lovers, there are several great trails that you can go through in this location such as the path that leads to the Giant Tree of Mt. Shuishan (the oldest tree in the park at 2,700 years old).

On the way to Alishan with this day tour , you will also get the chance to stop over these additional locations…

• Fenqihu : This is a medieval mountain railroad town near Alishan. Make sure that you visit its old narrow streets to shop for interesting souvenirs to bring back home, see its old railway museum, as well as to eat their famous ‘Fenqihu lunch box’ at the original restaurant that serves it (found underneath 7/11 on the main road — NT$100 only for takeaway or NT$120 for eating it on the spot).
• Alishan Shouzhen Temple: This place enshrines the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven (玄天上帝) as its main deity and it is the highest temple in Taiwan in terms of elevation.

BOOKING:   Online DURATION:  About 8 hours MEETING POINT: In this tour, it is possible to pick you up from any of the hotels found in Kaohsiung, Chiayi and Tainan City. Otherwise, if you’re coming from Taipei, they can pick you up from High Speed Railway stations found in Chiayi or Tainan. To get to these train station locations from Taipei, you need to book an HSR train. Book a  ticket , or you can also book an unlimited pass especially if you’re staying longer in Taiwan and plan to visit other places outside of Taipei). PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:  If you want to explore Alishan by yourself for your Taiwan itinerary, once you reach Chiayi station, take the direct bus to Alishan for about NT$300 (one way) which runs between 10:00AM to 11:30AM. There are also non-direct buses that cost NT$221 each way. Take note that the last bus to Alishan is at 2PM and the last bus back to Chiayi leaves at 5:10PM (found near Alishan’s 7-11 store).

◘◘ Explore the rest of Taipei

Once you’re back in Taipei after your day tour, this would be the perfect time to see the other historical landmarks or night markets that you haven’t managed to visit! (Refer to the list I’ve made under Day #1 to see the number of choices).

If you want great discounted/packaged meals in Taipei during your Taiwan itinerary, check out these online deals . They have choices from hot pots, lobster sets, beef noodles, and more! Otherwise, you can also revisit the night markets for a meal.

Other Taiwan Itinerary Activities

◘◘ Taipei Activities

Double Decker Bus Tour Sightseeing bus pass for a day.

Taipei Pub Crawl The heart of Taipei nightlife!

TaipeiEYE Peking Opera Performances featuring classical Taiwanese opera, Peking opera, Aboriginal dance, and more.

◘◘ Family Fun

Leofoo Village Theme Park Amusement park & safari.

E-Da Theme Park Aegean Sea inspired theme park.

National Aquarium Large museum and aquarium.

Suzuka Circuit Park Circuit rides amusement park.

Yehliu Ocean World Taiwan’s first ocean park.

i-Ride Taipei Flying Cinema Experience a multi-sensory 5D ride!

◘◘ Day Trips

Taroko Gorge Taiwan’s most scenic destination.

Thousand Island Lake & Plantation Stunning landscapes and tea culture.

Gaomei & Rainbow Community Taiwan’s renowned wetland & painted village.

Yangmingshan & Hot Springs Mountain escape & healing springs.

Sun Moon Lake Famous scenic lake.

Hualien Whale Watching Witness dolphins & whales.

Sun Link & Lotus Forest Scenic mountain lake.

Green Grasslands Tour Cingjing Farm, famous for its abundance of sheep!

Taitung Hot Air Balloon Tour Overlooking Luliao River and Beinan River.

Taichung Paragliding 10-15 minute paragliding flight over Nantou.

Tung Blossom Day Trip Taiwan’s renowned tung blossoms.

Taiping Mountain Tour Famous Taiwanese national park.

◘◘ Food & Restaurants

Chia Te Souvenir Award-winning pineapple cakes.

Sugar & Spice Nougat Taiwan’s famous French Nougat.

Zeng Noodles Popular instant noodles of Taiwan.

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle Authentic Taiwanese noodles.

Beef Noodles & Rice Cooking Class Learn to make taiwan’s famous beef noodles.

Crispy Pork Jerky Popular “kuai che” dried pork jerky.

Taiwan Beef Noodles Famous bowl of savory beef noodles.

Smoothie House Must-try: their popular mango shaved ice!

Lovelycocoa Exquisite raw chocolate quality.

Spicy Hot Pot Red 9’s Sichuan-style hot pots..

Noodle Soups Must-try: Prime Beef Hind Shank Noodle Soup!

OneZo Milk Tea Get your fill of authentic boba tea!

Fu Hang Dou Jiang Top authentic Taiwanese breakfast meals!

Meinong & Aboriginal Village Witness the home of Hakka culture..

Liang Shan Aboriginal Culture Aboriginal culture at Wutai, Sandimen and Majia.

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Mix of theme park and aboriginal culture..

◘◘ Water Fun

Bitou Cape Scuba Diving See the Northeast Coast’s underworld.

Hsiukuluan River Rafting Paddle through Hualien’s wild rapids!

Qingshui Cliff Sea Kayaking See views of the Pacific and Hualien’s coast!

Chimei – Wang’an Island Hopping Explore two of Penghu’s beautiful and secluded islands.

Yilan Waiao Surfing The best surfing destination in Northern Taiwan!

SUP at Shenao Elephant Trunk Rock 3 hour guided SUP tour.

Explore other TOP destinations in Taiwan

HUALIEN Eastern Taiwan’s 2nd largest city, Hualien is a natural haven perfect for escapes from the city.

KAOHSIUNG Taiwan’s largest port city, has been gaining popularity as the next top destination in the country.

Booking Essentials

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

The Best Tours in Taipei?

Come and check out this list which features the best activities and tours to do!

Taiwan may be a small country, but it has more than enough amazing activities and attractions to keep you coming back for more!

There’s still so much to see but I believe that my Taiwan itinerary guide here is a great start — with all that said and done, please feel free to tweak this itinerary and make full use of my other activity suggestions in order to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style.

Enjoy and do let me know how your trip goes!

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Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid. At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful  digital nomad  (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

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Taiwan Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

Taiwan is one of the most underrated budget destinations in Asia. It offers a beautiful — and super affordable — mix of east and west, blending the culture and cuisines of mainland China , Japan , and Hong Kong . And all with a fraction of the crowds.

I don’t think enough people visit Taiwan. I spent time here as an English teacher and have revisited the country since. There is a lot to do there: hiking the mountains, eating at night markets, drinking at tea houses, lounging on beaches, and enjoying the country’s amazing nightlife. No matter your interests, Taiwan won’t disappoint — especially if you’re a foodie. The food here is some of the best in the region!

This travel guide to Taiwan can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this underrated island!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Taiwan

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. Visit Jiufen

Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations. Founded during the Qing dynasty, Jiufen boomed as a gold mining town in the 1890s. Here, you can find all kinds of historic tea houses built into the hillside. The center of the city and its historic streets and buildings are all preserved and look as they did 100 years ago. Try the snacks on offer, visit one of the many tea houses, and do some hiking if you have time. It’s a pretty easy day trip from Taipei but you should aim to come early to beat the crowds. If your itinerary allows for it, consider spending a night here so you can experience it without the daytripper crowds.

2. Soak in the Hot Springs

Especially fun to visit in winter, the Beitou Hot Springs are just 30 minutes from downtown Taipei and you can get there on the MRT (you need to go to Xinbeitou station). There are lots of resorts, spas, and inns in the area which, with a vast array of wildlife and fauna, really feel like you’ve traveled much further afield. Visit the Hot Springs Museum, the Xinbeitou Historic Station, and Thermal Valley (a sulfurous lake nearby that has walking trails) while you’re here. There are also some really cool temples here, including the tiny wooden Puji Temple.

3. Explore Taroko National Park

Located southeast of Taipei, this national park offers visitors a chance to hike through beautiful mountainous terrain and gorges. It spans almost 250,000 acres and is one of only nine national parks in Taiwan. With loads of cliffs and waterfalls to explore, it’s a really stunning place to visit. Head to the Zhuilu Suspension Bridge for some amazing views and to the Eternal Spring Shrine or to the Changing Temple for a bit of culture and history. Some suggested walking trails include Shakadang, Changchun, Swallow Grotto, and Lushui-Heliu. Entrance to the park is free.

4. Visit Taipei 101

Formerly known as Taipei World Trade Center, this was the tallest building in the world from when it opened in 2004 until 2010 (when the Burj Khalifa took its place). Standing 508-meters (1,667-feet) tall, it towers over Taipei. There is an observation platform on the 89th floor (at 382-meters high). You can also go up to the 91st floor for an outdoor platform. If you’re needing some retail therapy (and can fit anything else in your bags), there’s a shopping mall at the bottom.

5. Explore the night markets

Taipei is home to dozens of night markets. Shulin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, Tonghua Night Market, Snake Alley, and Ningxia Night Market are all worth spending some time exploring but there are over 30 to choose from in Taipei alone. The food at these markets is the best (and cheapest) in the city. So much so that a few have even been given Michelin Bib Gourmands!

Other Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. visit taipei.

Taipei is the epicenter of the country. Here there are sprawling food markets, a wild nightlife, spacious parks, and all kinds of interesting and quirky museums. Plus, the nearby mountains are full of easy and accessible hikes. Be sure to take a free walking tour, visit the National Palace Museum, see some temples (especially Confucius Temple and Bao-an Temple), and visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. I can’t sing the praises of this city highly enough (I lived here when I taught English). For even more on the city, here’s my full list of things to do in Taipei!

2. Go island hopping

The Pescadores Islands (known locally as Penghu) is an archipelago off the west coast between Taiwan and China. There are 90 islands in the region, perfect for exploring on a day trip. You can take a boat tour that visits several islands in the region, allowing you to snorkel, see sea turtles, and wander through traditional aboriginal villages and explore temples galore. Expect to pay around 1,500 TWD for a one-day multi-island tour.

3. See Tianhou Temple

Located in Taipei, this is one of the oldest temples in the city. Tianhou (also known as Mazu Temple, after the deity Mazu, goddess of the sea) was built in 1746 and is one of three major temples in Taiwan from the Qing period. It’s a beautiful Taoist temple filled with mythological creatures, incense, lucky goldfish, and people paying respect to the gods. Admission is free.

4. Hit the beach

The beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island are the best place to enjoy the summer weather. White Sand Bay is the most popular beach and a great place to swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun. Other beaches worth checking out are Fulong Beach, South Bay, Dawan Beach, Laomei Beach, and Little Bali Bay.

5. See the Lantern Festival

The famous Taiwan Lantern Festival is held every February/March and involves releasing hundreds of paper lanterns into the sky. There’s also a huge parade with floats, most of which relate to the year’s animal (from the Chinese zodiac). Thousands of people gather to watch and take part. To ensure the environment is protected, make sure you use a biodegradable eco-friendly lantern.

6. Hike Jade Mountain

Jade Mountain (also known as Yushan), the highest peak in Taiwan and East Asia with its peak at almost 4,000 meters above sea level, is a popular hike. If you don’t hike, there’s a special train that takes you to the peak before dawn (150 TWD). Most people do the hike over a couple of days, however, you can do it in a single day if you wake up super early and hike but that will mean over 10 hours of hiking. You’ll also need permits in advance so talk to your hotel or hostel staff as they can help you arrange those.

7. Tour Fo Guang Shan Monastery

This Zen monastery in Kaohsiung is a massive complex with eight towering pagodas that flank the monastery’s Big Buddha (which, at 36-meters tall, is the highest seated bronze Buddha in the world). Built in 1967 and spanning over 74 acres, the complex has a spacious outdoor walkway lined by manicured gardens as well as the huge pagodas. There are also over 14,000 statues of the Buddha here. Admission is free (donations are welcome) and there’s a delicious vegetarian restaurant inside with a huge buffet.

8. Visit the National Palace Museum

This museum, located in Taipei, has a collection of over 70,000 artifacts from Imperial China. Most of the collection was brought to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War (1929–1947). In addition to their permanent exhibits, there are also rotating exhibits throughout the year as well as a section for children. There are free daily tours in English as well as a detailed audio guide if you’d rather explore yourself. Admission is 350 TWD.

9. See the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Officially known as Liberty Square, this national monument was built in 1976 in honor of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China. He ruled mainland China from 1928 to 1949, and then in Taiwan from 1949 until his death in 1975. The memorial also houses a library and a museum that documents Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career. Tours in English are available daily but must be booked in advance. Admission is free.

10. Take a cooking class

Taiwan is a foodie’s dream and I always overindulge while I’m here. Noodle soups, incredible rice dishes, amazing buns, dumplings, and scallion pancakes are just some of the tasty local offerings. While cooking classes here are a little pricey, I think they are worth it if you really want to learn about the food. The cooking skills (and recipes) make a great souvenir to take home too. Expect to pay around 2,000 TWD for a class.

11. Go hiking

Taipei has plenty of hiking trails just outside town that are easily accessible. There are easy, moderate, and challenging trails, as well as both short and full-day hikes. Some suggested trails to check out are Xiangshan (easy, 45minutes), Bitoujiao (moderate, 2-3 hours), Jinmianshan (easy, 1.5 hours), Huang Didian (hard, 5 hours), and Pingxi Crag (moderate, 2-3 hours).

12. Visit Orchid Island

Located 64 kilometers (40 miles) off the southeastern coast, this lush, volcanic island offers hiking, swimming, diving, and amazing hot springs. There are also underground houses here, built to avoid the numerous typhoons that ravage the region. The island is home to only 5,000 people too. Visit the Lanyu Flying Fish Cultural Museum to learn about local culture. Flights from Taipei take just over an hour and cost around 4,500 TWD.

13. Hike Wuling Peak

For more hiking, head to Wuling Peak on Hehuan Mountain. Located in Central Taiwan, it stands 3,275 meters (10,744 feet) above sea level and makes for a good day trip for anyone looking to spend more time outdoors. The peak here is so high you can actually look down into a sea of clouds below. A round-trip hike takes around 2-3 hours. Be sure to bring a raincoat as well as water and sunscreen.

14. Explore the Northern Coastline

Head to the coast to see the otherworldly lunar-like landscapes at Yehliu Geopark. There are all kinds of unique rock formations here, including one that looks like Queen Elizabeth (which took over 4,000 years to form). It’s a popular tourist attraction so try to get here early to beat the crowds. Admission is 120 TWD.

15. Visit Tainan

This is Taiwan’s oldest urban area, established by the Dutch East India Company in 1624. Located in the south near Kaohsiung, Tainan was the capital of Taiwan from 1683-1887. There are all kinds of temples to visit here (don’t miss the Confucius Temple), several night markets, a historic old town, and a massive department store reminiscent of the Ginza district in Tokyo. There is also a nearby mangrove and wildlife reserve (it’s part of Taijiang National Park) just 30 minutes away by car.

16. Explore Taichung

Taichung is located in west-central Taiwan and is the second-largest city in the country. Spend some time walking the Parkway (a corridor of greenery perfect for walking and exploring), visit the Feng Chia Night Market, see the botanical garden, and explore the massive National Museum of Natural Science. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Taichung Folklore Park which is home to several traditional Taiwanese homes and buildings that showcase the country’s history.

Taiwan Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels dorms with 6-8-bed cost between 300-700 TWD per night. A private room costs anything from 1,000-3,000 TWD. Every place has free Wi-Fi and most hostels have self-catering facilities and include free breakfast.

Budget hotels start at 950 TWD for a small room with a double bed. Most rooms have AC but free breakfast is rarely included.

Airbnb is available around the country with private rooms starting at 650 TWD per night, though they average at least triple that. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 1,000 TWD (though prices average triple that). Book early to find the best deals.

Wild camping is generally prohibited but there are lots of campgrounds around the country. Expect to pay at least 300 TWD for a basic plot without electricity.

Food – Taiwanese cuisine is a mix of influences, from Chinese, Japanese (owing to the Japanese occupation), and Western traditions. Seafood is a huge staple, with squid, crab, and shellfish being especially popular. Braised pork, oyster omelets, fish balls, and stinky tofu are just some of the many dishes you can find around the country.

Food at the outdoor markets costs around 35-100 TWD depending on what you get. An order of dumplings costs around 100 TWD. Noodle soup or a basic rice dish costs around 70 TWD.

A meal at a simple sit-down restaurant serving local cuisine costs around 120 TWD.

Western food costs between 100-400 TWD. Burgers (often made with pork rather than beef) are on the lower end while pizza is on the higher end.

Fast food is pretty popular here. MosBurger (the best fast food joint in the country) costs around 165 TWD for a combo meal. Sushi, one of the most popular food options, costs 300–450 TWD for a meal. (Plates at the conveyor belt places are around 30 TWD each.

A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 500 TWD. A beer or a latte/cappuccino costs around 80 TWD while a bottle of water costs 21 TWD.

For a week’s worth of groceries including staples like rice, seasonal produce, and seafood, expect to pay 2,000-2,500 TWD.

Backpacking Taiwan Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 1,050 TWD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some street food, cook some meals, limit your drinking, do free walking tours, and take public transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 2,700 TWD per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, enjoy some Western food, drink more, take the bus between cities, and do more paid activities like museum visits and cooking classes.

On a “luxury” budget of 5,600 TWD per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car or take the train between cities, take guided tours to the islands, go diving, eat out at any restaurant you want, and visit as many attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in TWD.

Taiwan Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Taiwan is an affordable country so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank here. As long as you stick to local cuisine and limit your drinking, it’s hard to spend a lot of money. Here are a few tips to keep your spending in check:

• Skip the high-speed trains – The high-speed trains in Taiwan are super convenient but expensive. Stick to the slower local trains, which are about 50% cheaper than the HSR.
• Eat at the food markets – The food in Taiwan is world-class and the best food is at the night markets that dot all the cities.
• Avoid Western food – Western food is twice the price of Taiwanese food. It’s also not amazing so stick to the local cuisine to save money.
• Take free walking tours – Taipei, Jiufen, Tainan, and Kaohsiung all have free walking tours from companies like Like It Formosa . They’re my favorite walking tour company in Taiwan. Their tours are fun, informative, and free. Just remember to tip your guide at the end.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here needs to be boiled before drinking so bring a bottle with a filter to ensure you have safe drinking water. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to you can be sure you water is safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Taiwan

Taiwan has plenty of fun and affordable hostels. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Formosa 101 (Taipei)
• Star Hostel (Taipei)
• T-Life Hostel (Taichung)
• Fuqi Hostel-Heping (Tainan)

How to Get Around Taiwan

Public transportation – All of the major cities have public transportation that is fast, safe, and reliable. Fares start at 15 TWD and go up depending on how far you travel. Taipei and Kaohsiung both have metro systems with tickets costing between 20-65 TWD. A single-day pass in Taipei costs 150 TWD, while a day pass in Kaohsiung costs 180 TWD.

Bus – The bus is the cheapest way to get around Taiwan. Intercity coach buses are available to all major cities around Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. They are comfortable, modern, safe, and have air conditioning (too much, usually, so bring a sweater). The two main intercity bus companies are Ubus and Kuo-Kuang Bus. For fares and timetable information, visit taiwanbus.tw.

A bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five hours and costs 600-1,000 TWD while the three-hour trip from Taipei to Taichung costs as little as 90 TWD.

Train – The high-speed trains (HSR) in Taiwan are super convenient, however, they only go down the west side of the island and are very expensive. For example, a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 1,500 TWD.

The “local” trains are much more affordable, often 50% cheaper. The trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung on a local train costs just 845 TWD. It’s also just 515-800 TWD from Taipei to Tainan and 675-800 TWD from Taipei to Taichung via the local train.

The HSR line doesn’t pass through city centers, so you either need to take a bus or train from the HSR station, which also costs more time and money.

Flying – Domestic flights are relatively affordable, however, they are much more expensive than the bus or train. The two-hour flight from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs more than 4,000 TWD.

Flights to neighboring Hong Kong start at 3,600 TWD and take five hours (they can be as much as 6,500 TWD so it’s best if you’re flexible with your dates) while flights to Singapore take five hours and cost around 3,500 TWD.

Car Rental – Driving here is safe, however, car rentals here are expensive, usually costing at least 1,500 TWD per day. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle here. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Taiwan

July and August are the hottest months in the country and the most popular time to visit. Temperatures often hit 35°C (95°F) and prices are a little higher as well. It’s a great time to visit if you want to hit the beach.

The shoulder months of May-June and September-October offer the best balance of crowds, weather, and price. It’s still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and do some hiking without getting rained out.

Winters in Taiwan are a little rainy but still warm, with daily highs around 18–20°C (65-68°F). Prices are a bit lower and it’s the perfect time to visit the relaxing (and relatively empty) hot springs. Expect big crowds in Taipei in December-January for the Chinese New Year.

How to Stay Safe in Taiwan

Taiwan is very safe, consistently ranking well on the Global Peace Index as one of the safest destinations in the world. Crimes against tourists are super rare. Overall, you are unlikely to encounter any problems in Taiwan and I never felt unsafe in the country. There are no scams here, everyone is super nice, and crime is super rare. It’s a great place to visit. My friends who live here also never have problems.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here for all those reasons. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply here too (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are numerous solo female travel blogs that can provide more specific tips.

Earthquakes are common in the region so make sure you’re familiar with your accommodation’s emergency exits. Between July and November, typhoons can occur so make sure you stay up to date on the latest weather — especially if you’re near the coast or out hiking.

110 is the emergency number for police while 119 is the emergency number for fire and ambulance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Taiwan Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Taiwan Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on China travel and continue planning your trip:

The 23 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 4 (or More) Days

My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

What Hitchhiking Solo as a Female in China Taught Me

7 Lessons Learned from 3 Months in China

How to Travel the Trans-Siberian Railway

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• Where To Stay
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• Booking Resources
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Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 🧋 Taiwan Guide: 5-7 Day Itinerary + 20 Great Things To Do

Taiwan is an underrated island destination with breathtaking nature, accessible hot springs, and globally renowned street food markets.

Five to seven days is enough time  to thoroughly enjoy the capital city of Taipei and do a few day trips to other popular destinations.

I spent an extraordinary week in Taiwan, and here, I share amazing things to do and tips to optimize your trip itinerary . This post covers:

• ⭐️ Top things to do in Taiwan
• 🗓️ 5 to 7-day optimized itinerary
• 📍 Taiwan map with key places
• 🏠 Where to stay
• ✏️ Taiwan trip planner

Planning a trip? Here’s  what to know about Taiwan .

• Essential Tips
• 7-Day Itinerary
• 5-Day Itinerary
• 1. Elephant Mountain
• 3. Taiwanese Food
• 4. Taroko Gorge
• 5. Night Market
• 6. Lungshan Temple
• 7. Taipei 101
• 8. CKS Memorial Hall
• 9. Ximending District
• 10. Beitou Hot Springs

1. National Palace Museum

3. yangminshan national park, 4. yehliu geopark, 6. sun moon lake, 8. tainan city, 9. kaohsiung city, 10. kenting national park.

• Where To Stay

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

6 Essential Tips for Visiting Taiwan

My friend, Ella Park-Chan, lived in Taiwan for three years and provided these helpful Taiwan travel tips.

🧻 1. Bring toilet paper for bathrooms.

Many public bathrooms in Taiwan don’t provide toilet paper . I folded a few sheets of toilet paper and carried them in a Ziploc in my bag.

Many Taiwanese bathrooms are also squat toilets.

🚇 2. Ride Taiwan’s trains and visit their stations.

Taipei’s metro, known as the MRT, is punctual , clean, and well-maintained. The metro stations have everything, including clean bathrooms, water fountains, charging stations, and trash cans (street trash cans are uncommon in parts of Taiwan).

Taiwan’s train system , operated by the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA), is also great and will take you to most places around the country. A high-speed rail can take you from northern to southern Taiwan in less than three hours.

See more tips on how to get around Taiwan .

🥞 3. Visit the Family Marts and 7-Eleven’s.

Unlike the convenience stores in the United States, the convenience stores in Taiwan (i.e., Family Mart, 7-Eleven) are well-maintained and clean.

They have a great selection of packaged meals , a clean place to eat and rest, reliable ATMs, and a convenient way to print.

🇯🇵 4. Be respectful and follow the rules.

Taiwan was colonized by Japan for 50 years in somewhat recent history between 1895 and 1945, so it has a strong Japanese influence.

One such influence is that the locals are polite and tend to follow the rules (e.g., they wait in line when boarding the metro and stand on the right side of the escalators to let others pass).

🦟 5. Bring mosquito repellent.

Mosquitoes in Taipei can spread the dengue virus , and you’ll see signs around the city encouraging you to protect yourself .

Although most people won’t have a severe reaction, if you’re a mosquito magnet (like me), bring mosquito repellent. I like to use a bug-repellent lotion since it protects me better than the spray alternatives.

Learn other practical tips when traveling to Taiwan .

💰 6. Carry cash.

While credit cards are sometimes accepted, Taiwan still primarily operates on cash, so bring some cash .

Note that USD is not widely accepted, so you need to exchange cash for Taiwan’s official currency, the New Taiwan dollar.

See my entire Taiwan trip budget .

Itinerary for Taiwan

Below is a great way to spend five to seven packed days in Taiwan, featuring the best things to do in the largest city, Taipei, and popular destinations nearby.

If you want to explore the southern and eastern parts of Taiwan , which are also amazing and more off-the-beaten-path, you’ll need more than a week or return after your first trip.

7-Day Itinerary Map for Taiwan

This map has all the  recommended places  in the seven-day Taiwan travel itinerary below.

7-Day Itinerary for Taiwan

With this itinerary, you’ll spend  two to three full days in Taipei  and visit  popular destinations outside the city . The destinations recommended here are often the highlights for visitors.

To help you plan efficiently, I’ve included  suggested times for each activity  based on my firsthand experience.

The Taiwan trip planner below has this seven-day itinerary prefilled.

5-Day Itinerary Map for Taiwan

This map has all the  recommended places  in the five-day Taiwan travel itinerary below.

5-Day Itinerary for Taiwan

With this itinerary, you’ll spend two full days in Taipei, visit Jiufen, and check out Taroko Gorge. The latter two are often highlights for visitors.

If you want to get out of Taipei and see Taiwan in five super-efficient days  without worrying about transportation or the language barrier, you can book an  all-inclusive guided tour  that takes you to the best places to visit around the small country.

With Less Time: What To Skip in Taiwan

If the above Taipei itineraries are too busy and you need more downtime, here are the things I would skip:

• Skip the National Palace Museum – The museum shows an impressive collection of artifacts, but its most prized artifact is a cabbage sculpture made of jade, which may only be exciting if you’re an art enthusiast.
• Skip the Maokong Gondola – The ride is very scenic but farther out of the city center. You can hike Elephant Mountain or visit Taipei 101 for scenic views closer to the city.
• If you can only do one day trip, choose between Jiufen and Taroko Gorge – They’re two very different day trips, so prioritize whichever interests you more (e.g., a picturesque village vs. a national park). I wouldn’t prioritize Sun Moon Lake as it’s significantly further out, and visitors don’t find it as unique as the other two.

10 Great Things To Do in Taipei

Having spent seven packed days in Taiwan, I share my recommendations and honest opinions on the top attractions and activities below, listed in rough order of priority.

All prices mentioned here are in USD 💵 .

1. Hike Up Elephant Mountain

🐘 Why : Elephant Mountain is a metro-accessible hike in Taipei that will give you a fantastic city view. The view includes Taipei 101, an iconic building that was the world’s tallest building until 2010.

🌟 Top Thing To Do : The main activity is to walk up Elephant Mountain’s ~600 steps to get a great view of Taipei. There are also several other hiking trails if you want to extend your stay.

The best place to take photos is at the overlooks on Elephant Mountain. The lookout point at the summit is not a great place to take photos, as it is blocked by trees.

🚇 Getting There : Ride the Taipei MRT to Xiangshan Train Station , take exit 2, and walk 10 minutes along the park until you see a set of steep stairs, which will be the start of Elephant Mountain .

You can also go on a biking tour that includes a hike up Elephant Mountain .

💰 Admission Fee : Free

⏰ Suggested Duration : 30 to 90 minutes, depending on hiking pace

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: Elephant Mountain is great if you want a metro-accessible activity that will get your heart rate up while rewarding you with a view. It was one of my favorite places in Taipei; you can’t get a better view this close to the city.

Return to itinerary ↑

2. Take a Day Trip to Jiufen

🍵 Why : Jiufen is a small, picturesque village in the mountains an hour east of Taipei. It’s known as the town that inspired Spirited Away, but director Miyazaki denies this. The atmospheric streets and traditional teahouses make it a popular destination.

🌟 Top Things To Do: In Jiufen, you can:

• Enjoy tea and snacks at a traditional teahouse with incredible mountain views
• Walk through the famous Jiufen Old Street, that’s filled with shops and local snacks
• Hike up Keeluung Mountain Trail for a view of Jiufen
• Visit several of Jiufen’s nearby attractions, including Golden Waterfall, Shifen Waterfall, and Teapot Mountain

Check out the great things to do in Jiufen in detail.

🚇 Getting There: You can get to Jiufen by taking public transportation or a taxi/Uber. This Jiufen guide breaks down how to get there without needing a rental car.

If you’re visiting by car or taxi, you can stop by the Golden Waterfall and/or hike up Teapot Mountain on the way from Taipei to Jiufen.

💰 Expected Cost : Jiufen has no entrance fee, but parking in Jiufen and Teapot Mountain costs about $3 each.

⏰ Suggested Duration : Half a day to a full day

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Jiufen is a picturesque town worth visiting, especially if you can make the waterfall and mountain stop along the way. The tea house experience is incredibly unique and charming, albeit brief. Jiufen was one of my favorite places in Taiwan.

This Jiufen trip guide shares a detailed itinerary.

3. Eat Affordable, Local Taiwanese Food

🍚 Why : With its cheap, unique, and delicious food, Taiwan is often considered a foodie’s paradise.

🍜 What To Eat and Where : Below are Taipei restaurants I tried and loved, recommended by my friend, Ella Park-Chan, who lived in Taiwan for three years.

• Din Tai Fung – This is the original location of the internationally renowned restaurant known for its excellent  soup dumplings . I also love their spicy noodles, pickled cucumber, and chocolate soup dumplings. Expect a long wait (about one hour) during peak lunch and dinner times.

• Fuhang Soy Milk – Locals consider this the #1 breakfast place . Their sweet soy milk was delicious, and their salty soy milk was one of the most unique things I’ve eaten. Get there before 8 am if you want to wait less than 30 minutes. This place is cash-only.

• Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles – Beef noodle soup is a must-have in Taiwan, and this local place serves it well without frills. This place is cash-only.

• CoCo (multiple locations) – Bubble tea originated in Taiwan, so you’ll easily find excellent bubble tea shops everywhere. CoCo is one of the popular chains, and I thought their tapioca pearls were fresh and chewy.

• Chia Te Bakery – Taiwan is famous for its pineapple cakes , and this bakery is known to serve some of the best ones. I enjoyed the different flavors of pineapple cake (e.g., salty egg yolk, red bean, melon) and packed a few to bring home.

• Orange – This upscale restaurant served some of the  best shabu shabu  I’ve ever had for a relatively affordable price. However, advanced reservations are required.

• Xiang Duck Taipei – If you’re craving Peking duck , this restaurant makes them with a delicious crispy skin. Their milk dessert is one of my favorite desserts in Taiwan.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: It’s a loss if you don’t try some quintessential Taiwanese food because the price-to-quality ratio is unbeatable.

If you’re unfamiliar with Taiwanese food , you can go on a highly-rated private street food tour to learn and eat your way with a local guide.

4. Take a Trip to Taroko Gorge

⛰️ Why : Taroko Gorge, the hallmark of Taroko National Park, is one of Taiwan’s top scenic attractions, known for its marble mountains, shrines, and sky-blue river. It’s a popular destination for hikers and tourists.

🌟 Top Things To Do There : There are several sites to visit inside Taroko Gorge:

• Shakadang Trail – This is one of the most popular trails that runs along a beautiful blue river. Make sure to get there early to beat the traffic.
• Eternal Spring Shrine – This shrine, nestled inside a mountain, commemorates the more than 200 workers who died building the highway in the early 1900s.

• Bulowan Suspension Bridge – This is one of the highest suspension bridges in Taiwan and attracts a big crowd.

Taroko Gorge is near Hualien City. Hualien is quieter than Taipei but has a huge, lively night market called Dongdamen that I thought was better than many of Taipei’s night markets.

🚇 Getting There : To get to Taroko Gorge , you can do a day tour from Taipei or travel to Hualien by taking a train from the Taipei Main Station.

See how to get to Taroko Gorge from Taipei in detail.

💰 Expected Cost : Taroko National Park has no entrance fee. I paid $28 for the round-trip train to Hualien. My Hualien Airbnb was $40, split between two people, and my tour was $93, including tip. The tour was on the pricier end (larger groups are cheaper, and our tour only had three people).

⏰ Suggested Duration : 1 to 2 days (I did 2 days to also explore Hualien City)

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : If you have the time to get out of Taipei, Hualien feels like a great first-timer’s day trip that offers beautiful nature and one of the best night markets that outshine the ones in Taipei.

5. Eat at a Taiwanese Night Market

🍚 Why : Taiwan is famous for its bustling night markets and street foods. Night markets also allow you to try a variety of affordable local foods all in one area.

🌟 Where To Eat: These three are considered Taipei’s best night markets:

• Ningxia Night Market
• Raohe Night Market
• Shilin Night Market

My favorite night market was the Dongdamen Night Market in Hualien City due to its large size, food diversity, and quality.

🍜 What To Eat : Street food recommended to me by my Taiwanese friends that I think are worth trying include:

• Spicy scallion with fried egg – The sauce used on the spicy scallion is incredible. I ate this at three different night markets, but the ones in Dongdamen were much better than the ones I had in Taipei.
• Fried sweet potato balls – These are very good and not as heavy or oily as they look. I only saw them in the Ningxia and Raohe night markets.
• Oyster omelet – The oyster omelet is a unique Taiwanese dish worth trying.
• Grilled squid on a stick – These giant squids were much more tasty than I expected. The vendors know how to grill it to a good consistency, and the sauce has good flavor.
• Stinky tofu – Stinky tofu is a Taiwanese delicacy you might dislike, but it’s worth trying for fun.

If you need help navigating the night markets , you can also book a  private tour with a knowledgable guide to show you the best Taiwanese street food .

💰 Expected Cost : Night markets don’t have entrance fees. Expect to spend about $1 to $3 per food item. With some planning, you can eat a meal for less than $5 at Taiwan’s night markets.

⏰ Suggested Duration : You can spend one to three hours at a night market, depending on how long you want to wander around and how many food items you want to try.

Bring cash and small change for the night market, as many stalls are cash-only.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Taiwan is famous for its night markets. My local friend, Ella, summed it up best, “I feel like it would be weird if you don’t go to a night market while you’re in Taiwan.”

6. Catch the Morning Prayers at Lungshan Temple

🙏 Why : Lungshan Temple is a beautiful 300-year-old temple. The best time to get there is between 6 am and 8 am so you can observe the locals’ song-like prayers for the various Chinese deities.

🌟 What To Do There: While listening to the prayers, you can quietly walk around and admire the temple’s architectural details.

A 20-minute walk away from Lungshan Temple is the Taipei Tianhou Temple . Tianhou Temple is another ornate temple worth checking out if you want to temple hop.

🚇 Getting there: Lungshan Temple  is in Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest and most historic district.  You can take the MRT to Longshan Temple Station and take a short walk to the temple.

⏰ Suggested Duration : 30 to 60 minutes. Budget more time if you plan to walk around Wanhua District.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : If you like observing peaceful spiritual ceremonies, catch the prayers at Lungshan Temple in the early morning. Otherwise, stop by at any time to admire the temple’s designs. Even if you don’t visit the temple, walking through Wanhua District is unique, as it has a much older atmosphere than other parts of Taipei.

7. Go Up to Taipei 101’s Observatory

⛅️ Why : Taipei 101 is one of the tallest buildings in the world and was the tallest until 2010. The building has a well-designed observatory with a great view of Taipei and many high-end shops that you can browse if you want to be indoors.

🌟 Top Things To Do : The best thing to do at Taipei 101 is to catch the sunset at the observation deck. While going up to the observatory, you will also get to ride one of the fastest elevators in the world (it was the fastest from 2004 to 2015). Taipei 101 also has many fun photo stations.

🚇 Getting There :  Take the MRT to  Taipei 101 Station  and walk a minute to the building. Book tickets on the 5th floor of  Taipei 101  to go up to the observation deck.

💰 Admission Fee : Starts at NT$600 (roughly $19)

You can get last-minute tickets to Taipei 101’s observatory. The only exception is during sunset when it’s very popular.

⏰ Suggested Duration : 30 to 60 minutes is sufficient to see all four sides of Taipei 101’s observatory and to take some photos. Budget more time if you plan to shop around as well.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: I generally don’t find observatories impressive, but Taipei 101’s observation deck is the best one I’ve been to. The photo booths are fun, the mass damper exhibit is scientifically interesting, and the view is impressive at sunset.

8. Visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

🇹🇼 Why : Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national monument and a popular tourist spot. It’s surrounded by a pretty park where locals hang out, and the National Theater and Concert Hall are within a short walking distance.

🌟 Top Things To Do : Walk or run around the park and look at the three stunning buildings in the complex: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall , National Concert Hall , and National Theater . There’s also a changing of the guards in Chiang Kai-shek’s main hall every hour.

🚇 Getting There:  Take the Taipei MRT to  Chiang Kai-shek Station  and walk to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

⏰ Suggested Duration: 60 to 90 minutes

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: If you’re tight on time or are not interested in going inside any of the buildings, the park surrounding the memorial hall is well-designed enough to warrant a visit. I also find it fascinating to watch the elderly locals at the park engaging in their active community exercises, which is not a sight I often see in the United States.

9. Explore Ximending District

👟 Why : Ximending District is a walkable district with shopping, food, street art, and Japanese culture. It’s also a very happening location, especially at night and early evening, where you might catch a few street performers.

🌟 Great Things To Do: Ximending is a great place to walk around and enjoy the lively atmosphere. You can:

• Check out the shops – The streets are lined with tattoo parlors, arcade games, trendy bubble tea flavor places, claw machine arcades, graffiti art, and more. I got a nice haircut here for $30, which included a tip.
• See street performers – They usually come out at night.
• Eat at a few food stalls – Pro tip: the Dian Dian Tea stall serves pawpaw smoothies, which are hard to get elsewhere.

🚇 Getting There : Take the Taipei MRT to Ximen Station and walk two minutes to the Ximending District .

⏰ Suggested Duration : 1 hour for a quick stroll to a full day of exploring

🍀 Lukiih’s Take : Ximending District is fun to check out if you want to be around a younger, busier, and more touristy area of Taipei. It’s also a great place to be at night.

10. Take a Dip in a Beitou Hot Springs

🌡️ Why : Beitou’s hot springs may not be the most beautiful, but its proximity to Taipei makes it a perfect place to relax and get away from the city for a few hours.

🌟 Where To Visit: There are several hot springs in the Beitou area, and they vary in different ways: distance from the MRT, public vs. private, mixed-sex vs. sex-segregated, and price point. I visited the hot spring at Spring City Resort because it was mixed-sex, and I wanted to be with my friends.

The most interesting thing offered at the Spring City Resort was a  hot marble stone  you could lay on and take a soothing nap.

🚇 Getting There : Take the MRT to Beitou Station and walk or take a shuttle to your preferred hot spring.

💰 Expected Cost : Hot springs’ prices range from budget to luxury. I paid $25 at Spring City Resort, which is considered mid-range. My ticket included a shower, locker, towel, shower cap, and sandals.

⏰ Suggested Duration : You’ll need at least three to four hours to visit a Beitou hot spring, including the 40 minutes required to get to the Beitou area from Taipei.

🍀 Lukiih’s Take: The hot springs in Beitou are not a must-visit. I think it’s only worth visiting if you want a relaxing experience only a metro ride away.

If you prefer more guidance or want to fit in many things in a short period of time, book a full-day custom tour that visits several of Taipei’s attractions mentioned above.

10 Great Things To Do in Taiwan

In rough order of closest to furthest away from Taipei, here are ten other popular things to do in Taiwan if you’re staying for a longer trip:

The National Palace Museum , located in the northern part of Taipei, has the world’s largest collection of Chinese artifacts and art . Its most famous work is the “Jaded Cabbage. ” The museum attracts visitors from all over the world for its historical significance and picturesque surroundings.

This museum is worth a visit if you’re an art enthusiast . Otherwise, it’s one of the first things my local friend tells people to skip if they have limited time in Taipei.

💰 Admission Fee : NT$350 (roughly $11) ⏰ Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm; closed on Mondays 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 1 hour by MRT

Maokong is known as Taipei’s tea town because it used to be the biggest tea-growing area. You can ride a Maokong gondola for scenic views, explore mountain hiking trails, and visit the nearby Taipei Zoo.

💰 Gondola Price : Starts at NT$70 (roughly $2) ⏰ Opening Hours: Usually 9 am–9 pm 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 20 minutes by MRT

Yangmingshan National Park , located in New Taipei City, is home to hot springs, terraced ponds, and even a crater lake. You can visit Yangminshan’s top attractions with a half-day guided tour .

The park also features over 60 hiking trails , making it a very accessible hiking park near Taipei.

💰 Admission Fee : Free, but you need to pay for parking ⏰ Opening Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 30 to 50 minutes by car

Yehliu Geopark , located in New Taipei City and sometimes coupled with a trip to Jiufen , is known for its unique rock formations . The sea has eroded the landscape, leaving a bunch of honeycomb and mushroom-shaped rocks.

💰 Admission Fee : Free, but you need to pay for parking ⏰ Opening Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 30 to 60 minutes by car

Lukang is a town located on the west coast of Taiwan. It’s known for its traditional buildings and cultural heritage. Its historical charms draw in a lot of artists and creative people.

💰 Admission Fee : Several of Lukang’s temples have small admission fees 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 2 to 3 hours by TRA train

Sun Moon Lake , located in Central Taiwan, is the country’s  most famous lake . It’s a beautiful spot for swimming and boating, and the surrounding mountains offer stunning views.

📍 Getting There From Taipei : 4 hours by TRA train

Alishan , located in Central Taiwan, is famous for the Alishan National Scenic Area, which covers a vast area of mountain terrain. The area is also known for its tea plantations and many hiking trails ranging from easy to hard.

Alishan is also famous for its cherry blossoms , which bloom between late March and early April.

💰 Admission Fee for the Alisha Forest Railway : Starts at NT$300 (roughly $10) ⏰ Opening Hours: Open 24/7 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 5 hours by TRA train

Located in southern Taiwan, Tainan City is the country’s  oldest city  and the birthplace of many traditional Taiwanese foods. It is known for its ancient temples, local cuisine, and friendly residents.

📍 Getting There From Taipei : 3 to 4 hours by TRA train

Located in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung City is the third-largest  city  and an economic hub. As such, It offers everything from lively night markets and art galleries to a scenic port and pond.

📍 Getting There From Taipei : 3 hours by TRA train

Kenting National Park , located on the southern tip of Taiwan, is famous for its beautiful beaches and lush vegetation. Many say that it’s a relaxing park, but thanks to its natural beauty, it’s often very crowded and touristy.

💰 Admission Fee : Mostly free except a few areas ⏰ Opening Hours: Varies by area, but typically open 24/7 📍 Getting There From Taipei : 5.5 hours by TRA train

Where To Stay in Taipei

Here’s some guidance on where to stay in Taipei.

🏠 What To Consider

When choosing accommodation in Taipei, consider the following things:

• Proximity to an MRT station – You’ll likely rely on Taipei’s excellent public transportation, so it’s convenient to stay within a 5 to 15-minute walking distance of an MRT station.
• The neighborhood – Taipei, like many other cities, has distinct neighborhoods. Staying in Ximending , which is more tourist-friendly, will have restaurants opened later and be noisier than a neighborhood like Daan , which is much more residential and local.
• Mid-range pricing – Taipei offers a wide range of accommodations. If you plan to spend minimal time in your accommodation like I did, paying for accommodation that’s roughly $50 per night is very reasonable.

🏠 Where I Stayed

I stayed at two hotels in distinct neighborhoods during my one-week trip to Taipei. Here are my honest thoughts on the accommodations.

🏠 Hotel #1: I stayed at CHECK Inn Express in Daan District, where I paid $36 per person per night.

• 👍 Pros – The hotel was relatively local, with enough shops, attractions, and restaurants within walking distance. It was a straightforward accommodation with no extra frills or amenities.
• 👎 Cons – The rooms are tiny (e.g., there’s no space to open your carry-on luggage), and housekeeping isn’t included. For around the same price, you can stay at a much more happening place, which is why I stayed in a second hotel.

🏠 Hotel #2: I also stayed at  Amba  in Ximending District, where I paid $40 per person per night.

• 👍 Pros – Ximending is a happening place with many attractions and food options at night. The rooms were nice, and the included breakfast had many options.
• 👎 Cons – This is nit-picky, but the gap under the entrance door was fairly wide. I could hear hallway noises, and I suspect that’s how mosquitoes kept entering the room.

Taiwan Trip Planner 2024

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Taiwan Travel Guides

• 🇹🇼 Planning a Trip to Taiwan: 11 Practical Things To Know
• 💰 My 2024 Taiwan Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
• 🏮 Jiufen Day Trip: Firsthand Review & Tips
• 🍃 Taroko Gorge Day Trip: Firsthand Review & Tips

🧋 Support Lukiih

Lists by Lukiih is a humble website that I fund with my own savings. If you find my tips helpful, I appreciate you saying thanks with a bubble tea !

Hi Thank you for this! Is it possible to do all this by staying in 1 hotel ximending area?

Hey Mae, it is possible to do everything from 1 hotel in the Ximending area. The only thing that might be a bit difficult is doing a day trip to Hualien/Taroko Gorge; you’ll have to get up really early and get back later if you’re staying in Taipei. Have fun on your trip!

This guide was extremely helpful in planning my trip as I used it for my base! Thank you so much!

Glad to hear it, Jennifer! Feel free to DM me if you have any feedback on the guide.

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Traveling in Taiwan: The Perfect 3-Week Itinerary

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A three-week Taiwan itinerary taking in all of the country’s top sights. Start by exploring the amazing capital city of Taipei before heading out into nature. As you loop around the island, you’ll find hiking trails, striking cliffs, beautiful beaches, and kind, welcoming people.

For such a tiny country, Taiwan has an amazing array of things to see and do. With cities brimming with night markets, museums, and temples, high altitude peaks just a few hours’ drive from stunning coastline, and a unique cultural heritage, Taiwan is one of my favorite places in the world to live. Traveling in Taiwan is also, quite simply, a breeze.

A strong domestic tourism industry means the major sights are well set up for visitors without feeling inauthentic. You won’t find yourself stuck in the tourist traps and expat enclaves you’ve likely come across elsewhere in Asia. When you hop on a shuttle bus, visit a popular restaurant, or go for a hike, you’re far more likely to encounter locals than international tourists. 

You’ll also rarely struggle to plan independent travel in Taiwan. Trains and buses are efficient and reliable. Clean, safe, comfortable accommodation is easy to research and book online. Affordable and secure luggage storage facilities abound, as do clean, free public restrooms stocked with toilet paper and soap. Internet is fast, cheap, and ubiquitous, and Google Translate goes a long way. 

For reasons I don’t fully understand, however, many travelers to Asia don’t seem to have the island on their radar. All the better for you! Here I outline a suggested itinerary for independent travelers looking to experience this beautiful and fascinating country.

How many days do you need to travel around Taiwan?

To see Taiwan properly, you really need a minimum of three weeks. It’s not a big place, but there is so much to see and a lot of natural beauty to explore. If you are a long-term traveler or digital nomad , it is a great place to slow down and spend a month or more. If you have less time, you can still cover the highlights of Taipei, Taroko Gorge, and the sights in between in a week or so.

Start your trip in Taipei

Most international flights arrive in Taipei, although you may find some deals to Kaohsiung.

Taipei is a truly underrated city, and it’s worth a week of your Taiwan itinerary if you can spare the time and if you like to hike. If you’re in a hurry and/or not much of a nature person, I would still make sure you spend 2-3 days in the capital.

It has great food, lots of walkable neighborhoods , and many interesting cultural sights to explore. It is also very safe and has incredibly efficient, reliable public transportation.

• Try traditional Taiwanese snacks and street food at one of Taipei’s dozens of night markets.
• Visit Bao’an and Longshan Temples, and wander around the massive National Palace Museum .
• Go for a hike in Yangmingshan National Park or the Four Beasts Scenic Area (home to the famous Elephant Mountain).

• Head to the Taipei 101 Observatory for epic, 360-degree views of the entire city.
• Relax in Da’an Park or the shady gardens behind Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
• Take the Maokong Gondola into the hills for tea farm tours and amazing views.
• Eat Taiwanese soup dumplings and noodles at the original Din Tai Fung .
• Go shopping in trendy Zhongxiao Dunhua or buzzy Ximending.
• Relax in the Beitou hotsprings, or take a stroll along the river in Tamsui . 

Taipei has something for literally everyone. I wrote about these suggestions in detail in a separate post dedicated to Taipei .

It’s just an easy, fun, cool city. You may even decide you want to stay for a while .

Explore Northern Taiwan: Visit Jiufen, Jinguashi, Pingxi, Shifen, and Fulong

There are many interesting and beautiful towns in northern Taiwan that are easily visited as day trips from Taipei.

An alternative is to base yourself in Jiufen to experience the town without the crowds. (Jiufen is a bit bigger than Shifen or Pingxi with more dining and accommodation options.)

If you have accommodation you like in Taipei and you’d rather not pack up and move every few days, though, you definitely don’t have to! My personal preference is always to pack a day bag and sleep in the same bed if I can. The downside to this approach, of course, is that so many other people have the same idea. Avoid weekends and holidays if at all possible!

If you’d prefer the convenience of an organized tour, you can visit Jiufen and Shifen, plus the Yehliu Geopark , in the same day.

Drink tea and explore the Old Street market in Jiufen

Jiufen is famous for its labyrinthine Old Street market, teahouses, and beautiful views over the coast. In this case, “famous” also translates to “extremely crowded,” so prepare yourself!

To get to Jiufen from Taipei, first take a train to Ruifang. The trip takes between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on which train you take and how many stops it makes. From there, there are frequent buses to Jiufen. The bus ride between Ruifang and Jiufen takes about 15 minutes.

It’s also possible to travel all the way to Jiufen by bus from Taipei. This is a good option if you’re staying near the Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station. For details about your transportation options, read this guide to visiting Jiufen from Taipei.

Hike up Teapot Mountain and Mount Banping

Jinguashi is just 10 minutes from Jiufen by bus. Here you can visit the New Taipei Gold Museum, but the real highlight is the Teapot Mountain/Mt. Banping hiking trail .

You can start at the Gold Museum and make a loop, or you can just walk up to the “teapot” rock formation and head back down.

Plan on about an hour to hike from the start of the trail at the back of the museum to the “teapot,” and a little less on the way down (it’s quite steep, but mostly stairs).

If you want to hike the whole loop (recommended!), plan on 3-4 hours. You will have to rock scramble a little bit (with some ropes to hold on to). 

Climb the Pingxi Crags and see sky lanterns in Shifen

Shifen and Pingxi are just a few stops from each other on the train. From Taipei, take one of the frequent trains to Ruifang station, and then switch to the Pingxi line. From Jiufen, take a short bus ride (15 minutes or so) to Ruifang and do the same.

If you like to hike, head to Pingxi first (a little further down the line) and check out the Pingxi Crags . This is a short hike that leads you up three separate peaks via very steep, very narrow paths. At the top of each crag, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of the surrounding area.

Note: I would NOT recommend this hike if you are scared of heights or if it has recently rained. These trails are dangerous when slippery.

When you’re done, you can wander the cute town of Pingxi until the next train to Shifen arrives.

In Shifen, you can wander through food stalls and watch dozens of colorful lanterns floating off into the sky. People write wishes on the sky lanterns before releasing them, which is quite sweet. Unfortunately, they’re actually pretty terrible for the environment! I didn’t feel comfortable participating, but I have to admit it was a beautiful sight and fun to watch. 

There is also an easy walk to Shifen waterfall nearby. This should only take you 20 minutes or so from the Old Street.  

Admire the sand sculptures on Fulong Beach

I recommend visiting Fulong Beach if you are traveling in Taiwan in the summer. There are arguably nicer beaches in the south, but the massive sand sculptures at Fulong Beach are really cool and unique.

To get to Fulong from Taipei, you can take one of the frequent local trains from Taipei Main Station. These are slow but direct routes; the ride usually takes about an hour and a half. (In the event that you catch one of the “fast local” trains, you’ll shave about 30 minutes off your journey.)

You can easily check timetables in English for all of the above routes on the TRA website. 

Hike in Taroko Gorge National Park and see the Qingshui Cliffs

Next, head down the eastern coast of Taiwan to Hualien. There are many direct trains to Hualien from Taipei, Ruifang, and Fulong. (If you’re staying in Jiufen, you’ll need to take a bus to Ruifang Station first.)

Unlike with the local trains (where you can pay with your Easy Card and sit anywhere), it’s recommended to reserve a ticket for the long-distance trains.  

From your base in Hualien, you can spend a day or two exploring the famous Taroko Gorge and nearby Qingshui Cliffs.

Important note: In April 2024, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien County and caused quite a bit of damage. For safety reasons, Taroko Gorge is expected to be closed until at least the end of the year.

It is possible to access Taroko National Park by public transportation, or you can rent a car or scooter to explore on your own. Keep in mind that some of the national park trails require you to apply for permits in advance.

Just a few kilometers north of the turnoff for Taroko are the Qingshui Cliffs and a series of stunning lookouts.

Unfortunately, the Taroko shuttle buses don’t stop here, so you’ll have to drive yourself or arrange a taxi. There are scooter rental shops surrounding the train station if you want to avoid price gouging by the local taxi drivers.

Most places in Taiwan technically require you to have a motorcycle license to rent a scooter (this isn’t Thailand , friends). You may need to ask around, and if you’re successful, your insurance likely won’t cover you in the event of an accident.

The cliffs aren’t far, but the route is along a curvy coastal highway with a few tunnels, so I decided to just cough up for a taxi. I was there on a holiday weekend (do as I say, not as I do!) and saw a lot of traffic and reckless driving. You may decide differently. 

Travel along Taiwan’s southern coastline and visit the Eight-Arch Bridge in Taitung

Next, catch a train down to Taitung. There are a few trains from Hualien every day. Enjoy the beautiful views as you travel down the east coast.

Taitung has a hop-on/hop-off shuttle service that takes you to nearby places of interest, such as Sanxiantai and other beaches.  

This is also where you can arrange a ferry to Green Island if you wish.

Scuba dive and explore Green Island by scooter

Green Island is about 45 minutes off the coast of Taitung by boat. This is one of the best places to scuba dive in Taiwan. There are also hot springs to enjoy, beach caves to explore, and a beautiful coastal loop that takes a few hours by scooter.

For a sobering reminder of a painful chapter in Taiwan’s history, you can visit the White Terror Memorial Park on the island’s north coast.

Green Island is an interesting and scenic place, but be aware that accommodation and food are pretty pricey relative to other places in Taiwan. I’d say if you don’t enjoy diving, or at least snorkeling, you probably don’t need more than one day here.

If you don’t mind the cost and effort, it’s also possible to visit Green Island as a day trip. Catch the morning ferry, rent a scooter to drive around the island, and take the afternoon boat back to Taitung. Just remember to take a seasickness pill – for your sake and the sake of those around you! 

For more info about the island, and to help you decide how long to spend there, read my guide to Green Island .

Relax at the beach in Kenting

The next stop on your loop around the country should be Kenting National Park, which is located at the southern tip of Taiwan. You can take a train from Taitung to Fangliao station and then switch to the 9188 bus heading south to Kenting. 

Kenting is a teeny tiny town with a few nice beaches and a surprisingly lively night market. It is also possible to stay in Hengchun, which is a bit further north (about a 10 minute drive) but a little larger.

From Kenting, it’s a short walk to two nice beaches. You can also rent a scooter and explore the nearby area.

Again, technically you need a license. If something were to happen, you wouldn’t be covered by insurance if you were driving illegally. That said, you can ask around, pay slightly more, and easily find someone to rent to you.

This is a pretty sleepy area, and I am very comfortable on a motorbike, so my calculus was different than in Hualien. Even so, I had a very close call with a gigantic tour bus!

From Kenting, you can drive south, stopping at Banana Bay and Eluanbi Lighthouse before reaching the southernmost point of Taiwan. Then, head north up the eastern side of the cape to Longpan Park and Fengchuisha Beach.

These are all very short distances (about 15 minutes to the lighthouse and another 10 to Fengchuisha). You can take your time at each spot and maybe keep driving if you wish!

Stroll around Kaohsiung

When you’ve had your fill of sun and sea, you can take the 9188 bus all the way to Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung is a nice city to explore for a day or two, but its most interesting sights can be seen in a half day or so.

One of the things I love about traveling in Taiwan is the availability of cheap lockers in all of the train stations! If you want to drop your bags and go for a nice walk, Kaohsiung’s Lotus Pond is about 10 minutes away from the Zuoying station on foot.

It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the lake. If you want to explore the various temples and climb the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, however, you’ll need a bit more time. 

Another option is to take a bus or taxi to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, about 30-45 minutes away. The museum is next to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, the largest monastery in Taiwan. There are several vegetarian restaurants, bakeries, and even a Starbucks should you need a pick-me-up.

If you don’t want (or don’t have time) to stay in Kaohsiung, you can be back in Taipei in two hours on the High Speed Rail from Zuoying Station. (Yeah, it’s really fast!) 

To head to Taichung (Taiwan’s second-largest city), you can take a regular train or the High Speed Rail from Zuoying. The trip takes about an hour on the HSR and two and a half hours on the regular TRA train.

Take in Taichung’s cultural sights

The shuttle bus from Taichung is the easiest way to get to Sun Moon Lake. Taichung also has some interesting sights of its own, such as the Rainbow Village and Taichung Cultural Heritage Park.

If you don’t want to spend a whole day and night in Taichung, you can easily store your luggage at the train station and retrieve it a few hours later. I would recommend doing this on your way back from Sun Moon Lake rather than on the way there. (The buses around the lake don’t run very late, so you’ll want to arrive before 17:30 or so. Otherwise, you may be stuck with an expensive taxi ride to your accommodation.)

Rainbow Village is only about a 10-minute drive from the HSR station (which is adjacent to the TRA Xinwuri station).

Yes, it’s an Instagram trap, but I still thought it was cool and enjoyed walking around. (Also, welcome to Taiwan! You can’t escape the Instagrammers.)

Visit the beautiful Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is located in Nantou County, an hour and half to two hours by bus from Taichung.

Traveling to and around Sun Moon Lake

You can catch the tourist shuttle from Gancheng bus station, the Xinwuri TRA station, or the Taichung HSR station. 

The shuttle from Taichung drops you off at the Tourist Information Center in Shuishe, the largest village on the lake. If you’re staying in a different village (such as Itathao), you can take the next bus around the lake. You can catch this bus from the same place the Taichung shuttle dropped you off. (You will see a sign marking the exact place to board.)

These buses come at least once an hour and sometimes only 15 minutes apart. You can ask for a schedule at the information window.

Keep in mind that this bus doesn’t do an actual loop – it turns around at either Itathao or Syuanguang Temple and comes back. Double check the location of your accommodation to make sure you don’t need to arrange private transportation. 

If you’re planning to continue sightseeing after you check in to your hotel, you can buy a one-day bus pass for 80 NTD. (This must be paid in cash on the bus with exact change.) If not, you can just use your EasyCard to pay for a one-way fare. 

Besides the bus, your other options for navigating around the lake include boats and bicycles. You can ask at the visitor centers in Shuishe or Itathao for more information about tickets and rentals.

Things to see and do at Sun Moon Lake

There are several beautiful temples located around the lake. I love a good view, so my first stop was the Cien Pagoda. This turned out to be my favorite spot on the lake. The views from the top were extraordinary, and for about 30 blissful minutes, I had the place entirely to myself. 

You can walk from the Cien Pagoda to Xuanzang Temple in about 15 minutes. (Of these 15, the bus will only save you five, so don’t bother waiting.)

The last stop on the bus route is Xuanguang Temple, but you can actually walk here via a path through the woods from Xuanzang Temple. This is a nice, 20-minute walk and certainly beats waiting 45 minutes for the bus if your timing is bad. 

There are also boat tours, tea farm excursions, and a cable car to a theme park and cultural village. 

There are two other temples (Longfen and Wenwu) on the other side of the lake, closer to Shuishe. I caught a beautiful sunset from Wenwu Temple before catching the last bus back to Itathao around 5:30. 

With extra time to travel in Taiwan…

There are other places you may want to include on your Taiwan itinerary, including Tainan, Chiayi, Alishan National Forest, and Orchid Island.

For serious, experienced hikers, there are beautiful trails in Taiwan’s central mountain ranges (e.g. Jade Mountain, Jiaming Lake, and Hehuanshan to name a few). I will update this guide when I make it to these places one day! 

Of course, you can also easily fill any extra days in Taipei with hikes , temples, and delicious food!

What is the best way to travel in Taiwan?

Taiwan has reliable, efficient, and affordable public transportation. You can get almost anywhere you want to go by train or bus. 

Local travel in Taiwan

When you arrive at the airport, pick up an EasyCard , a reloadable card you can use all over Taiwan. You can use this on the airport train, the airport bus, Taipei’s MRT and bus networks, and public transportation in Taiwan’s other cities. (If you fly into Kaohsiung, you’ll get an iPass instead. This functions the same way and is compatible with all of the same transportation services.)

You can also use it for trains and the various tourist shuttles around Taiwan (to Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge, for example). It’s extremely convenient, and it’s cheaper than paying for single fares. 

Long-distance travel in Taiwan

Note that you can’t use an EasyCard or iPass on the High Speed Rail or on some of the long-distance trains with reserved seating (such as the Taroko Express or Puyuma Express). For the longer train journeys, it is better to reserve seats in advance, as they can fill up quickly at popular times. 

You can do this directly online (via the Taiwan Railways website or the High Speed Rail website ), or you can book in person.

If you’re a non-Taiwanese passport holder visiting Taiwan short term, you can get a 20% discount on High Speed Rail tickets . Note that you have to use the discount code when booking on the official HSR website – you can’t use it in person at the station. (Also note that the voucher is only good for 89 days after you receive it, so don’t book it if your trip is further away than that.)

After reserving online, you’ll receive a booking number and QR code. You can then use these to pick up your tickets at the station or at the nearest convenience store (7-Eleven, Family Mart, OK Mart, or Hi-Life). If you can read traditional Chinese, you can use the iBon machines found in pretty much any 7-Eleven. If not, some kind soul may help you, or you can just ask the cashier to print them for you.

You can also just pick up your tickets at the station before you board if you prefer. There are kiosks where you can do this if the lines at the ticket windows are long. Note that you need to pick up your TRA tickets at least 30 minutes before departure or your seat will be released to someone else.

When is the best time to travel in Taiwan?

The TL;DR version:

If your Taiwan itinerary is flexible, go for March, April, October, or November, with November being the best choice overall. 

For the best weather, aim for October to mid-December or February to mid-May.

October and November are generally gorgeous weather-wise in most of the country (if still a bit too hot in the south for my liking). The hiking trails around Taipei are covered in silver grass, and it’s just magical in the late afternoon light.

Once you get later into December and January, it can be damp and surprisingly chilly, and it’s hard to warm up indoors without central heating in most places in the north and east. That said, you still get some really nice days during these months, and the south of the island can still be quite warm. I would take the winter in Taiwan over the summer any day, but that is just me.

February is nice temperature-wise, but you’ll probably want to arrive after the Chinese New Year celebration ends. (The dates are different each year and depend on the lunar calendar.) Seemingly the entire country travels at this time. It can be very difficult to book train tickets, and accommodation is scarce and overpriced.

March and April have great weather, although the humidity starts to get closer to the “uncomfortable” level as you get closer to May (and really into “unbearable” territory by June). Bonus: If you go in March, you will get to catch the cherry blossoms!

If possible, avoid June through August.

At some point in May, the plum rains arrive and last through June and sometimes into July. These are serious daily downpours for which your umbrella is no match. The only time I had ever experienced rain like that was during a cyclone in Myanmar. 

Then we arrive at…typhoon season! The number of typhoons making landfall in Taiwan has decreased in recent years, but the island still sees an average of two to three per year. Pay attention to the news if you’re there during this season.

Most of the time it’s fine, but if there is a typhoon warning, shops and businesses will close, and you’ll be required to stay inside. There is also a risk that flight schedules will be disrupted during this season. 

June, July, and August were really unbearable for me, and truthfully I doubt I’ll ever spend another summer in Taiwan. I grew up in one of the most humid parts of the U.S., and I’ve spent years in different parts of Southeast Asia, but I have simply never experienced heat and humidity like the summer in Taipei.

But that is just me, and some people can handle the heat (including most of the locals). This can be a great time to visit the coast (typhoons permitting), and you can also catch the International Sand Sculpture Festival at Fulong Beach in the summer.

Related articles for planning your Taiwan itinerary

I hope this post has been helpful as you plan your trip to Taiwan! For more details, check out my other Taiwan posts:

Scuba diving and a scooter loop on Green Island

Taipei posts:

How to spend 7 days in Taipei

An overview of Taipei’s best neighborhoods

The best hostels in Taipei: Where to stay on a budget

Alternatives to Elephant Mountain with great views of Taipei 101

Taipei for Digital Nomads

Day trips from Taipei:

Visiting Fulong Beach in the summer

A day trip to the Pingxi Crags and Shifen

Hiking the Teapot Mountain and Mount Banping loop

Visiting Jiufen as a day trip from Taipei

Guide to the Bitoujiao Trail: An easy half-day hike

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8D Taiwan Itinerary: Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung via THSR

First published: 9 Nov 2017

From trendy shopping districts to vibrant streets lined with mouth-watering local delicacies, I thought I’d seen and experienced all Taiwan could offer. While these parts of Taiwan are still enjoyable (even after being back for the seventh time), boy was I wrong about how much I knew.

In this eight-day Taiwan Itinerary, not only will we cover some of the best, most well-known sights along the west coast of Taiwan (Taipei to Kaohsiung), we’ve also thrown in a couple of off-the-beaten-path experiences that will definitely re-ignite your interest in Taiwan whether it’s your second or seventh time.

Pre-trip Essentials

SIM Card: ~S$21 for 10 days unlimited data or purchase an eSIM (from ~S$10.60 for 5 days, 1GB/day) if you have a compatible device — no physical card is required!

Airport to City Transport: From Taoyuan International Airport, you can take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to Taipei Main Station in 20 minutes. But if your flight arrives late at night when the train services have halted, the car transfer service (~S$47) is the next best option. Not only does it bring you to your doorstep in comfort, it’s also cheaper than regular taxis and operates 24/7.

Psst. From now till 31 May 2024, enjoy a Buy 1 Get 1 Free promo on the THSR pass when you book via Klook!

Intercity Transport:  For fuss-free travelling through different cities in Taiwan, the THSR pass is essential. We purchased the 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass which includes unlimited use of the THSR on any 2 days + unlimited use of the Taiwan Railway (TR) for five consecutive days.

For transport within cities like Taipei or Kaohsiung, you will need the  EasyCard 悠遊卡 or iPass 一卡通 , which can be purchased   from convenience stores.

*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook activities for use later, up to 5x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!

Travel Insurance: With all the extreme activities and eating you’ll be doing in this itinerary, it’s important to get a policy in case of anything that arises during or after the trip. Don’t forget to ensure that your travel insurance includes Covid-19 coverage too!

Check Flights to Taipei

We excluded flights from our budget since it varies depending on the season and airline. Check flight prices for your dates of travel .

Despite being a metropolitan city, there are still many things you can eat and do at relatively low prices.

Breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk (阜杭豆漿)

First up, eat like a local. Get up early (and we mean, REALLY early) for breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk . Its unique salty soybean curd melts in your mouth and makes the perfect breakfast combi with youtiao 油条 (fried dough sticks). Queues can get really long (and we mean, REALLY long) but it moves along quite quickly.

Address : Level 2, No. 108, Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan [台北市中正區忠孝東路一段108號2樓] Opening hours : 05:30AM – 12:30PM, closed on Mon Cost: ~NT$25-60

Zen out at Maokong 猫空

Maokong used to be the biggest tea growing area in Taipei and is now a popular place for tea culture. The premium Oolong variety, Tie Guan Yin 鐵觀音, is still being produced at Maokong.

Photo credit: 4travel.jp

Spend a relaxing afternoon in Maokong sipping tea while overlooking the lush tea plantation fields. Get to the top via a gondola service from Taipei Zoo.

Directions: MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) 文湖線 to Taipei Zoo → follow signs leading to Gondola → 3 stops to Maokong Stn. Gondola fee: NT$120/trip (EasyCard holders entitled to 20% discount on weekdays, or enjoy a discounted rate with the Klook Pass Taipei starting from ~S$23 for 2 attractions)

The icon of Taiwan, Taipei 101 stands out kinda like a sore thumb in the day being the only tall building around the area. But come nightfall, the 101-storeyed building lights up and sure is a beautiful sight to look at against the dark sky.

Did you know? The building is lit up according to the colours of the rainbow each night of the week. Mon , Tue , Wed , Thu , Fri , Sat , and Sun .

Can you tell which day of the week this was taken?

*Pro-tip: Pre-book your admission ticket via Klook (from ~S$26) to skip the queue at the ticketing counter! You can enter directly with the QR code on your voucher.

Accommodation: Meander Taipei Hostel from NT$580/night

Read also: 4D3N Taipei Itinerary for more local finds in and around Taipei

D2: Day Trip to Jiufen 九份 & Shifen 十分

How to get there:  Take a bus (Bus 965) which travels from Banqiao and stops at Jiufen Old Street. Or alternatively, take a private city transfer instead.

Located just outside of Taipei City, Jiufen and Shifen are popular day-trips for its extremely scenic views and great food; probably why I keep coming back too.

Problem is, it can take a while to get there via public transport. During our trip, we took a shuttle bus service (which has since then been discontinued). The bus picked us from Ximen and we arrived in Shifen within an hour. Ultra-convenient!

If you’re looking for convenience and want to arrive there quickly, hiring a private car transfer is what you may need. Some day tours also like this one will just require you to meet at the Taipei Main Station, and they’ll guide you along Jiufen and Shifen. The choice is yours!

Shifen has been popularised in recent years and many specially visit the quaint old town to light up sky lanterns on the old (and still functioning!) rail tracks.

Write your wishes on the paper lanterns and light them up, sending your wishes to the heavens.

Besides lighting up the sky lanterns, another charm of Shifen I love is the old-school vibes. Buy a glass-bottled marble soda to feel really transported back in time!

A-Mei Tea House, the inspiration behind Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning Spirited Away.

Jiufen seems like an unassuming laid-back town amongst the mountainous regions, but on closer inspection, it’s really an energetic and bustling food paradise filled with endless surprises from beginning till end.

When the stall owner is as unforgettable as the yummy Taiwanese sausage she’s selling.

The tour lasts around eight hours and you can either pick the morning slot, which leaves at 9:30AM, or the afternoon slot, which leaves at 1:30PM.

After the eating spree in Jiufen , head back to Taipei and explore the fast-paced and everchanging Ximending.

Streets of Ximending. Photo credit: Wikipedia

If Taipei 101 is the icon of metropolitan Taipei, then Ximending can be considered the cultural icon of Taiwan. Popular among the youth and tourists, the bustling streets of Ximending hosts not only apparel shops, but also eateries, cinemas, and scores and scores of budget hotels.

Dinner at San Wei Dining Hall 三味食堂

These fist-sized salmon nigiri rolls attract hordes of sushi lovers daily, and queue-time may take up to an hour! Sushi and sashimi plates range from NT$70–580 (~S$3–26).

Address : 116, Guiyang St Sec 2, Taipei City [台北市貴陽街二段116號] Opening Hours: 11:20AM – 2:30PM, 5:10PM – 10PM (Last orders 9:30PM). Closed first two Mondays & last two Sundays of every month

For more awesome possum local finds in Taipei, check out our 4D3N Taipei Itinerary .

D3: Taichung (via the THSR)

The easiest and fastest way to get from Taipei to Taichung is via the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) — within an hour for NT$700 (single ticket). As we’d pre-purchased the 5-Day Joint Train Pass (THSR+TRA) before our trip, we had to activate the pass at the THSR ticketing counter at Taipei Main Station.

Do note that when activating the 5-Day Joint Pass, the THSR staff will require you to choose the two dates you want to take the THSR. This is so that they can make seat reservations for you on the THSR.

The journey southwards from Taipei to Taichung took approx. 50 mins for us. However, there are various trains with different timings and stops, so yours might take a little longer. Refer to THSR’s official website for detailed train timings.

Arrival in Taichung

Since we’ll be covering quite a few places within Taichung (also note that Taichung has no MRT system), we rented a car for convenience. We rented a simple sedan car online and collected the car from Taichung THSR station upon arrival. Easy breezy.

Photo credit: Cavin Teo

Yizhong Street 一中街 is a shopping street in Taichung not unlike the usual night markets of Taiwan. However, some shops are open from as early as 10AM in the morning. Prices of food and things are slightly cheaper in Taichung as compared to Taipei, so guilt-free eating and shopping can begin here!

After an afternoon in Yizhong Street, we drove to Nantou 南投, where our accommodation for the night is at, ready to welcome the next day we packed with adventures.

Our cosy bedroom for the night at a local homestay

Accommodation: Stay with the locals at a rustic Airbnb from ~S$23 per night

Read also: Taipei Day Trip: Jiufen & Shifen

D4: Endless Adventures Among the Most Stunning Sceneries in Taichung/Nantou

Standup paddleboarding (sup) 立槳體驗.

Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 is one of Taiwan’s largest freshwater lakes, and also arguably the most beautiful natural attraction. We got up super early so as to reach Sun Moon Lake by 5:30AM for our sunrise Standup Paddleboarding experience.

The waters of Sun Moon Lake are very calm, first-timers like me will have no problems learning how to control the paddleboard.

Our jovial instructor even brought along the famous Nantou Jinpen “Ah Mah” Braised Tea Egg 金盤阿嬤茶葉蛋 and bottled Black Tea 紅茶 for us to have during breakfast. When else can one have breakfast on a paddleboard on a lake with superb views! Coach OA even doubled as a photographer and sent us our standup paddleboarding photos after the activity.

Price: From ~S$66/pax (3 hours) . A similar SUP activity in Singapore would cost ~S$100. Location: Sun Moon Lake

Brunch at Itashao 伊達邵

Small sausage in big sausage 大腸包小腸, a Taiwanese snack.

Thereafter, we headed to the nearby Itashao 伊達邵 (Ita Thao) for some locally-loved Taiwanese snacks. Taiwanese sausage 香腸, braised pork bun 豆干扣肉總匯刈包, and millet mochi 小米麻糬 were some local snacks we couldn’t resist not buying.

Taiwanese braised pork bun 刈包 .

We could understand why these snacks 小吃 are so well-loved by locals and tourists, because not only are they big in portion with generous fillings, they are very reasonably priced too!

Millet mochi on stick 小米麻糬 .

Brunch settled, munching from the beginning to the end of Itashao 😂

Paragliding 飛行傘

Around Nantou, you can also try paragliding ! We met some paragliders who even brought their own paragliding gears along with them from Hong Kong.

While in the air, we were blown away by Puli ‘s superb views. Mountains, lakes, and acres and acres of vast green lands that seem endless. Breathtaking indeed! No wonder Puli is a popular spot for paragliding.

Our paragliding operator was excellent, even repeating flight twice was for one of us when the first flight time was too short.

Price: ~S$127/pax  (Min. 10 mins flight time guaranteed + video footage provided) Location:  Puli, Hu-Toushan in Nantou county of Taiwan (虎頭山)

Cingjing Farm 清境農場

It’s another hour drive to our third and last destination of the day: CingJing Farm . Free-roaming woolly sheep grace pass visitors nonchalantly, granting lots of selfie opportunities with them!

Location: No. 170, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, 546 [南投縣仁愛鄉仁和路170號] Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM Entrance fee: NT$160/pax (Mon – Fri) , NT$200 (Sat – Sun)

Night falls, but that’s when Taichung becomes even more energetic and alive! We headed to Taichung’s most famous night market, Feng Chia Night Market 逢甲夜市 for dinner.

It’s insane how many times we had to stop and reach for our wallets just stepping into the market for ten minutes. All my senses were being attacked! It was involuntary and uncontrollable, and we succumbed to all the awesome-smelling/looking/tasting foods.

Location: Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [台中市西屯區文華路] Opening hours: 4PM – 2AM (Tue – Sun), 4PM – 1AM (Mon)

Read also: The Ultimate Taiwan Food Guide

D5: Exploring the Locals’ Taichung

After a day of nonstop activities in Nantou, we focused on Taichung City the next day. First up, we headed to Rainbow Village 彩虹眷村 .

Rainbow Village 彩虹眷村

How many silly interns do you spot? 😂

Rainbow Village is a cluster of small houses painted in the wildest, most colourful motifs. Do be there earlier as it will get crowded later on in the day.

Address: No.56, Chun’an Road, Nantun District , Taichung, Taiwan [春安路56巷] Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM

*Pro-tip: Travelling on public buses in Taichung is the way to go! Any rides below 10km are FREE.

Second Market 臺中第二市場

Located just a 15min walk away from the Taichung Railway Station, we had lunch at Second Market 臺中第二市場 , an old market the locals frequent.

This old market is one that’s easily missed if not for the creeping long line that stretches out from the market to the main road. We were curious to see what locals are so patiently waiting for, so we joined the crowd.

Surprisingly, the queue moves really fast, but the line is always that long because people keep coming! Everyone was apparently queuing up for a cup of Iced Black Milk Tea.

We were also informed by our friendly cab driver that the braised minced pork rice 肉燥飯 is the best in Taichung, of course, we had to try it as well.

The famous minced braised pork rice in Taichung’s Second Market

Address: No. 87, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市中區三民路二段87號] Opening Hours: 7AM – 8PM (Closed on Mon)

I’m Talato 我是塔拉朵，愛台灣的義式冰淇淋

Although it was already autumn when we visited Taiwan in October, the sun was still pretty unforgiving and it felt no different from all-year-summer Singapore. A quick search on desserts in Taichung brought us to I’m Talato , an ice cream parlour all decked in pink. We couldn’t resist going in for some ice cream to cool down.

No visit to I’m Talato is complete without a check-in pic at their iconic bed of ice-cream. There, my lifelong dream to live in a pool of ice cream, fulfilled.

Address: No. 451, Yingcai Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403  [台中市西區英才路451號] Opening hours: 11:30AM – 7:30PM

Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地

A lesser-known gem in Taichung, Gaomei Wetlands 高美濕地 is a sunset paradise for avid photographers. Rows of windmills line the beach and cast perfect silhouettes against the setting sun. Everything becomes even more breathtaking when the sea acts as a giant mirror reflecting all above the horizon.

Sunset timings vary throughout the year, but our advice is to be at Gaomei at least an hour earlier to walk around when there’s still sufficient sunlight.

Address: Meidi Street, Qingshui District, Taichung City, Taiwan 436

*Pro-tip: If you are planning to visit Rainbow Village and Gaomei Wetlands on the same day, choose a weekend to do so, as there’s a Bus Service #655 that operates only on weekends between these two places.

After Gaomei Wetlands, we boarded the last bus back to Taichung Train Station where we began the next leg of our journey: Tainan . If Taichung and Nantou showed us how we could play in Taiwan, Tainan would show us the cultural sides of Taiwan.

We chose the Taiwan Rail, the older train system, to get from Taichung to Tainan. It was a slow ride taking about 3 hours, but it didn’t matter as long as we got to our destination before the last check-in time.

Accommodation: MyDeer Backpacker Hostel , from ~S$35 per night

D6: Tainan on Two Wheels!

We started our day in Tainan with some morning exercise — cycling. The hostel we stayed at has three bicycles available for guests to use, and we decided to make use of them, as Tainan’s streets are relatively easy to navigate with places of interest situated not far from one another.

Anping Tree House 安平樹屋

The first pit stop we made was the Anping Tree House 安平樹屋 , a dilapidated warehouse of the ’40s that has since been consumed by a huge Banyan tree. A must-see for those who are into urban exploration!

Entrance fee: NT$50 Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM Address: No.108, Gubao St, Anping District, Tainan City [台南市安平區古堡街108號]

*Pro-tip: If you are planning to visit three or more of the below attractions, getting the Tainan City (4+1) Monument Pass at NT$150 is a better deal. Passes can be purchased from ticketing counters found in any of the below:

– Anping Tree House 安平樹屋 – Chihkan Tower 赤崁樓 – Anping Fort 安平古堡 – Eternal Golden Castle 億載金城 – 1661 Taiwan Warship Museum 1661臺灣船園區

Tianhou Temple 安平開臺天后宮

After exploring the Tree House, we continued exploring the Old Streets of Anping, which are kept alive by the constant stream of visitors — many of whom are there to pay the famous   Tianhou Temple 安平開臺天后宮 around the corner a visit.

Anping Old Street

Dayou Xingyi Noodle Shop 大佑興意麵店 is an ordinary noodle stall selling what locals love, the “古早味” (gǔ zǎo wèi), or “tastes of yesteryears”. A bowl dry-tossed noodles with assorted braised meats make a simple yet hearty lunch.

Along the crowded Old Street, we also spotted a small coffee pushcart stall that had a unique coffee-brewing apparatus. Upon asking, we learnt that it’s the Vacuum Coffee Maker 虹吸式咖啡 , also known as Syphon Coffee . We couldn’t resist and bought ourselves a bottle of coffee and milk tea.

Quan Mei Movie Theatre 全美戲院

Check out the hand-painted movie posters!

Thereafter, we continued cycling eastwards towards the city centre where we chanced upon the coolest movie theatre. If Tainan is known for her vintagey vibes, then Quan Mei Movie Theatre 全美戲院 is the epitome of all things vintage. Large hand-painted movie posters decorate the building’s facade, and what’s particularly fascinating is that the posters are those of recent movies!

We understood from locals that the movie theatre only shows reruns. Check out Quan Mei’s website to see what’s showing!

Cost: NT$140/pax Opening Hours: 12:30PM – 11PM (weekdays), 10:30AM – 11PM (weekends) Address: No. 187, Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700 ［台南市永福路二段187號］

When in Tainan, be sure to visit Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區 .

Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區

Formerly a Japanese Government Dormitory ( gasp , that’s how old it is!), it has been reimagined, refurbished, and re-introduced to visitors as the new cultural playground of Tainan.

Ice cream smoothie from Our Bar at Blueprint Culture & Creative Park

Within the blue walls, there are indie shops and cafes started up by locals, displaying and selling local crafts and reinvented local delicacies.

Address: Ln. 689, Sec. 1, Ximen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City 700, Taiwan [台南市中西區西門路一段689巷］ Opening hours: 2PM – 9PM (Closed on Tue) Entrance fee: Free

Read also: 7 Underrated Things to Do in Tainan

Tainan showed us a side of Taiwan that foreign visitors know less of: the cultural, rustic, yet homey and flavourful one. Before long, it’s time we left Tainan for the second-most populous city of Taiwan after Taipei: Kaohsiung.

Again, we took the Taiwan Railway for this leg of the journey utilising our rail pass . Within an hour, we found ourselves in Kaohsiung, with our growling stomachs calling out to be filled. From Kaohsiung Train Station, we took the local MRT to Kaohsiung Arena Station.

In Kaohsiung, there are a couple of night markets, but the one we decided to head to was Ruifeng Night Market . It’s only a 5-minute walk from the Kaohsiung Arena Train station. Do note that night markets in Kaohsiung do not open every night, unlike those in Taipei.

Ruifeng Night Market 瑞豐夜市

Bird’s eye view of Rui Feng Night Market, Kaohsiung

Giant Takoyaki balls at Rui Feng Night Market

That night, we checked in to the hostel we looked forward to the most, Single Inn because there’re hot tubs for guests!

Communal (same-sex) bath area in Single Inn Hostel.

Accommodation: Single Inn from ~S$19 per night

D7: Finding the Artistic Side of Kaohsiung

We started our day with breakfast at a fast-food chain. And nope, before you diss us for not being adventurous eaters overseas, we’d like to introduce Dandan Hamburger 丹丹漢堡 to you.

Dandan Hamburger 丹丹漢堡

Western fast-food chain with a local Taiwanese twist .

Opened in 1984, Dandan Hamburger is the pride of Kaohsiung’s locals. This burger chain specialises in Western-Taiwanese fusion food and can only be found in the southern cities — Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung.

Address: No. 224, Qixian 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801 [高雄市前金區七賢二路224號] Opening hours: 6AM – 9:30PM

Pier-2 Art Center 駁二藝術特區

Next, we explored a repurposed warehouse site that’s now used as an event venue for local artists to showcase their artworks, the Pier-2 Art Center .

Kaohsiung surprised us with the vibrant arts scene it quietly harbours.

Address: No.1, Dayong Rd., Yancheng Dist., Kaohsiung City 803, Taiwan [鹽埕區大勇路1號] Opening Hours: 10AM c 6PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 8PM (Fri – Sun & PH)

Read more about Pier-2 Art Centre in our 7 Things to Do in Kaohsiung guide.

Dome of Light 光之穹頂

At the Formosa MRT station 捷運美麗島站 , there’s the Dome of Light 光之穹頂 , the largest glass work in the world, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata.

There are short light shows daily at 11AM, 3PM, and 8PM. As the Dome of Light is not within the paid premises of the train station, it’s literally free entertainment you should take note of in Kaohsiung 😉

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 龍虎塔

Next up, we headed to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 龍虎塔 . Folklore has it that walking through the dragon’s mouth and then exiting through the tiger’s will bring good luck and fortune.

Address: Liantan Rd., Zuoying Dist. , Kaohsiung, Taiwan [ 高雄市左營區蓮潭路與勝利路交叉口旁] Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM Entrance fee: Free (on a free-will donation basis)

Read also: Top 7 things to Do in and around Kaohsiung — Gateway to Taiwan’s laid back South

Before nightfall, we packed our belongings and boarded the Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR Station, towards our next destination — Pingtung 屏東 !

Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus Ticket

We booked our bus passes from Klook beforehand, and collected them from the bus pass counter at Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR. We recommend that you get both the Express Bus Return Pass and the Kenting Shuttle Bus Pass for convenience.

Kenting Shuttle Bus ticket

After a smooth and comfortable 1hr 35 min ride, followed by a hitch (’cause we missed the other transfer bus), we reached our accommodation for the night — National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) 國立海洋生物博物館 .

Yes, you read those two words right. Our “accommodation” for the night in Pingtung was an “aquarium”! 😁

First up, here’s how you can get to the aquarium if you are travelling via the Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus (without needing to hitch a ride like a hobo on the road):

Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR →(Kenting Express Bus)→ NMMBA Transfer Stn →(Kenting Shuttle Bus from across the road)→ Marine Biology Museum

Important timings to take note: – Kaohsiung – Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR: 8:30AM – 7:10PM (at 15–30min intervals. Refer to detailed timetable .) – Kenting Shuttle Bus from NMMBA Transfer Stn: 8:54AM to 3:54PM (at 30min intervals), with one last bus at 5:54PM (Refer to detailed timetable )

Upon arrival, visitors will be shown around the aquarium, staff areas, and out-of-bounds premises to day guests. Through this programme, we learnt more about how marine animals were being taken care of in aquariums, the different kinds of corals, anemones, and sea organisms. We even got to feed fish while we were here!

Dinner is provided in the aquarium sleepover package

Dinner, supper, and breakfast are also included in the sleepover package . The communal washrooms are clean and there are big lockers for guests to store their personal belongings.

Although we thought that this programme suits younger children, you’ll definitely still enjoy this if you’re a marine lover as well!

This extraordinary experience of sleeping amongst fish and other marine animals is probably the closest anyone can get to being a mermaid.

Address: 2 Houwan Rd. Checheng, Pingtung County, Taiwan [屏東縣車城鄉後灣村後灣路2號] Sleepover duration: 4PM – 10:30AM, the following day Regular opening hours: 9AM – 5:30PM daily Price: ~S$118/pax

*We did not include the aquarium sleepover in the budget as we feel that it’s an optional activity. Admission tickets are also available from ~S$18/pax for standard entry, or at a discounted rate with the Klook Pass Taipei (from ~S$23 for 2 attractions).

D8: Fun Under the Sun in Kenting

Watersports at nanwan.

Photo credit: Klook

After our first ever aquarium sleepover, we continued our journey southwards to Kenting. We boarded the Kenting Shuttle Bus from Marine Biology Museum 海洋生物博物館 stop just outside the aquarium and alighted at the Nanwan 南灣 stop for some water sports at the beach .

There are up to eight watersports available at Nanwan. This includes the banana boat, the flying bed, and jetskiing.

Cost: ~S$17 for the 2-in-1 Watersports Package Address: 154 Nanwan Road, Nanwan (South Bay), Hengchun, Pingtung County [屏東縣恆春鎮南灣里南灣路154號] Operating hours: 8AM – 6PM (be there at 3PM latest)

Kenting National Park

As we chose only two activities from eight, we finished watersports relatively quickly. But that’s all good because that means we have more time to explore Kenting. After a quick rinse, we boarded the shuttle bus again to our next destination: Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園 . Alight at Kenting stop.

Long Keng Cliff at Kenting

Kenting National Park is situated at the southernmost tip of Taiwan, famous for her stunning coastlines. Travelling on a scooter bike is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to explore Kenting if you are not staying overnight, like us. It’s not difficult to spot scooter bike rental shops here.

We rented our battery-operated scooter bikes from Kenting Starry Sky — Space Capsule Hotel for NT$700 per bike. We even managed to deposit our heavy baggage at Starry Night Capsule Hotel, a relief for us all as there are no luggage deposit areas or lockers available in the Kenting area 😅

From the starting point at Kenting stop, a bike ride upwards to Eluanbi Lighthouse will take approximately one hour.

The southernmost point of Taiwan

Scenic spots along the way: – Sail Rock, or a.k.a “Richard Nixon’s Submerged Head” 船帆石 – Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 (Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 4PM; Admission: NT$40) – Taiwan Southernmost Point 台灣最南點 – Longpan Park 龍磐公園 – the southernmost point of Taiwan – Sail Rock, or a.k.a “Richard Nixon’s Submerged Head” 船帆石 – Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 (Opening Hours: 8:30AM – 4PM; Admission: NT$40) – Taiwan Southernmost Point 台灣最南點 – Longpan Park 龍磐公園

*Pro-tip: Do not be shy to ask shop owners if they allow bags storage for a couple of hours while you head out to explore Kenting National Park. Of course, it will be a lot easier if you ask the scooter rental shops you rent the bikes from.

Scooter bike rental/recommended accommodation: Kenting Starry Sky — Space Capsule Hotel , from S$44 per night

After the fun and carefree time we had biking around Kenting, it was time to get back to Kaohsiung then Taipei. First, we got onto the Express bus back to Kaohsiung (refer to bus timetable ). It’s a 2-hour bus ride back to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) HSR Station, the best time to take forty winks.

Then, take the northwards HSR from Zuoying to Taipei HSR Station.

And with that, we conclude our 8-day roundabout Taiwan trip. We hope we’ve shown that it’s not difficult nor expensive to travel and experience the lesser-known gems of Taiwan.

Budget Breakdown for 8 Days

Planning to visit many attractions? Get a Klook Pass to get a discount, up to 41%!

Transport: S$250 Accommodation: S$141 Activities: S$216 Food: $100 SIM Card: $13.50 Total: S$720.50 ( excl. flights )

Kickstart your adventures to Taiwan now! We’ve got what you need: – 4D3N Taipei Itinerary – Ultimate Food Guide: All Around Taiwan – Taipei Day Trip: Jiufen & Shifen – Underrated Things to do in Tainan – Food Guide: Shilin Night Market

Click here to check flights from Singapore to Taipei !

This article was brought to you by  Klook . 

Follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  YouTube , and Telegram  for more travel updates!

  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Nov 6, 2017 at 7:10pm PST

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26 comments.

Hi, may i know which paragliding operator did you use in Puli? Planning to try out in a few weeks time. Did you book in advance? Thanks!

Here’s the operator we used. Very professional! https://www.klook.com/activity/703-nantou-paragliding-taichung/?aid=312

Love all your useful tips. Thank you!

Hello, is it possible to travel around Taichung, Nantou, and GaoMei Wetland without renting a car? Perhaps through public transportation or cabs?

Hi Charles, you can but there are limited timings. We went with a car rental because we wanted to be at the stand up boarding place very early. No busses run at that time and we didn’t want to incur a hefty taxi charge.

Wow! What a trip you’ve got here in Taiwan.=) Though I am curious, what’s your favorite city out of all?

Love them all!

Hi dear! Do you know if we can get to Hua Lien easily from Nantou/Tai Chung? 🙂 Thank you!

Hi Audrey, I think most trains will have to go back towards Taipei area before looping over to Hua Lien due to the mountains in the centre of Taiwan. If you want to go direct, your best bet is to either self drive or take a very expensive private car/cab.

Thank you for the informative entry, I could use this next time <3 I'm also an aspiring travel blogger and I often read your blog.. Keep inspiring people like me. 🙂 Love lots! – http://www.annebelo.com

All the best!

Hi! I’ll be visiting Taiwan for 10 days somewhere around the end of November. I’m planning to go for Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien. How do you think the flow should go? Should I visit from the northern side to the southern side? Or what else do you suggest? Other than that, how many days do you suggest on visiting each area I mentioned earlier (Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien)? Sorry for asking so much; I’m not quite a planner. Thanks in advance.

P.S. There’ll be two of us, so I guess buses and MRT are the best options for transport since that we have a budget.

Hi Alexandra, why not follow our plan and route?

Sorry to ask, where does the kenting express bus from Zuoying to Kenting ends at?

The last stop of the Kenting Express Bus is near Little Bay Beach 小灣沙灘 of Kenting.

The Kenting Express Bus route is as follows: Zuoying HSR 高鐵左營站 → Dapeng Bay 大鵬灣 → Fangliao 臺鐵枋寮站 → Checheng 車城 → South Baoli 南保力 → Hengchun Transfer Stn 恆春轉運站 → Nanwan 南灣 → Kenting 小灣(墾丁)

Hope this helps! 🙂 -Edelyn

Hi, What camera did you use? Planning to visit Taiwan Next Year.

Hi Niko! We used various cameras during this trip, from semi-pros to GoPro to mobile phones! Taiwan is beautiful no matter which device you capture moments on. We hope you’ll have a great time in Taiwan! 🙂 -Edelyn

it so nice to see the introduction about Taiwan.

Hi i really like your itinerary in taichung. Could you advise which car rental you have engage? And anyone that drives you around to all the places?

Hi Khoon, we rented our car from Chailease Car Rental (you can make your rental online: https://www.rentalcar.com.tw/ ) and picked up the car from Taichung THSR Station. It’s just a car rental so you’ll need an international driving license to drive in Taiwan.

Alternatively, you can book a private car charter service online: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/8325-private-sightseeing-car-charter-for-central-taiwan-taichung/?aid=312 Thank you!

HI, how easy it is to find parking for all those places of attractions? Like the markets etc. Thanks.

Hi Amelia, as far as we can remember, there are big open-space carparks near both Fengchia and Ruifeng night markets. The other attractions do have parking spaces nearby too, but you might have to walk around Tainan’s Anping Old Street as the alleys are tight and crowded!

Hi do you know of other operators for the stand up paddling activity in sun moon lake?

I follow your link to klook but they are unavailable for booking at all

Hi Audemars, Seems like the operator we went to is sold out for now! Here are other SUP activities around Taiwan if you don’t mind other areas other than Sun Moon Lake: Yilan Hualien 1 Hualien 2 Hualien 3 Taipei Taipei Shenao Taipei Fulong Beach Taipei Yehliu Thank you!

I am planning to Taiwan with kids in Dec. Any best itinerary for travelling with kids? What’s the accommodations would u recommend?

Hi Care! We do general itineraries that are suitable for older children to active adults. Unfortunately we don’t have any in Taiwan (so far) for young children!

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The Most Common Taiwan Travel FAQs

Planning a trip to Taiwan? If you’re just getting started, this article will save you many hours of research. After running the Taiwan Travel Planning group for years, I’ve answered the same questions about Taiwan again and again. To make things easier, I’ve compiled this list of the most common questions and other Taiwan travel tips.

You can also find links to the 100+ articles I’ve written about Taiwan here on TaiwanObsessed and my nickkembel site.

Please use the table of contents below for quick navigation!

Table of Contents

Before Your Trip FAQs

Can I still visit Taiwan after the earthquake?

The massive earthquake on April 3, 2024 caused widespread damage across the island, especially around the epicenter in Hualien . Taroko Gorge is expected to be closed for 6 months to one year. It is currently fine to still visit Hualien, though. Here’s a list of things to do in Hualien which are still open . Trains and HSRs are running as normal in Taiwan. Everywhere else in the country remains open, except for some high mountain hikes, including those at Hehuanshan .

Do I need a visa for Taiwan?

Many countries don’t need a visa for entering Taiwan for 14-90 days, depending on your passport. Find out of your country is on the list in my guide to Taiwan’s visa requirements .

Because visa exemption is not a visa, it’s not possible to extend it without leaving Taiwan. If you’re not on the list, it’s best to consult the Taiwan office your place of residence for the most current info.

China/HK passport holders have different rules, which are best explained on Taiwan’s Mandarin language immigration site .

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

In terms of weather and crowds, fall is the best time to visit Taiwan. My personal favorite months to visit Taiwan are October and November , while December is the most popular/busiest month of the year due to Christmas holidays in other countries and NYE celebrations.

Winter is best for hot springs and seeing cherry blossoms, but traveling during Chinese New Year can be challenging. Early spring is good, but May and June have a mini rainy season.

Summer is extremely hot and humid, so it is the low season. Typhoons can also strike from July to October. Summer is actually the sunniest season in terms of total hours of sunshine, but also the rainiest in terms of total volume of rain, so you’ll definitely experience both.

I have an article for every month of the year in Taiwan, and I summarize them all in my guide to the best time to visit Taiwan .  

When can I see cherry blossoms in Taiwan?

The cherry blossom (sakura) seasons usually starts in January (Northern Taiwan) and lasts until early April (in the high mountains). The exact times vary every year depending on the weather. The best months to see cherry blossoms are usually February and March .

See all the locations and blooming forecasts in my Taiwan sakura viewing guide .

Which tour provider is the best?

I recommend Life of Taiwan for fully curated luxury tours of Taiwan.

To see a lot in a short time, try this 5-day tour of Taiwan (Taipei not included).

For most travelers, I recommend visiting Taipei on your own, which is very easy by MRT. Ride the TRA train or High Speed Rail around Taiwan, which is faster than driving. Then take individual day tours (see below) or hire private drivers in each place only when necessary.

What are the best day tours in Taiwan?

Some of the most popular day tours include this one from Taipei (including the wildly popular Jiufen Old Street and sky lantern releasing at Shifen ), this day tour of Taroko Gorge (currently closed), this day tour of Taichung , and this day tour of Sun Moon Lake .

You can find many more like these on Klook, my most recommended platform.

How can I find a private driver in Taiwan?

You can find 1-day drivers on Klook, such as these ones for Taipei , Yangmingshan , Jiufen/Shifen , Yilan , Taroko Gorge (currently closed), Cingjing Farm or Kaohsiung .

If you can’t find one there, you can also try Tripool , which offers point-to-point or hourly driver service. Most taxis in Taiwan can also be hired out for a half or full day if you ask.

If you need a driver for multiple days, I recommend David M. Liaw and Henry Chen (drivers who are also certified English speaking tour guides) and ArTrip and Anda Travel for drivers only.

Hiring a private driver that doesn’t have a commercial driving license, or a guide that doesn’t have a tour guide license, is illegal in Taiwan. All the drivers and services I recommend above are licensed.

Read more in my guide to finding private drivers and guides in Taiwan .

Do I need a vaccination for Taiwan? What are the current COVID rules?

No, vaccination has never been a requirement for entering Taiwan, even during the pandemic.

Virtually all COVID rules are finished in Taiwan. There are no more tests, quarantine, etc. You can now stay in any hotel you want when you arrive in Taiwan, including hostels.

Mask are no longer mandatory except in hospitals and other medical facilities. Many locals still wear masks all the time in public, though.

What is the best itinerary for Taiwan?

I’ve got recommended itineraries for 2 days , 3 days , 4 days , 5 days , and 1, 2, or 3 weeks in Taiwan .

The latter one includes different itineraries for slow travelers, fast travelers, a nature-focused itinerary, and a culture-focused itinerary.

If you’ve already made your schedule and want feedback on it, feel free to share it in my Taiwan Travel Planning group .

What are the best apps for Taiwan?

Below are some of the apps that I consider essential for traveling in Taiwan. For more details about each, download links, and several other apps you might want to use, see my guide to the best apps for traveling in Taiwan .

• GoogleMaps : I use this A LOT in Taiwan, for finding places, restaurant/attraction/hotel reviews, traveling times, bus and train times, and more. It is generally very accurate but doesn’t always give the best routes for public transportation.
• LINE : This is the app that virtually everyone in Taiwan uses for communication. It is Asia’s answer to Whatsapp. Many hotels will ask for your LINE info for communicating with you. You can also use it to make free calls to other users.
• Klook for tours, discounted tickets, drivers, scooters, cars, hotels, HSR tickets, and more. I find the desktop version better than the app. Sign up here to get a free credit in your account.
• T Express : the only way to get digital HSR tickets so you don’t have to pick up physical ones after booking (learn more in my HSR ticket booking guide )
• 臺鐵e訂通 for TRA trains, but the app is confusing, so you’ll need to consult my guide to booking train tickets online for Taiwan while you do use it.
• Bus+ : for more reliable bus times than GoogleMaps.
• Uber : Alternative to taxis, but only in big cities. There is no Grab or other such services in Taiwan.
• FindTaxi – Taiwan Taxi Finder : for ordering taxis in English
• GO! Taipei Metro for the Taipei MRT, but all you really need is a good map of the lines saved on your phone
• GoogleTranslate or Naver Papago : for translating when talking to people and scanning menus for instant translation

A few of these apps will require you to have a Taiwan phone number to register. This is one of the beneifs of getting a SIM card in Taiwan (see below).

Arriving in Taiwan FAQs

How long does it take to get through the airport? Can I sleep there?

It takes most travelers about 60 to 90 minutes to get through Taoyuan International Airport. It will be faster if you have no check-in luggage, if you can use the shorter lines (local residents or parents of young children) or the eGates (local residents or Singapore passport holders, registration required), and if you don’t have any SIM cards, EasyCards, cash, etc to pick up.

See my guide to tackling Taoyuan Airport like a boss for tons of info, including best places to sleep, Hello Kitty and LEGO spots at the airport, and much more. Also read my Taoyuan Airport Hotel guide .

How can I get a SIM card for Taiwan?

You can order a SIM card for pickup when you arrive (note the opening times), or you can just buy one from one of the booths in the arrival hall or in the city. See my guide to getting a SIM card in Taiwan for all the details.

Tourist SIMs for Taiwan range from 3 to 30 days. Internet speed is very fast in Taiwan and you can access it almost everywhere.

Should I get a SIM card or WiFI device?

SIM cards are more convenient for individuals. They will also give you data for making phone calls, for example to make restaurant reservations, emergency calls, or call Taiwan’s free 24-hour tourist hotline . You also need a local number (SIM card) to register for YouBike so that you can connect an EasyCard to it for easy bike rentals (see my guide to bike riding in Taiwan ).

A WiFi device like this one is useful for sharing among multiple people. However, it’s an extra device to carry around, charge every day, and return at the end of your trip. Also, you’ll need to be close together to be able to use it.

If you are a couple, consider to just get one SIM card and share the data with the other phone – essentially what you can do with a WiFi device.

What about eSIMs?

eSIMs are the latest trend for traveling, and if you have a new iPhone, it may be your only option. The main advantages of eSIMs is that they are cheap,f fast, and will work as soon as you land in Taiwan.

On the downside, they have limited data – unlimited is possible but quite a bit more expensive. Also, they are a little complicated to sign up for.

My most recommended eSIM for Taiwan is Airalo. Besides the Taiwan eSIM , They also offer regional and gloabl eSIMs .

Read my guide to using an eSIM in Taiwan for all the details.

What is EasyCard and how can I get it?

EasyCard is a reloadable smart card. It is the most convenient card for traveling in Taiwan and all locals use it.

You can swipe EasyCard to ride all MRTs (including Airport MRT, Taipei MRT, Taichung MRT, Kaohsiung MRT and LRT), local trains between cities, local buses in all cities in Taiwan, a few long distance buses, some ferries, taxis (only some), some food stalls, and most convenience stores.

The card costs TWD 100 (non-refundable deposit) + however much money you load onto it. You can order an EasyCard for pickup when you arrive, or buy one at any MRT station/convenience store. In Taiwan, they can only be purchased and topped up with cash.

For more FAQs about this card, read my EasyCard guide .

Is there an EasyCard for kids/seniors/disabled?

Kids under 6 can ride the MRT or buses and trains in Taiwan for free.

Kids age 6-12, seniors, and disabled can buy a concessionaire card (available at stations only), which only offers some small discounts when transferring. Only Taipei city students can get a student EasyCard.

What is a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass?

Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass is for tourists only. It gives you 1-3 days of unlimited MRT and bus rides, some tourist shuttle buses for day trips outside Taipei, and entrance to 25+ attractions.

It’s only worth the money if you use it a lot. Here’s an amazing calculator to help you decide if the pass is worth the money . Read my review of the Taipei Fun Pass here .

There’s also a new Klook attractions pass (2-5 attractions only, no transport, valid 30 days) and a Transport-Only Fun Pass (1-2 days, option to add Maokong Gondola).

Do I need cash for Taiwan?

Even with your hotels and tours booked and paid online, you will still need cash for buying food, souvenirs , and other things while traveling in Taiwan.

Most food stalls, small restaurants, and small shops only take cash. Yes, you can use EasyCard sometimes, but EasyCards can only be loaded with cash.

Even at bigger places that take credit cards, foreign ones sometimes don’t work. If purchasing a larger item, such as electronics, most shops have a surcharge for using credit card and prefer cash.

What’s the best way to get cash?

Withdrawing cash from an ATM once you arrive in Taiwan is the best way, in my opinion. There are ATMs at the airport, on the street, most MRT stations, and almost every convenience store in the country except on some small islands.

The withdrawal limit is very high in Taiwan (TWD 20,000 at most, or 30,000 at Post Office ATMs). This is probably higher than your home bank’s withdrawal limit, so make sure to check that first and don’t try to take out too much at once or it will decline the transaction – do this too many times and your bank might even freeze your card.

Try an international travel card like Wise card for lower fees. Some visitors report that their bank card doesn’t work at some or most ATMs in Taiwan, so it’s good to bring a few different cards. Others have no issues at all.

Should I exchange money at the airport or in the city?

In many countries, changing money at the airport is a bad idea. This is not really the case in Taiwan.

If you decide to bring some cash from your country to exchange to Taiwanese currency (instead of just using ATMs to withdraw money in Taiwan), the rate offered by banks at the airport is the same as in the city. The airport kiosks only add a small fee per transaction.

Going to a bank in the city, or one of the very few currency exchange booths there, is less convenient. It can take a long time, and most banks only carry a few major currencies. If you’re bringing a less common currency (for example, Philippines pesos), definitely do it at the airport.

Do I need to fill in the online arrival card?

No, you don’t need to fill in the online arrival card before you come to Taiwan, but you can if you want to.

After you submit it, you should receive an email (but there’s no QR code). If you get the email, you don’t need to do anything else.

When you arrive and go through immigration, they will have you on file. Some people have reported that they didn’t even receive the email, so they didn’t think it worked. But when they arrived in Taiwan, the immigration officer said it had been received.

If you don’t do the online arrival card, just fill out the paper one on the airplane or when you arrive in Taiwan, as normal.

Where can I store luggage?

There are multiple options for storing luggage in Taiwan. These include luggage storage lockers at the airport (up to 3 days), longer term storage at Pelican Express, luggage storage lockers at train, MRT, and HSR stations across taiwan (1-3 days), and the Taipei Station Baggage Service Center beside Taipei Main Station.

Find out how to use these lockers and storage options in my guide to storing baggage in Taiwan .

Taiwan Transportation FAQs

How do I get from Taoyuan airport to Taipei?

From Taoyuan International Airport, the fastest and easiest way is to ride the Airport MRT , which is operated by Taoyuan City.

The ride takes 35 to 50 minutes (every second train is express) to Taipei Main Station. The cost is TWD 150 per person, which you can pay in cash or with an EasyCard . The Airport MRT doesn’t run from around 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM.

Bus 1819 also runs 24-hours, but service at night is less frequent. It arrives at Kuo Kuang Terminal at Taipei Main Station.

It is safe and easy to take a taxi (45 min to 1 hr) from right in front of the airport. The metered ride usually costs around TWD 1200 to 1500 to anywhere in Taipei. You can get a cheaper rate (around 1000 to 1200) if you book a private transfer here .

See more details and pictures in my guides to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei and Taoyuan Airport to Ximending .

How do I get from the airport to other cities in Taiwan?

There are also direct buses from the airport to other cities in Northern Taiwan (departure times are quite limited, though).

If you want to go to Yilan or Hualien , ride the airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then transfer to a regular (TRA) train. For Taichung , Tainan , or Kaohsiung , ride the Airport MRT in the opposite direction from Taipei, to Taoyuan HSR station, then take the High Speed Rail .

If you want to take the regular (cheaper, but slower) TRC train to those cities , then take a taxi from the airport to Taoyuan TRA station , which is in a different location than the HSR station, and doesn’t have MRT access.

What’s the best way to get around Taipei?

The Taipei MRT will be your best friend. It goes almost everywhere you will want to visit in Taipei. It is fast, clean, and frequent.

Every MRT station has maps of the neighborhood around it, toilets, and an information desk. Buy a token with cash from the machine or window, or swipe your EasyCard to ride. The MRT is wheelchair accessible. At least 1 exit of every station has an elevator. Search the Wikipedia page of the station to find out which exit. MRTs run from around 6 AM to 12 or 1 AM, depending on the station.

There are a few places in Taipei where you might need to take buses , for example National Palace Museum or Yangmingshan National Park (read how to get to Yangmingshan here ). Enter at the front or back door, and swipe your EasyCard when boarding and again when getting off.

You may also ride Maokong Gondola to a tea growing area or a take a ferry from Tamsui to Fisherman’s Wharf). Both take EasyCard.

Taxis are widely available and reasonably priced, but driver’s English may be limited. Always show your address in Mandarin (or learn how to pronounce Mandarin words ) to avoid getting taken to the wrong place. Uber is also available in Taipei and other major cities in Taiwan, but not smaller towns or rural areas. 

How should I travel around Taiwan?

For day trips from Taipei, you will likely be taking local TRC train s and/or buses. Learn how to book TRC train tickets here . Taiwan Rail Corporation (TRC, formerly called TRA) trains do a full circle around Taiwan and you will probably use them most. TRA stations are usually in the city center.

The High Speed Rail (HSR) travels from Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying station) on the west coast only. These trains are twice as fast but twice as expensive. Besides Taipei, all HSR stations are somewhat inconveniently located outside of city centers, so you’ll have to find your way into the city once you get there. Learn more about TRC vs HSR trains here .

In Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, you can connect to local trains or MRTs for getting into the city center. Other stations usually have a free shuttle bus to the city if you’re holding an HSR ticket for that day.

You’ll need to ride buses for getting to a few popular places in Taiwan, including Sun Moon Lake , Alishan , Lukang , and Kenting . Getting to Alishan is particularly complicated and a lot of travelers struggle figuring out this part of their trip, so please see my guide to getting to Alishan , list of Alishan bus times , and guide to reserve Alishan bus tickets online .

There are reasonably priced domestic flights, often departing from Songshan Airport in the Taipei city center (MRT accessible). These include flights to Hualien, Taitung, and Penghu islands.

What are the different types of TRC (TRA) train?

When you search for TRC train times , you’ll usually see a list with many different train types. Local trains are the slowest and can’t be reserved because they have benches along the sides, not numbered seats, just like an MRT. Just swipe your EasyCard or buy a ticket from the window to board these trains.

Trains called Tze Chiang or Chu Kuang have numbered seats which you can book in advance on the official site. These trains also allow standing, so even if the seats are sold out, you can still buy a standing ticket, or just swipe your EasyCard to board them. Except beware of one new train, Tze Chiang Lmt. Express 3000 (see below), which doesn’t allow standing.

For three Express trains (Puyuma Express, Taroko Express, and Tze Chiang Lmt. Express 3000), standing tickets are not allowed and a seat reservation is necessary. These trains are fastest and tend to sell out first.

Do I need to book TRC trains in advance? How?

You can book and pay for your TRC train tickets on the official site up to 28 days in advance. I don’t recommend the Taiwan trains app because it is not user-friendly, full of bad English, and doesn’t seem to list all trains. If you do want to try, I’ve listed all the steps for booking train tickets on either one.

If you are planning to travel on a weekend or holiday, or if you want to ride the express train to Hualien (one of the most high-demand routes), then I highly recommend booking your train tickets in advance for longer journeys. If it’s a local train, you can’t even book it. And for shorter journeys or off-peak times, you can usually jut show up and buy a ticket (standing if necessary) for the next possible train.

After you book and pay for your tickets online, you’ll need to pick up the physical ticket from any convenience store in Taiwan (small surcharge, ask the clerk to help with the iBon (7-11) or FamiPort (FamilyMart) machine because the interface is in Mandarin) or any TRA train station in Taiwan. Make sure to get to the station early enough if you plan to do it right before you catch the train, as there may be a line.

If you book seats on the website 3 times without completing (paying for) the order, the system will blacklist you for one month. Find more info in my Taiwan train booking guide .

When should I choose the High Speed Rail?

HSR trains are faster, but also pricier and inconveniently located outside of most city centers. However, here are some cases where I would recommend it:

• You want to make a long trip (for example Taipei to Chiayi/Tainan/Kaohsiung) as quickly as possible. For shorter trips, like Taipei to Taichung, or Kaohsiung to Chiayi, it’s hardly worth it, since the time you save is wasted getting to the city center once you arrive.
• You want to go from Taichung or the south of Taiwan directly to Taoyuan Airport. Ride the HSR to Taoyuan station then transfer to the airport MRT (20 min). Then you don’t need to go back to Taipei again.
• Even though HSR stations are outside of cities, it’s worth nothing that there is a direct bus from Taichung HSR station to Sun Moon Lake , a direct bus from Chiayi HSR station to Alishan (only a few per day, so check the times), and a direct bus from Zuoying HSR to Kenting or Xiaoliuqiu . So for these cases, the HSR is pretty convenient and allows you to bypass going into those cities.
• If TRA train seats are all sold out, and you don’t want to stand or squeeze onto one, you can always get a non-reserved HSR ticket and sit anywhere in cars 10-12, even on the busiest days.
• The HSR is very clean, spacious, and fun to ride. You might want to ride it at least once on your trip simply because it is awesome!

Learn more in my guide to riding the High Speed Rail in Taiwan .

Do I need to book HSR tickets in advance? How?

High Speed Rails tickets are easier to get than regular TRA train tickets. HSR trains don’t sell out as often due to the higher cost (mainly this only happens on holidays), and you can always buy non-reserved tickets for cars 10-12, even at the last minute, and often still get a seat.

You can book and pay for tickets on the official site up to 28 days in advance or you can get e-tickets using the T Express app .

Early bird tickets (up to 28 days in advance) on the official HSR site start at 35% off, then go to 20%, 10%, and finally no discount – they speed they run out depends on demand.

If you buy HSR tickets on Klook , they usually have a 20% off deal or a 2for1 deal (see below). If you don’t want to book your ticket in advance, you can just show up at the HSR station and buy a non-reserved (full price) ticket or reserved seat (if available) and get on the next train, even on the busiest days of the year, like during Lunar New Year.

For all booking methods, find screenshots of all the steps in my HSR booking guide.

How do I buy HSR tickets or passes on Klook?

Klook usually offers HSR tickets with a 20% discount , even when the early bird ones are finished on the official site.

Klook also has a 2/3-day unlimited HSR pass and a 5-day unlimited HSR and TRA pass . These passes can save you money if you are doing multiple trips in a short period.

However, all of these Klook tickets and passes can be a little annoying to book, with lots of steps. Just buying the voucher on Klook doesn’t guarantee you a seat.

First you select and pay for the voucher. You need to use the voucher to make your seat reservations before it expires (usually around 90 days). Even though you have to choose a date when booking on Klook, do you don’t have to use the voucher for that date. You’ll receive the voucher by email.

Then you need to wait when day. Then go to this page (not the regular HSR home page!), click manage at the top-right, then key in your voucher “redeem code” (not any of the other numbers on it, and your personal info, to redeem it.

If you bought tickets for different people at the same time, then then passport number for each will have to go with the right voucher number for it to work.

Once you redeem the voucher, you’ll need to follow the instructions for booking your actual seats, which will be subject to availability. If you need a specific train, it’s best to make sure that one isn’t sold out before you buy your voucher. I told you, it’s complicated!

Here are more FAQs about using HSR in Taiwan .

Are there train tickets for kids/elderly?

Kids under 6 can ride the TRA and HSR for free in Taiwan, as long as you don’t mind sharing your seat with them. If you want a separate seat for your child, or your child is age 6-12, you can buy a children’s ticket, which is 50% off.

Unfortunately only local residents can get can seniors discount.

Should I rent a car in Taiwan? How?

This will depend on your driving confidence level and what kind of roads you are used to. Taiwan’s traffic is a little wilder than Europe, North America, or Japan, but not as bad as some other countries in Asia.

I recommend renting a car here , with various options for vehicle size, pick up location, child seats (mandatory in Taiwan except when riding in taxis).

Taipei is the worst for driving and parking, so most people explore Taipei by MRT. Many also take the train to Hualien or Taichung (faster and easier than driving), then start their round-island car rental from there. An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or Taiwanese license is required for renting a car in Taiwan.

Should I rent a scooter in Taiwan?

One of the fun facts about Taiwan is that there are almost as many scooters as people in the country. You’ll see what I mean when you get there!

Riding a scooter can be a really fun and convenient way to get around. I especially recommend it for exploring offshore islands like Penghu , Orchid Island , and Xiaoliuqiu , or for exploring the East Coast and Kenting National Park .

You can find scooters for most cities in Taiwan on Klook, such as Taichung , Taitung , Kenting , Xiaoliuqiu , Chiayi , Kaohsiung , Tainan , and Penghu . They can also be rented outside of most train stations in Taiwan.

In the past it was possible to rent a scooter without an IDP, but nowadays almost everywhere asks for it. A few shops even ask for proof that you have motorcycle endorsement on your home country license too, but not usually. Avoid riding in Taroko Gorge (when open) or high mountain roads during or after heavy rain or typhoons. Helmets are always provided.

Usually the scooter comes almost empty and you need to fill it with gas. Usually you have to say 95 (jiu wu or 九五) for the type of gas. A little gas goes a long way (TWD 50 or USD 2 will cover you for several hours of driving).

Can I drive from Taroko Gorge to Cingjing Farm/Sun Moon Lake/Taichung?

(2024 update: Due to the April 3 earthquake, all of Taroko National Park is currently closed until further notice, so it is not possible to drive from Taichung to Taroko Gorge.)

The short answer is yes, but you can expect some small delays. Start your drive early, as it could take a whole day.

Taiwan has three Cross-Island Highways: North, Central, and South. These are high-mountain routes with slow, winding roads that can take many hours to drive, when they are even open. Bring car-sickness medication (暈車藥, available at all pharmacies) if you are prone. These roads are frequently destroyed by landslides during typhoons or heavy rain. They have limited or no public transportation and are sometimes closed for months or even years.

The Central one (Highway 8) starts in Taroko Gorge , goes up into the mountains, and connects to Highway 14. This highway then passes Hehuanshan (one of most accessible high mountains in Taiwan and a famous place to see snow in winter ) and goes over Wuling Pass, the highest navigable pass in Taiwan. After that, it reaches the popular Cingjing Farm before descending to Sun Moon Lake and Taichung.

Highway 8 above Taroko Gorge was badly damaged by landslides in several spots in 2022. Currently, the construction crews are still fixing them and some sections are closed at certain times every day. The situation is constantly changing. Check for the lates updates here on the Taroko NP website – click the small arrow beside Highway 8. It is updated on the first day of every month.

The information on the national park site can be a little confusing though. Please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and search my latest posts about Taroko Gorge to find my interpretations of the updates, including a map I made showing the closure areas and times.

See more information in my guide to how to drive to Cingjing Farm and Hehuanshan .

More Taiwan Travel Tips and FAQs

What should I do on a layover in Taipei?

If you have a stopover at Taoyuan International Airport, I only recommend leaving the airport if you have 6-7 or more hours.

In order to do so, you’ll need to make sure that you don’t need a visa for Taiwan (see my guide to Taiwan visa requirements ).

Next, hop on the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station and begin your explorations! I cover the best things to see depending on how many hours you have, things to do at the airport, best places to sleep, and more in my Taipei layover guide .

What are the must-see attractions in Taipei?

Some of Taipei’s top sights include Taipei 101 Observatory (see my Taipei 101 guide and best Taipei 101 viewpoints ), Elephant Mountain , National Palace Museum , Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Maokong Gondola, Beitou Hot Spring , various temples , and the city’s famous night markets . I recommend a minimum of two full days for exploring the city.

You can find more ideas and information in my Taipei guide and list of things to do in Taipei .

Where should I stay in Taipei?

Decide which area you want to stay in my guide to the best hotels in Taipei by area and my favorite hostels in Taipei .

Ximending is very popular because it is a cool neighborhood with lots of shopping, restaurants, and cheap hotels. Taipei Main Station area is also popular for sheer convenience.

Why does it seem like every hotel is sold out?

There are two possibilities. Either they really are, or you are checking too early. Many hotels in Taiwan only release their rooms 2-6 months in advance.

It is very common for every hotel at popular attractions like Alishan to sell out because the hotels there are limited. Make sure to book your Alishan hotel early, especially during weekends, holidays, Lunar New Year, and cherry blossom season (March to April). However, several rooms there only release their rooms 2-3 months in advance, and you never know when that will happen, so you just have to keep trying.

On long weekends and Lunar New Year, you may find that all the hotels are sold out at Sun Moon Lake and other popular places, too.

Big cities usually have more options. But even big cities can be hard to find what you need during peak times, and hotels are known to jack up their prices at popular times, like long weekends and around NYE in December. Also consider trying Airbnb (note: Airbnb is not technically legal in Taiwan, but it is still commonly used).

How can you know if hotels have released their rooms yet? You can find out if this is the case by clicking into the hotel on Booking dot com (just try this one ).

Scroll to the bottom, and under “Availability”, click the dates and scroll ahead a few months in the calendar. You will see that this hotel only has rooms available to a certain date, usually about 3 months ahead. So the trick is to just keep checking back as your trip approaches.

Are many things closed on Mondays?

Yes, lots of small shops, food stalls, and a few bigger attractions close on Mondays. For example, in Taipei, the National Palace Museum , Maokong Gondola , Beitou Hot Spring Museum , and Beitou Thermal Valley are all closed on Monday.

However, night markets are open every day of the year, and popular places like Shifen Waterfall and Jiufen Old Street are busy even on Mondays. You can find the opening times for all places on GoogleMaps.

Is it a bad idea to visit during Lunar New Year or long weekends?

Lunar New Year can be a challenging time to visit Taiwan. Flights can be more expensive, all trains and most hotels sold out, highways clogged, and many attractions are closed for a few days.

Taipei can feel like a ghost town at this time. But it’s still possible to work around this. For all the details, see my guides to Lunar New Year in Taipei and traveling during Lunar New Year in Taiwan . For long weekends, millions of locals go traveling around the island, so it’s the same story, except that everything will be open and busy as normal.

It’s better to visit Taiwan for Lantern Festival, which is on the 15th day of the 1st Lunar month. Many Lantern Festival events around the country take place for several weeks around that time.

Should I travel clockwise or counter-clockwise around Taiwan?

It doesn’t really matter. Clockwise feels more natural to me, but others have said the opposite. One thing I like about clockwise is that at the end of your trip, you can take the High Speed Rail to Taoyuan station and get to the airport on the Airport MRT. Then you don’t need to go back to Taipei again at the end of your trip. So this avoids backtracking and makes the clockwise route a little more efficient.

How many days do I need for Hualien, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan?

If you don’t mind to be super rushed, you could see these three places in 3 days. However, 5 days (2 nights in Hualien, 2 nights in SML, and 1 night in Alishan) is better.

r the fast way, do Taroko Gorge in Hualien as a day trip from Taipei or stay for a single night. Take the first train of the day then join a tour (you’ll get there just in time) or hire a driver .

Or, take this guided day tour from Taipei (warning: it involves LOTS of driving). Then take an evening train back to Taipei or spend the night in Hualien before going back.

Travelers with more time usually spend two nights in Hualien, so they can have a full day to explore Taroko Gorge and not have to take a long train before/after.

For the fast trip, go from Taipei to to Sun Moon Lake as early as possible on day 2 so you have a full day to explore there. For the slower trip, use one day to travel from Hualien back to Taipei on the train, then Taipei to Taichung on the HSR and ride the bus to SML.

After 1-2 nights at Sun Moon Lake, take the bus to Alishan . The bus departs at 8 AM only, so make sure you have enough time to explore the lake the day before.

For most people, I usually say that one night at Alishan is enough. Some people choose to spend 2 nights there to be less rushed and explore some of the lesser known trails.

My top recommendation is to spend 1 night in Alishan and 1 more night in Fenqihu or Shizhuo on the way down to the mountain to Chiayi. Read all about these villages and why I love them in my Alishan guide .

What are the best places for kids or teens in Taiwan?

For this question, there is so much info to share that it’s better if you read my guides to visiting Taipei with kids and traveling around Taiwan with kids .

Families with young kids especially love Yilan county and Miaoli county , both of which are full of fun museums, leisure farms, and more, but renting a car or hiring a driver to explore them is best.

My kids also loved snorkeling with giant sea turtles in Xiaoliqiu , visiting some of these beaches and amusement parks in Taiwan , and exploring cat cafes in Taipei (only some allow kids).

Where can I see alpacas and capybaras in Taiwan?

These cute (and totally non-native) animals are having a moment in Taiwan right now, so travelers always ask about them. Below are the most popular spots, but you can find even more in my guide to seeing capybaras in Taiwan .

• Zhang Mei Ama Farm in Yilan
• Dancewoods Japanese Garden also in Yilan
• Greenworld Ecological Farm in Hsinchu (alpacas only)
• Hobbit Valley in Miaoli, which also has Hobbit houses
• Kenting Paradise in Kenting even has a capybara shrine and swimming with capybaras, but no alpacas

Where can I rent qipao, hanfu, or kimono for photo-taking in Taiwan?

There are at least a dozen places around Taiwan where you can rent these traditional outfits for taking pictures. I introduce many of them in my guide to renting qipao in Taiwan . Here are just a few:

• Hanfu wearing while playing guzheng (a classical Chinese instrument) in Taipei
• Kimono wearing at Beitou Hot Spring
• Kimono rental at Dancewoods Japanese theme park in Yilan
• Qipao wearing in Tainan with option to add professional makeup and hair styling
• Qipao wearing at Kaohsiung grand Hotel

Where are the best places to go shopping in Taipei?

• For the best Taiwan souvenirs : Ximending and the gift shops in Taipei 101 Observatory, National Palace Museum, Jiufen Old Street, and even at the airport
• For tea , teaware and traditional crafts: Dihua Street or Yinnge Ceramics Street
• For cheap clothing : Wufenpu Shopping District and night markets
• For trendy/teen/young adult clothing : Shida Night Market area, Gongguan Night Market area , Ximending, Chifeng Street near Zhongshan MRT, and the many small lanes north of Zhongxiao Fuxing and Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT stations
• For high end designer brands , try Zhongxiao East Road (between Zhonxiao Fuxing, Zhongxiao Dunhua, and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT stations, Taipei 101 Mall and others around it, and other big malls like Sogo, Breeze, and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
• For electronics : Guang Hua Digital Plaza and Camera Street (for cameras, the street south of Taipei North Gate)
• For anime, manga, and K-pop supplies try Animate Café , Animate Store , Idol King , and more listed in my Ximending guide . There’s also a collection of shops in the underground mall below Taipei Main Station, around exit Y17. 
• For Books : Eslite (誠品) is a popular local bookstore chain with award-winning design. One used to be 24-hours and was a popular late-night hangout, but that is no longer.
• For local snacks to take home : Taoyuan International Airport, HSR stations, bakeries, supermarkets

What are the best night markets?

Taipei’s top night markets are Shilin (the largest and most famous), Raohe (many say the best), Ningxia (a close second), Tonghua (near Taipei 101), and Nanjichang (the most local).

See my Taipei night market guide for even more, and my food recommendations for each one.

Across the country, here are the best night markets in Taiwan .

I’ve also got guides to Keelung Night Market, Taichung’s night markets , Feng Chia Night Market , Tainan’s night markets , and Kaohsiung’s night markets .

What are the best restaurants in Taipei?

There are literally thousands of good restaurants in Taipei, so it’s hard to even know where to begin. In my Taipei restaurant guide , I break it down with around 5 recommendations for each style of food, including Taiwanese, dim sum, vegetarian restaurants , upscale, and more.

Din Tai Fung is Taipei’s most famous restaurant, but you can’t make a reservation .You can get in a little faster if you pre-order here . In my restaurant guide, I recommend several alternatives to Din Tai Fung which also have xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

Foodies will also love Addiction Aquatic for seafood, Yongkang Street for shaved ice and various restaurants, Shenkeng Old Street for stinky tofu, all kinds of yummy food in Ximending , and Myanmar Street for Burmese food.

Traditional Taiwanese breakfast shops are also a big deal in Taipei. Some of them are even open all night – see my guides to the best breakfast shops and 24-hour restaurants in Taipei .

What are the best day trips from Taipei?

Shifen Old Street (where you can set off Sky Lanterns year-round and see Shifen Waterfall ) and Jiufen Old Street are the two most popular day trips from Taipei. They are often visited together on one day. They are always crowded.

You can see both, and some other cool spots, on this very popular guided day trip . You can find out how to visit them on your own, plus many, many other day trip ideas, in my guide to the best day trips from Taipei .

Which hot springs should I visit in Taiwan?

There are dozens of major hot springs in Taiwan, so choosing just one or two can be tough. For more info, see my guide to the best hot springs in Taiwan . Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Beitou : most convenient because it’s right in Taipei and MRT accessible. Also has historic Japanese architecture. Spring City is the only kid-friendly hot spring in Beitou (the link has a great deal for adults, but kids tickets are cheaper if you just buy them there).
• Wulai Hot Spring : day trip from Taipei to a riverside aboriginal village with hot springs
• Tienlai Hot Spring : fancy hot spring resort just outside of Yangmingshan National Park
• Jiaoxi Hot Spring : day trip or overnight from Taipei, has some of the most kid-friendly spas in Taiwan, hot springs with cool colors, and little fish that tickle your feet
• Ruisui in Hualien county: convenient stop when traveling down the east coast
• Lisong Hot Spring : the most beautiful wild spring in Taiwan, but requires a tough hike
• Guanziling in Tainan (but closer to Chiayi city): unique mud hot springs
• Zhaori: unique salt water hot spring on Green Island

Where can I see tea farms or buy tea in Taiwan?

There are several excellent tea shops in Taipei for buying locally made tea and teaware or trying traditional kungfu tea ceremony. Yingge (30 min by train from Taipei) is Taiwan’s ceramics and pottery center, with loads of teaware spanning all budgets. I cover all of these places in my Taiwan tea guide .

The best places to visit tea farms are around Taipei (Maokong and Pinglin area –  try this tour ), around Antique Assam Tea farm near Sun Moon Lake , and especially Shizhuo area of Alishan . The latter is the best place to stay on tea farm in Taiwan.

See my Alishan guide for all the details.

What gifts should I bring for someone in Taiwan?

You don’t need to bring little gifts to hand out to kids in Taiwan – it is not a developing country, and this would be seen as unusual.

If you’re visiting family or friends, the most common and appreciated gift is a famous snack, food item, or souvenir from your hometown or country . This is what Taiwanese always buy for their friends and family when they travel. But heads up that many Taiwanese find Western treats too sweet, so avoid candy, fudge, or chocolate.

Some people bring vitamins or Tylenol/Advil (hard to find in Taiwan) or brand name products (like Coach, Lululemon, Kate Spade) for a fancier gift.

If you’re attending a wedding , bring cash (new, unfolded bills) in a red envelope (available at 7-11). TWD 2000 to 5000 is the norm (depending on how close you are), but avoid giving any denomination of 4, like 4000 or 3400 for example, because 4 is an unlucky number that sounds like death. It’s the same for funerals , but in a white envelope.

What are some things I should/shouldn’t do in Taiwan?

Here are a few things you should or shouldn’t do if you don’t want to stand out or disrespect local culture.

• On escalators, stand on the right side only, walk on the left.
• Don’t sit in the dark blue seats on the MRT – those are reserved for the elderly, pregnant, travelers with babies, or the disabled.
• Don’t eat or chew gum on the MRT (the cameras will really see you!) But it’s OK on the HSR, TRA trains, and long-distance buses.
• Never put your feet up on the seat on public transportation, including the seat in front of you or your own seat.
• Don’t speak loudly on any public transportation. Only whisper. Many locals like to take a nap while riding.
• Don’t leave tips, with a few rare exceptions. Here’s my guide to tipping in Taiwan .
• Don’t call out to servers or for the bill. Just take it to the front and pay.
• Wear you mask on all public transportation, taxis, and medical facilities. Consider also wearing it in busy/crowded places.
• Don’t leave chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice.
• Hand over and accept things with two hands.
• Don’t walk around with no shoes or shirt, unless on the beach. Going topless on the beach is not considered acceptable in Taiwan, like in most Asian countries.
• Most Taiwanese greet people with a small wave, smile, and/or nod. They only shake hands in business contexts. They don’t usually hug, and European-style kissing would be one way to really freak them out.
• Shouting or getting mad at staff in Taiwan is never appropriate and doesn’t help.

Where are all the bathrooms and trash bins?

To find a toilet in Taiwan, some of the go-to places are MRT stations, fast food places like McDonald’s or Starbucks (often on the 2 nd floor), temples , and some parks.

As for trash bins, they often seem to be non-existent, and when you do see them, they are often overflowing. Night markets, convenience stores, and MRT stations have them, or just take your trash back to your hotel.    

Is Taiwan safe to visit? How about for solo female travelers?

Taiwan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, and Taipei one of the safest cities in the world . It is safe to walk around any neighborhood in Taipei, even alone at night. Female visitors consistently report feeling very safe in Taiwan.

Taiwanese are famously polite, respectful, and welcoming to visitors. Tourist scams are very rare in Taiwan, and taxi drivers are trustworthy. It’s a common story to lose a valuable item, only to find later that someone has turned it in, or it’s still sitting there hours later.

Be careful crossing the street in Taiwan because cars and scooters don’t give way to pedestrians. Some visitors experience minor cases of food poisoning. Typhoons can strike anytime from July to October. Don’t visit coastal or mountainous areas during heavy rain. If an oncoming typhoon is very big and expected to hit directly, city/county governments may issue a stay-at-home order for one day – in that case, stock up on food (instant noodles always sell out!) and stay in.

The threat of a possible conflict with China is ongoing, but it is highly unlikely that this would happen suddenly without weeks of warning, if at all.

Well, folks, what did I miss? Feel free to mention any questions about Taiwan that you’d like to see answered in the comments below!

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The Nuts and Bolts of Traveling in Taiwan

I could’ve used a guide to Taiwan travel advice back when I first started coming here. Instead, I had to make do with the patchwork of well-meaning (but mostly superfluous) English-language articles that existed at the time.

Which is not to say the following dozen or so paragraphs are exhaustive or even comprehensive. I’ve attempted to distill down the most important things to know about traveling in Taiwan, but it’s possible, in my quest to limit the noise and nonsense, I’ve also excised a few worthwhile things.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that I’m constantly re-visiting and revising my information, and always trying to up my game. I’d encourage you to come back to this page often!

Traveling in Taiwan is Easy

Now, I don’t want to nullify the case for the Taiwan travel advice I’m about to give you, but I have to be honest about something: Traveling in Taiwan is extremely easy, or at least it will be once you understand some fundamentals. Taiwan is the best of both worlds, a highly organized and civilized country (like Japan or Korea), but with a laid-back attitude and culture that might otherwise be more at home in Southeast Asia .

To be sure, after reading through my tips for traveling to Taiwan (and maybe, writing a couple of them down so you don’t forget them), try and do your best to get into a groove after you land in Taipei. The ease with which you’ll be able to explore Taiwan has less to do with your knowledge upon arriving, and more to do with your ability to go with the flow and find your place (albeit, as a tourist) within Taiwanese daily life.

Things to Know Before Arriving in Taiwan

Taiwan immigration.

The bad news? I’m not sure when registration for the Taiwan e-Gate (which will change your life, assuming you come from an eligible country, and assuming you plan to visit Taiwan often) will be open again, following the coronavirus crisis. The good news? Unless you arrive at an extremely busy time on a day when many officers call into work, Taiwanese immigration is relatively quick, simple and straightforward.

SIM cards in Taiwan

Perhaps my top piece of Taiwan travel advice is to buy your SIM card at Taoyuan Airport. Prices are extremely low, and you get unlimited data for however long your card is valid for—finding deals like this in the city is close to impossible. On the other hand, Taiwan is one of the few countries where I wouldn’t recommend buying a SIM card via Klook, as you’ll need to queue and fill out paperwork anyway.

Public transportation in Taiwan

Before entering the Taoyuan Airport MRT to take you into the city, I’d recommend purchasing an EasyCard. Although this is most ubiquitous within the Taipei MRT (as well as buses and trains within and just outside the city), it actually works all over Taiwan, except for on Taiwan’s high-speed trains . Buying an EasyCard and keeping it loaded up will make your life far easier and more pleasant, no matter which Taiwan destinations you end up visiting.

Do Taiwanese people speak English?

Another essential piece of Taiwan travel advice relates to language—namely, the issue of speaking English (or, rather, not speaking Chinese) in Taiwan. While I can’t lie that my residual Mandarin language ability from living in Shanghai a million years ago comes in handy here, Taiwanese people (especially in Taipei) are among the most adept English speakers in Asia. Certainly, you’ll have an easier time here than you could in Korea or Japan.

Weather in Taiwan

I’ll be honest: Taiwan weather can leave something to be desired, particularly on short visits, since weather patterns can last for days or weeks at a time. I once had an entire trip to Taiwan rained out! However, if you prepare for this possibility before you come, and see sunny (or even not-rainy) days as a gift rather than an expectation, you’ll thank yourself later. Bring a good umbrella from abroad, too—the ones sold here suck!

Is Taiwan Expensive?

I’ve written an entire article about the cost of travel in Taiwan , which I would highly recommend you read now. To summarize my findings, however, I’d say that the majority of travel expenses in Taiwan are low for a highly-developed and safe country in Asia. On the other hand, some things in Taiwan (namely hotels) are downright overpriced, especially when you consider that their quality (even in Taipei) is highly suspect.

Plan Your Trip to Taiwan

If you’ve been searching for a Taiwan trip planner, I have good news and I have better news. The good news is that Taiwan Starts Here is your hub for free and up-to-date Taiwan travel info. Although I’m currently building out the site, it will ultimately have hundreds of posts and pages filled with facts and insights to help you plan the ultimate trip to Taiwan.

The better news? If you don’t want to sift through all the details yourself, you can hire me to create a personalized Taiwan itinerary just for you!

Other FAQ About Planning a Trip to Taiwan

What do i need to know before going to taiwan.

The most important thing to know before going to Taiwan is that the country is way larger than it looks. While you might assume that Taiwan is little more than “Taipei and her sisters” or that it can be seen in just a week (or even less), seeing all of Taiwan requires several weeks, as well as a lot of patience.

Is it expensive to travel to Taiwan?

Taiwan is relatively cheap, with a currency of similar value to the Thai Baht and a cost of living somewhere between Southeast Asia and Northeast Asian countries like South Korea and Japan. As a general rule, you can expect to spend somewhere around 100 USD per person, per day traveling in Taiwan, although resourceful budget travelers can certain scrape by for less.

How many days is enough for Taiwan?

If you want to take a comprehensive Taiwan trip that explores most destinations on the island (and maybe one offshore), I’d suggest spending a minimum of 2 weeks in Taiwan. However, with even a week in Taiwan, you can cover a decent amount of ground, albeit nothing close to comprehensive.

The Bottom Line

I haven’t tackled every Taiwan travel advice topic here—and that’s intentional. Rather than getting you tied up in minutia like some bloggers have done (a strategy, I’ll also add, that makes it impossible for them to keep their own guides up-to-date), I’ve put on a narrower lens, and honed in on the things that will make your trip to Taiwan easier and more enjoyable. Because that’s the goal, isn’t it? You don’t want or need to know everything about Taiwan—you simply need to clean a safe path through the brush, so you can discover and explore without the fear of tripping over yourself.

Plan Your Taiwan Trip

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How I Spent a Week in Taiwan: An 8-Day Taiwan Itinerary

A relatively less explored destination in East Asia, the island of Taiwan packs a punch with a pleasing mix of varied offerings; gorgeous national parks and mountainous scenic areas with hiking trails and few visitors, indigenous cultures rich in tradition, art and crafts, delicious cuisines from the mountains and coast, and cities that are effortlessly cool, fashionable, hipster, arty, and intriguing, all at once.

Then of course, there are the people – friendly, open, welcoming (also of diversity) and so polite they put the rest of the world to shame, and you begin to wonder how Taiwan has remained a secret for so long.

Here’s my 8-day Taiwan itinerary with places to visit in Taiwan, tips, practical information and additional ideas for shorter and longer itineraries. If you’re mainly visiting the capital Taipei, then you might be interested in my guide to the best things to do and places to visit in Taipei .

An 8- Day Taiwan Itinerary

You can use this 8-day Taiwan itinerary to plan your trip but I’ve written it down in a way that allows for some flexibility- whether you’re traveling in Taiwan for a week, are looking for a 10-day itinerary or are visiting Taiwan for two weeks.

You can add extra days in places that seem more appealing or visit a few more famous spots such as the Taroko Gorge , reduce the days in cities that might not seem as interesting to you, and also consider the additional days itinerary and suggestions at the end of this post.

Day 1: Sightseeing and Urban Exploration in Taipei

While I’m usually not much of a city person, I was pleasantly surprised by Taipei, and I can safely say that I would love to return and see more of the city. It’s totally one of the top places to visit in Taiwan, something I don’t necessarily say of every capital.

There are so many amazing things to do and places to visit in Taipei , that you can easily spend a week here. 

Make no mistake, this city (along with New Taipei) is home to a population of six million, but surprisingly, I saw and felt none of the chaos that I’ve come to associate with Asian capitals- think the daredevilry of strategically navigating the traffic of a Hanoi intersection or the sea of humanity that you find yourself in in a floating market in Thailand.

In contrast, Taipei is calm and orderly and easy. No one jaywalks here, no one litters, queues are patient and orderly, and busy spaces don’t feel claustrophobically overcrowded.

It’s incredibly easy to get around with an excellent public transportation system (and Uber), and English is widely spoken.

Yongkang Street, Taipei

And the people? In Taipei, and the rest of the country, it was hard not to acknowledge again and again just how polite, welcoming and friendly the people were.

In fact, if you’re Muslim, you should know that Taiwan is very Muslim-friendly, with many halal restaurants in Taipei, mosques such as the Taipei Grand Mosque , prayer rooms at the airport, as well as hotel rooms that indicate the direction of Qibla and provide prayer mats.

Taipei Grand Mosque

In fact, Taipei felt like the most live-able Asian capital I’ve visited- think bike lanes, plenty of green spaces, great food (both local and international), art and culture, and an active lifestyle.

The city is home to beautiful temples, museums, and historic sights, but also feels modern and cool with creative parks, galleries, cafés, shopping and nightlife. If these aren’t already reasons enough, here are more reasons to visit Taipei .

To get around Taipei, use public transportation or Uber. You can also get on a Hop On Hop Off Bus to see the main sights or book a private car . If you’re more an active traveler, consider doing a bike tour of Taipei .

While two or four days is barely enough to see everything that Taipei has to offer (hence my desire to return and stay longer), here are just some of the amazing things I did during my few days in the Taipei.

Get a Traditional Soy Milk Breakfast

Yong He Soy Milk King is a little hole-in-the-wall breakfast place that sees a long queue of diners patiently waiting outside in the early hours of the morning. They’re open 24/7 and seem to be quite a hit with the afterhours crowd as well.

There’s lots of action going on in the kitchen that looks upon the street; a wrap being prepared here, a donut-type bread being fried there, dumplings being steamed, and bowls of hot soy milk being poured for hungry customers.

It’s self-service, so you collect your order, grab the cutlery and join the locals to enjoy your breakfast.

Yong He SoyMilk King

On our guide’s recommendation I got the steaming hot salty doujiang or rich, creamy soymilk with vinegar, shrimp and tofu, and seasoned with spices and spring onions (35NTD=1USD), plus an egg pancake (shaobing) (25NTD=under 1 USD).

I’d never tasted this version of soymilk before and it was delicious (but a huge portion that I couldn’t finish), as was the egg pancake.

There’s also a fried doughnut-type bread (you tiao) that you can dunk in the hot soymilk, as well as dumplings, and steamed buns. If you sit inside, there’s an English menu with pictures, so you should be okay to order.

You can also find them on Facebook .

Breakfast at Yong He Soy Milk King: doujiang and shaobing

Yong He Soy Milk King

No. 102號, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106

Visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

When in Taipei, you’ll inevitably find yourself at the grand Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the square is also home to two beautiful examples of Chinese architecture- the National Theater and National Concert Hall, at what is one of Taipei’s most visited tourist attractions.

At Liberty Square, you’ll find tourists ambling along taking photos as well as locals- groups of retirees playing drums and children practicing Tai Chi.

And while it makes for pretty pictures, it’s good to know a little bit about the country’s complicated history with China and under former President Chiang Kai-Shek.

Liberty Square

You might know that China, or the People’s Republic of China (PRC) claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which is a self-ruled democracy, and intends to unify it with mainland China.

What you might not know is that Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule for 50 years, at a time when mainland China was governed by the Kuomintang (KMT), or the Republic of China (ROC).

After the Second World War, Japan surrendered Taiwan to the ROC in 1945. In 1949, the ROC lost control of mainland China to the Communist Party or PRC. It was President Chiang Kai-Shek who brought the Kuomintang or ROC to Taiwan.

That political camp still claims to represent all of China and supports eventual unification with China, whereas the opposition (Democratic Progressive Party) considers Taiwan to be an independent democracy and resists any claims on Taiwanese sovereignty.

Under the ROC and President Chiang Kai-Shek, Taiwan whose economy had prospered under Japanese rule, was subjected to economic abuse and corruption, and any protests were met with injustices and atrocities, eventually resulting in martial law for 38 years (ending in July 1987, this was the world’s longest period of martial law until Syria).

If you want to learn more about this, read about the February 28 incident .

After Chiang Kai-Shek’s death in 1975, Taiwan carved out its separate identity and established a successful multiparty democracy, though it faces political challenges and a looming threat from China.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei

The white, blue, and red (colors of the Taiwanese flag) marble building in the center is the Memorial Hall, and just outside, Liberty Square is Taipei’s gathering spot for protests, movements, gathering, concerts, festivals, and public events, some like the Wild Lily movement , which have shaped the course of history for the island nation.

Two sets of 89 stairs, depicting the age of the former President when he died, on either side of a marble mural with ROC symbolism lead up to the main hall where his giant bronze statue looks upon visitors.

At the bottom of the stairs, is a gallery with exhibits (such as his official state cars- Cadillacs) to learn more about his life and work. There’s a changing of the guard ceremony that takes place in the main hall every hour on the hour and attracts quite a crowd.

Chiang Kai-Shek statue at CKS Memorial Hall

The National Theater and National Concert Hall are home to performance venues, galleries, libraries, and cafés, and are worth a visit, as is the landscaped park behind the buildings. This half-day tour takes you on a guided visit of the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, National Palace Museum and other sights around Taipei.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District

Wander around Ximending, Taipei’s Walking District

No visit to Taipei is complete without a wander around Ximending (pronounce shi-men-ting), the city’s buzzing pedestrian shopping and entertainment district.

Here, bright lights, neon signs, street art, pop-up exhibitions, theaters, quirky stores, local boutiques, and themed cafés surround you, and the sounds of music and animated advertising and the chatter of hundreds of people are in the air- it’s all quite visually stimulating if you’ve never seen that kind of thing before (I hadn’t).

While Ximending might look like a new recreational district, it’s actually been around since the Japanese colonial times when it was built as a suburb near the west gate of the old city- hence the name Ximending which translates to West Gate District. The area has been home to culture and the arts at least since the 1930s.

Ximending Walking Street

There are stores selling everything from clothing and shoes to vintage finds and antiques, and this is also the place to try some street food and Taiwanese favorites such as fried chicken (tasty and worth trying) at places like Hot-Star .

If you plan to visit one of many themed cafés that Taipei is famous for, then the toilet-themed Modern Toilet in Ximending, that serves food that looks like poop, drinks that look like urine, and where you eat seated on a toilet, is a good place to start.

Ximending is also popular for its outdoor bars and nightlife, especially in the LGBT district behind the iconic Red House Theater . While it was built in 1908, also during the Japanese colonial times, as a public market, today it’s a creative and cultural hub, one of many in the city.

Ximending, Taipei

The entire area really comes alive in the evenings with performances on the street, and if you want to carry on the fun times late into the night, then consider one of the KTV or karaoke rooms here.

And because I don’t want you to miss all the cool stuff there is to do and see here such as trying craft beer in Taipei, I’ll share this post about Ximending (that I wish I’d seen before I went to Ximending) by a Taipei insider.

Ximending Walking District

No. 9, Lane 50, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Taste Taipei’s Famous Beef Noodles

For an authentic no-frills meal, try local favorite beef noodles at the highly regarded but easy to miss hole-in-the-wall Chang’s Beef Noodles Shop . This place has over six decades of history and is recommended in the Michelin Guide to Taipei.

The restaurant only uses Taiwanese beef (never frozen) and the meat here is halal, so it’s Muslim-friendly. The specialty of the house is their beef noodle soup and the beef jerky stuffed flatbread also comes highly recommended.

Chang’s Beef Noodles Shop

No. 21, Yanping South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

Visit a Night Market in Taipei

Taipei’s night markets are a huge part of the city’s nightlife as well as the food scene with several food stalls at the night markets having been recognized by the Michelin Guide.

With having begun in the 1950s to slowly develop as centers of social life, to visit a night market in Taipei is to have a true cultural experience in Taipei.

There are tons of night markets in Taipei, from those that cater to tourists to others where you’ll find locals enjoying their dinner, to ones geared towards students looking to buy the latest local fashions at cheap prices. Here are the best night markets to visit in Taipei . 

Where To Stay in Taipei

The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei is a luxury hotel that is centrally located, and is within walking distance of many interesting sights, restaurants and neighborhoods. There are a couple of restaurants and cafés in the hotel building as well as a shopping mall.

Taipei has various types of accommodation to suit every budget- from hotels and apartments to hostels.

Day 2: Art, Culture and Night Markets in Kaohsiung

Considering how off-the-beaten-path Taiwan is, I won’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of Kaohsiung. I hadn’t, but Taiwan’s second largest city was full of surprises, and as is true of every place I visited on my trip, I’d have liked to stay longer and see more. So I’m definitely going to recommend it in my Taiwan itinerary.

As the biggest port in Taiwan, Kaohsiung is important to Taiwan’s economy. Considering that, the location of my hotel and the view from my window was fitting. Thanks to its southern location, the weather here can be considerably warmer and sunnier than in Taipei.

It’s also pretty easy to get to- we took the high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung and got there in a very comfortable 2 hours and 6 minutes. See other options on public transport from Taipei to Kaohsiung .

You can tour Kaohsiung on your own or do this guided trip with a local that’s very reasonably priced.

Admire the Pagodas and Temples at Lotus Lake

Lotus Lake is an artificial lake in Zuoying District that was opened in 1951 and is a hit with Instagrammers visiting Taiwan, and I could totally see why. Right in the lake are twin Tiger and Dragon pagodas, each seven-storied and a sight to behold with dramatic colors, designs, and craftsmanship adorning the exterior.

Entrance is free and I can imagine the area being even more beautiful when the lotuses in the lake are in full bloom.

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas Kaohsiung

You can enter the pagodas to look at scenes depicting heaven and hell, and climb the stairs up to the top for views over the area.

Legend has it that you must enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s mouth to turn your bad fortune into good luck.

But these pagodas aren’t the only sight worth checking out. Around the periphery of the lake and across the street are around 20 Buddhist and Taoist temples that are examples of gorgeous Chinese architecture.

These include the Wuli pavilion, Spring and Autumn pavilions dedicated to the God of War and featuring a statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Qi Ming Tang temple, Fu Gong temple, Yuandi temple, as well as a Confucian temple.

Note that they’re functional temples and actual places of worship so be mindful of your camera inside and respect people’s privacy.

You can walk or bike around the area on dedicated bike paths. Plan at least two hours for your visit. Thanks to how photogenic it is, Lotus Lake is one of the top places to visit in Taiwan for Instagrammers.

Lotus Lake/Pond

Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813

Check out the Art at Pier-2 Art Center

One thing you can’t miss about Taiwan, and one of the things I love- is that in the cities here, art is important.

You’ll find many creative parks in Taipei (more on that later) and Kaohsiung has its own art and culture hub at Pier-2 Art Center that’s completely worth a visit. The area is home to artist studios, galleries, exhibitions, and boutiques selling artisanal goods and crafts, in formerly abandoned warehouses.

You’ll also find exhibits, murals, installations, and instagrammable nooks, so spend enough time wandering around- here’s are some of the coolest public art installations you should not miss. When you need to rest your legs, take a break at one of the cafés around.

Pier 2 Art-Center

Pier 2- Art center Kaohsiung

Pier 2 Art Center

Pier-2 Art Center

803, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Yancheng District

Go Souvenir Shopping at Meinong Folk Village

For a taste of Hakka culture, stop by the Meinong Folk Village in Meinong, home to a sizeable Hakka community- Han Chinese that originated in mainland China, speak the Hakka language, and migrated to this part of Taiwan.

The cultural village is essentially a compound that’s home to little stores selling souvenirs such as handmade jewelry, crafts, bamboo baskets and other products and beautiful paper umbrellas, adorned with colorful designs and patterns. The stores are housed in buildings that are ancestral homes.

You can also see the umbrellas being made, and stop for lunch to taste Hakka cuisine (try the Hakka specialty Ban tiao noodles). Afterwards, make a quick stop at Zhong Zheng Lake to spend a few minutes enjoying the fantastic view surrounded by mountains.

Meinong Folk Village

No. 80號, Lane 421, Section 2, Zhongshan Road, Meinong District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 843

Take a Boat Tour on the Love River

Kaohsiung Harbor is also known as Love Pier , as the name of the river that runs through Kaohsiung, Ai He, translates to Love River. On a 40-minute boat tour you’ll see the colors and lights of Ruifeng Night Market as well as various landmark buildings along the banks.

We visited just before the Taiwan Lantern Festival was about to begin, so there were plenty of brightly lit lanterns displayed in the park by the banks.

Boat tour on the Love River

Visit the Ruifeng Night Market

When in Taiwan, you shouldn’t miss visiting the night markets- they’re an integral part of any Taiwan itinerary. Night markets are an interesting mix of people, food, lights, music, art, and shopping.

While at first, all of the sights, sounds and crowds can feel overwhelming, once you relax and take the time to wander around without set plans, it’s one of the most authentic market experiences you’ll get to see in Taiwan.

Ruifeng Night Market

Just after our boat tour of the Love River, I found myself following the crowds at Ruifeng Night Market . That evening, perhaps as part of the New Year celebrations, there was a traditional theater performance in action, as swelling crowds watched and applauded.

The mood was festive, as families and groups gathered to watch the show. And I have to say this again- the Taiwanese are polite and respectful of personal space, even in largely crowded settings.

Theater at Ruifeng Night Market

Fish balls at Ruifeng Night Market- too strong a taste for me

804, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Zuoying District, Yucheng Road

Where to stay in Kaohsiung

We stayed at the 85 Sky Tower Hotel in Kaohsiung, a luxurious, centrally located hotel with modern rooms.

You can also search for other hotels, hostels and apartments in Kaohsiung.

Day 3: All of the Lights at Taiwan Lantern Festival

If you’re planning to visit Taiwan, then it’s worth timing your travels to coincide with the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival held in February each year. I was lucky to be invited to attend and experience this spectacular celebration of lights, music, art and technology at the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2019 and it was absolutely incredible.

The festival is held in a different city in Taiwan each year. Bear in mind that the Taiwan Lantern Festival is different from the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival that is held in New Taipei and involves releasing paper lanterns into the sky.

This year the festival, in its 30 th year, was held in the coastal county of Pingtung from 19 th February until 3 rd March. The event that took over a year to plan saw thousands of people come together to appreciate colorful, artistic, interactive and often high-tech lanterns of all sizes and shapes on land, in the air and on water, as well as drone light shows and performances on the water.

The main lantern was a giant Bluefin tuna, a symbol of prosperity in the fishing-centered coastal county of Pingtung.

Bluefin tuna lantern at Taiwan Lantern Festival 2019

The lanterns, designed by local and international artists follow the themes of harvest, ecotourism, indigenous cultures, immigration, natural landscapes, cuisine and history, among other sub-themes. The festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

If you plan to visit Taiwan in 2020, you should know that the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Taichung from 8 th to 23 rd February 2020 and plan to include it in your Taiwan itinerary.

Taiwan Lantern festival

Taiwan Lantern Festival 2019

Taiwan Lantern Festival

The lanterns are usually spread out over a few different areas and the main festival grounds are massive, so wear comfortable shoes. Food stalls and clean toilets are available, as is a Visitors Center with information on the different lanterns and themed areas.

Days 4 and 5: Escape to the Mountains in Alishan

If it’s about mountains, then you know it’s going to be my most favorite part of the trip. Located in Taiwan’s Chiayi County, Alishan (or Ali Mountain), with its highest peak Tower Hill at 2663m is Taiwan’s most popular mountain destination and did not disappoint.

The spectacular green landscape of Alishan National Scenic Area , fresh mountain air, ancient sacred trees, and cherry blossoms, as well as forest hikes and a surreal sunrise are all solid reasons why a visit to Alishan should be on every Taiwan itinerary.

Experience an Alishan Sunrise and Ride on a Small Gauge Forest Train

We arrived at our amazing hotel Alishan House just around sunset when the skies turned a fiery orange-pink. The next morning we woke up at 4.30am to see the famous Alishan sunrise.

Now I’m not a morning person and I hadn’t seen a sunrise in years, but this sunrise was definitely something special and totally worthy of waking up at that unearthly hour.

What makes this experience cool is taking an old train through the forest (get there early if you want to seats) at an hour when the world is just waking up.

When Taiwan was still under Japanese colonial rule, they built the Alishan Forest Railway to transport logged wood from the trees in the forests. Alishan was a major tourist destination even before they left, but eventually the train began to be used for the transportation of tourists.

Alishan Forest Railway

You can buy tickets for this train either at Alishan train station or ask your hotel.

Alishan House sells tickets, and offers a shuttle to the train station (ours left at 5.10am) for a train that leaves at 5.40am. They’ll also confirm the sunrise time and arrange a wake-up call should you so wish.

To see the sunrise, get off at the second (final) stop called Chu-Shan, and follow the crowds to the viewing platform. It can get pretty crowded, so try to get yourself a good spot easily.

There’s a tree smack in the middle if you stand to the right side, so if you plan to take photos, think about your frame.

And here’s what I wish I knew before I went: While this viewing platform with the fence is the most obvious spot to see the sunrise, and is as crowded as it is, there’s another octagonal viewing platform at Mt. Ogasawara, that you can walk to in only ten minutes from the Chu-Shan train station.

Alishan sunrise

We’re told we were lucky to see the sunrise in all its glory, as usually the sky is very cloudy (so much that most accounts of Alishan sunrises include the term ‘sea of clouds’), so I guess we have to thank the weather gods for cooperating.

There were two trains back to Alishan after the 6.50am sunrise- at 7.05am and 7.25am, but I imagine this changes depending on the time of the sunrise, so be sure to check the signs when you get off the train.

It can get very cold at that hour (it was about six degrees when I went in February) so be sure to wear a warm jacket, get a beanie, scarf, gloves and whatever else you may need to keep warm as you wait for the sunrise.

There are food stalls and you can also get hot coffee or tea to keep warm while you wait. The trains can get crowded so you may or may not get a seat on your way there and back, but you can still travel standing.

Hike in the forests of Alishan National Scenic Area

If you’re staying at Alishan House or in Alishan township, there are several trails (on interconnected wooden platforms and easy steps) that lead from the hotel and town (where the grand Taoist temple is) into the forests that are worth checking out. We were lucky to see cherry blossoms in bloom quite close to the hotel.

Explore the trails in the Alishan Scenic Area

Further along on the Giant Tree trail are red cypress trees that are thousands of years old (some over 2000 years), as well as red pine, spruce, elm and fir.

There is something quite humbling about walking in silence surrounded by beings that have been around for thousands of years on the very planet you now call home.

From the town square with the temple, there are also signs pointing to the Elder Sisters Pond. It’s a quick hike through the forest, taking some stairs and past a Magnolia garden to a calm pond with a perfect mirror reflection.

The forest trails aren’t crowded at all, and you can explore all of these easily after you return from watching the sunrise.

Elder Sisters Pond, Alishan

Tsou Cultural Experiences at YuYuPas Cultural Park

Head to YuYuPas Cultural Park , a tourist attraction run by the indigenous Tsou ethnic tribe, the original inhabitants of this region. The park serves as a means to sustain the community, preserve the culture, and share their traditions and heritage with tourists.

The park is home to a tea plantation, traditional houses, and an exhibition hall. There’s a restaurant with a set menu of Tsou delicacies (can be altered depending on your preferences of meat and vegetarian dishes) and the food is excellent, so definitely have lunch here.

Yuyupas Tea Plantation

You can also taste (and buy) their lovely Alishan High Mountain Oolong tea and there’s a café onsite as well. There’s a cultural performance at the community theater at set times with Tsou community members singing and dancing in their traditional costumes. While there’s some folk music, there’s also a bit of warrior dancing on Enigma’s 1993 release- Return to Innocence.

Taste and buy Alishan Oolong tea at Yuyupas Culture Village

Cultural show at YuYuPas Cultural Village

YuYuPas Cultural Park

605, Taiwan, Chiayi County, Alishan Township

Watch The Video on Youtube

Where To Stay in Alishan

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by our lovely luxury hotel Alishan House as I was expecting simpler lodgings in the mountains. But then again, it was obvious on our first day that Alishan is used to tourists, as it is one of the top places to visit in Taiwan, and has been seeing tourists since at least four decades.

The modern hotel has a great observation deck and a restaurant that serves buffet breakfast and dinner. They also arrange shuttles to the train station so you can see the sunrise. They have both modern rooms and rustic rooms in the heritage section of the hotel, and all rooms have modern amenities.

Alishan House

Alishan offers a variety of hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses for every budget.

Day 6: Quirky & Cool Taichung

Taichung is a city in western Taiwan that has better weather when the days are grey and rainy in Taipei. We used it as a base to break up the journey from Alishan back to Taipei and check out the World Flora Exposition 2019.

Taichung is a modern city, with a cool arts and culture scene, quirky attractions , museums and galleries, shopping, and a dining scene that’s worth exploring if you have the time. If you like cities, then Taichung is one of the top places to visit in Taiwan.

It’s also been voted as the most liveable city in Taiwan. Plus, it’s also home to Taiwan’s largest night market- Fengjia Night Market and Rainbow Village, as well as several other sights and attractions.

If Instagram-travel is your thing, then you’ll most certainly want at least two days in Taichung on your Taiwan itinerary.

If you’re short on time, consider this guided tour of Taichung so you don’t miss out on the city’s unique offerings.

Interactive Nature Exhibits at the World Flora Exposition

Open until the 24 th April 2019, the Taichung World Flora Exposition 2018 -19 is an international event with interactive exhibitions and installations that explore the relationships between the natural world and people. The theme for the exposition is Rediscover GNP: Green, Nature and People.

World Flora Exposition Taichung

The venue is home to many country pavilions with their own interpretations of the theme as well as exhibits around conservation, mindfulness, diverse ecosystems and the many relationships between man and nature. You can read the details here .

While I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to visit, once there I was completely blown away as it was one of the most interesting experiences I had in Taiwan. You can use this resource to plan your visit.

Dinner and Desserts at Hogwarts at Miyahara

My love of ice-cream means that there was just one thing I knew I had to do on our only evening in Taichung, and that was to visit Taichung’s famous Hogwarts-themed specialty ice cream store Miyahara .

Housed in a red-brick heritage building that was built as a clinic in 1927 by Japanese ophthalmologist Miyahara Takeo, and later became the Taichung Health Bureau, only to be abandoned, today Miyahara is a dessert store and restaurant that was designed to look like Hogwarts.

The grand interior, designed by a pastry company that bought and restored the building, is gorgeous and if you’re looking to get a nice dinner in Taichung, (plus amazing dessert), then don’t think twice about visiting Miyahara.

While there’s plenty to buy at the store downstairs in Miyahara (pineapple and sun cakes are just a few of Taiwan’s famous cake-pastry specialties), the upstairs restaurant is great as well. There’s a minimum spend of 380NTD per person, which you’ll spend anyway if you dine here.

We ordered a platter to share and can confirm that everything in it was great- fried squid, charred asparagus, pork sausage, lotus root fritters, and walnut persimmons.

The star of the show, of course, is the ice-cream sundae, where you can choose from flavors like green tea, smoked chocolate, mango, and a host of toppings like cheesecake, cookies, nuts, sprinkles, and what have you. Pure bliss.

Platter at Miyahara

Ice cream sundae at Miyahara

When you can’t keep your eyes open but must have the city’s best ice cream

Miyahara Ice Cream

No. 20號, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400

Where to Stay in Taichung

Stay at the Evergreen Taichung , a luxury modern hotel in Taichung.

There are also various other accommodation options available for every budget.

Day 7: Art, Shopping & All Things Cool in Taipei

As you make your way back to Taipei, you realize that there is just so much to see and do in the city, there really is never a dull moment.

Art in the City at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

As I mentioned earlier, Taipei is home to a few creative parks- these are essentially art and culture hubs with studios, exhibitions, pop-up exhibitions, boutiques, galleries, and all things cool, quirky and hipster in the city.

Songshan Creative Park

I actually found myself in Songshan while looking for a bakery (as you do) that has shut for good. Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is an art district located on the site of a former tobacco factory that was set up during the Japanese colonial rule.

Today, the buildings here house exhibitions, stores, shows, and meeting spaces. Outside you’ll find a lovely Baroque Garden, pond as well as cafés and kiosks selling food and drinks.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

No. 133號, Guangfu South Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110

Get a Bubble Tea at Teazzi

A pleasant ten minute walk from Songshan Creative Park, Teazzi is where I finally tried my first bubble tea, and it was great. The House Special Milk Tea (5.50NTD) comes highly recommended and it’s what I got.

It was quite milky, and something like a frappé, only less creamy. There are multiple locations around Taipei, so find one that’s close to you.

Bubble tea at Teazzi

Go Shopping and Eat at Yongkang Street

If you want to go shopping for clothing, shoes, souvenirs, crafts, face and skincare, tea, or anything else, it’s worth heading to Yongkang Street . There are high-end boutiques and budget-friendly stores, and certainly something for everyone.

You’ll also find cosmetics, jewelry, and famous Taiwanese skincare brands. If you’re tired, rest your legs at one of many cafés or grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants here.

I’d heard about Vigor Kobo pineapple cakes and sun cakes, among other famous Taiwanese pastry types and got a few boxes as gifts for back home. They were delicious and much appreciated. They have a few branches around Taipei, and there’s one on Yongkang Street as well.

Yongkang Street

Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106

Gorge on Delicious Fried Chicken

I don’t know what it is with me and my food priorities when I travel, but somehow food becomes closely intertwined with any and all itineraries and travel guides I chart out.

Well, it was by chance that I read about how Taiwanese fried chicken is a big thing in Taipei, and how it’s so much better than regular KFC-style fried chicken, and I’m so glad that I did.

Don’t ask me why or how, because I was too busy biting into soft and juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside fried chicken, greasy fingers and all, to focus on the reasons behind why that chicken was so damn good. Maybe this post does a good job of revealing the secrets of Taiwanese fried chicken.

If that description made you hungry and you’re determined to go to the exact place where I had it, then head to the fried chicken place (couldn’t find the English name) next to VVG Action in the basement food court at the Taipei New Horizon Building in Songshan.

Otherwise the fried chicken at Hot-Star (multiple locations around Taipei) also comes highly recommended.

Fried chicken in Taipei

Taipei New Horizon Building

No. 88號, Yanchang Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110

Day 8: Explore Nature, History and Icons in Taipei

Escape into nature at yangmingshan national park.

Yangmingshan National Park , located in Taipei, is one of eight national parks in Taiwan, and is easily accessible from downtown Taipei (a 30-minute drive). There are several parks, forests, hiking trails, waterfalls, and hot springs in the park, and you can explore some and all of these depending on how much time you’ve got.

Cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan National Park

You’re likely to enter through the Visitor Center, and begin your tour at the Yangming Park with gardens, pavilions, streams, a large flower clock, an observation tower, and several beautiful cherry blossoms along the way.

After visiting the park, we did an easy 1km hike to Juansi Waterfall on a beautiful and quiet trail with very few other people. Check their website to find other scenic spots around the national park.

Visit the National Palace Museum

While I’m not crazy about museums, Taipei’s National Palace Museum , home to the world’s largest and greatest collection of Chinese antiquities and art, dating as far back to Neolithic times, is definitely worth a visit.

You’ll find jewelry, sculptures, books, calligraphy, paintings, weapons, ceramics, jade, and other objects of cultural and religious significance spread over four levels.

National Palace Museum

A vast majority of these collections, acquired by Chinese emperors over 8000 years, were part of the Forbidden City’s Palace Museum in Beijing (founded 1925), and include objects from the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek transported these invaluable works of art to Taiwan, so they wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Communist army.

Free guided tours are available (twice a day) as are audio guides (in English too) for a small fee. The exhibits, some interactive, are interesting- so keep at least two to three hours to get the most out of your visit.

Bear in mind that the exhibitions are rotating (because it wouldn’t be possible to display them all at once), so visit the website to plan your trip and know more about current exhibits.

Taipei National Palace Museum

No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Get Up Really High at Taipei 101

Rising up above the city, sometimes into the very clouds that appear over Taipei, Taipei 101 , at 508m is a skyscraper that was the world’s tallest tower from 2004 to 2010 until the Burj Khalifa claimed the title. It was also the world’s tallest green building until 2011.

The skyscraper’s exterior was designed to look like a bamboo stalk (symbolic of learning and growth). Innovative features and construction methods were used to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors- that occur frequently in Taiwan.

The exterior features eight segments of eight floors each- the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune.

Views from Taipei 101

Take in the views from Taipei 101

Access is via the Taipei 101 shopping mall. A high-speed elevator takes you to the observation deck on the 89 th floor in just 40 seconds. There’s an outdoor deck on the 91 st floor and another deck on the 88 th floor.

You can spend as much time as you like, and whether you get clear views of Taipei or dreamy views of clouds over the city, it’s one of Taipei’s top experiences.

No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110

Eat at one of the World’s Top 10 Tables at Din Tai Fung

The Michelin-starred Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung , with its original location in Taipei, was rated one of the top 10 gourmet restaurants in the world and the late Anthony Bourdain said he’d “travel half way round the world to eat dumplings at Din Tai Fung.” I should have kicked myself for not visiting when it opened in Dubai, but well, better late than never.

Just like its worldwide locations (Dubai, Sydney, London etc), there are long queues that wait outside Din Tai Fung, all for the promise of a meal to remember. Inside, chefs dressed in all white expertly roll dough, and wrap dumplings with the speed and precision of the artists that they are, all behind large glass windows.

Din Tai Fung, Taipei

The specialty of the house is xiao long bao- a soup dumpling that comes with various fillings- shrimp, beef, chicken, truffle and pork, shrimp and squash, and vegetarian, as well as chocolate for dessert.

The House Special chili noodles are nothing short of divine, and the fried rice is considered by many to be the best in the world. I don’t think there’s anything on the menu that isn’t good.

Xiao long bao dumplings spicy chili noodles and chocolate dumplings

There are a few locations in Taipei including Taipei 101 and the original one that opened in Xinyi in 1972.

Day Trips from Taipei

This itinerary is just a starting point for the host of incredible experiences that Taiwan offers tourists. From cuisine, art and culture, to adventure and nature, the sheer diversity of things to see and do in the island nation is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

I’m confident that the secret’s going to be out in the next two years, and Taiwan will see a marked surge in tourism. Until then, it’s time to go there before the crowds do.

Practical information

Best time to visit taiwan.

Taiwan has four seasons: Spring (March until May), Summer (June until August), Autumn (September until November) and Winter (December until February). But the best time to visit Taiwan also depends, in part, on your own preferences- if you like cold weather, want to see the cherry blossoms or prefer a mild summer. The one thing we can agree on is that you want to avoid being in Taiwan during typhoon season (July to September).

The average temperature also varies depending on which part of the country you’re in. As we experienced during our trip in mid-February, it is considerably warmer in the south and much colder in the mountains.

Here are the average temperatures and what to expect during Taiwan’s four seasons:

Spring (March until May)

Cool, pleasant weather with temperatures of 15ºC to 26ºC. Bring a light spring jacket.

Summer (June until September)

Hot, sticky and humid weather with plenty of rainfall, thunderstorms and typhoons. Temperatures between 24ºC and 31ºC. Bring umbrellas, a light rain jacket, and breathable fabrics that don’t cling to your skin.

Autumn (October until November)

Less rain and temperatures between 18ºC and 27ºC. Bring a light jacket and umbrella.

Winter (December until February)

Mild and pleasant with very little occasional rain and temperatures between 13ºC

And 21ºC. It can get as low as 6ºC in the mountains- that was the temperature at sunrise in Alishan. Bring a thick jacket with layers that you can zip on and off, depending on where you’re going. I took my trusty Columbia jacket and it served me well- in rainy and cold Taipei, in freezing Alishan, and elsewhere.

Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Cherry Blossoms

Yes, you totally can and should come to Taiwan to see the cherry blossoms, among other things. There’s nothing like it if you can come during the best time to visit Taiwan for cherry blossoms. Expect to see these pretty pink flowers in bloom between early February to late March in most parts of the country, and even until early April in mountain regions like Alishan and Yangmingshan.

Visa for Taiwan

Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa to visit Taiwan. Some nationalities can get a visa on arrival, others need to get an e-visa and yet others need to apply in person in their own countries. Check your visa eligibility and rules here .

How To Get Around Taiwan

Taiwan has an excellent, easy-to-navigate public transportation system to get around the country. On the west coast, you’re likely to make use of the Taiwan High Speed Railway (HSR) that runs at 300km/h . We took this from Taipei to Kaohsiung, and it was very quick, convenient and comfortable.

Other than that, there are also slower and cheaper regular trains (TRA) that run between major cities.

You can use this site to plan your transport between different cities and towns in Taiwan- jus enter the origin, destination and dates and you’ll see options, schedules and can buy tickets online where possible.

Within cities like Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung, travel like the locals and make use of the Mass Rapid Transit system or subway, commonly known as MRT.

Bike-share is also available in major cities with dedicated bike lanes.

It’s also helpful to know that the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is available to transport tourists to certain places.

I used Uber in all three cities- Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung and it was super affordable, quick and convenient.

Currency in Taiwan

Taiwan currency is NTD or the New Taiwan Dollar. You’ll see this denoted with a $ in most menus- remember that prices quoted with a $ aren’t in USD but in NTD. At the time of writing 1USD= 30.79NTD

Taiwan SIM Card

Buying a  local SIM Card  with fast internet is the second thing I do as soon as I’m in the arrival lounge at the airport of a new city (the first being a bit of currency exchange). It’s super easy to get a  Taiwan SIM Card  at the airport in Taipei.

I bought a  Taiwan 4G SIM card from Chunghwa Telecom  and got a 7-Day package with unlimited internet and 150NTD for local calls and texts. There was excellent connectivity everywhere and the data was fast with 100% coverage. You can actually  pre-order this online  and just pick it up from the Chunghwa Telecom to save time when you arrive.

Wi-Fi in Taiwan

You’ll find Wi-Fi in most cafés and hotels in Taipei- not necessarily in most restaurants (depending on where you are). But it’s easier to  rent your own pocket Wi-Fi  to get unlimited 4G internet on upto 5 devices. You can pick it up and drop it off at the airport- so easy!

Additional Reading

Best Things to Do & Places to Visit in Taipei

Best Taipei Night Markets You Should Not Miss

5 Amazing Things to do in Hualien City

Travel Insurance

I trust World Nomads for my travel insurance, and seldom travel without insurance because you never know what might go wrong on the road.

You can buy and claim online , even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from 140 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities .

Tell me, have you been to Taiwan or would you want to go? Tell me what you think of this Taiwan itinerary.  

Disclosure: Taiwan got on my travel wish list late last year, and after seeing photos of its spectacular landscapes, I was certain I’d visit in 2019. Call it the power of manifestation or what you like, but in February, I found myself invited to Taiwan by the Taiwan Tourism Board. All opinions, as always, are honest and independent.  

This post contains affiliate links. If you make any purchases using these links, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Monday 12th of September 2022

Here we are providing one to one classes were teachers focusing on one student at a time, the classes are taken in a interactive manner We offer classes for all subjects according to the students require. The student can choose the subject they want and also can attend the class at your convenient time and day.https://anglebelearn.com.

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

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Adopt full aluminium alloy panel structure, anodized surface process, ultra-narrow frame, rounded corner design, fashion & beautiful appearance The OPS host module adopts plug structure design, internal Inter standard 80pin interface, without any external power line and signal line, which is convenient for inspection, maintenance and upgrade, and achieves the aesthetic effect of the machine Front side speakers, Prevents noise distortion due to embedding Adopt a high-performance infrared touch technology with anti-blocking and anti-stain functions, and the touch reception will not affect normal writing after blocking at single or multiple infrared transmitting points, interactive led flat panel

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Saturday 16th of November 2019

I am very glad that you have traveled to Taiwan and have knew us so much. This is a very in-depth and brilliant article. I hope that you will come again someday.^^

Laura Lovette

Monday 15th of July 2019

Wow this is such a detailed itinerary! I've seen so many people go Taiwan this year, and they all loved it. And the food looks incredible. I can't wait to visit one day :) xxx

Friday 28th of June 2019

Hi, I'm planning to go to Taichung next year during the lantern festival? What kind of events happen on the last day? Is there like a closing ceremony or something like that?

Home » Asia » Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary 7 Days or more to the most beautiful places in Taiwan

Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary 7 Days or more to the most beautiful places in Taiwan

Taiwan – A country so small and yet so diverse. Taiwan is still overlooked by many travelers – it’s a pity because this island has a lot to offer. Taiwan’s attractions are unique in their architecture and breathtaking nature. I visited Taiwan in the summer of 2014 after receiving a scholarship for a summer school program at NCC University in Chiayi. During class, we were introduced to the culture of this wonderful country, while on the weekends we had time to discover the country itself. However, since my time in Taiwan has been so long ago, I asked a few fellow travel bloggers and locals to help me put together an individual Taiwan itinerary.

This Taiwan itinerary 7 days or more includes all the popular highlights of the country plus some insider tips. Even though this route is considered a Taiwan 7 days and 6 nights itinerary, we included way more wonderful places, so you can create your individual route by spending 7 days in Taiwan or 10 days in Taiwan or as many as you want to (visiting all the amazing places we collected for you, you are able to even spend a month or more without getting bored or having seen it all).

What to find out in this post

• 1 Taiwan Facts
• 2.1 Best Time to visit Taiwan
• 2.2 Transport
• 2.3 Taiwan Visa
• 2.4 Taiwan Travel Cost
• 2.5 What should you pack?
• 3 Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary to the best places to visit in Taiwan
• 4 Day 1 + 2 Taipei
• 5.1 Keelung
• 5.3 Shifen Old Street & Shifen Waterfall
• 5.6 Hutong Cat Village
• 5.7 Elephant Mountain
• 6 Day 4 Kenting National Park
• 7.1 Taichung
• 7.2 Mount Yuanzui
• 7.3 Yufu Cycling Pathway – Fuli Township
• 7.4 Taroko National Park
• 7.5 Hualien
• 7.6 Sun Moon Lake
• 7.7 Jade Mountain
• 7.8 Xinying
• 7.9 Alishan
• 7.10 Tainan
• 7.11 Kaohsiung
• 7.12 Fangshan
• 8 Day 7 Return to Taipei
• 10.1 How many days do you need in Taiwan?
• 10.2 Is one week in Taiwan enough?
• 10.3 What is the best month to visit Taiwan?
• 10.4 What is the coldest month in Taiwan?
• 10.5 How to travel around Taiwan
• 10.6 Is it dangerous to travel in Taiwan?
• 10.7 Is Taiwan expensive?
• 10.8 When is the cherry blossom season in Taiwan?
• 10.9 Is tap water safe to drink in Taiwan?
• 10.10 About the AuthorVicki

Taiwan Facts

• Also called the Republic of China
• Many countries still do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state
• The official language is Mandarin, but here (in contrast to mainland China) the traditional Chinese characters are still used
• 36,179 km² area
• includes main island Taiwan + minor islands
• Time zone: UTC +8

Taiwan Itinerary 7 days – Planning

Before you start exploring this unique country, you should plan a few things ahead. In the following section, we will help you to check the most important aspects of your 7 day itinerary Taiwan.

Best Time to visit Taiwan

The best travel time for Taiwan is March-May, and September – November .

Rainy Season in Taiwan

During the summer months increased and heavy rainfall should be expected. Also, strong storms can occur.

If you want to personalize your Taiwan travel itinerary 7 days, you should be aware of how to get from one place to another prior to your arrival in the country. Transportation in Taiwan is usually very well organized and easy. All of Taiwan’s major sites are well connected.

The fastest way to travel in Taiwan is by train. Taiwan has a well-developed rail network that reaches from the capital city of Taipei to the most important places on the island. The places that are not accessible by train, you can head to by bus. The bus is one of the main means of transportation in Taiwan. Tickets can be purchased locally or booked online . If you would like to visit Penghu, you can also go by boat or take a domestic flight.

Taiwan Visa

Another thing to think about before you travel is the visa. However, European citizens, as well as US-Passport holders, are generally allowed to enter the country for 90 days visa-free for tourism purposes. However, always check with your embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave. You should also always check if there are any travel warnings.

Taiwan Travel Cost

Of course, before you travel you should think about how much money you want to spend during your days in Taiwan. The average traveler spends about 30 €/$ 35 per day. However, this price may vary greatly, depending on your type of trip. If you book your tickets and accommodations before you travel, you are on the safe side as far as the travel budget is concerned (as long as you do not consider a huge shopping trip). The best Accommodation offers can be found on Booking.com .

The currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar and 1 Euro equals about 35 New Taiwan Dollars and 1 USD equals around 30 NTD. (As of 2020)

What should you pack?

Of course, you should also consider what you should take with you to Taiwan. Especially as a backpacker, every kilo is less is a blessing. To get an approximate idea of what to take with you and what should stay at home, have a look at our backpacker packing list for women or our backpacker packing list for men .

Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary to the best places to visit in Taiwan

Day 1 + 2 Taipei

I absolutely love Taiwan, as it’s one of the most underrated destinations in the world right now. The capital city of Taiwan is a must if you’re coming to Taiwan. Here are some of my top recommendations:

Raohe Night Market

Hands down the best night market when it comes to food. This is the one that all the locals go to. Make sure to the Pork Pepper Buns, Stinky Tofu (if you dare), Milk Tea, and the Grilled Japanese Pork.

One of the tallest buildings for many years, this gorgeous pagoda-style building has one of the best views of Taipei.

Elephant Mountain

Climb to the top of this scenic viewpoint for one of the best sunsets in Taipei. (Author’s note: You will find more information on the Elephant Mountain later in this itinerary)

Trendy Zhongxiao

One of the hippest and trendiest neighborhoods in Taipei, you’ll be able to find the latest fashion trends and Instagrammable cafes here.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

One of the founders of the democratic country of Taiwan – this beautiful memorial is a historical and beautiful place to visit.

National Palace Museum

One of the most important museums in Asia, this also holds the famous Jade Cabbage.

Longshan Temple

The most famous temple in Taipei – it’s a great place to observe local Taiwanese coming to offer prayers.

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Day 3 Taipei Day Trips

From the capital Taipei, there are so many exciting destinations you can visit. You should include at least one day trip from Taipei into your 7 Days in Taiwan itinerary. You can also combine several destinations into one day trip. The best tourist attractions around Taipei can be found in the following section.

Located an hour away from Taipei by bus,  Keelung City  makes for a fantastic alternative day trip or overnighter.

Keelung is a port city with a huge harbor and a long history as a strategic settlement. Part of its charm is the fact that Keelung sees far fewer tourists than nearby Jiufen and Shifen. When I visited during Lunar New Year—one of the busiest periods for travel in Taiwan—I was still one of few tourists around. Keelung doesn’t have the same atmospheric Old Streets as its inland neighbors, but it is home to some hidden gems—not to mention one of Taipei’s best night markets.

Zhongzheng Park sits atop Dashawan Mountain, a short uphill walk from the center, and commands fantastic views of the city and harbor. It’s a great place to get oriented and start your Keelung adventure. Shrines, temples, and effigies dot the park’s grounds, including a 22-meter-high statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. Zhuputan is Keelung’s crowning jewel. The red, gold and white temple houses a folk museum and plays host to Zhongyuan Pudu, the annual Mid-Summer Ghost Festival, which combines Taoist and Buddhist traditions once a year in July.

Keelung’s biggest tourist attraction is the Miaokou Night Market. Seafood is favored among the dozens of stallholders who line Keelung’s streets, tossing their hot woks and working their deep fryers on overdrive. You can try most of the popular Taiwanese market delicacies in Keelung. Unlike other night markets, this one has plenty of outdoor seating, making it a great people-watching experience as well.

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Many visitors go to Taipei when they visit Taiwan and there actually is a really nice day trip from Taipei called Jiufen. Since the discovery of gold in the late 1800s, Jiufen quickly developed from an isolated village into a large town during the Japanese occupancy days. Nowadays Jiufen is famous for its traditional architecture, tea houses, street food, hiking, and the beautiful backdrop of mountains and the ocean.

Jiufen is an easy 1 hour day trip from Taiwan and one can either take a train combined with buses or a direct shuttle bus to visit. The main streets of Jiufen have many unique shops and street food vendors for those who enjoy the food. Some of the noteworthy street food includes Taiwanese Sausage, Peanut Ice Cream Roll, Taro Balls, and Stinky Tofu.

Many visitors go to Jiufen for the red lanterns in cute alleyways which lead to the famous A-Mei Tea House, the real-world inspiration of Spirited Away. One can sit tea and enjoy the view of mountains and ocean at the same time.

In addition, those who like to hike can come to Jiufen to hike up Keelung Mountain for a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area. There are also waterfalls and temples one can visit in/ near Jiufen, which makes it a very eventful day trip from Taipei.

Jiufen is a beautiful day trip from Taipei for someone who wants to fully enjoy the beauty of Taiwan outside of the big cities. Although Jiufen has gotten very popular and touristy, it still has its old-time charms.

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Shifen Old Street & Shifen Waterfall

Shifen old street.

One of Taipei’s most popular day trips takes you to Pinxi. There is a colorful world waiting for you as soon as you arrive at Shifen Station. There are many shops around the train station, where you can enjoy delicious Chinese and Taiwanese snacks and dishes, as well as many unique souvenirs.

The market and the shops are located directly next to the tracks, which makes the whole experience even more special. The most beautiful experience, however, is letting the lanterns fly. For about 100 – 200 NTD (about 3 – 6 €) you can buy a lantern and write your wish on it. Later you let fly so that your wish comes true. Let yourself be advised well, as each color represents a different kind of wish.

Shifen Waterfall

One of Taiwan’s most famous sights is created by nature itself: The Shifen Waterfall. About 30 minutes walk from the Shifen train station you will find this wonderful attraction. To get there you can either follow the right or the left side of the tracks. The right side is more popular as it also passes the Cheng-An Temple, while the left side offers more beautiful scenery. However, the walk is absolutely worth it. Arrived at the 20-meter-high and 40-meter-wide Shifen waterfall, everyone will be enchanted by the beauty of this impressive waterfall.

Tamsui (Danshui) is a district of New Taipei City, in northern Taiwan. It sits at the junction of the Taiwan Strait and the Tamsui River. Near the river, busy Tamsui Old Street is lined with shops, restaurants, and vendors selling local dishes, specialties, souvenirs, and delicacies.

There are quite a few interesting places to see in Tamsui district and most of them are accessible via the bus or by walking. Since Tamsui is also located on the northern edge of Taipei, boats are also being used as a mode of transportation.

If you decided to go, here are  must-visit spots in Tamsui  you should go; Tamsui Old Street; Fisherman’s Wharf; Lover’s Bridge; World Chocolate Wonderland; Lover’s Tower; Fort San Domingo; Tamsui Golden Anchor; Tamsui Qingshui Temple and Tamsui Longshan Temple; and Love Lane Tamsui. Don’t miss any one of them!

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Beitou is known for its hot springs which makes this a must-visit place in Taiwan if you like relaxing in hot water.  There is no lack of hot springs in this area and you can see them as you walk around. There are many options to enjoy the springs with public pools and bathing areas.

You can also pay to have your own private bathing area in a hotel which is what we did. It is easy to turn up and find one. Beitou is basically a suburb of Taipei and is on the metro line. It’s very easy to visit here which does make it quite popular.

On arrival at the metro station, it’s just a short walk to be a big park area and many of the hotels surrounding this have a private bathing option. You don’t need to be a guest. For about US$30, we had a room for a family with a hot spring bath, a cold bath, a shower area, a changing area, and towels, toiletries, and bottled water for an hour and a half.

I highly recommend you take some time out of your Taiwan trip to relax and enjoy the hot springs at Beitou.

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Hutong Cat Village

Taipei might be famous for its cat cafes, but a short train ride away there’s something even more exciting for kittyphiles…an entire cat village.

Houtong Cat Village is home to around 200 cats. Some are much-loved pets, others are strays unofficially adopted by the residents of this old coal-mining town and now living their best life with little wooden houses to shelter in and bowls of food dotted all over the small town for snacks.

The furry residents have restored the town’s fortunes and it absolutely capitalizes on the cat action – there are giant cat statues to selfie with, cat cakes to snack on, and all manner of cat-themed goodies to buy as souvenirs. One of the cafés even offers cat beer! The actual furry residents take it all in their stride, sprawling out in the sun as people take their photos, only occasionally giving a hiss if you get too close for comfort.

Most of the cat-ivity occurs on the winding streets the climb the hill on the west side of the station but also wander across to the east where you’ll find the remains of the town’s coal mine. Part of it has been left to fall in disrepair creating a jumble of wood and metal that looks like something from the Hunger Games, the mine itself now has its own tour. It’s definitely worth a wander.

Getting to Houtong Cat Village is an easy trip from Taipei  (which is why it’s my pick as a day trip for solo travelers) . There’s a direct line from Taipei’s main station and the journey takes an hour. You can also catch a train to nearby Shifen from the village.

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As someone who always seeks adventure, nature, and amazing views, Elephant Mountain is definitely one of my favorite places to visit in Taiwan. Also known as Xiangshan, it is located at Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. Standing at 183 meters high and has a hiking trail of about 1.5 km long, climbing it is not easy, but definitely worth it. It requires a hike to the stairs to get to the wooden balcony overlooking the city. This viewpoint is where you will be greeted with amazing views of Taipei City , the city skyline, and the towering Taipei 101 dominating the city’s skyline.

Depending on your stamina, you can reach the viewing point in less than 30 minutes. But for someone like me who loves to slow down and appreciate nature, climbing it took me about an hour with a few rests in between.

For me, the best time to Elephant Mountain is during the late afternoon to catch the magnificent sunset, and up until the early evening where you’ll see the glittering Taipei 101 with lights all lit up.

Taipei 101 is an architectural landmark in Taipei you shouldn’t miss when traveling to Taiwan. And there’s no better way to see it than from Elephant Mountain. I’ve climbed it twice and I still want to visit it again soon.

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Day 4 Kenting National Park

The visit to Kenting is one of the most beautiful memories of my time in Taiwan. Kenting National Park is located on the southern tip of Taiwan and is considered the most visited national park in the country. With its beautiful beaches, it is a must for all beach lovers and sun worshipers.

The closest beach to Kenting Town is the Nanwan or South Beach. Nearby you will also find restaurants, 7-11 shops and everything else you might need. About 5 km from Kenting Town is the Baishawan or White Sand Beach. It is, as the name says, full of white sand and therefore beautiful, but unfortunately also a popular destination for Chinese tour buses and therefore often crowded. If you are looking for a quieter beach or looking for suitable surfing spots, Jialeshui Beach is just right for you. Since this small beach is about 25 minutes outside the city, you will find much fewer tourists here. Jialeshui is also the name of the waterfall, which you can discover in the same area.

At night you can find a great night market on the so-called Kenting Street, with many delicious dishes and snacks. Here you can try the famous Stinky tofu (your nose will help you find it). By the way, our favorite snacks were the fried potato balls and fried Oreos. If you visit the night market, please keep in mind that you are in a national park and you should dispose of your garbage accordingly. The place has a big problem with the garbage left by the tourists.

Extra travel tip: The driest months to visit Kenting are November – April. However, it can be much cooler here in winter. In the summer it is very hot, but heavy rains and storms can occur.

Day 5 – 7

Although Taiwan is a very small country it is full of terrific destinations and wonderful nature. Seeing everything in just a week is almost impossible. That’s why in the following you will find various ideas so that you can combine according to your interests and preferences.

Taichung was a real surprise to us. After spending 5 days in Taichung, we consider this city is a must-visit for Taiwan. The absolute coolest things to do in Taichung are:

Rainbow Village, Calligraphy Greenway, Audit Village, and the Chun Shui Tang, the original store and birthplace of the famous Bubble Tea.

The Rainbow Village is a small complex of houses built by 9 retired soldiers. After the buildings needed renovation, the ministry planned to demolish them instead of a renovation. However, when the artist and former soldier Grandpa Huang heard the news, he wanted to stop the demolition. He started to paint the village, inspired by other artists like Frida Kahlo. The colorful houses became quickly recognized, and a petition stopped the demolition. Today, the Rainbow Village is the #1 sight in Taichung. It is free to enter.

Number two on our list of greatest things to do in Taichung is the Calligraphy Greenway and the Audit Village. The stretch takes you along old, traditional Japanese houses. Today you find here beautiful coffee shops, tea houses, designer shops, and restaurants. It is the hipster area of Taichung, no doubt. The Audit Village can be found at the end of Calligraphy Greenway. This small area of 10-20 small houses is home to a hip bar, a neat coffee shop, and more shops like designer clothing and Accessories.

Last but not least, Taiwan is famous for its Bubble Tea. The birthplace of this famous drink is Chun Shui Tang in Taichung. The restaurant is still open and welcomes guests from all over the world. We actually came here to try their bubble tea and to have lunch. A great recommendation, do not miss it. They do also serve vegetarian food.

There you have it, Taichung is an underrated city, worth it to spend 2-3 days. With the Stray Birds Hostel, you can also stay in a cool and social hostel. Find all the best hostels in Taiwan in our complete guide to backpacking Taiwan .

Recommended by Matt from Hostel Geeks

Mount Yuanzui

Taiwan is a small country full of gems: from stunning beaches and lakes to incredible landscapes and unique mountains. It surely is the perfect country for hikers and climbers. In fact, this little island has the highest density and the largest number of high mountains in the world!

Yuan Zui Shan, also known as Mount YuanZui (“ Bird Beak Mountain”), is a Must if you are visiting Taiwan and love the outdoors. Yuan Zui Mountain is located in Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area, near Taichung city and it’s easily accessed by car.

The hike is challenging, fun, and really unique. The summit of the mountain is a breathtaking triangular-shaped rock only reachable through a rope-assisted climb. Despite the unquestionable difficulty of the hike, the strategic hooks and ropes will support even the less experienced climbers to safely ascend and descend the mountain. The highest point offers a wonderful view of the entire Recreational area. On clear days you can see so far!

This is a great one-day adventure to enjoy with friends on a sunny day. Don’t forget to bring some light food to snack on once at the peak! You won’t be disappointed by the beautiful Yuan Zui Shan!

Happy climbing!

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Yufu Cycling Pathway – Fuli Township

Taiwan is known for its nature and cycling culture for beginners to pros. Cycling across the countryside was an unforgettable experience, during 4 days we covered almost 400km on Taiwan’s east coast. We crossed hills, tea plantations, impressive gorges, and cute villages.

One of the most beautiful roads was the Yufu Cycling Pathway near Dongli Station in Fuli Township. The cycle path was built over a former railway track and is surrounded by rice fields. Even if you don’t cycle, it’s a stunning and peaceful place to visit. This cycling pathway has about 10km and is super safe and easy to cycle. You will probably meet friendly cyclists from all around the world.

Taiwan is a great destination for cycling and it’s super prepared for it. The police stations are also bike-aid stations, you can rely on them to rest, use the bathroom, fix your bike, or simply ask for directions.

Our cycling adventure started after visiting Taipei , then we cycled the east coast all the way to Daren city before crossing the mountains to the west coast. If you don’t want to cycle that much you can plan your stop at Yufu Cycling Pathway when visiting Hualien, Taitung, or Taroko National Park.

Recommended by Nat from Love and Road

Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park is one of the most scenic destinations in Taiwan. It is located just 40km outside of Hualien city and makes for an easy stop on your trip around the island of Taiwan. The park covers 920 square kilometers of steep mountains, thick forests, and the deep valley of the Taroko Gorge. It is a fantastic place to escape the city and explore Taiwan’s natural beauty.

There is a whole list of popular attractions in Taroko National Park such as the Tunnel of Nine Turns, the Eternal Shrine, and the Tianfeng Pagoda. These are all easy to visit in one day with the hop-on-hop-off bus pass which starts n Hualien. As you follow the winding road deeper into the park you will be amazed by the construction. The road seems to make its way through the narrowest sections, carved into the steep mountain face.

Then, for those staying in the national park a little longer, (1 or 2 nights) there are also a number of trails which you can hike. By spending a little longer in the park exploring these trails you will discover awesome viewpoints, waterfalls, and secret hot springs. If time permits, it is definitely worth allowing a little extra time here.

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Although Hualien (花蓮) usually serves as a gateway to Taiwan’s most famous natural wonder – Taroko Gorge, this sleepy east coast city has plenty to offer and is one of the best places to visit in Taiwan.

Hualien City and County form part of Taiwan’s East Rift Valley – a unique coastal stretch weaving through natural landscapes home to rice and flower fields, waterfalls, and cliffs. Not to mention, stunning ocean views and plenty of photo opportunities!

Spending a few days here will quickly reveal just how picturesque the city ( and surrounding area ) is and why locals often head here for a weekend getaway. Besides being extremely photogenic, there’s also plenty to do and see in Hualien. This is why any visit to the city would simply not be complete without stopping by the Pine Garden and Chi-An Chinghisu Temple for a glimpse into the former Japanese colonial era. Strolling along the pebble-stone beach at Qixingtan, visiting one of the nearby hot springs, and snacking your way through Dongdamen Night Market are other popular pastimes enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. For more adventurous travelers, activities such as whale watching and river tracing can also be enjoyed in the area.

Hualien is easily accessed by train from  Taipei .

Hop on either the Puyuma Limited Express or Taroko Express, which are slightly faster than the Tze-Chiang Express. The journey takes around 2 hours and opt for a Coastal Line ticket as the ocean views are beyond breathtaking!

Recommended by Mariza from Hoponworld

Sun Moon Lake

The most popular day trip from Taichung takes you to the Sun Moon Lake. The unusual name of the lake might be given to it because of the different forms of the lake’s shore, which are shaped like a crescent moon, or a sun. Other sources suggest that the name was created because of the different colors of the water.

With 8 km², it is the largest inland waters of Taiwan. In addition to the wonderful nature, you will find all kinds of activities here. For active travelers, there is the possibility to cycle around the lake on a 30 km long cycle path. Don’t worry, the lake can also be bypassed by bus. If you decide on a day pass, you can get off at the main attractions and continue on the next bus. For those who want to experience the lake itself, there are also various boat trips.

Another way to enjoy the wonderful view of the lake is the cable car (Sun Moon Ropeway), which brings you to the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village . This is an amusement park where you can discover Taiwan’s highest free-fall tower, largest European garden, and tallest bell tower.

Jade Mountain

Considering that Taiwan is a small island, it has some of the best hiking trails to experience. One of the popular and challenging hiking trails is Jade Mountain (also known as Yushan). What is special about this place is that it’s the highest summit in Taiwan at a staggering 3,952 meters (12,966 feet).

The hike is no easy task as it takes two days to complete due to the altitude and distance. You can complete the hike in one day, which is what our group did, but it’s one long and exhausting day. All hikers need to have a permit and arrange a stay at the local lodges on the mountain if doing an overnight stay.

The 31km (19.2 miles) trail provides stunning views of the mountain range. You’ll start the hike in the early morning to see the beautiful sunrise, scramble over rocks, walk on overgrown tree roots and rocky paths, and eventually reach the peak. Don’t forget to take a photo of the sign at the top of the mountain to celebrate your accomplishment. It’s an incredible journey while you enjoy the outdoors, spend time with your hiking group, and get fresh air in the mountains. Let’s go hiking!

Recommended by Jackie from Life of Doing

The lesser-visited city of Xinying , (also pronounced and spelled Shinying) is an off the wall gem in the middle of the Taiwanese countryside. Both the high speed and the regular trains run through Shinying, making it an easy and cool add-on city to your Taiwan adventure.

The first thing to note here is that there are no backpacker hostels, very few hotels, and hardly any foreigners. This is a pure immersion into the Taiwanese lifestyle that you dreamt up as a child reading geography books. The main joy here is the intrigue on the streets of the city itself, notably the locals who flinch their eyelids at a real foreigner in their city. Sightseeing wise, it is Taiwan to the core. Each night there is a wide range of night markets and roadside barbecue stalls serving up delicious treats from stinky tofu to dragon fruit ice cream to chicken bum kebab to duck face.

The city also has the headquarters for Tainan County and has plenty of greenery. The leafy central park is frequented by local students, keep fit freaks, and bookworms. On the edge of the city, head out to enjoy the peace and beauty of Swan Lake with its floral gardens, leafy waters, relaxing greens, and of course the nature with birds aplenty.

The city’s canals and 228 monuments add to the more touristic attractions to go alongside the many temples. The Gung Ho temple is the most famous and well worth a visit for its colorful exterior. By night, indulge in a spot of shrimp fishing with the locals, or go to a karaoke bar (KTV) or simply eat out at the night market before a night in the city’s small but cozy selection of pubs (particularly the Ocean every day pub).

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If a place in Taiwan has burnt its name into my brain, that’s the Alishan. Our professor was obsessed with the place and showed us photos, videos, and even songs about Alishan on a daily basis during class in order to convince us to visit. Alishan is a national park located approximately in the middle of Taiwan’s main island. This national park is a high mountain region that hosts mountains up to 2000 meters high.

During the Japanese colonial era, a narrow-gauge railway has been built here that will take you up to the mountains up to today. Alishan is popular throughout the country for its unique wildlife, plants, and breathtaking views. In addition, the oolong tea which is extremely popular all over the country is growing here. (You shouldn’t leave Taiwan without tasting at least one cup of this yummy tea) The forests of this mountain are given a unique color combination by the bamboo mixed with bright red cypresses. If you like walking and want to get to know the wonderful Taiwanese nature, Alishan should not be missed.

Whilst Taipei is the busy capital of Taiwan, Tainan is a laidback and vibrant city, rich in history and culture.  The former imperial capital has a vast array of religious temples, delicious food stalls, night markets, and charming alleyways that make this such a great stop on any trip to Taiwan .

The best way to get a feel for the city is to explore on foot. The center is relatively compact so take a self-guided tour: wander the alleyways, do a little shopping, admire the architecture and pick up treats to eat along the way. Take a break at one of the countless cool cafes tucked away and enjoy amazing coffee or bubble tea.

With over 1600 Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist temples peppered throughout the city, it is impossible to ignore the deep religious history of the city. Colorful, decorative temples are seemingly on every corner and draw you in to explore and learn more about the rituals and history of the city. Great temples to visit include Confucius Temple, Lady Linshui Temple, Guangdong Temple, and Matsu Temple.

Other highlights in the city include a visit to the unique Anping Tree House and the beautiful Chimei Museum.

Finally, a visit to the Flower Night Market in the north of the city is essential when in Tainan.  The huge open-air food market is only open three nights a week, so make sure to plan your visit in advance. It can get very busy so we recommend starting early. Food highlights include the spring onion pancake, stinky tofu, roast pork rolls, and fried dumplings.

Recommended by Rachel from Adventure and Sunshine

Kaohsiung is a port city located in the southern part of Taiwan. This charming city is where you will discover real Taiwanese southern hospitality.

While it is the second-largest city in the island country, the look and feel is quite different from the capital city of Taipei. Kaohsiung is a great place to see both the old and new Taiwan. Historically, the city was developed and industrialized under Japanese colonial rule. But the city government has put a lot of efforts to foster cultural and tourism development in recent years. Many parts of the city are in the process of gentrification by young artists and the like-minded in a way that blends both the historic and modern architectures infused with Taiwanese culture.

I recommend visiting Siziwan. Pier 2 Art District once was the port for the maritime industry and warehousing. Now it has transformed into an artistic commune with its own steampunk murals, modern arts, and indie craft shops. The old industrial railways used to converge at this port but now have been converted to a sprawling park space where locals can go picnic on the railroad ties during the weekends. The old British Consul Office and Residence in the nearby area offer one of the best harbor views of Kaohsiung from atop of the hill.

Kaohsiung is also home to one of the biggest Buddhist Monastery in Taiwan and the tallest religious statue on the water in Southeast Asia. For more details and other things to do in Kaohsiung, check a  customizable 4-day Kaohsiung itinerary here .

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A quick Wikipedia search will tell you that Fangshan Taiwan is a rural township famous for its Aiwen mangoes, and a complete contrast to the overlooked black sand beaches and a stunning coastline.

Just a stone throw from Kenting, I had cycled from Kaohsiung to Hualie n and made a pitstop in Fangshan, Pingtung County in Taiwan at a guesthouse called Tiny Greece with Santorini-like views. The Tiny Greece homestay had all the workings of a quaint guesthouse with oceanfront views facing the Fangshan beach. It was the perfect place to stay in a cabin, take a bicycle ride to a mixed rice mom-and-pop-stall, and savor the sweet mangoes that are known in this little county.

The southern-most tip of Taiwan is known for the best skyline, views, and peaceful azure blue seas. The enormous variety of things to do in Taiwan in this part of the country do not involve haggling with crowds, but instead provides plenty of freewheeling ways to enjoy nature at your own time minus the crowds.

Recommended by Pashmina from The Gone Goat

Day 7 Return to Taipei

And already the time in Taiwan is over again. If you have a little more time, you should definitely stay longer in the country to discover more. As you can see, it is impossible to visit all these great destinations within 7 days.

Bonus Beach Vacation in Taiwan

Taiwan has exceptionally beautiful beaches. If you have a little more time, you should definitely visit the small sub-islands of Taiwan as well.

If you want to spend more time in the country or just want to relax a bit, then you should definitely also visit the little islands of Taiwan. The most popular and largest is Penghu . The Penghu Islands, also called Pescadores, are an archipelago consisting of a total of 90 islands and are located in the west of the main island of Taiwan. Still today, Penghu is an absolute insider tip for international tourists and is usually just visited by tourists from mainland China and local tourists.

To get to Penghu, you should either take a small domestic plane or take the ferry.

Penghu is full of stunning beaches and offers the absolute island vibe. You can spend hours in the sun, eat fresh fruit and ice cream, and just relax. If that is too boring, you can also try surfing or other water sports, join an island hopping tour, or go fishing. In the evening you can visit Magong City to enjoy a cold beer with locals who are always looking forward to talking to travelers.

FAQ about your Taiwan trip

How many days do you need in taiwan.

There is so much to discover in Taiwan, so we recommend staying in Taiwan for at least 7 days. But if you have more time, you should definitely stay longer. I spent a month in the country and still haven’t seen everything. Although the country is small, it is full of attractions.

Is one week in Taiwan enough?

In a week in Taiwan, you can get a good overall picture of the country and visit some of the top attractions in Taiwan. If you have more time and want to immerse yourself in the country’s culture or discover attractions off-the-beaten-path, you should definitely take more time.

What is the best month to visit Taiwan?

The months March – May, and September – November are considered the best travel time. At these times of the year, it is mostly dry and the temperatures are pleasantly warm, but not too hot. If I had to choose a month, I would probably choose September.

What is the coldest month in Taiwan?

With temperatures around 15°C (60°F), January is the coldest month of the year.

How to travel around Taiwan

The public transport network in the country is well developed and you can get around the country quickly and easily by bus and train. Another popular option is to rent a car and drive from A to B yourself. is a popular car rental company.

Is it dangerous to travel in Taiwan?

I remember Taiwan as a very safe country to travel to. Even late at night, even as a woman traveling alone, you can still be out and about without hesitation. During the summer months, however, occasional tropical storms can occur. Before you travel, always find out more from official sources such as the Federal Foreign Office of your country, like the the US Department of State .

Is Taiwan expensive?

In comparison to most western countries, traveling in Taiwan is quite cheap. The average traveler spends around $35/€ 30 per day. However, your travel costs may vary depending on the type of travel and budget.

When is the cherry blossom season in Taiwan?

Like Japan, Taiwan has a cherry blossom season (sakura) every year. The cherry blossom season in Taiwan takes place between the end of January and the beginning of April and usually has its peak in March . However, the times may vary depending on the winter season.

Is tap water safe to drink in Taiwan?

No, you should only drink tap water in Taiwan boiled or filtered. To be on the safe side, you can travel with a drinking water filter or buy bottled drinking water.

Interested in Asia?

About the Author Vicki

Hi, we are Vicki & Eduardo, an international travel couple on a mission to help you save money for priceless travel experience. Follow us through the miracles of this world and you will be rewarded with a bunch of practical travel tips.

4 thoughts on Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary 7 Days or more to the most beautiful places in Taiwan

This looks like a great itenerary .I have been to Taiwan but could visit only Taipei ,dint knew about so many beautiful places

Thank you for your comment! Yes, many people only visit Taipei but actually Taiwan is full of amazing places 🙂

This is so useful Taiwan keeps popping on my radar and I really feel I should visit it soon, so this might actually become super handy. Thanks!

Thank you for your comment! I agree that Taiwan is a super underrated country. It’s extremely beautiful 🙂

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How to See Taiwan in Five Days

From innovative restaurants in Taipei to lush mountain gorges in Hualien and historic architecture in Tainan, the island holds something for every traveler

Before visiting Taiwan in 2013, veteran travel writer Matt Long knew very little about the country. Once he arrived, he was blown away.

“There simply is nothing else like it,” he says. “It’s totally unique.”

Founder of LandLopers.com , Matt has visited dozens of countries. What impressed him most about Taiwan was its astounding natural beauty combined with a unique commingling of cultures. Visitors can listen to traditional indigenous music at Tiehua Music Village one day; the next, visit old Dutch forts and step inside Qing Dynasty temples.

From innovative restaurants in Taipei to lush mountain gorges in Hualien and historic architecture in Tainan, the island holds something for every traveler. Only slightly larger than the state of Maryland, Taiwan is easy to traverse, with major sights only a few hours from each other connected by a robust network of high-speed rail, trains and buses.

“If you’re an affirmed urban explorer, Taipei and Tainan can keep you occupied for days with shops, cafes, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. But if you’re more of an outdoorsy type, the options are truly incredible,” says Matt. “No matter what you decide to do, be sure to slow down and connect with the local culture. Spend some time eating dinner at a night market or pull up a stool for an impromptu lunch. Food is an important part of the travel experience in Taiwan, and one that shouldn’t be an afterthought.”

A gateway to Asia, Taiwan is an ideal stopover destination. Not only is it safe and affordable, but the locals are also exceptionally friendly and hospitable. What's more, U.S. passport holders can visit without a visa. Drawing on Matt’s experiences, we developed a five-day itinerary featuring Taiwan’s must-see highlights. Though eight to 12 days is the ideal amount of time to experience the country, five days is the perfect addition to any Asia itinerary. Starting in the capital city of Taipei and looping around the coast to Tainan, this trip will introduce you to the best of Taiwan, both contemporary and historic.

Day 1 - Taipei City

Taipei is a strikingly modern and global city. Neon billboards and international stores dominate its streets, and in certain areas you feel like you’re walking through Times Square, Matt recalls. “It’s as advanced a city as exists in the world,” he says. However, reminders of old Taiwan are ever-present. Constantly evolving, the city simultaneously embraces its roots.

Begin your first full day in Taiwan at Longshan Temple . Set against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers, it is a colorful reminder of a bygone era. Built in the mid 18th century by immigrants from China’s Fujian province, today Longshan Temple is a cultural centerpiece of the city. Inside, time seems to stand still. Intricately carved dragons survey passersby from their rooftop stations, incense swirls in and out of quiet rooms, and the faithful bow in prayer.

Next, make your way to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall . Built in 1980 to commemorate the former president of the Republic of China, it is one of Taipei’s most prominent historical landmarks. Marking the entrance to the memorial hall is a 100-foot-tall archway topped with a distinctive blue-tile roof. From the archway, a stone path leads visitors past manicured lawns to the building housing a bronze statue of the late president and a museum dedicated to his life and legacy. The grounds, which span 60 acres, also feature a concert hall and theater space together with shaded corridors, exercise areas and walkways. For Matt, one of the best parts of visiting the memorial hall was watching the locals go about their day. “Tai Chi devotees meet at dawn and parents with scampering kids run through the massive ground of this living, breathing site,” he says. “This is Taipei, always keeping in mind the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle while honoring the past.”

A first visit to Taipei wouldn’t be complete without the National Palace Museum , which houses more than 690,000 artifacts relocated from Beijing in the early 20th century during the Chinese Civil War. It would take days, weeks, maybe years, to see everything in the museum, so Matt suggests picking and choosing what you want to see. The 19th-century jade cabbage is, akin to the Louvre’s Mona Lisa, a must-see.

Between sites, stop to enjoy some of Taiwan’s diverse culinary offerings. Taipei “runs the gamut for anyone’s food interests,” says Matt. This March, the world-famous Michelin Guides released their first ever guide to Taipei , which recognizes 110 establishments ranging from restaurants to street stalls and serving 33 different cuisine types. This evening, travel by train to Hualien City

Day 2 - Taroko National Park in Hualien County

Today, explore Taroko National Park , one of Taiwan’s natural wonders featuring picture-perfect views at every turn. Of the many ways to explore the park, the centerpiece of which is the magnificent Taroko Gorge, Matt recommends starting out on the Baiyang Waterfall Trail . “This easy, 4-km hike is the perfect introduction to Taroko. The trail meanders through tunnels, snakes past massive white marble walls standing in shocking contrast to the icy blue waters below and leads to Water Curtain, a natural spring flowing through the roof of the final tunnel,” he recalls. Other highlights of the park include the Swallow Grotto Trail , along which swallows dart in and out of their nests in the rock, as well as Eternal Spring Shrine , built in the Tang Dynasty architectural style atop a waterfall cliff.

This afternoon, travel to Taitung

Day 3 - Chishang; Taitung City

Begin your day with a bike ride through Chishang, a scenic farming community dotted with rice paddies in the East Rift Valley outside of Taitung. “The quiet solitude of the farms and the fresh scent of blossoming lotus flowers and fresh grass is a spiritual experience for some, for others an immersive way to enjoy more of Taiwan’s natural treasures,” says Matt of the ride. Afterwards, be sure to try a Chishang lunchbox . Served in restaurants across Taitung, these iconic wooden ‘lunchboxes’ are filled with rice, cabbage, tofu and sweet sausage and enjoyed with fried chicken and pork.

Return to Taitung City via train and spend the rest of your afternoons soaking up the creative energy of Tiehua Music Village , home to a growing community of independent artists and musicians. “In the evenings, the small park lights up with craftspeople selling everything from homemade soaps to incredibly detailed watercolor postcards,” says Matt. “But the highlight is the nightly performances showcasing local folk bands and karaoke.”

Day 4 - Tainan City

Travel to Tainan in the morning

Matt describes Taipei and Tainan as “yin and yang.” Taiwan’s original capital city, Tainan is rooted in history and bears the mark of each civilization that has ruled it. To understand the influence of the early Dutch traders, Matt recommends a walk around the bayside Anping Fort , and for a glimpse into the lasting impact of Chinese culture, he suggests a visit to the 17th-century Confucius Temple and Tin Hau Temple . Home to a matchmaker shrine, Tin Hau Temple is popular with locals and visitors alike. "Anyone can make their love-related wishes by writing a note on provided paper," Matt says. "The wish is then placed in one of the small bottles hanging on the wall, and the faithful hope for the best. Be sure to be respectful and always leave a donation for the supplies—a small price to pay if you do find your soulmate."

One of the best places to witness Tainan's unique merging of cultures is Chihkan Tower , which began as a Dutch fort and later became a Chinese pagoda and Japanese army hospital. Today, Matt characterizes it as "welcome respite from a sometimes-hectic city." Another must-see is the pedestrian-only Shennong Street, which he describes as "constantly changing but always interesting." Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, it is one of Tainan's best preserved. “Once a busy working class zone with direct access to a once-busy canal area, today the street is home to small cafes, bars, shops and even artist’s studios,” Matt says.

Tainan is also a foodie’s paradise. Between destinations, try all manner of snacks from savory rice pudding prepared with soy sauce and sesame oil to pork belly buns and winter melon tea.

Day 5 - Taipei City

Travel to Taipei via high-speed train in the late morning

Spend your last day in Taiwan exploring more of its capital city. To size up your options, enjoy the view from Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers. “In every direction, the city’s arteries spread like latticework through trendy neighborhoods like Daan where the boulevards are lined with sweet-smelling Camphor trees and stores are named after Fendi and Vuitton,” says Matt of the view. “Turning in the other direction far different districts take form, like Ximending where K-pop devotees line up for bubble tea and more traditional wares, such as dried mangos and dehydrated squid, fill the streets.”

In addition to its restaurants and street stalls, Taipei is home to several active night markets. If you fly out the next morning, be sure to walk through Ningxia Night Market for a true slice of life in Taipei. “Locals pack the market elbow to elbow, all there in search of cheap but tasty treats like red bean wheel cakes,” Matt recalls. “Oyster shells are scattered over small metal tables and a smoky aroma fills the air, evening chaos standing in stark contrast with the city’s daytime predictable order and rhythm.”

Start planning your Taiwan itinerary now

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The Editorial Staff of Smithsonian magazine had no role in this content's preparation.

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Besides the modern architecture of a futuristic city, the unique cultural features have made Taiwan so charming, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world. If you are planning a trip to Taiwan for 4 days and 3 nights, let’s continue reading to come up with a detailed itinerary and helpful tips for your vacation. So, how many days in Taiwan is enough and what to do in Taiwan for 4 days? Let’s check out our suggested Taiwan itinerary 4 days 3 nights (4 days in Taiwan itinerary, Taiwan travel itinerary 4 days, Taiwan itinerary 4d3n) to find out the answer!

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About the island of Taiwan (# taiwan itinerary 4 days)

Taiwan is a small island in East Asia, located about 100 nautical miles off the southeast coast of China. As an island with a strong growth rate, dubbed the “Dragon of Asia”, this destination has a fairly developed economy and tourism industry. Owning a series of interesting attractions with breathtaking natural landscapes, including immense blue seas, vast forests, magnificent rivers and lakes as well as countless scenic spots and unique architectural works.

Taiwan is also a shopping and dining paradise with many of the busiest markets in Asia. Taiwan is a combination of cities with modern and lavish sights, but one must not forget the villages characterized by exotic cultural identities. With these interesting features, Taiwan has become a trendy place that any travel enthusiast wants to experience once.

What is the best time to travel to Taiwan? (# 4 days in taiwan itinerary)

Taiwan always has an irresistible attraction because this place puts on a different appearance each season, which will bring you different memorable experiences.

However, the most ideal time for a self-planned 4D3N vacation to Taiwan is during the spring. From March to May, the weather in Taiwan is quite pleasant. The night remains cool while the day is sunny with little rain. The scenery becomes very poetic and the natural landscape is full of life.

Or you can also visit Taiwan in the fall from September to November. At this time of the year, the weather is clear with a cool and windy atmosphere. Especially, this is the season when the flowers bloom like they are changing new clothes, creating a picturesque scene.

How to get to Taiwan (# taiwan itinerary 4 days 3 nights)

Traveling to taiwan by air (# taiwan itinerary 4 days).

Currently, the flight routes to Taiwan are being exploited more and more popularly. You can easily find the right flights for you among various carriers, such as Vietnam Airlines, Eva Air, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and so on. Make a quick search on Google to book flight tickets to Taiwan with affordable rates and many attractive promotions.

From the airport, you can choose to take the MRT or bus to go to different locations in the city. Or if traveling in a group of 3-5 people, you can travel by taxi for convenience and time efficiency.

Transportation in Taiwan (# taiwan travel itinerary 4 days)

For a great 4D3N trip to Taiwan, you need to choose a means of transport to move around many tourist attractions, making your journey to explore Taiwan more convenient and enjoyable.

In Taiwan, you have three main means of transportation: bus, MRT, and bicycle. Taiwan HSR (Taiwan High-Speed Rail), buses, and trains are intercity vehicles.

Bus (# taiwan itinerary 4d3n)

The public bus system in Taiwan is modern. Buses are chosen by many tourists because of their cost savings and extensive system, by which you can move to most tourist attractions in and out of the city.

Train and Taiwan HSR

Train and HSR are always the perfect choice for visitors traveling between cities.

The MRT stations in the city in Taiwan are often located near tourist attractions, so it is convenient for sightseeing and shopping.

Visiting Taiwan, you will see public bicycles near bus stations, MRT, or convenience stores. You should register for an ‘easy card’ with a phone number in Taiwan to be able to use this vehicle and visit the city.

Where to go and what to do in Taiwan for 4 days

Let’s check out the following 4D3N itinerary to visit Taiwan with a tight budget.

Day 1: Airport – Taipei (# taiwan itinerary 4 days)

Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, you will be picked up to visit:

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Zhongzheng District – a commemorative place of the late President Chiang Kai-shek and an important landmark in Taiwan’s history.

Take pictures outside the National Palace Museum.

Visit Taipei 101 Tower – the most famous building in Taiwan with 101 stories (get to the 89th floor of the tower at your own expense). You can explore this bustling shopping mall with countless luxury brands from around the world.

Day 2: Taipei – Taichung (# 4 days in taiwan itinerary)

Shifen Cultural Village is famous for hosting the sky lantern festival. Here, you can choose a lantern and release it into the sky, carrying your prayers for peace and prosperity.

Yangmingshan National Park – 45 minutes by car from Taipei. It is one of the eight major national parks of Taiwan with unique volcanic terrain mixed with peaceful valleys and rich populations of flora and fauna. At the same time, you will be able to see the wonderful cherry blossoms in full bloom from late February to early March here.

Pineapple cake shop: Here you can learn how to make pineapple cakes and try to make them yourself.

Day 3: Taichung – Kaohsiung (# taiwan travel itinerary 4 days)

Sun Moon Lake (Riyue Tan) – You can take a cruise on the largest and most beautiful natural lake in Taiwan, admiring the beauty of the mountains and waters. The eastern part of the lake has a round shape like the sun, while the western part is curved in a semicircle. Therefore, it was named Sun Moon Lake.

Sun Moon Lake Wen Wu Temple (Riyue Tan Wen Wu Miao) is a place to worship Confucius and Lord Guan located on the northern shore of Sun Moon Lake in Taichung. This is one of the famous temples in Taiwan. Wen Wu Miao impresses visitors with its architecture on the hillside, stretching from a low to high altitude.

Go sightseeing and shopping for specialties at Ganoderma (Lingzhi) and green tea shops.

Day 4: Kaohsiung – Flying home

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum – This attraction is famous for the tallest bronze statue in the world today with a height of 108 meters.

Lotus Pond with Spring and Autumn Pavilions – a beautiful pond where you can zoom out to admire the scenery of Kaohsiung and breathe in the cool fresh air with the fragrance of lotus flowers blooming in the water during the lotus season. You will have the opportunity to see the beauty of the famous Love River of Kaohsiung City when the car passes by.

Take photos at Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, typical of Chinese architecture.

Where to stay when traveling to Taiwan? (# taiwan itinerary 4d3n)

For a 4D3N itinerary to Taiwan, visitors should book a hotel in Taiwan at least one month in advance. Remember to choose a suitable accommodation for the schedule that offers a good rate.

You can do a quick search to book hotels at favorable prices, along with many attractive promotions. It is recommended that you choose accommodation near the Taipei Main Station area for convenient transportation. Or you can choose a place in Nanyang – Xuchung area, which is a dining spot near the Main Station to easily discover Taiwanese cuisine.

Check out some of the hotels that are highly rated by travelers in Taiwan, including:

Grand Hyatt Taipei ( Agoda , Booking )

Grand Hyatt Taipei is located in a vibrant area one kilometer from downtown Taipei. From the hotel, guests can easily move to tourist attractions, shopping centers, and markets. Especially, advanced design and 5-star standard service allow you to have a memorable experience.

Address: No. 2 Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Northern Taiwan

Courtyard by Marriott Taipei ( Agoda , Booking )

Courtyard by Marriott Taipei will bring guests the experience of a high-end vacation in Taipei. With a location right around the corner from CityLink Nangang, the hotel space is lavish and modern, along with extraordinary meals and services.

Address: No. 359, Section 7, Zhongxiao East Road, Nangang District, Nangang, Taipei City, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan

Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao ( Agoda , Booking )

Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Taipei, Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao will be your ideal choice. Because it is situated in the center of Banqiao District, the surroundings offer interesting shopping and dining spots.

Address: No. 8, Section 2, Xianmin Blvd., Banqiao District, Banqiao, New Taipei City, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan

Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport ( Agoda , Booking )

Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is one of the luxury hotels, but the price is totally reasonable.

Address: No. 1-1, Hangzhan South Road, Dayuan District, Dayuan, Taoyuan City, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan

Check out more top and best hotels in Taipei on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Taiwan is a country rich in natural sceneries and modernistic cities besides the charm of ancient Chinese cultural heritage and traditions. This Taiwan itinerary 4 days is a great opportunity for you to discover all the quintessence of this island. Don’t forget that we always accompany you with our travel experiences to make your journey convenient and complete. Also, remember to book your hotel room in advance for the most favorable deals.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Taipei you can refer to

• Taoyuan Airport Private Transfers (TPE) for Taipei
• Sedan Taoyuan Airport Transfers (TPE) for Taipei
• [SALE] Taoyuan Airport MRT Ticket & Exclusive Shopping Coupon
• Luxury Taoyuan Airport Transfers (TPE) for Taipei
• Explore Taipei City
• Taipei Free Walking Tour Historic Route
• Taipei Double Decker Bus Tour
• Taipei Popular Sightseeing Private Car Charter : Jiufen, Pingxi, and North Coast (Chinese/English/Korean)
• Northeast Coast Scenic Day Tour
• Jiufen Shuttle Bus from Ximen
• Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen Day Tour with Korean and English Speaking Guides
• Taipei: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall Day Tour
• EasyCard (TPE Airport Pick Up)
• Klook Pass Taipei (For international travelers)
• Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket
• Maokong Gondola Ticket
• Yeliou, Jinguashih, Juifen and Shihfen Join Day Tour
• Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass
• Taipei: Beitou and Yangmingshan One-Day Tour
• [10% Off + 1 Extra Free Day] 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Chunghwa Telecom
• 4G SIM Card (TPE Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Far EasTone Telecom
• 4G WiFi (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan
• 4G Portable WiFi for Taiwan from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for Taiwan from WiFiBB (Unlimited Data)
• 4G LTE WiFi (TW Airport Pick Up) for Japan
• [Sale – Taiwan Food Promo] Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taipei
• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Consecutive Unlimited Pass (2 or 3 Days)
• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taoyuan
• THSR Exclusive Discount One Way Ticket from Taoyuan (Two Tickets for the Price of One)

Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei itinerary 4 days — How to spend 4 days in Taipei & what to do in Taipei for 4 days perfectly ?

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Planning a trip to Taiwan can be exciting, as the island is full of culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities. From bustling markets to peaceful mountains, there’s something for every traveler. A solid plan is key to making the most of your visit. One tool that will help you stay connected during your journey is a Taiwan tourist eSIM . This ensures reliable internet access for maps, bookings, and more, helping your trip go smoothly.

1. Understand Taiwan’s Geography

Before creating your itinerary, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Taiwan’s layout. The island is long and narrow, combining city life and nature. The west coast is home to busy cities like Taipei and Taichung, while the east offers serene landscapes.

Many tourists start in Taipei in the north and gradually move south to explore the different regions. A Taiwan eSIM will help access maps and navigate these diverse areas efficiently.

2. Identify Must-See Attractions

Once you understand Taiwan’s geography, decide on the key attractions you want to visit. Highlights in Taipei include Taipei 101, Ximending, and Shilin Night Market. Consider visiting Jiufen for its historical charm and Taroko National Park for breathtaking hikes outside the city.

Make sure to include some relaxation in your itinerary. Taiwan is known for its hot springs, particularly in Beitou and Wulai. Your Taiwan eSIM will help you check hours, get directions, and find nearby attractions without hassle.

3. Plan Around Festivals and Events

Taiwan hosts a variety of cultural festivals throughout the year. The Lantern Festival and Dragon Boat Festival are just two events that draw visitors. These festivals offer a special opportunity to experience Taiwan’s traditions up close.

It’s smart to check festival dates in advance and include them in your itinerary if they align with your travel dates. Having a Taiwan travel eSIM makes looking up festival information easy, booking tickets, and staying updated on event schedules.

4. Plan Your Transportation

Thanks to its well-developed transportation system, getting around Taiwan is simple. The high-speed rail (HSR) connects major cities, making it easy to travel long distances quickly. Taiwan’s metro and bus systems are reliable and affordable for local travel.

Consider getting an EasyCard for convenient access to public transportation. Using your Taiwan travel eSIM, you can check train schedules bus routes, and book tickets online, ensuring your transportation plans run smoothly.

5. Budget for Accommodations and Food

Taiwan offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. If you’re traveling during a busy season, booking accommodations in advance is wise. Websites and apps make comparing prices and finding the best deals easy.

When it comes to food, Taiwan is a street food paradise. Night markets are found in nearly every city, offering a range of dishes from beef noodle soup to bubble tea. Your Taiwan travel eSIM helps you look up restaurant reviews, find must-try dishes, and even locate nearby night markets.

6. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Taiwan is a safe country, but it’s always good to be prepared for emergencies. Whether you need medical help or need to contact local authorities, your Taiwan travel eSIM will allow you to look up emergency services quickly.

Stay connected and informed using your eSIM to find nearby hospitals, pharmacies, or clinics. It’s also helpful for accessing translation apps if you need assistance from locals.

7. Leave Room for Spontaneity

While planning is essential, allowing room for flexibility can lead to some of the best travel experiences. Taiwan is full of hidden gems that may not be on your original itinerary, like a tucked-away temple or an unexpected local event. Your Taiwan travel eSIM makes it easy to adjust your plans on the go.

Whether you extend your stay in a charming town or visit a new attraction, staying connected ensures you can adapt without stress. Flexibility allows you to enjoy the surprises Taiwan has in store for you entirely.

Planning the perfect trip to Taiwan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can create a well-rounded itinerary by exploring both the island’s urban and natural sides, prioritizing key destinations, and staying connected with a Taiwan travel eSIM. Taiwan offers many experiences, from vibrant city life to peaceful natural escapes. With a little planning and some flexibility, your trip to Taiwan will be one to remember. Stay connected, easily explore, and make the most of your Taiwanese adventure.

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