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15 Best Day Trips from Taipei

Taipei is the sprawling, urban heartland of Taiwan, a city of intriguing Taiwanese culture, where modern and ancient customs and architecture fuse together in the light of a welcoming, local atmosphere that leaves international visitors looking to stay for longer and to uncover more of the mysteries of this eclectic destination.

Taipei’s location gives visitors staying in the city unprecedented access to a multitude of beautiful locations which are all just a day trip away, and if you ever tire of the city’s streets, then there are countless national parks and epic, natural locations to visit.

Just a short journey outside the city will bring you to the scenic vistas of the northern coastline, while on the edge of the suburbs are natural hot springs, quaint regional towns and traditional villages.

There are wide lakes, deep gorges and excellent hiking opportunities wherever you turn.

There are countless day trip opportunities from Taipei, but here are our favourites.

Jiufen was once an old Japanese mining town, built as an industrial centre during the late 19th century.

The mine has long since closed, and today, rather than the sooty, industrial town you may be imagining, Jiufen is, in fact, a quaint array of winding alleyways and colourful streets that reflect the vibrant Taiwanese culture.

It’s not far from Taipei, and offers a small town escape from the big city, while at the same time giving visitors a journey through the history of Jiufen, from Japanese colonisation to modern-day tourism.

There are beautiful sea views, rolling hills and an abundance of tea houses and small shops to explore.

Recommended tour: Juifen and Pingxi Day Tour

2. Beitou Hot Springs

The Beitou Hot Springs are found in the suburbs of Taipei and make for a relaxing day trip away from the city centre.

The Hot Springs are close enough to be accessible by the city’s public transport system, located close to an MRT station in the outskirts of Taipei.

This is a lovely green oasis in the urban confines of the city limits, and there are several bathing houses that channel water from natural hot springs.

The best one to visit is the Millenium Bath House, where there are several open-air bathing pools.

The Thermal Valley also needs to be visited, as this incredible hot spring is the source of the water in the bathing houses, although at this stage in its journey, the water is much too hot for bathing.

3. Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark is found near the coastal town of Yehliu to the north of Taipei, and it’s a spectacular place to spend the day.

This is a really beautiful area and a fine demonstration of the nature that’s waiting to be discovered so close to the capital.

The park is known for being the site of some really unusual geological rock formations, which are quite unlike anything else found anywhere else in the world.

The park extends for almost 2 kilometres from the mainland into the ocean, and along the length of it are strange and weirdly beautiful rocks, cliffs and other natural features.

Recommended tour : Private Full-Day Northern Taiwan Tour by Car from Taipei

4. Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is one of Taiwan’s most loved areas of natural beauty.

The park is found to the north of Taipei, and as with much of the surrounding beauty, it’s just a short ride away from the city and easily accessible on public transport.

The close proximity to the city though, shouldn’t faze you, as this is an unbelievably spectacular place to see.

There is a multitude of hiking trails that work their way through the scenery and over the peaks and old volcanos that make up the landscape.

There are hot springs, cherry blossoms and much more to waiting to be seen at Yangmingshan National Park.

Suggested tour : Taipei Sunrise Excursion: Yangmingshan National Park

5. Jinguashi

Jinguashi is found close to the old mining town of Jiufen and has an equally intriguing history as an industrial centre set up by the Japanese.

It’s not quite as busy or as big as nearby Jiufen but offers an equally vibrant array of local history and culture.

It’s in spectacular surroundings too, and one of the best things to do here is to take on the Teapot Mountain hike, a trail which leads up to a nearby mountain peak from where you can enjoy vast vistas across the coast and the green landscapes that stretch endlessly into the distance.

Tamsui is a small town on the northern coastline of Taiwan that makes for a wonderful day trip from the city.

It’s not far at all, and Tamsui offers visitors a look at coastal life on the island, with a bustling old harbour and ramshackle streets that have stood here for generations.

Stop for some seafood, and stay for the sunset, because it’s said by locals that a sunset here, in the perfect position on the coast, is the best sunset that can be enjoyed in Taiwan.

Wulai is found in the mountains near Taipei, and it offers an intriguing look at Taiwan’s indigenous culture, much of which has over the years been unfortunately displaced by colonizers and mainland Chinese.

Wulai is home to a large group of Taiwan’s true locals and it’s a great place to learn more about this understated aspect of Taiwan’s history.

There are many shops and restaurants with an indigenous flair, while many visitors also travel here from the city to experience the cool mountain climes and the many natural hot springs.

Situated on the coast to the southeast of Taipei is Yilan, bordered on one side by rugged mountains and on the other by the open ocean.

It’s a stunning location and there is much to do here.

Explore the streets of Yilan City, visit the local markets, and as with everywhere in Taiwan, soak in the hot springs and baths.

Trek out to the countryside in search of the powerful Wufengchi Waterfall or take on one of the numerous hiking trails into the mountains.

9. Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake has the distinction of being Taiwan’s largest lake.

This beautiful area is found in the rolling hills of central Taiwan, and it makes for a long day trip from Taipei, but one you won’t regret.

There are hiking trails around the perimeter and into the mountains, while it’s easy to catch a ride on the ferries that travel across the water from one end to the next.

Included in : Best of Taiwan 5-Day Tour

10. Thousand Island Lake

A little closer to Taipei, the Thousand Island Lake is an equally unique and attractive destination to visit.

This isn’t really a lake, as such, but more a scenic panorama of the beautiful, turquoise waters of the river, which flow through a maze of inlets more reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord than a Taiwanese lake.

It’s a glorious sight, and the surrounding area is home to many tea plantations which can also be visited at the same time for a taste of culture and a refreshing drink.

11. Taroko Gorge

To the southeast of Taipei is Taroko Gorge, a spectacular natural sight that stretches for almost 20 kilometres through rugged landscapes.

The gorge is protected as a national park because it’s quite unlike anywhere else in Taiwan.

The gorge stretches to the coast from the inland mountains, and there is a vast array of forests, hills and cliffs to be explored in an ever-changing environment.

There are some great hikes, including many which traverse the river that flows through the canyon on breathtaking, but slightly nerve-wracking suspension bridges high above the water.

Pingxi is another rural Taiwanese town that owes its origins to heavy industry.

The coal here in the countryside was exploited by the Japanese, but in recent years, Pingxi has seen a real resurgence as a tourist destination.

While you will find coal museums here explaining this integral part of the town’s history, the real reason to visit now is to walk the old streets, to pop into little tea houses and cafes and to generally enjoy the rural ambience.

In the area, you can enjoy some great waterfalls too, including the dramatic Shifen falls, where a cascade of water flows over the wide rock face into a pool below.

Puli is a charming town in the mountains of central Taiwan, and the perfect place to visit to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

It’s a quiet city and a place that is well known for being the home of the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, where modern culture meets with ancient Buddhist traditions in an unusual setting.

There are many other temples here to visit too, and nearby there are of course plenty of hikes through the spectacular scenery of this mountainous region.

Lukang has long been an important trading hub on the west coast of Taiwan.

Overlooking the strategic Strait of Taiwan, the mainland is never too far away, and through its history it has seen many colonizers and trading powers landing in its natural harbour.

Although it is not as important as it used to be, it’s a great little town to visit to experience the many multicultural influences that have over the years shaped both Lukang and the rest of wider Taiwan.

15. Keelung City

Keelung City is a big coastal destination on the northeast coast of Taiwan, and not far from Taipei.

It’s not hugely popular with tourists and day-trippers because most people just presume that is simply an industrial harbour city.

Actually, there is a lot to do here, and there are plenty of night markets serving up great seafood and Taiwanese specialities, as well as several historic forts, museums and plenty of hikes.

15 Best Day Trips from Taipei:

• Beitou Hot Springs
• Yehliu Geopark
• Yangmingshan National Park
• Sun Moon Lake
• Thousand Island Lake
• Taroko Gorge
• Keelung City

The 7 best day trips from Taipei

Oct 26, 2023 • 11 min read

Admiring the bold colors of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor is just one way to spend time on a day trip from Taipei © Panuwat Dangsungnoen / Shutterstock

Within the dense forests that encircle the colorful Taiwanese capital, the beauty of rural Taiwan awaits, made accessible by Taipei ’s ultra-efficient public transport system.

Along with a full spectrum of green spaces, cultural heritage abounds, from the steep alleyways of Jiufen Old Street to the old-world Pingxi railway. Read on to discover our favorite day trips from Taipei.

1. Hike all day long in Yangmingshan

Best for fresh air and views

The sheer number and range of hiking opportunities near Taipei will leave you breathless, as will the area's countless parks and reserves. Yangmingshan National Park is one of the most accessible natural preserves, lording over Taipei City with lush peaks coated in silver grass and an extensive network of trails winding through meadows and pastures.

There are 10 hikable peaks at Yangmingshan and if you have 11 hours to spare, you could try climbing them all in one day. For a more relaxing day, try for just one or two peaks – perhaps Mt Qixing’s main and east peaks – followed by a meeting with water buffalo on the Qingtiangang Grassland, geothermal encounters at the Xiaoyoukeng geological park or lily picking at Zhuzihu (possible from February to May). Beitou Hot Springs is another nearby attraction and its steaming baths are all the more appealing after a full day of hiking.

There are several ways to climb 1120m (3675ft) Mt Qixing – the meandering 2.4km (1.5-mile) Miaopu trail starting near Yangmingshan Visitor Center follows a stone-paved path, with signs in Mandarin and English; signs along the route highlight other attractions such as Menghuan Pond and the Lengshuikeng natural springs, allowing you to extend your trip depending on energy levels.

How to get to Yangmingshan : To reach the visitor center, hop on shuttle bus 260 from Shimin Boulevard behind Taipei Main Station and alight at Yangmingshan Bus Terminal (30NTD/US$1, one hour).

From the bus terminal, walk back to the main road and head uphill; look for a sign on your right marking the path to the visitor center. Pick up a detailed map here (or get human advice!) to locate any trails you wish to try. After completing your hike, the 108 bus can drop you back at the visitor center to catch the 260 bus returning to Taipei City.

2. Enjoy quirky old mining towns and waterfalls on the Pingxi Line

Best for railway nostalgia

Originally constructed to connect a series of coal mining towns during the Japanese occupation, the charming Pingxi railway line is less than an hour from Taipei. This 12km (7.5-mile) single-track railway runs parallel to the Keelung River and stops at a number of slow-moving villages that are rich with mining heritage, spectacular natural attractions – and cats!

Houtong Cat Village will win you over early on, so pause for some quality time with the dozens of docile kitties that sunbathe on the steps and corrugated roofs around the village. You can also visit the coal mining museum (and ride a handcar into the tunnels), followed by a coffee in a cutesy cat-themed cafe while you wait for the next scheduled train – they usually run every hour.

Sandiaoling and Shifen are two competing waterfalls on the Pingxi Line; the former is worth visiting for forested hiking trails leading to swimmable pools; the latter is considered the best option for mindblowing views. The Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail is a half-day trip in itself, linking the Hegu and Motian cascades and Pipa Cave via a suspension bridge and nature trail. The 40m (131ft) Shifen Waterfall is considered Taiwan’s most scenic cascade and it has the added bonus of an adjacent "old street" of vintage houses.

The penultimate stop is Pingxi, the mining town that gave the railway its name, known for its nostalgic old street and Sky Lantern Festival, held every February, when nearly 100,000 visitors paint their wishes onto paper lanterns and release them into the night sky. At the final stop of Jingtong, you can stroll along tracks lined with souvenir stalls, stands serving sizzling Taiwanese sausages, and heritage buildings.

Concerns about the environmental impacts of sky lanterns are on the rise, with many counties in Taiwan banning them entirely. Releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi is legal as long as visitors follow a few rules established by the city’s government . If you choose to participate, there are a few ways you can minimize your environmental impact, such as collecting and recycling debris at Sky Lantern Shell Recycling Stops throughout the city.

How to board the Pingxi Line: The Pingxi Line is an easy day trip from Taipei and it's easy to extend the trip with an overnight stay in wildly popular Jiufen village. Taiwan Railway (TRA) trains to Ruifang Station run from Taipei Main Station (from 50NTD/US$1.70, one hour), at which point you can transfer easily to the Pingxi Line.

A day ticket for unlimited travel on the Pingxi Line costs only 80NTD (US$2.75), making it one of the all-time best cheap trips from Taipei. On weekends, the small train can get quite packed, especially when returning to Ruifang at the end of the day. Consider coming on a weekday or start early to avoid the worst crowds.

3. Get hot and steamy in Wulai District

Best for hot springs and hikes

One of the top romantic getaways near Taipei, Wulai District gets its name from the Atayal word for the hot springs for which this Indigenous town is renowned. Despite some commercialization, Wulai retains a certain authenticity – the mountain valley is cut off from the rest of Taiwan and exists in harmony with the verdant mountains surrounding it.

Most people who come here stay overnight at a Wulai hot springs resort, some of which are bookable by the hour for day-trippers. It's also possible to bathe in hot springs for free next to the Wulai River, allowing you to save your money for a visit to the Wulai Atayal Museum, a tram ride or the gondola trip to the Yunshien Amusement Park. Along the way, pick up Atayal snacks such as wild boar, stuffed bamboo tubes and millet wine.

Travelers wishing to get off the beaten park have myriad options, including heading beyond the red Nanshi suspension bridge on looping hiking trails towards Wulai Falls or climbing straight up Big Knife Mountain. Rambling along the rocky Laka Trail or hiking through the emerald-hued Mini Gorge is particularly rewarding. River tracing (like canyoning), swimming and camping are more options for outdoor fun.

How to reach Wulai: The simplest route to Wulai from Taipei is to board the 1601 bus from Xindian MRT Station (40NTD/US$1.40, 30 minutes). Taxi drivers wait around the metro station looking to ferry tourists to Wulai for a fair rate, so if the bus is full, consider teaming up with other travelers and sharing the ride.

4. Bathe in a forest glade at Manyueyuan National Forest

Best for rural serenity

Japan – Taiwan’s close neighbor – may have coined the term shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), but this custom can also be enjoyed in the dense forests surrounding Taipei. About 55km (34 miles) from the Taiwanese capital in Sanxia District, Manyueyuan National Forest is one of the closest places to Taipei for an arboreal bathing session and it's famous for its waterfalls set in woodland along a subtropical creek, with lots of potential bathing spots.

Day trippers to Manyueyuan can tackle a 10km (6.2-mile) loop trail that crosses over Beichatian Mountain, passing through ancient stands of forest. Alternatively, you can follow a flat, paved trail along the Dabao River for possible sightings of Formosan rock macaques and crested eagles perched upon the branches above the path.

For an extended weekend trip from Taipei, consider adding on more forest bathing at Dongyanshan Forest , staying overnight at a heritage guesthouse in Sanxia or Yingge.

How to get to Manyueyuan: The most convenient way to reach the forest is to drive; alternatively, consider a guided tour or taxi pool with a group of fellow travelers using services such as  Tripool and Parkbus .

With more time to spare, ride the metro to Banqiao TRA Station, taking the 702 or 812 bus to Sanxia Stop 1, followed by the less frequent 807 to the Manyueyuan parking lot.

5. Satisfy your seafood cravings at Keelung Harbor

Best for foodies

People who ask if Keelung is worth visiting clearly haven’t heard about this port city’s reputation for succulent and affordable seafood. There are plenty of cultural highlights, too – the bold colors of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor and a prominent 25m (82ft) statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, standing amid the temples of Zhongzheng Park.

At Heping Island Park, sea views and curious rock formations make the walking trails a joy to explore. The primary reason to visit Keelung, however, is Miaokou Night Market , which boasts some 200 food stalls covering several blocks in the vicinity of Dianji Temple.

Try fresh seafood fried, roasted, steamed, raw or paired harmoniously with thick crab soup and glutinous rice. Other recommended snacks include tempura, pork knuckle and  dianbiancuo soup – a Keelung specialty made with scrapings of rice flour batter, served with shrimp, pork and cabbage.

How to get to Keelung: Simply hop on a northbound train from Taipei Main Station and travel to reach Keelung Station (40NTD/US$1.30, 40 minutes).

6. Taste pouchong tea in Pinglin

Best for tea lovers

Tea lovers can take a day trip to savor the delicate taste of pouchong tea on the plantations and old streets of Pinglin, a district central to Taiwan’s century-old tea trade. Pinglin is just over one hour from Taipei by train; the picturesque Thousand Island Lake also lies in the area and it's a must-see if you have enough time.

Start your day with breakfast on Pinglin Old Street, where every snack comes infused with local leaves. Tea eggs are a convenience store staple across Taiwan, but in Pinglin, they switch black tea for pouchong in the steeping process, making for a lighter taste. The Liang Xin bun store distinguishes its steam buns from the pack with natural coloring and tea infusions; they cost 10NTD (US$0.35) each.

Rent a bicycle and follow the river along the Beishixi Bikeway through landscapes of terraced tea fields. The Pinglin Tea Museum lies within easy reach for insights into the history of the tea trade and the manufacturing process. For an open-air alternative, visit a working farm such as Tea Town Osmanthus or the Green Light Farm to see tea harvesting in spring or enjoy tea tasting all year round.

You might smell your last stop on approach. Famed for 100 years of the Taiwanese delicacy stinky tofu, Shiding Old Street might not be every foreigner’s first choice for a snack stop, but the old-school atmosphere is worth the time, with stone walkways and stilt houses suspended haphazardly over the riverbed. Stores here also sell more accessible tofu snacks, including tofu pudding and tofu tiramisu.

How to reach Pinglin: Pinglin lies just 30km (18.6 miles) outside of Taipei, but the winding mountain roads make the journey feel longer. The Green 12 bus runs to Pinglin via the  Feitsui reservoir, but the 923 bus is the only direct bus route to Pinglin. It runs from Xindian MRT station to Pinglin Old Street via Shiding (30NTD/US$1, one hour).

7. Throw pots on Yingge Ceramics Street

Best for fun craft shopping

If you’re looking for a pot to brew your freshly acquired pouchong tea, the town of Yingge will be happy to help. October is the best month to visit Taiwan’s pottery and ceramics capital, as local businesses get fired up for the Yingge Ceramics Festival and performances take over the streets.

Anyone interested in ceramics or ancient Chinese arts will enjoy pottering around town at any time of year. Visitors can learn about the colonial history that shaped the ceramics trade at the Yingge Ceramics Museum (80NTD/US$2.75). The Yingge Ceramics Mall also has multiple traders selling crockery, traditional tea sets and decorative pieces under one roof.

To try your hand at sculpting, glazing and firing your own pottery, book a two-hour class at one of the ceramics studios in the area (such as Shu’s Pottery ) for around 300NTD (US$10) per person. Otherwise, several kilns on Chongqing Street offer a glimpse of the traditional firing methods used to produce Yingge ceramics.

Having found a decent tea set, enjoy upscale tea and small plates at the Tea Day restaurant, adding on a visit to the nearby town of Sanxia to admire more red-brick architecture and traditional knick-knacks. The central Qingshui Zushi Temple is a living museum of Chinese history and folk art, hosting a controversial animal sacrifice on the sixth day of the lunar calendar.

How to get to Yingge: Yingge lies about 30 minutes southwest of Taipei, but you can also get here via a leisurely hour-long cycle along the riverside bikeway; there's a YouBike station adjacent to the old street in Yingge. Alternatively, you can take a Taiwan Railway train directly to Yingge Station from Taipei Main Station.

This article was first published May 2022 and updated October 2023

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Taiwan

Day trips from taiwan.

• Taiwan to Ruifang
• Taiwan to Xiulin
• Taiwan to Pingxi
• Taiwan to Zhongzheng District
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Private Taroko Gorge National Park Day Tour

2. Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour

3. Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup

4. Half Day Private Tour to Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall & Pingxi Sky Lantern

5. Private Custom Taipei Airport Layover Tour

6. Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour

7. Taipei Private Car Charter Tour

8. Discover Taichung Private Day Tour from Taipei

9. Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

10. Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City

11. Taipei Memory - 2 Days Tour

12. Yamingshan Volcano, Beitou Thermal Valley, Danshui Private Tour

13. Full-Day Private Custom Yilan Tour from Taipei

14. Half Day Private Tour to Yangmingshan National Park and Yehliu Geopark

15. Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour

16. Private Day tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei

17. Private 3-Day Southern Taiwan Tour (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

18. Yangmingshan and Beitou Day Tour with English Guide

19. Thousand Island Lake & Pinglin Tea Tour with English Guide

20. Taipei Touchdown: Make the Most of Your 6-Hour Layover

21. 1 day North Coast Yehliu Jiufen and Shifen Private Tour

22. Half-day tour Kaohsiung

23. Northern Taiwan and Taipei Countryside Full-Day Private Tour

24. Private 6 Day Tour in South Taiwan

25. Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery

26. Sweets to Streets: 6Hr Taipei Adventure with Pineapple Cake DIY

27. 1 Day Tour Northern Taiwan Coast Tour

28. Private 1-Day Tea Experience in Taipei

29. Private Hakka Discovery Day Tour from Taipei

30. 1 day tour - Kaohsiung

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• Nadia V 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience with Aaron. Aaron is a gentleman and a very kind person. He is a professional guide and we spent a beautiful time in Taipei thank to him. Read more Review of: Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour Written April 28, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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The 10 Best Day Trips From Taipei

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Taiwan’s capital is packed with endless options for dining, exploring, and entertainment, but there are many day trips worth taking outside the city. From Wulai’s waterfalls and aboriginal culture to Jiaosi’s hot springs to Pingxi’s lanterns and charm, there is much to see and do just beyond Taipei’s city limits. 

All the day trips listed here are accessible via public transportation and can be completed in one day (although, once you arrive at any of these destinations, you may decide to stay for the night, which is relatively easy to do). Your biggest challenge? Deciding where to go first.

Alishan National Park: Awesome Sunrises and Instagram-worthy Scenery

Enduring shivering temperatures to watch the dawn break at Alishan National Park in the southern town of Chiayi is a quintessential Taiwanese experience. This isn’t a typical fiery sunrise, but one in which the pitch-black horizon, 6,561-plus feet above sea level, instantly erupts in rays of dramatic light that pierce a sea of fog and fluffy clouds. Blink and you’ll miss the spectacle. 

The sunrise is best viewed from Bihu Observation Deck, Eryanping Trail, and Duigaoyue Lookout, which are accessible via the Zhushan train line. Meanwhile, the equally enchanting sunset is best seen from Mount Erjian Trail, Eryanping Trail, Ciyun Temple, and Provincial Highway 18. To catch a glimpse of Alishan's famous sea of clouds, head to the Taiping Suspension Bridge, Eryanping Trail, or Ciyun Temple.

Getting There: Take the High Speed Train from Taipei to Chiayi HSR Station (90 minutes). Then, transfer from Chiayi HSR Station Exit 2 to the express bus BRT to Chiayi Train Station (about 25 minutes). From there, board the high-altitude Alishan Forest Railway, which winds its way through Alishan and stops at key lookout spots.

If you take the Alishan Forest Railway, you’ll need to plan in advance; tickets are only sold the day prior to departure, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the second floor of Alishan Station. Note that departure times change daily and the number of train passengers is limited.

Travel Tips: For two weeks each March or April, throngs of visitors flock here to see the sakura (Japanese cherry blossoms) in bloom. The best time to visit, especially during peak periods, is during the week when the crowds are fewer. The temperature changes dramatically from sunrise to day and day to sunset, so dress warmly in layers.

Jinguashi & Jiufen: Gold, Tea, and Sunsets

The former gold-mining town of Jinguashi and neighboring Jiufen are a retro respite from bustling Taipei. Visit Gold Ecological Park in Jinguashi, which offers a retrospective of the area’s history, from a Prisoner of War camp during the Japanese Occupation, to the epicenter of Taiwan’s brief gold rush, to an increasingly popular tourist spot after decades of dormancy. Carve out time to visit the Gold Museum, which has exhibits on the history of Jinguashi and a 485-pound gold brick. From here, visitors can opt to take an easy two-hour hike or a 10-minute bus ride to Jiufen.

If you opt for the hike, begin at Shanjian Road Tourist Trail, which offers stunning views and a moderate trek through a former Japanese POW mining camp. The scenic route ends at the top of Jishan Street in Jiufen. Meander the cobblestone road all the way down Mt. Jilong until it intersects with Shuchi Street, a laddered lane of 362 steps flanked by tea shops, cafés, and shops. Stop for a steaming pot of tea and admire the sunset; as the sun dips behind the mountains, red lanterns illuminate the street, creating a memorable nod to yesteryear that earned Jiufen the nickname “Little Shanghai.”

Getting There: Take a train (45 minutes) from Taipei Main Station to Rueifang and transfer to a bus headed for Jinguashi. When you get to Jinguashi, take a bus to Jiufen or hike along the Shanjian Road Tourist Trail.

Travel Tips: The museums are closed on Mondays. Gold Ecological Park has a gold panning experience, but it’s an extremely remote chance to pan more than gold dust or fools’ gold.

Pingxi & Shifen: Launch Lanterns and Get Lucky

The small village of Pingxi and its neighboring hamlet of Shifen have become synonymous with paper lanterns ever since its coal mines were shuttered at the end of the 20th century. While the Shifen Waterfall and Taiwan Coal Mining Museum are popular attractions, it's the lantern-making and launching that annually attracts thousands of visitors. Take time to stroll the shops along Shifen Old Street. While some shopkeepers will demonstrate how to make one, all of them sell colorful lanterns in which you write your wishes before launching yours into the sky.

Getting There: Take the East Line local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, then transfer to the Pingxi Line (one hour). Having once transported coal and miners, this small rail line transports tourists today using the same century-old track and switches along 8 miles of railway.

Travel Tip: During the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festiva l (in January or February, depending on the lunar calendar), there are special buses from Taipei to Pingxi. While most folks visit the village during the Lunar New Year, visitors can launch lanterns any day of the year.

Sun Moon Lake: Biking, Boating, and Beauty

Arguably the most romantic place in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan is the country's largest freshwater lake. It gets its name thanks to an island in the center of the lake that separates it into two parts: one shaped like a crescent moon and the other like the sun. Located 2,454 feet above sea level, the alpine lake is best explored by boat and bike. Start with a boat tour before renting a bicycle to navigate the 2-mile Xiangshan Bike Trail that borders the lake. 

Getting There: Take the High Speed Train from Taipei Main Station and alight at Taichung HSR Station (one hour). From there, go to the first floor, Exit 5, and wait at the third platform for the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to Sun Moon Lake. 

Travel Tip: Autumn brings the most visitors to Sun Moon Lake with festivals and events like the Sun Moon Lake International Fireworks Festival . Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring and fireflies are abundant in the summer.

Jiaosi: Coastal Hot Spring Escape

Located on the fan-shaped Lanyang Plain, Jiaosi is an idyllic township in Yilan on Taiwan’s northeast coast. The main draw here are the odorless sodium bicarbonate hot springs. Unlike the smelly sulfuric hot springs in Beitou and Wulai, the springs here are used to grow vegetables and produce mineral water, and the geothermal heat warms the groundwater that creates Jiaosi’s therapeutic soaks. Several luxury hotels offer hot springs, some en suite. 

Getting There: Take the Capital Bus from Taipei City Hall Bus Station or Kamalan Bus from opposite the Technology Building MRT station to Jiaosi (50 minutes). 

Travel Tips: Stay longer than a day to take a dolphin- or whale-watching tour and explore nearby Turtle Island, an active volcanic island and ecological park 5.5 miles from Taiwan’s coast. It's open to visitors from March to November; advance reservations are required. Other popular attractions in the area include the Lanyang Museum and black sand beach in Toucheng, and the National Center for Traditional Arts and Luodong Night Market in Loudong.

Taroko National Park: Treacherous Trails and a Massive Marble Gorge

Established in 1986, Taroko National Park boasts one of Taiwan’s most popular natural wonders: the Taroko Gorge, a 11.8-mile marble gorge. The 227,33-acre park is easily traversed via the Central Cross-Island Highway by car, bus, or scooter. Start with a park orientation at the Visitor Center, which features exhibition halls and offers maps.

Don’t miss walkable routes like:

• Swallow Grotto Trail: This 0 . 85-mile path features the famous Indian Head Rock formation.
• Tunnel of Nine Turns: The 1.18-mile tunnel route offers breathtaking views of the marble gorge, river, and limestone cliffs.
• Eternal Spring Shrine Trail: A loop trail that starts at the Central Cross-Island Highway Changchun Bridge and meanders past Miluo Cave and Changchun Shrine, devoted to the 226 men who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway. From there, you'll take a steep, Z-shaped trail known as the Stairway to Heaven; it leads to Guanyin Cave, Taroko Tower, and the Bell Tower, which affords a bird’s-eye view of the Liwu River. The trail ends at the Changuang Temple Arch Gate.
• Suspension Bridge: A vertigo-inducing suspension bridge leads to a steep and treacherous hike up the Zhuilu Cliffs, 1,640 feet above the Liwu River. The white-knuckle path takes you to Zhuilu Old Road. Access is limited; folks wishing to trek along the treacherous 6.4-mile route must apply for a park entry permit from Taroko National Park and a mountain entry permit from the Taroko National Park Police (03-862-1405).

Getting There: Take a train from Taipei to Xincheng (Taroko) Station (two to three hours). From there, buy a one-day Taroko shuttle bus ticket.

Travel Tip: Most visitors find it easiest to join an organized tour or rent a car or scooter. If you drive, be aware that from Suao to Hualien, the highway runs along precipitous cliffs. Watch out for rock falls, which are more frequent after typhoons and earthquakes.

Wulai: Waterfalls, Hot Springs, and Aboriginal Culture

Wulai is the northernmost settlement for Atayal, Taiwan’s second largest Aboriginal group who have called Wulai home for more than 7,000 years. Take in the splendor of Wulai Waterfall before strolling the Wulai Aboriginal Culture Village, where members of the Atayal tribe outfitted in traditional, red, two-piece argyle dresses sell woven handbags and clothing and perform song-and-dance shows. Get a bird’s-eye view of Wulai from the cable car that whisks travelers to the top of Wulai Waterfall.

Head back down the mountain to Wulai Street, an old road populated with the Wulai Atayal Museum ; souvenir shops selling pastel-colored mochi; and restaurants serving Atayal cuisine like mountain boar, zhútong fàn (rice steamed in bamboo tubes), and delicacies made of millet. End the day with a free soak in the Wulai hot springs off Wen Quan Road. 

Getting There: Take the Xindian MRT line to Xindian; then, transfer to bus 1601 or take a 20-minute taxi ride. Alternatively, take a specially-marked bus directly from Taipei Main Station or Xindian MRT station to Wulai. Buses stop at the edge of Wulai Village’s old street (30 minutes).

Travel Tips: Bring your bathing suit for the roadside hot springs. The area is unlit at night and the unmarked path is uneven, so it’s best to arrive before nightfall.

Yangmingshan National Park: Hikes, Nature, and Hot Springs

Hikers can follow in the footsteps of Chiang Kai-shek who crisscrossed Yangmingshan’s bucolic peaks and floral fields. Located above the Taipei basin, city slickers flock here for the fresh air and hiking. Each of Yangmingshan National Park’s 30 peaks afford panoramic views of the capital. Volcanic gasses that fuel the 18 hot spring areas are a reminder that this is technically an active volcano, although the last eruption was 300,000 years ago. 

There are a multitude of hikes in the 28,305 acres of Yangmingshan National Park. Get oriented at the Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters and Visitor Center, which has displays on the park’s geology, flora, fauna, and maps. Hiking options include:

• The Bird Watching Trail: Glimpse more than 20 species of birds like the Taiwan blue magpie and the Formosan whistling thrush during this two-hour, mostly flat, forested hike. It begins at Erziping Recreation Area in the western part of Yangmingshan and ends at the camping area at Qixingshan. 
• Qixingshan Summit: The vigorous hike to the rock-strewn summit, northern Taiwan’s tallest peak at 3,674 feet, takes three to four hours. Start at Xiaoyoukeng on the mountain’s northwest side (take minibus 15 to the last stop).
• Butterfly Corridor: A family-friendly, 1.2-mile trail that begins on the outskirts of the 864-acre Datun Nature Park (a volcanic basin) and ends two hours later at Erziping Recreation Area. Butterflies flutter year-round but especially in May and June.  

After a day of hiking, take a dip in Lengshuikeng (cold water pit); the mildly alkaline water, containing iron oxide, is cool year-round. Or, soak in scalding hot springs at one of the bath houses dotted along Yang Jin Highway.

Getting There: Take the Taipei Metro to Shilin Station and then transfer to red bus 5. Or, take Bus 260 from Taipei Main Station to Yangmingshan. Bus 108 makes a loop around the center of the national park’s most popular attractions. 

Travel Tips: Weekdays are the ideal time to visit as it’s less crowded. Azaleas, the official flower of Taipei City, can be seen in February and March in the northwestern section of Yangmingshan.

Yehliu Geopark: Out-of-This-World Landscape

Located on a cape in Wanli in northern Taiwan, Yehliu Geopark looks like something out of a trip to Mars. Strong winds are what's behind the trippy formations of random yet familiar shapes: mushrooms, a drumstick, a candle, and a lion’s head. The most famous of the amber-hued volcanic rock and shale formations here is the one that resembles a queen’s head. The strong winds that batter the cape seemingly threaten to overturn this iconic piece.

Getting There: Hop on the Kuo-Kuang Company Bus 1815 (adjacent to Taipei Main Station) bound for Jinshan Youth Activity Center, and get off at Yehliu (45-60 minutes). Or, take the Jinshan-bound express bus from Tamshui station (near the Tamshui MRT station), and get off at the Yehliu stop. You can also take the express bus at National Taiwan University bound for Jinshan and exit at the Yehliu stop. 

Travel Tip: The park is divided into three areas, so save time to explore each one. It’s extremely windy: Dress accordingly.

Yingge: Admire Art and Make Your Own Pottery

Local artisans have been making pottery in Yingge for more than 200 years. Start at New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum ; Taiwan’s first museum dedicated to ceramics, it examines the development of the material in Taiwan through its permanent collection. After, stroll the pottery shops along Yingge Old Street where you can try your hand at making your own handicrafts.

Getting There: Take the local train from Taipei Main Station to Yingge Station (35 minutes).

Travel Tip: The New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum is closed on the first Monday of each month. Audio guides are available in English.

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10+ Perfect Day Trips from Taipei

last Updated: January 13, 2022 Taipei Taiwan

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Headed to Taiwan and looking to spend a few days outta the busy city?!  Well keep on reading my adventurous friend, because I’ve rounded up the best day trips from Taipei. After reading this article, you’ll wanna add a few extra days to your Taipei itinerary , I can promise you that!

You might think Taipei has everything you could possibly want – there’s food (think pineapple cake and xiao long bao, yum), culture, and plenty of scenic views (don’t miss a hike up Elephant Mountain), but there’s actually a lot more outside the capital city of Taiwan. Although Taipei is a great starting point and makes a fantastic base for your trip when visiting Taiwan, you’d be missing out on a whole lot of the country if you spend your entire time here!

Fortunately, there are a number of amazing day trips from Taipei, and being only a couple hours outside of the city, you’d be silly not to check them out. From eating your way through the best Taiwanese street food in Keelung to surfing on a black sand beach in Yilan (you heard me right!), to discovering some of the best hikes in Yangmingshan and exploring the history and culture of Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan, there’s a lot to offer and something for everyone on these Taipei day trips.

You might even feel like you’ve been transported to another country entirely after putting some of these trips on your itinerary. The hardest part will be deciding which ones to take if you’re short on time! The good news is, you really can’t go wrong with any of these, and I can personally vouch that all of them are worth a visit.

Psst: this is a guest post by Melissa over at Wit and Folly ! She’s actually lived in Taiwan (and took plenty of day trips from Taipei over the course of her stay), so is waaaay more qualified to write this post than I am! And lucky us – she’s just as wordy as I always seem to be, so there’s tons of valuable info in here for us (I’ll surely be using her tips next time I visit the country!).

And now, without further ado – the very best day trips from Taipei, best explored on your own or on a guided tour if you prefer to let someone else cover logistics and transportation (more details below).

Before we get into the specific Taipei day trips, it’s important to note that many of these day trips from Taipei can be arranged via private driver! This takes away the hassle of figuring out the possible stresses of the day, and lets you fully enjoy the experience instead. On this private charter , you can decide on 5 scenic spots near Taipei to visit – transportation and logistics taken care of! 

Best Day Trips from Taipei (as suggested by a local) :

1. beitou hot springs.

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 8 miles / 13km
• Travel Time Using Taipei MRT : 40 minutes
• How to get there : Take the Red MRT Line from any station in Taipei and ride to Beitou Station. Transfer at Beitou Station for the Pink MRT Line one stop and get off at Xinbeitou Station. Follow signs for Beitou Hot Springs. Or just sign up for this tour and get whisked away to the hot springs in no time.
• Activities you can’t miss: Soaking in one of the many hot springs available here, checking out Thermal Valley, and learning more about the Taiwanese hot spring culture with a visit to Beitou Hot Springs Museum

Did you know that one of the quintessential pastimes of Taiwanese locals is spending the afternoon soaking in hot springs? I always make it a point to head straight to Beitou after landing in Taipei to relax and unwind after the long plane journey, and I highly recommend it to you as well!

Beitou Hot Springs can be conveniently visited by taking the red line on the MRT to Beitou Station, and then transferring one stop to XinBeitou Station on the pink line. Although only less than an hour from Taipei Main Station, the Beitou Hot Springs area will feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a quaint, mountainous resort town that’s entirely secluded from the rest of the city. Besides spending a day soaking in the hot springs, there’s actually a lot of other great attractions here too.

One of the most famous attractions and landmark sights in Beitou Hot Springs is the Thermal Valley (also known as Hell Valley). As its name suggests, this volcanic crater is filled with boiling hot, sulfuric hot spring water that smells a bit like rotten eggs. And fun fact – back in the day, locals would actually come here to boil eggs to eat for breakfast! Although that’s no longer allowed due to safety reasons, it’s still a cool place to see and learn more about the hot spring culture in the area.

Another great stop to learn more about the history of the hot springs is at the Beitou Hot Springs Museum. The museum, which is free to visit, was actually the first original public hot spring bath in Beitou. It’s quite fascinating to walk through the museum and imagine what it might have been like to bathe in the hot springs here back in the day!

When you visit Beitou Hot Springs, you might be overwhelmed by the number of hot spring bath choices available, which range from the super cheap public baths that all the locals love, to the luxurious 5 star resorts when you really want to treat yo’self. For more details on the different types of hot springs available and in depth information on visiting Beitou Hot Springs in general, then check out the article here for more information on things to do in Beitou and the best hot springs to visit!

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 13 miles / 21 km
• Travel time using Taipei MRT : About 40 minutes
• How to get there: Take the Red MRT Line from any station in Taipei and ride it all the way to the end – depart at Tamsui stop
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Head to Fort San Domingo, take a ferry ride across the Tamsui River, & watch the sunset while snacking on seafood at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf by Lovers Bridge. Later, stuff your belly and try to win yourself a stuffed Pikachu at the Tamsui Night Market.
• Special Foods to Try: To experience Tamsui like a true local, try Ah Gei (fried tofu stuffed with green bean noodles), fish balls, and iron eggs.

What’s better than a night market full of delicious food, fun carnival games, and the chance to eat a bowl of fishball soup while watching a beautiful sunset? There’s really nothing that tops it (and trust me when I say fish ball soup is way better than it sounds)!

Tamsui is one of the most popular and easiest day trips you can make from the center of Taipei. All you have to do to get to this relaxing riverside city is to hop on the Red MRT Line from any location in the city and ride it until the end. It’s about a 40 minute ride from Taipei Main Station and just under an hour if you start your trip from Taipei 101.

Begin your trip with a little bit of history at Fort San Domingo. The original fort was built by the Spanish in 1628 when they occupied Northern Taiwan, but the red stone fort that you see now was actually built by the Dutch in 1744 after they won a war against the Spanish.

Next up, take a short ferry ride (round trip ferry ride is only TWD 45 or about $1.50 USD) across Tamsui River to Bali Old Street, where you can explore the local shops and have some appetizers before the real feasting begins at night! You can also rent a bike and take a leisurely ride along the many bike paths on this side of the river.

Right before dusk, head back to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets you can find around Taipei before ending your day at the epic Tamsui Night Market! Try your hand at some of the carnival games while snacking on some local cuisine. Even if it doesn’t look the most appetizing, you really have to try the fish ball soup and Ah Gei (fried tofu stuffed with green bean noodles) at the night market. My boyfriend’s family in Taiwan swears by this stuff, and it’s what Tamsui is known for!

3. JIUFEN (JIOUFEN)

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 24 miles / 38km
• Travel Time Using Taipei MRT: 1.5 hours
• How to get there: Take the MRT Blue line to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Exit 1, then take bus 1062 to Jiufen Old Street Station. This guided tour of Jiufen and the northeastern coast is the pefect day.
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Seeing all the lanterns light up Jiufen Old Street and getting tea at the famous A-Mei Teahouse.
• Special Foods to Try: EVERYTHING. But seriously, Jiufen is known for its distinct Taiwanese snacks, so try as much as your stomach can handle! My favorites are the Coffee Nougat Cookies, A-zhu Peanut Ice Cream Rolls, and Taro Ball Soup!

One of the most popular day trips from Taipei will take you back into a nostalgic past of narrow little alleyways lined with stalls and old traditional teahouses. If you’re a fan of Miyazaki films like me, or you just love trying new and delicious foods (NOM), then you’ll understand what makes Jiufen such a popular destination to visit.

Jiufen used to be a prosperous gold mining town set in the Northeast mountains of Taiwan, and its maze of tiny alleyways packed with teahouses and glowing red lanterns literally transports you into Miyazaki’s world of Spirited Away. (Although Mr.Miyazaki himself has denied that his movie was inspired by the town of Jiufen… the red lantern-lined streets and old multi-story teahouse, especially at night, look eerily similar to the ghost village of Spirited Away! You’ll have to see for yourself when you get to Jiufen, of course, but I think the similarities are way more than coincidence).

It can get quite crowded during the day (like, imagine standing elbow to elbow with many strangers on the narrow streets), but come back out at night, and you’ll really feel like you’re caught between the line of realism and fantasy. Most of the stores and food stalls close at 7pm, so that’s when the tour buses and tourists head back. While strolling through the narrow lanes after dusk, I could almost imagine No Name peeking behind one of the corners.

Although Jiufen is quite a small town, it’s one of those places where you could end up spending hours just wandering around and exploring every little alleway. The number of food stalls is astounding, and as Jiufen is known for some of the best and most unique Taiwanese snacks, come with an empty stomach and an open mind! 

I’d also recommend getting afternoon tea at one of the many teahouses. A-Mei Teahouse, a picturesque multi-story building that looks like it came straight out of Spirited Away, is undeniably the most popular spot. With a prime location just off the main Jiufen Old Street and perched atop a hill, it offers beautiful sweeping views of the mountains and ocean along the horizon. If you’d rather drink your tea in peace without the crowds though, there are many other options around. But if you just have to live out your Spirited Away dream (no judgment here, I totally did), then I’d recommend booking in advance via A-Mei Teahouse Fast Track .

Other good options on your Jiufen day trip include learning more about Jiufen’s history as an old mining town with a visit to the Jiufen Gold Ore Museum, or if you’re more into nature, then take a hike up Keelung Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the city below.

4. KEELUNG NIGHT MARKET

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 16 miles / 26km 
• Travel time by bus: about 50 minutes 
• How to get there: the easiest way is by the Kuo-Kuang Coach bus from Taipei Main Station and is TWD 55 ($1.80 USD) one way. Once you’re at Taipei Main Station, take exit 3 and follow the signs for Taipei Bus Station.
• Activities You Can’t Miss: the Keelung Night Market
• Special Foods to Try: My favorites here are the stewed pork knuckle with shrimp chowder and the pao-pao ice!

Not far from Jiufen is the port city of Keelung, known for the Keelung Miaokou Night market. This night market is considered by many Taiwanese to be the best one on the entire island, and for a society that is obsessed with night markets, that definitely means something!

The Keelung Night Market is so famous and highly regarded because of the care that each vendor takes with preparing their food. Most of them have worked at the same stall for many generations which allows them to perfect their recipes over and over again. Just think about it like eating a home cooked meal from Grandma!

The best part is that like any night market in Taiwan, the food here is incredibly cheap, so you can try as many dishes as you want! Some of the most popular dishes include:

• Stall #5: Crab thick soup with a side of sticky rice
• Stall #6: Rice noodle soup with seafood side dishes
• Stall #8: Stir fried swordfish rice
• Stall #22: Stewed pork knuckle with shrimp chowder
• Stall #41: Chenji pao-pao ice

(Here is the full list in case you want to look at the other places too)

Even though the night market is the main attraction, there are still a lot of things to do in the area. If you make an entire day out of your visit,  it’s also worth checking out Keelung Zhenbin Fishing Port for its colorful buildings and the scenic oceanside Chaojing Park.

Many people like to visit Keelung Night Market for dinner after exploring Jiufen. Since transportation is a little trickier, especially with how busy Jiufen can get, I recommend joining a tour.

5. SHIFEN and PINGXI

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 22 miles / 35km
• Travel time by bus: 1.5 hours
• How to get there by train: Take the 4154 towards Su Ao and transfer at Badu Station for the 4710 towards Jingtong. Get off at Shifen Station. From Shifen Station to Pingxi Station, take the same 4710 towards Jingtong and alight at Pingxi Station.
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Shifen Waterfall – one of the most scenic waterfalls in Taiwan, and lighting up paper lanterns in Pingxi to release into the sky
• Special Foods to Try: LiouGe BBQ Stuffed Wings

Like Jiufen, Shifen is another small mining town and a great day trip from Taipei with old world charm and the added bonus of a beautiful waterfall only 20 minutes away by foot. The railway line from the train you take actually runs right through Shifen Old Street with little shops on both sides of the tracks, giving the town an even more enclosed and intimate feel.

It’s quite an interesting feeling being able to run across the tracks right in the middle of town. You’ll find numerous stalls selling souvenirs, crafts, and of course, food. If you’re feeling hungry, definitely try LiouGe’s BBQ Stuffed Wings, which are tender, deboned chicken wings stuffed with rice, and slathered with a delicious homemade bbq sauce. (I’m salivating right now just thinking of them!)

Once you’ve explored enough of Shifen Old Street, head over to Shifen Waterfall, which is a  20 minute walk from the train station. With the lush foliage all around, the cascading falls are truly a picturesque sight to behold. There are also several viewing platforms all around the falls for you to capture plenty of stunning photos.

You’ll also notice that there are many shops selling sky lanterns in Shifen with people writing personal messages on the lanterns’ sides and taking them to the tracks to release them into the sky. Although you can light and release lanterns here in Shifen, I recommend getting back on the train and stopping at Pingxi just 10 minutes away, where it’s often less crowded to set your sky lantern into the air.

If you’re lucky enough to be here around Chinese New Year, then you’ll be in for a real treat when massive crowds of people gather together in Pingxi to release their lanterns simultaneously in celebration of the new year. This Sky Lantern Festival is truly a magical sight to behold, with thousands of lanterns lighting up the night sky, all inscribed with personal messages and prayers in hopes that their wishes will reach the heavens. What better way to end your evening?

6. SANDIAOLING WATERFALL TRAIL

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 25 miles / 40 km
• Travel time by train: about 1 hour 
• How to get there: the easiest way is to take the local train from Taipei Main Station to Suao (Yilan County) and get off at Sandiaoling Station. Once you are at Taipei Main Station, follow the signs to TRA ticketing to buy local train tickets. The staff are all very friendly so you can just tell them where you want to go. Keep in mind there is 1 train that leaves every hour.
• Activities You Can’t Miss: bird watching for the Formosan Blue Magpie and the views of Motian and Pipa-Dong Falls from up close.

This is my favorite day trip hike to go on, and I try to do it every time I’m in Taipei. Just a short train ride from Taipei, you will be transported to a sleepy town with a lush tree canopy, little to no tourists, and a chance to see the beautiful Formosan Blue Magpie (the bird of Taiwan) flying gracefully. You’ll also see three beautiful waterfalls on the hike, making it well worth the effort! 

The hike itself is a combination of stairs, hiking trails, and a couple of steep climbing sections (don’t worry, there are ropes on the side to hold onto!). Most people should be able to complete it without any difficulty, and if you are afraid of heights or don’t want to keep climbing up, you can always turn around. It can get pretty muddy, though, so make sure to wear a good quality pair of hiking shoes or at least shoes you don’t care about.

The three waterfalls you will see on the hike are Hegu Falls, Motian Falls, and Pipa-Dong Falls. If it’s hot out and you want to cool off, you can actually get very close to Motian and Pipa-Dong Falls. Just be careful, though! The first time that I went here with my friends, one of them accidently slipped on a rock and fell into the water! It was November, so he was pretty cold the rest of the trip.

Shifen and Pingxi are just a few train stops away, so you can stop by before heading back to Taipei if you have time.

7. HOUTONG CAT VILLAGE

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 24 miles / 39km
• Travel Time Using Taipei MRT: about 50 minutes
• How to get there: Take the Yilan line all the way down to Houtong. A one way ticket is 50 TWD ($1.70 USD), and there’s usually a train every half hour during the day, with the last train back to Taipei at 9pm.
• Activities you can’t miss: Seeing how many cats you can spot throughout the village!

Full Disclosure: I love cats. If it wasn’t for meeting Tom, I’d probably have grown up to be one of those crazy cat lady types. If you also have an affinity for cats and are happy just being surrounded by them, then a day trip to Houtong Cat Village would be purrfect for you.

This former coal mining village is located in the hills of northern Taiwan alongside the Keelung River. The village was all but abandoned back in the 90’s when the mining pit closed, but one lady in 2008 helped revive it when she started posting photos of the villagers looking after stray cats. Her photos caught the attention of visitors, volunteers who came to help, and the addition of more cats; two years later, the former mining town was able to completely transform itself into a total cat village.

Once you step off the train at Houtong, you’ll immediately know you’ve made it to the right place. Walk across the black covered “cat bridge”, and you’ll be welcomed by cats of all colors, shapes and sizes, some spread out lazily on the sidewalks, others napping on rooftops or loafing atop cottage balconies. It’d be good to mention that these cats are strays and therefore still wild animals, but they’ve become so used to all the human attention and food by the villagers that most don’t even bat an eye when you approach them.

After you’ve had your fair share of selfies with your new feline friends, you can head over to one of the many cat-themed cafes for a bite to eat. Make sure to stop by one of the souvenir shops to take home some cat-inspired gifts back as well. They have everything under the sun, ranging from cat mugs to cat socks, and even cat-shaped pineapple cakes!

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 191 miles / 308km
• Travel Time using HSR (high speed rail) Train: 1 hr 45 mins
• How to get there: The easiest and quickest way is via HSR train from Taipei Main Station. It’s 1350 TWD (or $45 USD) for a one way ticket.
• Activities you can’t miss: The hauntingly beautiful Angping Treehouse, the historical significance of Angping Fort (Fort Zeelandia), food on Angping Old Street (Yangping Street), and explore one of the creative parks (Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park and Ten Drum Rende Creative Park)
• Special Foods to Try: As the unofficial food capital of Taiwan and “the city of Snacks”, there are so many authentic dishes to try, from Danzai Mian (minced meat noodles), Milkfish Soup, Guancai Bun (Coffin Bread), Rouzao Fan (minced pork over rice), Mua Gui (glutinous rice cake with pork), and of course, an original bubble tea.

As the oldest and 5th largest city in Taiwan, Tainan might just be one of Taiwan’s best hidden gems. Taking the high speed rail from Taipei makes the journey to Tainan just under two hours, and the city’s attractions are all relatively close to each other, making it an easy and fantastic day trip from Taipei.

The first thing you’ll notice about Tainan is that it has a slower-paced and more laid back vibe compared to Taipei, and its charming old-school streets offer a glimpse into a city steeped with rich history. Tainan holds a lot of historical significance too, having been Taiwan’s capital for 200 years under the Koxinga and Qing Dynasty rule. 

Start your day with a visit to Angping Treehouse, one of the most popular attractions in Tainan, and for good reason. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported into a fairytale world totally separate from the rest of the city. What once was an old abandoned warehouse has now been completely overtaken by a huge Banyan Tree, with its roots criss crossing and completely covering the floors, walls and roof of the building. It’s pretty amazing to wander through this literal treehouse, and I was completely awe-struck by the sheer size and power that nature can command.

Near Angping Treehouse is Angping Fort, formerly known as Fort Zeelandia. If you’re interested in the past history of the Dutch colonisation of Taiwan, then definitely check out the remnants of the fortress and museum to learn more about the important historical events and Dutch influence during their occupation in the 1600s. After that, head over to Angping Old Street to grab an original bubble tea in the city that started the worldwide craze, as well as try other authentic Taiwanese snacks that originated from here.

If you’re overwhelmed by the number of food options, I suggest starting with Guancai Ban (Coffin Bread- sorta like an Asian version of chicken pot pie), Oyster Pancake, and Rouzao Fan (an addictive yet simple dish of minced pork over rice). Then if you’re feeling a little more bold, go for the Fish Head Soup and Mua Gui (a gelatinized rice cake with pickled veggies and and pork, drizzled with sweet chili sauce and thick soy sauce on top)!

Other notable activities in Tainan include the Ten Drum Rende Creative Park where a traditional Taiko Drumming Show is the star of the show, and the Tainan Flower Market – not actually a market that sells flowers, but one of Taiwan’s biggest and most famous night markets. It’s only open three days a week (Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), but if you’re able to plan your day trip when it’s open, it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss!

• Distance from Taipei Bus Station: 88 miles / 55 km
• Travel time by bus: About 1.5 hours
• How to get there: The easiest way is by coach bus from Taipei Bus Station to Yilan Station. From Taipei Main Station, take exit 1 for Taipei Bus Station. Round trip ticket costs 280 TWD or a little under $10 USD.
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Surfing or sunbathing at Wai’ao black sand beach and taking a tour of the world-famous Kavalan Whiskey distillery.
• Special Foods to Try: Since it’s an oceanside town, the seafood here is delicious. It’s also known for its scallion bao which is a bun filled scallion and pork bits. Yum!

Sometimes, all you want to do is chill on a beach and eat some amazing seafood away from annoying tourists and the hustle and bustle of the city. For that, Yilan is the perfect oasis and retreat for a little day trip getaway.

Yilan City is an oceanside town on the eastern coast of Taiwan, known for its relaxed surf vibe, delicious seafood, and world-famous Kavalan Whiskey that comes from this area. Since Yilan is a little harder to get to and navigate once in the city (at least compared to other day trip options around Taipei), it’s more off the beaten path and means you’ll see less tourists around.

Yilan has a variety of activities you can choose from. If you want a more relaxing day trip, head to Wai’ao black sand beach to get your tan on or do some surfing. By the beach, you will also find a huge selection of low-key, hipster coffee shops to relax in after your beach session,and cozy restaurants serving up amazing sashimi and seafood.

If you want a more cultural experience, head over to the modern architecture of the Lanyang Museum where you can learn about the history of the Yilan area and what makes the topography of the area so special. Afterwards, make a stop at the National Center for Performing Arts before tapping into your inner whiskey aficionado at Kavalan distillery where they produce the award-winning Kavalan Whiskey. 

Since it’s harder to get around Yilan, the best way to see everything that Yilan has to offer is to hire a driver from Taipei like this one .

10. YANGMINGSHAN NATIONAL PARK

• Distance from Taipei Main Station to Yangmingshan Bus Station: 7.45 miles / 12 km
• Travel time by bus: About 1 hour 15 minutes because of the mountain roads
• How to get there: the easiest way is to take bus #260 from Taipei Main Station to Yangmingshan Bus Station or bus #S8 from Shipai Train Station to Yangmingshan Visitor Center
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Hike to the top of Mount Qixing and walk right next to a dormant volcano at Xiaoyoukeng

Yangmingshan National Park is one of the most popular destinations in all of Taiwan for tourists and local residents alike, and it’s easy to see why. There is a huge selection of lush hiking paths to explore, unique sites to see, (like dormant volcano Xiaoyoukeng where you can see smoking sulphur vents), and it’s not that far away from the city.

There are also seasonal festivals you can go to like the cherry blossom festival in spring and calla lily festival in early summer, so make sure to check the event calendar before you go!

The National Park is a lower elevation mountain range with the tallest point just over 3,500 feet. In the park, aside from the dormant volcano, you can also see mountain lakes, open grasslands, waterfalls, and so much more! After an adventure-filled day, you can also find a good selection of delicious local restaurants who use ingredients grown directly from the mountain, too.

There is a saying in Taiwan that the cabbage grown in the mountains tastes sweeter than cabbage grown anywhere else. This may or may not be true, but what it shows is the respect Taiwanese have for the mountains. So if you have a chance, definitely give the cabbage here a try!

The one downside of the park is public transportation. Since there is so much to do and each destination is located pretty far from each other, the easiest way to see as much as possible is to hire a private car like this one .

You may also want to think about joining a group tour to ensure you don’t miss out on any of your desired spots. A few recommended tours:

• Yangmingshan National Park Hiking Day Tour : If hiking through stunning volcanic landscapes and learning about the fascinating geothermal features of Taipei’s Tatum Volcanoes sounds like your perfect day, this tour will be right up your alley .
• Sunrise Excursion to Yangmingshan National Park : Don’t mind waking up at the crack of dawn? You’ll have the best view of the sunrise in Yangmingshan National Park! The tour also includes a visit to the natural sulfur scene, a wander in the Qingtiangang, and sampling the local breakfast!
• Yangmingshan National Park & Hot-Spring Tour : Kill two birds with one stone! Visit Yangmingshan National Park and enjoy a hot-spring treatment. Enjoy tranquil lakes and beautiful grass fields on this relaxing half-day trip . 

If you want to save some money, you can definitely explore the mountain using public transportation as well. Just take the bus from Taipei Main Station, Beitou Train Station, or Jiantan Station to Yangmingshan Bus Station and start your journey from there. Here is my favorite itinerary if it’s your first time visiting:

• Yangmingshan Visitors Center and Mount Qixing – a good place to get familiar with the park and you can hike up Mount Qixing, the highest point in the park.
• Xiaoyoukeng – where you can see sulfur vents and hike around a dormant volcano.
• Qingtiangang – an open grassland where you can see cows grazing.
• Lengshuikeng – end the trip with a cold water hot spring bath for your feet.

Bonus #11. SUN MOON LAKE

• Distance from Taipei Main Station: 157 miles / 253km
• Travel time using HSR and bus: 50 minutes on HSR, then 1.5 – 2 hours on bus
• How to get there via public transportation: Take the HSR train from Taipei Station to Taichung Station. From there, transfer to Nantou Bus for Sun Moon Lake (or look for the sign to Sun Moon Lake bus station)
• Activities You Can’t Miss: Taking a bike ride along Xiangshan Bikeway for stunning views of the lake, hopping on a cruise around Sun Moon Lake, and visiting the food and shopping stalls at Ita Thao village. If you’re able to stay overnight, then wake up for a beautiful sunrise over the lake, visit the Wenwu Temple, hike up to Ci’en Pagoda, and experience the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway.
• Special Foods to Try: Tea eggs at Xuanguang Pier and “President Fish” at Ita Thao Wharf

If crystal blue waters and an escape into nature is something you dream about, then a visit to Taiwan’s largest lake, Sun Moon Lake, is a must! Although I’d recommend staying at least one night in Sun Moon Lake, (the sunrises here on a clear day are magical and totally worth the early morning wake-up call), I know that an overnight stay is not always possible. In that case, if you’re short on time, it’s still definitely worth a day trip from Taipei, and tops my list as one of my favorite places to visit in Taiwan!

The easiest way to do a day trip to Sun Moon Lake is probably by joining a tour, like this one. That way, you won’t have to worry about transportation and can maximize your time at Sun Moon Lake. If you want more freedom over your activities though, then the most convenient way to get to Sun Moon Lake is by taking the HSR train from Taipei Station to Taichung Station, and then transferring to the Nantou Bus. As this is a popular trip, there will definitely be signs at Taichung for the correct bus to take to Sun Moon Lake.

Since Nantou Bus will drop you off at Shuishe Visitor Center, I’d recommend starting your day trip by renting a bike from one of the nearby shops and embarking on a cycling adventure around one of the world’s most scenic bike paths! The views are truly so stunning that I guarantee you won’t be able to help yourself but to stop and take numerous photos. You can continue along the bike path to Xiangshan Visitor Center, or even further if you’d like. If you only have a day though, I’d suggest turning back once you make it to the other visitor center so you can explore the other attractions on the lake!

You’ll notice that boats ferry between three piers – Shuishe, Xuanguang, and Ita Thao. Back at Shuishe Pier, you can start your lovely lake cruise and make a quick stop at Xuanguang Pier to try out Jin Men Ah Ma Cha Ye Dan (Famous Grandma’s Tea Braised Eggs). The legendary tea eggs are braised for hours, and the cute little grandma has been running her tea egg store for half a century!

Your last stop on the Sun Moon Lake day trip will be at Ita Thao Pier, where the aboriginal Thao people used to live. You can learn more about the history and culture of the tribe here, while also trying out some of the delicious local delicacies at the food stalls! I loved the Assam Milk Tea, but I’ve heard the famous aruzay fish (renamed to “President Fish ” due to it being a favorite dish of the late President Chiang Kai-Shek), is also a must try!

Which of these Taipei day trips will you be adding to your Taiwan itinerary?!

About the Author

Melissa Teng is a Seattle-based travel blogger and creative who is passionate about seeing as much of the world as possible while helping others do the same on her blog, Wit and Folly . Through her travel experiences, she’s realized the importance of authentic storytelling and believes that everyone has their own story to share. Through this lens, she hopes to inspire others to integrate exploring and adventure into their daily lives, to travel mindfully, and to pursue a life of bold creativity. And when she isn’t busy scheming her next trip, you can find her taking epic naps with her boyfriend’s Shih Tzu, Sushi.

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Explore Taiwan

Logan was a great tour guide and helpful in any moment.You’ll learn so much about local culture, Current events and helpful ideas to make you stay better.

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Taiwan Express

Excellent tour. Great accommodations and sites visited.

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Around Formosa Taiwan

Tourradar provided me a very smooth 10 days trip.

A Taste of Taiwan by Train

Lily Wang, our tour guide for this Taiwan trip was truly amazing. She was very knowledgeable in all the activities. Took us to many beautiful places in Taiwan.I recommend this Taiwan tour to everyone.

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5-day Classic Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake & Alishan (Private)

Our tour, 5 day Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake & Alishan was exceptional. My partner and I were blown away by the incredible landscape, the warmth of the Taiwanese people, and our fabulous tour guide/driver Calvin Lo. Calvin was so much fun, very knowledgeable, a safe driver, insightful as to our particular preferences and likes on the tour, and always thinking of other options available which would interest us. Being just 2 persons, we were able to maximise our days fully. The 3 hotels were very good, great locations and rooms provided. In particular, the Taroko Liiko Hotel was our favourite. The operator My Taiwan Tour communicated very well. Overall, we were extremely impressed with our whole experience on tour.

Taiwan Island - 9 Days

This was a perfect tour. Hui Liang, our tour guide was amazing. Every detail was executed perfectly. She was kind, respectful, knowledgeable, and took care of everyone like they were her own family.

2-day Taroko Gorge Private Tour (Classic)

I very much enjoyed my two day/one night tour to Taroko Gorge with Jaron. He was a wonderful guide and driver. Got to see a lot in the two days and had perfect weather, I really lucked out! Enjoyed the night market and the food we tried on the first day and the Gorge all the 2nd day. Thanks!

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Best of Taiwan 9 Days Tour

It was well worth planning our trip around the 9-day tour with some days added on. The friendly meet and greet by Cathy at the airport made getting to and checking into the hotel effortless. The one-day tour preceding the main trip around the island was excellent. Our driver and guide Jacky (Jack) made the visits both informative and interesting, plus an opportunity to gain an understanding of life and economics for persons living in Taiwan. The next day we explored the immediate vicinity of our hotel plus the Museum The follow-on bus tour was superb. In all 1100 km round trip in an air-conditioned bus (with WIFI) driven by Eason Tseng – careful, courteous and conscientious, 27 fellow travellers of various nationalities and of course our guide Alan Chow who provided not only leadership coupled with an anecdotal commentary, but helpful advice. This tour around the island tour was comprehensive, an absolute must for any first time visitor to Taiwan. We extended our visit by a further four days using Taipei as our hub. Hotels throughout our stay were 5-star. While each offers a 1st class laundry service, they also provide a self-service cash operated laundry for the budget minded. They say first impressions are always lasting and they include: cleanliness - even in remote rural areas - yes you may find old vehicles and the like but no litter anywhere! Ease of getting around - if in doubt just ask - people are friendly and while only about 15% of the populous speak English there is always someone willing to help. Public transport - just buy a 2 or 3 day MRT pass (rail) or a multi-pass to include busses. Also taxi's are inexpensive. Better yet - our Westpac bank card (not Mastercard or Visa) - there are many banks with ATM plus the Family Mart ATMs give you direct access to your bank account back in Australia. You can check your balance and draw Taiwan $ cash directly - foreign transaction fee Au$5 regardless of the amount drawn. Furthermore the Taiwanese are scrupulously honest - no tourist mark-up, no tips.

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Abandoned Taiwan

excellent, highly recommendable, versatile, not the general kind of tourism one receives mostly everywhere with large groups of boring people. This was not everything spoon fed but for the person who has an interest in a country and doesn't mind the unusual, the different, the out -of-the way experience. We would like to see more but due to the Earth quake we were unable to travel the East Coast of Taiwan but will keep it in mind. Good food, inexpensive, great markets (not just night markets but the artistic markets), good hotels, good driver and tour guide, in short summary, highly recommendable for the person who wants to have an experience outside the famous box. There are plenty of those tours for the boxed-in travelers elsewhere.

Private 3-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan

Such a magical experience! Our driver was really friendly as well as our guide, with great recommendations for local-fare for the time away from the tour. Mr. Chang made sure to introduce us to a special Taiwanese tea ceremony since the museum from the tour did not have such an exhibit. He was also really friendly with the locals that made our group feel really welcomed to the environment. He expertly lead the way through the Alishan terrain and knew the best places to take photos. He not only kept up with but outpaced an entire flock of 20-somethings!

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• Taiwan Travel Guide

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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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.

40 Day Trips from Taipei You Can’t Miss

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

While 40 Taipei day trips may seem excessive, I swear to you that all of them are awesome!

Whether you want to go hiking, hit the beach, soak in some of Taiwan’s incredible hot springs , see cherry blossoms , go on a Taiwanese food tour, or explore historic Japanese-era villages, or visit totally off the beaten track places around Taipei , there is definitely a perfect day trip from Taipei for you!

This goes to show why Taipei is such a desirable place to live. It has even been chosen as the #1 city in the world for expats more than once, and many people, myself included, come for a year and end up staying for 10+. You never run out of ways to spend your weekends when living in Taipei !

I have personally done each of these day trips from Taipei, many of them several times. For some of these spots, it is possible to combine two or more of them into one day-trip, which I’ll be sure to point out. Many of these day trips will be in New Taipei City , the sprawling city which totally surrounded Taipei. See my New Taipei City guide .

I’ve organized these days trips into sections covering north of Taipei, east of Taipei, and then south of Taipei. In the east section, you’ll find my directions for planning the most popular day trip from Taipei , which usually includes several of the following: Yehliu Geopark, Houtong Cat Village, Jiufen Old Street, Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park, Shifen Waterfall, and Keelung Night Market. I’ll tell you how to do it all on your own, by public transportation!

Related resources: 

• Taiwan travel tips for planning your trip
• Where to stay in Taipei
• What to do in Taipei in 2 days / 3 days / 4 days / 5 days
• The best time to visit Taipei
• How plan a 1 to 3-week trip around Taiwan
• How to plan a trip around Taiwan with kids

Tips for Saving Money on Your Taipei Day Trip Parkbus Taiwan is a service that simplifies making day trips out of Taipei. They do regular excursions to hard-to-reach spots for hiking and other activities. Use my discount code “Spiritual10” at checkout for a 10% discount. Some very popular and budget-friendly guided day-tours are available on Klook, such as this one , this one , and this one . To get a TW$100 discount on any of these tours, sign up for Klook first using this link . For several day trips below, you swipe the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass to get there. See my guide to the pass here . If you don’t get that, just use an EasyCard like most people do. Here’s how EasyCard works . If you end up staying overnight in any of these places, you can find the best hotel deals here .

Table of Contents

Taipei Day Trips to the North

Some of Taipei’s best day trip possibilities lie to the north of the Taiwanese capital.

I’ll start with Beitou Hot Spring (technically part of Taipei City) and volcanic Yangming Mountain (Yangmingshan), then cover the north coast of Taiwan roughly in a clockwise manner.

Beitou Hot Spring Village

Beitou Hot Spring (北投溫泉) is the only spot on this list of best day trips from Taipei that is actually in Taipei City. So why include it?

Well, despite being MRT accessible, the steaming thermal springs and natural scenery of Beitou make it feel like it’s a million miles away from the city. You could easily spend a day here, so it really does feel like a day trip from the Taipei city center.

A day at Beitou can include soaking your feet in thermal water at the park, sampling hot spring noodles, exploring the Japanese-era architecture of Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Beitou Museum , and marveling at Beitou Geothermal Valley .

Hot spring choices range from colonial-era bathhouses to luxurious modern resorts. Millennium Hot Springs is the main public hot spring, while Spring City Resort is the best family-friendly option.

For my detailed recommendations, see my guide to Beitou Hot Spring and more ideas for things to do in winter in Taipei .

Getting from Taipei to Beitou: The Beitou hot spring village is located in front of Xinbeitou MRT station. Take the red MRT line north to Beitou then transfer to the tiny, 2-stop pink line to Xinbeitou. All of the main sights are within walking distance of the MRT.

Beitou is also the starting point of the Beitou-Zhuzihu Tourist Shuttle Bus (小9 or “small 9”), which connects Beitou to various points in Yangmingshan (#2 below). The shuttle bus is included if you have a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass or you can swipe an EasyCard .

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan (陽明山) is the closest national park to Taipei (it spreads from Taipei City to New Taipei City). Yangming Mountain is actually a massif containing several peaks, the highest of which is Seven Star Mountain (Qixingshan or 七星山, 1120m), a dormant volcano.

Yangminshan National Park covers over 100 km2, so it comes as no surprise that the park abounds in day trip possibilities.

Some of the biggest draws include cherry blossom at Flower Clock and calla lily viewing at Zhuzihu in early spring, the warm hot springs of Lengshuikeng , buffalo spotting at Qingtiangang Grassland , the luxurious Yangmingshan Tienlai Hot Spring Resort (which is actually located outside of the national park, on the back side of the mountain, near Jinshan village on the coast), and the steaming fumaroles at Xiaoyoukeng .

Find all the info in my guide to Yangmingshan National Park .

Getting to Yangmingshan: It’s a little complicated due to multiple roads and bus routes into the park. I cover it all in my guide to getting from Taipei to Yangmingshan .

If you want to see many parts of Yangmingshan in one day, consider hiring a driver for the day .

Tamsui & Fisherman’s Wharf

Tamsui District (淡水區, also spelled Danshui), New Taipei City, is furthest north you can venture on the Taipei City MRT. Step off the MRT and you’ll find yourself on a lovely riverside promenade. Fresh seafood and people watching galore make this one of Taipei’s favorite easy getaways for tourists and locals alike.

Rent a bike and follow the riverside trail south to Hongshulin Mangroves and Guandu Temple (one of the Taipei’s best temples , and oldest!) Alternatively, swipe your EasyCard or Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass and board a river ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf (漁人碼頭), which only takes about 10 minutes.

The picturesque harbor is one of the most romantic places in Taipei to watch the sunset, especially from aptly named Lover’s Bridge . Read my detailed guide to Tamsui and Fisherman’s Wharf here .

Getting from Taipei to Tamsui: Simply hop on the red MRT line and head to Tamsui station, the terminal stop in the north. For Fisherman’s Wharf, ferries depart from the Tamsui promenade or you can hop on bus 紅26 (red 26), 836 or 857 from in front of the MRT station.

There’s also a new LRT from Hongshulin station (one stop before Tamsui on the red MRT line) to Lover’s Bridge.

North Coast Beaches

One of the many, many reasons to love Taipei is that it is so easy to get to the beach when the season arrives. And even though most locals only go in summer in Taiwan , spring and autumn in Northern Taiwan are usually warm enough, too!

The closest beach to Taipei is Qianshuiwan (淺水灣), only 30 minutes from Danshui by bus. Choose a spot on the long stretch of golden sand, or watch the sunset from a patio at one of the numerous restaurants or bars that line the beach.

Ride the bus 10 minutes further to reach Baishawan (白沙灣), another popular choice that has fewer restaurants and more of a surfer feel to it (though for a true surfing beach, head to Wai Ao, #26 below.

To read more about these and other beaches in the north of Taiwan, see my detailed guide to Taipei’s best beaches and other beautiful beaches around Taiwan .

Getting from Taipei to Qianshuiwan and Baishawan: From Danshui MRT, hop on bus 860, 861, 862, or 863, or the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716), which is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Get off at Qianshuiwan (大崛/淺水灣) or Baishawan (北觀風景區管理處/白沙灣) stops.

Fuguijiao Lighthouse & Laomei Green Reef

A few minutes’ drive past Baishawan Beach on the North Coast, Fuguijiao (Cape Fugui) is the northernmost point in Taiwan, demarcated by a small lighthouse.

Fuji Fishing Harbor (富基漁港) on the western side of the cape is the place to go for seafood restaurants. Meanwhile, local photographers flock to Laomei Green Reef (老梅綠石槽) on the eastern side of the cape. There a layer of green algae coats rows of coastal rocks in spring, making for stunning photos.

Getting from Taipei to Fuguijiao Lighthouse & Laomei Green Reef: Take any of the buses mentioned for #4, including the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716), which is free with the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass ).

G et off at Fuji Harbor (富基漁港) or Fuguijiao Lighthouse/Laomei Reef (富貴角燈塔/老梅綠石槽) stop.

Temples in the Northern Hills

There are three notable temples in the hills north of Taipei that are each worth a day trip from Taipei. If you’ve got your own wheels, rent a car , or hire a driver , you could even see all three in one day. To read more about these and many other temples in the north of Taiwan, see my list of the 30 best temples in Taipei .

The first is Wuji Tianyuan Temple (淡水無極天元宮). This large, round temple building is reminiscent of the Altar of Heaven in Beijing. But the real reason to come here is for what are arguable the most impressive cherry blossom scenes in all of Taiwan (see photo above) in February and March .

Second (and lesser known) Yuan Dao Guanyin Temple (緣道觀音廟) is a serene, expansive temples grounds that is not going to be a secret for much longer thanks to the recent completion of the world’s largest statue of Thousand-Armed Guayin on site.

Last but not least, Fufudingshan Shell and Coral Temple (富福頂山寺) is a temple in which every surface is built or decorated with shells and corals. It’s really a sight to behold.

Getting from Taipei to the northern temples: For Tianyuan Temple, take bus 875 or F103 from Danshui MRT station for about 30 minutes.

For Yuandao Guanyin Temple, a free shuttle operates from Hongshulin MRT and takes about 20 minutes.

Fufudingshan Shell and Coral Temple is the most difficult to get to. You’ll need to take the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716, included on an Unlimited Fun Pass ) or any other bus to Sanzhi stop (三芝遊客中心 / 名人文物館), then transfer to bus F132, which runs Monday to Friday only, and get off at Er Ping Ding (二坪頂) stop.

Juming Museum

In the hills above Jinshan (see #8 below) on the northeast coast, Juming Museum (朱銘美術館) is an open-air art gallery devoted to Ju Ming , a famous Taiwanese sculptor.

Ju Ming himself designed the grounds and donated 2000 of his own pieces. The artworks are displayed throughout an expansive grassland, surrounded by mountains and with occasional glimpses of the Pacific Ocean below. There is also a large, indoor library and exhibition space on site (see image below).

Entrance to the museum is NTD350, or free if you have a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (to 5 p.m. November to April ) and closed on Mondays.

Getting from Taipei to Juming Museum: Juming Museum is a stop on the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716), which is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Jinshan Hot Spring

Jinshan Hot Spring (金山溫泉) is one of the many hot spring villages in the greater Taipei area, and is located on the northeast coast. The town itself features the usual collection of hot spring hotels and spas.

For something really special, though, you’ll want to follow Yangjin Highway (陽金公路 2甲), which heads from Jinshan uphill over Yangmingshan (see #2 above) and all the way to Taipei.

Only a few minutes’ drive up this winding, scenic highway from Jinshan will bring you to Yangmingshan Resort/Calla Young Garden Resort (陽明山水温泉会館金山温泉会館推薦), a hot spring resort with one of the most beautiful views we’ve ever enjoyed from a hot spring.

Natural hot spring lovers will prefer Bayan Hot Spring (see photo above), which I think is the most beautiful wild hot spring that is easy to reach from Taipei. Note that Bayan has been illegal to visit for many years (enforcement was on and off), but recently it seems to be actually closed for good.

Getting from Taipei to Jinshan: There are three stops in Jinshan on the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716), which is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

You can also take Kuo-Kuang (國光) bus 1815 from Taipei, which takes about 90 minutes. You can board the bus at Songjiang Nanjing MRT, Nanjing Fuxing MRT, Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT, or Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT and swipe with an EasyCard . This bus (and all other buses with 4-digits) are not included on the Unlimited Fun Pass.

The 20-minute trail to Bayan wild hot spring begins beside Bayan Hot Spring Resort (八煙溫泉會館), but be warned that the hot spring is technically off-limits, and police show up periodically to clear out the crowds.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei for visiting tourists. The long, thin cape sticks way out into the sea and features dozens of bizarre rock formations. The most famous is Queen’s Head (女王頭), which has become a symbol of Taiwan.

Despite the tourist crowds and long aisle of seafood-focused food stalls you are forced to walk through, Yehliu is a gorgeous coastal park that you should see at least once if you spend any amount of time in Taiwan. You can book your ticket online in advance to save a little time, and Yehliu Geopark is free for Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass holders.

Few tourists to Yehliu realize that Guihou Fish Market , one of the best seafood markets in the greater Taipei area, is just around the corner from Yehliu. Guihou features numerous fresh seafood restaurants facing the harbor, as well as a more traditional seafood market where you can point at what you want and they’ll fry it up for you.

This excellent day tour includes Yehliu and 3 other very popular day trip spots (Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall).

Getting there: Yehliu and Guihou Fishing Harbor are the final stops on the Crown Northern Coastline line shuttle bus (#716) from Danshui MRT. Get the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass to ride free.

You can also take KuoKuang (國光) bus 1815 (the same bus for Jinshan, #8 above) from Taipei Bus Station. The ride takes about 90 minutes. Continue on to Jinshan (#8) after you visit, or take one of several buses from Yehliu to Keelung, famous for its night market (see #13 below).

Wanli UFO Village

Another photographer’s magnet on the northern coast of Taiwan is the bizarre UFO village on Wanli beach (萬里海水浴場), another of the best beaches within easy reach of Taipei .

This collection of UFO-like pod house ruins dates back to an experimental housing project in the 1980s. The only thing we’re all wondering is why someone doesn’t fix these things up and transform them into the awesomest hotel in northern Taiwan…

If you have a bit of energy you could even walk from Yehliu (#9) to Wanli. You can find the UFO village at the northern end of the beach.

Getting there: Take the train from Taipei to Keelung (about 40 minutes) then transfer to bus 789, 790, or 862. Get off at Wanli stop (萬里, about 30 minutes). Alternatively, take bus 1815 (the same bus as Jinshan and Yehliu) and get off at Green Bay (翡翠灣) stop.

Taipei Day Trips to the East

Heading east on a day trip from Taipei, you’ve got a few options on the outskirts of the city, followed by Keelung City on the coast.

Next up is a collection of extremely popular day trips on the Pingxi train line (#14 to #18), as well as Jiufen and Jinguashi (#19 and #20), probably the single most popular day trip from Taipei.

Several of these sights can be combined into one day trip if you plan it well. See the orange box below for the most popular route. The easiest way to do this is with this day tour , but it won’t hit all of the stops.

The Most Popular Day Trip from Taipei An extremely popular Taipei day trip is to combine some of the following spots: Yehliu Geopark, Houtong Cat Village, Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, and Keelung Night Market. In my Taiwan Travel Planning group , people ask me how to do this ALL THE TIME. So, here’s how: – Start early! Ride the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang station. Change to the Pingxi line and ride it to Shifen station for visiting Shifen Waterfall (opens 9 AM). – Ride the train from Shifen back to Houtong for Houtong Cat Village. If you don’t have time for this or want to skip it, just ride back to Ruifang instead (next step). – Ride the train to Ruifang station, exit station, cross road, and walk 1 block to the left to the bus stop. Catch the bus (10 min) to Jiufen Old Street. Most shops open at 10-11 AM. – Optional side trip: ride the same bus past Jiufen to visit Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park and Golden Waterfall. – Catch bus 788 going downhill from Jiufen Old Street to Keelung (50 min). – Optional side trip: Catch a bus from Keelung to Yehliu Geopark (45 min). Note that it closes at 5 PM. – Catch a bus from Yehliu back to Keelung for visiting Keelung Night Market. – Local train from Keelung back to Taipei.

Shenkeng Stinky Tofu Village

Shenkeng (深坑) is a small district of New Taipei City southeast of Taipei City. The name is practically synonymous with Taiwan’s most infamous night market snack: stinky tofu. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it; if you can get past the smell, stinky tofu is surprisingly delicious, and virtually all Taiwanese love it.

You can try stinky tofu in any night market in Taiwan, but Shenkeng Old Street is the country’s epicenter of stinky tofu. Almost every food stall and restaurant on the picturesque old street is devoted to stinky tofu in one form or another. See my self-guided food tour of Shenkeng to navigate your way around.

All the different types are available here, from deep fried cubes served with pickled vegetables to huge hunks stewed in spicy soup. They’ve even got tofu ice cream, fermented tofu, and more. Most stalls and restaurants are open from around noon until 8 p.m., and weekends can get extremely crowded.

To learn about the history of stinky tofu and other Taiwanese foods, check out this excellent book .

Getting to Shenkeng: From Muzha MRT station, cross the street and take bus #660, 666, or 819 for about 15 minutes to Shenkeng stop. You can also take the Muzha Pingxi Shuttle Bus from Muzha station (#795, included on Taipei Unlimited Pass ), which continues on to Shifen and Pingxi.

Shiding: Hiking & Homemade Noodles

Just to the east of Shenkeng is Shiding district (石碇區), a remote, hilly region with a few sights worthy of off-the-beaten-track day trips from Taipei.

For hiking enthusiasts, Huangdidian Trail (皇帝殿山登山步道, pictured above) is one of the most rewarding hikes in the greater Taipei area , featuring an exhilarating mountaintop ridge with spectacular views.

If you’ve got your own wheels, then Shiding Hsu Family Hand Pulled Noodles (石碇許家手工麵線) makes for an offbeat day trip from Taipei. With a bit of luck, this family-run noodle warehouse’s courtyard will be filled with racks of hand-pulled noodles drying in the sun when you arrive. Local families or students can sometimes be seen trying their hand at making the noodles, which is good fun to watch. You can also take a DIY noodle making class there.

If you’re driving to the Shiding Handmade Noodle Factory or taking the bus to the Huangdidian hike, you can stop at Shiding Old Street (石碇老街), a small but picturesque old street beside a creek, along the way.

Getting to Shiding: To get to Huangdidian hike, take bus 666 from Muzha MRT to Huangdidian (皇帝殿) stop, the last one. Confirm with the driver when you board, because not all 666 buses go to Huangdidian. It takes about 45 minutes. You’ll need your own transportation to get to the noodle factory.

Keelung City (基隆市) is Northern Taiwan’s largest port. The city is easily reached from Taipei. It is often overlooked by tourists but makes for a great day trip from Taipei. Here’s my detailed guide to Keelung’s main attractions .

Keelung’s biggest claim to fame is its feasting paradise, Miaokou Night Market (see my guides to Miaokou Night Market and other night markets around Taipei ). The markets runs all afternoon and evening, and specializes in seafood. It is my personal favorite night market in all of Taiwan.

Another spot worth checking out in Keelung is Zhongzheng Park (基隆中正公園), which occupies a large hill overlooking the port. At the peak you’ll find an old-fashioned children’s amusement area complete with Buddhist statues, including a 25-meter white Kuanyin that you can climb up into. Nearby, oversized Zhupu Altar (主普壇) is a center of Ghost Festival activities in summer.

For further exploration, consider a trip to Heping Island (NTD80 or free with Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass ), which is connected to the mainland by a bridge, or remote Keelung Islet , which was reopened in summer of 2019 after being closed for five years. You can also visit Heping Park on this day trip from Taipei .

Getting from Taipei to Keelung: Frequent trains depart from Taipei Main Station to Keelung (40 minutes). Keelung Night Market is a 10-minute walk from the train station. Zhongzheng park is another 10 minutes on foot from there, or a short taxi ride if you don’t want to walk up the hill.

You can also take the Coastal Keelung Shuttle Bus (T99, free with Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass ) from Keelung Station to Keelung Night Market, Zhongzheng Park (you’ll still need to walk up the hill from the bus stop), Heping Island Port, and Bisha Recreational Port, where ferries depart to Keelung Island. All Keelung city buses (except for ones with 4-digit numbers) are also included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass.

Shen’ao Rail Bike

East of Keelung city on the coast, Shen’ao Rail Bike is a fun new attraction. Here, you can ride a small bike car along a decommissioned railway track between Badouzi (a very beautiful coastal railway station) and Shen’ao station.

Most visitors take the bus from Keelung to Badouzi, or ride the Pingxi small train from Ruifang (access to Jiufen Old Street) or Shifen to Badouzi. Around Badouzi, you can visit the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology.

To ride the rail bike one way or return, you need to make an advance booking online here . The minimum age to ride is 3, and two people must ride per car. There are only two seats and each person must cycle.

In the past, people used to walk from Shen’ao Station to Elephant Trunk Rock (深澳岬角), a rock formation that looks very much like an elephant head and trunk, dipping down some 30 meters to the sea. During a storm in December 2023, the whole trunk fell into the sea, so this attraction no longer exists.

If you’re into hiking, you can also combine your visit with a hike to Mt. Shen’ao .

Better yet (because it gets even closer) take the Coastal Keelung Shuttle Bus (T99) from Keelung and get off at Badouzi or Shenai station.The Shuttle bus is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . The shuttle bus passes Badouzi, the new first stop on the Pingxi railway, before getting to Shen’Ao .

The Pingxi Train Line The Pingxi Railway Line is a small-gauge railway that provides access to a number of the most popular day trips from Taipei. Most people take a bus or train from Taipei to Ruifang Station, then transfer onto the Pingxi Line there. From Ruifang, the train veers inland toward Shifen and Pingxi. More recently, two more stops were added going in the opposite direction from Ruifang, with the new terminal end being Badouzi Station (near Shen’ao Elephant Trunk Rock, #14 above). Here’s the order of stops on the Pingxi Railway: Badouzi, Haikeguan, Ruifang (where buses depart for Jiufen and Jinguashi and for Taipei), Houtong, Sandiaoling, Shifen, Dahua, Lingjiao, Pingxi, and Jingtong. The Pingxi train line is not included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . You can swipe on with your EasyCard , but it’s cheaper to buy an unlimited one-day Pingxi Line pass at Ruifang Station for NTD80 if you plan to make a few stops. If you want to use your Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass to get to the area, you can ride the Muzha Pingxi shuttle bus (795) from Muzha MRT to Shenkeng, Shifen, and Pingxi for free. Shifen and Pingxi are also the location of the famous Sky Lantern Mass Release events during the Lantern Festival .

Houtong Cat Village

The first stop after Ruifang on the Pingxi Line is Houtong, also known as Houtong Cat Village (猴硐貓村). This tiny village is a former mining town turned cat-themed village. Local villages started taking in abandoned cats around 2008 and the idea took off. See my Houtong Cat Village guide for all the details.

After arriving, you can cross a tunnel over the railway (if you look closely, the tunnel is shaped like a cat). You’ll find snoozing feelines before you get to the other size. Besides a handful of cat-themed souvenir shops and cafés, the main thing to do here is walk around and pet all the cats.

Cat lovers should also check out my guide to the best cat cafes in Taipei !

Getting from Taipei to Houtong Cat Village: Both local trains direct from Taipei and the Pingxi line pass through Houtong, making it an easy stop on your day trip from Taipei.

Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail

The next stop after Houtong (both on the Pingxi line and the regular train line before it heads in a different direction than the Pingxi line) is tiny Sandiaoling. Few people get off here, but when they do, it’s usually to hike the Sandiaoling Trail (三貂嶺步道).

The Sandiaoling Waterfall trail is one my favorite hikes around Taipei. It’s not difficult (I took my two toddlers on it), highly scenic, and you have the option to continue further for a more difficult hike.

The hike we usually do is to the first waterfall viewpoint ( Hegu Waterfall or 合谷瀑布) and to a second waterfall ( Motian Falls or 摩天瀑布). Motian waterfall features a cave behind it that you can climb up into for a surreal experience (see me in the picture above).

After Motian Falls the trail becomes more challenging, with a vertical ladder, reaching Pipa Cave Waterfall (枇杷洞瀑布). From there, trails lead to either Houtong or Dahua Staion on the Pingxi Line. We usually just hike to Motian Falls and then return to Sandiaoling station, which takes a couple hours or less.

Getting to Sandiaoling: Sandiaoling is on both the regular train line direct from Taipei and the Pingxi small train line.

Shifen Waterfall and Sky Lanterns

Along with Jiufen (#19), Shifen is probably the most popular day trip from Taipei, and the two are easily combined

See my detailed article on getting from Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen waterfall for all the details and other transportation options.

Shifen is famous for Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布), the widest (and many say most beautiful) waterfall in Taiwan.

There is an NTD100 entrance fee to see the falls, and you’ll need to walk about 15 minutes to get to it from Shifen station.

If you’re looking for a less touristy waterfall experience, try Sandiaoling (#16 above) or head two stops past Shifen to Lingjiao for Lingjiao Waterfall (嶺腳瀑布), which you can jump off of if you are brave enough.

Many popular day trip deals include Shifen, such as this one , this one , or this one .

The second reason Shifen has become so popular is because of the train station itself. On this highly atmospheric section of tracks, vendors and food stalls line either side so close that they nearly get hit by the trains when they pass through.

Shifen station has become the de facto place to set off sky lanterns throughout the year (while the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival takes place only once per year, during Lantern Festival 2 weeks after Lunar New Year , usually in February or March , two stops away at Pingxi Station, #18). See more info in my guide to Taiwan’s holidays and festivals .

Releasing a sky lantern from the train tracks at Shifen has become one of the top experiences for numerous visitors to Taiwan, but please note that local hiking and environmental groups have spoken out against this harmful practice.

If you are really into sky lanterns, you may also want to visit the Sky Lantern Police Station at Jingtong, the final stop on the Pingxi railway line. The police station is shaped like a sky lantern and lit up with 200,000 LED lights. You can also enter the building to see it from the inside for NTD150, or free with the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Getting from Taipei to Shifen: There’s a lot of info here, so please see my detailed guide to getting to Shifen waterfall and Jiufen .

Pingxi Crags

Pingxi Station on the railway line named after it is most famous as the site of the annual Pingxi Lantern Festival on the 14th day of the Lunar New Year. However, hikers looking for a serious thrill can head here for the Pingxi Crags hike .

The hike involves ascending three insanely vertical crags that pierce the sky. It isn’t terribly difficult, but it’s terrying if you look down!

Getting to the Pingxi Crags: Take the train from Taipei to Ruifang then transfer to the Pingxi line. Get off at Pingxi Station, walk through the village and cross a bridge to the highway, then follow signs to “Xiao Zi Shan Hiking Trail” (孝子山步道).

You can also get to Pingxi by riding the Muzha Pingxi shuttle bus (795) from Muzha MRT, which is included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

If I had to guess what the single most popular day trip from Taipei is, I would say that it is Jiufen. The mountaintop village is a former gold mining town. In its heyday during Taiwan’s gold rush in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a huge collection of homes built practically on top of each other.

The mine was later closed and the city went into decline. In the early 2000s it became the new tourist hot spot after a retro film was made there and a (false) rumor began that Miyazaki’s Spirited Away was inspired by the village.

Today’s Jiufen is as atmospheric as it gets, with red lantern-lined staircases snaking up through the village. It’s mega touristy, but its charm is undeniable. You can also sip on tea at iconic Amei teahouse while taking in the magnificent view.

See my guide to the Jiufen here .

Jiufen is included on many day trip tours, such as this one and this one .

Getting to Jiufen: I’ve got so much information about this that I’ve written a whole post on how to get to Jiufen from Taipei or Shifen Waterfall .

Jiufen is on the Gold Fulong Shuttle Bus line (#856), included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park

Only 10 minutes past Jiufen on the bus, Jinsguashi (金瓜石) is definitely worth adding on to your Jiufen trip. This old gold mining facility has been transformed into the Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park.

You can book your admission ticket online here , and the entrance fee is covered by the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Go to Jinguashi to learn about gold mining, touch a huge piece of gold, and even eat ice cream with real gold flakes in it. The views are also incredible, and if you’ve got the time and energy, the park is also the starting point of an excellent hike to Teapot Mountain .

Don’t miss the Golden Waterfall , which is a little ways from the park but worth the side trip. If you only want to see Golden Waterfall, it is included on this excellent shuttle bus deal that also includes Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen.

For more information on all of the above, see my guide to Jiufen and Jinguashi .

Getting to Jinguashi: Take any bus to Jiufen and continue another 10 minutes to Jinguashi Golde Museum stop (金瓜石(黃金博物館)). The bus goes one more stop after this before turning around to head back to Jiufen, Ruifang and/or Taipei.

Jinguashi and Golden Waterfall are also on the Gold Fulong Shuttle Bus line (#856), included on the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Bitoujiao and Longdong

Bitoujiao (鼻頭角) is the second easternmost point in Taiwan. At the tip of the cape rests a picturesque lighthouse, with an even more picturesque path leading to it called Bitoujiao Trail (鼻頭角步道). So beautiful is this path that it has even been called the “Great Wall of Taiwan”.

For an even greater adventure, try hiking the Bitoujiao Cape Trail (鼻頭角稜谷步道), which includes the lighthouse. Budget 2-3 hours for the hike.

Nearby Longdong (龍洞 or Dragon Caves) is northern Taiwan’s adventure sports capital. Activities on offer at this rocky cape include the best scuba diving, rock climbing, and cliff diving in Northern Taiwan.

For cliff diving, you can just show up and do it like we did in the above photo (but exercise extreme caution; the waves can be really rough here). For scuba diving or rock climbing you’ll want to book something before you arrive.

Getting from Taipei to Bitoujiao and Longdong: For Bitoujiao, take the regular train to Ruifang then transfer to the Gold Fulong Beach tourist shuttle bus (#856), which is covered by the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass . Get off at Bitou (鼻頭), from where it’s a 25-minute walk.

To reach Longdong, stay on the same bus past Bitoujiao and get off at Longdonggang (Longdong Harbor or龍洞港) stop. Walk to the waterfront, turn right, and follow the road along the cape. When the road ends, continue walking along the rocks around the cape to find the main rock climbing and cliff diving areas.

Fulong Beach

Fulong is arguably Northern Taiwan’s best and most popular beach (see more info in my guide to Northern Taiwan’s best beaches here ). What makes is special is how the beach occupies a thin peninsula that sticks out into the sea, separated from the mainland by the Shuang River. Crossing the bridge over to the beach is a special experience.

Fulong is also known for Hohaiyan Rock Festival , a free music festival that is held on the beach every summer, as well as the ultra impressive Fulong Sand Sculpture Festival (see my kids in photo above), usually held from summer to fall.

Note that there is a NTD100 entry fee for the beach ($10 for kids), which includes the use of showers and changing rooms. If you don’t want to pay, head to the free beach at Fulong, which is in front of the Fulong Seaside Park.

When in town, don’t miss the chance to try a Fulong Bento Box (福隆便當), the most famous lunchbox in all of Taiwan. Fullon chain’s Fulong Hotel is a great, family-friendly hotel suitable for a weekend getaway.

Getting from Taipei to Fulong Beach: Trains from Taipei to Fulong take approximately 60-90 minutes and depart regularly throughout the day.

Alternatively, Fulong is the final stop on the Gold Fulong Tourist Shuttle Bus (#856), free with a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass , which beans you could also potentially visit Jiufen, Golden Waterfall, or Longdong on the same day.

Caoling Historic Trail

Lonely Planet Taiwan once said, “If you can only do one hike in Taiwan, make it this one.” That is a pretty bold statement, as there are so many incredible hikes in Taiwan, but there’s no denying that the Caoling Historic Trail (草嶺古道) is a spectacular one. The hike takes 3-4 hours to complete, and you can start or finish your hike at Fulong Beach (#22).

The trail was built in 1807 and was once the only route between Danshui and Yilan . The main features of the trail are awesome sea views and slopes covered in silvergrass in November in Taiwan , when it becomes very crowded.

For a more intense hike that includes incredible coastal bluffs and grazing buffalo, you can add the lesser-known Taoyuan Valley Trail (桃源谷步道) to the end of your hike, making for a full day of hiking.

Getting from Taipei to Caoling Historic Trail: You can either start the trail from Fulong on one side, or Dali (a stop on the local train line) on the other side. If you continue on to Taoyuan Valley, you will come out around Daxi train station.

Taipei Day Trips to the South

My recommended day trips from Taipei to the south begin right next to Shenkeng (#11) and Shiding (#12), but I had to draw a line between east and south somewhere!

We begin with Pinglin and Wulai districts of New Taipei City, then head to Yilan County on the east coast of Taiwan , and finally to destinations much further south.

Are you a tea geek, or want to learn more about Taiwan’s unique tea culture ? Then head directly to Pinglin. This district of New Taipei City is home to one of the world’s largest tea museums, and is famous for its delicately melon-flavored Baozhong tea.

Start in Pinglin village, where you can spend some time in Pinglin Tea Museum . Next, hop on a bike and cycle the Beishi Creek Fish Watching Trail (北勢溪觀魚步道) past picturesque tea fields. Before heading back to Taipei, dine at one of several tea-themed restaurants, which specialize in all manner of tea-infused dishes, or check out the town’s little Old Street.

For something really special, head to Shiding Bagua Tea Plantation (石碇八卦茶園), an incredibly beautiful terraced tea plantation with Fei-ts’ui (Feicui) Reservoir in the background (see photo above). The Thousand-Island Lake (千島湖) viewpoint is also nearby.

Getting from Taipei to Pinglin: Take bus 923 or Green 12 from Xindian MRT station in Taipei. The buses run roughly every hour.

Shiding Bagua Tea Plantation and Thousand-Island Lake viewpoint are not easy to get to. If you get off at the right stop on the Xindian to Pinglin bus, you can walk down to them. Alternatively, join this tea-focused day tour from Taipei and don’t worry about how to get there.

Wulai Hot Spring Village

Directly south of Taipei, Wulai district (烏來區), New Taipei City is yet another area that offers an eclectic mix of activities to enjoy on a day trip from Taipei, including hot springs, river tracing, a great day market, and aboriginal culture. See here for my full guide to Wulai District .

In fact, Wulai is the closest aboriginal village to Taipei, home to the Atayal (Taiya) people, famous for their facial tattooing. Arriving at Wulai, you can first peek into the free Wulai Aboriginal Museum before exploring Wulai Old Street , with its countless aboriginal snacks and millet wine ( xiaomijiu or 小米酒).

Next, cross the river and take your pick of the numerous private hot spring facilities (what’s left of the free ones along the river are no longer worth visiting). From there you can either walk or ride the small train to Wulai Falls , the highest in Northern Taiwan at 80 meters. There’s a cable car to the top of the falls, and this is also a great spot to see cherry blossoms in spring.

For those interested in river tracing, one of the best routes in northern Taiwan is found at Jiajiuliao Stream (加九寮溪). It includes an awesome rock waterslide that can’t be missed (yep, that’s me in the photo above!) Make sure to bring appropriate river tracing gear and never go alone.

Getting to Wulai: Bus 849 from Xindian MRT station leaves about once every 15 minutes and takes 45 minutes to reach Wulai Old Street.

For Jiajiuliao Stream stream, get off at Chenggong (成功) stop, walk down the hill and across Jiajiuliao Suspension Bridge. The trail to the river begins a few minutes past the road on the left. You’ll want to walk a ways up the trail before getting into the river.

Wai Ao Beach, Yilan

If you’d like to check out the surf scene in Taiwan, Wai Ao (外澳) in Yilan County is the best place in northern Taiwan (in the south of Taiwan, head to Dulan ).

Wai Ao is a little further away then other Taipei beaches, but if you make the journey, you won’t regret it. The scenery here and view looking out at Turtle Island (Guishan Island or 龜山島) is just a taste of what lies further to the south around Taroko Gorge (#29).

The waves aren’t too wild at Wai Ao, so it’s a great place to learn how to surf. You can rent a board nearby from the shops facing the beach.

Getting from Taipei to Wai Ao: The local train from Taipei to Wai Ao takes about 2 hours. From tiny Wai Ao station, walk to the water and head to the right side of the beach for the surfing area.

Jiaoxi Hot Springs, Yilan

Visiting Jiaoxi (Jiaosi or 礁溪) is my personal favorite of all the things to do in Yilan , and one of the best hot spring towns that is easily accessible from Taipei. Compared to Beitou in Taipei City, it is cheaper and has better choices for public (mixed sex) springs and for kids. Read my detailed guide to Jiaoxi Hot Spring here .

I’ve been to Jiaoxi at least a dozen times, and we almost always go to the same two hot spring spas: Chuan Tang Spa ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) or Art Spa Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ). There are other better places to stay in Jiaoxi, but these have the best hot spring facilities.

Both of them have dozens of different tubs, some with relaxing scents and colorful water. They also have scented steamrooms, play areas for young kids, and Art Spa Hotel even has a tall hot water slide (best for older kids only).

Jiaoxi also has a great easy hiking trail to Wufengqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布), a short taxi ride from town, or the longer and lesser-known (but more beautiful) hike to Yuemeikeng Falls (月眉坑瀑布, pictured above).

Another awesome thing to do in Jiaoxi is eat Japanese food while soaking your feet in hot water, or drink local craft beer (there’s even a green algae one) in Tangweigou Hot Spring Park (湯圍溝溫泉公園).

Getting from Taipei to Jiaoxi: While the train from Taipei to Jiaoxi is more reliable, the bus that departs from the indoor bus terminal at Taipei City Hall MRT is often faster (so long as the traffic isn’t too bad) and unlike the train, you are guaranteed a seat.

Kavalan Distillery, Yilan

Did you know that Taiwan makes some of the best whiskeys in the world? Kavalan Distillery, located in Yilan County , has won gold medals at the World Whiskies Awards for several years running.

Tours of the facility are free, including a whiskey sample at the end. You’ll just have to find your way there! The tours are in Mandarin, but you can contact them to arrange an English tour in advance.

A more interesting option is to make your own bottle of whiskey on this English guided tour . If you’d like to do this but without the tour from Taipei, you can also book it by contacting Kavalan directly. They sometimes take a while to reply.

If you’re in the area and also like beer, don’t miss Jim & Dad’s Brewing Company , which do excellent brews made unique with local, seasonal ingredients.

Getting from Taipei to Kavalan Distillery: If you don’t have your own wheels, your best bet would be to take the bus or train to Yilan station and then hop in a cab (about 20 minutes).

Taroko Gorge, Hualien

You’d have to be a little bit crazy to do this, but it’s possible to do a day trip to Taroko Gorge from Taipei. Taroko Gorge is Taiwan’s premier scenic attraction. You can see my guide to Taroko Gorge here and my guide to other amazing things to do in Hualien County .

It is pretty normal to visit Taroko Gorge in one long day if you’re staying in the area, but adding a 2 to 3-hour train ride EACH WAY from Taipei makes it an extremely long day.

Still, it can be done! If you don’t want to figure out the logistics on your own (and risk the chance of not getting train tickets, arranging transport to Taroko Gorge after you arrive, etc.), this day tour from Taipei has transportation included.

Alternatively, you can forget about trying to get train tickets, and just fly from Taipei to Hualien , then start your Taroko tour from there.

Getting from Taipei to Taroko Gorge: See my guide to Taroko Gorge for all the details.

Lion’s Head Mountain

Hopping from the east coast over to the west coast of Taiwan, Lion’s Head Mountain (Shitoushan or 獅頭山) will appeal to those looking to get off the beaten track and have a little adventure getting there. See my guide to Lion’s Head Mountain here .

Lion’s Head Mountain is a small mountain covered in Buddhist and Taoist cave temples connected by a network of hiking trails. The mountain straddles Hsinchu and Miaoli counties.

Nearby Nanzhuang has an atmospheric Old Street in Hakka country.

Getting from Taipei to Lion’s Head Mountain: Plan for a long day getting there and back, which can include a fantastic scooter ride or a few buses. See all the details in my full guide to Lion’s Head Mountain linked above.

Miaoli County

Miaoli County (苗栗縣) is the kind of place you go after you’ve been everywhere else in Taiwan, and it becomes your new favorite.

Internationally recognized for its “slow living, slow travel” towns, Miaoli is a predominantly Hakka county. It’s best to have your own wheels to explore its various attractions, but if you are determined, you can visit most of them by public transport as well, even as day trips from Taipei.

Some of the most popular attractions in Miaoli include strawberry picking at Dahu (see photo of my daughter above), Tai’An hot spring , Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum , Remains of Longteng Bridge , and Flying Cow Ranch .

Getting from Taipei to Miaoli: Regular trains, buses, and the high speed rail provide access to Miaoli, but you’ll have to look up transportation for each sight on consult my guide to Miaoli .

Taichung & Sun Moon Lake

Taichung (台中) is Taiwan’s second largest city by population (after New Taipei City), and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for visitors thanks to its unique museums, great dining choices, and art-oriented attractions.

Only two hours by train/bus, or one hour on the high speed rail from Taipei, it is perfectly feasible to do a day trip to Taichung from Taipei.

Some of the top sights in Taichung include Rainbow Village , 921 Earthquake Museum , Feng Chia Night Market , and more. See my guide to Taichung for more details.

If you end up staying longer in Taichung, also see my articles on how to plan a Taichung itinerary and the best day trips from Taichung .

Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is one of Taiwan’s most famous attractions. It’s actually in Nantou County, but most people get there from Taichung. Although it’s best to stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake, it can be done as a day trip from Taichung , and if you really want to squeeze it in, as a day trip from Taipei.

See my full guide to Sun Moon Lake , as well as my article on the best Sun Moon Lake tours , whether to get the Sun Moon Lake Pass , and Sun Moon Lake tea .

Getting from Taipei to Taichung and Sun Moon Lake: Regular buses and trains connect Taipei to Taichung station. Taichung’s High Speed Rail station is a little out of the town center, but can be convenient for reaching certain attractions.

The shuttle bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake takes around 90 minutes, while Kuo-Kuang bus 1833 travels several times per day from Taipei Bus Station directly to Sun Moon Lake (about 4 hours).

Alishan (阿里山) is Taiwan’s most popular mountain resort. It is famous for its high mountain teas, the Alishan Forest Railway, ancient trees, and sunrises over seas of clouds. See my detailed guide to Alishan and surrounding areas .

Like Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake, it is a little crazy to do Alishan as a day trip from Taipei, but it is certainly possible. All you have to do is start really early, and consult my detailed guide to getting from Taipei to Alishan .

One problem with this is that it will be impossible to see the sunrise without spending the night at Alishan. But one solution is that you can take an overnight bus from Taipei to Alishan, which gets there early enough to catch the sunrise.

Getting from Taipei to Alishan: See my detailed Alishan transportation guide for all the juicy details. Here’s the link for the overnight bus from Taipei to Alishan , which departs Taipei Bus Station once per week on Friday evening only and takes about 6 hours.

Taipei Day Trips to the West

Heading west on a day trip from Taipei, culture lovers are going to find the most possibilities, from fascinating temples to pottery towns, while going a little further will bring you to fishing harbors and natural attractions, not to mention Northern Taiwan’s most famous amusement park.

At the last stop, we will come full circle at Bali on the Northwest coast, across the river from Beitou, Yangmingshan, and Danshui.

Banqiao and Xinzhuang

These two dense suburbs of New Taipei City are looked over by most tourists. However, having lived in Banqiao (板橋) for five years and Xinzhuang (新莊) for six years, I think they are worth visiting for anyone who’s got a little more time in Taiwan or wants to get off the beaten track!

Banqiao is the seat of the New Taipei City government, and feels as developed as Taipei. If you happen to be in town during Christmas, don’t miss Christmasland , the over-the-top Christmas lights display at Banqiao Station Plaza. Other notable sights in Banqiao include the Lin Family Mansion (entrance fee covered by Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass ), Nanya Night Market , and 435 Art District .

When I first moved to Xinzhuang to live with my wife’s family, there was no MRT access, so it really felt far away from (and more traditional than) Taipei. The yellow branch of the MRT opened it up a little, but it still has a crustier edge to it.

One reason to make the journey would be to visit Xinzhuang Temple Street (pictured above), a street with a handful of temples that predate even some of the oldest in Taipei. In the evening, the street is closed off to traffic and becomes a night market. See more details in my guide to the best night markets around Taipei .

Near Xinzhuang Temle Street, picturesque, pedestrian only Crescent Bridge (新月橋) connects Xinzhuang to Banqiao a few steps away from 435 Art District, meaning you can easily visit both districts in one day.

Getting from Taipei to Banqiao and Xinzhuang: Banqiao station is on the blue MRT line and also has a train and HSR station. Xinzhuang is on the yellow line and takes slightly longer to reach from the city center.

Going further west into New Taipei city, Sanxia district (Sansia, Sanhsia or 三峽) is famous for Sanxia Old Street , a beautifully restored street of red brick buildings.

Besides exploring the Old Street and doing some serious snacking, you can’t miss Qingshui Zushi Temple (清水祖師廟), one of the most beautiful temples in Northern Taiwan .

It makes sense to combine a trip to Sanxia with Yingge, which is a short taxi ride away.

Sanxia District is also home to what is perhaps the most notorious hike in the greater Taipei area: Wuliaojian Trail (五寮尖). The hike features heartstopping terrain such as rope ladders straddling vertical cliffs, mountain-top ridges, and more.

No equipment or expertise is needed beyond basic trekking experience, but this is definitely a thrilling hike that adventure lovers (like my happy little crew of friends above) can’t miss!

Getting from Taipei to Sanxia: There are numerous buses to Sanxia depending on where you are coming from in Taipei. Use GoogleMaps for this one! Taxis from Sanxia to Yingge only take about 10 minutes.

Yingge Pottery Street

Sanxia’s neighbor, Yingge (鶯歌) is Taiwan’s undisputed center of pottery. The Yinngge Old Street (also known as Yingge Ceramics Street) has literally hundreds of shops and studios devoted to pottery and ceramics. See my guide to Yingge Pottery Street here .

You can find anything here, from cheap functional ware and tea sets to stunning artwork. The Yingge Ceramics Museum (新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館) is one of the best museums in Taiwan, and there are a few historic kilns in town that you can enter.

Getting from Taipei to Yingge: Regular trains from Taipei to Yingge take 20-35 minutes and depart frequently. If you’ve got the energy, you can also hire a bike at the Xinzhuang side of Crescent Bridge (see #34) and cycle to Yingge in about 30 minutes.

Daxi District, Taoyuan

Taoyuan, known mainly to outsiders for the Taoyuan International Airport, is almost totally ignored by international visitors. It isn’t all just urban sprawl though; there are certainly some attractions that are worth the day trip from Taipei, and parts of Taoyuan are known for their Hakka culture (see my Taoyuan city guide for more info).

Daxi district (大溪區, not to be confused with Daxi village on the east coast, see #23) has a handful of such attractions. Start with Daxi Old Street , which is especially known for its dried tofu (豆乾). Hakka dishes can also be sampled there.

Next, Cihu Mausoleum (慈湖陵寝) is one of the country’s most bizarre museums. Near the mausoleum where Chiang Kai-shek, the former ruler of Taiwan, is interred, hundreds of old Chiang Kai-shek statues from all over Taiwan have been placed in an expansive field.

Shimen Reservoir (石門水庫) is yet another great sight in the area. Along with Feicui Reservoir in Pinglin (#24), the reservoir provides water to millions of people in Taipei and Northern Taiwan. The reservoir is quite beautiful, and many locals like to visit after heavy rains to see water shooting out from certain spots in the dam.

Longtan District (龍潭) is yet another place worth visiting, where you can check out Window on World Theme Park (小人國主題樂園), the Taiwan Baseball Hall of Fame (棒球名人堂), biking trails around Longtan Lake, and the many seafood restaurants on Fish Street (活魚街). Thank you to a reader who lives in Longtan for making these last few suggestions!

Last but not least, the Xiao Wulai Waterfall and Sky Walk (小烏來瀑布/小烏來天空步道, photo above with my son) nearby is worth the trip if you’ve got your own wheels. It’s in Taoyuan’s Fuxing district, but near the above-mentioned sights in Daxi District.

Getting from Taipei to Daxi: It’s tough but possible to fit the first three sights into one day-trip from Taipei by public transportation.

For Daxi Old Street, take the regular train from Taipei Main Station to Taoyuan then transfer to bus 5096 to Daxi. Alternatively, take the MRT to Yongning Station then hop on bus 710, which takes 30-40 min to reach Daxi Old Street.

From Daxi, you can get to Cihu Mausoleum and Shimen Reservoir on Zhongli Bus 501 (you’ll need to head in different directions from Daxi for each one). The bus only runs about once per hour.

Leofoo Village Amusement Park

Leofoo Village (Liufu Cun or 六福村) in Hsinchu County is possibly the most popular amusement parks in Taiwan , and definitely the easiest one to get to from Taipei.

What began as a wildlife safari has now expanded to include four themed areas with 60+ rides, a large water park, and Leofoo Resort ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ), a hotel with rooms overlooking giraffes and other large animals. Besides the safari train still in operation, the park has one of only 300 white tigers in the world.

Make sure to buy your Leofoo Village theme park ticket online for a huge discount, or this deal that includes the shuttle bus from Taipei .

Getting from Taipei to Leofoo Village: This deal includes entrance ticket plus transportation from Taipei Main Station and Ximending, or this one includes entrance and the shuttle bus from Jingan, Songshan Airport, or Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT).

Yong An Fishing Harbor

Seafood lovers looking for another totally off-the-beaten-track day trip from Taipei can head to YongAn Fishing Harbor (永安漁港) on the coast of Taoyuan.

Like so many other fishing markets in Taiwan, you will be greeted with seemingly unlimited seafood choices, any of which you can purchase and have prepared for you at numerous restaurants on site.

There’s also a lovely pier and colorful (if a little run down) pedestrian bridge. But the real beauty of this spot is that I can almost guarantee you will be the only foreign visitor when you go.

Getting to Yong An Fishing Harbor: The downside is that it’s not super easy to get here by public transportation. Start by taking the regular train from Taipei to Zhongli in Taoyuan, then board Taoyuan bus 505 to Yong An Harbor.

Congratulations if you’ve read this far! For the final entry, we are going not to Bali—not the tropical island in Indonesia, but Bali district (八里區), New Taipei City, Taiwan.

While just about every tourist in Taiwan has Danshui (#3) on their radar, few realize that there is a similar promenade on the other side of the river, called Bali Old Street (八里渡船頭老街). There you’ll find all kinds of delicious treats and great views, minus the foreign tourists (but still lots of local ones).

Bali is dominated by Guanyin Mountain (觀音山), part of the same massif as Yangming Mountain (#2) across the river. The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology is also located in Bali and the entrance fee is covered by the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Getting from Taipei to Bali: The easiest way is to start your day at Danshui, then take one of the regular ferries across the river. You can even swipe your EasyCard or to board the ferry.

Well, you deserve a pat on the back if you’ve read all the way to here. I’d love to hear what your favorite day trips from Taipei are, so please comment below if I missed your favorite one!

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7 thoughts on “40 Day Trips from Taipei You Can’t Miss”

We’re planning a trip to Taipei and we’re super excited.

We want to do a day trip to Yehliu, Shifen and Juifen. We’re considering hiring a driver since we’d love to see Juifen at night.

Another option we’re considering is using the Unlimited Fun Pass to get to these spots during the day and then at night say 6 or 7pm take a taxi back to Taipei. Would it be possible to get a taxi in Juifen at night? Or do things die down quite a bit as the sun sets?

Hey Ruan, thanks for your message and questions! One good thing to note is that the sun goes down quite early in Taiwan (usually 5:30 or so), and things tend to stay very alive in the evening. 100% safe as well! Jiufen is busiest during the day, but it’s such a popular place that there can still be quite a few people after dark. One option you didn’t mention is taking the bus back from Jiufen after dark, either from Jiufen to Ruifang for the train, or the bus all the way back to Taipei. The buses run late, and this is certain a doable option. Hiring a driver for the day is a decent way to hit all three spots in a day and not have to worry about catching buses, if you don’t mind the cost. If you decide to grab a cab from Jiufen at the end of the day, I’m pretty certain they will be easy to find even around that time. It would be a little pricey if you caught it all the way back to Taipei, but I can also understand the feeling of just wanting to sit in a quiet car at the end of a long day.

Hello, thanks to some new bus routes(actually they have operated for more than two years) now it’s super easy to get to Daxi and some other places in Taoyuan City. First, you take MRT to Dingpu on blue line, it takes about 20 minutes from Taipei Main Station, after that, you take bus no.710 and you will arrive at the old Street in 30 to 40 minutes. As you can see on the map, MRT Dingpu station is just next to a Interchange of Freeway no.3. Therefore, several new bus routes started services these days and made Dingpu station like a little hub for passengers who want to go to Taoyuan city. Bus no.709 for Longtan/Pingzhen District, 710 for Daxi, 712 to Longtan as well, 713/715 to different parts of Bade District. Also, I have to correct that Daxi is not a typical Hakka area. Although Taoyuan City is famous for Hakka culture. However the Hakka people mainly live in southern Taoyuan. Taoyuan City actually divided into three parts when it comes to ethnic groups. Northern Taoyuan(Hoklo/Hokkien/Minnan): Taoyuan, Bade, Guishan, Luzhu, Daxi, Dayuan, Southern Taoyuan(Hakka): Zhongli, Pingzhen, Yangmei, Longtan, Guanyin, Xinwu and lots of aboriginals live in Fuxing. Hence, I would say Daxi is a place for dried Tofu(really tasty!) instead of Hakka cuisine. It doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy Hakka dishes there but there are better places for that in my opinion. And again, the phenomenon shows how diverse and complicated the small island Taiwan is. I live in Longtan, where Taoyuan Hakka Culture Hall located, as well as several bike paths near Longtan Lake, Window on China, Taiwan Baseball Hall of Fame and a part of Shihmen Reservoir. People often have fish dishes when they visit the reservoir and we even have a street called “fish street(活魚街)” because there are so many restaurants on the street! Longtan really has to be on the list and I could write a introduction for my hometown if you think it can be on the list, too.

Thank you so much for this useful local information! I have added some of your suggestions to the article, so hopefully more visitors will be inspired to visit Taoyuan! Sorry about my slow response here, and thanks again!

Sorry, it should be Yongning Station, not Dingpu. What I really wanted to say is take a MRT train head for Dingpu and get off at Yongning Station.

Great blog – super helpful!

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A Super Detailed Taipei & Taiwan Itinerary for 5 Days {2024}

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no additional cost to you.

Searching for the perfect 5 days in Taiwan itinerary? In this post, a local travel expert who has lived in Taiwan for over a decade tells us how to plan the best 5-day Taipei and Taiwan itinerary. Read on!

Welcome to Taiwan , one of the most compelling, rewarding, and welcoming countries in East Asia ! Taiwan may look small on the map, but it has loads to offer for every kind of traveler, from foodies & budding historians to lovers of art and the great outdoors.

To be completely honest, five days in Taiwan is not enough. But if that’s what you’ve got, this article will prove to be an invaluable resource for making the absolute best of the time you do have in the country.

This Taiwan 5 day itinerary will begin with two sight-packed days in the capital, Taipei , followed by a choice of several day trips from the city. Next up, you’ll head down to Taichung City, Central Taiwan’s art & food-focused city, before finishing up at visually stunning Sun Moon Lake. 

Note: If you don’t have time to read this full itinerary or prefer that your trip be planned for you, consider booking this 5-day guided tour of Taiwan instead. The tour includes visits to top destinations like Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, Taitung, the East Coast, Taroko, and more. Accommodations are provided at 5-star hotels throughout the journey.

If you prefer to adventure on your own, read on for the perfect 5 days in Taiwan itinerary!

Things to Know Before You Go To Taiwan

With only five days in Taiwan, you’ll want to plan your Taiwan trip to a tee in order to make maximum use of what little time you have.

You won’t want to waste half a day figuring out what to do, where to go next, where to eat, and so on!

Let’s begin with some tips for planning five unforgettable days in Taiwan! 

When to Visit Taiwan

First, you’ll want to choose the right season to visit. Taiwan doesn’t have a distinct high or low season, so the best time for you to visit Taiwan is really going to depend on your interests and favorite kind of weather.

Winter has milder weather and is better for hot springs and flower viewing (hello cherry blossoms!), but Taipei in winter can be damp, chilly, and gray.

Summer is extremely hot and humid, by contrast, plus there’s a chance of encountering a typhoon.

Autumn and spring are probably the best times to visit, but you may want to avoid the mini rain season which usually comes in late May and early June, and typhoons can strike as late as October.

Getting Around Taiwan

As soon as you arrive at the Taoyuan International Airport, you can purchase an EasyCard at the airport’s MRT station.

This is the card all locals use to swipe onto the Taipei MRT, city buses in major cities across Taiwan, and short train rides between cities that don’t require seat reservations.

It’s faster than paying each time, and the fares are discounted.

Next, you can hop on the Airport MRT, which will get you to Taipei Main Station in 35 to 50 minutes, from where you can walk, take a taxi, or connect to another MRT line to reach your hotel.

During your stay in Taipei, you can use the MRT to get everywhere described in this itinerary. By the time you leave Taipei, you’ll seriously be in love with the MRT!

If you ever decide to take a taxi, you’ll find they are everywhere and are relatively cheap. The drivers mostly speak a little English, but there may be cases in which you’ll need to show them an address in Mandarin, so it’s best to have that ready.

If you follow this itinerary, you’ll also have a few transportation choices for getting out of Taipei. I’ll mention exactly how to do that in the relevant sections below.

In Taichung, you’ll rely more on buses. They’re totally free for short rides if you swipe with your EasyCard!     

The Perfect Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary

5 days in taiwan itinerary day 1: exploring taipei.

Good morning Taipei! On day one, it’s time to knock off some of the city’s top attractions.

For breakfast, you’ve got to try a local Taiwanese-style breakfast shop.

They’re literally everywhere, but if you want to seek out a particularly famous one, try Yonghe Soy Milk King near Da’An Park, or Yonghe Soy Milk in Taipei.

Go for steamed buns, scallion pancakes with egg & cheese, or flaky shao bing . But you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!

Pro Tip: If you are a foodie, I suggest taking this Private Street Food Tour with locals which covers food culture and history all in one place. Sample up to 10 street food dishes and Taiwanese specialties + you get to receive personalized recommendations on where to eat in the city.

Next, early birds should visit one of the city’s many temples, which tend to be frequently by elderly worshippers in the early morning. Longshan Temple is Taipei’s most famous.

There you can witness a serene chanting ceremony at 6 a.m. (or again at 8 a.m.) Each one lasts nearly an hour, and visitors are always welcome to explore the temple even while the ceremony is taking place.

Other temples worth checking out include Xingtian Temple, which is incense-free and known for its fortune tellers in an underpass below the main road, and Taipei Tianhou Temple in Ximending, which is sandwiched between two buildings and easy to miss!

Later in the morning, visit Chiang Ka-Shek Memorial Hall, the city’s most impressive historical site.

There you’ll find an enormous square flanked by the National Concert Hall and National Theater, both classical Chinese-style buildings , the beautiful Liberty Square Arch, and the impressive blue & white memorial building itself.

Prefer a guided tour of the city? This classic landmarks day tour is a must-do!

Next, walk (or ride the MRT two stops) to Ximending for lunch. This is Taipei’s coolest neighborhood; some people call it the Harajuku of Taipei for its Japanese-like atmosphere.

It’s also home to Taipei’s largest LGBTQ+ district, which centers on a collection of outdoor bars beside the historic Red House, a former Japanese market & theater.

Stroll the pedestrian-only streets to check out the cute shops, open-air tattoo parlors, and claw-machine arcades.

Take your pick from local street food, Japanese & Korean cuisine , or visit a poo-themed Modern Toilet restaurant.

Tip: If you’d like to experience Taiwanese cuisine after dark, I suggest taking this night tour that will satisfy your appetite. You can then stroll around the lively Raohe Street Night Market, walk across Rainbow Bridge, and see the famous Songshan Ciyou Temple nearby.

In the afternoon, head to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. This former sake distillery dates to the days when Taiwan was a Japanese colony.

Today it is an arts complex featuring rotating exhibits & events, a few cafés & restaurants, cool graffiti, and the perfect lawn for a picnic.

Next up, make your way to Taipei 101 , the country’s most iconic attraction. The 510-meter bamboo stalk-shaped skyscraper was the tallest in the world for six years.

To visit the observation deck, you’ll probably need to wait in line for 15-60 minutes, then you’ll be whisked to the 89 th floor in the world’s fastest elevator.

If you want to avoid the line, purchase this skip-the-line ticket for the observatory in advance.

The 360-degree view from up there is of course mesmerizing. Also don’t miss the huge stabilizing ball in the middle, which prevents the building from toppling in earthquakes, as well as the small outdoor viewing deck on the 91 st floor.

After visiting Taipei 101, walk or ride the MRT one stop to Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) station. From there it’s a short walk to the trail which leads up the eponymous mountain.

In less than 30 minutes of uphill stairs, you’ll be afforded the best view that Taipei City has to offer, with Taipei 101 towering right in front of you. The trail is very popular, especially at sunset, but there’s always room for one more.

Finally, it’s time to eat! After descending the mountain, take your choice from one of Taipei’s legendary night markets. Tonghua Night Market is within walking distance.

The other most famous ones include Shilin Night Market (the largest and most popular among tourists), Raohe (a favorite among locals), and Ningxia (great for oyster omelets, sweet potato balls, and shaved ice desserts).

Need more ideas? Check out our article on the top things to do in Taipei !

5 Days in Taiwan Day 2: Exploring Taipei Part 2

Now that you’ve covered the best of Taipei’s famous attractions , it’s time to get a little more off-the-beaten-path on day two.

For breakfast, you’ll likely be itching to get back into a local breakfast shop to try more items on offer.

Continue on by visiting two more impressive temples: Confucius Temple and its neighboring Dalongdong Bao’An Temple.

The former is completely different than typical Taiwanese temples; its design is simple and its large gardens are serene.

The latter is a gorgeous example of traditional design, with super intricate roof carvings; many believe it’s Taipei’s best.

Next, history lovers could try strolling Dihua Street, Taipei’s oldest street, which features still-running Chinese medicinal shops, teahouses, temples, and restaurants that date back to Taipei’s earliest days.

You can get there from Bao’An Temple on foot, by backtracking a little on the MRT, or by taking a short taxi ride (I’d go for the latter).

Dihua Street stretches from near Daqiaotou MRT station in the north to near Beimen MRT station in the south.

If you make it to the far southern end, make sure to see Beimen (North Gate) itself, the only remaining Old Taipei city wall gate that has been restored to its exact former look.

For lunch, head to Addiction Aquatic Development. The name sounds weird, but it’s an insanely cool high-end seafood market housed in what used to be a traditional fish market.

After peering at the largest crabs in the world (Japanese spider crabs) and other sea creatures in the many water tanks, enter the upscale grocery store where you can buy insanely fresh & delicious take-away trays of sashimi, or splurge on the stand-up sushi & oyster bar.

The closest MRT is Xingtian Temple, from where it’s a 15-minute walk.

Filled with sushi, it’s now time for a more relaxing afternoon activity: visiting Taipei’s only Japanese hot spring village.

Connect to the red line and take it for 30 minutes north to Beitou station. From there, connect to the one-stop pink line, which literally goes uphill and smells like hot springs.

If you prefer to go on a guided tour with an expert, we suggest booking this one right here , which takes you to the Beitou Hotsprings, Yangmingshan Volcano, and other noteworthy stops.

Beitou is a lovely neighborhood at the base of Yangmingshan, a dormant volcano.

It has touristy bits, such as the Beitou Hot Spring Museum (still worth a visit!), the outdoor Beitou Public Hot Spring (the cheapest hot spring bathing option; mixed-sex and bathing suits required) in Hot Spring Park, and Beitou Thermal Valley (a huge steaming hot spring).

You can also get off the beaten track by visiting the Japanese-built Puji Temple or the impressive Beitou Museum. You can walk (slightly uphill) for about 20 minutes to get to the latter, or ride bus 230 or S25.

There are also over a dozen hot spring hotels to choose from for a private soak, ranging from the oldest Japanese bathhouse (Longnice Hot Spring or 瀧乃湯) to ultra fancy & expensive options like Gaia Hotel. Heads up: most are nude only and sex-segregated.

While in town, don’t miss the hot spring ramen! There are two shops offering it: Man Lai Hot Spring Ramen (滿来温泉拉麵) near Xinbeitou MRT station, and Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen (滿客屋台式拉麵) near Puji Temple.

Finally, if you still have time, you can ride the MRT further north to Danshui and stroll along the riverside promenade. From there you can also take a bus or river ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the sunset.

Alternatively, return to Taipei and have dinner at whichever night markets you missed on day 1.

For a non-touristy night market that serves amazing foods, visit Nanjichang Night Market. The Michelin-rated stinky tofu at Stinky Boss in the market is amazing!

5 Day Taiwan Itinerary Day 3: Day Trip from Taipei

After thoroughly covering Taipei on your first two days, it’s time to get out of the city!

Choosing a day trip from Taipei is not going to be easy, as there are just so many possibilities. I’m going to give you four different options!

1. The most popular day trip from Taipei

The most popular day trip from Taipei includes some or all of the following: Jiufen, Houtong, Shifen Waterfall, Yehliu, & Keelung. You may be able to squeeze them all in if you get an early start!

To begin, swipe your Easy Card to board a local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang. From there, take the bus to Jiufen, a former gold mining boomtown built on the slope of a mountain.

Explore the atmospheric staircases, shops, & teahouses. Next, return to Ruifang and catch a train to Houtong, Taiwan’s famous “Cat Village”.

After that, catch the Pingxi Small Train to Shifen station for Shifen Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Taiwan.

Return to Ruifang, then take a local train to Keelung. If you have enough time, you can take a return bus to Yeliu Geopark, a coastal landscape with bizarre rock formations.

Otherwise, just stay in Keelung to eat at Keelung Night Market, one of the best night markets in Taiwan.

From there, it’s a 45-minute train ride back to Taipei. You can swipe your EasyCard for all the rides on this day trip.

Tip: If you prefer leaving the planning to the experts, I recommend this organized guided tour which takes you to top attractions like Yehliu Geological Park, Jiufen, and Pingxi. Having a knowledgeable local guide handle logistics allows you to simply focus on experiencing the best of northern Taiwan.

2. Off-the-beaten track

Culture enthusiasts can head southwest of Taipei to Sanxia, a district of New Taipei City famous for its restored Old Street and the incredibly beautiful Sanxia Temple (Zushi Temple).

You can get there by taking numerous local buses, depending on where you’re coming from in Taipei.

Next, hop in a taxi to the neighboring district of Yingge, the largest pottery center in Taiwan. Stroll the Yingge Old Street and its dozens of ceramics shops, try your hand at pottery making, or walk into historic kilns.

Don’t miss the impressive New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum! It’s only 30 minutes back to Taipei by train.

For people interested in hiking, there are several amazing day hikes within easy reach of Taipei.

One of the best is the Caoling Historic Trail, which includes impressive coastal bluffs, and blooming silvergrass in November.

Another good one is Teapot Mountain, in which you can climb into a rocky peak that looks like a teapot.

It starts at Jinguashi Gold Ecological Village, which is near Jiufen (see #1 above) and is also worth visiting.

Yet another is Sandiaoling, which includes three waterfalls, one of which you can climb into a rocky overhang behind.

This one is near Houtong and Shifen (see #1), so it could also be combined with some of the places mentioned in #1.

4. Hot Springs

If you’re visiting in winter, you may want to try even more hot springs than Beitou in Taipei City. Moreover, the ones outside of Taipei City are generally cheaper.

The two best options within easy reach of Taipei are Wulai and Jiaoxi.

Wulai is an aboriginal village south of Taipei City. It has a market street with lots of yummy aboriginal food (try the mountain boar or bamboo tubes stuffed with sticky rice).

There are some free riverside hot spring pools that are rather decaying, or several private options to choose from (mostly private hot tub rooms with river views).

Alternatively, Jiaoxi Hot Spring in Yilan County is only an hour away by bus or local train. It has excellent spas with multi-colored hot spring waters, hot tubs with massage jets, and more.

Chuang Tang is one of the best, while Art Spa Hotel even has a tall hot water slide.

The town also has a hot spring park where you can drink local craft beer while you soak your feet, a few waterfall hikes.

5 days in Taiwan Itinerary Day 4: A Day in Taichung

On day four, it’s time to pack your bags and relocate to Taichung City, the largest city in Central Taiwan.

To maximize your time, you can hop on the High-Speed Rail (HSR), which only takes an hour and doesn’t even require a reservation; just buy a non-reserved ticket from one of the machines at the station and get on the train cars 10-12.

You can also ride the cheaper regular train (TRA), which takes two hours. You can try to reserve a seat, but if it’s fully booked, you’ll need to stand or sit on the floor between cars (many people do this).

One plus of the HSR is that it will get you closer to your first stop, Rainbow Village. From the station, grab a taxi or take bus #617; so long as your luggage isn’t too big, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Rainbow Village is one of Taiwan’s quirkiest attractions. Here a retired soldier painted his entire home in wild colors to save it from destruction. You may even meet the elderly man (“Rainbow Grandpa”) while you’re there!

Next, head into the city center to leave your luggage and/or check into your hotel.

After that, make your way to Chun Shui Tang, the supposed birthplace of pearl milk tea (bubble tea/boba)! They’ve also got decent food on offer.

Your tour of the city center can also include stops at Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center (a beautifully restored Japanese martial arts hall), Painted Animation Lane, and Cultural Heritage Park.

For dinner, there’s no choice better than Feng Chia Night Market, the largest and best night market in Taichung.

Taiwan Itinerary Day 5: Sun Moon Lake

For the final stop on your Taiwan five day itinerary, you’re going to visit one of Taiwan’s most beautiful landscapes: Sun Moon Lake .

From Gancheng Station, Taichung Station, Daqing Station, or the Taichung High Speed Rail Station, you can catch the Sun Moon Lake shuttle bus, which takes around 90 minutes.

You’ll need to pay in cash for these tickets, or you can book them at any 7-Eleven iBon machine. It’s unusual for them to sell out.

Note: There is a cool tour from Taipei City that lets you explore Nantou and then spend time at the scenic Sun Moon Lake. You get to take in the lake’s mountainside vistas and visit landmarks in the region like Yidashao Wharf and Xuanguang Temple.

You’ll arrive at Shuishe, the main tourist village on the lake. From there, hop on the round-the-lake bus to the huge Wenwu Temple, which has the most stunning views looking down on the lake.

Continue on to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway for more unbeatable views, and finally Ita Thao, an aboriginal village with an all-day market street offering the best food at Sun Moon Lake.

To return to Shuishe, take the bus back or a scenic boat rides across the lake. Buses back to Taichung leave roughly hourly, and the last one departs at 7:25 p.m.

Return to Taichung Station for the regular train back to Taipei, or the High Speed Rail Station for the fastest option.

If you want to head directly to Taoyuan International Airport, get off at Taoyuan Station and take the 10-minute shuttle bus.

Another Favorite Read: The Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung

In conclusion

Well, that sums up my whirlwind 5-day Taiwan itinerary. I hope you’ve got more than enough ideas for planning an unforgettable trip.

Trust me, after this, you’ll want to come back to Taiwan again as soon as possible!

This is a post by guest contributor, Nick Kembel.

Author’s Bio: Nick Kembel has lived in Taiwan for over 11 years and is the author of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner . He blogs about Taiwan at nickkembel.com and offers free Taiwan travel planning advice in this group .

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Pingtung & Tainan 4-Day Exploration: Discover Taiwan's Hidden Gems

April 22, 2024 · 3 min read

Embark on a 4-day journey through the historical and natural wonders of Pingtung and Tainan with Trip.com. Begin your adventure in Tainan, exploring the Anping Tree House, a site where history intertwines with nature, before marveling at the architecture of Anping Old Fort. Stroll through Anping Old Street to soak up the local culture and end your day with a visit to the Chimei Museum, a trove of military artifacts. Day two immerses you in spiritual heritage at the Confucius Temple and the majestic Da Tian Hou Gong, followed by a step back in time at Fort Provintia. Your third day takes you to the serene Lambai Island for a full day of tranquility, complemented by the fascinating exhibits at the Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Witness the rugged beauty of Cape Eluanbi and stand at the Southernmost Point of Taiwan, capturing the essence of the island's edge. The final day is reserved for the lush landscapes of Kenting National Park, where nature's splendor unfolds, and the vibrant Kenting Night Market, where the flavors and crafts of Taiwan come to life. This curated itinerary promises a memorable tapestry of experiences, from historical insights to natural escapades, ensuring your time in Pingtung and Tainan is unforgettable.

• Day 1: Time-Traveling Through Tainan's Treasures

Anping Tree House

Begin your Tainan adventure stepping into the past at the Anping Tree House. Once a warehouse, nature has reclaimed this historic site, with banyan tree roots intricately woven through its structure, creating a mystical atmosphere. Spend an hour marveling at this unique blend of history and nature, nestled in the heart of Anping District.

Attraction Info

• Gubao St, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708
• Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
• Open from 8:30am-5:30pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Anping Old Fort

Continue your historical journey to Anping Old Fort, a castle that stands as a testament to Tainan's colonial past. Just a short stroll from the Tree House, allocate an hour to explore the fort's ancient walls and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, immersing yourself in the stories of yesteryear.

• No. 82 Guosheng Road, Anping District, Tainan City
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour

Anping Old Street

Stroll down the nostalgic path of Anping Old Street, where the past and present of Tainan converge. Spend an hour wandering through this characteristic neighborhood, with its historic sites and traditional Taiwanese snacks, crafts, and souvenirs that offer a tangible piece of the city's rich cultural tapestry.

• Yanping Street, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708
• Open 24 hours

Chimei Museum

Conclude your day with a visit to the Chimei Museum, a cultural gem that goes beyond its military exhibits to include fine arts and natural history. Just a short drive from Anping, spend your final hour of the day surrounded by the museum's diverse collections, celebrating the spirit of exploration and discovery.

• No. 66, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Rende District, Tainan City
• Open on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun,9:30am-5:30pm;Closed on Wed

Where to Stay Tonight

Just sleep tainan hushan, royal guest hotel.

• Day 2: Cultural Treasures of Tainan

Confucius Temple

Begin your second day in Tainan with a visit to the venerable Confucius Temple, a sanctuary of tranquility and respect. Nestled at No. 2, Nanmen Road, this historical gem offers a serene escape where you can immerse yourself in the wisdom of the past. Spend an hour wandering through its halls, admiring the traditional architecture and the aura of reverence that has been preserved for generations.

• No. 2, Nanmen Road, West Central District, Tainan City

Da Tian Hou Gong

Next, delve into the spiritual heart of Tainan at Da Tian Hou Gong, a majestic Mazu temple and ancestral hall that commands attention. Located at No.18, Lane 227, Section 2, Yongfu Road, this sacred site is a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and devotion. Allocate three hours to explore the intricate carvings and to witness the local faithful paying homage to Mazu, the revered sea goddess.

• No.18, Lane 227, Section 2, Yongfu Road, Tainan, Taiwan
• Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
• Open from 6:00am-9:00pm

Fort Provintia

Conclude your day's exploration at Fort Provintia, a beacon of Tainan's storied past. Standing proudly at 13th Floor, No. 6, Section 2, Yonghua Road, this historic site offers a glimpse into the colonial era with its well-preserved structures. Spend an hour here to soak in the tales of yesteryear and enjoy the panoramic views that have watched over Tainan for centuries.

• 13th Floor, No. 6, Section 2, Yonghua Road, Anping District, Tainan City
• Open from 8:30am-9:30pm

Chikan Fun Guesthouse

Oyaji guesthouse.

• Day 3: Exploring Pingtung's Marine Wonders and Southern Charms

Lambai Island

Kickstart your third day with an island adventure at Lambai Island, a hidden gem in Liuqiu Township. As the first stop of the day, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of this small island paradise. Known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, Lambai Island is a snorkeler's dream. Spend your day basking in the sun, exploring the vibrant coral reefs, or simply enjoying the laid-back island atmosphere.

• Lambai Island, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan 929
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 days

Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

After the island retreat, dive into the depths of oceanic knowledge at the Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. A short journey from Lambai Island, this museum is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. With just an hour here, you'll have the chance to witness a fascinating array of sea creatures and interactive exhibits, making it an educational and enjoyable experience for all ages.

• No. 2, Houwan Road, Houwan Village, Checheng Township, Pingtung County
• Open from 01/01-02/08,9:00am-5:30pm;Open 9:00am-5:30pm on 02/09;Open from 02/10-02/14,8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 02/15-06/30,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 07/01-08/31,Mon-Fri,9:00am-6:00pm;Open from 07/01-08/31,Sat-Sun,8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 09/01-12/31,9:00am-5:30pm

Cape Eluanbi

Continue your coastal journey to the majestic Cape Eluanbi, a scenic landmark that stands as the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Spend an hour marveling at the towering lighthouse, which guards the coast against the vast Pacific Ocean. The surrounding park offers panoramic views and a glimpse into Taiwan's natural coastal beauty, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and photo enthusiasts alike.

• No. 301, Goose Road, Goose Village, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County, Taiwan
• Open from 6:30am-6:30pm

Southernmost Point of Taiwan

Conclude your day's exploration at the Southernmost Point of Taiwan, just a stone's throw away from Cape Eluanbi. This geographical marvel marks the end of the island and offers a unique opportunity to stand at the edge of Taiwan. In half an hour, you can soak in the breathtaking ocean vistas, capture memorable photos, and reflect on the natural splendor that the southern tip of Taiwan has to offer.

• Eluanli Village, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County, Taiwan
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour

La Maison B&B

Uni-resort kenting.

• Day 4: Exploring the Natural Wonders and Vibrant Nights of Kenting

Kenting National Park

Begin your final day with the breathtaking landscapes of Kenting National Park, a true jewel of Taiwan's southern coast. As the first national park in Taiwan, it offers a full day's exploration of diverse ecosystems, including tropical forests, meadows, and stunning coastlines. The park is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and plant species, and its hiking trails lead to panoramic views that are sure to be the highlight of your trip. Embrace the serenity of the morning by wandering through the lush greenery and along the pristine beaches, where the waves gently kiss the shore.

• Hengchun Town, Pingtung County, Taiwan
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
• Open on Tue-Sun,8:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon

Kenting Night Market

As the sun sets on your Pingtung adventure, immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Kenting Night Market. This characteristic neighborhood comes alive in the evening, offering a feast for the senses with its array of local snacks, trendy boutiques, and lively street performances. Spend a couple of hours strolling through the vibrant stalls, tasting delicious street food, and picking up unique souvenirs to remember your journey. Located on Kending Road, this night market is the perfect spot to wrap up your four-day exploration of Pingtung and Tainan with a taste of local culture and nightlife.

• Taiwan, Pingtung County, Hengchun Township, Kending Rd, 946
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Open from 5:00pm-11:00pm

Xing Ji Hostel

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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4D3N Taipei Itinerary incl. Day Trips and Lesser-Known Things To Eat-See-Do

Hidden gems, underrated spots and exciting day trips for your next Taipei itinerary!

The smell of stinky tofu, the taste of braised pork rice, the rush of a bustling metropolitan city, and the tranquillity of its outskirts — Taipei has everything we miss as travellers.

We last visited Taiwan more than three years ago and were thrilled to rediscover its capital city and beyond! Our past itineraries included many popular attractions in Taipei, so this trip was all about uncovering the lesser-known things to eat, see and do in the city and its surroundings.

This time, we spent a day in Taipei before heading to Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu to check out what’s changed since our last visit. We also explored Keelung for the first time and discovered a hidden gem in the popular tea region of Shiding.

If you miss Taiwan too, here are hidden gems and underrated spots worth checking out when you’re planning your next Taipei itinerary.

Day 1: Taipei | Day 2: Yehliu, Golden Waterfall, Jiufen, Shifen | Day 3: Keelung | Day 4: Pinglin, Shiding

Pre-trip Essentials

Transport in Taipei and SIM Card: We pre-ordered an EasyCard (~S$26) that comes pre-loaded with NT$200 Deposit and a 5-day unlimited 4G SIM Card. Both can be collected from the Ezfly service counter at Terminal 1 or 2 at Taoyuan International Airport.

Travel insurance: We got the group Essential Plan from MSIG Insurance (inclusive of up to S$150,000 Covid-19 overseas medical coverage)

Covid rules: Masks are required on public transport and in hospitals (accurate as of 20 February 2023. Pre-departure and on-arrival tests are not required since 7 February 2023.

Day 1: Taipei

10am: breakfast at sihai soy milk king.

A traditional Taiwanese breakfast at Sihai Soy Milk King was what we needed to start the day after a sleep-deprived overnight flight into Taipei.

The queue was long but moves impressively quickly — 5 minutes was all we had to wait for a table.

Famous dishes here like the glutinous rice roll (NT$30), the xiao long bao (NT$45) and soy milk (NT$20) were delicious. But our favourite was the crispy and flavourful egg pancakes (NT$28)!

Cost: From NT$20 (~S$1) Opening hours: 6AM – 9 PM (Mon – Sat), 6AM – 1 PM (Sun) Address: No. 29, Chang’an West Road, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

11:30AM: Gaki Hip: Taiwan’s First IG Museum

From boba tea to telephone booths, and giant claw machines, the interactive nature of Taiwan’s first IG museum — Gaki Hip — allowed us to learn about Taiwanese culture in record time.

An interesting exhibit here is a stranger note exchanger. Drop a handwritten note into a machine and get another in exchange from a stranger.

We received a friendship-themed card from a card dispenser earlier in the exhibition, so we wrote about the importance of treasuring friendships. In return, we received a courage-themed card with a note that translated to something along the lines of taking the road less travelled is the hallmark of our generation — something we resonate with!

The regular ticket includes access to five basic exhibitions, but a VIP ticket is required for special exhibitions like the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival display.

*Note: Gaki Hip is only open till 12 May 2023, so check this page for details of future exhibitions. For similar alternatives in Taipei, check out the Taipei Astronomical Museum .

Entrance fee: ~S$16 for a regular adult ticket Opening hours: 11:30AM – 8 PM Address: 13F, No. 66, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100

1PM: Lunch at Haoji Dumpling Specialty Store

Haoji Dumpling Specialty Store is a popular hideout amongst locals.

Located in an inconspicuous alley just round the corner from Taipei Main Station (Exit M7), this restaurant has everything we were looking for in a dining spot — cheap, delicious and convenient.

Two bowls of zha jia mian (NT$50), a bowl of hot and sour soup (NT$35) and a plate of 10 prawn dumplings (NT$90) were perfect for a group of four to share. Our favourite was the sumptuous prawn dumplings.

We waited about 10 minutes for a table as the 30-seater restaurant was packed with locals at 1PM. And we heard from locals that it gets crowded during mealtimes.

*Pro-tip: Avoid mealtimes if you don’t want to wait too long for a seat!

Cost: From NT$50/main (~S$2.50) Opening hours: 10:30AM – 8PM (Mon – Sat), closed on Sun Address: No. 1, Lane 29, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

3:30PM: Jinmianshan Hiking Trail

When sunlight shines on the face of Jinmianshan , the light that is reflected makes the mountain appear like a “Gold Face Mountain”, which was how the mountain got its name.

The slopes are steep but the mesmerising view at its peak made this a worthwhile adventure.

Even if you’re not a seasoned hiker, ropes along the trail make it more manageable to conquer the 258m peak. All you need is a little determination!

We took an hour to hike from base to peak, where gusts of strong winds greeted our arrival. Don’t let our bright smiles fool you, it was extremely cold!

This trail in the north of Taipei wasn’t packed with hikers, making it an attractive alternative to the popular Elephant Mountain for any Taipei itinerary.

*Pro-tip: Bring a torchlight if you’re planning to descend the mountain past sunset as there are no lights along the trail.

Cost: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: Walk 11 mins from Xihu Station to trailhead, then hike 1hr to peak

7:30PM: Ningxia Night Market

The final stop on our day one itinerary was a trip to one of the oldest night markets in Taipei — Ningxia Night Market .

Other night markets like Shilin Night Market often see a mixture of food and non-food stalls, but Ningxia Night Market is primarily a foodie paradise that specialises in Taiwanese food.

We tried a selection, but the large sesame mochi (NT$50 for two, stall #97), and the mouth-watering cheese corn dog (NT$65, stall #47) were our favourites!

The place was packed but not cramped to the brim — just right for those who enjoy a night out in town but are wary of large crowds!

Opening hours: 5PM – 1AM How to get there: Walk 9 mins from Zhongshan Station

Day 2: Day Trip to Yehliu, Golden Waterfall, Jiufen and Shifen

We were intrigued to discover what has changed in Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen since our last visit, so we went on a day trip from Taipei to explore these attractions on the second day of our itinerary.

We booked the Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall Day Tour (~S$45/pax), which included round-trip shuttle bus transport from Taipei Main Station and an English-speaking local guide. The tour also stopped by Shifen Waterfall.

9:45AM: Yehliu Geopark

The first stop was Yehliu Geopark , a 1.7km long cape that is home to numerous rock formations shaped by natural erosion.

We were fortunate to beat the crowd to a photo opportunity with the iconic Queen’s Head , which resembles the late Queen Elizabeth from certain angles.

Amongst the three zones here — our favourite was zone two — where popular rock formations such as the Queen’s Head, Elephant Rock and Fairy Shoe are found. The Mushroom Rock and Cute Princess Head headline zone one, while zone three is used for field research.

Nothing much has changed since our last visit. But the Cute Princess Head — which resembles a girl with a ponytail — has been earmarked as the Queen’s Head successor as it’ll inevitably collapse in the future.

*Pro-tip: Get there once the geopark opens to avoid large crowds, especially if you want to get a photo with the Queen’s Head!

Entrance fee: ~S$5.50 Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM How to get there: Drive 45 mins from Taipei Main Station

12PM: Golden Waterfall

The Golden Waterfall got its name from the golden-orange coloured water that flows down the cascade, which happens when rainwater comes into contact with pyrite and sulphur-copper ore in the mining town of Jinguashi .

During our 15-minute stop, the mesmerising waterfall was flowing in abundance due to rainfall in the area — a silver lining of our rain-filled day tour!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: Drive 40 mins from Yehliu Geopark

1PM: Jiufen Old Street

As true foodies, we were delighted to grab lunch at Jiufen Old Street — a narrow alleyway famous for its food stalls, souvenir shops and tea houses.

We tried a variety of food during the 2-hour stop and here are our top three picks!

First up, A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll (NT$50) — a thin crepe with two scoops of peanut ice cream. The snack was delicious — refreshing yet not too heavy. The contrast between the crunchy peanuts and creamy ice cream was a perfect match!

Next up, the braised pork rice (NT$40) from Zhang Ji Traditional Fishballs was tasty and bang for the buck for its generous portion!

We had to try the taro ball soup (NT$40) from Lai Ah Po Taro Balls, famous for the perfect texture of its taro balls. The dessert lived up to expectations and the hot version was perfect for the rainy day we had (although iced versions are available too).

Opening hours: 8AM – 7PM (Mon – Thu), 8AM – 10PM (Fri – Sun) How to get there: Drive 10 mins from Golden Waterfall

3:45PM: Shifen Waterfall

Dubbed Taiwan’s own Niagara Falls, Shifen Waterfall had a lot to live up to. The waterfall looked good in photos, but nothing beats seeing it in person — soaking in its beauty was extremely refreshing for the soul.

Our guide shared that the waterfall often delights visitors with a rainbow on sunny days, although we weren’t blessed with such luck.

The waterfall is located just 5 minutes by car from Shifen Old Street, making it a good stop before heading there.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM Address: No. 10, Gankeng Road, Nanshan Village, Pingxi District, New Taipei, Taiwan 226

4:15PM: Shifen Old Street

Ever since watching the 2011 rom-com “ You Are The Apple Of My Eye “, releasing a sky lantern in Shifen Old Street has been something I’ve been looking forward to do! It felt surreal to finally do so more than a decade later!

Pingxi, where Shifen is located , was a dangerous region in the past. So workers used sky lanterns as a signal to inform their families that they were safe. Nowadays, releasing sky lanterns with handwritten wishes is seen as a way of passing them to the gods above.

Our excitement got the better of us, to the point where our wishes on the lantern didn’t make any sense. For starters, we’ll leave you to decide what world peace has to do with being Chiong Party winners. Spoiler alert: we didn’t win.

For context: Chiong Party is a TTI tradition where we’re given 12 hours to complete our assigned article or video (not an actual party, mind you), usually done through the wee hours of the night.

Adding insult to injury, we released the lantern before we could get a full team photo because a train was approaching. We just hope for better luck with our other wishes!

Our guide recommended a popular bubble tea (NT$60). The lady running the stall kindly added grass jelly to all our drinks for free! We really liked the combination of boba, grass jelly and milk tea — it wasn’t too sweet for our liking either.

Nothing much has changed along the quaint old street of Shifen, but releasing a sky lantern here never gets old!

Opening hours: 24 hours Address: No. 81, Shifen Street, Pingxi District, New Taipei, Taiwan 226

Read also:   All the Must-Eat-See-Dos at Shifen & Jiufen

Day 3: Day Trip to Keelung

Located just 40 minutes by car from Taipei, we’ve surprisingly never explored Keelung. We hired a Private Car Charter (~S$283/car for 8 hours) for convenience and ease of getting around the port city.

Our private driver picked us up from our hotel at 9AM and drove an hour to our first stop, Heping Island Park .

10AM: Heping Island Park

Formerly a trading hub during the Spanish Occupation, Heping Island Park is now a popular tourist attraction. The coastal park was relatively empty when we arrived, likely due to rain earlier that morning.

We enjoyed a peaceful 30-minute (round-trip) hike on the Huanshan trail to Hepingdao Lookout Point while taking in the beautiful sight of large waves crashing against the coastline.

The tourist centre in the middle of the park also sells food and beverages if you need refreshments after the hike.

There are cabin houses, a seaside pool and a beach on the island, making it a popular recreation spot among locals during the summer from May to November.

Entrance fee: ~S$5 Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM Address: No. 360, Pingyi Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung, Taiwan 202

12:30PM: Lunch at Shang Deng Beef Noodle Restaurant

On a rainy day, the best place for lunch is at the locally-approved Shang Deng Beef Noodle Restaurant , just a 10-minute drive from Heping Island.

We recommend adding the tofu and century egg (NT$45) to the pipping hot bowl of beef noodle soup.

*Pro-tip: Order the small bowl if you’re not a big eater — the regular serving is huge!

Cost: From NT$40 (~S$2) Opening hours: 12PM – 7:30PM Address: No. 341, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202

2PM: Wangyou Valley

Wangyou Valley literally means the valley of forgetting worries in Chinese. And we sure forgot ours while laughing unrestrainedly at a teammate who slipped and rolled on the pavement while hiking.

(I swear it looked funnier than it sounds — she’s alright).

We had the place to ourselves for the 40-minute scenic coastal hike! There was a path that led from the cliff to the sea, but we skipped that as it was drizzling and got slippery.

To be honest, I still can’t decide if the highlight of this hike was the magical sea view or watching my teammate roll!

*Pro-tip: Check the weather before heading there as the path gets pretty slippery on rainy days!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: Drive 5 mins from Shang Deng Beef Noodle Restaurant

4:30PM: Zhengbin Port Color Houses

Zhengbin Port Colour Houses is one of the most recognisable and IG-worthy landmarks in Keelung.

Built by the Japanese in 1934, Zhengbin Port was one of the largest ports in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation. While it’s no longer the bustling port it once was, the 16 multi-coloured houses have now been taken over by cafes and dessert restaurants.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: No. 72, Zhengbin Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202

5PM: Khóo Tsú-Song Old Mansion

A heavy downpour wasn’t going to stop us from exploring the abandoned Khóo Tsú-Song Old Mansion . This 93-year-old mansion was named after its owner Khóo Tsú-song, who was in charge of Keelung during the Japanese occupation.

We sought cover in one of the houses for 10 minutes but once the skies cleared, we realised that the mansion was the perfect backdrop for taking IG-worthy photos.

The mansion is located in a busy neighbourhood, so it didn’t feel eerie throughout the 20 minutes we spent there. There was even a panoramic view of the city from its exterior!

It’s an ideal place to visit before heading to Keelung Night Market, which is just a 4-minute walk away.

Cost: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: No. 15, Lane 2, Aisi Road, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200

6:30PM: Dinner at Keelung Night Market

Every stall at Keelung Night Market is numbered and named in English, Japanese and Mandarin — something uncommon for Taiwan night markets. True hallmark of a tourist attraction I guess!

We tried a variety of food and two stood out for us!

You might call us weird, but we love having a cold dessert on a chilly day. The Pao Pao Ice (NT$50, stall #41) is essentially Taiwanese shaved ice with ingredients mixed in it. We had the egg-milk flavour and liked its lingering sweet taste — the portion was perfect for two.

I wondered what the hype was about Nutritious Sandwiches (NT$60, stall #58) when locals recommended it, but let’s just say I’ve become a fan after trying one. It is essentially fried dough bread filled with braised egg, cucumber, tomato, and meat topped with sweet mayonnaise.

Don’t be fooled by its name, these sandwiches are anything but nutritious. They are high in calories, which some locals would argue are part of nutrition — hence giving it its name. We’ll let you decide what to make of that explanation!

Opening hours: 12PM – 12 AM (Mon – Sat), 8AM – 12 AM (Sun) Address: No. 20, Aisi Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200

Day 4: Half-day Tour to Shiding and Pinglin

The view of Thousand Island Lake is worth the day trip !

Shiding and Pinglin are famous for being where the award-winning baozhong oolong tea is grown and produced, respectively. So we booked a Shiding Tea Township Half-Day Tour from Taipei (~S$66/pax) to explore these townships on the final day of our Taipei itinerary.

10:30AM: Brunch at Yong He Soy Milk King

With time to spare in the morning, we slept in before grabbing brunch at Yong He Soy Milk King — located a short 3-minute walk from our hotel.

There were no seats in the eatery, so we had to make do with takeaway. We liked the tasty egg pancakes (NT$25), and the eatery was also extremely generous with the filling of the red bean cake (NT$20)!

Cost: From NT$20 (~S$1) Opening hours: 6 AM – 4PM (Mon – Fri), 6AM – 11AM (Sat – Sun) Address: No. 1, Hengyang Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

2PM: Shiding Tea Township and Thousand Island Lake

The first stop of our half-day tour was the Bagua Tea Plantation in Shiding , which overlooks the serene and picturesque Thousand Island Lake .

Baozhong oolong tea, a popular tea in Taiwan, is grown here. The tea is said to have health benefits, with research suggesting that it has three times more antioxidants than black tea.

Fun fact: Swimming, fishing or boating are strictly prohibited in Thousand Island Lake as the water is meant for consumption in Taipei.

Our guide brought us to two viewpoints and left us to wander for about 20 minutes at each. The views were breathtaking every step along the way.

There were barely any tourists and we loved how peaceful it was. If you’re planning day trips from Taipei, we reckon you should include this hidden gem in your itinerary!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: Drive 50 mins from Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station

3:30PM: Pinglin Tea Museum

Next stop, Pinglin Tea Museum .

While here, we learnt about the history and fun facts of Taiwanese tea culture. Did you know that tea plantation workers stay awake for the full three days and three nights during the harvest season?

We spent 30 minutes learning about Taiwanese tea culture with the interactive elements in the museum, including a station where we could smell different types of tea.

Cost: From NT$80 (~S$4) Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 5:30PM (Sat – Sun) Address: No. 19-1, Shuisongqikeng Road, Pinglin District, New Taipei City

5PM: Shiding Old Street Tea Tasting

The tour ends with a tea-tasting experience at the Xuanziwu in Shiding Old Street.

The 45-minute session is hosted by a tea master, who taught us about Taiwanese tea culture — including interesting tea ceremony customs and the optimal method of brewing different teas.

Fun fact: You thank the person serving tea by tapping the table thrice with your index and middle fingers.

We tried baozhong oolong tea, honey-scented grasshopper black tea and tung ting oolong tea. And my favourite was the locally produced grasshopper black tea due to its prominent honey aroma. It tasted so good we purchased some to bring home!

Cost: Included in tour Opening hours: 9AM – 8PM Address: No. 31, Pinglin St, Pinglin District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 23241

Accommodation in Taipei

Photo credit: Klook

For our trip, it was important that we were within walking distance of Taipei Main Station since we had many day trips. We ended up at Finders Hotel which was a 6-minute walk away.

The standard double room we stayed in was clean and had all basic amenities including a fast WiFi connection! There was also sufficient space to move around after opening our luggage.

Free food such as cup noodles, tea and biscuits were available in the lobby, along with games like darts and a foosball table.

Cost: ~S$72/night via Klook Address: No. 86, Section 1, Chongqing South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100 How to get there: Walk 6mins from Taipei Main Station (Exit Z10)

Transport for Taipei Day Trips

While it is possible to utilise public transport for day trips out of Taipei, we found the following arrangement a better experience: – Day tour to Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu – Half-day tour to Shiding – Private charter to get around Keelung

In hindsight, having our transport sorted for day trips saved us lots of time and energy. The drivers and guides were also very generous with suggestions of local-approved eateries.

If you only have a few days to explore Taiwan, booking a tour or private charter is definitely the most convenient and efficient way to cover many attractions!

If you plan to visit other parts of Taiwan, check out these guides: –  8D Eastern Taiwan Itinerary: The Gateway to Nature’s Best Adventures (Taipei, Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and Kenting) –  25 Unique Things To Do In Taiwan Besides Visiting Night Markets –  The Ultimate THSR Taiwan Food Guide: 25 Must-eats in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung –  Top 7 things to do in and around Kaohsiung — Gateway to Taiwan’s laid back South

Are there any other lesser-known spots you’d add to this Taipei and surrounds itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Instagram , YouTube , Facebook and Telegram!

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Harbin's Labor Day tours surge, flight bookings rise

Local media reported that data from the tourism platform Ctrip shows that single-day tours booked for trips to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, during the upcoming Labor Day holiday have increased fourfold compared to last year. Flight bookings have also increased by 18 percent.

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Asia , City Guides , Taiwan · May 5, 2021

16 Incredible Taichung Day Trips You Can’t Miss

Taichung, Taiwan, is a multi-faceted, colorful hub that packs a punch when it comes to things to do . From incredible museums and mind-blowing Instagram spots to beautiful parks and even the largest night market in Taiwan – Taichung has it all! While there’s plenty to keep you busy within the city’s borders, there is also an abundance of incredible places to explore on its outskirts. Here are 16 of the best Taichung day trips that definitely deserve a spot on any Taichung itinerary !

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Taichung Day Trip Essentials

Along with the tips and tricks included in this guide, here are a few must-have essentials to maximize your day trip from Taichung. 

• Taichung is a popular weekend getaway so make sure to book accommodation well in advance. The Carlton Hotel , as well as Kuan Tour Hotel , get two thumbs up! Or check into my ultimate fave,  SOF Hotel . 
• If you don’t have your own set of wheels, it’s best to rent a car or hire a private driver for your Taichung day tour. Although some day trips from Taichung on this list can be reached by public transport, I’ve included quite a few Taichung hidden gems that are completely off the tourist grid! 
• For those traveling to Taichung from elsewhere in Taiwan, the fastest way to get here is by high-speed rail. Grab this THSR Unlimited Tourist Pass for 2 or 3 days for a stress-free trip. These tips on how to get to Taichung from Taipei will also come in handy.
• Make sure to grab a local SIM card for pickup at the airport so that you can stay connected on the go. 
• If you plan on using public transport, don’t forget to pick up an Easy Card at the airport or at any convenience store islandwide. That way you can simply tap and go on public transport. 
• Some of these places are tucked away in nature, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen , mosquito repellant , and an umbrella ! 

Taichung Day Trips Quick Overview

Before we dive into this detailed Taichung travel guide, here’s a quick look at the driving times (by car) needed for these day trips.

Taichung day trips within 1 hour’s drive from the city:

• Guangfu New Village
• Temple of Heaven
• Xian Fo Temple
• Wufeng Lin Family Mansion
• Dakeng Hiking Trails
• Gaomei Wetlands
• Zhongse Flower Farm
• Xinshe Castle
• Lavender Cottage

Day Trips more than 1 hour’s drive from Taichung :

• Sun Moon Lake
• Nantou Rainbow Bridge
• Cingjing Farm
• Xitou Monster Village
• Guguan Hot Springs
• Rollin Farm
• Sun Link Sea Forest Recreational Area

In a rush? Pin these Taichung day trips now to read later!

16 Best Day Trips From Taichung

Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung, is a fascinating city full of things to do and places to visit. While the city has plenty to keep you busy, there is so much more to see and do beyond its borders – from gorgeous flower farms to scenic hikes to secret temples and some of Taiwan’s most iconic landmarks! Read along to discover the best day trips from Taichung.

Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)

Sun Moon Lake is a top tourist spot in Taiwan and arguably the most popular day trip from Taichung. As Taiwan’s largest natural lake, this beautiful oasis lies smack-bang in the middle of Nantou County and is easily reached by public transport from Taichung in less than 2 hours. 

Besides spending a bit of time surrounded by nature, there are loads of  things to do in Sun Moon Lake . Some of the highlights include cycling around the lake, visiting the age-old temples, climbing the 280-step stairway to Ci’en Pagoda, and of course snacking on famous treats such as black tea egg rolls, black tea ice cream, and numerous Hakka inspired dishes. Of course, taking an epic cable car ride to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is another fun way to while away the time and get a bird’s eye view over the lake. 

Getting there: Take the Nantou shuttle bus , or book a  shared transfer  from Taichung to save the headache! For those who prefer to have all your stops mapped out, this organized tour covers all the hot spots! For more tips, also read my guide on how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung .

Address: Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, 555

Qingjing Farm (清境農場)  

Qingjing Farm is a beautiful mountaintop region located almost 1800m above sea level in Ren’ai Township, Nantou. Known for its herds of grazing sheep along the grassy hills, scenic walking trails, and cherry blossom viewing, it’s the perfect place to enjoy some fresh air. 

The Green Green Grassland (青青草原) is the main attraction here and a fun place to stroll around, grab a cuppa, or take photos of the picturesque views and sheep. After enjoying a sheep shearing or equestrian show, take a walk along the Sky Bridge (清境高空觀景步道). It’s the highest skywalk in Taiwan, offering some pretty incredible views. Other scenic spots nearby include the Swiss Garden (清境農場小瑞士花園), the Tea Trail and Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area (合歡山森林遊樂區). 

While Qingjing is a popular side trip from Taichung, it’s also a fabulous place to spend a few days. The Cotswolds Villa is a charming B&B offering exquisite views over the mountains, whereas The Old England Manor offers upscale accommodation in a European-styled mansion.  

Getting there:  The easiest way to visit Cingjing is on an  organized from Taichung . However, if time is not a problem, take the direct Nantou Bus  from Taichung HSR Station. For more tips, read my detailed guide on getting to Qingjing . 

Address: No. 170, Renhe Road, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, 546

Xian Fo Temple (禪機山仙佛寺)

Xian Fo Temple , also know as the 500 Arhats temple, is right up there as one of the best Taichung day trips! This beautiful Buddhist Temple is located in Nantou County, roughly 40 minutes drive from Taichung City. 

What really makes this temple so incredible is that it sits amid a whimsical forest dotted with yellow lanterns. Some of the many amazing sights to see here include cute temples, a gigantic bell, and a library housing important Buddhist scriptures. However, the shining star here is undoubtedly the massive square filled with 500 stone statues of deities surrounding a huge buddha seated on a lotus flower in its center. 

While Xian Fo Temple is a cool place to visit throughout the day, come in the afternoon for the best photography. There are loads of trails to follow, too, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes! Oh, and don’t forget mosquito repellant! 

Getting there:  Take  Nantou bus 6899  at Taichung Station bound for Puli and get off at the  Fugui  stop. From there, it’s s an 11-minute walk to the temple. The bus ride takes roughly 1h35 and costs  NT$119 . It’s quite a long journey, so it’s best to hire a private driver for the day to maximize your time. 

Address:  544, Nantou County, Guoxing Township, 長壽巷66-1號

Temple of Heaven (金陵山天壇)

Located in a huge religious park in Jinling Mountain, Baiyang Holy Temple is a relaxing pitstop and just one of the many hidden gems in Wufeng District. While there are several impressive sites to visit in the park, it is the Temple of Heaven that will truly leave you breathless. 

With a height of 54 meters, this beautiful dome-shaped temple surpasses the Beijing Temple of Heaven, making it the tallest of its kind globally. Besides its size, what truly makes it such a masterwork is that it is almost entirely constructed out of copper!

Whether you’re admiring the temple from the outside or getting a closer look at the massive hall from within – every single little detail here (all done by hand) is impressive. From the elaborate carvings on the doors and pillars to the decorative paintwork on the ceiling and outer walls to the life-like statues of religious figures, it’s easy to see why this temple took more than 20 years to complete.  

Temple of Heaven is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Since it’s off the main tourist track, you’re almost guaranteed to have it all to yourself! 

How to get there:  Baiyang Holy Temple is just 40 minutes drive from Taichung City. However, the easiest way to access the area is by hiring a private driver for the day.

Address:   No. 900, Fenggu Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, 413

Guangfu New Village (光復新村)

Located mere steps from the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan (921地震教育園區), you’ll find one of the coolest places to go in Taichung!

Guangfu New Village, in Wufeng District, is a hip artists village with quite an interesting past. Like Rainbow Village, Guangfu Village is a former military dependents village built by the KMT for military personnel and their families who served in the civil war in Mainland China. While the old brick remnants and unique architecture provide a fascinating glimpse into the past, today, the village is more known as a creative hub. 

The village is home to some impressive galleries, loads of quirky souvenir stores, and mind-blowing food! Although the main tourist area is made up of two streets, one can easily spend hours here popping into the shops, taking photos of all the colorful houses, or chilling at its cool cafes. Don’t miss the savory donuts at Yuer Bakery (魚兒賣甜點) – they are delish! Check out their  IG page  here. 

Getting to Guangfu Village:  Catch bus 50 towards the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan at Taichung Station. Get off at Guangfu New Village Traffic Circle. Buses come every 20 minutes and cost  NT$32 . 

Address:  413, Taichung City, Wufeng District, 光復新村

Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地)

Gaomei Wetlands is a popular day trip from Taichung and a firm favorite among sunset chasers.

Situated roughly 50 minutes drive from Taichung, in Qingshui District, this sprawling ecological wonderland is a great place to go cycling, do bird watching, or simply watch the sun melt away over the horizon. 

For the best experience, be sure to come at least one hour before sunset. That way you’ll have enough time to grab a spot on the Gaomei Walkway – an extensive wooden walkway that is built over the marshes. There are loads of vendors nearby, too, where you can buy local snacks to enjoy while you watch the golden hour. 

Getting to Gaomei Wetlands:  Take bus 309 from Taichung Station and get off at No. 18 Wind Turbine. The ride takes just over one hour and costs  NT$73 . Alternatively, join this Gaomei Wetlands day tour that also stops at Rainbow Village and Fengjia Night Market.

Address: Meidi Street, Qingshui District, Taichung City, 436

Lavender Cottage (薰衣草森林)

Lavender Cottage is a whimsical mountainside retreat just over an hour’s drive from Taichung. 

Like Xinshe Castle, Lavender Cottage is located in Xinshe District. It’s a laid-back place to visit near Taichung, especially if you want to enjoy some fresh air. 

What really sets this recreational area apart from others is that it’s home to sprawling lavender fields and beautiful trails offering plenty of photo ops and relaxing strolls. There’s also a nice restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat and a cute gift shop selling all kinds of weird and wonderful lavender products. Don’t miss the lavender ice cream because it’s lip-smacking delicious! 

Getting to Lavender Cottage:  The easiest way to get to the lavender forest is to join this full-day tour from Taichung . Alternatively, grab your Lavender Cottage entrance tickets here in advance and hire a driver or rent a car for the day.

Address:  No. 20號, Zhongxing Street, Xinshe District, Taichung City, 426

Wufeng Lin Family Mansion & Garden (霧峰林家宮保第園區)

Another Taichung tourist spot worth visiting is the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion. The large mansion features ornate architecture, a beautiful garden, a large open-air court, and some impressive treasures within its walls. 

The Wufeng Lin Mansion has a rich history dating back more than 200 years. While the 921 earthquake destroyed some parts of the complex, it remains the most well-preserved historical landmark in Wufeng District to this day. And more noteworthy, one of the best examples of traditional Taiwanese architecture. 

The house is divided into three parts: Upper House, Lower House, and Lai Garden, each beautiful in its own right. If you’d like to learn a little more about the Lin Family, several guided tours are offered onsite throughout the day. Group tours are only in Chinese, so don’t forget to grab the free headphones devices to listen to the tour in English. Alternatively, book a private tour with an English-speaking guide (at least a few days in advance) on their  website .

The mansion is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, and entrance tickets cost  NT$250 per person . 

Getting there:  Take bus 201 to Wufeng or bus 108 to Wufeng Farmers Association. Both buses depart from Taichung station, taking roughly 45 minutes. 

Address: No. 26, Minsheng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, 413

Guguan Hot Springs (谷關風景特定區)

Taiwan has no shortage of excellent hot springs, and Guguan in Heping District is one of the best. 

Tucked away amid soaring mountaintops of Baxianshan, along the Dajia River, Gugaun Hot Springs is a great place to spend some time in nature. During spring, it’s a cool spot for cherry blossoms viewing , while autumn marks the arrival of fiery red maple leaves. 

Besides soaking in the steamy waters that reach up to 48 degrees Celcius, there are loads of scenic spots around Gugaun. Some of the most noteworthy attractions include hiking the lush forest trails and bamboo groves of Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area (八仙山國家森林遊樂區), visiting the Cultural Museum of Hot Springs, or enjoying a walkabout on the Shaolai and Guguan suspension bridges. Both Bali Nature Spa Hot Spring Hotel and Luquan Hotspring offer amazing spa facilities perfect for a pamper session. 

Gugaun is about 1.5 hours drive from Taichung and easily accessed by bus. Alternatively, this day tour from Taichung, also stops by Dungshi Hakka Cultural Park. 

How to get to Guguan Hot Springs:  Take bus 850, calling every hour at Taichung Station. Get off at the Long Paradise stop.

Address:  No. 172, Zhongbu Cross-island highway, Heping District, Taichung City, 424

Rollin Farm (若茵農場)

Rollin Farm is a beautiful retreat hidden along the slopes of Snow Mountain in Heping District, roughly 1.5 hours drive from Taichung City. Located 1200 meters above sea level, amid a thick bamboo forest, it’s one of Taichung’s best-kept secrets, offering the most incredible views imaginable. 

While Rolling Farm is actually a B&B ( check rates here ), there is a lovely little cafe with a huge deck offering jaw-dropping views over the Taichung basin. The quirky restaurant has a good selection of drinks and food, making it a great place to grab a cuppa or a bite to eat while enjoying the laidback vibes. If your Taichung day trip itinerary is flexible, it’s worth sticking around until sunset to spot the sea of clouds that often frequent these parts of Taiwan.

Since Rollin Farm is just a short drive from Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area (大雪山國家森林遊樂區), it’s also easy to combine the two on one trip. Daxueshan is a former logging area filled with dense forests, sacred trees, abundant birdlife, and great hiking opportunities.  

Getting to Rollin Farm:  Since Rollin Farm is quite a hidden gem, the only way to access the area is by car. 

Address: No. 1, Xueshan Road, Heping District, Taichung City, 424

Dakeng Scenic Area (大坑風景區)

Dakeng Scenic Area is a firm favorite among hikers and a cool Taichung day trip just 30 minutes drive away from the city center.

There are ten trails ranging from beginner-friendly hikes to more difficult treks, all offering excellent scenery and a great day outdoors. Trails 6-10 are among the most popular and also the easiest to complete. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the mountains and lush forests filled with varied orchards and vegetation. If you’re looking for a challenge, tackle trails one to five where you’re guaranteed to break a sweat! 

While Dakeng is a popular hiking spot just outside Taichung, it has also become quite an Instagram hotspot thanks to its rustic wooden log trails. For this reason, it’s best to come early to beat the heat and crowds that flock here on weekends and holidays.

Getting there:  You can take bus 1, 15, 16, 20, 21, 31, 51, 66, 68, 85, 270, 271, or 276 to access the easier trails. Get off at Taipower Dongshan Service (台電東山所) in Dongshan Road.

Address:  Lane 383, Section 1, Dongshan Road, Beitun District, Taichung City, 406

Shuanglong Rainbow Bridge (雙龍七彩吊橋)

Another neat place to visit near Taichung is the newly renovated Rainbow Bridge. Located in Xinyi Township, Nantou County, Rainbow Bridge is definitely one of the hardest places to reach on this Taichung day trip list. But the effort will be worth it! 

To get to the base of the bridge, you need to walk down a long stairway. Once you get to the rainbow-colored bridge, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views over a deep verdant valley and the incredible Double Dragon Waterfall (雙龍瀑布) in the distance. Besides being an Instagram hotspot, what really sets this bridge a notch above others is its sheer size! At 342 meters long and 110 meters deep, it is the longest and deepest of its kind in Taiwan. 

Besides crossing the bridge, make sure to follow the trail to the Double Dragon Waterfall – a 100m tall waterfall and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Taiwan . The entire loop trail is 3.7km long.  

Since only 250 people are allowed on the bridge each day, it’s best to make a reservation online to guarantee a spot. To access the bridge, you need to pay a small fee of NT$100, which also includes a shuttle bus ride. Note that the shuttle bus only goes as far as the trailhead, and from there, it’s a steep walk uphill for 500m. You should also know that the bridge is closed every Wednesday , and despite Google showing the opening hours as 8 am to 5 pm, you actually can’t enter the area after 4:20 pm.

Getting to Rainbow Bridge:  The fastest way to reach this tourist destination from Taichung is by car, but if you’re planning to  stay in Sun Moon Lake  for a few days, you could catch a bus from there too (more than one transfer is needed, though). 

Address:  No. 556, Guangfu Ln., Xinyi Township, Nantou County 556, Taiwan

Zhongshe Flower Market (中社觀光花市花海)

No Taichung day tour list would be complete without a visit to the beautiful Zhongshe Tourist Flower Market (also spelled Chungshe). 

Roughly 45 minutes drive from the city center, this sprawling 6-hectare area is one of the best examples of flower fields in Taiwan. Renowned for its varied, colorful flowers that bloom right throughout the year, Zhongshe is a great place to enjoy a walkabout. The best part? The fields are dotted with tons of props, from picture frames to a wooden piano and even a Dutch-style windmill – all creating a picture-perfect backdrop. 

Since Zhongsge is quite a popular place to visit during weekends, come early to skip the crowds. If your Taiwan itinerary happens to fall from January through March, you’re in for a real treat! Because it’s also the only place in Taiwan where you can see thousands of colorful tulips in full bloom. The entrance fee is NT$120 (April to December) and NT$150 (January to March).

Getting to Zhongshe Flower Market:  Catch a northbound train to Tai’an Station (泰安火車站) at Taichung Station. From there, grab a taxi or walk the remaining 1.8km to the flower farm. Alternatively, book this fun day tour that also includes a few other hot spots around the city. 

Address:  No. 333, Section 5, Sanfeng Road, Houli District, Taichung City, 421

Xinshe Castle (新社莊園古堡)

Xinshe Castle is yet another popular tourist destination just on the outskirts of Taichung. 

Nestled amid the mountains of Xinshe Township, this European-style castle has a lot going for it! Besides the cool architecture that will transcend you to a fairy-tale setting, the beautiful gardens complete with koi-filled ponds and the massive human-made waterfall are just as impressive. After wandering along the various walkways, grab a bite at one of the onsite restaurants, go wine tasting or shop for some souvenirs.

Xinshe Castle is open from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 6 pm on weekends. The entrance fee is NT$250, of which NT$100 can be used at both the Hexagon or Wooden House Restaurants. 

Getting to Xinshe Castle  involves taking a train and bus. First, take the TRA to Fengyuan Station (豐原車站). From there, catch bus 91 and get off at the Xinwu Village (新五村) stop.

Address:  No. 23, Xiezhong Street, Xinshe District, Taichung City, 426

Xitou Monster Village (溪頭妖怪村)

Xitou Monster Village is a quirky Japanese-themed village roughly 1.5 hours drive from Taichung. 

Famous for its tasty monster-themed food, cool monster statues, red torii gate, and dozens of red lanterns, Xitou is a fun place to walk around, take photos or hunt for monster sculptures. Since the village is quite small, you can easily see it all in less than an hour or two. 

With that said, though, there’s more to Xitou than its quirky village. In particular, the Xitou Nature Education Park. Here you can wander along misty forest trails both on the ground and on treetop walkways. If you don’t have time to visit the mystical forests of Alishan , then this nearby park is a great alternative. Just a heads up, it’s quite popular among tour groups and school outings! So, if you don’t like crowds, this might not be your thing. 

Further afield, Shanlinxi Forest Ecological Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區) is another beautiful area. It has a fun hike to the gorgeous Songlong Rock WaterFall (松瀧岩瀑布). Hop on bus 6277 from Xitou Nature Education Center and ride one stop to Sun Link Sea. Alternatively, join the tour below to see all of the area’s best bits!

Getting to Xitou Monster Village:  The easiest way to visit Xitou is on an organized Xitou Monster Village tour from Taichung. Alternatively, you can hop on the  Xitou Shuttle bus . The shuttle also offers a special tourist pass that can save you a few bucks! 

Address:  No.2-3, Xingchan Rd., Lugu Township, Nantou County 558

Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區)

Located less than 2 hours drive from Taichung, Sun Link Sea is another beautiful forest resort in Nantou County. Boasting beautiful waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, and misty forests lined with towering trees and lush plant life Sun Link Sea is one of the best day trips from Taichung. 

With more than 40 hectares to explore, Sun Link Sea is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The most popular sight to see here is Songlong Rock Waterfall – a stunning waterfall that sits right beside a massive cliff. A well-paved path is etched out along the cave’s interior and offers panoramic views over the waterfall and lush valley surrounding it. Several trails lead you deeper into the forest from here, where you can see a 4000-year-old cypress tree and the famous Tian-ti Yen – the highest point in the park sitting at an elevation of 1800m.

Another highlight not to miss in Sun Link Sea is the sprawling Herb and Flower Center. It houses a wide variety of medicinal plants and more than 30 flower species, such as hydrangea, Indian pipes, and peonies. 

Sun Link Sea has tons of trails, and you could easily spend a few days here to do them all. For those not keen on walking long distances, the park also has a shuttle service at regular intervals. It stop at several of the area’s most iconic attractions. 

Getting there:   Join this guided tour  for the easier route. Alternatively, Yuanlin Bus 6871 or Taiwan Tourist Bus  6883B can also get you there. The bus ride takes about 3 hours. 

Address:  No.6, Xishan Rd., Daan Village, Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan

Taichung Day Trips in Conclusion

As you can see, there are loads of incredible places to go near Taichung. While these Taichung day trips are just a handful of bucket-list-worthy spots to visit, they should provide plenty of inspiration on where to go and what to see near Taichung!

Well, that’s all I’ve got on Taichung day trips. If you think I’ve missed anything or have any other places to go near Taichung, feel free to share your recommendations below!

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Blinken Goes to China With Potential Trouble on Horizon

The secretary of state’s visit comes as Democrats and Republicans are vying to appear tougher on China.

By Vivian Wang

Reporting from Beijing

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in China on Wednesday to try to preserve the recent and delicate stabilization of ties between the United States and China, as tensions over trade, territorial disputes and national security threaten to derail relations again.

Even before Mr. Blinken’s plane approached Shanghai, the challenges ahead were apparent. He landed just hours after the U.S. Senate passed a bill , which President Biden is expected to quickly sign into law, that provides $8 billion to Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, and could also lead to a nationwide ban on the Chinese-owned app TikTok .

The political season in the United States also looms as a complication. With the presidential election nearing, Democrats and Republicans are vying to appear tougher on China. And if former President Donald Trump is re-elected, he could reverse Beijing’s and Washington’s efforts to steady the relationship.

During Mr. Blinken’s three-day trip, which will also include a visit to Beijing, he plans to press Chinese officials on a wide range of issues, including its support for Russia, cheap Chinese exports that U.S. officials say threaten American jobs, and Chinese ships’ aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea, a senior State Department official told reporters in a telephone briefing.

Chinese officials are likely to bring up American support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims, and trade restrictions that Beijing calls discriminatory.

Mr. Blinken is expected to meet with China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi. It is not clear whether he will meet with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, as he did during his last visit , in June.

That visit — the first by an American secretary of state to China since 2018 — came at perhaps the worst moment in U.S.-China relations in recent years. High-level military communications were cut off, and neighboring countries worried that the two powers might stumble into a war.

Since then, relations have thawed somewhat. China’s economy is slowing, and Beijing has adopted a softer diplomatic tone to attract more foreign investment. Washington, though continuing to warn that China poses a global security threat, has said it wants to keep communication open.

In November, Mr. Biden and Mr. Xi met for four hours near San Francisco. Afterward, China agreed to resume cooperation with the United States on fighting the global production of fentanyl, and both countries affirmed the importance of restoring cultural exchanges. The two leaders also spoke by phone this month.

Last week, the countries’ top defense officials held a video conference, their first substantive engagement since late 2022.

But new sources of tension are rising. Western officials have grown increasingly vocal about concerns that China is backing Russia in its war in Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during her own visit to China earlier this month, warned of “ significant consequences ” if Beijing provides material support. China has maintained that it is not, while deepening ties with Moscow. Mr. Xi hosted Russia’s foreign minister this month, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is expected to visit China soon.

U.S. officials have also said China is dumping cheap electric vehicles and solar panels in overseas markets, hurting American companies. China has rejected the accusations as smacking of protectionism.

Chinese ships’ aggressive behavior in waters disputed with the Philippines and Japan has also raised concerns about a possible clash that could draw in the United States, a treaty ally of those countries.

On Taiwan, perhaps the most sensitive issue in the U.S.-China relationship, the island is set to inaugurate its new president , Lai Ching-te — whom Beijing reviles as an advocate of Taiwanese independence — next month.

Asked at a regular news briefing on Wednesday about Congress’s new aid for Taiwan, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said that stronger military cooperation between the United States and Taiwan would “not bring about security for Taiwan” and would “only escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.”

China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, had told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during their call that China would “brook no compromise” on Taiwan, according to the Chinese readout .

Mr. Wang declined to answer repeated questions about TikTok on Wednesday. He referred reporters to previous statements from China’s Ministry of Commerce, which has said it would “ firmly oppose ” a sale of the app.

Within the United States, anti-China rhetoric is likely to intensify as the Democrats and Republicans compete to outdo each other on one of the few areas of bipartisan agreement. Campaigning last week in Pennsylvania, a steelworking stronghold, Mr. Biden called for raising tariffs on steel imports from China.

“We had high hopes after the San Francisco summit, but recent developments are putting a lot of stress on the relationship,” said Xie Tao, the dean of the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University. “When you add all these negative developments together, you have a pretty depressing picture of the U.S.-China relationship right now.”

Both countries have reason to try to prevent escalating tensions. The United States has asked China to help restrain Iran, with which it has good relations, from pushing its hostilities with Israel into full-blown war. And China is eager to stave off further tariffs from the United States, as strong exports have helped it counterbalance its housing crisis and weak consumer spending.

But both countries may also have little room for diplomatic maneuvering, because of hardening public opinion on both sides.

“There are already so many irritants and issues of mistrust within the relationship,” said Allen Carlson, a professor of international relations at Cornell University.

“If you have a pot which is already close to boiling, it only takes adding a degree or two to push things over the edge.”

Vivian Wang is a China correspondent based in Beijing, where she writes about how the country’s global rise and ambitions are shaping the daily lives of its people. More about Vivian Wang