Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko

Destination 01

Taipei

9 places

A food-obsessed capital with hot springs and hiking trails at the edge of town. Stay 3 days.

• Photo: Peellden · CC BY 3.0

  National Palace Museum

  One of the world's great collections of Chinese imperial art, jade and calligraphy.

  Tip Arrive at opening and head straight for the Jadeite Cabbage gallery.

  SeeShilin$3 hrMorning
• Photo: はせがわたくみ · Google

  Longshan Temple (Mengjia Longshan Si)

  Ornate 18th-century temple, busy with worshippers from dawn to night.

  Tip Visit in the evening when chanting fills the courtyard.

  SeeWanhuaFree45 minEvening
• Photo: AngMoKio · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

  Vast white memorial and plaza flanked by the National Theater and Concert Hall.

  Tip The honor guard changes on the hour.

  SeeZhongzhengFree60 min
• Photo: 跳表逼逼 · Google

  Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

  Steep 20-minute stair climb to the classic view of Taipei 101.

  Tip Go 30 minutes before sunset and stay for the lights.

  OutdoorsXinyiFree1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Aimee Gener · Google

  Taipei 101 Observatory

  Observation decks on the 89th floor with a view of the giant tuned mass damper.

  Tip Clear afternoons give the longest views.

  SeeXinyi$$$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Wing1990hk · CC BY 3.0

  Beitou Hot Springs

  Thermal valley with a public hot spring, Thermal Valley steam pool and a wooden library.

  Tip Bring a swimsuit for the cheap Millennium public hot spring.

  DoBeitou$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Fauzty · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Raohe Street Night Market

  Compact night market known for black-pepper buns baked in clay ovens.

  Tip Start at the Ciyou Temple gate for the pepper bun queue.

  EatSongshan$1.5 hrEvening
• Photo: 神秘客 · Google

  Din Tai Fung Xinyi

  The original location of the soup dumpling chain, still known for precise xiaolongbao.

  Tip Take a number early; wait times can top an hour.

  EatDa'an$$60 minLunch
• Photo: 青田茶館 · Google

  Qingtian Tea House

  Gongfu tea service in a restored Japanese-era professor's house on a quiet Da'an lane, with a small gallery inside.

  Tip Message ahead to book a tea slot; it fills on weekends.

  DrinkDa'an$$1.5 hrAfternoon

Destination 02

Jiufen and Pingxi

9 places

Mountain mining towns above the northeast coast, with old streets and waterfalls. Stay 1 day or one night.

• Photo: Σ64 · CC BY 3.0

  Jiufen Old Street

  Narrow lanes of tea houses and snack shops climbing a hillside above the sea.

  Tip Stay past 6pm when day tours leave and lanterns glow.

  DoRuifang$2 hrEvening
• Photo: 阿妹茶樓 · Google

  A-Mei Teahouse

  Red-lantern teahouse on Jiufen's stairway, a classic spot for oolong with a view.

  Tip Ask for a balcony table facing the sea.

  DrinkJiufen$$60 minDusk
• Photo: 阿柑姨芋圓 · Google

  A-Gan Yi Taro Balls

  Hillside shop serving chewy taro and sweet potato balls in shaved ice or warm soup.

  Tip Grab a window seat for valley views.

  EatJiufen$30 minAfternoon
• Photo: ifchen chen · Google

  Gold Museum, Jinguashi

  Former Japanese-era gold mine with a walk-in tunnel and a 220 kg gold bar to touch.

  Tip Combine with the Teapot Mountain hike nearby.

  SeeJinguashi$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: 湯志翔（阿湯） · Google

  Teapot Mountain Trail

  Short, steep hike to a rocky summit over the coast and the Yin Yang Sea.

  Tip Wear grippy shoes; the top section involves scrambling.

  OutdoorsJinguashiFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Jacky Chung · Google

  Golden Waterfall

  Roadside cascade stained gold by minerals from old mine workings.

  OutdoorsJinguashiFree20 min
• Photo: Michelle · Google

  Shifen Old Street

  Rail-side street where visitors paint and release sky lanterns between trains.

  Tip Ride the Pingxi Line and buy a one-day pass.

  DoPingxi$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: 呂朱耕 · Google

  Shifen Waterfall

  Wide curtain waterfall reached by a riverside path from Shifen.

  Tip Free entry; check closing time, it shuts before dark.

  OutdoorsPingxiFree60 minAfternoon
• Photo: 夏羽晞（MiNa） · Google

  Houtong Cat Village

  Former coal-mining village now home to dozens of resident cats.

  Tip It is right by Houtong station on the way to Shifen.

  SeeHoutongFree45 minMorning

Destination 03

Hualien and Taroko

8 places

East-coast base for marble canyon views, sea cliffs and Indigenous food. Stay 2 days.

• Photo: puiling pp · Google

  Taroko Gorge

  Marble canyon carved by the Liwu River; only some sections and trails have reopened since 2024.

  Tip Check official notices for Highway 8 access windows and which trails are open.

  OutdoorsXiulinFree4 hrMorning
• Photo: Fred Hsu · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Qingshui Cliffs

  Sheer cliffs plunging into turquoise water along the Suhua Highway.

  Tip Morning light is best; view from the Chongde area.

  OutdoorsXiulinFree60 minMorning
• Photo: 蔡明陽 · Google

  Qixingtan Beach

  Crescent pebble beach with mountain views north of Hualien city.

  Tip Strong currents; it is for walking, not swimming.

  OutdoorsXinchengFree60 minSunrise
• Photo: 松園別館 · Google

  Pine Garden

  Japanese-era military building in a pine grove overlooking Hualien port.

  SeeHualien City$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: 藍Baby · Google

  Liyu Lake

  Mountain-ringed lake with cycling paths and pedal boats south of the city.

  Tip Ride the loop path early on a rented bike.

  OutdoorsShoufengFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Kai-Ping Fang · Google

  Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park

  Converted winery buildings with craft shops, galleries and cafes.

  ShopHualien City$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: joe fatchow · Google

  Dongdamen Night Market

  Large night market with an Indigenous food section serving grilled meats and millet wine.

  Tip Look for the Aboriginal street section for local dishes.

  EatHualien City$1.5 hrEvening
• Photo: Ringo Lin · Google

  Gongzheng Baozi

  Round-the-clock steamed bun shop famous for small pork buns and dumplings.

  Tip Good for a cheap breakfast before Taroko.

  EatHualien City$30 minBreakfast

Destination 04

Tainan

8 places

Taiwan's oldest city, full of temples, Dutch forts and the island's best snacks. Stay 2 days.

• Photo: 赤崁樓 · Google

  Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia)

  Site of a 17th-century Dutch fort later rebuilt with Chinese pavilions.

  Tip Evening lighting makes for good photos.

  SeeWest Central$45 minEvening
• Photo: 張英斌 · Google

  Anping Old Fort

  Remains of Fort Zeelandia, the Dutch colonial base built in the 1620s.

  Tip Walk to Anping Old Street for snacks afterward.

  SeeAnping$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Venation · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Anping Tree House

  Old merchant warehouse swallowed by banyan roots.

  SeeAnping$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: 臺南孔子廟 全臺首學 · Google

  Tainan Confucius Temple

  Taiwan's first Confucian temple, built in 1665 with quiet courtyards.

  Tip Fuzhong Street across the road is good for snacks.

  SeeWest Central$45 minMorning
• Photo: Sin-siōng · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Hayashi Department Store

  Restored 1932 department store selling local crafts, with a rooftop Shinto shrine.

  Tip Ride the vintage elevator.

  ShopWest Central$$45 min
• Photo: 度小月擔仔麵 台南老店 · Google

  Du Hsiao Yueh

  The 1895 original of danzai noodles, small bowls topped with shrimp and pork sauce.

  Tip Order a bowl and move on; snack-sized portions are the point.

  EatWest Central$30 min
• Photo: 六千泓佐牛肉湯 · Google

  Tainan Beef Soup

  Thin slices of raw local beef cooked by hot broth poured over, a Tainan breakfast staple.

  Tip Go early; many shops sell out by late morning.

  EatWest Central$30 minBreakfast
• Photo: Boris Lai · Google

  Shennong Street

  Lantern-lit lane of old shophouses with small bars, cafes and studios.

  Tip Best after dark on weekends.

  DrinkWest Central$$1.5 hrNight